Letters to the Editor

For our letter writing policy, click here

Russia was consecrated to Mary in 1984

Are you a follower of Our Lady? Do you follow His Holiness Pope John Paul II?

Are you acquainted with Carmelite Sister Lucia—the only living visionary of the original Fatima Marian apparition and message from Fatima, Portugal, in 1917? Then you may need to remember that Pope John Paul II consecrated Russia to Mary in 1984.

The pope had the Our Lady of Fatima pilgrim statue flown in from Fatima to the Vatican, where he and the world’s bishops consecrated Russia according to the request of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Sister Lucia has given full disclosure: the consecration accomplished in 1984 satisfied the request of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Thus, should anyone ask you if Russia has been consecrated you should tell them, “Yes, Russia has been consecrated.”

-Stephen A. Kappes, Indianapolis

 

Seniors should be wary of companies offering prescription help

Recently, several members of St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers’ Senior Promise program received telephone calls from companies that offer assistance to seniors who are searching for prescription drug discount programs—for a fee. The costs of these programs can exceed $300 each year, regardless of how many prescriptions you purchase through the program.

Some of these companies have given the false impression that a doctor or medical facility referred the company to local seniors. And some have even used sales pressure to convince seniors to join these programs.

If you or a loved one receives any calls like these, contact the Indiana Attorney General’s office at 800-382-5516. If you are on either the Indiana Do Not Call List or the National Do Not Call Registry, the attorney general’s office will take action against the company.

Seniors in Indiana should know that local help is available for free. St. Francis’ Senior Promise program can help you choose the best Medicare-approved prescription drug discount program for you.

We offer free one-on-one and telephone counseling to help you find the best program for your needs. In some cases, just 15 to 30 minutes with our staff can save you more than $100 on prescriptions. We will spend as much time as needed with you, completing the proper forms and applying for the most cost effective program.

Don’t trust these companies that require you to pay for their services. Instead, turn to local resources for help.

-James J. Poole
(James J. Poole is manager of St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers’ Senior Promise program.)