Okay there are two letter senders this week who contacted me via this blog and I don’t even know how to categorize them according to inquiries, questions, suggestions etc. But I will answer them anyway as part of OTWOMD’s interactive with the readers.

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Dear OTWOMD,

The abuse I’m reporting is the appaling behavior of Georgetown Univ. in complying with President Obama’s request that all religious symbols be removed or covered up during his recent speach last week. It’s bad enough that a President who espouses such anti-catholic views is invited in the first place to a catholic university; but to comply with his request to remove symbols of the very basis for which the university was established is beyond belief. Does anyone in catholic academia have the courage to stand up for catholic beliefs.

- Christopher J. Iacono
70.110.132.88
phil.east.verizon.net

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Hello Christopher,

Thank you for contacting me via this blog. I gather from your letter that you just want to tell me your sentiments regarding my previous post here. You can always post a comment on the blog instead of contacting me. In this way, it would be much easier for you and you dont have to wait for a reply because I always reply within 24 hours depending on the relevancy of the comment.

I thank you for your candidness and honesty about your political and religious views. I respect your opinion as much as I wanted my opinion to be respected. But I just want to clarify one thing which I think is not clear to you.

There is nothing wrong about a Catholic Institution inviting a non believer. You see, this is the kind of mentality that I am always contradicting on my blog. Catholicism is not an exclusive religion. It is a religion that reaches out to all peoples. Because that is what the Lord taught us: Go out to the ends of the world and proclaim the good news. Just because Obama has some anti-catholic views doesnt mean he doesnt have anymore right to step on a catholic institution. This kind of mentality is very immature and exclusive. I have seen so many Catholics (especially the traditionalist) who have this kind of mentality and I tell you, it’s not nice and very very childish. The Catholic Church disses the sin but not the sinner. If all of us will have this kind of thinking, then we are not very different from the Pharisees. You convert people not by exclusivity but by love. You dont close the door to people who need much enlightenment than you.

I hope this is clear. I am not a Barack Obama supporter nor I have any political affiliations. But I have to tow the line between exclusivity and civility.

Pax et Bonum Christopher

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Dear Friend,

I got your email address from the official wyd 2011 website. My name is Edwin Xavier from Dubai, United Arab Emirates in the Gulf region.

I was a pilgrim at wyd 2000 in Rome and it was an experience of a life-time, I will always cherish those memories and the message of late JPII ‘Do not be afraid to become saints
of the new millennium’ are fresh in my mind. Recently I was reading Holy Father’s message for Palm Sunday 2009 and I was inspired to compose a theme song for wyd 2011. I’m not a popular musician or anything, but just a simple Roman catholic youth and a follower of Jesus. I have been involved in the music ministry of a catholic youth here in my parish for around 10 years and this is the only musical experience I have. I also wish to bring to you my dream of being able to present various Gospel songs in the form of leading praise & worship at any of the venues at wyd 2011. This dream simply engulfs the joy of praying with 100′s of young people from around the world. This dream I have already placed in the hands of Jesus and verbalizing it here in this email. May I request you to please direct me to the concerned person/team who are looking after such requests.

Thank you for reading and may the peace of the risen Jesus be with you!!

God bless,

- Edwin Xavier
86.96.226.88

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Dear Edwin,

Thanks for contacting me. I don’t think my email is displayed on the official site of the World Youth Day 2011 since I am not known to them and I have never emailed them. Maybe what you are trying to say is that you got my email address through the contact page of this blog, is that it?

I admire your determination to dream. I myself has composed tons of songs in the past which I believe will just end up for my personal consumption. Anyhow, I gather that you wanted me to help you to refer you to the person who is directly involved with the WYD 2011 music?

Let me first clarify some things so that you may understand:

1. WYD is an international event and every 2-3 years, their organizers change according to the specific location or country which the Pope chooses. This year the pope chose Madrid Spain, so the organizers comes from the Archdiocese of Madrid.

2. The Official WYD theme song competition is only open to the citizens of the host country. So even if you have a song for the WYD 2011, and if you are not Spanish, chances are your song will not be qualified no matter how beautiful it is since the song must be written by a youth from that country. Same goes with the official logo contest of the WYD.

actually I do not understand if you wanted to join the them song competition or you just want to be a part of the WYD 2011 and sing your songs at the venue. Either way, here is my suggestion to you.

Be active on your Parish then talk to your Parish Priest and tell him that you are interested in Joining the WYD in Madrid in 2011. Your Parish Priest will know what to do. Then try to register on the official WYD 2011 site. Its easier if you have a group. Then watch out for announcements in the official sites about individual participants who might want to perform in various youth activities during the WYD. This is actually yur chance to share your music. They usually put announcement for this kind of stuff in their official website.

If you cant seem to wait, you may want to contact the Archdiocese of Madrid directly at this address. I believe they only answer to queries written in Spanish. I’m not sure yet since I haven’t tried writing them. But what the heck, try it anyway.

Archidiocesis de Madrid
C/ La Pasa, 3
Madrid, Madrid 28005
ESPAÑA

I hope you reach your dream. It’s not too late to dream. My prayers are with you.

Pax et Bonum Edwin

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If you have inquiries, sentiments, suggestions or questions you may want to be answered or publish, then write to OTWOMD and tell us what you think