April 2014

I want to send my compliments on “More Than Orchestrated Processions”
by Johan van Parys (“Symbols that Surround Us,” February 2014).
This excellent column emphasized the journey from procession to the font of initiation into new life to procession at a funeral. Mr. van Parys’s comments about images of baptism—water and the white pall—were truly profound. Priests and deacons should make this reflection part of every funeral Mass, where we express the hope that our final procession will be with the angels leading us to the kingdom.

Fr. W. A. Beaver, OSB

I enjoyed Redemptorist Fr. Byron Miller’s article on legendary musician Pete Fountain and his Catholic faith (“Pete Fountain: A Closer Walk With Thee,” February). One of Pete’s good friends was Fr. Frank Coco, SJ, a teacher at Jesuit High School. Fr. Coco was an accomplished clarinet player, so much so that Pete often asked him to toot some tunes with him at Pete’s club in the French Quarter. I taught at ­Jesuit from 1968 to 1970 as a Jesuit scholastic, and I was lucky enough to see Fr. Frank, Roman collar and all, play at Pete’s place.
Pete is a great favorite of mine, and so was New Orleans’s Preservation Hall, where many great old-time musicians held forth. They all played “the authentic soul” of New Orleans jazz.

David C., GA

Fr. Bruce Lewandowski’s article “New and Improved?” (Plain Talk, January) was right on target. I agree with his viewpoints and would add that the technology also affects human reasoning. If the answer to a problem is not evident and technology can’t give the answer, students have trouble thinking critically. As a nursing professor, I find this more of a challenge in teaching than ever. Thanks for the insightful essay.

Adrienne H., KY