Editor’s note: Anyone who would like to help sponsor this cash-strapped diocese should please contact Envoy at 800-553-6869 or send a check with reference to “Papua New Guinea.” You can sponsor the whole year of fifteen subscriptions for $650 (which includes foreign shipping and handling) or you can sponsor one round of a single issue for $109.

If it feels good, do it?
I have to respond to a letter that appeared in issue 4.3. In the letter from Donel Tucker, I was a little taken aback by some of the assumptions. First, the Mass is the worship of God and not an opportunity to make someone feel good. If someone finds emotional solace in the Mass, that is icing on the cake. The first question is “What have I come to offer to God?” If anything, the Mass should call us to seek out those who are lonely as Tucker points out, and give them more than just a little hand holding.

Second, as a celebrant, I find the holding of hands a bit odd as a visual symbol. While it is supposed to be a moment of closeness, I notice that what happens is that the ranks close and everyone is on their row and disconnected from others surrounding them. This in turn detracts from the reality that worthy reception of Holy Communion is what strengthens the bond of Communion in the Church—and not just holding hands.
Reverend Shane Tharp, Oklahoma City, OK

Now there’s an idea!
I have looked online at Envoy and I like it. However, I’m not able to subscribe at this time due to lack of funds. My suggestion would be to have an Internet Explorer bar where, when we opened our browser, there would be an extra bar for Envoy search and back issues and other things that are appropriate.
Douglas F. Wilson, M.I., Hemet, CA

Envoy: fastest gun in the West
For our fast-paced lifestyle in this culture of America, I must say you guys/gals have hit the mark with this fantastic magazine (no inclusive language intended). I LOVE to defend our wonderful faith, and Envoy gives me the tools to do so!
Kevin Lents, Loogootee, IN

It’s coming soon . . . to an Envoy near you
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, thank you for your continued effort. Now I must make a request: Will you please write an extensive article on this end times stuff in which these Irwin Baxter, Jr., Hal Lindsey, Jack Van Impe types continue to distort the book of Revelation?

Please start with the history of this teaching, move forward to the present day, and expose the many misleading predications which have come to pass. Include a breakdown of this view so readers will know what they’re dealing with when confronted with this teaching. Draw the lines and show the roots of the word antichrist, which is used primarily in plural form. Then go to the temple and show there will be a third time for its being rebuilt. Then move on to the Holy of Holies, our Lord present in the Tabernacles throughout the world.
Christopher A. Wade, Azle, TX

And from a reader in the Holy Land . . .
Greetings from Ireland. You may find it unusual to get an e-mail from the “land of saints and scholars” inquiring about your magazine on the Catholic faith. But believe me, there is an extraordinary ignorance of our faith here in Ireland, especially among the young. To give you an example, a girl was asked recently what is the meaning of Ash Wednesday. Her reply was: “Doesn’t that mean ‘No Smoking Day’ nowadays?” I rest my case.

I have been browsing through your magazine’s website and I am fascinated by some of the articles. I wish it were possible to have a similar magazine here in Ireland. Could you please forward me information on subscription rates to this part of the world, if applicable? I would much appreciate it!
Tom English, via email

An apology from Focus on the Family

Why can't we all just get along? -Dr. James Dobson

In your recent issue (volume 4.4), you printed a letter from a reader in your “As Received” section regarding Focus on the Family and their recent “evangelization” efforts aimed at Catholics on pilgrimage to Italy during the year 2000. I realize it is late in the year to be addressing this, but I have enclosed a letter that I wrote to Dr. [James] Dobson and Focus on the Family regarding the same issue. I’ve also enclosed a copy of the letter I received from Dr. Dobson’s correspondence assistant in response. Feel free to use any of it that you think may be of benefit to your readers.
Katie Nazeck, Ridgecrest, CA

Editor’s note: Here’s a portion of the text of that letter, which we were pleased to read.
We are extremely sorry to learn that you felt the article “Extending the Good News to Italy,” published in the April 2000 issue of Focus on the Family magazine, was disparaging to members of the Roman Catholic faith. Please accept our most sincere apologies. Although Dr. Dobson was not aware of the content of this article until after it was published, he asked me to extend his deepest regret for any offense we may have caused you.

We also want to assure that it is our earnest desire to embrace brothers and sisters of ALL traditions who affirm the truth of Scripture and trust Jesus as Lord. While we do not deny that theological differences exist between Catholics and Protestants, we have never intentionally highlighted those areas of divergence. In fact, as a ministry, we have worked with many noted Catholics to promote issues related to the family, and we hold these fellow believers in high regard. In hindsight, then, it’s clear that the publication of this article — which was incredibly insensitive, at best — represented a very poor decision on our part. You can be certain that we will try to do better when we address issues of this nature in the future.

George White, correspondence assistant to Dr. James Dobson

Atta-boy
As a new subscriber (and as a former editor with a Catholic “general interest” magazine), let me say you have a lovely publication — truth, wit, and a sense of graphics for this age.
Donal F. Mahoney, St. Louis, MO

Waiting for Mr. Right — Envoy style
I just wanted to tell you that my family really loves your magazine. One of our favorite items is the “Top 10 Lists” (particularly the “Top 10 Catholic Pickup Lines”). My sisters and I are waiting for a nice young man to use one on us. It is wonderful to read such a solid Catholic magazine that also has a touch of humor. Thanks a million!
Sarah Kneip, Richmond, Minnesota

Let the axing begin
I have renewed my subscription to Envoy magazine and had to request a back issue, May-June 1998, which contained the article on Luisa Piccarreta. [Find it online at www.envoymagazine. com.] I must tell you I have my ax sharpened because of her alluring heresy or whatever it is. I am a country Texan, Old Catholic. So many of my friends, good holy people, believe in her garbage.

I would like to get confirmation on Rome’s rejection or confirmation. According to Stephen Patton, M.A., J.D., she has been approved, but as far as I can see not by the Vatican; only by the archbishop of her diocese, which means nothing. I wish you happy hunting.
Josephine P. Smith, Houston, TX

Taking the Envoy plunge. Aaaahhhh.
Just a short note to first tell you I thoroughly enjoy Envoy and plan to make several gift subscriptions to family and friends. It is truly a “refreshing drink of faith” in an otherwise parched land.

Secondly, I couldn’t help but send a response to Fr. Wilson’s Q. and A. in [issue 4.5] concerning the answer to Lisa Huff of Dayton, Ohio, who was concerned about her parish’s plan to place a “Risen Christ” (translation: Protestant cross) above the main altar. The same day I read Envoy, I also received the Adoremus Bulletin mentioning a similar problem in its letter section. I thought their response might be of interest to Father.

Editor’s note: The issue of the Adoremus Bulletin to which the reader referred agrees with Fr. Wilson that “the image of the crucified Christ should be prominently visible.”

“When I was in prison …”
I am currently incarcerated in the Michigan Department of Corrections. Our Catholic community of prisoners has been on a steady increase this past Jubilee year. We began with twelve inmates and are now up to twenty-eight inmates. The prison population is over twelve hundred inmates, most of which are Protestant or Islamic in faith. The misconceptions and heresies at times are almost overwhelming. Our Lord and Blessed Mother always seem to prompt the right response or bring the right person into our lives that can handle the task at hand.

If at all possible, could you send me some back issues of your magazine to read and share with those around me?

Please pray for those who are seeking forgiveness and for those that are hard of heart, that they find comfort in our Blessed Mother, for she will always guide us to her Son.
Mike Mihela, New Haven, MI

One scene not mentioned in the article that I thought crucial was when Morpheus showed Neo the “real” world. It was a world destroyed by the pride of humanity (original sin). Because of this pride and the ability to create unfettered by ethics (truth), all of creation, including man, had become enslaved to that which man had created. Humanity was kept in slavery by delusion, a false reality much like we contend with in values dear to our depraved society.

Visual aids

I found the article by Steve Kellmeyer [Issue 4.5: “The New Gnostic Gospel”] very interesting and appreciated his research and insights into the movie. As a youth minister I can tell you that many people who work with youth have used the movie to help young people understand Christianity a little better. We have used it on a retreat to explain baptism because The Matrix perfectly shows what the Catechism teaches about what happens at baptism: We are cleansed from original sin; death to old self and rebirth of new self; and we are incorporated into a new community — the Church.

Despite some of the misrepresentations of the world and creation, The Matrix is an opportunity to help explain some Catholic and Christian teachings in a way that appeals to young people. We must take the opportunity to use popular culture when we can use it to further understanding of the Faith and help youth deepen their relationship with Christ. When our culture contradicts our faith we must stand ready to fight error.

For our retreat I explain to students which parts of The Matrix are at odds with Catholic teaching and explain why they do not represent the truth. I would be interested in any thoughts you or Steve Kellmeyer have in using The Matrix to help explain some Catholic doctrine.
Tom Corcoran, via email

The Bells of St. Matrix
Thank you so much to Steve Kellmeyer for his article on The Matrix [issue 4.5]! Even though Mr. Kellmeyer makes a case for Gnostic influence, I believe one can view the movie as a simple salvation allegory.

One scene not mentioned in the article that I thought crucial was when Morpheus showed Neo the “real” world. It was a world destroyed by the pride of humanity (original sin). Because of this pride and the ability to create unfettered by ethics (truth), all of creation, including man, had become enslaved to that which man had created. Humanity was kept in slavery by delusion, a false reality much like we contend with in values dear to our depraved society.

In contrast, the “really real” was not as pleasant, mirroring the reality of the message of the Cross. It was a difficult life, motivated only by the love of truth. The wonder was there were not more like Cypher who preferred self-delusion.

In humility, Neo laid down his life for his friend and mentor, even though it was its own reward. He confronted evil and was consumed by it but, through the reality of the love of Trinity, he was empowered to see the Matrix in its true form and overcome it. Jesus redeemed evil in the world so that it no longer had a hold on Him or His followers freed by truth and love. The truth turns the world’s rules and values upside down and breaks the bonds of this world.

I was reminded of how difficult it was to bring people to the truth and away from their comfortable delusions of what they would like it to be. I was thrilled that someone had attempted such a technically and culturally sophisticated treatment of salvation in a form that would be embraced by the general public. We got the message that pride and free will divorced from truth lead to destruction and enslavement to the world’s values; that self-sacrifice, acceptance of truth and rejection of the world’s value system is the key to restored integrity; and that perhaps there is more (or less) to this world of ours than we have been led to believe.

Viewers may even consider there just might be something to “this Jesus thing.” Let’s stop looking everywhere for The Bells of Saint Mary and try to recognize the positive aspects of this generation’s treatment of such complex and profound concepts!
Lyn Rooney, Colorado Springs, CO

Steve Kellmeyer responds:
Oddly enough, I don’t disagree with you, Lyn. Given the state of society today and the complete lack of the gospel message in most Hollywood productions, Gnostic heresy definitely beats our alternatives. It is extremely important for Catholics to learn how to use typology — that is, the employment of types, or narrative elements that symbolize larger realities. This film presents a technically superb demonstration of typological craft. For this reason alone, it should be studied by Catholics — I have personally seen it four times, and I regularly recommend it to anyone who seems interested.

As you and several other people whom I hold in high esteem point out, much good Catholic theology can be demonstrated from a basic typological analysis. Nevertheless, the types in this film aren’t the only vehicles of its meaning; it conveys messages at other levels as well, not all of which are in agreement with Christian teaching. As long as we are aware of the inherent doctrinal limitations built into the film’s typology, and are prepared to deal with possible New Age/Gnostic conclusions which a student may unwittingly derive from an in-depth analysis, this film can be an excellent teaching tool.
Steve Kellmeyer

Express yourself! Send your comments — good, bad, or ugly — to “As Received,” Envoy Magazine, P.O. Box 640, Granville, OH 43023; or email them to editor@envoymagazine.com