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It's just one line in the bulletin of Holy Cross parish in Morris, but it hasn't gone unnoticed: "Do you have a 'Catechism of the Catholic Church' and a Bible? If not, ask and one will be provided."

"It was just a spark I had," explained Maureen Joy, parish life coordinator. "We were going to do Bible studies and a couple of people said they didn't have one at home, so I said, 'Well, we'll get one."

That was about a year ago. Since she started running the offer in the bulletin, three other parishioners have approached her asking for Bibles.

Mrs. Joy doesn't keep a stack of identical Bibles at the church, either; she takes requests for the specific Bible a person wants, and buys it. For example, one woman asked for a large-print Bible because she was struggling to read the type in her old one.

The PLC has gotten feedback from the recipients, too: "They're using [the Bibles], so that's a good thing!"

The small Otsego County parish has branched out from Bible studies: Lately, Mrs. Joy has been leading a half-dozen parishioners through Rev. Robert Barron's popular "Catholicism" documentary series on Thursday mornings. Holy Cross parish also participated in the Easter triduum at St. Mary's parish in Oneonta: Three parishioners had their feet washed on Holy Thursday and three did Scripture readings.

"Father David [Mickiewicz, pastor of St. Mary's] is wonderful. He includes us in everything," Mrs. Joy told The Evangelist.[[In-content Ad]]

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