TIA,

In your article Don't Kiss Animals, you say: "Furthermore, this sentimental interaction with animals has been the origin of countless diseases, included venereal diseases and AIDS. "

Actually, there is a risk of contacting brucellosis, which could be considered a venereal disease but usually only in ungulate livestock, from handling or consuming the raw meat, milk or coming into contact with blood, amniotic fluid, and the afterbirth of an infected animal. It is a matter of concern here in the United States for ranch workers, slaughterhouse workers and hunters. The diseases commonly considered to the venereal diseases, syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV, however are immunologically specific to humans. There are other zoonotic diseases, however, the dangers of which warning need to be given to people who let their children come into contact with animals, especially non-family pet animals or livestock.

The main danger from human mouth to animal mouth contact is the transmission of parasitical nematodes and protozoa as well as bacteria and viruses, all of which cause very serious and possibly fatal illnesses, such as Giardiasis, Toxoplasmosis and Listeriosis.

Rabies is also unfortunately, as you know, highly contagious through the infected animal's saliva, and in the very early stage of infection the animal could be symptom free or present with symptoms not immediately recognizable as rabies. All mammals are susceptible to rabies and only vaccines developed specifically for that species administered on a scheduled basis can prevent a possible infection. It would be an unspeakable tragedy for a child having been been licked on the mouth by an animal to contract rabies for by the time the symptoms present treatment is usually futile and the disease fatal.

In addition to these dangers all warm blooded furred, haired or feathered animals are subject to tick, flea and lice infestations which insects in turn are often vectors of diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick Fever, horrifyingly the Bubonic Plague.

Not only should children be taught never to let an animal to lick them on the face, they should be taught to never approach a non-family member pet, stray animal and to check their arms, legs and clothing for ticks and lice after petting or holding any animal or bird in a petting zoo.

Kissing the animals isn't healthy for them either, we can give them the bacteria that cause dental carries (cavities).

     L.A.

TIA,

Having read the hate mail you received recently from those supporting the perverted homosexual lifestyle, what strikes me is that:

1. Almost without exception they use vulgar and vituperative language, which is what people who have lost an argument resort to because they have nothing intelligent to say. Their consciences gnaw at them because their morals are in the sewer so they speak sewer language;

2. The grasp of the English language is barely at the 3rd grade level and is full of misspelled words and the poor use of grammar. This is surely a sign of ignorance.

If their ignorance were not so sad and their moral position grounded in the depths of hell, they would truly be funny. I have seen better use of English by inbred people.

I do hope you print this in reply to the letters of these cretins. Keep up your good work. It is a sure sign that you have the Truth on your side and that you are doing God's work when you are attacked by Satan's minions so viciously.

     J.G.

TIA,

The article of "A Few Good Men to Resist," was a real treat. Mr. Lyle J. Arnold Jr. exposes the disguised apostasy of Vatican II. Indeed, because it was disguised the problems associated with it were for the most part not detected during or shortly after the Council.

In the book The Rhine Flows Into the Tiber, it is reported that the young Fr. Joseph Ratzinger, in order to placate a peritus who wanted more change in the church, was heard to say at some table talk," Wait until the council is over." The same Fr. Joseph composed the proposition read by Cardinal Dofner on the first day of V-II, which tabled all the schema that had been prepared for V-II so the Fathers could have time to get acquainted and then write new schema. He got his wish and that was the begining of the trouble for tradition at the Council.

As far as demise of dogmas are concerned, the article recalled to mind the late Tom Zola. He wanted to write a three part denial letter in the mid 1990's; he said the letter would take three parts in order to get people ready for what was to be in the last installment.

He believed that Modernism, Vatican II, the denial of dogmas, and on and on were only symptoms of the denial of one dogma that started around 1880 in the U.S.A. He believed that once that dogma was denied, all dogma - plus other things - would go with it. Outside the Church There is No Salvation was the dogma and the denial was associated with the Americanist Heresy.

Therefore, as an authoress wrote, it very easily could be said the Susquehanna River of Washington D.C., thanks to Fr. John Courtney Murray SJ, flowed into the Tiber.

     S.M.

TIA,

Regarding your article on papal approval for Altar girls - you are right on!

The Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano reported that at the event the girls outnumbered the boys 60 to 40. I bet that girl-boy ratio is even higher at the normal Novus Ordo Masses. Looks like they are reaching the woman-dominated, pacifist Church planned by Vatican II.

Keep up your good work.

     P.G.

Dear Dr. Horvat,

I've been helping to train our Chapel's altar boys for the Tridentine Mass.

One challenge we face is getting the boys to appreciate being near God in the sanctuary and a resulting love for the Mass.

I was hoping you might have some suggestions on how to inspire altar boys to respect and honor the sanctuary. If they grasp this concept, they will naturally conduct themselves piously.

Perhaps some beautiful pictures of the "Holy of Holies" or Catholic stories of miracles in the sanctuary?

Thanks for your consideration.

     In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,

     F.S.

Dr. Horvat responds:

Dear Mr. F.S.,

Thank you for your consideration.

I have seen several good altar-boy training programs. They have relied on strict discipline and good example from the priest and adult trainers. I believe that it is not enough to just tell the boys that God is present in the sanctuary. They must behave in a way that demonstrates supreme respect for the sanctuary.

One of the best ways to show respect is to set high standards. Boys who are not dressed appropriately, are late or show any signs of disrespect should not be allowed to serve, or placed on probation. Let me offer a few examples of the don'ts:

• Boys with inappropriate haircuts should not be on the altar;
  
  
• Boys in tennis shoes should not serve;
  
  
• Boys caught snickering or acting silly during Mass should be removed from the program or placed on probation, depending on the seriousness of the offense;
  
  
• Boys who arrive late should not serve at the Mass.

You might object that the last point is not the boy's fault; it is the fault of his parents who drive him to Mass. The parents, as well as the boys, will only realize how great an honor it is to serve if there are demands and requirements that must be followed, with no exceptions.

I also believe there should be honors given to good servers. Every good formation includes special awards to be given for above-ordinary service. When honors are given to everyone, it destroys their value.

You may ask: How do these exterior things inspire the boys to love the sanctuary and the Mass? I believe they play a very important role. They set the tonus of respect they must have for God in the Blessed Sacrament.

These are the first steps. Then, Our Lord and Our Lady will be better able to touch their souls in that mysterious way that can move a young boy to heroic attitudes in defense of Our Lord.

I hope this is of some help to you.

     Cordially,

     Marian T. Horvat

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