For the Irish In All of Us……

While on vacation in Rome, I noticed a marble column in St. Peter’s with a golden telephone on it.  As a young priest passed by, I asked who the telephone was for.  The priest told me it was a direct line to Heaven, and if I’d like to call, it would be a thousand dollars.  I was amazed but declined the offer.

Throughout Italy, I kept seeing the same golden telephone on a marble column.  At each, I asked about it and the answer was always the same: It was a direct line to Heaven and I could call for a thousand dollars.

Then – I finished my tour in Ireland.  I decided to attend Mass at a local village church.  When I walked in the door I noticed the golden telephone. Underneath it there was a sign stating: “DIRECT LINE TO HEAVEN: 25 cents.”  “Father,” I said, “I have been all over Italy and in all the cathedrals I visited, I’ve seen telephones exactly like this one.  But the price is always a thousand dollars.  Why is it that this one is only 25 cents?”

The priest smiled and said, “My good man, you’re in Ireland now.  It’s a local call.”

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!