M
mekem
Guest
I had a greatly frustrating experience Saturday. We have recently moved to a new (rural) area and are looking to join a new parish. Parish #1, about 7 miles away (which technically we are in the boundaries of) is participating in the Apollos Project, which tipped us off that this was not a good place for us to be! On Saturday we decided to go to Saturday confession and Mass at Parish #2, 8 miles away. We arrived for confession (BTW which we had gone to once before at this parish and Father was 15 minutes late!) and Fr. never even showed up for confession! He appeared about 10 minutes before Mass and busied himself around the altar, lighting the Tabernacle candle (shouldn’t this always be lit when the Eucharist is in the Tabernacle?) and passing back and forth in front of the Tabernacle without any sign of respect. Just before Mass, he stood behind the last pew, laughing and talking quite audibly with a man seated there, as he put on his vestments!
After Mass, there was a letter from the Archbishop, which he didn’t read himself, but had the lector read. The letter was intended for next weekend, but Fr. said that to read it next weekend made no sense, as “much of what the Archbishop writes makes no sense.” Aside from his disrespectful comments about the Archbishop (whom I respect very much) I have never seen a letter from Archbishop read by a lay person; they have always been read by the priest.
I am sure these are not all abuses of the liturgy per se, but they are certainly disrespectful. Our 9 year old son has expressed an interest in the priesthood, and though it is early for him, Fr. is certainly not providing a good example for him for for any young men discerning a vocation. I would welcome any comments on these incidents.
After Mass, there was a letter from the Archbishop, which he didn’t read himself, but had the lector read. The letter was intended for next weekend, but Fr. said that to read it next weekend made no sense, as “much of what the Archbishop writes makes no sense.” Aside from his disrespectful comments about the Archbishop (whom I respect very much) I have never seen a letter from Archbishop read by a lay person; they have always been read by the priest.
I am sure these are not all abuses of the liturgy per se, but they are certainly disrespectful. Our 9 year old son has expressed an interest in the priesthood, and though it is early for him, Fr. is certainly not providing a good example for him for for any young men discerning a vocation. I would welcome any comments on these incidents.
I think you have a valid reason for questioning his belief in the Real Presence and this is another HUGE red flag!! Keep Looking! And Good Luck! 
I pray you will find a faithful parish that fosters the blooming vocation in your son.
