As I posted this last entry, I had to smile.

I knew, just knew, it would arose both BJ and EM. How predictable. Me bad.
How about this one… Let’s see, we all spoke one language at one time, until we started to sin and treat God
lightly. So he “returned the favor” with the Tower of Babel… so we would have many versions of speach and would be confused and lost.
As for bringing in converts, I attend a small parish that will be offering the EF to the couple hundred who want it, and to others who simply want to experience it and see what all the hub-bub is about.
When the current pastor was assigned 3 years ago, the parish for the most part was all fellowship. Pastor’s female “friend” sat front row, and practically everyone did the new stuff. You know, the stuff “permitted” in the last 40 years. Laity in the sanctuary, lots of EMHC, postures and gestures of friendship, little or no kneeling, but lots of noise… guitars and drums … and even two youth directors who would not claim to believe in the Real Presence. etc.
As the new pastor’s strong love of the Eucharist became known, people began to join this parish, in hope and in relief.
Without words, and only by example, people began to kneel for the consecration, and after communion. Handholding and conversations during Mass have all but disappeared. The altar rails are back, the servers are wearing cassocks and surplices etc. Incense is welcome. And the non-Catholic music director has been replaced with a wonderful young gal who has brought the organ to life again , including some chant. The people in general now actually prefer hymns from Aquinas instead of Haas etc.
Have minds changed???
Absolutely!! Not by arguing about it on the CAF. Not by trying to convince others that the TLM is the only real Mass.
(I have stated my position that a properly celebrated NO is a beautiful liturgy. And this new “traditional” pastor has said his “preference is for the NO, done the right way… but we seldom see it, and that is the direction we are heading for…” I tend to agree with him on this.)
But :
now I see that when one takes a strong position - as GeraldP has done - that the discussion finally end up asking if he is SSPX… from a poster who is(?) a Deacon no less. Despiration maybe??
now I see that when one takes the opposite position - as perhaps EM does - the discussion is simply talk without evidence or reference to Church history - old history and new history both.
now I see when someone like Holden wants to experience both liturgies, he is not encouraged to do so without reservation.
now I see that Brother John, who appears to have his head on straight, will sometimes get silly (like I do too

) and fall back on “Church teaching” like the Deacon does - but with a selective approach I find disturbing. IMHO
Thankfully, I also see that some are encouraged to read VATII and other documents like the GIRM and the Rubrics. They will come to better understand the great chasm that exists between what VATII etc really does say (and NOT say), and what some lay and clergy have implemented since then – in total abuse and error.
As a revert to Catholicism who returned in 1992 after 25 years, I thank God I was not subjected to the gradual changes after 1968. When I returned my first thoughts were “What the heck happened to the Church?”
I believe too many Catholics have become the frogs thrown into the pot these past 40 years, and as the heat rose(changes took place), they became complacent unto their own demise.
And I see I have changed my mind. I do love the TLM. and I do love the NO. Perhaps there should be only one Rite, perhaps not. Benedict XVI will set the example first, then implement the change or correction… just as he has already been doing.
God Love Him…
.