David takes his Mom to church every Sunday. He spends most of his time in the car waiting as the perfume laden worshippers force him out. However, thanks to David’s persistence, check out the following insert in the St. Andrew Parish Bulletin on January 10, 2010.  What a great way to start the New Year.

“Welcome to St. Andrew Parish. We are in a transition period of becoming a fragrance free, non-artificial scented product environment. Many people are affected by these products: perfumes, colognes, aftershave, scented deodorants, laundry soap, fabric softener, hair sprays and body creams. All of the above are available “fragrance free.” You have a choice.

These products affect one’s ability to focus or concentrate on what is happening around them. The main reason for attending St. Andrew Parish is to be in a loving, compassionate environment; to participate in the mass.

Perfumed products are known and promoted as a mind and body altering chemical substance (drug) which affects each person differently. For example like cigarettes, some enjoy and others dislike greatly.

Information is available at the Environmental Health Association of Alberta, eha-ab.ca and at Fragrance Free Living.com.

After learning more about these toxic products, we appeal to your compassionate side to make changes. This church is carving the path and setting new standards for Catholic Parishes. Other local churches are already scent free,

Church is a place of worship and reverence. People should be clean without having to use vanity perfume products. It should be a pleasant atmosphere. Church is not about vanity.

During this transition, people will become aware and understand that all scented products can be replaced with fragrance free products.

Please use fragrance-free products. The next time you attend mass, hopefully you will have stopped using scented products.

Regulation bylaws are in affect for everyone’s wellness (e.g. smoking bylaw). This is not about catering to a small handful of people, but increasing awareness for everyone.

Just consider that these manmade chemical products are the same as toxic wastes which are not meant to be eaten, consumed, or applied to one’s skin. Unfortunately our body absorbs these chemicals naturally through skin, lungs, eyes and mouth.

It would be interesting to know how many people already understand and would appreciate this change. Most Government Offices and Hospitals are already scent free.

To people who wear scented products, please do not take offense. We are adjusting with the times to promote a healthy environment for everyone.

Please let us know if you are aware of any other churches that are respectful of this sensitivity.