See, the thing about liars and conspiracy theorists and psychics and religious visionaries and the U.N. warning everyone that annhilation is just around the corner, is that I don't believe nuthin'.
So anyway - my parish church has taken out all the holy water fonts and replaced them with hand sanitizer pump bottles. I know! How proactive.
So much for In God we trust. (I hope they cut out the hand holding at the Our Father and the inappropriate touching at the sign of peace too.)
Last nite I had a dream that I was talking to Laura Bush and she told me, "Just be ready by March - that's when it's going to happen ."
I looked at my friend Darold and said - "See - even she knows!" Turning back to Laura I asked, "So what should we do?"
"Stock up on water and canned goods - and your prescriptions - you won't be able to get them after March." She said, smiling all the while. I didn't see George.
And wouldn't you know it, I forgot to ask March of what year.
Anyway - I watched a new series on television last night called "FlashForward" - which must have inspired my dream. I think the writers based the plot line on the warning and chastisement stuff from Garabandal. 3 days darkness stuff - yep - I got the candles.
I've always liked George and Laura (Bush).
Hand sanitizers instead of holy water?
ReplyDeleteUhm...I'm speechless...utterly speechless...
I'd go for the three days of darkness over THAT!
Your joking about taking the holy water away, and putting in hand sanitizer pump bottles--aren't you???
ReplyDeleteAnd ever since the last flu outbreak Father Erik has not done the "sign of peace" and he says not even one person has complained! And there are very few who hold hands--in our parish during the Our Father.
March though? And Laura Bush--that's funny--but I'm not going out and buying canned goods or anything.
The whole "Sign of Peace" thing is an embarrassment.
ReplyDeleteI despise forced friendliness.
Though I am friendly, I just don't want to be told when to greet people and how. It's terribly camp-like and I didn't like that part of camp. Awkward. :>
ReplyDeleteI'm not kidding about the holy water fonts gone and the hand santitizer. They are huge pump bottles of gel.
ReplyDeleteI hope they at least blessed the hand sanitizer.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad about the odd dreams. Last night I dreamed that I was appointed the ecumenical officer for the diocese.
Terry - I dreamt about Laura too. She said not to believe anything Terry says about his dream last night.
ReplyDeleteThat hand sanitizer is worthless. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, dry with paper towel and try not to touch common surfaces - THAT is how you stop the spread of germs!
ReplyDeleteOh, and in my dream last night Laura told me she's running for president....
Maybe you should stock up on holy water.
ReplyDeleteT, My husband was in St. Paul yesterday on business and went to the cathedral. Says it is the most beautiful church he's ever seen in his life. Susan
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAt the hospital, we no longer shake and we're supposed to bow and say "The Peace of Christ be with you." That works for me. Although bowing to everybody in a crowded church would start to look like a flock of penguins in Antarctica. I think nodding will have to do.
ReplyDeleteWhen all is said and done, who wants to bet me that at the end of the "flu year", March or so, many more will have died from "regular seasonal flu" than from "Swine Flu" (I refuse to use the politically correct name to avoid affending swine-o-phobes).
I informed our community this morning that we would no longer have holy water, but hand sanitizer at the entrance of the Church. They looked at me for a moment and broke out in hysterical laughter...for several minutes.
ReplyDeleteJust reporting.
Terry-
ReplyDeleteI think we should leave the holy water and people who would like to bless themselves with it are welcome to and those who wish not to are welcome not to.
The hand sanitizer is a matter of Christian charity. There are MANY vulnerable people in our midst. Many of them are children (preemies, lung disease, heart defects, asthma, etc) that could die from the flu. H1N1 may seem like a nuisance to most of us, but please remember it (or any type of influenza) could be life or death for many. I applaud any church that recognizes and cares for the vulnerable, even if they are invisible to most.
I don't want to sound heartless, but according to what I have heard, the Swine flu virus is spread airborne. That is why if people are sick, they should stay home and avoid contact with others.
ReplyDeleteOther colds, flu, etc. could be spread by contact with humans (hands, touching, kissing, etc.)
We have to be careful about getting a bit "crazy"...
Abolishing the expected hand shake at the Sign of Peace is fine by me...but getting rid of the holy water???
I'm sorry; I can't understand this.
And I'm from a medical family (father=doctor; mother=nurse).
I've never once liked the Sign of Peace; it does seem false bonhomie. Just eyes meeting and putting up one's hand as if to send them His peace seems enough. On the other hand, there are some folks who never get touched by anyone except during Mass' Sign of Peace. I would put up with it forever, in that case.
ReplyDeleteHand sanitizers in the Holy water fonts sounds like the suggestion of a long-time parish do-gooder. It should be re-thought per the above --leave the Holy water for those who dare. Our EMHCs all use the hand sanitizer before they gather round the altar; that seems enough.
Our Precious Blood Cups have been retired again.. *sigh.. Wouldn't 22% alcohol have disabled any H1N1 --sorta like hand sanitizer, but for mouths? Whatever, "When in Rome.." as they say.
Can't help wondering WWFD?(Francis)
From the CDC:
ReplyDelete[transmission] is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
I understand that people don't want to go "crazy"with this H1N1 stuff, but really let's take care of the weak and the vulnerable. I personally know 3 boys (all different families) that have been hospitalized with H1N1. One had to go to Children's St. Paul because Children's Mpls was full! Please be considerate of the weak and vulnerable by WASHING your hands. It is so simple and yet can save lives!
I agree..keep the holy water, people can choose not to use it.