Column cast light on worthy missionary

I was so pleased to read the article by Father Joseph Breighner (Oct. 15, CR) about Monsignor Aloysius Schwartz. It was very appropriate to read about Father Al’s life and sacrifices for the poor in Korea, the Philippines and Mexico on a weekend when we celebrate missionaries. He is highly regarded in the countries where he has worked but little known in Washington, where he was born, and in Baltimore, where his father, Louis Schwartz, was born and his vocation was first nurtured at St. Charles Minor Seminary.Father Joe touched on his love for the poor, his pro-life activities that included hospitals and hospices for the homeless and handicapped, and the Boys Town and Girls Town programs he established to care for and educate the orphans and poor children. Father Joe wrote, “His love for the poor brought the poor to his door.” And later he added, “In this Year of the Priest, we need to see the goodness of so many priests who have labored anonymously.”Father Joe concluded his article with the words found on Monsignor Al’s beatification prayer card. If through Father Al’s intercession you have received a special blessing, I invite you to send me your stories. My e-mail address is deevita@msn.com.