(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

I am writing this letter hoping that all coaches will see and read it and know I have decided to even write and publish it out of concern for our young people missing out on church events and activities.

In the past, coaches were not able to schedule practice, games, scrimmages, etc. before 1 p.m. on Sundays to give players the opportunity to attend their church. Now it is almost impossible for church events to find time to schedule anything that isn’t taken up with some kind of sports. I am not against sports.

Please do not take it like I am, but I am the director of religious education and I find that what I do is just as important or even more so for the good of our young people. It is very frustrating, to say the least, that when trying to find a time to schedule anything church-related, one after another says, “I have a game to attend” or “I have to be out of town,” etc.

And they even say occasionally that they can’t participate.

Church-related activities are very important and are taking a beating where sports are concerned. I am hoping that coaches — all coaches — will see my concern and think my concern is worth some consideration for the future.

I know it is too late to do anything as far as this year is concerned, but hopefully where plans are made for the next school year that my plea for some time for church and its activities will be taken into consideration.

I truly feel I am not the only person who feels this way, but as the DRE at St. Michael Parish in Vienna, I want my concerns made known and hopefully given some consideration.

Jane Frances Hofbauer

Parkersburg