Jesus would accept member’s devotion
I am writing in response to Father Doyle’s column (Catholic Virginian, Oct. 4). The question was from Richmond about a parishioner that disrupts services. I am appalled by the answer but equally appalled that the editor made the decision to print the question and answer.
I cannot imagine how saddened the member and her family felt when they read the question and more so the answer. Really? Call the police and have her escorted out! I know this member that Richmond wrote about. Many of my friends knew exactly who the member is and the parish and could not believe what we read.
We have had many discussions about this, and all have come to the conclusion that clearly “All are not welcome” in the Catholic Church. We should never sing that song again during Mass. This member that Richmond wrote about is a caring woman who loves Christ deeply and shows her love more demonstrably than most Catholics, but nonetheless is a member of the Catholic faith.
What a slippery slope we are on when we have the police show up during Mass and escort a member out because that member is different. What about the autistic young adult that blurts out during Mass or the adult with Alzheimer’s that roams after Communion? Should all these members be escorted out also? And, of course, we have crying babies. Where is the line drawn?
What has happened to compassion and tolerance? Jesus would surely be accepting of the member’s devotion. – Donna Mitchell, North Chesterfield
Saddened by what was in the letter
I was terribly saddened to read about the parishioner who rocks back and forth in the pew and calls out during Mass (Catholic Virginian, Oct. 4). I was saddened, too, over the response to involve the police to bring her to the hospital. But by far the saddest of all was the pastor who told her she was no longer welcome.
Jesus welcomes all. He loves all people with every affliction. God created her and he loves her. It sounds as if this person needs to experience the works of mercy.
Suppose the pastor/ church finds out her story and how to help her? They could find out if she had loved ones who are supporting her or if she needs help with food, shelter and medical care. I am sure involving the police like she is a criminal is less humane. How has the parish helped her?
While I can sympathize that it is probably not comfortable to experience the “out of the ordinary” during Mass, try bearing patiently and praying for her as Jesus would. If she were passing out from a diabetic coma during Mass, all would rush to her aid and accept her condition and pray for her.
Unfortunately, the mentally ill are never recognized as ill; they are just treated as an annoyance or “bad.” The mentally ill do not choose to be ill, yet they are the most overlooked ill by society and in the medical field.
I know this must be a thorn in Christ’s crown because he said love the least of these. – Kathleen DeForge, Mathews
Doing what Jesus would want us to do
Regarding the letter “Don’t scorn, don’t ridicule” (Catholic Virginian, Oct. 4): But don’t you dare come near the rest of us who have done exactly what Jesus would want us all to do if he were walking around on the Earth today.
In fact, Jesus would be just as indignant as he was when he chased out the moneychangers in the temple. Jesus would say: “Get the COVID vaccine now!”
He would also add: “God, my Father, gave certain talented people the ability and means to create an effective way to end this pandemic. And to not protect others and yourself is the definition of sin.” – David Woodburn, North Chesterfield