Passenger Trains > "Amtrak passengers, a prayer for you"

From the Rochester, NY "Democrat and Chronicle" letters to the editor.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/opinion/letters/2014/12/18/amtrak-passengers-prayer/20599417/

"Amtrak passengers, a prayer for you
4:02 p.m. EST December 18, 2014

As a rail passenger advocate, I am concerned about the safe and smooth operation of Amtrak passenger trains interfacing with CSX freight trains, especially those crude oil trains.

The Dec. 8 D&C article featured details on how the glut of CSX freights have hampered Amtrak on-time performance.

What better opportunity to try prayer — and I propose it at this time of year to people of good will. The prayer of which I am referring is entitled “Our Lady, Undoer of Knots” (the obstacles, troubles, etc., in our lives). This prayer is not magic, but done in trust and faith, can change attitudes — such as those in management at Amtrak and CSX. For example, early morning Amtrak train No. 280 from Niagara Falls to New York City is now co-existing with CSX — and running on time!

REV. BILL ENDRES
EAST ROCHESTER"

Sounds like Reverend Endres has a lot of time on his hands. I'm sure there are prisoners who need comforting, homeless who need sheltering, hungry who need feeding, etc.

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> Sounds like Reverend Endres has a lot of time on
> his hands. I'm sure there are prisoners who need
> comforting, homeless who need sheltering, hungry
> who need feeding, etc.

Amen!

But still, it's not like we (Amtrak) couldn't use a little divine intervention from time to time...
SR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/14 13:37 by BoilingMan.

BoilingMan Wrote:
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> But still, it's not like we (Amtrak) couldn't use
> a little divine intervention from time to time...
>
> SR

You mean a good "act of God", not a bad one?

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> Sounds like Reverend Endres has a lot of time on
> his hands. I'm sure there are prisoners who need
> comforting, homeless who need sheltering, hungry
> who need feeding, etc.

Come on, give us a break!
Keep in mind that Reverends are human too and I have known several who work very hard to do God's work and also enjoy the railroad hobby too. There have been some Reverends who have shown kindness in taking a few youngsters on some excursion trains paying out of their own pockets. Kindness in life goes a long way.
Merry Christmas to all of you.

John in White Marsh, Maryland

ClubCar Wrote:
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> Lackawanna484 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Sounds like Reverend Endres has a lot of time
> on
> > his hands. I'm sure there are prisoners who
> need
> > comforting, homeless who need sheltering,
> hungry
> > who need feeding, etc.
>
> Come on, give us a break!
> Keep in mind that Reverends are human too and I
> have known several who work very hard to do God's
> work and also enjoy the railroad hobby too. There
> have been some Reverends who have shown kindness
> in taking a few youngsters on some excursion
> trains paying out of their own pockets. Kindness
> in life goes a long way.
> Merry Christmas to all of you.
>
> John in White Marsh, Maryland

Points well made, of course.

But, my comments were focused directly at THIS reverend. There are many good reverends, and a few who molest children or parishioners. And there are a few who rabble rouse, stirring up hatred each time they see a TV camera.

I hope that this is the end of this post!

The remarks are not called for.

Should there be a separation of church and Amtrak?

http://ccrye.org/2014/10/05/blessing-of-the-animals-2014/

Cats, Dogs, Chickens and Crabs - why not Amtrak.

Bob

I don't understand the hostility towards prayer for Amtrak and CSX's better coexistence, especially at a time when CSX is doing everything it seemingly can to "screw itself," let alone the Amtrak trains that it hosts?

Or is it just the prayer aspect that offends some? If so, sad. There IS NO "seperation of Church and Amtrak." Sorry if this offends the atheists and agnostics on here. And even with the "seperation of Church and STATE," per the Constitution, while the State shall not promote any religion over any other, NOR shall it take ONE STEP to abridge such (which so many do not get). Not one IOTA of a step for INFRINGEMENT.

Red Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't understand the hostility towards prayer
> for Amtrak and CSX's better coexistence,
> especially at a time when CSX is doing everything
> it seemingly can to "screw itself," let alone the
> Amtrak trains that it hosts?
>
> Or is it just the prayer aspect that offends some?
> If so, sad. There IS NO "seperation of Church and
> Amtrak." Sorry if this offends the atheists and
> agnostics on here. And even with the "seperation
> of Church and STATE," per the Constitution, while
> the State shall not promote any religion over any
> other, NOR shall it take ONE STEP to abridge such
> (which so many do not get). Not one IOTA of a step
> for INFRINGEMENT.


First Amendment exact text:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech..."

ts1457 Wrote:
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> You mean a good "act of God", not a bad one?

We know you mean MIRACLE!

RailNet802, owevaaaah

As I was growing up my Dad always said "Never argue about politics or religion, you'll never win." A point well taken that should be applied to TO. This board is about trains and we should leave it at that.

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sounds like Reverend Endres has a lot of time on
> his hands. I'm sure there are prisoners who need
> comforting, homeless who need sheltering, hungry
> who need feeding, etc.

Railroad workers need prayers and comforting too. Many are blessed by having men like this who have decided that their ministry will be to the men and woman who often must work every Sunday and holiday to get the public where they want to go on time and safely.

Ohhhh brother .....

I've noticed a very large portion of railroaders are agnostic or outright Atheists. Must have to do with the inhuman way they are treated by their employers, the horrible lifestyle and poor health resulting in decades of poor sleeping habits and work hours, resulting divorces and never knowing their own kids, missing the final years of a parents life, losing touch with friends/support groups....heck I could go on and on. They certainly need prayers.

Posted from Android

I went straight from the Presbyterian ministry to the railroad. I was burned out and had a marvelous opportunity to go to work for the railroad. I was 46 and retired at 65.
Believe, me, I did more ministry in that locomotive cab ( and I didn't push religion). Just had a lot of heart to heart talks with people who were my friends, fellow employees, who were hurting.
People are people, inside of organized religion or not.
I had one dispatcher who called me "Rev." and always gave me good trips.
The nasty comments to this post have no place on this forum. Just sayin'! Bob Bye, Custer SD

Many years ago, I was a passenger on Amtrak's Broadway Limited riding east out of Chicago on a wintery night. The coach in which I was riding was uncomfortable (either too hot or too cold, don't remember which). When I bought this matter to the attention to one of the on-board staff, he said that he'd look into it. Then he proceeded to proselytize me. Out of politeness, I listened to him, even though I am of a different faith than he was advocating.

I don't remember if the temperature problem was corrected, but I will always remember the proselytizing. Even if he felt that Train 40 was Bound for Glory, that was inappropriate.