I enjoy recalling the recent visit of Pope Benedict in our country. It was heartwarming to see thousands of Catholics and non-Catholics alike, as they greeted and applauded the Pope who in turn blessed them with visible joy and love.

In his homily in Yankee Stadium, the Pope reminded us that, "by fidelity to the twin commandments of love of God and love of neighbor, the church contributed significantly to the growth of American society as a whole. In this land of religious liberty, Catholics found freedom not only to practice their faith, but also to participate fully in civic life, bringing their deepest moral convictions to the public square and cooperating with their neighbors in shaping a vibrant, democratic society.

"It means rejecting a false dichotomy between faith and political life; it means working to enrich American society and culture with the beauty and truth of the Gospel, and never losing sight of the great hope which gives meaning and value to all other hopes which inspire our lives."

Peter Pohorsky

Grass Valley