Dear Editor,
I have just read the December Word. Fr Twomey's article on Christmas is marvellous and beautiful. It was a grace for me! Our St John of the Cross also danced on Christmas Day with a statue of the Divine Infant in his arms. My great wish is that Fr Twomey's articles have more scope – publicity.
Many Thanks!
Sr Margaret Therese, Egypt


Dear Editor,
I have just heard the Joe Duffy show (RTE Radio 1 on 14 December on Fr Vincent Twomey’s Editorial in the December issue of The Word). I had never considered the point before about Christmas carols. At first I thought there's no harm in having Christmas carols before Christmas but the more I thought about it, the more I thought No, Advent is for preparation – the carols should begin on Christmas Eve.
When I was in school (about 20 years ago) we only sang Advent hymns until our last night of term, when we would have a carol service. The few Advent hymns I know are beautiful and have an air of hushed expectancy, while carols are so joyful. I think it is out of habit that we are used to carols before Christmas – it would be lovely (I now think!) to have carol services after Christmas – it would help continue the festive season and feelings of goodwill that seem to quickly dissipate after Christmas Day. Anyway, thank you for raising this issue. I am sure many people agree and are inspired by you.
Valerie Murphy by email


Dear Editor,
I have been a subscriber to The Word for many years now and I enjoy the magazine tremendously. I want to thank you for all you write but especially for your Editorial in the December issue. It is excellent and really penetrates to the heart of things. If Christmas does not show us the heart of God, what does all the rest matter? May Christ be near you always in your good work.
Slán agus beannacht Dé ort,
James Brogan, Co Meath


Dear Editor,
For a good many years I have been a subscriber to your magazine and have read many interesting articles. But rarely have I received an issue so packed with ‘must read’ value. I read the December issue from cover to cover in one two-hour sitting! Thank you! May you and your staff be blessed at Christmas, and may the New Year bring many new subscribers.
Sr Valda Finlay, RSM, Australia

Dear Editor,
I found the article in the January issue of The Word on the late John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin, very interesting. The revelation that he was afraid of dying and wondering “had he any chance of going to Heaven” is something that needs to be addressed.
As I speak to many elderly people, and people who are near death, I hear statements like “No one knows how we will be judged”, “Have I done enough to get to Heaven” or “I’m hoping everything will be alright”. This is sad, but understandable. The Bible tells us how we can be saved and also, how we can have assurance of salvation. John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1Timothy 2:5 and many other verses teach us of how we can be saved.
1John 5:13, 1John1:7, John 5:24 and many other verses tell us how we can have assurance of salvation. Unfortunately the Catholic Church tells us that if anyone claims that they know they have the assurance of salvation and that they know they are going to Heaven the moment they die – they are guilty of the sin of presumption. This is clearly wrong. God tells us how to be saved from our sins, and how to know we have full assurance of salvation in His Holy Word. We should read God’s Word more and believe it. Many sinful people in the Scriptures who had turned to God through Jesus Christ knew they had forgiveness and pardon for their sins and knew they would be with Christ the moment they died.
I found it interesting that on p22-23 of the same edition of The Word there was an interview with a young man who knew he would be with God the moment he died and was not afraid of dying.
Many thanks for your excellent magazine.
Rosaleen Lyons, Co Kilkenny





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