Viewer Takes Action on Christmas Greetings

Catholic Exchange Viewer Takes Action

Editor’s Note: Prompted by the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Catholic Exchange asked its viewers in a December 12 Viewer Alert [“Keeping the ‘X’ in X-Mas”] to contact Mr. Ron Sims, the executive of King County (Seattle, Washington). Mr. Sims had issued a directive to all King County employees to use only “religion-neutral” language in their work, especially at holiday time.

The email from Catholic Exchange viewer John Miner below is precisely what we at CE had in mind when we asked our viewers to take action. Thank you Mr. Miner! We reprint the email here with Mr. Miner’s permission.

Wednesday, December 12, 2001

Dear Mr. Sims,

I have just heard about your recent memorandum to King County employees regarding the appropriate use of holiday greetings. From the encounters I have had with those of other faiths, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, etc., I have yet to find a single person devoted to their faith who is offended by me practicing my faith.

So, for those who celebrate Hannukah, Ramadan or “Kwaanza” I say, please, wish me a “Happy Hannukah,” etc. As a devoted Catholic, I would be flattered that the person thought enough of me to wish me well as befits their faith tradition.

I am not aware of your faith, Mr. Sims, so, in light of that, I say to you, Happy Advent, Merry Christmas, and may the Lord Jesus Christ bring you joy and peace in your lifetime and salvation in the next.

Peace and blessings,

John D. Miner

Saranac Lake, NY

(Additional note: Catholic Exchange has since learned that Mr. Sims has reversed himself and will now allow King County employees to say, “Merry Christmas.” For more information, as well as William Donohue’s insightful analysis of Mr. Sims’ response, see the news release from our friends at the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.)

Viewer Wants to Start an MI Village

Dear Catholic Exchange:

I am currently trying to get more information regarding forming an MI Village. MI as you may know stands for Militia Immaculata. If you're familiar with the Militia Immaculata, you're familiar then with St. Maximilian Kolbe.

It was St. Maximilian Kolbe’s goal to “Lead every individual with Mary to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.” Well, there is a place called Marytown where the MI National Office is located in Libertyville, Illinois.

I do so want to start an MI Village here where I live, in Western New York. I emailed a person (Mike) who lives in New York City and has an MI Village started there. He writes, “Our group is located in Lower Manhattan (Ground Zero). We have three members who worked in the World Trade Center and THANK GOD they all made it out okay. One was in a minor accident that delayed him a half hour and the other decided to take a walk before going to work since it was a nice day.”

Mike continues, “At the MI meetings, we reconsecrate ourselves, pray a Rosary and discuss the writings of St. Maximilian Kolbe. We try to apply what he wrote in our everyday lives.”

They also do many Catholic apologetical works. What I'm getting at here is I'm hoping that some people who are also interested in starting an MI Village can contact me and let me know how they are doing. One thing that I believe was so awesome is this: Recently they organized “An Evening with Mary.” Mike states, “We left it in Our Lady's Hands to run it and she did.” They picked the date for a Mass, a Rosary march in Battery Park followed by Eucharistic Adoration and a talk on Max and Mary back in the Church. They had the meeting and planned for this in August. The date they picked back then was for October 11th. The one month anniversary of the attacks!

Do you see why it is so important to me to start this MI Village. Especially for young people. They of all people need to be close to their Spiritual Mother, and what better way than to hold meetings in her honor. Thanks for reading this. In case you're interested in finding out more information for yourself about this organization, you may contact: paulvastola@standardandpoors.com.

Yours in JMJTJP,

Mary Lou Stachnik

Dear Mary Lou:

Mark Shea

Senior Content Editor

Catholic Exchange

A Southern Viewer's Exchange with Mark Shea

Editor's Note: Below is Mark Shea's response to a Catholic Exchange viewer. Mark's format of replying to select portions of the viewer's email at a time has been retained for presentation in Viewer Letters.

Plain text: Catholic Exchange Viewer

Italics: Mark Shea

Dear Mark Shea:

Good Morning!

Do you travel for speaking engagements? Could you give me some information?

I love speaking about the faith! All my speaking information is available at www.mark-shea.com/speak.html.

I am in the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama. People down here don't know the answer to the questions, “Why am I Catholic?” and “Why should I “stay” Catholic?”

As a matter of fact, one of the talks I give is “Why be a Catholic?”

And I hear often in this area, “I used to be Catholic.” Before they go on to tell me, “It doesn't matter what you are,” or, “You have to be “Spirit Filled.” Or [they say], “God knows me– why should I go to Church?” etc. etc. etc.

I am sure that you have heard it all as well.

Yes. Indifferentism is a common problem in our culture.

We also have an ex-Catholic married to an Pentecostal, affiliated with the Assembly of God, who is involved in a new string of churches, called “Christian Life.” It’s designed to meet the needs of the unchurched, and/or the neglected, i.e. those who don't know the scriptures, who don't really understand the riches given us at the foot of the cross, and designed to help those who want to understand and implement Biblical Principles in their everyday walk with our Lord. All of which is great!

Agreed.

However, many become convinced, that it’s no longer necessary to be Catholic any more! So, we are losing some, including some of my children's attention, as the other churches are courting the children to join them.

So, if, and that is a HUGE if, our priests and bishop, really believe in our Roman Catholic Faith, enough to go out and sponsor people like you to come down here and help by speaking engagements, would you be interested?

I'd be delighted. However, I would encourage you not to approach your priests or bishop in an “adversarial” mode (i.e. “If you really believe in our Faith, why don't you do X?”). Instead, make it clear that you desire to come alongside them and help as they are engaged in the difficult task of trying to build up the Body of Christ. I, for one, would be tickled pink to help however I can. If they need references, I have provided a link on my site (www.mark-shea.com/speakref.html). Also, if they are curious, they can browse the rest of my site (www.mark-shea.com) to find out a bit about my work.

Our parishes are growing, as more laymen have become interested in helping in the CCD programs, and in Youth Ministry, but, not it’s not yet as it could be. Some, discouraged at the lack of interest, support, and persecution, simply tire and move on.

I understand that things can be difficult at times. But keep your chin up. The Church is growing every day!

Let me know your thoughts on this as well as your availability.

Sincerely,

Catholic Exchange Viewer

I am very available for speaking wherever people can use me. I have a wide repertoire of material (as you'll see when you check my site) and am happy to come to any parish, conference, or other gathering that will have me.

Mark Shea

Senior Content Editor

Catholic Exchange

Editor's Note: To contact Catholic Exchange, please refer to our Contact Us page.