Laugh Break 4

I found this Considerate Catholic Parking Lot Pointers at the back of our church recently. I live in a town that triples in population during the winter. Retirees, also known as snow birds, come to beautiful Arizona during the winter months to enjoy the heat. Some of the greatest HEAT can be found in my parish parking lot as folks jockey for position in a way that I have never witnessed anywhere else. We're talking, the Sheriff's Department has been called out on Sundays to deal with traffic issues that are affecting the community to include accidents and fender-benders galore. What is the answer to this dilemma? You betcha...a gentle and positive pamphlet.

You have got to be kidding! The ruthlessness of this parking lot can't possibly be touched by, "The main reason for problems in the parking lot is the impatience of people who are running late." Not here. Retired folks show up 45 minutes early for Mass. "Go to your closet and look at the outfits you and your family plan to wear. You may find some of the items aren't ready to be worn." Not here. Making a fashion statement doesn't seem to be an issue for retirees. "This may seem obvious, but it needs to be said: If you see a sign that says No Parking, please don't park there." Not here. No one reads signs. "Pray that someday everyone will be as good a driver as you are and for the strength to tolerate them until they are." Now that's, funny.

It is obvious to our family that these pamphlets can't touch our parking lot issues. The level of problem here would need to be addressed by, let's say, on-going homilies about entitlement. The good news is that this pamphlet has given our family an inside joke and an ongoing laugh. Not the intended outcome, but a good one none the less.