The Clam Rampant

Kasia August 17th, 2007

I think I’m going to have to start a weekly “Pet Peeves” post. I have so many peeves…

This week I have three pet peeves for what I hope will be your reading enjoyment. If I start sounding too grumbly (as opposed to a little grumbly but kinda funny too), let me know.

PEEVE #1: Apparently I need a sign for my windshield. Maybe I can get it airbrushed on or something. I want it to say “I’M NOT PARKING IN YOUR LOT.” I get really frustrated when I’m trying to drive downtown to go to the Chancery or to cross the border, and every ten feet I have guys waving their arms like crazy, trying to get me to park in their lot for the event they assume I’m coming down for. I go to about three such events per year, tops, and when I do I almost always park in the Campus Martius structure. It’s cheaper, safer, and better-lit than most lots, plus it’s paved and has a roof. And there’s a Detroit Police substation on the first floor. What’s not to love?

PEEVE #2: This goes out to some of my fellow Latin Rite Catholics. Look, guys, I realize you’re probably right about the etymology of the term “Roman Catholic”. It probably was originally pejorative. But language does change. Otherwise “nice” would mean “ignorant”.

So next time you’re tempted to get all uppity about Protestants referring to us as “Roman Catholics”, I urge you to consider the following points:

a. My parish has a big sign out front that reads “St. [X] Roman Catholic Church” (emphasis mine);

b. My paycheck comes from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of [Y] (again, emphasis mine);

So rather than being offended at a name that apparently well-meaning Protestants use for us that we ourselves use at least part of the time, let’s focus on being offended by names that actually ought to offend us. Like “Papist”. Or “Romanist”. Or “Maryolator”. You know. That kind of thing.

PEEVE #3: I got my first payment reminder from CSA yesterday. It had my name, my account number, and a space for “Amount Remitted”. It didn’t say how much I’d pledged, how much was due…nothing. So I called CSA this morning…and it turns out they only include that information QUARTERLY. Helpful, guys. Really helpful. Especially since I didn’t get my July statement.  :-p

Come to think of it, I made a pledge to a local parish’s building campaign back a few months ago. I still have not started getting reminders. I wonder if they’re not doing reminders?…

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