Helping Men Return to Faith
I’m a 46 year old man who returned to the Catholic Church six years ago.
My answer to the question of “Why men aren’t attracted” by parish activities, is because those activities are run by unreasoned emotionalism. An example in the article “Men Seeking Direction” (Oct./Nov. issue) is the line “They were charismatic Catholics so they prayed in tongues.” Tongues? No reasoning man will stick around to listen to that kind of quackery!
Another example in the article says, “We debate whether the sight of a beautiful woman caused the same reaction in Jesus as it does in us.” It’s striking to think this is the author’s profoundest example of what’s being pondered in these meetings to direct men!
Until the local parish returns to teach the faith, the doctrines, the whole truth and the things that made the martyrs give up their bodies to torture, you won’t find many men seeking an “empty direction.”
Peter M. Vega
Miami Beach, Fla.
Father Morgan A Gifted Priest
Thank you for publishing Father Terrence Morgan’s letter on Project Rachel in your last issue.
He is an exceptionally gifted priest and his excellent communication skills should be utilized more.
My first meeting with Father Morgan occurred a few years ago, when he said Mass at St. John’s, Mayport. He would arrive early to hear confessions and talk to the people. One Saturday before the Vigil Mass, he taught us the blessing that God taught Moses.
In my humble opinion, Father Morgan has the ability to win back inactive Catholics and interest others.
Don Bottini
St. Paul Parish, Jacksonville Beach
Dispelling Common Myths About ADHD
Recently, St. Joseph’s Parish Home and School Association invited “pop” psychologist John Rosemond to speak to a group of parents. When he presented on the topics of the “Frantic Family” and general parenting concerns, he offered solid, relevant information. However, when he strayed into a definable psychiatric condition known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivty Disorder, he provided very misleading and potentially harmful information (especially with regard to medicine), which he offered as fact.
Mr. Rosemond’s “facts and opinions” are contradicted by some of the most prestigious institutions in the world: The National Institute of Mental Health, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts General Hospital. He had indicated that there soon would be a book published that would “blow the cover off Ritalin,” a significant medication used in the treatment of ADHD. The implication, of course, was that there would soon be some individual’s contention forthcoming that would indicate the non-effectiveness or danger associated with psychostimulants.
However, what he failed to mention was that the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) had recently conducted and published the most comprehensive and scientifically rigorous study ever involving the use of psychostimulants and other treatment modalities for ADHD.
While there were numerous implications of the study, perhaps the most compelling finding was that, with regard to the treatment of specific ADHD symptoms – inattention, overactivity, and impulsivity – no other treatment was more effective than the use of medication.
It is the ethical responsibility of a psychologist to accurately portray scientific information, especially in a public forum.
Michael Sisbarro, Ph.D.
Certified and Licensed School Psychologist, Jacksonville
