I was born and reared a Catholic.  I attended a parochial school for eight years and was an altar boy when the role was quite a task in celebrating Mass.

I have studied my faith diligently and go to Mass every Sunday.  I have tried hard to abide by the rules and laws that govern my church. And at times have written editorials criticizing those who oversee and pastor my church, particularly Bishops who moved and sheltered pedophile priests from parish to parish. This is my desire for these evil Bishops and priests: Matthew 18:6-10, Jesus said, “Temptations, stumbling blocks, enticements are surely to come, but whoever causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better that a giant millstone would be tied around their neck and they would be thrown into the heart of the sea.”

Aside from having a strong interest in my own faith, I have developed a respect and admiration for other religions. One religion that always has fascinated me is Judaism.  As a matter of fact, if I weren’t a practicing Catholic, I could enjoy being a member of the Jewish faith.  Sometimes friends ask me, “James, who is your favorite saint?”  I tell them, “Moses!” “James, Moses is not a Catholic saint!” they tell me sort of bewildered.  “I don’t care if Moses was a Catholic, if God loved him a lot, so do I,” I quickly respond.

Besides the many saints that the Catholic Church has had as role models throughout its history, I believe that saintly people can be found in other religions.  I have the greatest respect and love for the Rev. Billy Graham, a Baptist minister.  In my books, they don’t come any better than him, in whatever faith.  And there are many others whom I could mention.

Does it bother me when others vilify the manner in which we Catholics worship?  Sure it does.  In contrast, I try hard, and hope that my fellow Catholics try to respect the manner in which others of different religions worship.  I usually get men and women of other faiths knocking on my door. Most are astonished that I welcome them in and openly discuss the differences between our faiths.  What often puzzles these walking ministers is that I praise them for what they are doing.  I tell them, “I should be out there with you guys walking and telling others about the beauty and wonders of God.”

I never will forget the admiration I had for a school chum, Parks Bell, a Jehovah’s Witness.  Parks was very popular.  In our senior year at Tech High, he was elected student body president.  But during the installation ceremony and before the whole student body, the school’s administrators rejected him.

He was disqualified because his religion forbade him to swear allegiance to our flag, which was part of the installation ceremony.  Whether or not you agreed with Parks, you have to respect his loyalty to the rules of his faith.

Not too long ago which vacationing in San Antonio, I read in a church bulletin after attending mass that the statue of Our Lady of San Juan, from San Juan, Texas, was going to be on exhibit at San Juan de Los Lagos Catholic Church.  I felt compelled to view it.

The last time I paid homage to the statue was more than 20 years ago.  My mom, now deceased, was a devout Catholic.  She had a deep devotion Our Blessed Mother.

When my mother-in-law, Mom’s best friend, became afflicted with cancer in 1979, Mom prayed every day to Our Lady. After my mother-in-law recovered miraculously from the dreaded disease, Mom asked me to take her to San Juan, Texas, to give thanks to Our Lady of San Juan for answering her prayers.

When I entered the San Antonio church to venerate Our Lady, I was overcome with emotion.  I could see Mom’s face in all of the lovely ladies as they clutched their rosaries in their hands.  Though I tried, I couldn’t hold back my tears as I thought about Mom.

However, soon after I let the church, my warm feeling turned to anger.  I found on the windshield of my car a flier distributed by a well-known denomination.  The flier’s contents were insulting to my church, to the memory of my mom, and to all the lovely ladies praying to the Virgin.

Though I am very aware that everyone has the right to express his opinions in our country, where does one draw the line in letting others worship as they please?  Where in the Constitution does it say that even though someone has the freedom to worship as he pleases, it is OK to intimidate and insult others who don’t conform to his or her manner of worship?

As if there isn’t enough violence and discord in the world and in our neighborhoods, we are rekindling the fires of hatred in God’s name.

Heaven help us!

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