I was prepared to convert to Catholicism after leaving the Episcopal Church. However, I am bothered by the idea of the contemporary Catholic mass. I recently visited a Catholic Church that turned out to be contemporary. I feel that the Catholic Church I wanted to be a part of ended with Vatican II. I brought these to my RCIA group and they assured me that was because it was a “liberal” priest and diocese. However, I attended the other Catholic church in my town and it was very much contemporary also. I feel that it is unacceptable and not reverent and I cannot see why it is allowed. I feel that I am being driven toward Eastern Orthodoxy because they would never allow this in their churches. Are these churches anomalies or is this contemporary approach taking over?
I am experiencing this same problem in our diocese. We moved here from a more “traditional” diocese (Charleston, SC). This is definitely a more “liberal” diocese we are currently in (Raleigh, NC) and my family is struggling to find a parish where we feel at home. By way of explanation, the congregation in this diocese is told to stand (“please stand”) as a whole (by the cantor) when it is time for all to receive Communion. In our former diocese, we were to remain kneeling until the usher moved to our row, signaling it was our time to rise and move forward to receive. Additionally, upon returning to our row after receiving, most (95%) of the congregation remains standing (some talking!) until the Body is placed in the Tabernacle, and then they sit. As for me and my family, we retain our previous practice of adoration both before and after receiving. There is a vast difference between respect (standing) and adoration (kneeling).
There are several parishes in our vicinity that mistakenly engage in what I suspect to be borderline liturgical abuses (altering the “Alleluia” chorus, modifying “Lord Hear our Prayer” changing the words to the Lord’s Prayer (omitting the line “as we forgive those who trespass against us”) , and praying for the intercession of non-Catholic, non-Saints). If I am mistaken on whether or not these are liturgical abuses, please excuse me…I only know I feel uncomfortable when this is occurring and am hesitant to return to these parishes.
I offer this lengthy explanation to let the OP know that he/she is not the only one struggling to find a home in a more “traditional” Catholic Church. I wish you luck, and if anyone is in the Diocese of Raleigh, please let me know if you are aware of more traditional parishes so we can check them out!
(I do want to say that we LOVE our bishop and our clergy. I realize many of these issues are mine, and I don’t want to disparage our Church or our Faith, I just know what feels “right” to me).
Good luck!