Columnist’s comments on Catholics are despicable

Columnist’s comments on Catholics are despicable

What possesses a person – columnist Christine Flowers – to be so hateful of the most beautiful Catholic faith? I’m referring to the article she wrote, and which was placed on the Vindicator editorial page of Sept. 9. She most certainly is a blasphemer, a grave sin against God. It offends me to the core to have someone make such a bold, blatant attack on my beloved traditional Catholic faith, which is most paramount in my life.

Unfortunately, it seems once again that the most hardened hearts against our beautiful faith are the fallen-away Catholics. It’s truly more than sad; it’s tragic that she doesn’t appreciate and thank God for the gift of the Catholic faith.

This wonderful faith of mine has given me a Catholic conscience for which I’m forever thankful to my parents and God.

To call symbols “ghoulish” – our holy statues, holy pictures, especially the beautiful Infant Jesus of Prague – is more than disturbing. Referring to Him in His beautiful robe, as a boy cross-dresser, is despicable in a most blasphemous way. So, too, are referring to His fingers being held up as a peace sign, looking like the Boy Scout salute, and His crown as an Imperial Margarine crown.

She doesn’t even spare the picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with his face surrounded by a wreath of thorns and dripping blood, failing to understand the significance, or more like it, denying the significance of this beautiful and holy picture. She also refers to rosaries and scapulars as other artifacts of her morbid faith. I will pray for her that she will ask our dear Lord’s forgiveness, and ask Him for the grace she needs to put the love in her heart she needs.

Margaret Marsh, Youngstown

97-year-old man offers tips on staying happy

I just enjoyed my 97th birthday. A man said to me “you are looking great.” I replied, “Don’t say that, there are three stages of life – youth, middle age and you are looking great.” It is then you can become serious realizing you are in the last stage and wondering where did it go and what can be left? A lot of life can be happy and a lot can be sad and not joyful.

I believe we can choose to be happy or choose to be less happy and let happiness pass us by. So my first suggestion would be to seek happiness and enjoy what it gives you.

The other day I saw a T-shirt that said “Plan until you are Planted.” This, too, can be good advice. Do your best to keep busy. Keep your mind occupied with good memories and new plans.

Someone said “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” May I change it a bit: When life gives you lemons, cut one and add it to your Bloody Mary; it will taste much better.

I heard an Irish comedian on a cruise ship tell about taking his 92-year-old father out for dinner. They had a few drinks and a big steak with all the trimmings and the father asked to see the dessert menu. The son said “Dad, don’t you think you have had sufficient tonight without dessert?” To which the father replied “Son, do you think the people on The Titanic were happy that they passed up dessert that last fatal night?”

That old saying, “Life is what we make it” holds very true in our lives. So let’s make it the best we can. I read once that a 90-year-old man said, “We should be born and start life at 90 and live our life backward to our boyhood.” He said it may be a lot more enjoyable and remember we would end up the same way “bald, toothless, and wrapped in a diaper.”

Gordon J. Mitchell, Boardman

Two timely requests to improve park calendars

We would like to begin by saying that we live near Mill Creek Park, and we have always loved and supported the park. This includes our yearly purchase of several Mill Creek Park calendars.

We have decided, however, that we can no longer do this for several reasons. The main reason, and the most troubling for us, is that the calendars are printed in Korea! (Look on the back of a Mill Creek Park calendar. It very clearly says “Printed in Korea”). How can a park that lauds itself as a crown jewel of Youngstown fail to use a Youngstown printing company to make its calendars? We would like to suggest Community Corrections Association. It does wonderful, professional work at a competitive price, while providing an opportunity for those in the criminal justice system to learn a trade and become gainfully employed.

We would also like to see holidays and holy days listed for other nationalities and religions. Christmas and Easter are the only ones mentioned in the current park calendar. What about Rosh Hashanah? Kwanzaa? Las Posadas? Chinese New Year? Greek holidays?

In years to come, please consider having the calendar printed by a local company, and have the holidays that are marked reflect more of the diversity of those who enjoy the park.

Janet Misel and Christopher Kalis, Youngstown

Queen of Hearts craze likened to ‘dung of devil’

It is no secret that gambling, lotto shacks and other types of wagering are more prominent in economically depressed areas. Our Valley has certainly proven over the past weeks this is true. Despite our claims that we are on the rebound, people still spend their hard-earned wages on betting. The most recent craze is the Queen of Hearts.

It is amazing how much local news airtime Barry Dyngles and the game has taken up. How disappointing that this is what people talk about and not the real issues that face us: an aging America, the emerging world war and the current American political circus.

One of the reasons Pope Francis is worried about America is our obsession with wealth, and he has called the unrestrained pursuit of riches “the dung of the devil.”

Rob Schuler, Canfield