Masks are considerate

I have never thought that the message of sneezing into my sleeve instead of in someone’s face was fear mongering, or an assault on my personal freedom. Recently, however, I did become acutely aware that it would have been nice for the younger fellow who was giving us a roof estimate to wear a mask, even though we were socially distancing, especially when he inadvertently let some spit fly on my husband. Wasn’t thinking Republican, Democrat, or man in the moon, I was thinking I just wish he wouldn’t have inadvertently, in mid-sentence, spit on my husband, a senior citizen with pre-existing conditions. And I wasn’t thinking, “Gee, if only my priest had asked him to wear a mask in public.” I just wish he’d worn a mask, like we did for him. I have had people at my hardware store tell me they don’t believe in masks. They don’t believe in the virus. They think it’s a hoax. Well, I want my uncle back. I want my dear friend John Roban back. And every night, I pray that my brother comes home safely from the hospital where he works, where he’s had to put people on ventilators, people who struggled to breathe with the virus coursing through their lungs. I am beginning to believe this virus is nature’s way of punishing America for being so doggone uppity. We seem to have completely lost the capability of being kind to and considerate of one another, without putting a political spin on it. What kind of Christians are we, that someone else’s life is less than that of a mask?

Elizabeth Rosenwinkel
St. Albert the Great, Minneapolis

Not a scandal

In this letter I am neither disparaging masks, nor arguing either for or against their effectiveness; however, my conscience demands that I go on record as saying that I am scandalized by Archbishop Hebda’s statement that not wearing masks constitutes “giving scandal to others.” Scandal is an extremely strong word, one that (in effect) publicly shames those people who don’t/can’t wear masks because of legitimate medical reasons. Recommending and encouraging masks is one thing. Calling it “scandal(ous)” to not wear them is something I would not expect from an Archbishop. With all due respect, I am ashamed of him for his choice of words. I also wish to point out that I join many Minnesota Catholics in believing Gov. Walz has in fact overstepped the limits of his authority by issuing the mask-mandate.

Jessica Schumacher
Emily, Minnesota

Christian approach

I do not understand anyone who is opposed to wearing a mask especially those calling themselves Christians. I always felt that if you are a Christian, then you would most certainly care about others. This does not seem to be the case. When you wear a mask, you are protecting others from getting the virus. When others wear a mask, they are protecting you. There is nothing that says God does not want you to protect yourself. He gave you a brain to make smart decisions. There are doctors and nurses at hospitals that are flooded with people dying. Do you not have compassion for our healthcare workers? It’s sad when people only think of themselves in this time of need.

Roxanne Sandquist
St. Pius, White Bear Lake

Persecution response is unity

I have watched subtle changes take place over the years in the way that Christianity is viewed by modern society. Developments over the last few months have culminated into outright persecution of Catholics and Christianity. I’ve witnessed scenes in the last few weeks that I never thought possible in my beloved country in which religious freedom is supposed to be guaranteed by our Constitution. It started with statues of saints being toppled and destroyed. Then, Catholics were mocked and abused for praying the rosary in front of saint statues. The attacks escalated to statues of Jesus and Mary being desecrated, even on private church property, and churches were bombed. Christian persecution is happening on a grand scale all around us. We must stand together as Christians in defending our Savior and our religion, and refuse to tolerate any radical groups or individuals who try to offer up Christianity as the perfect scapegoat for all our country’s problems.

Tracy Tourville
St. Charles, Bayport

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