To: Alice Twain
 

<BR>Alice<BR>I saw your response to the "bringing gifts"<BR>post and I wanted to ask you about bringing<BR>something for the Nuns who we will be staying with in Rome.<BR>Do you think it would be appropriate to bring something for them? If so what would you suggest?<BR><BR>Thanks for your help<BR>CRP

I have no idea because my contacts with nuns sum up to NONE!<BR>In any case, if you are staying at some nunnery, istead of bringing them a gift, why don't you ask them to suggest you some mission in Africa or southern america they are in contact with to which send a donation? In any case, being I an atheist I am not the best person to ask about nuns and priests.<BR><BR>One last thing, I leave my address up there because I suppose people to send their personal comments straight to my e-mail. In case, like this message, the problem is more genersic, the message should not be directed at any single person, much better to just put in a subject that explains what you are asking.

Alice<BR>Thanks for the response.<BR>The donation to a mission is a very good idea.<BR>Sorry about not emailing you directly-<BR>next time I will know what to do.<BR>CRP

CRP, I am acquainted with some of the sisters from the Dominican order here in New York. They like to receive practical gifts such as greeting cards for different occasions, postage stamps, and little "goodies" they can keep in their rooms. Since they are affiliated with many schools and hospitals, they also appreciate donations in their names to those.

To: Alice Twain.....so do you actually travel? i mean enjoy yourself, get down and boogie, etc?

topping for alice

On his last trip, my dad was visiting a religious shrine staffed by nuns in Rome. He noticed that one had been using a chair as a makeshift walker so he bought her one. Why not bring a token gift and wait until you arrive and see if there are any needs?

It's my understanding that these nuns are operating a hotel..do you take a gift to the Hilton?<BR><BR>The suggestion of a donation in their name to a favorite charity is a very nice gesture though..since their rates are rather inexpensive

Dear Sheesh,<BR><BR>Yes, I would bring a gift to HILTON if they were a non-profit Religious Order.<BR><BR>Thanks for everyone's input; it is appreciated!

while the nunnery itself may be a non-profit , it is being operated as a profit making operation. They are not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. It is to raise money for their maintainance or to donate to a charity. If you are satisfied with your accomodation, then I think it is a nice gesture to offer a sum of money toward their cause. But it certainly is not expected.

Carolyn:<BR><BR>All nuns and priests receive the benefits of the catholic church. This means that all of them receife _for_free_ all kinds of medical and non medical assistance. This assistance is paid throught the voluntary offers of the catholics worldwide and, in Italy, even with a specific tax (0.8% of the yeraly income of every Italian goes to the Catholic Church, except for a very few people who devote this sum to ther "authorized" churches or the State). The nun your father met did not need him to buy her a walking aid. She was already entitled to one for free from this free medical assistance service.

“All nuns and priests receive the benefits of the catholic church. This means that all of them receife _for_free_ all kinds of medical and non medical assistance.”<BR><BR>Alice, since you are paid for providing professional services, I think it is important to be factually correct. <BR><BR>Your statement is not accurate. You must be referring to, among other things, the socialized medicine the Italian government provides all citizens regardless of profession. Many of the monasteries and convents in Italy that provide lodging and other services are run by specific religious orders and often staffed by non-citizens. Living in Italy, I’m sure you know this.<BR><BR>In the United States, the Catholic Church has no uniform policy for medical care. The level of care depends on whether you are assigned to a diocese or a member of an order. <BR>If you had first hand familiarity with the lifestyle and standard of living of the overwhelming majority of Catholic nuns and priests throughout the world, you would know that many of them endure a lifestyle that we would consider sub-standard. You ought to see some of the nursing homes elderly nuns live in.<BR><BR>CRP, your thought was lovely and I’m sure whatever you do will be appropriate and appreciated. Kindness always is.<BR>

Thank you Carolyn.<BR><BR>I didn't realize that Alice is paid for her services. Who pays her and for what service?

Carolyn: And you live in Italy? Where?

Carolyn:<BR><BR>In first place, I want to make one thing clear: I am not in the travel or tourism business. I am a full-time typesetter and part-time bookseller, these are the jobs I am paid for. The reason for I write on this forum is to keep my English alive.<BR>Secondly, I can assure you that every Italian citizen (with a few exceptions, but this is a bit too complex to explain) pay 0.8% of their taxes to the Catholic church (they may opt to give these money to other churches, but very few do), and these money get used to build new churches and (mainly) to support priests and nuns, supplying also for their private health service, which is not connected to the national health system, it is rather an addendum to it. Therefore, they DO NOT NEED your money for buying walking aids or whatever else.

Should we even read posts or at least take them seriously from people who refuse to post their real names and email address. I personally don't care if someone (Alice, Rex or Bob) gets paid for giving advise, I'm just THANKFUL that they take the time to be so helpful when I need questions answered!

ttt

donna:<BR><BR>I do not know about Rex and Bob, but sometimes I actually steal money from myself for answering some posts. Time I would otherways use for working on something that actually makes me earm my money (such as typesetting). Needless say that such times occur mostly (only? YEs, only!) when I really do not feel like working ;-P

Alice: Non ragionar di loro, ma guarda e passa....

Gac:<BR><BR>The plain and simple fact is that I do not want to be cut off the forum just because someone vents that I do it with economic interests in mind. I want to keep training my English!!!