Editor's Desk: High Praise

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Edtior
(From the issue of 8/28/03)

Words of thanks are not easy to come by in the newspaper business. Thus, it was encouraging to hear recently from Eric McIntosh, a reader from Southgate, Ky. (near Cincinnati), who wrote a brief note to HERALD columnist Elizabeth Foss thanking her specifically for her July 24 column on summer family travel ("Learning Experience").

The column "couldn’t have come at a better time," McIntosh wrote. "We’re leaving tomorrow to drive from Kentucky to Kansas for a wedding. My daughter’s godfather is getting married and has asked me to be a groomsman and my daughter to be a flower girl. Please pray that the trip goes more smoothly.

"I also wanted to take this chance to thank you for all of your columns over the years," he continued. "I became a Catholic just over two years ago and your articles on family life have been a great inspiration to me. To understand what a large family is all about, the domestic church, the home-schooling perspective — it’s all really helped me to understand more about what it means to live the Catholic life."

McIntosh and his wife have a daughter and a son, plus another child on the way. "As our family grows," he continued, "and I’ve been able to read your past articles in the Arlington Catholic HERALD (the online version), I’ve really appreciated your insights. Since I didn’t grow up Catholic, you’ve really helped me to see what a Catholic family can be. I know you’ll say you’re not perfect, and I’m sure your not, but God bless you for trying."

McIntosh is not alone in his praise of Foss’ column on family life, which has appeared in this newspaper for more than 10 years. She was honored in late May (for the second time) by the Catholic Press Association. Her page five column this week on professional soccer play Bobby Convey continues the tradition of inspiring journalism.

Another regular columnist, Mary Rose Remington, also received an inspiring piece of fan mail this week from reader Catherine Franz. "I read your article, ‘Keeping the Sabbath — Keeping Our Sanity’ in the Aug. 14 issue," Franz wrote. "Thank you for writing it. I enjoyed the article and it's simplicity."

The Pontificate of John Paul II

As Labor Day approaches and school gets underway, it’s time to start looking ahead to some special events this fall. In addition to regular specials on youth activities (Sept. 25) and religious vocations (Oct. 23), the HERALD will publish a keepsake edition Oct. 16 to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of John Paul II’s pontificate. We will be working with Catholic News Service to provide a package of stories and photos that will provide an overview of one of the most significant pontificates in Church history. It will include areas in which John Paul has made a special impact — such as his Theology of the Body — and interviews with people who know and work with the Holy Father.

In addition, we invite readers to share personal reflections on how John Paul II has specifically touched their lives. Because of space limitations and time constraints we request that these reflections be limited to 100 words and arrive at our office by Sept. 11. Please include your name, address, parish and phone number. You can email them to editorial@catholicherald.com; fax them to 703/524-2782; or mail them to "Papal Anniversary," c/o ACH, 200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 600, Arlington, Va. 22203. There is no guarantee that everything we receive will be published. — M.F.F.

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