Being EMHC too difficult

[Lovemyfaith]

To the OP, As if any communicant is worthy?? Oh come now. If your husband does not want to be an EMHC then so be it. But to remove yourself because you are the judge and jury of souls then one must discern themselves.I am a EMHC and I know that I am a sinner as well as all who come to receive from me. NO ONE can say that another is to be denied the Eucharist. That discernment is placed soley on the person receiving.

Where on earth did you get the impression my husband is the judge and jury of souls? He is not and that is the reason he doesn’t want to be in the ministry. After a screaming match in our church parking lot from a member of one church ministry and another regarding the merits and benefits of Planned Parenthood and “Fetus’ not lives” there are some strong feelings in our parish regarding what we believed to be obvious church teachings and my husband has had a lot of trouble reconciling those feelings.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

Then why not approach the pastor personally rather than through a surrogate? Are you afraid of him?Fine. Your scheduler was wrong.

Have you spoken to your pastor yet?

Peace

Tim

My husband left a message that in light of a response he received regarding his resignation he wanted to make sure the pastor understand his feelings. My husband apologized for any hard feelings or misunderstandings.

I don’t think the pastor will call back. My feeling is he really doesn’t care, which makes me sad.

 

[Orogeny]

Where on earth did you get the impression my husband is the judge and jury of souls? He is not and that is the reason he doesn’t want to be in the ministry. After a screaming match in our church parking lot from a member of one church ministry and another regarding the merits and benefits of Planned Parenthood and “Fetus’ not lives” there are some strong feelings in our parish regarding what we believed to be obvious church teachings and my husband has had a lot of trouble reconciling those feelings.

I think this is even more reason to get your pastor involved. You both need to speak with him as soon as possible.

Peace

Tim

 

[Orogeny]

My husband left a message that in light of a response he received regarding his resignation he wanted to make sure the pastor understand his feelings. My husband apologized for any hard feelings or misunderstandings.

I don’t think the pastor will call back. My feeling is he really doesn’t care, which makes me sad.

I wouldn’t let him off that easy. I would make an appointment with him and make sure he understands what this is doing to members of his flock.

Peace

Tim

 

[Lovemyfaith]

Then why not approach the pastor personally rather than through a surrogate? Are you afraid of him?

The pastor has made it clear in our parish to leave him out of things if possible. My husband felt that receiving the reason from a third party might be better than confronting him, letting the ball be in his court.

Not really afraid, just have gotten the message to leave him out. My husband thought it wasn’t fair to not give a reason, he gave it and told the scheduler to pass it on, my husband thought that was fair to the pastor.

 

[Orogeny]

The pastor has made it clear in our parish to leave him out of things if possible.

This sounds like a case where it is not possible. Screaming matches in the parking lot is something that he has to deal with.

I’ll be praying for you and your parish. What an ugly situation that seems to be developing there.

Peace

Tim

 

[teachccd]

Where on earth did you get the impression my husband is the judge and jury of souls? He is not and that is the reason he doesn’t want to be in the ministry. After a screaming match in our church parking lot from a member of one church ministry and another regarding the merits and benefits of Planned Parenthood and “Fetus’ not lives” there are some strong feelings in our parish regarding what we believed to be obvious church teachings and my husband has had a lot of trouble reconciling those feelings.

Sounds like this goes way beyond the distribution of the Eucharist. Your parish needs better leadership and I do not fault your husband for leaving the ministry at this time. My contention was focused on the mentioning of who should or should not be receiving the Eucharist. Outside conflicts are left outside and, like I stated before, I am very conservative and I do not approve of someone going to communion if THEY know that they are not following Church teachings. This is left up to them as we cannot read the hearts of others. I am sensitive to your husband’s concerns and I apologize for judging your husband. It just seems that your pastor needs some realignment so as to not be overrun by those who dissent from Church teachings. And if your pastor agrees with such practices then your husband not only needs to excuse himself from ministry but from the parish itself. And lastly, remember that there is a bishop that can be notified and at times that is a necessary recourse. God bless you and I didn’t mean any harm in my previous post. It was mainly for clarity not for targeting…teachccd

 

[teachccd]

The pastor has made it clear in our parish to leave him out of things if possible. My husband felt that receiving the reason from a third party might be better than confronting him, letting the ball be in his court.

Not really afraid, just have gotten the message to leave him out. My husband thought it wasn’t fair to not give a reason, he gave it and told the scheduler to pass it on, my husband thought that was fair to the pastor.

Then let the third party include the bishop of your diocese…teachccd

 

[Lovemyfaith]

Oh dear. I am not trying to “trash” my pastor. He does dismiss himself from the everyday goings on of the parish, like scheduling, and I definately get the impression he does not want people in the parish to confront him on problems they have. It seems like he rather likes working through his staff on most things. (I could give a lot of examples, but they have nothing to do with this post). He is a good person, and gave many homilies about the importance of life from conception, so perhaps he feels he is doing all he can.

It is my gut he knows about the parking lot scream fest and that there are people in this parish who struggle with basic teachings. It is also my gut he is more concerned with the 80% of members who do not show up for Mass at all. He is also VERY concerned with the finances of the parish, that seems to get the most interest from him and maybe that is true of all pastors.

My husband hoped to avoid a confrontation about a subject matter that the pastor does not wish to discuss with him. If the pastor did want to discuss it, he had the option upon being informed by the scheduler. I don’t think my husband was interested in the scheduler’s opionion either way, even if the pastor agreed with her, my husband was looking for spiritual direction from his pastor if it was warranted by the pastor.

I don’t think my husband will call our local County Vicar or Bishop or Archbishop, I think he will leave it up to the pastor’s judgment and let it go.