Letters

God's house (letter)

Melanie Costabile

Contents - May 2004 - Buy a copy now Editorial: May: the month of Mary, Mother of God - Peter Westmore New liturgy document: Rome affirms right of laity to complain about abuses - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Australian Bishops' ad limina: strong leadership needed to confront secularism Ethics: Denial of food and water to patients is 'genuine euthanasia': John Paul II - Michael Casanova Church in UK welcomes abortion documentary - Anthony Cappello Priesthood: Pope's World Day of Prayer for Vocations - Fr Paul Stuart Events: Brisbane Corpus Christi Procession - Josie Mangano Education: The religious character of Catholic schools: how can it be enhanced? - Br Paul Macrossan CFC Poetry: Come As You Are (revised version) - Bruce Dawe Art: Beauty is very much an attribute of God - Sister Wendy - Sarah Macdonald Liturgy: Cardinal George of Chicago examines post-Vatican II liturgical reforms - Michael Gilchrist Letters: God's house (letter) - Melanie Costabile Letters: Timely article on reverence (letter) - Name and Address Supplied Letters: Reverence at Mass (letter) - Shirley Vaughan Letters: Eucharistic reverence (letter) - Carmel Strong Letters: Vocations guide (letter) - Patrick Ryan Letters: 'The Passion' (letter) - Bob Denahy Letters: Catholic schools (letter) - Elizabeth Alderton Letters: No laughing matter (letter) - Dr Lance Eccles Letters: Personhood (letter) - Dr Brian Pollard Letters: Darwinism (letter) - Michael Griffiths Events: Wagga Wagga Seminary Open Day 16 May Books: Marriage and Family in the Biblical World, edited by Ken Campbell - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: Why Must I Suffer?, by Francis Remler - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: ANGLICANS AND ORTHODOX: Unity and Subversion (1559-1725), by Judith Pinnington - Tracey Rowland (reviewer) Books: AD Books - More new titles for 2004 - Anthony Cappello Reflection: Why the world needs Jesus Christ and Christian models - Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM

I could not agree more with Matthew Greene's article, "Whatever happened to reverence?" (April AD2000).

Each time I am at Mass I am astounded at the fact that no sooner has Father dismissed us than members of the congregation are anxious to start chatting about their social lives. Even before then, some leave Mass before Father has given his final blessing.

As a young Catholic, I wonder what kind of religious instruction the children of today are receiving. I was brought up to have a great respect for the house of God, including the need to genuflect upon entering and exiting. Yet many have dispensed with this. Why?

My faith was restored recently at Mazenod Boys' College where I do emergency teaching. During class, at ten minute intervals, a student would approach me to inform me that he had to go to Adoration in the chapel. This beautiful practice has been incorporated into the school curriculum.

Perhaps if more Catholic schools implemented this, the foundations of their Catholic convictions regarding the Eucharist would not only be more prevalent in their family life, but especially when they enter God's house.

MELANIE COSTABILE
Oakleigh East, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 17 No 4 (May 2004), p. 15