HOW DO WE LEAVE THE CHURCH PARKING LOT ON SUNDAY

As we leave the parking lot on Sunday, do we think, "Love Thy Neighbor" and take it slow, or instead "How Soon Can I get Out of Here" and race into the first opening we see -- even when it means racing in front of pedestrians and cutting off drivers who are in line to drive out. It would be nice to see a calm and orderly exit from the churchyard. Perhaps we could copy the way we go up for communion, one row at a time, waiting for some to get in line before others begin.

Suggested exit would be for cars parked in back of church and office to all go out toward the entrance and around the back, and then proceed to the exit in two lines. LEFT SIDE for LEFT HAND TURNS ONLY. RIGHT SIDE for RIGHT HAND TURNS ONLY. This will eliminate any car from crossing in front of another and cutting them off.

Cars parked along side of church, parallel to Schoolhouse Road and Parish Center go toward exit either by making LEFT HAND TURN as clearance allows or RIGHT HAND TURN toward the back, still going into right or left hand lane as described above.

Cars having SPECIAL NEEDS PLATES or PLACARD and parked at the front row parallel to Schoolhouse Road would be the only cars able to go out by heading directly toward the exit. Perhaps buses could pick up only along the back of the church, and they too would have to go toward the entrance lane and around the back, then into LEFT HAND or RIGHT HAND LANES.

Lines on the ground, and posted DO NOT ENTER signs would help this arrangement.

We all have appointments or plans after attending Mass, but perhaps we can go to them in a safer and more relaxed frame of mind if we watch how we drive and remember that we are not the only cars leaving the churchyard.

Your suggestions and comments are welcome. Please submit your comments or suggestions, in writing, to the Parish Office or they can be placed in the collection basket at Mass.