From John Dumas.

For years, we have enjoyed and been edified by your fine publication. Recently, I found Fr. Bob Bedard's article interesting and thought-provoking. It reminded me of a time when I had visited a priest who said that he was frustrated with all the marriages he had witnessed, and then saw so many of the couples "disappear." He went on, however, doing his best and leaving the rest to God.

I wish to challenge Father Bedard's suggestion that there is little point saying Mass or hearing confessions unless the pastor has ensured that the students have had proper preparation beforehand. I have been a practising Catholic for many years, but I confess that I had drifted away for several years, while a teenager growing up in Edmonton, attending Catholic schools. At that time, the Holy Spirit used school Masses to rekindle my faith. I am ever-grateful to the 'school priest' at that time, whose name sadly escapes me. I am no match for Fr. Bedard's logic, and do not wish to engage in a debate with him, because I do appreciate his point; he wishes to see proper preparation for the sacraments. However, I suggest that where the Gospel's seeds are sown, God's grace grows; there is a need to do this outside of the already-believing group. I do like the idea of the celebrant reminding people to cross their arms when coming up for Holy Communion, if they are not properly prepared or disposed; it is another teachable moment.

Agassiz, BC

Ft. Bedard replies: I am grateful to the Catholic Insight correspondents for their comments on the article I submitted concerning abuse of the Sacraments.

In response I have to make the point that the priest is charged by the Church to guide and guard the dispensing of the Sacraments. He has no choice but to judge the motives of the person requesting a Sacrament. He can be wrong, of course, and thus must bend in favour of those requesting. If he judges negatively, he must withhold the Sacrament. Refusing the Sacrament is a serious matter, and he must act with great charity and care before turning a person away.

Most of the written misgivings seem to deal with Baptism. The very reason the Church has mandated the Baptism of infants is the reasonable hope the children will be brought up in a home of faith. If this is clearly not so, the Sacrament must be postponed in order to give the parish an opportunity to work with the family, reaching out a compassionate and understanding hand to help them to come to some measure of commitment to Christ. Would delay drive some people away? Some perhaps. Not the desired effect though. Hopefully not.

Every Sacrament gives, "pours out," grace on all who take part in it. We all know that. That's 'ex opere operato.' Although grace is given; it is not necessarily received. The proper dispositions must be present. That is 'ex opere operantis.'

What happens to children who die before Baptism? I would think it would be the same as in the case of the Holy Innocents, celebrated December 28. God's mercy would prevail.

Should priests visit schools? Most certainly, provided that they are allowed in. What should they do there? They should speak the word of God to the students according to the latter's capacity to understand it. Whichever students respond with a commitment to Christ will experience the action of the Holy Spirit within and can be guided thereafter to take further steps to grow in the faith, which will lead them to get involved in the Church and receive the Sacraments.

Should Sacraments be celebrated in schools? Ordinarily, no, if people get used to connecting Sacraments with the school, when they leave, the logical effect is to leave the Sacraments behind.

Incidentally, I'm a very haply camper, and not at all angry.

(To be continued in March)