DEAR EDITOR: I have observed a very distasteful new trend developing in the church.

My husband and I attended Mass at St Finbar’s on Christmas Eve. We arrived 40 minutes before the start of Mass, and while the church was relatively full, there were still a few seats available.

After attempting to sit in a few empty spots, we were told that the seats were being held for people yet to arrive. Obviously family or friends of those already seated. We were eventually able to find a place to be seated together but I remained surprised and upset at what had transpired as I saw other people, some elderly and some with young children, arrive after us only to be turned away.

Then at the Sunday afternoon Mass at St Theresa’s, on Easter weekend, my 81 year-old mother, my husband and I arrived well in time for Mass.

Only one third of the church was full when we arrived. Again, we attempted to be seated in a pew, which had three people, only to be told that the space was being held for persons yet to arrive. This situation is ridiculous to say the least and I think it is time for the parish to intervene.

To those people who are the culprits of this practice (and you know who you are), be warned, the next time someone tells me that they’re holding a seat for someone I’m going to ignore them and proceed to seat myself.

Dear Editor: I refer to an article written by Vernette Superville entitled “The Missing Link” in the Vision supplement of the Catholic News (30/04/06). It was indeed refreshing and sobering to read her response to the growing need for healing and reconciliation in our nation and most importantly each individual needs to be part of the process.

If one is to make a random survey of the letters in the editorial of the secular press or listen to the many calls in programmes on the radio, one is left with the impression that it has become a “blame game”. Everyone seems to be laying the blame on someone else's feet and the show goes on without the country benefiting in any tangible way.

Ms Superville alluded to the fact that we Trinis are known for our unwillingness to compromise and this is very much true – we just have to look at our leaders – our politicians and we ourselves very much toe the line and as she asked the question “do we really believe we will be held accountable for our actions” or I should add failing to act remember the sin of admission before God.

I would like to commend this young lady for putting things in the right perspective, for in following her advice we ourselves would realize after deep reflection and introspection that we are failing miserably in loving God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our might and with all our strength and loving our neighbour as ourselves.

Russel Gonzales, Maracas, St Joseph