Re:“Are you lonely in your parish? A new study offers cautions” (Openers, March 25). 

Like anything else in life, participating in church life is what you make it. The point is, we’re all sinners, we all make mistakes and Church is family, warts and all. Do what it takes: switch parishes, join committees, organize fundraisers.  

Don’t use the excuse of “there’s only one parish here.”  

I live in a very rural area in an area openly hostile to Catholics, but yet there are six parishes within 50 miles, so get out there and have fun and pray! 

— Bruce Jones, Wise County, Va.

Payment options

Re: “Student loan debt dampens discerners’ calls to religious life” (News Analysis, April 22). 

The bottom line is that college is becoming unaffordable and financially burdensome for many college students.  

College remains an occupational requirement and necessity (vis-à-vis on the job training) for very many occupations. Less than spiritually acceptable clergy and religious have tarnished Catholic’s opinion/perception of the clergy and religious making the possibility of donations a difficult situation.  

However, the United States has a considerable Catholic population in the millions. If enough of them were willing to donate as needed one to five dollars for a vocation fund there might be enough money donated to pay off the college debt for seriously spiritually minded Catholics wanting to live a lifetime vocation as a priest, brother, or nun in the service of God and his Church. 

—Richard Mackin Jr., Millinocket, Maine

Authentic speakers

Re: “A small glimpse of the universal Church in Los Angeles” (Openers, April 8) 

I was particularly interested and appreciated John Norton’s recent article on the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. I attended this year’s congress as well as many before and have had my share of disappointments with speakers, but this year has indeed been different. As many of my friends are not happy with my attendance, I’m very aware of the controversy. 

Norton mentioned Matthew Kelly and his workshop titled, “finding Catholic Game Changers.” This man is a nationally acclaimed speaker, as are many others. My only concern is that there are so many more that could be included, and may be some day.  

I am, nevertheless, aware of the controversy over past speakers, and it is legitimate. We must support speakers who are 100 percent loyal to the Catholic Church’s teachings. 

— Dolores Faulding, via email

Embracing lifestyle

I read the article “Overlooked teaching” (Faith, April 22) with particular interest. It amazes me how compassionate the Catholic Church is toward those with same-sex attractions/inclinations.  

Sadly, though, there are many (perhaps the majority?) among those with same-sex attractions who have embraced the lifestyle.  

Reading Mt 15:19, it appears that Jesus was not very “understanding” of disordered acts that arise from within us. (Though, indeed, Jesus came and died for all of us!) Certainly, we, too, are called to forgive as God forgives all of us who confess our sins!  

On the other hand, our secular, hedonistic culture approves the homosexual lifestyle and minimizes the Ten Commandments. In 1 Cor 6:9-20, St. Paul offers much food for thought about sins “against the body.”  

I have a brother who promotes the homosexual lifestyle, and he expects me to approve it. That, I cannot do, although it breaks my heart!  

The April 22 editorial “A movement afoot” provides a positive remedy for these cultural matters of consequence that we face today. Yes, indeed, “re-introducing the discussion of virtue into the moral wasteland that is now our environment” is a welcome invitation to parents with their children, and to all of us! Thanks!