10 Ways to Crush the Morale of the Laity

[Duesenberg]

In response to Fr. Robert McTeigue,SJ’s list ( 10 Ways to crush the morale of priests ) here are 10 ways for priests to crush the morale of laity:

1. Don’t make an effort to personally get to know your flock.
2. Don’t endeavor to spend time with them outside of Mass.
3. Discount their concerns out of hand.
4. Don’t treat each and every member fairly.
5. Don’t ensure that every member has access to quality cathechesis.
6. Focus on parish administration while deputizing the laity to handle as many spiritual/liturgical functions as possible.
7. Scoff at those that even dare to ask about sanctus bells, incense, the Roman Canon or dozens of other things.
8. Don’t deal with long festering personnel issues.
9. Don’t maintain office hours. Make yourself impossible to locate.
10. Reject parishioners’ solemn offers (eg. gifting the parish with a new chalice to memorialize a late loved one.)

 

[graciew]

Dusenberg,you posted the article of the priest in another thread ,now another one with your own counter offer.
What are we supposed to do?
Don t take me wrong but it is like you have the mic against the priest and there is nothing we can say or do about it…
Make an effort to take it somehow to your priest but this is starting to become gossip and venting…
What do you think?

 

[Duesenberg]

Dusenberg,you posted the article of the priest in another thread ,now another one with your own counter offer.

What are we supposed to do?

Don t take me wrong but it is like you have the mic against the priest and there is nothing we can say or do about it…

Make an effort to take it somehow to your priest but this is starting to become gossip and venting…

What do you think?

This isn’t about my priest. This was in response to a Fr. Robert McTeigue,SJ’s list based on what I have experienced/observed from a great many priests.

 

[graciew]

All right …all about crushing the.morale of either the priest or the laity.
Cheer up a bit ,give it a bit of hope…
It is kind of depressing…
What do you enjoy about any Mass? Anywhere…
I can always shut up but give it a thought…it is all a bit negative…

 

[Duesenberg]

All right …all about crushing the.morale of either the priest or the laity.

Cheer up a bit ,give it a bit of hope…

It is kind of depressing…

What do you enjoy about any Mass? Anywhere…

I can always shut up but give it a thought…it is all a bit negative…

I’m not trying to be negative, but Fr. McTeigue’s list really made me think. It made me wonder why any priest would want his name attached to such a list – given that priests bear a great deal of responsibility for those 10 actions? Then again it might simply be his attempt to motivate others – be they members of the laity or fellow priests?

In the end there are reasons why people behave (misbehave) as described on Fr. McTeigue’s list. Many of not all deserve to be remedied. I think that begins with honest discourse (and of course prayer) and by not accepting that “that’s the way it is” or other justifications.

You ask what I love the fact that it’s a representation of precisely what opened the doors to Eternal Life for all those made in His Image.

 

[graciew]

That was neat.
What I like is that as soon as I cross the door of a Church anywhere,it is home.
And about Father,I can think of the Curé d’ Ars,the patron Saint of Parish Priests.
Who knows he may have written the same list! He had a tough bunch…
And there you are,in that small town with much trouble,he became a Saint.
What I think is that God has a good thing under the sleeve for every bad turn.

 

[po18guy]

In Europe and the US, we are very fortunate to have even mediocre priests. I will not bite the hand that feeds me our Lord.

 

[Duesenberg]

In Europe and the US, we are very fortunate to have even mediocre priests. I will not bite the hand that feeds me our Lord.

I would never settle for “mediocre” when these same men could be outstanding priests with some assistance, never ending prayers and legitimately heightened expectations.

 

[po18guy]

After you, my brother. As long as you apply the same high standards to yourself.

 

[Duesenberg]

After you, my brother. Are you plotting schism? I really wonder…

Noooooooo, not me, but I would like for the Church to be more open to constructive criticism – particularly when those being critical are willing to help with honest reform.

The Church is not well served by individuals who struggle to silence those that offer legitimate critique. History shows that quite the opposite is true.

 

[po18guy]

But you and I are the problem! As it is with life: “I went looking for friends and found none. I became a friend and found many.”

 

[Duesenberg]

But you and I are the problem! As it is with life: “I went looking for friends and found none. I became a friend and found many.”

Problems that are amplified when we are apathetic. When we attempt to silence anyone discussing problems or doing things to help solve them.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Sometimes parenting and friendships are opposing forces.

 

[SuperLuigi]

This is the kind of stuff I expect from American SJWs and the secular elites, NOT the Catholic Church.

Matthew 23:12…

 

[po18guy]

Silence? AYKM? It sounds suspiciously close to murmuring. Where did our Lord teach us that murmuring was beneficial? I am trying to provide perspective on the overall problem. Our human nature, as mentioned prior, inclines us to see only the errors of others. We all have plenty of blame in that regard.

 

[Duesenberg]

But you and I are the problem! As it is with life: “I went looking for friends and found none. I became a friend and found many.”

So what’s your solution to the millions of practical problems that impact thousands of Catholic parishes? We can’t platitude them away! What’s your solution?

What do you do with the “liturgy director” who has been in her position for 25 years, guards it with everything she has, while doing an overall very poor job while being extremely rude to others? Just realize that we too are not perfect and that’s the solution?

What’s your solution?

 

[babochka]

@Duesenberg, for the most part, your parish life has been vastly different from mine. Certainly, I see a few problems here and there, some more significant than others, but I have had no experience with the widespread and systemic dysfunction that appears to be part and parcel of your experience.

I’m very grateful for the majority of priests that I’ve known who are hard-working, effective and prayerful men of God. I’ve only come across a small handful to whom any part of your list would apply. Those have, unfortunately, been very memorable experiences. I’m sorry that you’ve had more than your fair share of them.

 

[Trishie]

What I like is that as soon as I cross the door of a Church anywhere,it is home.

But you and I are the problem! As it is with life: “I went looking for friends and found none. I became a friend and found many.”

Thank you. both.
Dear God we ask Your blessing on each of us, our parishes and the whole Church, that we, as individuals and as parish communities, will “Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you must make hospitality your special care.” [Romans 12:10-13]

 

[Duesenberg]

Thank you. both.

Dear God we ask Your blessing on each of us, our parishes and the whole Church, that we, as individuals and as parish communities, will “Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you must make hospitality your special care.” [Romans 12:10-13]

Thank you for your prayer once more.

 

[graciew]

Our Lady undoer of Knots.!
We all have knots in our lives…
Goes for all
Here is the prayer:

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exist in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots. Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the evil one himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot.

[Mention your request here]

I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope.
O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and, with Christ, the freedom from my chains.
Hear my plea.
Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge!

All the best,Duesenberg!