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Letters to the Editor

Catholicism and Judaism go together

Marilyn Boussaid • Jul 13, 2026
Many thanks for Mike Aquilina’s gripping article on Marcion, enemy of the Old Testament (July 10 issue of Angelus). As a Jewish convert to the Catholic faith, I couldn’t agree more that the Hebrew Scriptures are foundational and essential to the understanding of who Jesus Christ is. So many of the Church’s teachings have their roots in the Old Testament. We have to remind ourselves that the early Christians didn’t have a “New Testament” book. The New Covenant is, as Jesus said, the Eucharist. The Bible consisted of the Scriptures that Jesus read. Thank God we are blessed with learned Scripture scholars, such as Brant Pitre, PH.D., who do such a fine job of explaining the Scriptures for us! I’m often amazed that there are any non-Jewish Catholics at all, let alone a billion of them! I wonder how many people realize what a tremendous grace it is to be Catholic. Catholicism is the fulfillment of Temple worship, according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain. The Catholic Church is Jewish. The Old Testament proves it. — Marilyn Boussaid, St. James Church, Redondo Beach

A nice detail in the ‘Miracle’ story

Peter Gloria • Jun 29, 2026
Kudos to Angelus and the archdiocese for highlighting a Catholic high school graduate who isn’t Catholic in its June 26 issue. I found the story of Miracle Tisdale’s survival and path to success immensely inspiring. But I also thought it showed how Catholic education isn’t just for Catholics, but has a mission for everyone. Growing up, I had Catholic school friends in my class who weren’t even religious, but years later, it’s clear that the values, formation, and lessons acquired those years have guided them ever since. I’m sure the same will be true for Miracle Tisdale. — Peter Gloria, Hawthorne

An incomplete criticism?

Christina Garcia • Jun 29, 2026
This “boomer” reader found the letter by Kenneth Lewis in the June 26 issue to be quite confusing and offensive — much more confusing and delusional than the Father Rolheiser column he was critiquing.  Lewis's lack of specificity as well as his speculations, name calling, and general tone detract from any meaningful points he may have meant to convey. It’s not a letter worthy of being printed in Angelus, whose standards are generally highly admirable. — Christina Garcia, Claremont

An outdated assessment

Kenneth Lewis • Jun 15, 2026
The lavish praise of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin in Father Ron Rolheiser’s column in the June 12 issue, “Science and Christian faith: Friends not foes,” felt like a rehash of so many bad pieces written in the ’70s and ’80s. Rolheiser makes no reference to how Joseph Ratzinger (the future Pope Benedict XVI) rehabilitated Teilhard’s reputation and how Pope Francis practically elevated him to Doctor of the Church status. If this were written today, it would have seized on those validations. The column’s opening line reads like a tired boomer Catholic stereotype, and is easily falsifiable: “During most of the 2,000 years that Christianity has existed, it has not been friends with science, and science has not been friends with it.” His presentation of Teilhard’s thought goes beyond what Ratzinger’s cautious, prudent rehabilitation would permit us to accept as Catholics. This is a delusional boomer tripe and confusing to readers. — Kenneth Lewis, San Diego

A unique vocation story

Marilyn Boussaid • Jun 01, 2026
Thank you for the beautiful story of “e.l.f. Cosmetics” founder Scott Borba’s journey to the Catholic priesthood on AngelusNews.com via EWTN News.  Nothing is more uplifting and inspiring than the testimony of someone who has been radically changed by surrendering to the Lord. We can all learn from these stories, or be reminded, that God’s plan for our lives is better than our own plan. We can also be amazed at the fascinating ways the Lord calls men to the priesthood, and what a wonderful gift the priesthood is. God bless all the generous men who have given up everything to follow Jesus. — Marilyn Boussaid, St. James Parish, Redondo Beach

Don’t forget Msgr. Barry

Msgr. David Sork • Jun 01, 2026
Your article about Congress left out a key figure in the growth of the Religious Education Congress: Msgr. John F. Barry, the director from 1973-1983. During his time, Congress experienced its greatest growth and the most changes. He offered the first workshops and liturgies in Spanish. He also introduced liturgies that represented various ethnic groups. The greatest changes in Congress occurred during his directorship. In 1983, he left the Office of Religious Education to become pastor of American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach, where he is still serving. — Msgr. David Sork, Long Beach

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