The following letters to the editor appear in the edition of Nov. 4, 2004. Letters appearing in this space do not necessarily reflect the views of the Arlington Catholic Herald or the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. The editor reserves the right to edit letters as necessary. There is no guarantee of publication. Send letters to: letters@catholicherald.com.

Thank You, Bishop

Thank you, Bishop Loverde, for your article "Opposition to Abortion More Than an Article of Faith" (ACH 10/21/04). Your clear and compelling points were most helpful to me in articulating a response to politicians and their supporters who advocate abortion on demand. It has also been great to hear more priests talking about Catholics’ responsibility to stand up for the truth and oppose abortion and homosexual marriage.

I appreciate both your guidance and encouragement to be an effective Catholic citizen.

Victoria Hughes
Falls Church

Distractions at Mass

Cell phones, shmell phones. Come to Mass at my parish some Sunday and try to concentrate surrounded by kids walking or rolling up and down the aisle, people arriving 15 minutes late because the parking lot is full, kids playing with toys while they snack and/or drink, adults sipping bottled water and, once, even a man clipping his fingernails.

The occasional ringing cell phone is hardly to be noticed.

Judy McAloon
Springfield

Hand-shaking Alternative

Since this promises to be an especially cautious flu season because of the severe shortage of the influenza vaccine, I would like to offer an alternative to "shaking hands" at the peace offering portion of the Mass. Announcements have been made at some parishes that a smile and nod of the head accompanied by a vocal "peace be with you" might be a physically healthier way of greeting your congregate neighbor than shaking hands. This does make considerable sense because health professionals have long taught us that colds and influenza are more frequently transmitted by the hand shake. Those hands, in turn, unconsciously find their way to rubbing the eyes, which is the primary gateway into the body by this unwanted and sometimes dangerous "bug."

The peace sign of the Vietnam era and the V for Victory gesture of World War II are exactly the same — forming the first and second fingers of either hand into a "V." Using that in lieu of a hand shake not only is healthier during this season, but it is a way to signify the unification of the Great Depression-World War II era and baby boomer generations.

Tom Simonton
Lansdale, Pa.

Boycott Sirius

I would like to see people of faith organize a consumer boycott of Sirius, the new satellite radio company that sells subscriptions to individual channels in response to its $500 million contract with Howard Stern. We should send a message throughout the country and to our children that we will not give a company our business when its business has as its foundation, its anchor, a man whose every word and act is inimical to a life of faith.

James M. Thunder
McLean

Copyright ©2004 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.