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Trying to clear up who's who in the gas biz. Amoco has gone the way of the Packard. A beloved American icon that is no more. They were bought up lock, stock and barrel by BP. What a dumb move to rebrand all the Amoco stations to BP. They took what at teh time was the most trusted brand by market surveys and eliminated it in favor of a name no one knew from nowhere. A real Datsun becomes Nissan move. Exxon and Mobil are indeed the same thing. It's a shame. My car always ran well on Mobil but noticeably not as well on Exxon. They went with the Exxon mix.
Chevron bought Texaco and markets the same gasoline under both names. The same holds true for Conoco and 76. There are no Conoco stations here are very few 76. Both are owned by Phillips 66 of which we have none either. All three brands are the same gasoline. They have apparently sucked up sucked up ARCO as well.
ConocoPhillips bought up the whole Circle K convenience store chain and are moving those into New Jersey (they bought up 27 Cumberland Farms stores, including the one in town). Remains to be seen if they'll starting marketing gasoline in these parts.
Here in NJ if we want top tier our choices are Shell, Exxon (Mobil is returning after they were forced to sell off all the existing Mobil stations as part of the merger deal; they sold to ConocoPhillips who turned right around and sold all the stations to the Russian Lukoil. As near as I can tell the few Lukoil stations that are left must be like KGB fronts. They sell for way more than anyone else and tend to be empty. I'd push my car a mile down the road before I'd buy from them.
Who else is out there? Sunoco who seems to be by themselves. I do believe they are now foreign owned but I couldn't ay for sure. They're not top tier and the local ones charge enough extra for credit card use to cancel the benefit of using the card so they lost my business.
"Trying to clear up who's who in the gas biz."
Thanks to you fez, I learned way more about hostile takeovers, gasoline brands, mergers of oil companies and the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY of the entire oil industry than I could have ever hoped for.
Thanks for expanding my knowledge and speeding up my learning curve about gasoline stations and what they sell. Much appreciated!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Fezo, we still pump our own gas in Virginia unlike NJ. Last time up there I picked up the nozzle and some terrorist looking dude looked at me like I was doing something very wrong, all the while I was worried he was going to IED me. I really didn't want him near me or my car, but I just let it go and smoked tires out of there...receipt in hand.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Dino...even with the massive oil spill and clean up bill, Big Oil still made money in the 90s....with a gallon of gas less than a dollar/gal.
There isn't a plausible excuse Big Oil has been foisting on us for years that can absolve them from the pricing collusion they've been practicing for decades.
I am going to disagree with that. How good a deal one gets is independent on the true invoice cost. How good a deal is dependent on how much you paid compaired to what others are paying, dealers invoice has nothing to do with it.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Fez, you certainly seem to know a lot about gas.
in my neck of Jersey, the name brands around are Exxon, Citgo, Sunoco and shell mostly. I ended up getting Exxon/mobil (same card), Sunoco and Shell gas cards. Used to pay cash, but that didn't work for the kid. And I refuse to hand the attendant a real CC. Plus, you get the cash price (sometimes 5 cents less) using their card. I just keep a set in each car, so it covers my daughter too.
The exxon is most convenient, and is actually on the cheap side now. The Shells by me (including a real convenient one) are pricey, really so for premium.
I either go to the Exxon, or stop at one of the Sunocos when I happen to be near one. Just like them (childhood memories!), and they normally have the best price, by far, on mid grade and premium.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Thank you so much for the responses. I feel a lot more confident now and will move forward as advised, and I'll share the result when I make my purchase.
As I said, perfect villain, no matter what. So Texaco's or Amoco's executives gave up their cushy positions, just because... I know you believe it's all a hundred year long conspiracy just about to unravel back to pennies per gallon (exaggeration), I disagree.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
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Nice breakdown on the gas station scene Fez, much appreciated and enjoyed reading it. I'll watch out for those Lukstations, don't want some guy jumping in and taking over my car.
You mentioned gas price, for cash/ or credit card price. Sometimes in Florida I have seen a difference of 8 cents a gallon, cash vs. CC. The cash sign is huge, and the disclaimer "Cash" is usually tiny. Why do they even have such a big difference......is it because almost no one pays cash so they can advertise a really low price on the sign?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Thank you for reporting back Finngirl. Good luck and hope you find the car you are looking for. Don't feel pressured, you can always walk away or go home to think about it. Sometimes, even if I like the deal, I still ask for a few minutes to go for a coffee or for dinner, and go over the contract.....you may spot something you missed in all the excitement.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The oil/gas business is so convoluted. There are explorers, drillers, refiners, distributors, marketers - some do everything, some do just one.
Around here the big names are Shell, Hess, Gulf, Prime, Mobil and Irving. Gulf and Prime are mainly distributors and marketers and the rest are vertically integrated. The Hess station in my town was actually owned by ExxonMobil until recently. When it was an Exxon, the tanks leaked and polluted a few parcels of land. They've had monitoring wells for over 30 years and IIRC, it was only 2 years ago that the parcels were declared clean. ExxonMobil still owns a parcel across the street from the station.
The Shell stations around here are owned by Nouria Energy which is a distributor and convenience store company. They own stations and c stores and distribute Shell, Irving and Gulf gas to other stations. So they compete against their customers.
Lukoil has had an interesting time here in New England. Getty stations were changed to Lukoil and later all became BP. Now most of the stations are closed and Getty Real Estate is trying to sell the properties. I drove past one where the operator has his big BP sign tarped and spray painted "To Hell with Lukoil and BP."
Yesterday I paid $4.19 for premium at a Mobil right off of Rt 89 in Randolph, VT.
Don't complain, premium gas in Canada would be almost $6 a U.S. gallon.
During the gas crisis in the 80s our Liberal Party ran on a platform that they would buy a chain of gas stations, so the government could control the cost of fuel, and we would never be held hostage by the gas companies. Guess what happenned? Right, didn't make one bit of difference and the stations were sold off because the government stations weren't as efficient as the corporate ones.....there is a good lesson in there somewhere.
(Sorry about any political observations.....just pointing out what actually happenned)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That was a nice ending to a well written story. I enjoyed reading the saga. It's good to know that there are still excellent dealers selling vehicles and providing superb service.
Richard
I agree. It would be nice to add that part.
Richard
GG, let's talk jewelry for a moment. First, stay away from jewelry stores, especially the box stores. Stone quality isn't always good and the prices are outrageous. I would recommend a high end antique auction gallery. Most people think that antique auction galleries are for furniture and paintings only. That's not true. Many of them have jewelry departments with lovely pieces to purchase. You can select a ring of your choice; wait for the auction date, and then bid on the ring. You don't have to be there to bid. A high end gallery will provide telephone and on-line bidding. With this method, you can save thousands. I purchased a sapphire ring for myself three years ago. My final bid was $4K. I later took the ring for appraisal to two nice jewelry stores---one in Pinehurst and one in Raleigh. Both stores gave me a certificate of value----one at $11k and one at $12K. I later repeated this same process for a diamond bracelet for my wife. Again, I saved thousands. If you were near me, I would take you to excellent auction galleries in Charleston and Asheville. Still, I'm sure that there are some not far from you.
I should also mention stones. Some young ladies today prefer choices other than diamonds. A sapphire, emerald, or ruby makes a beautiful engagement ring---with or without diamonds. Your setting and mounting also play an important part in displaying the beauty of the stone. For a lady, I really like a filigree setting from the French influence. It's open and airy with beautiful designs made into the gold or silver. You don't want a tall mounting with the filigree ring because you'll block some of the beauty. A stone with a high mounting can be very impressive with a simple plain band. The best idea is to escort your lady to the gallery and allow her to begin looking. Also, you can look on-line from the gallery web site before you visit the actual place. Either way, include the future bride in the process.
Hope this alternative method is helpful to you.
Richard
I suspect you hit the nail on the head as to why they make the signs the way they do. Around here Sunoco is the big offender here. I've seen the difference as high as a dime a gallon.
The Shell in town is a great station, in that it's almost like you've gone back to the 50s. They offer to check your oil, clean your windshield (if you get the right guy they clean all your windows. They don't check your tires but there a free pump with a real gauge on the side of the building. Problem is They get almost 20 cents more per gallon than Costco, which around here is by far the cheapest. Now it I go 8 miles up the road to the next nearest Shell station they are priced lower but do have a cash/credit price, but their credit price is still cheaper than the one in town which is same cash or credit.
Amoco and Texaco still in theory exist. There are even Texaco stations around. The Amocos are all BP because that's who bought them. Going belly up and being bought are two very different things.
I've also seen in local businesses where they are doing the same thing at similar prices and one succeeds while the other fails. That happens. If Amoco and Texaco failed it was not because of what they charged. I know Texaco placed their bets that we'd never need to buy foreign oil. They went from being the biggest of the gas retailers in the USA and one of only two with stations under the same name in all 50 states (Phillips 66 was the other) to being bought up because they guessed wrong. Ironically we now produce enough oil to be self sufficient. "energy independent" as they used to call it, but we export our own oil and gas and import from other countries because it's more profitable.
I couldn't be little kid nostalgic for an Exxon station. They were Esso in these parts until I was hitting senior year of college.
Richard...thanks so much. You gave me some alternatives I had never thought about.
Went to Costco to look at their jewelry. Understand, I like Costco, for lots of reasons. Namely, because they unequivlcally stand behind everything they sell. Plus, at least in the jewelry case, their jewelry looks high quality (which I would expect from them).
But, at was mentioned, there's something about buying jewelry from a discount warehouse. It shouldn't matter. Somehow, it does.
I've ruled out the "Jarred's" and mall stores. I am asking friends for recommendations for stores they've had good experiences with.
And, I agree. Have her with me, as she's the one who's going to wear it.
BTW....we're not planning a big wedding. Truth told, we spoke to a priest last night to see what we had to do to get married in the Catholic Church. He's not only a priest, but a personal friend. He said he'd marry us tomorrow if we got the paper work done (which for the Catholic Church, is no small experience, especially since we both have a "divorce" on our record.
Since we've decided to pull the trigger, as soon as the paperwork and meetings are completed, we'll "do the deed". It's a matter of weeks, not months.
Oh, please don't tell me they will make you go through the annulment process. That is long and painful. I have a friend who did that and had to explain frame of mind over 20 years previous. Word was you really have to dig insanely deep into yourself and spend a great deal of uncomfortable time live with people you don't know "clarifying" things. Claims to have come out a better person but I don't see it. And 20 years later not thinking another marriage.
Here's hoping your priest friend can pencil whip this thing for you. Were both of you married in a Catholic ceremony before? That makes a difference.
Lose the discount warehouse attitude on Costco. This would show your beloved that you're smart enough not to blow your money frivolously and thus will have enough to buy her a very nice car or at least that you take money seriously enough not to blow it unnecessarily. Of course I'm not the guy who lives up to that kind of standard....
gg - good for you for seeking annulments. It seems that it's important to you and your betrothed to get married in the Catholic church. Unfortunately, trying to live a life by religious rules isn't easy. As such, annulments take time. As a practicing member of the church, I do my best to be a good Catholic, Christian and member of our society but I fail most days. Trust me, I'm far from perfect and disagree with many of the things the Catholic Church mandates. But you gotta follow the rules if you want to be part of the team.
Hey Richard, thought you might like to know that my daughter finally picked Elon for college. Thanks for your input. Seems like a really nice, and well run place, and she just felt comfortable there (a good fit for her ).
Of course, it was the most expensive of her short list options. So much for ever car shopping again! Fir both of us, since her shot at a new car to take with sophomore year is out the window too.
I am working on the wife to relo down to somewhere in NC still. That would free up a lot of cash for cars! Having our baby way down there might get her on board.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Congrats stickguy. My son is doing his search now and I don't think any of the schools he is considering is under $50K a year. $41K for Elon sounds like a bargain!!
I get the same garbage from Cadillac.
Richard
We might add the word "Car" to the front: Car Salesmen and Buyers Compare Notes or Car Salesmen and Buyers Compare Experiences.
I really like the last paragraph of your post. It is love that makes it all work.
BTW, you are forgiven. Buddies can say things like that without the worry of offending.
Richard
Mike, you advised the nice lady to use the formula "invoice less incentives + $300". How do you arrive at the $300 figure? Thanks.
Richard
Hope the paperwork goes smoothly and quickly. I'm glad that you're trying to include the church in this important moment. They should extend you a blessing for wanting to include them. If not, you certainly have our blessings from this thread. Keep us posted.
Richard
fezo...robr2...thanks for the advice. Annullment is done. Got that years ago. My fiance didn't get an annulment, but her ex husband has since died (after they were divorced). So, my Priest says it's a moot point regarding an annulment for her. We just have to meet with him a few times to discuss our committment, our relationship (and of course, staying within the bounds of the Catholic Church). In short, it's not as easy as getting a marriage license and going to a Justice of the Peace. But, it's not as difficult as getting annulments (already done), weekend retreats at a Church sponsored "marriage encounter", meeting after meeting with our Priest, etc.
We're just meeting with the Priest a couple more times. He knows me well. he knows my background, my family, and what I've gone through in the past. I don't have any secrets with him.....
He wants to get to know her, and how solid our relationship is, how it came about, etc.
Fezo...you're probably right about Costco for a ring. We now have several places to look...Costco being one...and estate jewelry being the other.
Sure would like to hear Kirstie's or Karen's views on the ring "topic".
Though I'm not Catholic, may I say that I love your new Pope? He seems so genuine and appears to want to help people of certain groups who struggle in life. Also, he seems to want the church to move forward and to be a part of the 21st Century. IMHO, he's an inspiration to us all. Like politics, I probably shouldn't be discussing religion here. Hope it's ok that I made this comment.
Richard
Congratulations! Elon is a fine school. What I like is the teacher/student ratio. Your daughter will be well cared for and the quality of instruction will be excellent. My wife has a good friend who went to Elon. The friend always says, "You know that Elon sits next to the campus of Heaven." I realize that the school is more expensive than some, but the results are what will count. After all, you're preparing for the day that your daughter will buy her own car.
As you plan to move to North Carolina, rest assured that where ever you land, you'll pick a great place. You can't beat our wonderful state.
Richard
Richard: what people like about Pope Francis is his humility and his adoption of the role as a servant to the people. He is saying and doing the right things. He knows his role and that of the church is not to focus inwards but outwards. It's missions of love, humility, peace, tending the poor must be taken to the streets and not preached from a pulpit.
But don't expect him to make big changes in the basic tenets of the church. It's not easy changing 2000 years of history and tradition. The issues of the ordination of women, euthanasia, the death penalty, abortion, the right to life, human rights, celibacy of priests are all things that are not going to change. Someday, maybe.
And as long we discuss religion in a non-confrontational manner, it think it's OK. Personally I am fascinated by the differences in religions and denominations. I always wonder why such and such is the case. As I noted earlier, I don't believe in everything the Church has to say but I do my best to live by the missions listed above and who am I to criticize the beliefs of others.
gg - sounds like you have all your ducks more or less lined up. Good for you.
My wife and I grew up Catholic, all of our kids were baptized Catholic, but the letters te bishop started ordering all priests read at every Mass that said "you have to accept everything or nothing; there's no in between. After a bit, pretty much during the latter part of John Paul II reign and all of Benedict's, we reached a point where we said if that's their terms we can't accept that. I know dozens of Catholics who simply dismiss such statements and carry on with what they believe as their core. As the church grew more hierarchical and kept ignoring well documented evil in the presence of those running the show we just couldn't stay in good conscience. I've since read history that tells me I might have reached the same conclusion any number of times.
I have no problem on the church's teaching on abortion but when you had priests announcing that anyone voting for a Democrat was committing mortal sin that's way over the line (not to mention that when you had a Republican president with a Republican Congress things moved not a whit. I believe there are very firm believers in the Republican Party but that the party as a whole is mostly using this issue as a wedge.
I hate the idea of abortion but they are going to happen no matter what the law is. The best we can hope for is "safe, legal and rare," as Bill Clinton put it.
To me they are dead wrong on contraception. The Church as an institution is afraid of sex.
I have all the respect in the world for Catholics who can stay withing the narrow confines. These days I consider myself a free lance Christian. I mostly go to an Episcopal church which happens to have a lot of people like me seem to migrate. As one member put it "It's like going to a Catholic Church but you're allowed to bring your brain." Some times I'll describe the Episcopalians as Unitarians but with a creed.
Bless all who believe. And as Pope Francis (who I just love) said Jesus died to save everybody. When asked "even atheists?" He said "Even atheists."
gg- I hope you cam out a better person from the annulment process. I've got decidedly mixed feeling about what it did to my friend who seems even more vulnerable afterward. Obviously all diocese are not created equal.
I will feel vindicated if your beloved picks a Costco ring but am so happy for you no matter what the choice is.
Stickguy, not sure if congratulations should go to you or to your daughter. So in order not to commit a social faux pas, congrats to you both as well as your spouse.
Speaking of college, would you believe it has been 40 years (May 1974) since I graduated from college? I've been meaning to frame my diploma but I've not gotten around to it. The starting salary then was about $13,000, today it is about $52,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the inflation adjusted salary should be about $62,310, but the 2008+ recession has depressed salaries for young grads putting them behind the eight ball with a high loan to salary ratio.
Meanwhile, in 1974 I paid $3,600 for my brand new Mercury Comet. Don't know what a similar Lincoln product would sell for today but if we use the same salary inflation growth figures a comparable car would sell for $17,255. Any $17K Lincolns out there?
Oh, how things have changed from "banned in Boston" to anything goes.
I'm not too far behind you. My daughter just finished her Freshman year. How did she get so old, while I remain so...immature! And, I think she makes more in her summer lifeguard/teaching swimming jobs than I make all year! As her mother takes no endless delight in reminding me...
Go Bs! Go Sox!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Gust a guess, but I think a 74 Comet would be more comparable to a Ford Fusion than a Lincoln. You can get a basic Fusin for $19745 which is a little higher than the $17255 comparable, but the 2014 Fusion probably comes with a lot more standard equipment as well as other technological enhancements, and is probably worth the extra 10% real cost.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Back then the Comet/Maverick was the smallest car they sold, so maybe a better comparative would be a Fiesta, or at most, a Focus.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Well, they also made the Pinto/Bobcat- although whether they actually qualify as automobiles is still open to debate...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The comet would be a fusion today.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I remember my Father having a Mercury (Monterey?), with a back window that rolled down. I thought that was so cool, and as such, preferred sitting in the back seat, even when it was just my Dad and I in the car.
Robr...fezo...oh, my Priest and I have spent a good amount of time discussing the idiosyncracies of the Catholic Church....usually over a few beers. He was an activist after getting his PhD in Theology and being ordained....not quite a radical, but within walking distance. And, was always far from a "by the book" Priest. He's a Pastor now, but has been paased over as Pastor for larger parishes, and even promotions because of his views.
He does like our new Pope (as do I), Richard!
Off on tangent.......sorry.......
Disagree.
Taurus = LTD
Fusion = Torino/Montego
Focus = Maverick/Comet
Fiesta = Pinto (I forgot about that one!)
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
@Richard64... oops Sterlingdog.
Does that mean Elon is next to Duke? It's pretty hard to beat the architecture of Gothic Wonderland.
I think the Pinto/Bobcat was the smallest Ford at the time. The Maverick/Comet athough the next size up was actually more the size of today's Focus believe it or not.
Measurements -----Length------ Width------Ht------ Wt
Focus --------- 14'10"------ 71------ 4'10"-----2907
Maverick------ 15 ------- 70.5-------4'7------3000
Fusion -------- 16 ------- 72-------- 4'10"------3600
2014 Focus best price is $17033 which is comparable to 74 Comet/Maverick
You pros, please check the Edmunds price on a Focus.
Edmunds 2014 Ford Focus sedan
If I am reading this right, MSRP is over $23K, average price paid is $21,614, and if you use the Edmunds Dealer, you will pay $17,033. Could someone see if I have that right!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'm glad you were the only one to comment on my Catholic Church. I just had too much trouble with the "this is how you have to think" stuff. I've known dozens of priests who operate in the accept some, reject some.
I figure the die is cast for my kids. Confirmed Episcopalians. The Episcopal Church would recognize a Catholic confirmation but not vice versa.
One of my
I still think that in concept the comet and Fusion fill the same role, but I could accept the Focus. No way the Fiesta though.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That's nothing. I get three offer a week on my wife's PT Cruiser because they are in high demand. Evidently people are clamoring for technologically outdated fuel-inefficient cars.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Hey! I wasn't done!
One of my favorite priest who is currently the pastor at St. Francis in NYC (who was right door to me in Hope Lodge and is an old family friend -baptized my two you gets daughters) is coming down to the parish for this weekend. I'll have to catch up with him. Model of what a pastor should be.
That's strange. I just filled up at the local no name station with 93 for $3.96. It's unheard of for gas in NY to be cheaper than Florida. One state over in NJ it's usually 35 cents cheaper.
Brand name like Mobil is $4.09 to $4.19 but my cars run better on the no name. Go figure.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I never heard any Catholic priest say that. If he did he would be risking the tax exempt status of his church.
I have heard some radical liberation theologists make decidedly leftist statements.
Don't like to hear either position in church. "Render unto Ceasar...."
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I would have thought the same. I had a 73 Maverick (302 V8) and at the time it was a compact car....seemed small. But, if you see one today, they look pretty large, more the size of about a Fusion almost. I think of the Focus as the size of a Pinto, and the Fiesta is more like a Cube or Soul. But, those measurements and weights don't lie.....................
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
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All I know is when I was about 14 or 15 I had mostly Catholic friends, they had great dances at Cathedral Bascilica Church on Saturday night.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
All I know is when I was about 14 or 15 I had mostly Catholic friends, they had great dances at Cathedral Bascilica Church on Saturday night.
Driver...Catholics can indeed throw a party. I knew a Nun who loved the Biblical passage "......wine was made to gladden man's heart...." She used that passage a lot.
I've never run across a Priest or even a Bishop who willingly and publically asked for any political agenda to be followed. Not saying it hasn't happened. I just haven't heard of it.
My in-laws got that one and believe me they were by no means alone.
I grew up in exactly the wrong time. We were told in school up through fifth grade that the only people in heaven were Catholics that toed the line. I'll never know why my mother sent us to that school because it wasn't what she believed at all.
When I was in sixth grade I became an altar boy. I had to learn the entire Mass in Latin and never served one that way. The vernacular hit at just that moment. Id get assigned for a week of daily morning masses when they were turning the altar around so the priest faced the people. Fortunately that week the priest assigned was a young guy and really with Vatican 2. Every day that week we walked into a different stage of completion. He basically said "Don't worry. I don't know what to do either. Follow me and we'll make this work together."
The next year I had a nun say " I can see a day when Martin Luther is declared a saint." Keep in mind they'd up to that point teaching us he was the devil incarnate.
Things changed. Canonizing John XXIII was long over due JPII was rushed.
I'll never get to the bottom of all this but it has certainly made me a big student of religion.