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Letters to the Editor

A second look at St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Michael Liccione, Ph.D. • Nov 06, 2023
I hope others are as grateful to Angelus as I am for the rich article on St. Thérèse in the Nov. 3 issue. My interest in her had never been lively because her cult, to which I was first exposed in parochial school, seemed so sentimental to me. Later I tried to read “The Story of a Soul” but didn't get far; my cynical self just couldn't resonate with such childlike trust, which struck me as wishful thinking. But now that I’ve read Father Cameron’s article, I am stunned by how painful St. Thérèse’s brief life was. I now see that her spirituality was anything but sentimental. The “Little Way” makes great sense to me as a wonderfully economical way to respond to suffering, overcome cynicism, and resist the temptation to nihilism. Well done! — Michael Liccione, Ph.D., Steubenville, Ohio

Generation isn’t everything

Stanley Booth • Oct 24, 2023
I’d like to see more of the kind of writing and illustrations from stories like Elise Italiano Ureneck’s Oct. 6 cover article, “Lost in our times.” But while it made for a great read, I’m not sure I agree with psychologist Jean Twenge’s assessment that “when you were born has a larger effect on your personality and attitudes than the family you were raised in.” There is no greater influence on a young person than the family they are raised in: their customs, what they’re fed, how they’re educated, the presence (or absence) of parents and siblings … these are all fundamental factors that shape people, more important than the “millennial” or “Gen Z” labels we like to give. — Stanley Booth, South LA

The real Michael Ladisa

Eve Ortiz • Sep 26, 2023
The article in the Sept. 22 issue on chaplain Michael Ladisa gave light to what I consider the “whole Michael.” We got to learn more about him not only as a chaplain but also as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. We learned things about Michael that, because of his humility, he never shared with us, his fellow chaplains. Like how he rented a storage unit to keep reading materials and clothes for those being released from the jail, or how he and Monica took someone in that needed a home.  I am sure there are many more good things we will never know about Michael, but it’s OK because he left his mark everywhere he went. You brought out the real Michael, the sensitive Michael, the dedicated Michael, and the committed Michael in bringing Christ’s light to every individual he met. I was very moved with the article that I printed out several copies to pass out to anyone, not just chaplains. I believe his life needs to be shared and that is what you did for us. — Eve Ortiz, senior Catholic chaplain, Century Regional Detention Facility, Lynwood

A lesson learned for the synod?

Pat Esseff • Sep 26, 2023
In his Sept. 11 column on AngelusNews.com, “On the road to synodality,” Russell Shaw wrote that the minimum requirement for the Synod of Synodality should be “letting people say what they think rather than what someone else would like them to think.” His comment encourages me to say that had the Church leadership explored, incorporated, and yes, loved, the documents of the Second Vatican Council, then priestly vocations, religious communities, Mass attendance, belief in the Real Presence, transmitting faith to the youth, etc. would be a vibrant reality today. — Pat Esseff, Camarillo

Finding grace for a tortured artist

Marilyn Boussaid • Aug 29, 2023
Thank you so much for publishing the marvelous article by Elizabeth Lev about Henri Matisse and the rosary chapel in Vence, entitled “An atheist’s chapel in France.” As always, Lev has such a beautiful way with words when it comes to describing anything to do with art and art history. The story itself conveys such a profound sense of hope — the reader can’t help but desire, and hope for, the salvation of this wayward artist, Matisse, to whom God gave a great creative talent, a heavy cross, and a unique opportunity for redemption — and who poured his heart and soul and waning strength into the creation of this sacred space. — Marilyn Boussaid, St. James Church, Redondo Beach

Are large families welcome enough in church?

Stephanie Thigpen • Aug 28, 2023
I was sorry to read the Aug. 25 article by Faith Jablonski, “Parishes need to be more welcoming. They should start with large families,” on AngelusNews.com because it describes an unfortunate experience that has not been my family’s.  Our parish is a bit of a Disney World for young Catholic families: eight altar servers at each Mass, and any family with less than five children is considered a small one. In each pew, there’s a holy card that says something to the effect of “a quiet church is a dying church. We welcome your baby’s crying and are glad that you are here.” Still, as the mother of a disabled child, I hope that the Church can do a better job of listening to the voices of families trying their best to pass on the faith to their kids, especially in the pews on Sundays.  — Stephanie Thigpen, Stillwater, Minnesota

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