VOL Parish Weekly Bulletin March 11, 2018 | Page 2

March 11, 2018
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Views From The Pews
Anonymous writes with a suggestion for
the handicapped. He/she writes after
witnessing people trying to care for an
unresponsive man in a wheelchair.
People called 9-1-1 but the man had no identification on
him. Anonymous #1 says, “Anyone in a wheelchair,
rollator, etc. Should have identification on the equipment
that is visible. For $1 you can get a luggage tag with a
strap… If not, write on a piece of paper… You can use a
metal shower hook, write your ID on a card, put it in a
plastic bag, zip it up, punch a hole in the bag and attach it
to the shower hook.”
“Thanks. Good practical advice.”
Anonymous #2 writes about people who sit at the end of a
pew rather than going to the middle of the pew to let later
arrivals get into the pew without climbing over them.
Anonymous #2 says, “I would rather stay home sometime
rather than be late and have to crawl around people to find
a seat...I want to leave rather than disturb people...Even
though I am a member of the parish I feel like one who
comes home for meal but no one gives me a place to sit at
the table.” Anonymous #2 also quotes from an article
written by a Jesuit priest. Fr. Jack Bentz, S.J. writes
“Every weekend, in every Catholic Church in the United
States, new people arrive hungry for a community to call
home...And we will never have a chance to speak the
saving word to them, because, in spite of an official
welcome, they understand this was not going to be their
Church. It was already taken by the guardians at the end
of the pew.”
“I have several suggestions.
1. Look around. Ends of pews are often available
even after Mass has started.
2. Come earlier when ends of pews are always
available.
3. Don’t feel bad if you have to climb over people.
They understand the price for staking out their turf.
4. AND, “end of pew people,” be Christian. Choose
to follow Jesus’ advice to be last and not first. As an act
of charity, move to let late arrivers get into the pew
without climbing over you.”
Diane writes, “I wish I could say I was surprised by the
person who wrote pain is a curse. I’ve suffered with
migraines, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis since my 20’s.
I’ve never felt it was a curse. It is because of this chronic
pain that I can relate to others that suffer. I think pain can
make us bitter or it can make us more compassionate.
When I’m in a pain cycle...I ask God to please give
me a short break. Then, I’ll take my pain back...
2
Views From The Pews
continued
I’ve never been angry with God or questioned why me.
I know there are so many others that suffer so much
more.”
“Beautifully written. Thank you!”
Father Mike
Did You Know?
The Catholic Church still believes in the existence
of purgatory. The Church says purgatory is a place of
eternal hope where people go who, though their sins have
been forgiven, have not completely atoned for those sins.
Think of purgatory as the vestibule of heaven.
Father Mike
OLPS Penance Service
Monday, March 12 th
Christ the King Penance Service
Wednesday, March 21 st