Re “COVID is holding up a mirror for the Church and evangelization” (B.C. Catholic, Feb. 1):
Brett Powell’s article about engagement and dis-engagement in the Church, both now and after COVID, is one of the best and most honest and incisive articles I have read for a long time.
By corollary, we should not be just leaving it to our leaders to lead. We, if we care enough, need to be leading or at least showing we care by offering help in whatever area we are concerned about. The priests need our encouragement too.
Chris Charles
Vancouver
In a recent Zoom meeting with friends we discovered we were all dismayed by the B.C. Catholic’s headline on the Feb. 1 Ash Wednesday story: “Out with the Smudge.”
To describe the act of receiving ashes on this holy day with the word “smudge” undermines the reverence we ought to feel when we have the Sign of the Cross made on our foreheads. If we don’t teach the relevance of this sacramental practice and the blessings we receive from them, how are we going to convince people we have a treasure. Our faith is so beautiful, so profound, so sacred. If only others who are seeking the meaning of life and happiness could understand.
In addition, please be careful when writing about “churches closing” at a time when the Catholic Church is being attacked or viewed with suspicion from all quarters. Churches are not closed, and people are free to enter and pray. Masses are being celebrated privately by our priests, and we all reap the benefits of their prayers.
Please consider your use of words with greater circumspection.
Patrick May
Vancouver
(You’re not the only one we heard from. We sometimes get overly colloquial, and we should have written a better headline – Editor.)
I support allowing 50 people to attend places of worship. Parishes can have a committee to ensure strict compliance to sanitizing and maintaining social distancing to limit the transmission of the virus.
Kathlyn Palafox
Surrey
