Vanimo (Fides Service) - "Dear Thomas" is the title of a 16 page letter/booklet published by the National Catechism Centre in Goroka to help young secondary school Catholics answer the questions put by non Catholic school friends who want to know why Catholics are so devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some ask: "Where does it say in the Bible that I must honour Mary of Nazareth and the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, Assumed into heaven, Queen of Heaven and Earth?" Italian missionary Fr Saverio Taffari, head of the Catechetical-Pastoral Centre of Vanimo diocese, wrote the booklet to explain to young people - briefly but clearly - the Biblical and theological foundations for Catholic devotion to Mary of Nazareth. The reason which is the frame for all the others is that we who are created in the "image of God" must have "the same sentiments as Christ" towards his Mother, Mary. The booklet, of which 10 copies have been printed, will be sent to other diocesan Catechetical-Pastoral Centres in PNG to be diffused in diocesan and state schools and in parishes. SL (Fides Service 15/4/2003 EM lines 12 Words: 181)