May we imitate

the example of Mary

To the Editor:

As a Catholic, I was very pleased and impressed with Father Weary’s recent response (on 12/13) to the false claim that we believe Mary is divine. Excellently he showed our basic beliefs about Mary, and I hope everyone recognized a few qualities about these tenants of our faith.

First, they’re scriptural. From the Angel’s greeting (Luke 1:26), to Mary’s response to St. Elizabeth (Luke 1:46-55), to St. Paul’s letters (Galatians 4:4), everything we believe about Mary is found somehow in the Bible.

Second, they’re historical. This isn’t some new idea. Everything about Mary has been held, taught, and known by the Church in some way since 33 AD, and defended ever since. This fulfills her own prophecy: From henceforth all generations will call me blessed (Luke 1:48).

Third, they’re Christo-centric. Every single Catholic teaching about Mary is related back to Jesus Christ. Notice how the title “Mother of God” protects the truth that Jesus is a Divine Person who assumed a human nature, born of Mary, while maintaining both natures. It defends the mystery of the Incarnation! To deny that Mary is the Mother of God is to deny that Jesus is Divine.

Fourth, they’re relatable to you and me. Wonderfully, Mary shows what God wishes to do for all of us, which is what He did in a special way for her: make us immaculate, make us sinless, make us full of grace.

May we imitate the example of Mary, whom Christ gave as our Mother (John 19:27). May we have the faith and humility to say with her, to God, everyday, “Be it done unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). Only the Catholic Church believes and maintains these astounding truths. May we ponder them in our hearts (Luke 2:19).

Lucas Bastian

Mifflin

Thank you for a

successful fundraiser

To the Editor:

The third annual Juniata-Mifflin County Shop with a Cop event took place on Wednesday, Dec. 13. We want to thank everyone who helped either financially, by volunteering their time, or by providing space to make the second annual event a great success. The Shop with a Cop event allowed 28 children from Mifflin and Juniata counties to spend time with law enforcement while shopping for themselves and their family members at Lewistown Walmart. To say that everyone had a great time would be an understatement. Following the shopping event, the children were invited to the FAME substation in Granville for pizza and other refreshments. United Way volunteers, FAME personnel and police officers were on hand to wrap the presents that the children purchased for their loved ones.

Shop with a Cop would not have been possible without the community support that we received. We wanted to thank the following businesses, organizations, and individuals for supporting the event financially: Big Daddy’s Grill and Chill LLC, Mrs. Donna Appleby, Paul L. Prough Jr., Barbara Noerr, Bill and Holly Snook, Bunkertown Brethren Church, Clark’s Cards, Diane & Barry Peterson, JC District Magistrate Tracy Powell, Major League Bottle Shop LLC, JP Edwards Bar and Gill, Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, Kenton Stuck, MCS Bank, Molly Maid-Lois Grose, Primary Health Network, Tri-County Drug and Alcohol, Trinity Plastics, Richard & Arla Goss, RL & MA Kauffman, and several anonymous givers. A special thank you goes out to the PA State Police, all the local police stations, probation officers, and representatives from the sheriff’s office who took part in the day. We are very grateful for the time that they gave to the children. We also want to thank FAME for allowing us to use their space and for the pizza party following the event, for our great friends at Walmart Lewistown as well as all the volunteers who made the day go smoothly. We greatly appreciate everyone who had a part in making this program a success and for standing with our message of giving and coming together to be a stronger community!

If you wish to support next year’s Juniata-Mifflin County Shop with a Cop, please make checks payable to Juniata-Mifflin Shop with a Cop and mail to 13 E. Third Street, Lewistown, PA 17044.

Thank you again for the support! With appreciation,

Colette Hartzler

Executive Director

Mifflin-Juniata United Way