Forum: Pastor unhappy with station dedication
November 8, 2012 8:34PM
Updated: December 10, 2012 6:34AM
Sunday is Veterans Day. Prior to the establishment of Veterans Day, there was and still is the Third Commandment, “Keep holy the Sabbath Day.”
At the request of Wiley G. Roberts, chairman of the Tinley Park Veterans Commission, the dedication of the renovated 80th Avenue Metra station in honor of retired Brigadier Gen. Patrick Rea, the village clerk, has been moved from Nov. 12 to 10 a.m. Nov. 11.
I heard of this change about six weeks ago when our school’s principal mentioned that St. George School was asked to send a representative to this Sunday event. I was upset about this encroachment on Sunday worship time and called the village hall, eventually speaking with Mayor Ed Zabrocki about this issue and the encroachment of other recreational activities sponsored by the village into Sunday mornings.
The mayor’s response to my complaint startled me. He is a man of faith but asked, “Can you imagine the impact this (event) would have on the business community to move it to the afternoon?”
I have the greatest respect for the men and women who serve our country through the armed forces. We are honoring our veterans that day, after the Masses, with a breakfast. However, when a civic organization holds ceremonies during a major hour of worship not only does it disrupt church schedules and attendance, it encourages a creeping secularization of the values upon which our country was founded.
Our leaders in Tinley Park are asking God and worship to take second place on Veterans Day. Their actions would honor both veterans and God if celebrated Sunday afternoon.
The Rev. Kenneth Fleck
Pastor, St. George Catholic Church
Tinley Park
Fine rather than reward
Rather than giving a $25 gift card to Chicago Public Schools parents who pick up report cards and/or meet with teachers to discuss their child’s academic progress, the parents who fail to do this should be fined $25.
Parents should take an interest in the education of their children. Parental involvement is vital to effective education programs.
John Culloton
Chicago
Time for united effort
The people have spoken. The agenda for the president and the Congress must be to sit down with each other and move this country forward.
We can no longer continue to have wholesale stagnation if there is to be a better future for our children and grandchildren. No more excuses, no more nonsense. Politics is and always has been about compromise.
It is way past time to “man up” and get the job done. There are plenty of “goodies’ to go around for both parties, so their elected officials must give and take and let’s start driving this country forward.
Michael D. Turay
Crete
