Dear Editor, I fully agree with the sentiments expressed by Fr Barry Matthews, Fr Joe Deegan, and Fr Tom Ryan regarding online Mass [The Irish Catholic – April 11, 2024].
While livestreamed Mass has undoubtedly been a lifeline for many during times of restricted physical gathering, it is essential to recognise its limitations. The Mass is not merely a spectacle to be observed but a sacred ritual to be actively participated in, where one can truly experience the presence of God and the communion of believers.
Fr Deegan’s emphasis on the importance of physical presence and community interaction is essential. The richness of the Mass encompasses the shared prayers, the communal worship, and the fellowship of believers.
As we navigate the post-pandemic landscape, it is crucial to encourage a return to physical attendance at Mass while continuing to offer support and accommodation for those unable to attend in person. Let us strive to preserve the sanctity of the Mass and uphold its significance as the central act of worship in our faith.
Yours etc.,
Geraldine O’Reilly Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6W
Pray for Gaza suffering to end
Dear Editor, I ask everyone who believes in prayer to pray for the suffering people of Gaza. In all my 70 years I have never heard of such horrific and heartbreaking pain and suffering as that seen in Gaza among the unfortunate Palestinian people. Over 33,000 Palestinians, almost half of them children, have been killed by the Israeli forces, the IDF. There are so many orphans and parents who have lost their beautiful children. There are innumerable terrible injuries. The infrastructure and homes in Gaza are destroyed. People are homeless there.
We must also pray for the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. May God grant that they will be released to their families.
What’s happening in Gaza, Rafah and the West Bank is utterly horrendous and heartbreaking and anyone who believes in God must pray that this terrible suffering will end.
Yours etc.
Anthony Redmond
Drimnagh, Dublin 12
Don’t create confusion and disharmony
Dear Editor, The letters on this page often reflect the disunity within our Church. Unfortunately decades have passed where laity were not catechised and this sows a faith that questions, criticises and at times borders on heresy.
Our Catholic faith comes from sacred scripture, sacred tradition and the teaching of the magisterium. It is not à la carte menu you can pick and choose from. If you go to Mass but you don’t believe the teachings of the Catholic Church on priesthood, LGBT issues, abortion, euthanasia, that is not faith. You are not in full communion with the Catholic Church.
Bring your questions to a catechism class, an orthodox priest or an orthodox nun. By orthodox I mean a priest or religious who believes and follows Catholic teaching, not one who creates disharmony and disunity by constantly questioning Church teaching.
Be proactive in deepening your faith. We are created to know and love God. The more you know him, the more you will trust him and trust his teachings.
Don’t listen to second-hand information on social media about what Pope Francis is trying to teach us. Look up his documents and statements and read them for yourself.
Please don’t create confusion and disharmony with others who may have a weak faith. It is not fair on Jesus and it is not fair on our Church.
Yours etc.,
Fiona Kiely
Bartlemy, Co. Cork
Putting manners on the media and Govt
Dear Editor, The prominent role of Senator McDowell in the defeat of the two recent referendums merely underlines the failure of the pro-life leadership in the previous referendum, about the 8th Amendment, to detach a significant support from within the so-called liberal heartland.
The pro-life leadership continues unelected and when it appeared before the cameras for the campaign to retain the 8th, what we saw were people with no record of winning anything.
For years that leadership has failed adequately to document the bias of the liberal media, or to coordinate those of us who tilted against it and were fobbed off with its high-bar and forensic complaints procedures.
As a result, it is quite normal now to meet people who think there was no bias at all. Senator McDowell, on the other hand, made it central to his effort to put manners on the media and on the Government spin doctors.
Nor did the pro-life leadership try, with any real conviction, to create a grass-root movement. Living in Limerick City at the time of the campaign to remove the 8th, I counted about 40 of us present on the first night of the pro-life canvas. It grew to over 100: all too little and too late.
Yours etc.,
Gerald O’Carroll
Ballylongford, Co. Kerry
