Comments on: First Things

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:59:50 +0000

As usual, Father, my love, prayers and blessings for you – and all the other priests I know who are persecuted and confined by injustice.
From Elizabeth in Texas

By: Rev. Anthony Tran Van Kiem

Rev. Anthony Tran Van Kiem — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:46:29 +0000

As long as the Dallas 2002 Charter still condemns priests accused of minors’ molestation without giving them their civic rights (Miranda, habeas corpus, etc…) we need new Cardinal Dulles and Fr Richard John Neuhaus to keep the battle going on. I believe in Justice and the Forgiveness of sin. I am impressed by the story of the Prodigal Son. I am sorry for the lack of vocations caused by the distrust of young men in the fair play of the high hierarchy. There is and never will be justice in this world, and precisely because of that, Christians and especially Catholics must FIGHT for it until the end of times. Justice will prevail at the Last Judgement anyhow.

By: Patricia Gubala

Patricia Gubala — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 02:47:50 +0000

Dear Fr. Gordon,

Heartfelt thanks for the post on two wonderful priests. As a brother priest I know it gives you strength to go on.

First Things is indeed a great tool for Catholics. If only more of us would get involved and show our support for priests in crisis.

Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, pray for our priest.

By: Kathy Maxwell

Kathy Maxwell — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:21:52 +0000

I will be forever grateful to Father Neuhaus for three reasons. To paraphrase one of his points about the Prodigal Son, he brought me back to my senses (which brought me home to the Church.). In addition, he provided me with the matchless First Things (I will be a subscriber as long as it is available,) and finally, his editorial A Kafkaesque Tale, introduced me to my friend Father Gordon MacRae. God gave us both of these good men as a blessing. I thank Him every day. I thank Father Richard John Neuhaus and I thank Father Gordon MacRae. Kathy

By: Mary Elizabeth F.

Mary Elizabeth F. — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:57:05 +0000

As always, Fr. MacRae, I enjoyed reading this post about Fr. Neuhaus. I am glad I read it today the 7th so that I can remember to pray for him tomorrow, the anniversary of his death.

I never would have known either of these fine men of the cloth had it not been for EWTN. I had a rebirth of my faith in the jubilee year and then began to watch regularly. I heard and saw great people like Fr. Richard. How I loved to listen to his voice. What vocabulary!

I was intrigued to visit First Things on line and I loved it. His writing was every bit as intoxicating as his speaking was to me. And one could certainly tell how very much Raymond Arroyo loved him. I loved watching the two of them in commentary on various events such as the election of Pope Benedict. He seemed sincere and authentic to me, and I did love listening to him.

I know you miss him Fr. MacRae. He was a friend who spoke out in defense of you and other priests caught in the scandal of the scandal, if you will. I can’t get over how huge the void is still. There is not a mention in our churches or in our diocesan papers of priests like yourself.

This is where we the laity must speak out for you. It is not coming from anywhere else other than the websites you have linked us to. Why are we not praying for priests who have been imprisoned, guilty or not guilty? Why does no one mention the fact that many have taken advantage of a bad situation as a means of reaping financial gain?I guess we can all speculate on the answers to those questions.

I have not read Cardinal Dulles, but hope to. He seemed a gentle, devout, learned man. I will remember him in prayer as well. I believe that he too was a convert to the faith. Again, the converts have the cradle Catholics beat when it comes to devotion. They have undergone conversion. I pray for the conversion of all, especially Catholics.

God bless you Fr. You are daily in my thoughts and prayers. May the remaining months of this year of the Priest be grace filled for you and for all our priests wherever they may be.

By: Charlene C. Duline

Charlene C. Duline — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:36:20 +0000

As a First Things subscriber, I am grateful for these insights into Fr. Neuhaus’ courageous dedication to the Gospel, to justice, and to mercy for those caught up in the nightmare of ancient accusations. Fr. Neuhaus and Cardinal Dulles were truly prophetic witnesses in our Church, and we can only pray that similiar voices will come along to fill the void they have left. Thank you for this wonderful tribute to two very great men.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:18:21 +0000

Another great post, Father, and a beautiful tribute.

Have a blessed New Year and thank you for continuing to write!

By: Karin

Karin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:47:49 +0000

Dear Father,

What a beautiful tribute to both Cardinal Dulles and Fr Richard Neuhaus. I have not read any of the Cardinal’s work (but will), but I have read some of Fr Richard’s work~in particular Death On A Friday Afternoon several times. He is the reason I began reading the Douay-Rheims version of the Bible. He wrote an article about it being a truer translation to the original Greek as well as the beauty of the language. You are right about the First Things website-it’s a hard place to leave!

I will join my prayers with yours for Fr Richard on the the 8th and I will definitely go and read something of his afterward.

As always I will continue to keep you in my prayers and holy hours.

May these two fine priests continue to be intercessors for you.

God Bless!

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:11:25 +0000

Every blessing for the New Year Father G and thank you for such an illuminating and informative post. I am grateful for the hard work of Charlene and Suzanne who help us receive your writings which enrich the soul. I continue to pray for you each day.