Readers respond to our print, web and social media posts.
HOPE FOR YOUNG MEN
I was so happy to read the article “Building Hope in Jamaica” in your Summer 2021 issue about the programs for young men there. These past few years it seems like all programs have concentrated on young women’s education. Meanwhile there are fewer and fewer young men pursuing higher education.
Many men without father figures drop out or become involved with gangs. Then we have an unending cycle of broken families and childhood poverty, yet there are so few programs trying to address their needs.
It is encouraging to me to hear of this effort to help young Jamaican men take their place as fathers, providers and leaders in their community.
Sharon Griffiths
Rochester, New York
DIVINE MERCY
I have always found the articles of Maryknoll missioners and their work inspiring and informative. The article on Sister Susan Wanzagi in your Summer 2021 issue provided significant information on East Timor which I had not known before or would not have known otherwise.
The photo on the back cover of the magazine showing Sister Wanzagi and her Divine Mercy and youth groups is notable.
For one, the group appears to have a wonderful time working and praying together. For another, the man wearing the T-shirt emblazoned with “Marilyn Monroe” caught my attention, and I said to myself: “Marilyn Monroe died many years ago and here’s a man in East Timor wearing a T-shirt remembering her.” I checked reference material and noted that Ms. Monroe died in 1962 at age 36. That’s almost 60 years ago!
The other person who got me focused on the photo is the young guy standing next to Sister Wanzagi. He is making a sign with his right hand like the Hawaiian shaka. The guy appears to be signaling: “Peace! Have a nice day!”
Antonio V. Ramil
Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii
SEWING CAMARADERIE
As a sewer and quilter of many, many years, I was interested in the references in the article in the Fall 2021 issue of Maryknoll on the Sewing Cutting Training Program for Deprived Women and the Sewing Cutting Training for Differently Abled Persons in Nepal with Father Joseph Thaler and Shailee Singh Rahour, project director.
I have extra fabric, notions, supplies, etc., and I was wondering if they had any need for such things in their programs. Also, do they have any special sewing training needs that I could meet? Many years ago, I was a home economics teacher of textiles and sewing.
I understand that the shipping may be high for such items, and they might prefer a monetary donation — but I have lots of trims, beading supplies, needles, etc., that I cannot possibly use up and would like to send to them if it would be at all useful.
I hope you can put me in touch with the director of the sewing programs. Hooray for Father Joe and his Honda XL doing good works.
Marsha Burdick
San Jose, California
Editor’s note: We have reached out to Maryknoll Father Thaler, who is in touch with the letter writer.
FORTY YEARS A READER
It is with great pleasure that I write to the fathers and brothers of Maryknoll. This past September, my husband, Jesús, and I celebrated 40 years of marriage. We have five sons and one daughter, who is married. We do not have any grandchildren yet.
We have been reading your magazine in Spanish, now Misioneros, since we were first married, four months afterward, to be exact.
When I arrived in this country, we went to a local parish to attend Mass and heard a Maryknoll priest speak about the missions, and afterward he distributed copies of the magazine. I read and reread each magazine and leave a copy on the sofa or the table so my children will read it.
My donation has always been small but given in good faith. Something I hold dear is that in moments of sadness and depression because of things that happen in life, I read the introduction to the issue and the articles and this cheers me up. It is just the medicine I need. It always brings me such joy. For us, Misioneros magazine is our guide and teacher. Thank you with all my heart.
Raquel Gavila
Santa Ana, California
Editor’s note: This letter was received in Spanish and translated by Maryknoll staff.
REMEMBERING ‘PEPE’
In June 2012, I was privileged to visit Maryknoll Father José Arámburu in your seminary in Maryknoll, Ossining, New York.
A group of four fellow chemical engineering classmates wanted to say goodbye to a dear friend who always maintained his relationship and friendship with his class of 1972 group from the University of Puerto Rico of Mayagüez.
Just two months later, in August of 2012, we were part of Father Arámburu’s funeral, riding from Arecibo — his hometown — to Utuado for a religious service and burial.
“Pepe,” as we all called him, had lectured us at our 38th anniversary reunion about his missionary work, which included, we remember, his service in Tanzania. We felt so proud of him!
We hope your “production rate” of missionaries like Pepe is good, and we pray for all the priests and brothers in your society.
Carlos Amador
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
