That’s where the challenge comes in. They are calling it multi-purpose, but it is much closer to a church building than a multi-purpose building. They did not put curtains or sliding walls in.
There are some who are wanting to do things in the building to build the community. However, there are some who think this is a gross violation. Quote one friend, “There’s already so little reverence. What do you think the people will learn from having frivolous activities in there?”
Fr. has asked me to set up for a “family movie”. The movie is The Chronicles of Narnia. Some, when they heard about it through the bulletin or announcements, approached me with very negative reactions.
If it is truly wrong, I want to take the concern to Fr.
Ask your friend what the alternative is.
Ask him/her to explain where the parish can host community-building fellowships and how the rent for the alternative non-church building will be paid for by people who are already paying for the building of a new church building. Perhaps he/she is willing to volunteer his/her large home for “movie night.”
If your friend denies the need the for community-building fellowships, ask him/her to cite sources from this time period, not from the 1950s, that show that Catholic parishes will grow in numbers without such activities.
If your friend is not interested in increasing the numbers in your parish, ask him to reconcile this point of view with Matthew 28: 18-20 and with the missionary journeys of the apostles, who gave their lives to preach the Gospel and baptize more followers of Jesus.
Finally and most importantly, I’m guessing that the Bishop has given dispensation for the use of the multi-purpose building for “multi-purposes” during the time that the church building(s) is/are being planned and until it(they) is(are) built. Our church started out as a multi-purpose building, and was used not only for Mass, but for a school gymnasium, for dramas and musicals, and for dinners and other fellowships. As the congregation grew in numbers and stability, the monies were used to build a large and beautiful church building that is now used almost exclusively for Mass (it is also used for special speakers like Scott Hahn, our church missions, and for occasional sacred concerts). We also have a beautiful Rectory, a nursing home, a 24/7 Adoration chapel, a very nice school, and various outbuildings. This took almost 40 years, BTW–it wasn’t done overnight or in a few years.
So once you have made certain that the Bishop has given dispensation (approval) for the multiple uses of the building, then tell your friend that you are obeying your Bishop, and that if he/she disapproves, he/she should take it up with the Bishop and STOP being fractious and creating divisions and sowing doubt in the hearts of the parishioners. This is serious stuff. A naysayer who challenges the Bishop can create an attitude of disquiet and rebellion in the new parish, and eventually cause its demise. Don’t let your friend get away with spreading this kind of stuff. His/her concern about reverence is commendable, but he/she needs to submit to the Bishop and priests and stop trying to be holier-than the Church authorities.
