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L e t t e r s
Suffering Is a Gift from God
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This Rock
Volume 13, Number 2
 February 2002 
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I was somewhat puzzled at Mother Dolores’s view on suffering physical pain ("Sound Bites," Oct-Nov-Dec 2001). She states that God "doesn’t want you to feel pain," and "Pain doesn’t come from God."
Does this woman realize that she rejects the stigmatization of many of our greatest saints, including Blessed Padre Pio? Many of the holiest of humankind have been allowed to suffer for the glory of God. They embraced the challenge willfully and gratefully as a gift from God that was to be used as a tool for fashioning the soul—of the sufferer and those with whom he or she came into contact.
Even the common physical discomforts of advancing age can enable the individual to begin to focus more conscientiously on the spiritual growth that is so essential to the transition to eternal life. Sadly, we tend to turn to God when we are in need. Physical suffering, then, should be considered as a precious gift from God. It enables us to move more resolutely toward our Lord and Savior—and it allows us to share his most loving gift to us.
William G. Evans
Marcy, New York
That Catholic Magazine
Thank you for the subscription to This Rock over the past year. I am incarcerated at the Oregon State Penitentiary and am unable to be employed due to illness. This Rock and "Catholic Answers Live" are the major teaching vehicles that keep me grounded in our holy and apostolic faith.
Many of my fellow inmates of various religions read my copy of This Rock. Most of these men would never enter into a religious discussion or allow themselves to be witnessed to, yet month after month they ask, "Has that Catholic magazine come yet?"
I want to convey my heartfelt gratitude for the complimentary subscription. "That Catholic magazine" is touching lives in unlikely venues!
May the Lord continue to bless abundantly your ministries.
Adam L. Brown
Salem, Oregon
Thank You, Fr. Serpa
Although it came too late due to the combining of the last three issues of 2001, I very much appreciated Fr. Vincent Serpa’s article on reclaiming the celebration of All Saints Eve ("Holyween," Oct-Nov-Dec 2001). His suggestions for readings from the saints as a sort of guessing game would go over well in our family, and we look forward to instituting our own "do-it-yourself litany" next Halloween.
Practical suggestions such as this as well as the apologetic content are why we are fans of your magazine.
Bob and Henriette Mack
Saginaw, Michigan
Junior Apologist
I want to thank you for the greatest gift I’ve ever received: to be used as a tool of God. Because of the material I’ve purchased from you and the other materials Catholic Answers has donated to me, I’ve become what I like to call a junior apologist.
Recently, I shared what I’ve learned with a Baptist minister—a man in his fifties—and now he’s speaking of converting. I believe the Holy Ghost used the knowledge you have given me to lead this man to the fullness of Christ. And where my knowledge fails me, my collection of This Rock magazines has been at hand to help me find the answer.
The minister is not there yet, but he’s close. I ask everyone who reads this to pray that he finds his way home to Mother Church.
Terry O’Brien
Fairfield, California
Thumbs Up on Flash Cards
I thought your review of the Friendly Defenders Catholic flash cards was a little harsh ("Hot Flashes," Oct-Nov-Dec 2001). I have been using the cards with my kids after having read about them in another Catholic publication, and I feel they are a great way for the kids to learn the faith.
I find myself thumbing through them after the kids have gone to bed, trying to see how close I come to correctly answering the challenges of Curious Connie and Doubting Dan. I generally have the right answer, but can’t cite chapter and verse. That’s where the cards are helpful—you’ve got to cite chapter and verse when you’re talking to a Bible Christian.
Ed Fletcher
Fairfield, Illinois
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