This Lent Discover God's Love In A Retreat - St. Augustine Catholic

eader’s thoughts
Helping Men Return to Faith
I’m a 46 year old man who returned to
the Catholic Church six years ago.
My answer to the question of “Why
men aren’t attracted” by parish activities, is
because those activities are run by
unreasoned emotionalism. An example in
the article “Men Seeking Direction”
(Oct./Nov. issue) is the line “They were
charismatic Catholics so they prayed in
tongues.” Tongues? No reasoning man will
stick around to listen to that kind of
quackery!
Another example in the article says, “We
debate whether the sight of a beautiful
woman caused the same reaction in Jesus as
it does in us.” It’s striking to think this is the
author’s profoundest example of what’s being
pondered in these meetings to direct men!
Until the local parish returns to teach
the faith, the doctrines, the whole truth
and the things that made the martyrs give
up their bodies to torture, you won’t find
many men seeking an “empty direction.”
Peter M. Vega
Miami Beach, Fla.
Father Morgan A Gifted Priest
Thank you for publishing Father
Terrence Morgan’s letter on Project Rachel
in your last issue.
He is an exceptionally gifted priest and
his excellent communication skills should
be utilized more.
My first meeting with Father Morgan
occurred a few years ago, when he said
Mass at St. John’s, Mayport. He would
arrive early to hear confessions and talk to
the people. One Saturday before the Vigil
Mass, he taught us the blessing that God
taught Moses.
In my humble opinion, Father Morgan
has the ability to win back inactive
Catholics and interest others.
Don Bottini
St. Paul Parish, Jacksonville Beach
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Dispelling Common Myths
About ADHD
Recently, St. Joseph’s Parish Home and
School Association invited “pop” psychologist
John Rosemond to speak to a
group of parents. When he presented on
the topics of the “Frantic Family” and
general parenting concerns, he offered
solid, relevant information. However,
when he strayed into a definable
psychiatric condition known as Attention
Deficit Hyperactivty Disorder, he
provided very misleading and potentially
harmful information (especially with
regard to medicine), which he offered as
fact.
Mr. Rosemond’s “facts and opinions”
are contradicted by some of the most prestigious
institutions in the world: The
National Institute of Mental Health,
Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts
General Hospital. He had
indicated that there soon would be a book
published that would “blow the cover off
Ritalin,” a significant medication used
in the treatment of ADHD. The implication,
of course, was that there would
soon be some individual’s contention
forthcoming that would indicate the
non-effectiveness or danger associated
with psychostimulants.
However, what he failed to mention
was that the National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH) had recently conducted
and published the most comprehensive
and scientifically rigorous study ever
involving the use of psychostimulants and
other treatment modalities for ADHD.
While there were numerous implications
of the study, perhaps the most
compelling finding was that, with regard
to the treatment of specific ADHD
symptoms – inattention, overactivity, and
impulsivity – no other treatment was
more effective than the use of medication.
It is the ethical responsibility of a
psychologist to accurately portray scientific
information, especially in a public
forum.
Michael Sisbarro, Ph.D.
Certified and Licensed School
Psychologist, Jacksonville
Special Gifts
for
Confirmation
First Communion
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Besides impressive, fully-stocked
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Christian books, you will find
rosaries, crucifixes, and
worthwhile gifts for all occasions.
Books for families, children,
singles, retreats, scripture and
theological study, catechetics,
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are all available.
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ST. AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC • FEBRUARY/MARCH 2001 3