Do You Attend An FSSP Parish?

[barb_finnegan]

When I made a trip to Scranton, PA in 2004, I attended a couple of Masses-maybe more-at the FSSP parish there. They were weekday Masses, so I didn’t know what happens when Mass was on Sundays. I liked it very much, they were very reverent. I did talk to one or two of the parishioners after Mass, but not to any of the priests.

Here in Upstate NY, the FSSP priests used to come twice a month-and sometimes more than that-to say the EF Mass on Sunday at a former convent chapel. I don’t know what happened, but someone stuck their nose into what wasn’t their business, and the diocese didn’t allow the FSSP back. Maybe with our new Bishop being installed later this month, they will return.

I loved the FSSP priests who came to the Mass! Sometimes, when they came on ‘extra’ Sundays, we’d treat them to breakfast! My favorite priests were Fr. George Gabet [the former NA District Superior], Fr. Neal Nichols [a real Southern gentleman he was] and Fr. Benoit Guichard * .

I went to confession several times to the FSSP priests, and they were wonderful confessors. I only wish they were closer, so that I could go on one of their retreats!*

 

[Traddy]

Fr. George Gabet [the former NA District Superior], Fr. Neal Nichols [a real Southern gentleman he was] and Fr. Benoit Guichard

Fr. Gabet came to our parish in Ottawa when he was the DS! He’s a very nice priest!

I saw Fr. Nichols in France last year.

Fr. Guichard came to our parish some years ago and I talked with him a bit. I am going to see him in a few weeks! He’s going to be the co-chaplain of our chapter that is going to the Chartres Pilgrimage. He’s taking 28 people from Pequannock, NJ to join the ones that are coming from Canada. He looks very, very young! One time I was joking with him that he was 18, and another girl at my parish bought it! It was hilarious - he played along with it and everything.

On the subject of confession, all the FSSP priests I have gone to for confession have been excellent.

 

[tecvba]

I live in Cincinnati, Oh and there is a SSPX and SSPV church here, in fact the SSPV is just a few blocks from me but I go further to go to a FSSP Mass because there is no question that they are in communion with Rome. I love the Mass there and going to Confession there. The priest teaches the truth without fear of having to be politically correct. If God says it’s a sin, father says it’s a sin. The communion lines and confession lines are closer to the same length than anywhere else I have ever been. People take the gift of the Eucharist seriously and no one comes dressed in shorts, tank top and flip flops. I know people will say what does it matter how you are dressed-but if you really believe Jesus is there, would you show up dressed for the beach?

 

[barb_finnegan]

Fr. Gabet came to our parish in Ottawa when he was the DS! He’s a very nice priest!

I saw Fr. Nichols in France last year.

Fr. Guichard came to our parish some years ago and I talked with him a bit. I am going to see him in a few weeks! He’s going to be the co-chaplain of our chapter that is going to the Chartres Pilgrimage. He’s taking 28 people from Pequannock, NJ to join the ones that are coming from Canada. He looks very, very young! One time I was joking with him that he was 18, and another girl at my parish bought it! It was hilarious - he played along with it and everything.

On the subject of confession, all the FSSP priests I have gone to for confession have been excellent.

Hey Traddy-that’s pretty cool that you’ve met the FSSP priests that I knew!

And Fr. Benoit is going on the Chartres Pilgrimage? Well, he will be ‘right at home’ !

Fr. Benoit and Fr. Gregory [Pendergraft] have brought pilgrims from Pequannock to the ‘American Chartres’ pilgrimage at Aureisville Shrine, NY-the ‘Pilgrimage for the Catholic Restoration’. I can’t do the walking part, so I meet the walkers at the shrine, holding my replica of St. Joan’s battle standard. Fr. Benoit has seen my banner, and humourously allowed to let me get a picture taken with him!

 

[WhollyRoamin]

The FSSP in my town has two Masses on Sunday, a 6:45 AM Low Mass and a 11:00 High Mass. They are both standing-room-only, full of every generation, income level and ethnic background. They eat donuts together after Mass, support a local traditional elementary school and people get along swimmingly.

People drive into their Mass from as far as 2 hours away. Every Sunday. Because it’s worth it.

 

[corsair]

We try to make the long journey up to Seattle for the FSSP parish, North American Martyr’s about once a month. Fr. Gerard Saguto is a very hard working and holy priest. Does a wonderful homily. And then, of course, we have our monthly Dominican low Mass at St. Francis Xavier mission church near Toledo, WA. Then we travel as often as we can to Portland to Holy Rosary for a Dominican Missa Cantata.

Thats a lot of driving and it doesn’t meet all the requirements of the Moto Proprio, but the Archbishop is near retirement and I don’t think he has a lot of interest in tradition. Just does enough to “not rock the boat”.

 

[corsair]

I forgot to mention that we make our annual journey up to Vancouver, BC to the Holy Family FSSP parish. Now that is a vibrant TLM parish.

 

[Traddy]

Hey Traddy-that’s pretty cool that you’ve met the FSSP priests that I knew!

And Fr. Benoit is going on the Chartres Pilgrimage? Well, he will be ‘right at home’ !

Fr. Benoit and Fr. Gregory [Pendergraft] have brought pilgrims from Pequannock to the ‘American Chartres’ pilgrimage at Aureisville Shrine, NY-the ‘Pilgrimage for the Catholic Restoration’. I can’t do the walking part, so I meet the walkers at the shrine, holding my replica of St. Joan’s battle standard. Fr. Benoit has seen my banner, and humourously allowed to let me get a picture taken with him!

Yes, I love how many parishes know many FSSP priests. Small, Catholic world! Love it.

I know Fr. Pendergraft as well! Our parish used to go to the Auriesville pilgrimage…in fact there’s a write-up of one a long time ago, and we are mentioned in it (I wasn’t there). Fr. Pendergraft also came to our pilgrimage in Canada in 2007 (www.marie-reine.ca). It’s the “Canadian Chartres.” 60 mile/100km pilgrimage.

I forgot to mention that we make our annual journey up to Vancouver, BC to the Holy Family FSSP parish. Now that is a vibrant TLM parish.

Yes, I know Fr. Deprey, the pastor! He taught me religion in high school. He’s a very holy priest. Really nice guy too!

 

[pickguard1]

Yes, I love how many parishes know many FSSP priests. Small, Catholic world! Love it.

I know Fr. Pendergraft as well! Our parish used to go to the Auriesville pilgrimage…in fact there’s a write-up of one a long time ago, and we are mentioned in it (I wasn’t there). Fr. Pendergraft also came to our pilgrimage in Canada in 2007 (www.marie-reine.ca). It’s the “Canadian Chartres.” 60 mile/100km pilgrimage.

Yes, I know Fr. Deprey, the pastor! He taught me religion in high school. He’s a very holy priest. Really nice guy too!

I just saw Fr. Deprey last Sunday in Sacramento, CA! He was visiting just for the weekend, but he was at St. Stephen’s out here for a couple years, and Baptised my youngest.

Small Catholic world indeed!

 

[Rocko]

Yes, I live in Omaha where the FSSP just recently opened their own parish and it’s only five minutes from my house! Father Brancich is our pastor and Father Novakowski just moved from Sacramento to assist. They both give great sermons and spiritual guidance! I love the FSSP!

 

[pickguard1]

Yes, I live in Omaha where the FSSP just recently opened their own parish and it’s only five minutes from my house! Father Brancich is our pastor and Father Novakowski just moved from Sacramento to assist. They both give great sermons and spiritual guidance! I love the FSSP!

I was wondering where Fr. Novakowski went! I had been away from St. Stephen’s in Sacramento for a bit, and when I came back, there were two new priests. Cool! Yay for new FSSP parishes!

 

[WindowsLM]

Few comments and observations on the FSSP parish I attend - The good, the bad, the ugly:

• Very family-oriented
• Very close knit, and thus difficult for an outsider to make friends in general. Definitely cliquish.
• Cliquishness leads to political infighting among parishioners. Led to the dismissal of one of the priests. Caused many parishioners to leave.
• Beautiful service, very well orchestrated with outstanding Gregorian Chant
• Confession is well observed, but personal experience has been less than fruitful. Priest seems more intent on severe humiliation than reconciliation. Will never go back for confession there.
• Plenty of altar boys, all of whom appear to be quite devoted to serving.
• Hard-line, old school conservatives in adhering to tradition - A bit harsh sometimes and myopic in terms of sermons and the approach of the priests to the parish in general.
• A good deal of fire and brimstone in the sermons from time to time. A bit over the top sometimes, but overall, generally well thought out sermons with average to above average commentary.
• Consultations with priest for sacraments (first communion, etc.) are basically one-sided dictations by the priest, with little if any room for discussion or consultation. Frustrating and a bit too patriarchal for most modern Catholics.
• Almost all the women wear veils, most men wear suits. Very well dressed crowd.

In general, the Mass is beautiful, but the culture of the parish leaves a lot to be desired.

I have recently entered into the Church, and find this is kind of how I felt when first attending and during the RCIA period. The people are all extremely nice, and thankfully I knew someone there, so that helped me get to know names and people. In time I probably would have gotten to know people, but I wouldn’t have started attending in the first place if it wasn’t for my friend. I love the Mass and the reverance toward Christ. I do agree that some things are over the top, particularly things that I think are opinions vs. church doctorine. Don’t get me wrong, I very much respect our priests, and know their job is to get us to heaven. I have just known several people that the fire and brimstone approach has quite negative affects.

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[StGerardMajella]

It’s the culture of the parish that’s disappointing the most.

First, the priest himself is the leader of the parish and sets the tone of the community. I don’t think the priest has even once reached out to us. Not even a polite phone call to introduce himself.

In every encounter my wife and I have had with this particular FSSP priest, he has had a very arrogant and condescending attitude. In some (very rare) situations where we have reached out to the parish, the priest won’t return phone calls, etc. Just plain rude.

My first confession with this priest only confirmed the same. I will never be back for confession there - Ever.

While a parish priest is supposed to watch over his flock, there is certainly something to be said for humility, manners, and congeniality. He meets none of these criteria. Not just him, but I have witnessed the same arrogance with some of the other priests in this parish as well. If you are not “in the clique”, then you get ignored.

We’re apt to start looking for a new parish soon. While I enjoy the Latin Mass, it’s not the kind of environment that I want my family to support.

We’ve been exceptionally generous with our financial resources to this parish, only to be treated very poorly. We’re not asking for the sun, moon, and the stars, just a tiny bit of friendliness and acknowledgment from the priest. Money isn’t the issue, we just expect to be treated appropriately and respectfully at a bare minimum.

Usually, in the old days, newcomers were welcomed with open arms. The priest would call, even visit - perhaps over dinner - to get to know the family better. In this case, the priest is so far removed, he’s a complete stranger.

After Mass, the priest used to stand at the back of the Church and greet the parishioners as they exited the Church. Not this Church - The priest does a vanishing act, as do his deacons.

Like I said, we have approached 2 priests at the parish for at the time of sacraments (baptism, etc.), and the entire meeting was a 1 sided dictation. I personally think that this might possibly be the training that the FSSP gives their priests. We elected for one of the sacraments to go to an entirely different Catholic church altogether given our disappointment and lack of confidence in the priest.

Secondly, and this is just a “feeling” that can’t be substantiated, but our parish is a bit, well, cult-like. Not over the top, drink the Kool-Aid kind of cultish, just hints of cultism as in blind obedience and myopic outlook – almost “in your face” with their dogmatic approach. It doesn’t leave a lot of room for independent thought or reflection. Sometimes this dogmatic approach makes sense, but I have had to seriously question the content of some of the sermons for their dogmatic approach to matters completely outside of Church doctrine.

Needless to say, it’s not a fit for us. Beautiful Mass, great music, but the culture of a “community” is simply not there.

 

[pickguard1]

It’s the culture of the parish that’s disappointing the most.

It’s disappointing to hear of your unfortunate situation. I assure you that not all, nor even many (none in my personal expereince) FSSP priests behave this way. (I may not have met your particular priest). Hopefully some of what you mentioned is simply a misunderstanding - for example the priest not being there immediately after mass might be the fact that he has prayers he must say after mass.

I have always found that the priests at my parish are always eager to get to know their flock, and while we don’t get a lot of one on one time (because they are very busy) we have never been shunned.

I’ve also never heard any homilies that go beyond Church teaching regarding faith and morals, so I have a big ? there.

By all means though, if the parish you are at is hurting your spirituality, if it can’t be resolved with the parties in volved (i.e. your priest) finding another parish is probably a good idea. Although I would say that FSSP priests don’t stay at any one particular parish for very long.

 

[StGerardMajella]

Hopefully some of what you mentioned is simply a misunderstanding - for example the priest not being there immediately after mass might be the fact that he has prayers he must say after mass.

I can’t think of even once when any of the priests or deacons stayed at the back of the Church to shake hands with parishioners. Prayers or no prayers, it’s just plain unfriendly.

We attended a local parish here - a Novus Ordo Mass - and while I didn’t like the liturgy (personal preference in favor of the Latin Mass), the priest was exceptionally friendly, took time to speak with us after Mass.

The contrast was stark. The FSSP priest is cold and unfriendly. Novus Ordo priest was exceptionally friendly and welcoming.

we have never been shunned

That’s good to hear. We have been ignored - Not once, but several times. More like simply ignored as opposed to shunned. (And I don’t have bad breath, either.)

I’ve also never heard any homilies that go beyond Church teaching regarding faith and morals, so I have a big ? there.

Agreed. Most sermons are focused on Church teachings. But he goes off topic, and pontificates his own opinions.

For example, the priest strongly condemns stay-at-home fathers and advocates that the father work 2-3 jobs to keep the wife home.

What planet is he on? Has he looked at unemployment figures lately or read the local papers?

Most families are elated if any one parent has a steady job, let alone 2-3 jobs. And most families don’t care whether it’s the mother or father. In an ideal world, yes, keep the mother home with the child. But let’s deal with reality, and don’t speak in a condescending tone to families that are just trying to make a living as best they can. It’s not Church doctrine, and you can keep your pontificating to yourself, thank you!

It’s just so out of touch with reality, and the day to day struggles of parents and families in the current economic climate. I have other similar examples, but you get the drift.

 

[The_Prodigal]

I’ve been to the nearby FSSP parish enough times to form some impressions, but not to really know it well. My experience corresponds fairly well to StGerardMajella’s. Confession is heard during Mass. I find it distracting to have people lining up along the aisles.

Few comments and observations on the FSSP parish I attend - The good, the bad, the ugly:

• Very family-oriented

Yes, lots of kids in attendance. A good thing.

• Beautiful service, very well orchestrated with outstanding Gregorian Chant

I find this to be the case. The schola is teriffic at the local parish.

• Plenty of altar boys, all of whom appear to be quite devoted to serving.

Ditto.

• A good deal of fire and brimstone in the sermons from time to time. A bit over the top sometimes, but overall, generally well thought out sermons with average to above average commentary.

I have experienced this too. Why should “traditional” mean dour and severe sermons? I don’t get it.

My agreement with the following observations:

• Almost all the women wear veils, most men wear suits. Very well dressed crowd.

In general, the Mass is beautiful, but the culture of the parish leaves a lot to be desired.

leads me to the rather unfortunate and perhaps uncharitable conclusion that at the FSSP parish I have come to know, there is something of a “country club Catholic” atmosphere. Why is there such self-consciousness? I have found myself wondering how the congregation would react if some vagabond or holy fool wandered in noisily during the Mass.

 

[Traddy]

Father Novakowski just moved from Sacramento to assist.

I was wondering where Fr. Novakowski went! I had been away from St. Stephen’s in Sacramento for a bit, and when I came back, there were two new priests.

Fr. Novokowsky is my cousin!! He’s awesome - his sermons were so good! He had some stand-outs a few times, believe me!! He was at our parish - St. Clement - from 2003-2005. I have yet to see him since he left, though he came back recently for only one night to attend our parish dinner. I didn’t go

On another note, Fr. Berg is in town! His plane touched down an hour ago. He’ll be here till Thursday, I think.

 

[Traddy]

We attended a local parish here - a Novus Ordo Mass - and while I didn’t like the liturgy (personal preference in favor of the Latin Mass), the priest was exceptionally friendly, took time to speak with us after Mass.

The contrast was stark. The FSSP priest is cold and unfriendly. Novus Ordo priest was exceptionally friendly and welcoming.

Where is this?

 

[WindowsLM]

For example, the priest strongly condemns stay-at-home fathers and advocates that the father work 2-3 jobs to keep the wife home.

What planet is he on? Has he looked at unemployment figures lately or read the local papers?

Most families are elated if any one parent has a steady job, let alone 2-3 jobs. And most families don’t care whether it’s the mother or father. In an ideal world, yes, keep the mother home with the child. But let’s deal with reality, and don’t speak in a condescending tone to families that are just trying to make a living as best they can. It’s not Church doctrine, and you can keep your pontificating to yourself, thank you!

It’s just so out of touch with reality, and the day to day struggles of parents and families in the current economic climate. I have other similar examples, but you get the drift.

FSSP is a traditional order, and so it isn’t surprising they have the viewpoint that mothers should be at home with the kids. 2-3 jobs is a bit much, but a majority of the children in my parish are home schooled. This goes back to the traditional view where the mother gives the love and affection, and the father is the worker and bread maker of the household. I don’t like this viewpoint much myself because it indicates, at least to me, that the father isn’t involved with the children, or loves them with affection much.

When/if I have children I plan on showering them with love and they will know that daddy loves them very much. If the person that I marry wants to stay at home, then we can talk about it. If that is the outcome then I’m sure it won’t be a large family, but rather a smaller one so I can adequately provide for the family without having to work several jobs to support the added mouths.

I am sorry to hear about your unfortunate experiences with your local priest. As mentioned, FSSP priest do move rather quickly, perhaps the new priest won’t give you the cold shoulder and will welcome you with open arms. I wish you good luck.

 

[StGerardMajella]

Traddy - In terms of location, I don’t think it is appropriate to disclose on a public forum. All I will say is that the parish is located within the continental United States, and we can leave it at that. I have been too vocal already.

WindowsLM - The FSSP priest is a not a big fan of family planning, so limiting the number of children would be frowned upon.

The FSSP priest believes that children are a gift, and that you shouldn’t limit the number of children - I.e., no contraception permitted except for the “rhythm method”. Not to be too graphic, but that’s the take from the FSSP priest direct.

They don’t seem to care how many jobs the father has to work, as long as the mother stays home. Frankly, it’s totally out of touch with the current economic climate, where people are just hanging on for dear life. Most families I know are happy if even one of the spouses is fortunate enough to find suitable employment.