I can't stay,and I can't go

[apricot_yogurt]

I’m so tired of the liturgical abuses,error and scandal that go on in my parish.In fact the whole diocese. I’m tired of seeing my children confused by liturgical abuses,erroneous practices and example.
I can’t leave, since we have a disabled son,and have trouble enough getting here. I have been a RCIA catechist,FHC catechist, so it is not as if I am not doing anything to help.
I am scandalised by the “mass”/service which took place last Sunday, as our pastor was ill. Rather than cancelling the Mass, the laity took over. My children were confused and scandalised. I am the bad guy,since the whole parish was delighted by it. It would be easier to take if so many of those taking part were not pro-woman priest etc. A lady got up and read the Gospel, and then gave a reflection.
I just can’t do this anymore.I don’t know how I can remain catholic .It’s a joke.

 

[Phemie]

I’m so tired of the liturgical abuses,error and scandal that go on in my parish.In fact the whole diocese. I’m tired of seeing my children confused by liturgical abuses,erroneous practices and example.
I can’t leave, since we have a disabled son,and have trouble enough getting here. I have been a RCIA catechist,FHC catechist, so it is not as if I am not doing anything to help.
I am scandalised by the “mass”/service which took place last Sunday, as our pastor was ill. Rather than cancelling the Mass, the laity took over. My children were confused and scandalised. I am the bad guy,since the whole parish was delighted by it. It would be easier to take if so many of those taking part were not pro-woman priest etc. A lady got up and read the Gospel, and then gave a reflection.
I just can’t do this anymore.I don’t know how I can remain catholic .It’s a joke.

I’m sorry you are experiencing this pain. It’s not easy to be involved with the parish and to see abuses.

BUT, it sounds as though you had a Sunday Communion Service in the Absence of a Priest. Unless there was a pretend Consecration, such a service is what the Church calls us to do on Sundays when there is no priest and no opportunity to attend Mass elsewhere.

In that type of service, if there is no Deacon, it is perfectly ligitimate for a lay person, male or female, to lead it, read the Gospel and give a reflection.

 

[TrueLight]

I’m sorry you are experiencing this pain. It’s not easy to be involved with the parish and to see abuses.

BUT, it sounds as though you had a Sunday Communion Service in the Absence of a Priest. Unless there was a pretend Consecration, such a service is what the Church calls us to do on Sundays when there is no priest and no opportunity to attend Mass elsewhere.

In that type of service, if there is no Deacon, it is perfectly ligitimate for a lay person, male or female, to lead it, read the Gospel and give a reflection.

Does a communion service not include receiving communion?

 

[thistle]

I’m so tired of the liturgical abuses,error and scandal that go on in my parish.In fact the whole diocese. I’m tired of seeing my children confused by liturgical abuses,erroneous practices and example.
I can’t leave, since we have a disabled son,and have trouble enough getting here. I have been a RCIA catechist,FHC catechist, so it is not as if I am not doing anything to help.
I am scandalised by the “mass”/service which took place last Sunday, as our pastor was ill. Rather than cancelling the Mass, the laity took over. My children were confused and scandalised. I am the bad guy,since the whole parish was delighted by it. It would be easier to take if so many of those taking part were not pro-woman priest etc. A lady got up and read the Gospel, and then gave a reflection.
I just can’t do this anymore.I don’t know how I can remain catholic .It’s a joke.

Frankly that is not a reasoned comment. Did you not actually know that Communion Services are permitted in the absence of a priest.

Read this:

cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=43

 

[Phemie]

Does a communion service not include receiving communion?

Yes, by definition it does include Communion.

The Church says that even when there is no priest, and no possibility of attending Mass, the parish should still gather to pray on Sundays (although it is not an obligation, like the obligation to attend Mass).

The common formats for that gathering are the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Hours (Morning and/or Evening Prayer). In the context of those liturgies, Communion can be included but it need not be.

We have several parishes in my diocese where such a service is the only thing they have for weeks on end. A priest might get there for two Sundays every 3 or 4 months.

 

[japhy]

I keep reading stories in the news about humans who rape, steal, murder, lie, cheat, and are just downright abusive to their fellow humans.

I just can’t do this anymore. I don’t know how I can remain human. It’s a joke.

But that’s not reasonable or rational, is it? If every Catholic who witnessed another Catholic doing something sinful or wrong decided to leave the Church because of it, there would be no Catholics left. (And then there would be no Catholics doing anything wrong… problem solved?)

No, keep the faith, endure the trials.

 

[sojo]

Except in this case the OP is complaining about an “abuse” that doesn’t exist. A communion service is exactly what should happen. And OP’s belief that if the priest can’t celebrate their usual Mass, that it should just be canceled is actually against guidelines.

Further, OP is complaining about parishioners ignorant of Catholic doctrine, but is in fact ignorant themselves of the perfectly correct idea of a Communion service.

Now if the laity, not being used to holding such and perhaps not having time to review their plans with the priest and so had to “wing it” and thus got carried away and irreverent… then that would be different. You forgive the enthusiasms and move on.

 

[CountrySteve]

I’m so tired of the liturgical abuses,error and scandal that go on in my parish.In fact the whole diocese. I’m tired of seeing my children confused by liturgical abuses,erroneous practices and example.
I can’t leave, since we have a disabled son,and have trouble enough getting here. I have been a RCIA catechist,FHC catechist, so it is not as if I am not doing anything to help.
I am scandalised by the “mass”/service which took place last Sunday, as our pastor was ill. Rather than cancelling the Mass, the laity took over. My children were confused and scandalised. I am the bad guy,since the whole parish was delighted by it. It would be easier to take if so many of those taking part were not pro-woman priest etc. A lady got up and read the Gospel, and then gave a reflection.
I just can’t do this anymore.I don’t know how I can remain catholic .It’s a joke.

hey I’m sorry whats happening but just cause there’s a bad parish doesn’t mean you need to stop being Catholic trust me, there is no better way to be closest to God than being catholic an being in his original Church

 

[JRKH]

I wonder, given that the OP said he/she has been, “been a RCIA catechist, FHC catechist”, if what was done on Sunday was actually done properly as a “communion service”.

Hopefully the OP will come back and provide more details.

Additionally - there seems to be problems in the diocese that go deeper than just a communion service…Perhaps the OP should notify the Bishop or, if necessary, the Vatican…
Of course the OP needs to be certain of his/her facts…

Peace
James

 

[The_Idiot]

I’m so tired of the liturgical abuses,error and scandal that go on in my parish.In fact the whole diocese. I’m tired of seeing my children confused by liturgical abuses,erroneous practices and example.
I can’t leave, since we have a disabled son,and have trouble enough getting here. I have been a RCIA catechist,FHC catechist, so it is not as if I am not doing anything to help.
I am scandalised by the “mass”/service which took place last Sunday, as our pastor was ill. Rather than cancelling the Mass, the laity took over. My children were confused and scandalised. I am the bad guy,since the whole parish was delighted by it. It would be easier to take if so many of those taking part were not pro-woman priest etc. A lady got up and read the Gospel, and then gave a reflection.
I just can’t do this anymore.I don’t know how I can remain catholic .It’s a joke.

This is really rather harsh

All you have done is tell us about a Service which is permitted . Your Bishop will have permitted a service of the Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion outwith Mass for occasions such as this. Either he , in person , or his Diocesan Director of Liturgy will have laid down exactly as to how the Service is to be held.

I’m sure you would have been one of the first to complain if you had turned up at Church and found a notice on the door saying words to the effect of " Service cancelled due to the unexpected illness of the pastor " Are you seriously expecting the priest to be able to give advance notice that on such-and-such-a-date he will be ill ?

What normally happens on your Pastor’s day off if you are used to having daily Mass ?

How do you know that so many of those taking part were pro-woman priest etc. ?

In the past I have taken many of these Services and believe me they have always been very quiet ,meditational services and NOT regarded as being a lay lead ‘mass’

This service is NOT a joke .

 

[paperwight66]

Frankly that is not a reasoned comment. Did you not actually know that Communion Services are permitted in the absence of a priest.

Read this:

cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=43

To be fair to Apricot Yogurt :

Yes, he was mistaken in being so scandalised at this service, since it is one permitted, and even encouraged, so presumably he has now explained this to his children.

But on the other hand, unless he missed an announcement at the beginning of the service or on the bulletin, he could be forgiven for not knowing this, as they are not routine in the UK, unlike in some parts of Canada. In my opinion, there should have been an announcement at the start of the service to explain the special circumstances, and to make it clear that was was happening was with the Bishop’s approval.

I’m sure Apricot Yogurt is not alone. There must be many others who don’t know the church’s teaching on this.

 

[St_Francis]

Only a priest or deacon is permitted to read the Gospel and give a homily from the pulpit If there is no priest and no deacon, a prayer or Communion service can take place, but the Gospel and reflection must be read/given from another place.

The Eucharist may be distributed, but the Liturgy of the Eucharist can not be a part of the service.

It sounds like the OP was also upset that heretical views, such as the idea of ordaining women, were proposed in the reflection; this is wrong.

The OP might consider discussing this event with the pastor, as well as one or two other regularly committed abuses, and if the concerns are not appropriately addressed, report to the bishop. If the bishop does not respond, then the Papal Nuncio of the nation should be notified.

 

[paperwight66]

It sounds like the OP was also upset that heretical views, such as the idea of ordaining women, were proposed in the reflection; this is wrong.

Where does the OP say this? He mentions that some of those taking part were pro-women priests. He doesn’t say that this was contained in the reflection.

 

[SunnaB16]

This is really rather harsh

All you have done is tell us about a Service which is permitted .

How do you know that so many of those taking part were pro-woman priest etc. ?

In the past I have taken many of these Services and believe me they have always been very quiet ,meditational services and NOT regarded as being a lay lead ‘mass’

This service is NOT a joke .

That`s not true.
apricot yogurt said that there are problems that affect the whole diocese. Try a re-read.

Going by OP`s post, the bit about “pro-woman priest etc” is probably based on bitter experience.
Rightly or wrongly (depending on how it was conducted), the Communion Service was the last straw.

Re-read JRKH`s post, as well.

 

[flower_lady]

Except in this case the OP is complaining about an “abuse” that doesn’t exist. A communion service is exactly what should happen. And OP’s belief that if the priest can’t celebrate their usual Mass, that it should just be canceled is actually against guidelines.

Further, OP is complaining about parishioners ignorant of Catholic doctrine, but is in fact ignorant themselves of the perfectly correct idea of a Communion service.

Now if the laity, not being used to holding such and perhaps not having time to review their plans with the priest and so had to “wing it” and thus got carried away and irreverent… then that would be different. You forgive the enthusiasms and move on.

I agree 100% with japhy. Very well said!!

 

[JonathonofOhio]

Do not be saddened by these things that you are seeing, and do not let them force you to leave. Recall the warnings that Christ gave to us, that these things would happen, and that when they do we are still to remain faithful.

The sacrifice that God has made cannot be corrupted or defiled by the sins and corruption of men. The Eucharist is the perfect oblation, so if you are still able to obtain the Eucharist then you should not go anywhere, but remain as long as you can receive it. Be a voice of reason in the church and fight against the heresies that are happening, but above all do not abandon your faith because of the sins and corruption of people. Pray that God gives you the strength, and remain steadfast in your faith, and prepare in prayer and fasting for what is to come.

Now having given that advice, I urge you to appeal to the bishop of your diocese for assistance with your struggle. Hopefully something can be done and things can be turned around.

I hope and pray that things improve in your church. Please feel free to post new threads with updates on what is happening there.

 

[paperwight66]

Do not be saddened by these things that you are seeing, and do not let them force you to leave. Recall the warnings that Christ gave to us, that these things would happen, and that when they do we are still to remain faithful.

The sacrifice that God has made cannot be corrupted or defiled by the sins and corruption of men. The Eucharist is the perfect oblation, so if you are still able to obtain the Eucharist then you should not go anywhere, but remain as long as you can receive it. Be a voice of reason in the church and fight against the heresies that are happening, but above all do not abandon your faith because of the sins and corruption of people. Pray that God gives you the strength, and remain steadfast in your faith, and prepare in prayer and fasting for what is to come.

Now having given that advice, I urge you to appeal to the bishop of your diocese for assistance with your struggle. Hopefully something can be done and things can be turned around.

I hope and pray that things improve in your church. Please feel free to post new threads with updates on what is happening there.

But we don’t know that there are any genuine heresies! You are jumping to conclusions here, just like the OP.

All we have at present is the (erroneous) condemnation by the OP of a perfectly valid service. Where do you get the idea that there are genuine heresies in his parish and diocese? We are not given any examples, so we cannot judge if they are genuine or simply that the OP is mistaken in those cases, too. All that the OP mentions is that he knows that many in his parish are pro-women priests. That is not a heresy.

 

[JonathonofOhio]

True, I guess I was just getting my morning exercise ‘jumping to a conclusion’

I wasn’t thinking my post was accusing anyone of anything, but I guess the way I wrote it certainly does sound that way. Thanks for the nugget of common sense

 

[valentino]

No matter how bad the changes taking place we must never forget that the CC is Christ’s Church and continues to live in it.He will never desert Her.i admit its terribly difficut to attend a Mass which is so different from traditional mass that has developed over centuries.In youur particular incident it wasn’t even a Mass.You could have walked out and been forgiven because there is no mass in your area.If you can’t find any true mass in your area then you are excused next week also.Hopefully the priest will be there.

 

[trinichiqn]

Does a communion service not include receiving communion?

Previously consecrated (at a prior Mass) communion is received.