Before dismissing us last Sat., Fr. Mike informed us that some people were passing out pamphlets in our church parking lot before mass. He cautioned us that, contrary to their claims, he never grants permission for that type of thing especially because we don't believe those things.

At first, I thought it was neighbors trying to convince parishioners that the proposed parish center is a bad idea. But, then, even without a sample of the tract, I began to suspect "the new church in town."

When I mentioned to my husband what bad taste it shows to distribute religious tracts in a church parking lot, he mockingly took their perspective, "Oh, but if they can save only one soul from entering that church, it will all be worth it!"

So, on Thursday night, he took the boys to Kruise Nite in Freehold, a monthly classic car show. And the son that picks up tags and scraps of paper off the ground brought home a tract ... from ... "the new church in town." The tracts are "customized" which merely means that's a spot to rubber stamp a church address or web site. "Personalized" might be a better name for it.

I can see why Fr. Mike said we don't believe those things ... ~~ shiver ~~ ... thank God for that.