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Giving a Lift

This is a summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily delivered at St. Charles on July 11, 2004

AFTER THE 6 PM MASS ON JULY 4, an older frail woman asked me for the use of a phone. I called for her on my cell. She needed a taxi. It took five minutes to reach Red Top Cab. They said it would take another 20 minutes because of the holiday. I wondered if there might be a parishioner going her way. The next worshiper she asked, said "of course" and gave her a ride.

I have often seen older people standing in the January cold waiting for the bus as fellow members sped by on Washington Blvd.

I was reminded of these situations by today's gospel story of the Good Samaritan, who stopped to care for the stranger on the road side.

As of July 1 our diocesan Risk Management Office has decided that for insurance and safety reasons we are no longer permitted to use the parish van to give the elderly a ride to church. To purchase a vehicle that would meet the required standards would cost up to $50,000. In our review of the historic commitment St. Charles has had to offer a ministry of transportation, we are hoping to make a virtue out of a necessity. We would like to invite you to consider giving a ride to church to people in your neighborhood who can no longer drive. If you can make that commitment, please call Dan Marrin at the Parish Office. It is my hope that we can continue and expand this program and offer the hand of friendship in an even more personal way.

"Do this and you shall live."

  or  2004 Homilies