Is it just me who feels betrayed?

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Is it just me, or has this forum been a slap-in-the-face wake-up call for anyone else? Ever since being on here, I’ve become horrified with my parish, the one that I used to love so much and be so proud of. My eyes have been opened to the liturgical abuses that run rampant in my parish and I feel foolish for not even knowing that they were wrong.

For instance:
-risen Christ on cross
-priest holding hands during Our Father
-no preaching whatsoever on “hot” moral issues (abortion, homosexuality- actually one priest made a pointo fo his sermon apologizing to homosexuals if they have been mistreated by the church, how he was there for support, etc. with no mention of what the CCC says about homosexuality)
-altar girls (I used to want to be one!)
-pastor against priestly celibacy (rumored to have a girlfriend!!! :eek: )
-his criticisms of “popular piety” and devotions
-so many more little things I can’t even count (protestant music, etc.)

All this time I’ve been disillusioned by the pastor’s motto (read: euphenism) “Embracing a Vatican II spirituality” and that it was named one of “7 best catholic parishes in the nation” in the book by Paul Wilkes.

I feel so … betrayed, tricked… I don’t even know what the right word is. I have so much going on there that I love, though, like teaching catechism and assisting for children’s Stations of the Cross and volunteering and more. I don’t know what to do.
 
The more we understand the Truth, the more it hurts when people turn away from God, particularly we they should know better.

Offer up the pain of betrayal and join it with Jesus’ pain in the betrayal by Judas and Peter’s denying him three times.

You can check around for a better parish. You can also work in the appropriate manner of reporting the abuses and climbing the ladder until it is fixed.

God bless you.
 
Wow, what an eye opener! I honestly don’t know what you should/can do except find another parish, if there happens to be one in your area.

I visited a Catholic church in a neighboring town one Saturday afternoon because I had time to spare and the first thing I noticed was the risen Christ on the wall behind the altar. I went back out the front doors to look at the sign on the lawn to double check it said “Catholic” and sure enough, it did. Besides it did have an area for Eucharistic Adoration (the reason I opted to stop in). I still don’t know what to make of that Christ. I felt out of place.
 
pro-life teen, you are not alone. I am also looking for a new parish. We have some of the same kinds of things at my parish. For crying out loud, they call our church the ‘worship space’. UGH!! I feel like they are trying to protestantize it. The music has gone from respectful and traditional to bass guitars, drums and banging on the piano, with everyone clapping hands. I almost want to put a brandy snifter on the piano for tips. But there are so many parishes like this that it’s hard to find one that reserves a measure of decorum. Good luck in your search.http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon9.gif
 
I am very fortunate to have a church and church community that follows the guidelines of the church. I am sorry that yoiu are quite upset with yours. I must say that you need to pray for your church.It is sad to hear how we have fallen from what He wants us to be. We can only come to Him daily to ask for His help, mercy, and guidance.

BTW, what was that about females as altar servers? Havent heard of this.
 
All this time I’ve been disillusioned by the pastor’s motto (read: euphenism) “Embracing a Vatican II spirituality” and that it was named one of “7 best catholic parishes in the nation” in the book by Paul Wilkes.

FYI, you want to avoid any of the parishes that are labeled as the 300 “Best” parishes in America book by Paul Wilkes. Paul Wilkes is active in the VOTF/Call to Action heretical crowd calling for women priests and church democracy, openness to sexuality ect. The parishes he lists in his book are for the most part notorious for liturgical abuses. The one near me that was listed in the book has a risen christ crucifix, no votive candles, the EMHC take communion on the altar at the same time as the priest and during the Eucharistic Prayer about 20% of the congregation stands while the others kneel.
 
If there are abuses report them to the Bishop in a kind manner.
Try kindly to speak to your pastor with excerpts from RS (Redemptionis Sacramentum) WHY RS? it is from the Pope and discusses which abuses are to be corrected and how.
***By the way there is nothing wrong with being a female altar server the Pope thinks though that it should be a practice pushed towards boys as a way to be a kind of ladder up to the seminary. ***
***I’m glad though that you have noted these abuses and I pray for you and your church. Remember it is easier to bring the flock back to the fold if you don’t through rocks at them.:blessyou: ***
 
*pro-life_teen*:
I feel so … betrayed, tricked… I don’t even know what the right word is. I have so much going on there that I love, though, like teaching catechism and assisting for children’s Stations of the Cross and volunteering and more. I don’t know what to do.
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Dear ProLife Teen,
Please don’t lose heart! You were led to this forum for a reason…you can be a part of the solution! You young people are part of the future of Our Church. Stand on the Truths, not what men do… I can empathize with you more that I can tell you… I prayed a lot and decided to offer it up and unite my suffering to His on the Cross! There is real power in that! And the most important thing you should do is pray for your priest! Consider this a test of your Faith…
Annunciata:)
 
You are not alone…it took me an entire year and 3 parishes before I found one that so far seems to be the real deal…but the anger the original caused me (I volunteered in PPC as well as reader and EM) opened my eyes up to “behind the scenes” of how these people think contrary to the Church, and now I am SULLIED…I do NOT want to assist at my new church and POSSIBLY find out that people arent in favor of the Pope, Church teachings, etc… my bad experience has left me with a “ignorance is bliss” attitude that I have to somehow work thru.

😦

I’m running out of churches and dont need to hear anyone stating how homosexuals deserve…XYZ, Opus Dei is a joke, EWTN cant be taken serious…Relevant Radio is too conservative… nope…dont need to hear that possible blather any longer…
 
*pro-life_teen*:
Is it just me, or has this forum been a slap-in-the-face wake-up call for anyone else? Ever since being on here, I’ve become horrified with my parish, the one that I used to love so much and be so proud of. My eyes have been opened to the liturgical abuses that run rampant in my parish and I feel foolish for not even knowing that they were wrong.

For instance:
-risen Christ on cross
-priest holding hands during Our Father
-no preaching whatsoever on “hot” moral issues (abortion, homosexuality- actually one priest made a pointo fo his sermon apologizing to homosexuals if they have been mistreated by the church, how he was there for support, etc. with no mention of what the CCC says about homosexuality)
-altar girls (I used to want to be one!)
-pastor against priestly celibacy (rumored to have a girlfriend!!! :eek: )
-his criticisms of “popular piety” and devotions
-so many more little things I can’t even count (protestant music, etc.)

All this time I’ve been disillusioned by the pastor’s motto (read: euphenism) “Embracing a Vatican II spirituality” and that it was named one of “7 best catholic parishes in the nation” in the book by Paul Wilkes.

I feel so … betrayed, tricked… I don’t even know what the right word is. I have so much going on there that I love, though, like teaching catechism and assisting for children’s Stations of the Cross and volunteering and more. I don’t know what to do.
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don’t run… stay and be proactive for change… why should you leave the parish you love… the parish afterall are the people that fill the pews… you may discover a hole lot feel like you… get some literature, submit it to the parish priest for approval, and remember you do have a bishop… why you might find yourself communicating with Rome… i doubt it will have to go that far… you were confirmed i assume… put on your armor and be a soldier blessed by the Holy Ghost… given em’ Heaven 👍
 
Well, not to try to influence you one way or the other, but if you are still considering UD then you can be assured of having the Tridentine Latin Mass (FSSP) just 10-15 minutes away.
 
I agree that you should “stay and fight”, but also, if you need another parish, find one. No reason you can’t do both. If you doubt the validity of the mass however, make SURE you go to another parish for Sunday mass.

I will pray for you.

In Him, through her,
PIo Magnus
 
*pro-life_teen*:
Is it just me, or has this forum been a slap-in-the-face wake-up call for anyone else? Ever since being on here, I’ve become horrified with my parish, the one that I used to love so much and be so proud of. My eyes have been opened to the liturgical abuses that run rampant in my parish and I feel foolish for not even knowing that they were wrong.

For instance:
-risen Christ on cross
-priest holding hands during Our Father
-no preaching whatsoever on “hot” moral issues (abortion, homosexuality- actually one priest made a pointo fo his sermon apologizing to homosexuals if they have been mistreated by the church, how he was there for support, etc. with no mention of what the CCC says about homosexuality)
-altar girls (I used to want to be one!)
-pastor against priestly celibacy (rumored to have a girlfriend!!! :eek: )
-his criticisms of “popular piety” and devotions
-so many more little things I can’t even count (protestant music, etc.)

All this time I’ve been disillusioned by the pastor’s motto (read: euphenism) “Embracing a Vatican II spirituality” and that it was named one of “7 best catholic parishes in the nation” in the book by Paul Wilkes.

I feel so … betrayed, tricked… I don’t even know what the right word is. I have so much going on there that I love, though, like teaching catechism and assisting for children’s Stations of the Cross and volunteering and more. I don’t know what to do.
Click to expand...
Pro-Life Teen,

I know how I felt when I discovered these things about 3 years ago so my heart is with you. Maybe you can be a witness to the Truth. Maybe its better to find another parish. (I’m not sure if you are able to go to one that’s farther away due to driving issues.)

But, the good news is that you found out. Think of all those poor people who don’t know or who don’t want to know. Think of where they’re going to end up.

God will guide you, I’m sure, by putting the right solution in your path.

Keep up your pro-life work. There are so few young people who can put 2 and 2 together on that issue.
 
Dear Pro Life Teen -

Hold fast to your faith and remember your local church with a small C is not the CHURCH with a capital C. It is good that you are learning about the abuses in the liturgy because it will be on your shoulders and on the shoulders of Marine and other young faithful Catholics to address these abuses and help get the parishes back on track.

Redemptionis Sacramentum has said that we are all obliged to report serious abuses to our Bishops and that if they don’t respond, to report them to the Holy See. This means that we now can and in fact should not sit idly by and allow this to continue.

It may be premature for you personally to act yet, but now you know you need to read and learn what the Church really teaches, and what the liturgy is supposed to do and be about and what it is not. Download and read the GIRM and RS and read them. Ask questions about them and become a well informed young Catholic. Then when you can become active in making changes.

And don’t forget the most powerful tool you still have and that is to pray to the Holy Spirit to guide you in this.

God Bless you
 
Wow, thanks to everyone for your support and suggestions- they’ve really been a big help. :blessyou:

I had no idea that “Paul Wilkes is active in the VOTF/Call to Action heretical crowd calling for women priests and church democracy, openness to sexuality ect. The parishes he lists in his book are for the most part notorious for liturgical abuses.”

There are other orthodox parishes in my area, I go to them myself on Saturday mornings, by asking my dad to drop me off before he goes to work, but there is no way I could go to another parish on Sunday. My brothers serve there, they and my sister (and I used to) go to the elementary school there (where I actually recieved an incredible Catholic education- I wonder why the church is not in step with its school?), I teach catechism there, my mom and I are involved in the different ministries…
I talked with my mom about some of it before, but she said that I shouldn’t focus so much on little things. I hope I’m not being overly scrupulous or anything.

Anyway, I will start reading up on the GIRM and the other things you all suggested.
 
*pro-life_teen*:
I teach catechism there, my mom and I are involved in the different ministries…
I talked with my mom about some of it before, but she said that I shouldn’t focus so much on little things. I hope I’m not being overly scrupulous or anything.
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The list you opened up this thread with do not appear to have very many “little” abuses in them.

Keep learning and understanding. Its great to hear you have open communication with your mom and I would keep talking to her about what you are learning. As you become able to reference your concerns to the GIRM and the CCC all the better, she will be more likely to listen to them I would think than a bunch of faceless people you talk with online!

Keep up the good work!
 
“By the way there is nothing wrong with being a female altar server the Pope thinks though that it should be a practice pushed towards boys as a way to be a kind of ladder up to the seminary.”

The basic problem is that many parishes routinely have all girl servers at a mass and never all boys. The documents clearly say that boys servers should be the standard and that girls are “permitted” if there is a shortage of boy servers. I know in a couple of cases the “shortage” is artifical. Boys are discouraged and girls are encouraged.

My children have reported that both the pastor, at school mass, and the women pastoral associates have stated that it’s just a matter of time before women will become priests. This caused a great deal of confusion to my daughters and son.

My son is of an appropiate age to be a server, entering 5th grade, but is unable to do so until 6th grade due to the large number of girl servers. I asked him about it he wasn’t sure if he wanted to do it because of all of the girls doing it. This is the problem.
 
Indeed your faith journey will have holes in the road to try to stop you, but do not lose heart. When I first became Catholic I became somewhat disillusioned because of all the dissent. I felt like the people who I should turn to for encouragement, my fellow Catholics, were themselves steeped in heresy. However, I try not to lose hope, for I realize despite these things the Church is still alive, for Christ shall not forsake her. The Faith life is hard but remember the giants who have come before us, like Athanasius, the bastion of orthodoxy, who has exiled several times because he refused to submit to heresy. We have him and the rest of our family in heaven praying for us, do not lose hope!
 
I don’t remember reading that girls are permissible only in times of shortage, I do remember that boys should be encouraged and girls permitted. As of now, the only bishop I am aware that has NOT permitted girl altar servers is in Arlington, VA. I’m glad there are other young Catholics out there to fight the good fight, but don’t call anyone out on something that is not abuse, either. I don’t like girl altar servers any more than the next ultra-conservative (that’s not sarcasm - I was an altar boy in elementary school when the pope decided to allow girls into the ranks and it was like the world had been turned upside down; I’ve never gotten used to it), but I recognize that they are currently allowed and will probably be until at least the next pope. I do plan, however, to cause some waves by using RS when I get back to school in the fall. People better not be in a fightin’ mood, because I’ll take them all the way to Rome if I have to.
 
space ghost:
don’t run… stay and be proactive for change… why should you leave the parish you love… the parish afterall are the people that fill the pews… you may discover a hole lot feel like you… get some literature, submit it to the parish priest for approval, and remember you do have a bishop… why you might find yourself communicating with Rome… i doubt it will have to go that far… you were confirmed i assume… put on your armor and be a soldier blessed by the Holy Ghost… given em’ Heaven 👍
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Always wondered about this one. Leave to find a church which is more traditional and conservative or try to make changes in my local parish? As I see it I’m not perfect & neither is my family so why should I expect my church family to be. We should help each other & our church to be more in line with Christ’s teachings & hopefully they’ll do the same for us.

THANKS!
 
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