Editor,

Members of the Catholic communities of St. Augustine in Oak Harbor and St. Mary in Coupeville join our fellow Catholics at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in mourning the loss of Catholic services on the base.

We, of course, welcome their joining us at our churches at any time. Many already do so.

I must take exception, however, to one comment in your article from March 20 quoting a Navy spouse who said that her family “often felt unwelcome in community parishes.”

As far as I know, your paper did not contact either of our churches for comment. Had you done so, you would have learned that our parishes are filled with both active duty, former and retired military personnel and their families.

We have always had substantial outreach to our active duty brethren and welcome their participation in all our activities.

With the loss of Catholic services on the base, our interest in their religious well-being is even greater.

Thomas and Barbara Dumit

Oak Harbor