Comments on: Lenten retreat in Puerto Rico

By: Padre Alberto

Padre Alberto — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 17:35:46 +0000

Cardinal Sean,
I am sure my boricuas loved your presence.

You are a real inspiration to everyone who know you!

Peace,
Fr. Albert (Miami)

By: Larry Thayer

Larry Thayer — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:06:33 +0000

Cardinal Sean. This is my first time writing but I have an issue I would like to bring to your attention. Four years ago on March 20th, our 25 year old son died in a car accident here on the Cape. When we have asked to have a memorial mass said at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, our parish, we were informed that someone already has the date and that Cannon Law prevents a priest from saying a memorial mass for more than one person at a time. We were encouraged to make sure that we were the first to sigh up in November when the slots open up. It seems to me, that this practice perpetuates selfishness to make sure that you beat out someone else who may have had a family member die on the same date. The very think that the church teaches against rather than sharing. Last year we were told that we could have a date some two weeks later. Attending mass as a family on the day of Marks death is an important healing process for our family. Father Mark Hession has reached a compromise where he will mention Mark’s name but the mass will be for someone else. Do you support this practice, or do you think that it’s time to change cannon law, something which I know little about? Thank you for taking the time to review this. Larry Thayer

By: Grzesiek

Grzesiek — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:06:44 +0000

Ichbin aus Polen. Gratuliere dieses blog. Ich bin Priester. Ich studiere auf katolische Uni.

By: G

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:16:19 +0000

Jane, you’re right, God’s laws are above man’s laws. That’s why we (the RCC) have to do everything in our power to help families who are in trouble, whether they’re here legally or illegally. And that’s why the RCC has always advocated hating the sin but loving the sinner when it comes to Same Sex Attraction. When we stand before God, he’s not going to give us a pass because we turned our back on someone because they were illegals etc.
Fr Sean, I know you’ve taken heat for keeping this blog up but its a big help in bridging the clergy-lay people gap & I hope you keep it up.

By: Judith Laucka

Judith Laucka — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 01:47:54 +0000

It is a fact that the US welcomes more “immigrants” in a year than the rest of the world combined. Does that sound like a country that does not love immigrants? Is it too much to ask that everyone come here legally and respect our laws and sovereignty like every other country in the world? I somewhat understand the Church’s interest in helping the people in New Bedford – it is a terrible thing that those poor people were taken advantage of by ruthless businessmen. I would have been happy to see them stay and the businessmen go to jail. But, why is the Church involved in the case against Hazelton, PA. That is truly upsetting to me.

By: John

John — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:58:55 +0000

I just wanted to say thank you for serving at our youth mass. It was a while ago, and i would’ve thanked you earlier, but i just found this page. I was also happy that you helped at my school, CCHS. Thanks again.
John
Nice blog, by the way

By: Paul Snatchko

Paul Snatchko — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 18:54:22 +0000

Thank you for this post. It was interesting to read about a “week in the life” of a Cardinal.

By: Eve

Eve — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 15:56:40 +0000

Dear Cardinal Se�n,
I know that a certain part of the American population does not like the immigrants. I just have this in my head. If Americans do not like aliens entering their country, why do they themselves enter other people’s lands for example Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, South Korea, Philippines etc. ? When the immigrants enter USA, they enter mainly for the purpose of a brighter future. But when the American soldiers enter foreign lands, they enter into war. While foreigners see USA as a land of prosperity, Americans see foreign lands as war zones.

By: Jane

Jane — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 14:56:32 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,

As I read your comments on the immigration situation, I did not see any support of yours for the immigrants breaking our laws, but support of immigrants families who are enduring a difficult situation. May we all be reminded of God’s laws above man’s laws.

Jane

By: Rafael Capo

Rafael Capo — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 03:04:51 +0000

Cardinal Se�n!

Greetings from sunny Puerto Rico!

Your visit and reflection in San Juan was truly a refreshing experience for us priests. I enjoyed your meditation, your joy-filled insights, as well as your truly Franciscan spirit.

As an admirer and reader of your blog I can say: Keep up spreading the Good News!

Le aprecio y pido su bendici�n de pastor.

Fr. Rafael Cap�, Sch.P.
Vocation Director
Piarist Fathers (Padres Escolapios)
San Juan

By: Phil Pochatko

Phil Pochatko — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:35:52 +0000

Cardinal O’Malley,

In a country where Catholic School attendence is surely shrinking I find it great to see that at least one school is thriving.

Peace in Christ

Phil Pochatko
Seminarian – Diocese of Erie

By: Judith Laucka

Judith Laucka — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:08 +0000

Cardinal Sean:
I respectfully disagree on your stand on the raid in New Bedford. While I sympathize with the mothers caught up in the raid, they made a decision to break our laws and use fraudulent Social Security numbers to work here. There are millions of very poor people in the world. Are they all free to come here and disregard our laws? At what point, do we break down as a society into chaos? I was especially upset to see that the Catholic Legal Society is suing Hazelton, PA for passing laws that prohibit companies from hiring illegals and fine landlords from renting to illegals. Why is it immoral to fine companies and landlords breaking laws? Is that where my Catholic Charity contribution is going? Why doesn’t the Church direct its anger against Mexico that refuses to help its own poor instead of interfering with US laws. Really, this goes against everything I was taught in parochial school.

By: David DeFillippo, principal

David DeFillippo, principal — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 02:43:43 +0000

Cardinal Sean,

On behalf of the Marist Brothers, the students, faculty and staff of Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, MA. I thank you for deepening our experience of Lent by your visit. Our students were brought closer in their personal relationship with God by your presence and inspirational homily. Spirit Week was a memorable experience for our school, largely because you could share it with us. Come back again anytime! May God’s grace and the CCHS umbrella protect you always.

By: Hugh (Bart) Vincelette

Hugh (Bart) Vincelette — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 22:24:51 +0000

I grew up a contented Catholic and was an altar boy for many years dating back to the days of ‘Dominus vobiscum’. While I am no longer involved with any religious activities, I have only fond memories of the church. Because of sexual orientation, and the tremendous misunderstandings of conservative religion about homosexuality, I quit the church years ago. But the issue that I wish to comment on here , Cardinal Sean, is that of school programs. I’ve never heard of such endeavours that would introduce the idea of same-sex couples to a six year old , but in high school and beyond I feel it is essential to (hopefully) decrease the incidence of anti-gay violence and bloodshed. I have never been subjected to such discrimination personally; but vitually everyone I’ve known has been , including three friends , over the last twenty-five years , murdered in hate crimes of exceptional brutality that have never been solved. Faith based opposition to ones state of being should not include a tacit support of violence , but the message picked up by many is that such inhuman acts are quietly accepted by conservative Christianity.

By: Msgr. Charles Quinn

Msgr. Charles Quinn — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:15:36 +0000

I visited Utuado in the Summer of 1959, right after ordination, when I was studying Spanish in P.R. You brought back memories.

Msgr. Quinn

By: MATT

MATT — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 13:50:21 +0000

DEAR CARDINAL SEAN,
THANKYOU FOR VISITING CCHS AND OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST IN MY CATHOLIC EXPERIENCE I.E. ST MARY’S IN LAWRENCE LAST EASTER AND PADRE PIO’S WHERE MY AUNT WAS A FRANCICAN(SUOR PACI) NUN FOR MANY YEARS IN ITALY.
WHEN I WAS AT CENTRAL ARCHBISHOP CUSHING VISITED,SO IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.
MATT CCHS’53

By: Steve Banester

Steve Banester — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 12:44:59 +0000

Cardinal Sean,
Thank you for allowing people to stay so close to you through this medium. The whole Catholic TV website is wonderful and I really got a kick out of watching a few episodes of Going My Way last night and this morning. So wonderful to see Father Paul at the piano again, it brings back many happy memories to me.
May God’s Graces continue to thrive through you!

By: Sissy Willis

Sissy Willis — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 06:13:14 +0000

I don’t understand appeasement of folks who break the laws of the land. When you appease, you only encourage bad behavior.

By: CHRIS DICKSON

CHRIS DICKSON — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:47:49 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean-

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for bringing Christ into the hearts and minds of everyone you touch. You are truly a blessing to all God’s children.

The peace of Christ!

By: Julia Russell

Julia Russell — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 22:44:48 +0000

Hi Cardinal Sean, I was very upset to see so many children affected by the events in New Bedford last week and I am very happy to read you have taken some action to appeal to our government officials on their behalf. These workers may have been illegally in this country but our country founded by immigrants should be ashamed of how this situation was carried out.
Thank you for having the courage and grace to speak on behalf of those who cannot .
Will there be any collection taken for the aid to these families? Peace, Julia Russell

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 21:50:20 +0000

Cardinal Sean,

I second the thanks on commenting on news issues. In particular, your information about immigration will be helpful in my college class, as we have an upcoming role-playing game dealing with immigration reform where I represent the USCCB!

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 20:17:25 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
Its good to see the Catholic Church and the Catholic schools thriving.

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 16:01:05 +0000

Dear Cardinal O’Malley,
Having you comment on news issues is a welcome guidepost for people of faith, especially in Massachusetts.
You were right on target last week about the domino effect of attempts to redefine marriage on the rest of society. The case you mentioned – of Lexington parents who unsuccessfully objected to the public school presenting their 6-year-old with information on same-sex couples – shows that parental rights are going out the window.
I understand the couples have filed an legal appeal, and people can send donations to help them: David Parker Fund, P.O. Box, 2, Bedford, MA 01730. There’s also a website – http://www.davidparkerfund.org, and more information on the case on the website of a parents’ rights group – http://www.massresistance.org.
Thank you. -Ben

By: Sr. Joyce McMullen

Sr. Joyce McMullen — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 15:07:50 +0000

Cardinal Sean,

In January I attended the celebration/Prayer Service for MLK, Jr. at the seminary. Your reflections/challenges have stayed with me and if possible I would like a copy of the reflections.
Thank you,
Sr. Joyce McMullen snd

By: Frater

Frater — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 10:59:27 +0000

It looked like paradise in Puerto Rico, nice and warm compared to the last few day here in the eastern United Sates. With opening that umbrella inside, I would be extra careful and not break any mirrors or walk under any ladders; you might be pushing your luck! God Bless and thanks again for sharing.