Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010
November 24, 2008
WCR Letters to the Editor
Indians proud of their first saint
Alphonsa, the first saint of India, was canonized Oct. 12.
Alphonsa (Annakutty as she was called) was born on Aug. 19, 1910. She lost her mother when she was two years old and was placed in the custody of her maternal uncle.
In 1916 she began her schooling and on Nov. 27, 1917 she received her first Holy Communion. At the age of 14 she had a severe burn and had to discontinue her studies.
In 1928 Annakutty joined the Franciscan Clarist Convent at Bharananganam. But soon she fell ill. She faced her illness with a lot of courage, silent suffering and determination and found solace through prayer.
Sister Alphonsa died at the age of 35, on July 28, 1946. Many were cured after praying at Sister Alphonsa's tomb.
She never held any office nor did she do any great things as per human judgments. But she did her chores and suffered all pains for the love of Jesus.
She wrote in her spiritual diary: "I do not wish to act or speak according to my inclinations. Every time I fail, I will do penance - I want to be careful never to reject anyone. I will only speak sweet words to others. I want to control my eyes with rigour.
"I will ask pardon of the Lord for every little failure and I will atone for it through penance. No matter what my sufferings may be, I will never complain and if I have to undergo any humiliation, I will seek refuge in the Sacred Heart of Jesus - I have great desire to suffer with joy."
My wife Lucy and I have visited Sister Alphonsa's room and tomb. It is so divine to have a saint canonized in India while great religious persecutions are now taking place in India.
Tony De Almeida
Edmonton
Danek Mozdzenski was indeed consulted
I was quite taken aback by the letter from John Zyp to the WCR, published Nov. 3,"Talented Polish Sculptor Lives Here."
Danek Mozdzenski, is a well-respected artist known to the Polish community and the John Paul II Monument Committee, and was one of the first people consulted for the commissioning of the bronze sculpture of John Paul II.
Is this evidence that "the parish priests and parish councillors suffer from the unfortunate 'foreign is better syndrome'"?
Mozdzenski submitted his design for the statue to the John Paul II Monument Committee and attended some of the initial meetings, providing helpful advice on how competitions for such art projects are conducted. The committee is very grateful for his input.
Mozdzenski also informed the members of the John Paul II Monument Committee that such a large bronze statue would have to poured in the U.S., because local facilities are not available.
In any case, the statue would have to have been transported to Edmonton by truck or air. Would Mr. Zyp also consider this as an "immoral environmentally irresponsible act?"
Aside from the designs submitted, the committee had to consider the cost of the project and whether the monument could be completed and installed in time for the 30th anniversary of John Paul's election, which was celebrated on Oct. 19.
The question arises: Why is Mr. Zyp trying to belittle the efforts of the Polish community, Holy Rosary Parish and the Knights of Columbus?
They were all very generous in their contributions and put much effort into successfully completing a cost-effective project. All Catholics in the Edmonton area can be proud of this momentous endeavour.
Mr. Zyp should have checked his facts before commenting on this issue.
Stanislaw Kiryczuk
Edmonton
Letter to the Editor - 12/08/08
Letter to the Editor - 12/08/08
Obama plans no middle ground for pro-life
Glen Argan's Nov. 10 editorial ("Obama offers hope of new beginnings to the world") argues that U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, with his record "of one seeking the middle ground," might actually aid pro-life causes." Yet, Obama's idea of co-operation has purposely excluded life issues.
As a senator in Illinois, he even voted against legislation to protect infants born alive after abortion. He opposed funding for Pregnancy Crisis Centres and voted against extending Medicaid to unborn children.
Will he change his course as president? On July 17, 2007, he promised Planned Parenthood that "the first thing I'd do as president is, sign the Freedom of Choice Act."
The FOCA would remove all restrictions on abortions: parental notification, waiting times, even the Partial Birth Abortion Ban.
Just this week, Obama's transition team confirmed plans to immediately begin funding the killing of human embryos for stem cells, and to give money to groups providing abortions across the world. Obama has no plans to find middle ground with pro-lifers.
Eileen Rebstock
Edmonton
Rights on shaky ground without moral majority
The people of the United States had a clear opportunity to make a more moral choice for their leadership in the recent election.
It is sad a majority of people who identify themselves as Catholic did not listen to their bishops who pointed out the simple truth a child can grasp - without the right to life, all civil rights are on shaky ground.
It seems there is no longer a moral majority in the U.S. It is doomed to fall from glory - a house built on sand cannot stand, no matter how smoothly the talk to convince people that it can.
Chase Conell
Edmonton
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