Impact of the Laity on the Clergy?

[Prayerful]

Now that we have what appears to be a pretty good pastor (thanks be to God!) I am beginning to wonder about the impact of the laity on this man?

Locally we have self-described “traditionalists” who do little more than chant the negative mantra of “everything is screwed up.” We also have the progressives (who have been in power for a long time) who seem to be almost desperate to hold onto their hard-fought power. Nevermind God and His Church, I need to protect my turf!

We have a great many “pew-sitters” who do nothing but attend Mass once a week. This mantra seems to be “Mass for your entire family, only $1.00.” We also have the entrenched staffers and “volunteers” who place themselves first. They are more hinderance than help

For quite a few years I felt it was my pastor that was causing most of the problems. While my new pastor is obviously of higher caliber than our last 2-3, I am beginning to think that most of the problems are with the laity, particularly the “involved” laity.

 

[jmcrae]

Yes, it is the laity who run the parish church. Specifically, those laity who think it’s important to be involved in things, which usually tend to be liberals, for reasons I don’t really understand.

The pastor provides the Sacraments, and guides the committees, but he doesn’t try to change the “culture” of the parish, since that usually results in disaster.

 

[netmilsmom]

Now that we have what appears to be a pretty good pastor (thanks be to God!) I am beginning to wonder about the impact of the laity on this man?.

Is there anyone else you would like to complain about?

 

[Pug]

I, too, have wondered how we affect our priests. Do we seem like comfortable friends at times, or are we like people who always need him to be answering questions and doing stuff? I wonder. I’ve never asked the parish priest.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, so I suspect that complaints or issues raised by the laity do influence how the pastor allocates his time.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

We have a great many “pew-sitters” who do nothing but attend Mass once a week. This mantra seems to be “Mass for your entire family, only $1.00.”

Just one thing: it should be made unmistakably clear that the $$$ are not paid for the Mass as such - but for the bits and pieces that are required for the Mass to be offered: hosts, wine, linen have to obtained from somewhere.​

**This may be rather a fine distinction - but it makes the difference between paying cash for the sacraments (which is simony, & extremely sinful; not to mention an ecclesiastical crime punishable by severe penalties), and paying the labourer his hire (in the case, the priest). Obviously one cannot in fact purchase a sacrament, because it is a spiritual entity: as soon might one bottle holiness or wisdom - it is the attempt to pay cash for grace that is outrageous. **

 

[Prayerful]

Yes, it is the laity who run the parish church. Specifically, those laity who think it’s important to be involved in things, which usually tend to be liberals, for reasons I don’t really understand.

The pastor provides the Sacraments, and guides the committees, but he doesn’t try to change the “culture” of the parish, since that usually results in disaster.

My parish NEEDS a new culture. I hope this man can do it with the help of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Prayerful]

Just one thing: it should be made unmistakably clear that the $$$ are not paid for the Mass as such - but for the bits and pieces that are required for the Mass to be offered: hosts, wine, linen have to obtained from *somewhere

This may be rather a fine distinction - but it makes the difference between paying cash for the sacraments (which is simony, & extremely sinful; not to mention an ecclesiastical crime punishable by severe penalties), and paying the labourer his hire (in the case, the priest). Obviously one cannot in fact purchase a sacrament, because it is a spiritual entity: as soon might one bottle holiness or wisdom - it is the attempt to pay cash for grace that is outrageous.*
All more than obvious. The only reason I menioned it is because they make their donation during the Mass.

 

[jmcrae]

My parish NEEDS a new culture.

Then get going and join up.

I hope this man can do it with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The only way the culture will change is if the people change, and that’s not going to happen by magic - people who care about proper procedures need to make their voices heard.

 

[Eric_Bender]

Our parish received a new pastor 4 years ago and most of the laity thought he was wonderful. Now in hindsight after 4 years, I realize that this man has led many astray, RCIA is all but vanished, PSR has been reduced to a 1 week summer camp for grades 4-8, all things spiritual are shunned and now our day school is closing. We are in need of a new pastor, but unfortunately with the priest shortage in our diocese we will not get one.

Is there anything the laity can do to overcome is lack of spiritual leadership?

 

[Titus]

Yes, it is the laity who run the parish church. Specifically, those laity who think it’s important to be involved in things, which usually tend to be liberals, for reasons I don’t really understand.

The pastor provides the Sacraments, and guides the committees, but he doesn’t try to change the “culture” of the parish, since that usually results in disaster.

I agree that many of those who are involved are apparently far too liberal. But I think in many cases they are well-meaning but improperly catechised.

And there are of course many people who are involved in the Church who are very orthodox and support the ministry of the Church in a wide variety of different ways. Interestingly, they tend to be the ones who show up at weekday mass, holy day mass and confession, not just Sunday. We should all pray for them

 

[CRW]

Now that we have what appears to be a pretty good pastor (thanks be to God!) I am beginning to wonder about the impact of the laity on this man?

Locally we have self-described “traditionalists” who do little more than chant the negative mantra of “everything is screwed up.” We also have the progressives (who have been in power for a long time) who seem to be almost desperate to hold onto their hard-fought power. Nevermind God and His Church, I need to protect my turf!

We have a great many “pew-sitters” who do nothing but attend Mass once a week. This mantra seems to be “Mass for your entire family, only $1.00.” We also have the entrenched staffers and “volunteers” who place themselves first. They are more hinderance than help

For quite a few years I felt it was my pastor that was causing most of the problems. While my new pastor is obviously of higher caliber than our last 2-3, I am beginning to think that most of the problems are with the laity, particularly the “involved” laity.

A strong Priest will take charge, make some people mad, make some drop out, but he is in charge, He is responsible for the parish, not a limited group. He sets the standards, mission and goals of the Church, with the assistance of the lay, but he is the BOSS. Offer your support.

 

[EBSSTF4]

Matthew 6:5

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

For to many people it is more about them then the Church. Often the most pious people are to humble to take their appropriate places in the parish.

In my parish their are a couple who met through the church, while married to other people, divorced and married each other. They are the most Self-righteous people at the mass I attend, and are involved in every aspect of the parish.

 

[Eric_Bender]

Thank you for your concern and criticism. It unfortunately is not about me, never has been and never will be. I guess you might understand our situation if you were here in our parish and have personally witnessed the slow death of each of the programs that make a parish alive and vibrant. This death is due to indifference from our pastor and conflicting directions to the lay persons involved with each program. This has demoralized them and caused them to leave the parish and no one else has stepped in to fill their shoes.

If you want to discuss the details of what I am describing please PM me as public posting to a forum is not the best place for this. But suffice it to say that even though I am highly involved in the parish, I do what I do out of the love of serving others quietly and in the background. I have said no to many things as I did not feel the call to serve in those capacities. I do not try to highlight my service, but allow my service to speak for itself and continue humbly along my way.

Please pray for our parish and for our pastor.