"Evangelizing" a Catholic "Lite" parish

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PoorKnight

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Peace be with all of you.

Does anyone - especially if you done it - have any hints / tips on bringing a Catholic “Lite” parish back to Catholic orthodoxy?

Back story:

I’m a revert / boomerang Catholic. I came back to the faith about a year and a-half ago. My wife was raised Reformed (Presbetyrian is the closest thing) and was brought into the fullness of the faith at the Easter Vigil of 2012. We LOVE being Catholic.

We began to realize that the parish we were going to was pretty Catholic “Lite”:

Reconciliation by appointment only,

no homily ever calling out people’s sins or digging deep into Catholic beliefs,

Thomas Keating style “Centering Prayer” offered every Weds morning

the whole “This is my homily” and it’s only 2 mins long so that the female Pastoral Minister can give a “meditation” on the readings,

the Sunday that all priests were supposed to read the letter from the Bishop about the HHS mandate the priest merely stated “some people now believe the government wants to take away our ability to worship”.

Attempts to put up flyers and posters for Chastity programs at other parishes are taken down.

No mention of not living together or going to confession for Marrage prep classes.

You get the idea.

Last June, the priest was moved and we have a brand new very orthodox priest. I know he’s meeting a lot of resistance in re-implementing some of the more orthodox practices. He has allowed me to stock the kiosk with Catholic Answers and Our Sunday Visitor pamphlets.

Being very disapointed in the type of “Catholicism” we were seeing, we toyed with the idea of going to the Cathedral in town, which is VERY orthodox, and give up on the parish. But when the new priest came, we now feel very called to support him and aid him if possible. I mean if every orthodox Catholic just went to the orthodox parishes, then we’d loose a lot more parishes.

My wife just took a possition on the parish committee (she’s in charge of projects aimed at young adults and families) and tonight is the first meeting.

Besides keeping the kiosk stocked, I’m discerning a call to the deaconate (please pray for me). Our decon is very close to retirement and is also relatively Catholic “Lite”.

The down sides are the head of Pastoral Ministry has a masters in Theology from a VERY NON-orthodox “Catholic” college, the parish committee seems more interested in the Church Picnic, the Polka Mass pork and beef dinner night and keeping the parish in the black rather than making disciples and catechising. They have effectively “committee bounced” all our attempts to run Fr. Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” Series for 3 months now. (Even though we’re offering to donate our copy, and our instructor’s guide and to run it!)

I feel that most people who come to mass on Sunday are stagnate in their faith but I believe there is dry kindling there just waiting for a spark.

Any help and suggestions you have would be greatly appriciated.

God Bless :signofcross:
 
i am not sure what you mean by “committee bounce” when referring to the Catholicism series.

Parish pastoral councils are advisory bodies only. They have no decision making authority. The priest is the decision maker.
 
PoorKnight said:
Peace be with all of you.
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And with you, and congratulations on your enthusiastic return to the faith!
PoorKnight said:
…
You get the idea.
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Yes, we get the idea… :(, and understand that this is very trying for you and your wife.
PoorKnight said:
Last June, the priest was moved and we have a brand new very orthodox priest. I know he’s meeting a lot of resistance in re-implementing some of the more orthodox practices. He has allowed me to stock the kiosk with Catholic Answers and Our Sunday Visitor pamphlets.

Being very disapointed in the type of “Catholicism” we were seeing, we toyed with the idea of going to the Cathedral in town, which is VERY orthodox, and give up on the parish. But when the new priest came, we now feel very called to support him and aid him if possible. I mean if every orthodox Catholic just went to the orthodox parishes, then we’d loose a lot more parishes.

My wife just took a possition on the parish committee (she’s in charge of projects aimed at young adults and families) and tonight is the first meeting.

Besides keeping the kiosk stocked, I’m discerning a call to the deaconate (please pray for me). Our decon is very close to retirement and is also relatively Catholic “Lite”.
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Excellent decisions and work! 👍

I have been in the Church 30 years, and have lived with a sense of despair that things like this will never change, and then seeing, all around me, the slow returning of Catholic parishes to orthodoxy, with leadership from young priests (particularly), the Bishops, and Rome. The laity seem to be divided between those who don’t want to give up the freewheelin’ ways of the 80’s and 90’s, and those who want a return of orthodoxy. However, there is (often) more good will and common purpose between the various groups than is at first apparent. People are usually willing to follow guidelines from the parish priest and bishop, even if they are reluctant.

My own parish is vastly improved on what it was 15 years ago.

Do you have children? If so, then it may be more urgent to find a better parish, but if you don’t, and your own faith and prayer life are strong, then staying where you and working on changes is a fine choice, especially now that you seem to have the support of the priest.

You may find this news, just out today, encouraging…

Vatican preparing guide for priests on how to celebrate Mass [CAF]

My simple advice is:
  1. Avoid arguments and fights with people who have been there much longer than you. Be very sensitive to their preferences, and only make a stand on the “big” stuff.
  2. Be patient, and work hard in your own ministry. This is the only way to build influence in the parish.
  3. Where there is a clear conflict with Church regulations then get your facts in line, and approach the priest.
  4. While you wait for things to change, nurture your own traditional devotions by, for example, occasionally attending the Cathedral.
 
PoorKnight said:
Peace be with all of you.

Does anyone - especially if you done it - have any hints / tips on bringing a Catholic “Lite” parish back to Catholic orthodoxy?

Back story:

I’m a revert / boomerang Catholic. I came back to the faith about a year and a-half ago. My wife was raised Reformed (Presbetyrian is the closest thing) and was brought into the fullness of the faith at the Easter Vigil of 2012. We LOVE being Catholic.

We began to realize that the parish we were going to was pretty Catholic “Lite”:

Reconciliation by appointment only,

no homily ever calling out people’s sins or digging deep into Catholic beliefs,

Thomas Keating style “Centering Prayer” offered every Weds morning

the whole “This is my homily” and it’s only 2 mins long so that the female Pastoral Minister can give a “meditation” on the readings,

the Sunday that all priests were supposed to read the letter from the Bishop about the HHS mandate the priest merely stated “some people now believe the government wants to take away our ability to worship”.

Attempts to put up flyers and posters for Chastity programs at other parishes are taken down.

No mention of not living together or going to confession for Marrage prep classes.

You get the idea.

Last June, the priest was moved and we have a brand new very orthodox priest. I know he’s meeting a lot of resistance in re-implementing some of the more orthodox practices. He has allowed me to stock the kiosk with Catholic Answers and Our Sunday Visitor pamphlets.

Being very disapointed in the type of “Catholicism” we were seeing, we toyed with the idea of going to the Cathedral in town, which is VERY orthodox, and give up on the parish. But when the new priest came, we now feel very called to support him and aid him if possible. I mean if every orthodox Catholic just went to the orthodox parishes, then we’d loose a lot more parishes.

My wife just took a possition on the parish committee (she’s in charge of projects aimed at young adults and families) and tonight is the first meeting.

Besides keeping the kiosk stocked, I’m discerning a call to the deaconate (please pray for me). Our decon is very close to retirement and is also relatively Catholic “Lite”.

The down sides are the head of Pastoral Ministry has a masters in Theology from a VERY NON-orthodox “Catholic” college, the parish committee seems more interested in the Church Picnic, the Polka Mass pork and beef dinner night and keeping the parish in the black rather than making disciples and catechising. They have effectively “committee bounced” all our attempts to run Fr. Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” Series for 3 months now. (Even though we’re offering to donate our copy, and our instructor’s guide and to run it!)

I feel that most people who come to mass on Sunday are stagnate in their faith but I believe there is dry kindling there just waiting for a spark.

Any help and suggestions you have would be greatly appriciated.

God Bless :signofcross:
Click to expand...
I know it doesn’t sound like much but you might try asking the new priest for Eucharistic adoration. Even if it’s just for one hour a week (to start) then pray before the Blessed Sacrament for all the things you want and need in your parish and I guarantee results. We have PEA and it has blessed our parish tremendously.
 
I can understand your desire to try and effect massive change at what you perceive are Catholic “lite” traditions.

I think you should approach these situations with as much good will and charity towards the other parishioners, especially at the times you most disagree with them. That attitude can go much further in bringing people around than every other week sermons on sin.

As I’ve heard discussed elsewhere and on other threads realize that this is going to be a “one-step-at-a-time” sort of thing. Perhaps having the pamphlet rack full stocked is where you need to be content for the time being. If the priest is on your side things for you should be much easier, especially if he is willing to introduce things like adoration or longer times for reconciliation.

Also, don’t forget perhaps the other priest had confession by appointment only because he was pulled in a hundred different directions at once and had another one, two or maybe three parishes he was responsible for. I’d hate to thing he didn’t offer confession as much because he didn’t believe in it rather than him being incredibly over-burdened and busy.

ChadS
 
PoorKnight said:
Peace be with all of you.

Does anyone - especially if you done it - have any hints / tips on bringing a Catholic “Lite” parish back to Catholic orthodoxy?

Back story:

I’m a revert / boomerang Catholic. I came back to the faith about a year and a-half ago. My wife was raised Reformed (Presbetyrian is the closest thing) and was brought into the fullness of the faith at the Easter Vigil of 2012. We LOVE being Catholic.

We began to realize that the parish we were going to was pretty Catholic “Lite”:

Reconciliation by appointment only,

no homily ever calling out people’s sins or digging deep into Catholic beliefs,

Thomas Keating style “Centering Prayer” offered every Weds morning

the whole “This is my homily” and it’s only 2 mins long so that the female Pastoral Minister can give a “meditation” on the readings,

the Sunday that all priests were supposed to read the letter from the Bishop about the HHS mandate the priest merely stated “some people now believe the government wants to take away our ability to worship”.

Attempts to put up flyers and posters for Chastity programs at other parishes are taken down.

No mention of not living together or going to confession for Marrage prep classes.

You get the idea.

Last June, the priest was moved and we have a brand new very orthodox priest. I know he’s meeting a lot of resistance in re-implementing some of the more orthodox practices. He has allowed me to stock the kiosk with Catholic Answers and Our Sunday Visitor pamphlets.

Being very disapointed in the type of “Catholicism” we were seeing, we toyed with the idea of going to the Cathedral in town, which is VERY orthodox, and give up on the parish. But when the new priest came, we now feel very called to support him and aid him if possible. I mean if every orthodox Catholic just went to the orthodox parishes, then we’d loose a lot more parishes.

My wife just took a possition on the parish committee (she’s in charge of projects aimed at young adults and families) and tonight is the first meeting.

Besides keeping the kiosk stocked, I’m discerning a call to the deaconate (please pray for me). Our decon is very close to retirement and is also relatively Catholic “Lite”.

The down sides are the head of Pastoral Ministry has a masters in Theology from a VERY NON-orthodox “Catholic” college, the parish committee seems more interested in the Church Picnic, the Polka Mass pork and beef dinner night and keeping the parish in the black rather than making disciples and catechising. They have effectively “committee bounced” all our attempts to run Fr. Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” Series for 3 months now. (Even though we’re offering to donate our copy, and our instructor’s guide and to run it!)

I feel that most people who come to mass on Sunday are stagnate in their faith but I believe there is dry kindling there just waiting for a spark.

Any help and suggestions you have would be greatly appriciated.

God Bless :signofcross:
Click to expand...
Sigh, I feel for you brother, it is SUCH a hardship when the Church is full of sinners as it is. But no matter what anyone tries to do, how hard they try, the Church persists in being filled to the brim with persons who sin, including the priests. All those without sin left for other realms long ago.
 
Thank you all for your suggestions. That book looks especially interesting.

God Bless :signofcross:
 
FooFee said:
I know it doesn’t sound like much but you might try asking the new priest for Eucharistic adoration.
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This is very good advice, I’d think.
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PoorKnight:
Thomas Keating style “Centering Prayer” offered every Weds morning
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I’m not very familiar with it, but I don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing. It just needs to be properly oriented and embedded. As this might signal an interest in contemplative practices, you may be able to get public lectio divina in your parish. Meditation on Sacred Scripture is a sure way to kindle spiritual life.

“I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 25). If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church - I am convinced of it - a new spiritual springtime.” - Pope Benedict XVI
 
You’ve gotten some excellent suggestions from the others.

I’d like to add: pray the Rosary. Before Daily Mass, Vigil Mass, and the Sunday Masses, my parish prays the Rosary together.

We’ve seen some amazing changes.
 
marywarfield said:
Sigh, I feel for you brother, it is SUCH a hardship when the Church is full of sinners as it is. But no matter what anyone tries to do, how hard they try, the Church persists in being filled to the brim with persons who sin, including the priests. All those without sin left for other realms long ago.
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Yes. The Church is indeed full of sinners. If there are no more sinners, the Church will cease to exist; she has accomplished her mission.
 
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