Marion Place residents receive large-print Bibles

Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News
·2 min read
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MONROE — The residents of Marion Place can increase their ability to focus on Bible study thanks to new large-print Bibles donated by the Monroe Council #1266 Knights of Columbus.

In November, Diane Griffith, an intern at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, started assisting with the distribution of Holy Communion at the senior living community center and discovered there was an interest in starting a Bible study.

The group meets Friday mornings and Griffith quickly discovered some of the members were straining their eyes and having difficulty reading the regular print.

"Many of the residents had difficulty reading the standard print including myself," Diane Griffith said. "I brought my large print bible from home and I realized, the first week, the residents needed books with larger print."

Marion Place residents recently received large print Bibles donated by the Monroe Council #1266 Knights of Columbus. Pictured are Linda Williams, left, Grand Knight Julian Rios, Sharon Venier, Theresa Celso, Stella Battistone, Judy Powers and Deacon Mike Stewart.
Marion Place residents recently received large print Bibles donated by the Monroe Council #1266 Knights of Columbus. Pictured are Linda Williams, left, Grand Knight Julian Rios, Sharon Venier, Theresa Celso, Stella Battistone, Judy Powers and Deacon Mike Stewart.

Griffith contacted the Monroe organization for help, resulting in a donation of 12 leather-bound Bibles along with handmade wooden crosses designed to fit comfortably in the hand while praying.

On Dec. 29, the council presented the Bibles to residents at the center located on Front Street.

Deacon Mike Stewart of the Monroe Family of Parishes (St. Mary, St. John, St. Michael, St. Anne and St. Charles) blessed the books. The St. Joseph New American Catholic Bibles will be kept in the library so all the residents will have access to them.

Research indicates reading large print books allows readers to stay focused, connect to the text and comprehend more of what they are reading.

Griffith said as a result of the donation, she believes the study group will be more enjoyable for the members and there will be more participation.

"When the print is too small, the lines run together and it can make it difficult for some members to read aloud," she said. "The larger print will make reading more enjoyable and perhaps members in the group will be more relaxed when reading in front of their peers."

— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Marion Place residents receive large-print Bibles