| December 31, 2007 | Volume 83, Number 5 | |
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CV columnist responds to letterI am writing in response to the letter from Bryan Walsh regarding my mentioning the book “Constantine’s Sword” in a recent article (Nov. 19 issue). I want to reassure readers that it was not meant to be an endorsement of the book. I am aware that some of the information the author cites as historical has been disputed. I apologize for contributing to any misunderstanding about the book. It was given to my husband by a Jewish friend and reading it was instrumental in my search to learn more about Judaism and Islam. I met the author, James Carroll, when he spoke at a local synagogue where his work was very well received. Sometimes it helps to know how others respond to works that we may question.
Handholding at Mass disturbs readerMy family and I just returned from Germany (civil service for the Army) after 10 years. We also spent three years in Vicenza, Italy back in ‘84–‘87. We belong to Holy Trinity Parish in Norfolk. My questions are: Why do we still hold hands during the Our Father? The military district of Washington stopped this practice about three years ago citing that this was started “somewhere by someone but not really sure who/where.” There are many older people who might have arthritis or other medical ailments and this hand holding could cause them pain. Others might not wash their hands as much as others and be spreading germs. I myself am uncomfortable with this practice as are many I suppose and you might say, “just do not participate,” but then “we” might be looked down on or thought to be unsociable. It was not in place in the ‘30s–‘80s so why is it in place now? I would like to add that our priests at Holy Trinity are wonderful.
(Editor: Hand holding during the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer has never been part of the rite during Mass. It is customary in some parishes who promote the gesture as a sign of unity, but the true unity during the liturgy is the Eucharist. No one is obliged to hold hands with the people on either side of them in the pews, nor should anyone feel uncomfortable who wants to refrain from taking a hand that is extended. The sign of peace is the appropriate time to greet others with a handshake or embrace.)
Pat Peters recalled as wonderful womanI wanted to take a moment to remember a wonderful woman who ministered to the Church of the Epiphany for many years. Pat Peters was such an important part of our parish and faith understanding as we raised our children in Richmond. She was a woman who broke ground in our church in a positive way. She often spoke to us in story form so all could understand her message. My children listened to her as she told her stories. Her famous “Woman at the Well” was one of her greats! Pat spoke of how when we receive a sacrament we should have the anticipation, excitement and enthusiasm of a child when receiving a gift. For it is a Gift we receive from heaven. I was unable to attend her funeral because it was the day before Thanksgiving and we were traveling. I felt how fitting it was that she was reaching Heaven’s Gate as so many were thankful for her Gifts. May Pat be remembered as a woman of great faith. She took the time to share her faith with us. She now spends her first Christmas in Heaven. It will be Merry.
CV thanked for Sr. Angela retreat infoI wanted to write to you and thank you for including the little article about Sister Angela’s retreat this past weekend at the Benedictine Monastery in Richmond. I think the article was published in the mid-November issue. Fortunately I made it to the retreat by the skin of my teeth. When I wrote to inquire about the weekend I was told there were only two rooms left. It would have been heartbreaking for me to have missed it. What an amazing experience it was to hear Sister Angela speak about the message of Fatima. I wish you could have been there as someone in your position could have shared so much with your readers. Thank you again for including information about this retreat in The Catholic Virginian. You can’t imagine how much it means to me to have been made aware of this opportunity.
Nativity display project startedI’m a member at the Church of the Redeemer in Mechanicsville and we have a new project. Next December we will have a weekend display of Nativity sets, many from all over the world reflecting different cultures and peoples. Our primary purpose is to place attention on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ. This project actually is patterned after a program started in California 17 years ago. We’d appreciate the Catholic Virginian’s assistance in getting information out. While our project display is not till next December, we hope that people will take pictures and measurements while their Nativity sets are out this year.
Longwood celebration is multiculturalOn December 5 Longwood University held its “Festival of Lights Celebration.” With the approaching Christmas season the office of Multicultural Affairs and the Globalization and Pluralism Planning Committee gathered speakers from 10 religions or cultural groups to speak of their traditions and holydays/holidays which often fall within our Christmas season. The program opened with the singing of the traditional Chanukah blessings used during the lighting of the candles of the Menorah. Father Carl DeSouza, retired pastor of St. Theresa’s in Farmville, provided an insightful presentation of light and its importance to our lives, setting the tone for the evening. The final presenter for the evening was Alaina Furman of Catholic Campus Ministry. Instead of speaking on our western Christian traditions, Alaina addressed the question of how can we find value in and acceptance of these other traditions, holydays/holidays during this time of year when we celebrate our Christian Christmas traditions. Alaina, using the light spoken of within the other traditions, thoughtfully showed how their light can relate to the light within our own beliefs. She said it is important that we recognize and encourage their celebrations during this time when we celebrate our own Christmas traditions. In conversations after the program many commented on Alaina’s outstanding presentation and how it brought a successful and meaningful conclusion to the evening’s program.
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