Having listened during the last year to over a hundred hours in podcasts by international scientists, mostly German, and spending time daily reading international newspapers from The New York Times to The Times of Israel and others, I have come to a good, basic understanding of the COVID virus and what to do about it.
I also know that scientific knowledge is evolving and what were considered facts last year have had to be revised several times.
Since we know that the virus is spread in the air and that everyone, even immunized three or four times, can get it and spread it, I am astonished that churches have not adopted a much more stringent protocol of very good ventilation.
I see people disinfect their hands before receiving Communion, which has no health benefits whatsoever.
Church doors that should be wide open before and after a service are still closed.
Everything speaks for open doors: good ventilation, much needed fresh air, and the important message that all are welcome and no one is shut out.
Marianne Werner
Vancouver
I cannot agree more with Colleen Roy’s April 25 column “Jesus is waiting to meet you in the Eucharist.”
There can be no greater joy than meeting Jesus face to face in adoration. We all look forward to meeting our friends from time to time. Why then are we so backward in wanting to meet Jesus who is the very best friend one can ever have?
In regard to closed churches and chapels mentioned in the article, I am pleased and proud to tell you that our very special pastor, Father Justin Huang of St. Anthony of Padua in Vancouver, was adamant about keeping our church and chapel open throughout the two years of the COVID crisis. The side door which leads to the chapel and also the church was kept open from 6 a.m. to midnight every day. We requested that there be a limit of 10 people in the church and three people in the chapel at any given time.
We had a steady flow of devotees, both in church and chapel, all through the two years and beyond. In fact, our chapel and church are still open every day until midnight with no more restrictions on numbers. For security reasons, you need a code to get in through the side door after 7 p.m. Anyone wanting to worship can call the church office, give their identity details, and obtain the code.
I entreat everyone to make use of this facility. The Lord Jesus will be so pleased to have more people visit him and keep him company.
Doris Joseph
Vancouver
I read Terry O’Neill’s April 11 article, “The moral obligation behind health care” and was dismayed when I got to the last two paragraphs where he proposes private health care.
Are we to believe that there are untold numbers of unemployed doctors and nurses in our province?
The only way private health care could exist is to hire doctors and nurses away from public health, making things worse for those of us who cannot afford private insurance.
Our health system needs work, but taking away from the poor to give to the rich is NOT an acceptable solution.
I cannot comprehend how a Catholic publication can espouse such anti-Christian elitism.
Tim McConnell
Surrey
