TO THE EDITOR:
I was recently reading both sides of the argument about The Christmas Tree. This is part of what Governor Chafee wrote for a statement: “I would encourage all those engaged in this discussion – whatever their opinion on the matter – to use their energy and enthusiasm to make a positive difference in the lives of their fellow Rhode Islanders.”
I think Governor Chafee really needs to follow some "Catholics" around for a week or so. When I first started volunteering at my church, All Saints Parish and was introduced gradually to all the people who volunteer and give their time for free, I was shocked to see how many people care so much. The feeling that you are making a difference is wonderful. Perhaps this is the reason why I fell in love with the idea of giving back to the community.
In our parish we run soup kitchens, we run food pantries, we collect coats for the less fortunate. We have given diapers and formula to the needy mothers, we have people who knit mittens for the children that come into the food pantry where I volunteer. I have seen one volunteer give the coat off his back to someone who needed one!
I am not insulting your intelligence at all Governor Chafee, but I really think you need to get in touch with the regular people who live in your state, the ones who are Catholic and the ones what use their undying energy all year long to make a difference in the lives of their fellow Rhode Islanders. We do not go to the RI food bank and bring a load of food there once a year, we donate food every week and have many grateful people who otherwise would not have enough to eat. We sign their kids up for free lunches, who otherwise might not have a lunch that day. These are just a few things we do at my parish and think how many Catholic parishes there are in RI alone and some do even more.
I just feel like you're very out of touch with the common folk and maybe that is why 3,600 calls were made to your office this week about changing the name of our Christmas Tree! Please do not change the name of something so holy to us, we have it all covered.
Marie Bilodeau
Woonsocket
