Advice for my friend - Neocatechumenal Way divided parish

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Gearoidin

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My parish has a large Neocatechumenal community. I’d guess about 40% of the people in our parish are members. My friend, M, recently found out about this “community within a community” and is very upset by the divisions it is causing in our parish.
First of all, the Neocat Mass is celebrated on Saturday evening but is not advertised on any or the church literature and regular parish members are not made welcome if they try to attend this Mass, second, **all **the active roles in our church are held my members of the neocat community, finally many of the non-neocat people in our parish feel “left out” or unwanted because they are not invited to take a more active role.
My friend recently found all this out and is devestated to find division like this in a Catholic Church. (She may have posted about this over at Catholic Community Forum Discussion group) M asked about doing the readings at Mass but was told all the positions were filled. She also asked about other volunteer activities but was told the same. She is not the only person like this.
When she converted to Catholicism from Buddhism/Shinto, one of the main attractions was the unity of the Catholic faith worldwide. She now believes that she has been betrayed. She is talking about going to a neighbouring parish but it is about 90 minutes by train and the whole trip will take over 2 hours one way. I’m worried that if she leaves our parish and joins the other one she won’t be able to put up with the 2 hour trip (4 + hours in total) every Sunday and may just give up.
Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with a community that is so divided? Our previous bishop was very supportive of the NeoCat Way but our present bishop is not. He is constantly lecturing and writing on the importance of unity within a community and the inclusion of everyone. However because 40% of parishoners plus quite a few of our priests (including our parish preist) are members of the neocat community and they are very alive in their faith, I think he feels he can’t push the issue too much.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated. I’m really worried about M.

Gearoidin
 
excuse my ignorance - but what exactly is ‘Neocatechumenal’?
 
Gearoidin said:
My parish has a large Neocatechumenal community. I’d guess about 40% of the people in our parish are members. My friend, M, recently found out about this “community within a community” and is very upset by the divisions it is causing in our parish.
First of all, the Neocat Mass is celebrated on Saturday evening but is not advertised on any or the church literature and regular parish members are not made welcome if they try to attend this Mass, second, **all **the active roles in our church are held my members of the neocat community, finally many of the non-neocat people in our parish feel “left out” or unwanted because they are not invited to take a more active role.
My friend recently found all this out and is devestated to find division like this in a Catholic Church. (She may have posted about this over at Catholic Community Forum Discussion group) M asked about doing the readings at Mass but was told all the positions were filled. She also asked about other volunteer activities but was told the same. She is not the only person like this.
When she converted to Catholicism from Buddhism/Shinto, one of the main attractions was the unity of the Catholic faith worldwide. She now believes that she has been betrayed. She is talking about going to a neighbouring parish but it is about 90 minutes by train and the whole trip will take over 2 hours one way. I’m worried that if she leaves our parish and joins the other one she won’t be able to put up with the 2 hour trip (4 + hours in total) every Sunday and may just give up.
Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with a community that is so divided? Our previous bishop was very supportive of the NeoCat Way but our present bishop is not. He is constantly lecturing and writing on the importance of unity within a community and the inclusion of everyone. However because 40% of parishoners plus quite a few of our priests (including our parish preist) are members of the neocat community and they are very alive in their faith, I think he feels he can’t push the issue too much.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated. I’m really worried about M.

Gearoidin
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Don’t let it drive your friend away. Tell her to be open to God first, then things will fall into place.

I’m not sure what this neocat group is, which you’re referring to, perhaps it’s a 3rd order group? Can you become part of them?

Anyway, I lived in a parish which had a school to support. The PTA had all the power and called all of the shots, to the point that the spiritual life of the parish took second place to the PTA activities which included Bingo, Las Vegas Nights, etc.
The fact that they raised over $70,000 dollars a year for the school, made them the driving force of all decisions.

At the time I was coordinator for the Confirmation Program, which took 2nd place to PTA events.

The bottom line is, pray and stick with it. God will open the door to where He wants you to be, even if it means not being part of any of the activities in the parish. Perhaps God just wants this person to be a person who prays and does penance for souls? Either way, it’s God’s will we seek to follow, not our own.

Jim
 
Start her own bible study or start an apostolate, such as visiting the aged or praying infront of an abortion center, etc. ask the priest to teach it, if he is qualified and holds to the faith himself.

Now many years ago, a friend started a prayer group in her home. Just about 5 or 6 families and individuals would ever come. and it alternated with other homes. She used Fr. Robert Fox’s format from his Fatima Family apostolate to organize the prayers, centered around the Rosary and readings and then she added some of her favorite tarditional prayers or litanies, according to the liturgical season. And a priestly vocation arose from our little prayer group. he is a Father of Mercy in Louisiana.

Go to the social activities of the parish.
If the priest allows the neo cats to be so exclusive, it is his problem, not hers or the Church’s. We are all one body, but we do not always have to do everything the same or associate regularly with each other outside of Mass. There are different parts and roles (I Cor. 12 and 14). And of course practicing humility and love. Oh well, they don’t like her. But God loves you more than any human being could. There will be others in the parish who will like to support her in her journey.
The neocatechumanate movement had to get some course correction from the Holy See recently. It was something about the way they celebrated Mass, apparently in an unauthorized rubric. I would not go seeking their spirituality. It sounds like there are some aberrations from the tradition in what they do.

Lectoring or ushering is not the highest form of participation at Holy Mass. Opening your heart to God and praying the Mass is.
 
Gearoidin said:
My parish has a large Neocatechumenal community. I’d guess about 40% of the people in our parish are members. My friend, M, recently found out about this “community within a community” and is very upset by the divisions it is causing in our parish.
First of all, the Neocat Mass is celebrated on Saturday evening but is not advertised on any or the church literature and regular parish members are not made welcome if they try to attend this Mass, second, **all **the active roles in our church are held my members of the neocat community, finally many of the non-neocat people in our parish feel “left out” or unwanted because they are not invited to take a more active role.
My friend recently found all this out and is devestated to find division like this in a Catholic Church. (She may have posted about this over at Catholic Community Forum Discussion group) M asked about doing the readings at Mass but was told all the positions were filled. She also asked about other volunteer activities but was told the same. She is not the only person like this.
When she converted to Catholicism from Buddhism/Shinto, one of the main attractions was the unity of the Catholic faith worldwide. She now believes that she has been betrayed. She is talking about going to a neighbouring parish but it is about 90 minutes by train and the whole trip will take over 2 hours one way. I’m worried that if she leaves our parish and joins the other one she won’t be able to put up with the 2 hour trip (4 + hours in total) every Sunday and may just give up.
Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with a community that is so divided? Our previous bishop was very supportive of the NeoCat Way but our present bishop is not. He is constantly lecturing and writing on the importance of unity within a community and the inclusion of everyone. However because 40% of parishoners plus quite a few of our priests (including our parish preist) are members of the neocat community and they are very alive in their faith, I think he feels he can’t push the issue too much.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated. I’m really worried about M.

Gearoidin
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Have your friend M and others who are being excluded contact the bishop. What you describe–is what happens when the Neocatechumenals take over a church. The bishop needs to intervene in this situation. If he does not—it will only get worse.
 
Walking_Home said:
Big trouble: Read thru the following threads.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=91153&highlight=neocatechumenal

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=92543&highlight=neocatechumenal
Click to expand...
Doesnt sound good at all. At first when I read this group was was founded in Spain in the 1960s that is might have some connection with Opus Dei (which is fine by me since my Spiritual Director is Opus Dei and they are very orthodox). But this information seems is does point out BIG trouble.
 
Well, a bit of good news. We spoke to a retired university professor today and it turns out that he too is rather annoyed about the current situation in our parishand he told us that there are at least 100+ people who have all complained privately but nobody wants to cause a bad situation with our priest. He told us that up to about 10 - 15 years ago there used to be Benediction every Saturday afternoon followed by exposition for about 8 hours. It was always well attended. We never have Benediction or exposition now. At that time there was talk of a Chapel of Prepetual Adoration but it all fell through when the new parish priest arrived and brough in a Neocat community. There used also be the Rosary evening on Wednesdays followed by a light meal which again was very popluar but also stopped when the Neocats arrived.
Anyway, the Bishop said Mass today and Professor talked to him after Mass explaining the situation. By the time he had finished the Bishop looked extremely annoyed and told him this was exactly the situation he had feared would happen and that he suspected was happening but since nobody had said anything the Bishop felt he couldn’t act. The Bishop said that he would reinstate Benediction on Saturdays starting next month and he himself would lead it. He is also looking into the Rosary again on Wednesdays to be said in English, Spanish and Japanese (not too sure how this will work but apparently some of the Philippino community have asked for a Rosary night) along with Bible discussion groups in Japanese and English.
Things are looking up:)

Gearoidin
 
Gearoidin said:
Well, a bit of good news. We spoke to a retired university professor today and it turns out that he too is rather annoyed about the current situation in our parishand he told us that there are at least 100+ people who have all complained privately but nobody wants to cause a bad situation with our priest. He told us that up to about 10 - 15 years ago there used to be Benediction every Saturday afternoon followed by exposition for about 8 hours. It was always well attended. We never have Benediction or exposition now. At that time there was talk of a Chapel of Prepetual Adoration but it all fell through when the new parish priest arrived and brough in a Neocat community. There used also be the Rosary evening on Wednesdays followed by a light meal which again was very popluar but also stopped when the Neocats arrived.
Anyway, the Bishop said Mass today and Professor talked to him after Mass explaining the situation. By the time he had finished the Bishop looked extremely annoyed and told him this was exactly the situation he had feared would happen and that he suspected was happening but since nobody had said anything the Bishop felt he couldn’t act. The Bishop said that he would reinstate Benediction on Saturdays starting next month and he himself would lead it. He is also looking into the Rosary again on Wednesdays to be said in English, Spanish and Japanese (not too sure how this will work but apparently some of the Philippino community have asked for a Rosary night) along with Bible discussion groups in Japanese and English.
Things are looking up:)

Gearoidin
Click to expand...
That is good—but please continue to keep the bishop aware as to what happens in your parish. The Neocatechumenal’s will see the initiative taken by your bishop as undermining their authority to control the church.
 
Gearoidin said:
Anyway, the Bishop said Mass today and Professor talked to him after Mass explaining the situation. By the time he had finished the Bishop looked extremely annoyed and told him this was exactly the situation he had feared would happen and that he suspected was happening but since nobody had said anything the Bishop felt he couldn’t act. The Bishop said that he would reinstate Benediction on Saturdays starting next month and he himself would lead it. He is also looking into the Rosary again on Wednesdays to be said in English, Spanish and Japanese (not too sure how this will work but apparently some of the Philippino community have asked for a Rosary night) along with Bible discussion groups in Japanese and English.
Gearoidin
Click to expand...
Well, things haven’t worked out exactly as planned. The Rosary on Wednesday night was moved to Friday morning because the Neocat community have something on Wednesday nights and wouldn’t be able to attend. Firday morning means that only retired members of our community can attend and none of the working people or students can go . We haven’t had Benediction yet because the bishop has been away visiting other parishes etc.
Many people are upset by all of this and are asking why we aren’t considered important enough for our wishes to be taken in to consideration. A shortage of priests isn’t the problem, since there is a seminary (Redemptoris Mater Seminary) in the parish with, I think, 9 priests there as well as our parish priest and Spanish speaking priest. We have the “International Mass” on October 14th and are planning on asking again about more involvement , classes/discussion groups and retreats for non-Japanese speaking members of the community and for Japanese members who aren’t part of the neocat community but I really don’t have much hope.
My friend “M” who was the reason I started this thread is now travelling 4 hours to Mass in the next prefecture but I feel she won’t be able to keep this up. It’s all very sad.

Gearoidin
 
Gearoidin, I suggest that you write a letter to your bishop, reminding him about the conversation the two of you had. Tell him what the conversation meant to you, and what has transpired since. Tell him about your friend traveling, and your concerns that she might give up in discouragement.
Hang in there! You’re a blessing.
 
I understand this is a late reply but I notice the Japanese Bishops Conference have gone to talk to the Pope about it all
Full support to Japanese Bishops Conference in their taking the Neocats to the Pope
We have terrible trouble out here in Redfern, Sydney, Australia because Cardinal Pell has imposed them on our Parish of St Vincent de Paul
We have been able to do very little except to oppose them when we can
Bondi
 
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