Re “Behold your mother” in the May 12 B.C. Catholic:

For me, praying the Rosary deepens my relationship with Mary. Mary and the Rosary are inseparable in my spiritual life as I grow in holiness and closeness to our Lord. Mary’s love for me calls me to respond to her invitation to draw closer to her Son. I do not believe I could draw closer to the Son without the support of the Mother.

When I was young, I found the Rosary a bore, because the Rosary without Mary felt empty to me. She brings us closer to Jesus and, in doing so, truly offers us her motherly support.

May the month of May remind us that each day can be like a flower offered into the loving arms of Mary, ever ready to receive us and present us to her Son.

Rita Castillo
St. Jude Parish, Vancouver


The framing of Alan Charlton’s May 11 column around “proving Timothée wrong” is very bizarre if you take the time to research and understand his words in context.

He clearly did not literally mean “no one cares,” and frankly, he was not even speaking about the merit or quality of ballet and opera whatsoever. His comment was about not wanting moviegoing to become niche in the way those art forms have, which should not be controversial to admit.

I suppose the point of using his name was to get clicks, but misrepresenting what he said and meant is unfortunate.

Gilly Moore
Toronto

 

Did you know that British Columbia has a Catholic Physicians’ Guild, a community of doctors who support one another in living out their Catholic faith within the medical profession?

The guild is led by Dr. Tim Kostamo, a deacon at Christ the Redeemer Parish, and brings together physicians from across the Archdiocese for fellowship, ethical formation, prayer, and mutual support. It is a place where Catholic doctors can connect with peers who understand the unique challenges and responsibilities of practicing medicine today.

If you are a physician in B.C., we warmly encourage you to consider joining the Catholic Physicians’ Guild. Your presence strengthens the witness of Catholic health care in our province, and the guild offers a meaningful way to integrate faith and professional life.

This year, the Canadian Catholic Physicians’ Guild conference is being hosted by our local Vancouver chapter.

“Restoring Medicine Through the Sacred Heart of Jesus” will take place May 28–31 at the Pinnacle Hotel in North Vancouver.

More information about the guild and conference can be found through the Catholic Physicians’ Guild of Vancouver and Canadian Catholic Physicians’ websites.

Lizette Bell
On behalf of the Catholic Physicians’ Guild of Vancouver

 

Bill C-9 is now before the Senate, and if it passes further review and a final vote, it will become law.

One aspect of the bill that has raised concern among some religious communities is its proposal to remove a current Criminal Code protection for opinions expressed in good faith on religious subjects or based on religious texts. Critics worry this could create uncertainty about how certain biblical passages might be interpreted under Canada’s hate-propaganda laws.

During committee discussions on the bill, Liberal MP Marc Miller referenced passages from Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Romans that prosecutors could have discretion to examine. Those comments have added to concerns among some Canadians about the future scope of religious-expression protections.

I encourage readers to inform themselves about Bill C-9 and, if they feel strongly, to respectfully contact senators to share their views before the bill comes to a final vote. I also ask fellow Catholics to pray for wisdom for our leaders and for the continued protection of religious freedom in Canada.

This is not simply a partisan issue. For many people of faith, it is a question about the balance between combating hatred and preserving freedom of religion and expression.

To find senators’ contact information visit sencanada.ca/en/senators

Phillip Kunz
Surrey

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