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Stories show role models for people of all faiths

I would like to comment on The Criterion’s front and back pages from the July 14 issue.

These are two ordinary people who have done and continue to do extraordinary things.

For the last 18 years, Lucious Newsom has done voluntary service for the poor in God’s name until he calls him (Newsom) home to heaven.

Newsom has a bottomless well in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. His tireless efforts to establish Anna’s House and his other outreach make a lasting impact in people’s lives. He is a living example of God’s three greatest virtues—faith, hope and charity (love). The greatest of these is love.

This Baptist-turned Roman Catholic is a role model for people of all faiths.

Jesus has called him to make a difference, not just in Indianapolis, but also in our world. His Thanksgiving meals and help know no season, but rather all seasons.

Newsom makes us want to do something in our corner of the world.

I can only imagine what almighty God’s crown for him will be. He is not doing this work to get to heaven, but rather because he is going to heaven.

May our Lord Jesus keep on inspiring Newsom until he calls him gently home.

Another legacy of giving is definitely the late Rudolph Gasper. His generosity toward his family, Church and community is truly extraordinary—not just the thousands of dollars that he has given, but also the how and way he has given it.

The way he took care of his wife, family and now the other beneficiaries (a little more than $66,000 each) is inspiring. And all this from a humble sewing machine repairman. I’m sure God extended his life (100 years) because of his good works and prayers—especially the Holy Rosary.

When I read these two stories (parables) of God’s love that they demonstrated, I just had to write.

I’m sure some day we can call him St. Rudolph Gasper.

And Lucious Newsom can expect the same when it is his time to see Jesus face-to-face. Jesus will tell him, “Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into my kingdom of heaven and joy.”

- Ronald Dierkes, Madison

Indianapolis fortunate to have Lucious Newsom

What a fantastic story The Criterion did on 90-year-old Lucious Newsom.

I am from Melbourne, Australia, and saw it posted on Catholic Online (www.catholic.org).

Newsom is a real living example of God’s love at work, which is not always shown in the media.
Indianapolis, you are very lucky to have him.

- Gregory Rath, Melbourne, Australia

With new Mass translation, bishops putting first things first

A letter writer asks in the July 21 issue of The Criterion, “Are the bishops real?”

From where I can see it, the answer is, “Yes, absolutely.”

Since it is their job to teach and to lead us in prayer, they are doing the right thing.

As Psalm 127 says: “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain so its builders labor; if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil. In vain is your earlier rising, your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread that you eat: when He pours gifts on His beloved while they slumber” (Ps 127:1-2).

There are many problems, but we can’t solve them without our Lord’s help.

The first step is to pray. The bishops are trying to improve our most important prayer, the Holy Mass. I believe God will bless them for that, and help us end the war, and feed the poor, too.

God will help us if we put our trust in him. Yes, the bishops are real. They are putting first things first.

- Margot Cain, Grammer