Letters

Catholic atmosphere

Stuart Paterson

Contents - Apr 2007 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Benedict XVI's document on the Eucharist - Michael Gilchrist Book Launch: B.A. Santamaria and Australian Catholicism: Cardinal Pell's tribute - Cardinal George Pell News: The Church Around the World 'Equal opportunity' legislation threatens Christian teachings - Babette Francis Catholicism and secularism in Britain: a test of strength on same-sex adoption - Joanna Bogle History: How much do Catholics know about ecumenical councils? - Frank Mobbs Vocations: New survey of successful US dioceses: lessons for Australia - Michael Gilchrist Rockhampton Lenten program: 'whatever that might mean' - AD2000 Report St Faustina: The Divine Mercy apostolate: a spirituality to transform the world - Eva Kimnes Belief: Christian-Muslim dialogue: major stumbling blocks - Fr Richard Umbers Letters: Liturgy: what next? - Franklin J. Wood Letters: Church leadership - P.W. English Letters: Money talks - Richard Stokes Letters: Saints needed - Arthur N. Ballingall National Church Life Survey clarification - Bob Dixon Letters: Catholic schools Letters: Catholic atmosphere - Stuart Paterson Letters: Free and fair markets and the Church's social doctrine - Chris Hilder Letters: Capital punishment - John Gallagher Letters: Scourge of the West - Kevin McManus Letters: African prisoners seek correspondents - Len Clark Letters: Contraception - Tim Coyle Books: The Way of Love: Reflections on Deus Caritas Est, Livio Melina and Carl Anderson - Tim Cannon (reviewer) Books: Catholic Thought Since the Enlightenment, by Aidan Nichols OP - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Aspects of Authentic Church Teaching, by Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) DOES YOUR PARISH STOCK AD2000? Books: Books available from AD2000 and Freedom Publishing Reflection: Benedict XVI on the transforming power of the Resurrection - Pope Benedict XVI

In the article on Catholic schools, 'The case for radical surgery', the author notes the views of the bishops in the late 19th century who emphasised that providing religion lessons was not sufficient - schools also had to establish a Catholic atmosphere.

I attended Catholic schools in 1940-1948 that were run by dedicated religious sisters and brothers. Today this work is carried out by lay teachers, many of whom are non-Catholics.

More needs to be done to foster a Catholic atmosphere in schools. This should include an emphasis on Sunday Mass obligation, with explanation and discussion of the Scripture readings. The display of pictures of Jesus and Mary in classrooms, talks on the meaning of different feast days, encouragement of altar serving, explanations of the vestments and objects used during Mass and encouragement of daily prayer would all build the right religious climate.

STUART PATERSON
Penrith, NSW

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 20 No 3 (April 2007), p. 15