Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010
September 8, 2008
WCR Letters to the Editor
Newman student speaks out
Re: WCR Letters (June 30,July 14).
Since I began studies at Newman Theological College 11 years ago, three priests and two sisters have been replaced with lay instructors. Former president Father Gallagher has been replaced by a layperson.
I do not see it as problematic that the formation team for seminarians is comprised of priests, (the number of which has not changed). Eleven men were recently ordained to the diaconate, a program instituted by Archbishop Collins and continued by Archbishop Smith.
The GDRE program is another Newman program for the laity. So if the plan all along was to cut the bachelor's programs, as Ms. Prediger asserts, why was this done after years of declining enrolment and running a deficit?
Looking at the WCR for signs of clericalism, one priest writes a column. All the other contributors are laity who have leadership roles, exhorting us to become leaders too in caring for the earth, becoming involved in the political process, reading, loving one another, witnessing. Of the 22 on the staff and board of directors, two are clerics.
While only some of us are employed by the Church (I was for a time), we are all commissioned to work to build up the Body of Christ.
In my opinion, anyone who recites the Creed publicly vows commitment to do so. While John Zyp's supplication, "May the Holy Spirit enlighten and forgive our clergy," presumes to speak on behalf of all of the laity, he does not speak for me.
My husband and I are Newman's perennial students, and we support our archbishop in his ongoing open invitation to take courses there.
We in Edmonton and area are fortunate to have this wonderful theological college, with world class instructors offering courses in Scripture, Church history, sacraments, and canon law to name a few.
So take advantage of Newman and at the same time, support it.
Karin McCarthy
Edmonton
Letter to the Editor - 06/30/08
Letter to the Editor - 06/30/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/14/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/14/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/21/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/21/08
Letter to the Editor - 08/25/08
Letter to the Editor - 08/25/08
Letter to the Editor - 08/25/08
Applause for Telus World's Body Worlds
I went to the Telus World of Science to see a couple of Imax films. Once there, I decided to see the Body Worlds exhibit.
As I walked through the exhibit, I felt sorry that it was not available when I was teaching biology. The best films, slides, photographs and models of the human body do not come anywhere close to creating the visual impact of this exhibit.
The skeletal, nervous, muscular systems as well as the inner workings of every organ are there. I was fascinated by the lining of the intestinal tract, the heart valves, the cross sections of the brain and the lungs, the physical effects of disease on bone and tissues, the surgical replacement of diseased parts.
Quotations from philosophers, scientists and religious thinkers brought home millennia-old thoughts on life and death.
The exhibit reminded me of Anno Domini: Jesus through the centuries, David Goa's magnificent 2000 exhibit at the Provincial Museum. I felt a similar sense of awe and respect and sensed the same in the quiet way in which the public moved through the exhibit.
I think children, youth and adults will be moved by noting the effects of smoking on real lungs, not only the accumulation of tar, the statistics noting a 20-fold increase in lung cancer in smokers but also the physical effects of emphysema and greatly enlarged heart.
I have seen photos and films used to condemn abortion but I never have been as moved by them as by the embryos in the display.
I know that many objected to the exhibit because it put human bodies on display. Now that I have seen the exhibit, I would be very reluctant to condemn Body Worlds.
Body Worlds communicates the beauty, efficiency and intricacy of the human body.
Together with the Imax film Human Body, it moves one to appreciate and take care of one's body.
Cecily Mills
Edmonton
Letter to the Editor - 09/29/08
Letter to the Editor - 10/20/08
Hospital thanks Fr. Leo Floyd for his service
The Grey Nuns spiritual care department would like to publicly thank Father Leo Floyd for his years of faithful service as on-call priest to the Roman Catholic patients throughout our hospital.
Father Leo was appointed by the archdiocese to serve full-time at the facilities of Grey Nun's Hospital, the Mewburn Veteran's Centre (now Kipnes Centre) and the Cross Cancer Institute on Sept. 4, 2001.
Since that time he has served, responding 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to meet the sacramental needs of Roman Catholic patients in each of those institutions.
Father Leo regularly celebrated Mass at our hospital chapel every Sunday at 4 p.m.
His engaging personality, his incredible memory and his sense of humour have endeared him to patients, family members and staff throughout the years.
We were privileged to join with the hospital Eucharistic ministers in celebrating Father Leo's 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood in May 2008.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish Father Leo well in his next assignment.
Father Leo, may God continue to bless you and make you a blessing.
Edmonton
Rev. Dr. Marj Pettinger
Coordinator, Spiritual Care
Grey Nuns Community Hospital
Edmonton
Mark Pickup's column on regret 'deeply moving'
I have intended to contact the WCR to express my appreciation for Mark Pickup's columns over the last few months, but his most recent (Aug. 25) was the impetus I needed. I found his writing on the abortion participation deeply moving and expressing a profound regret and eventual reconciliation with his conscience.
I have only met Mark through his writings, but know of his participation in various pro-life activities and I can only admire his courage and fortitude in his battle with ill health.
God bless you Mark, and thank you for your clear and insightful articles.
John McGhee
Edmonton
Letters to the Editor
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