Bulletin Pictures

[Jenny35]

Our weekly church bulletin, in the last few weeks or so, has switched from a photo of the church building to a picture of Mary on the front. At first I thought, yay! Mary! but now (and I realize this is probably scrupulosity) I have a collection of bulletins because I can’t bring myself to throw a picture of Mary into the trash. Aside from choosing not to take one, or just saving the pictures, can anyone offer any thoughts that would ease my ill feeling towards throwing these away? (I do not normally have an issue parting with things)

 

[Nelka]

I had this problem when I would print some prayers off, after completing my Novena I wondered whether I could bin them or keep them.

 

[pianistclare]

Our weekly church bulletin, in the last few weeks or so, has switched from a photo of the church building to a picture of Mary on the front. At first I thought, yay! Mary! but now (and I realize this is probably scrupulosity) I have a collection of bulletins because I can’t bring myself to throw a picture of Mary into the trash. Aside from choosing not to take one, or just saving the pictures, can anyone offer any thoughts that would ease my ill feeling towards throwing these away? (I do not normally have an issue parting with things)

It’s a publication, not a sacramental.
It’s not a sin to discard the church bulletin.

 

[danonwaveland]

When I get solicitations from Catholic groups in the mail, there are sometimes pictures of the Sacred Heart or the Blessed Mother, either on the envelope or on an insert. Since these are not blessed sacramentals, I either tear them into small pieces or shred them. In the case of church bulletins, I’d tear them into a couple pieces and recycle (preferably in the parish recycling collector, which garners funds for the parish school or pro-life group). Just my opinion.

God bless,
Dan

 

[Ralph_Cooper]

I think then you should not throw it away. Please respect what we are, which is what most sacred.

 

[paperwight66]

I think then you should not throw it away. Please respect what we are, which is what most sacred.

So where would someone stop? How about Christmas cards, many of which would have such pictures on? Should they be kept year after year?
I can foresee anyone scrupulous ending up as one of those sad hoarders that are sometimes featured on documentaries, unable to get out of their houses because of the piles of papers.

 

[danonwaveland]

I think then you should not throw it away. Please respect what we are, which is what most sacred.

That is why I tear them/shred them, so that the image is no longer discernable. Again, I would not do that if the image was blessed or with a sacramental. I only do that with solicitations, newspapers and bulletins, and, as was mentioned, greeting cards. Otherwise, I’d have boxes and boxes and . . .

God bless,
Dan

 

[grasscutter]

Or, if you have the option (fireplace, woodstove, etc.) you could burn them. Burning or burying is an appropriate disposition of sacramentals. Before anyone jumps on me I do realize that bulletins are not sacramentals. However, people with tender consciences may find it comforting to dispose of them as if they were.

 

[Miserissima]

If it causes that much consternation, don’t bring the bulletin home. See if your parish keeps them online at their website or hosted at FATA.