Inside
NCR What
to do with NCRs Message in a Bottle
At first I looked forward with
apprehension and even distaste to that moment when time would do a somersault
and the old millennium meld into the new. There would be too much hype, endless
verbiage and fuss. But now I cant shake off the notion that this is a
pivotal moment, and we will lament ever after if we fail to live it to the
full.
So this is a warning or an appeal -- whichever works for you --
not to shrug off the occasion. Its not about partying -- though
thats fine, too; its about awareness if not awe. Theres just
a chance we might ask ourselves, with more poignancy than usual: Whats it
all about? Whatever it is.
In this column, in the Oct. 1 issue, we announced
NCRs Message in a Bottle as a unique way to celebrate this pretty
big deal. We knew what would happen if we didnt get ahead of the game:
Readers would begin to hear that old music of the spheres, oh, about
mid-December and rush their golden thoughts to NCR at a time we would be
long past caring.
We want your thoughts now. They may come as a letter or poem or
essay or column or some brand new genre. Shorter is better, because we expect a
mighty volume of entries. We must assert the right to reject and select as
necessary and to edit for size and style. Write on whatever topic you wish, so
long as its relevant to the millennium. We know youd never be
boring, but on this occasion especially make it mind-boggling. Its going
to be an amazing bottle with an amazing message.
Yes, there will be a real bottle, and well put the message
in it -- the supplement to our Dec. 31, 1999-Jan. 7, 2000, issue. The bottle
has not been chosen. You may have suggestions for this -- but please dont
send any bottles.
There remains the matter of what to do with the loaded bottle.
Cork it, of course, and then launch it -- but where? Again, readers may be able
to help with suggestions. On some historic river or lake or some wide ocean;
with a special ceremony or without. The idea is that it travel far in time and
tide before being picked up on some romantic strand by God knows whom God knows
when.
This paper aims to be interactive, and our readers are among the
best on the planet at writing. This is, yes, a warning to start thinking about
the millennium in good time. Its special -- there wont be another
for a while.
I have learned I must say things at least twice before readers
respond in decent numbers. Im not sure if that says more about me or you
-- I opt to blame you.
Deadline is Nov. 15. Send submissions to NCR Message in a
Bottle, 115 E. Armour Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111. Or, better still, e-mail to
ncrbottle@aol.com
Then go tell everyone.
Science has done amazing things, and
especially this century. It has brought the heavens nearer, looked into the
heart of the atom. It has helped humans subdue the earth, and, for better or
worse, each other. Pam Schaeffers story on page 11 deals with some of
sciences most personal recent victories -- and challenges.
Big words and concepts such as biotechnology are rocks most of us
stumble on. We know the subject is very important and touches us more
personally than most scientific breakthroughs, but we are daunted by its
complexity. Unable to get our heads around it, we all too often walk away from
it.
The great achievement of Schaeffers article is that it makes
this vast, complex field comprehensible and accessible. Not only that, the
subject turns out to be intriguing.
Readers sometimes complain about the length of some NCR
articles, and we try to feel their pain and stay short. On the other hand, some
stories simply cant be told in a few hundred words -- and this is one of
them. Whats more, this weeks bioethics story is but the first of
two parts -- we will have the second next week. Do yourself a favor: If you
have no time to read it now, put it away for the future. A time will surely
come when you will want to read it -- because its about you. And
Schaeffer advises that you shouldnt wait too long, because changes come
almost daily in the field of genetic research.
John Allen was no more than an hour
in Rome when he was already reporting back to Kansas City on his ubiquitous
cell phone. He sounded ebullient. He was already staking out the offices of
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger -- Im not making this up. That day, no cigar.
But better luck two days later when Allen caught up with the doctrinal czar
after Mass in St. Peters. History does not record what was said, but
Ratzinger did not invite NCRs opinion editor to dinner.
Meanwhile, publisher Tom Fox arrived in the Eternal City with a
handy new camera that sends digital pictures all over the place -- you may have
received one already. Check our Web site for some samples:
http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/documents/eurosyndindex.htm
Behind this frolic, serious and perhaps historic events are
happening at the Synod for Europe. I have no wish to steal the Fox-Allen
thunder even if I could. Coverage begins in this issue and will continue in the
coming weeks, not to mention updates at NCRs Web site.
Most observers agree this is a papacy winding down -- grandly, on
a wave of millennial exaltation but winding down nonetheless. The thoughts of
both hierarchy and faithful no doubt wander to the future and its
possibilities. Its likely the next pope is at the synod. Its likely
that signs of the times are thick on the ground in Rome during these critical
synod proceedings, and that hints about the future of our church abound by the
Tiber.
And one more thing: I predict that, before the synod is over,
Ratzinger will be staking out Allens place in the hope that John can fit
him into his dinner schedule.
Chicagos St. Peters
Church, better known as St. Peters in the Loop, each year confers the Pax
et Bonum Award on someone who personifies the ideal of St. Francis of
Assisi. This time it was awarded to Msgr. Jack Egan, now stationed at
Chicagos Holy Name Cathedral, and I dont think St. Francis would
mind at all.
One of the most beloved priests in America, Egan has been involved
in a multitude of local and national church projects throughout his long
career. He also spent several eventful years at the University of Notre Dame.
He was, furthermore, for many years a member of the board of the National
Catholic Reporter.
You have
been a mentor to an enormous number of
church leaders, Franciscan Fr. Thomas Aldworth wrote in his nomination
letter. We here at St. Peters believe that you certainly exemplify
all that St. Francis proclaimed in his life and legacy. He can say that
again.
-- Michael Farrell
National Catholic Reporter, October 15,
1999
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