So anyway, a priest and a Samaritan ran into one another on their way to...

Sometimes I get a little tired of being nice and making excuses for these people.
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So here's the latest deal at my parish.  Remember a couple of weeks ago they slammed the door in the face of a neighbor woman who was looking for some assistance with the death of her mother, and when she left, she actually looked back to make sure there was still a cross above the church?  Yeah - well it really did go like that, but then later, I had to wonder if maybe both parties were at fault - kids from abusive households always make excuses for the abusive parents.  After the vigil Mass last evening - I have come to believe the woman's side of the story once again.
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Here's the deal.  Two weeks ago a woman collapsed during the 5PM Saturday Mass and an ambulance was called.  The lady was taken to the hospital - it all happened at the back of church and no one save a few people even noticed.  The woman is the elderly Lutheran sister of an elderly woman who happens to be Catholic, and an active participant in the parish:  she takes care of the collection, makes sure the pews are all neat and tidy for Mass, she puts out the bulletins, and welcomes people as they come in for Mass.  When she is well, her Lutheran sister helps her with all of that.
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Last evening Father asked elderly Ms. D. how her sister was doing.  Ms. D. responded,  "not too well, but at least she's up and about."  Ms. D. then revealed her sister, "wanted to come to Mass so badly"...
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Father replied something like this,  "Good to hear.  But I don't want her back here, that was the 3rd time an ambulance has been called for her - I don't want her interrupting things like that.  When the ambulance shows up the lights flash right in my eyes and distract me from my homily."
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Ms. D. didn't know what to say.  While telling me the story she choked up, "I just don't know what to tell A."  She then went on to explain how she became Catholic and always hoped her sister would some day become Catholic as well.  "This is the 2nd time Father has warned me - the last time I told A. and she said maybe she'd just stop going to church all together.  I felt so bad."
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"It's not your fault the church put glass doors on the front entrance," I told Ms. D.  "Just don't say anything to A. and if she wants to come to Mass, bring her.  Father doesn't pay for the ambulance."  (Then it occurred to me - he's worried about liability.  It's about money again.  I didn't say anything however.)
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"Thanks, I thought that same thing to myself when he told me that.  Imagine trying to keep someone her age from going to Mass."
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Last week, in the bulletin, Father put a notice for people not to give alms to beggars who pass by or come into the church - send them to the rectory.  The rectory doesn't give money either but directs these people to the appropriate agencies for help.  These agencies, as well as the rectory, are usually not open on the weekends or holidays.
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I think we can do better than this.
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