Re “Let’s ‘meddle’ in politics” (Paul Schratz, Sept. 24):

My friends and I have been praying this special Prayer for Canada, which I would like to share with others. We really need to pray for the coming federal election. May I please ask you to include this prayer in The B.C. Catholic. Thank you!

Bernadette Geronimo
Vancouver

Prayer for Canada
O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time,
we entrust our country to your loving care.
Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your
Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you
from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection.
Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open
our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that
accompany human freedom.
Free us from the falsehoods that leads to abortion and the breakdown of
family life. Grant uis the wisdom to know and proclaim that this nation
was founded on God’s law and that He alone is the True Source of our
cherished rights and freedoms.
Guide and protect this land from every evil and from the attacks of the
powers of darkness.
O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and
the strength to build a new culture of life. We ask this through Christ Our
Lord, Amen.
Imprimatur: +Bishop Roman Danylak, D.D. Titular Bishop of Nyssa – Dec 12, 2004

(The prayer was written by Bishop Roman Danylak, of the Ukrainian Catholic eparchy of Toronto. He died in 2012 — Editor.)


Andrew Scheer says he would cut Canada’s international aid by 25 per cent. But cutting funds for disaster relief, food assistance, or international security would have serious consequences for some of the world’s most vulnerable.

Mr. Scheer says Canada needs to use foreign aid to support Canadian values we hold dear. But these shameful cuts would diminish those values.

Both Liberal and Conservative governments have let our share of international aid dwindle to only .28 per cent of our gross national income, well below our United Nations commitment of .7 per cent.

To truly reflect Canadian values, we need to engage more in the world, not less. Government should help improve our lives, but not at the expense of helping others. We can, and should, do both.

Therese Jelinski
Saskatoon


Re The B.C. Catholic’s election resources:

I agree with you we must be good stewards of the earth, but the politicization of science, particularly in the field of climate studies, has been appalling. To see the one, true Church stand behind climate change lies is disheartening. As a new Catholic, this support of political propaganda makes it hard to defend our faith in the streets and among my family and friends who are non-believers.

The pro-life debate is clearly more important, especially in light of legislation coming out of the U.S. Canada has no legislation on abortion and even our so-called conservative candidate for Prime Minister, Andrew Scheer, is marginalizing and silencing Christian conservatives who wish to discuss proposals for proper legislation.

In addition, we have verbal and physical assaults daily across Canada against the freedoms of speech, conscience, and assembly.

It is disheartening to watch these voices and this grassroots movement unfairly squashed in Canada. And it is frustrating to have our Catholic media completely ignore them and refuse to give them a platform for their voices to be heard.

Seana Thrasher
Delta


On Sept. 30, anti-God forces, such as radical feminists, LGBTQ, and pro-abortion groups set fires at the entrance to Mexico City’s Catholic cathedral. They marched with banners demanding abortion rights. They were dressed in black and painted anti-Catholic slogans, including “God is a woman.” Some of the marchers destroyed bus stop shelters and spray-painted slogans on public and private property.

It is incredible that this event was not even mentioned in our news, probably to protect the radical feminists and LGBTQ groups from adverse publicity. A group of Catholics, devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe, formed a peaceful human cordon to prevent them from breaking into, destroying, and desecrating the Cathedral.

I have not the slightest doubt that the Holy Virgin’s Garabandal warnings are going to happen. The way we are offending God and despising his gifts and love toward us is going to cost humanity dearly.

John Bueno
North Vancouver


Re “Silence about Hong Kong ‘not an option’: priest (B.C. Catholic, Sept. 16):

My wife and I participated in the prayer meeting for Hong Kong that Father Richard Soo wrote about. It was a disconcerting experience to be surrounded by a mob waving Communist Chinese flags, having our pictures taken by people holding cell phones, and having to be escorted to the parking lot by police officers.

Why are the people of Hong Kong protesting? Hong Kongers have always lived by the status quo, whatever it may be. Yet, this summer, millions of its citizens have taken to the streets to protest an extradition bill put forth by the government, no doubt at the instigation of Beijing. Many of the protestors have sacrificed their careers, their future in Hong Kong, their good relationship with family and friends, even their own personal safety, all to fight for what is right and just.

Ever since the former thriving British colony was “returned” to China, Hong Kongers have increasingly felt the heavy hand of Beijing’s rule. The puppet Hong Kong government has no real power, and Beijing continues to encroach upon not just the way of life of Hong Kongers, but basic civil liberties.

Communist China, like any evil regime, will eventually fall. The Nazis did not last even close to a “Thousand Year Reich.” The Soviet Union fell. Even the powerful Roman Empire did not last forever. This may not happen within my lifetime, but I am convinced it will happen. In the meantime, I pray for the future of Hong Kong and her people, and I applaud all those who are standing up to China’s dictatorial regime.

As Father Soo so correctly said, silence is not an option.

Patrick May
Vancouver


With Thanksgiving around the corner, it is a good time to reflect on gratitude and generosity. God blesses us every day and the great majority of us have a lot to be thankful for. However, how many of us truly thank God and manifest that gratitude in tangible generosity?

Commenting on the Gospel for Sunday, Sept. 29, about the rich man and Lazarus, Bishop Robert Barron said, “God is not pleased with this kind of inequality and burns with a passion to set things right.”

I am overjoyed that our parish of St. Anthony of Padua has taken the lead in this respect, thanks to our pastor Father Justin Huang.

About two years ago he proposed that we donate 10 per cent of the church collection to charities. He took a pew poll, and although a few had reservations, the majority concurred. He asked us to recommend charities that should be helped.

On Sept. 29 he said we are now ready to put his suggestion into practice. He provided us with a list of charities and the amount each will receive from the 10 per cent of our contributions.

It works out to a substantial amount and although we are building a new parish centre and need the money, generosity is not measured by how much we give but by the sacrifice it entails.

Father Justin makes us proud to be parishioners of St. Anthony’s. It is so fulfilling that we as a community are helping others in greater need.

Pope Benedict says this parable and its theological background is about an awakening. Father Justin says what we are doing with our money is also an awakening, that it’s what Christians do and what churches do. So be grateful and show your gratitude in generosity.

Doris Joseph
Vancouver