Is it just me who feels betrayed?

[ILdoc82]

*Later, in discussing the place of priests, he says that clergy “must break down the barriers with the priest up here and the `miserable’ people down there.” He sees, instead, a new vision of church where “people are equals with the priests and the priests will lead, but they will always listen to the wisdom and the breadth of experience of the people. We must welcome them – that is what other churches are doing, and people flock to them – and not put up barricades.”

And yet another priest referred to a female administrator in a parish without a full-time priest as “the future of the church.” With a lay person in charge, he said, “you have much more lay involvement, so the result is actually a parish that is able to do far more, not less, because of not having a priest here.”

When the bishop arrived, he was greeted “with fierce drumming and elegant dancing,” welcomed “as the chieftan he was.” And by the end of the ceremony, “tears streamed down his face.” He was choked with emotion and admitted that he had never, in all his parish visits, had such an experience. Such confidence and purpose, such community, did not come quickly or easily.
*

Well, its a good thing I am not eating lunch today.:nope:

 

[Marie]

ILdoc82:

Well, its a good thing I am not eating lunch today.:nope:

I am going to have an early lunch myself! It forces me to break my fast! Would you like to share a pack of Roll Aid’s or Zantac? That’s going to be my meal. :crying:

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

You know, another great book…one which rather easy reading, smooth flowing, and could be good for group or family study, is Mass Confusion: the Do’s and Don’ts of Catholic Worship, by James Akin.

The Vatican says that the faithful have right to true worship. Too bad so few of the faithful know what “true worship” really is…

Pax Christi. <><

 

[condan]

John F. Kennedy:

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.

One of my sons is the same age and has the same experience. Serving Mass is not viewed as a masculine realm and, for a guy that age, that is important.

Further, for the most part, the kids doing it today just don’t seem to have reverence. But then, they are not the only ones on the altar who are not reverent… EMHCs in sweats, jeans, etc.

 

[CD4]

misericordie:

To call Opus Dei a “joke” as you did, demonstrates your need for a knowlege of what the Pope has SAID of Opus Dei, and it is his personal prelature. That catholic Church is not a cafeteria where you can pick and choose where you FEEL good. Anyone who is in Church just to FEEL good, needs a BASIC Catechisis, or religious instruction again. I am sure too that Mother Angelica would not be very happy with your comment about EWTN either.
A recomendation: seek holiness in a parish that follows the rules of the VATICAN and hence, of GOD.

 

[CD4]

I belong to a parish much like the one you have described…It is frustrating, and sometimes very confusing…However, just about all of the parishes around here are just like mine…I have tried just about all of them.

You can do what I have chosen to do…Stay and fight the good fight…Be an example of orthodoxy, and pray…I teach in RCA, work with parents bringing their babies for Baptism, serve as an EMHC, and am a Bereavement Minister. All of these ministries have wonderful opportunities for what are called “teachable moments”…moments when you can be “Johnny on the spot” with correct Church teachings…You can do the same…Just be there, and be ready…You may never know the fruits of your efforts, but they will be there…

 

[CD4]

deogratias:

The determination that women and girls may function as altar serves in the liturgy is made by the bishop on the diocesan level. There are a few Dioceses in the U.S. where you will find only males. Even in Dioceses where female altar servers are allowed, a priest is allowed to decline to use them.

---

**Are there any that so decline? **

 

[Fergal]

My dear friend.
I too feel this way at times. At one stage I would find myself angry at a Priest as he walked out onto the Altar before he even began the Mass simply because i knew what was coming. Not helpful at all to the human soul who wants to be one with God during the most sacred moment of the day.

If you have become aware of things that are not right during the Mass then pray at that moment for God to forgive the person who has caused the fault. Thank God that you have recognised the moments where God too is hurt and give your heart to Him there and then in reparation. Many people attending that Mass have no idea of what is right or wrong.

Above everything else PRAY PRAY PRAY for guidance and wisdom.

I believe we should thank God for this little gift. If our hearts feel so hurt at what goes on in one Parish just imagine what the heart of Jesus must feel when he looks at all parishes inststant on going their own feel good way.

Use these occasions to be reminded of your own human frailty and your own human sinful nature. I know this has helped me immenselt. it does not mean get over it or anything like that.

I helps us to see that what is going on is actually part of what makes up the humanity of the Church. We cannot judge for we do not know the inner person. We do not know the sentiments of the heart. If we did then we could judge, so I guess that leaves the judging to God alone!1

I just wonder how the pastor would respond to a concerned teen approaching him. Not too many of you about. I think it would be awsome for you to approach him about the FACTS that hurt you.

Leave rumors well away from your soul. Never give them a hearing if you can and certainly never take a course of action on a rumour.

May God bless and reward you caring heart.

Fergal
Naas
Ireland

 

[csr]

I’d highly recommend a book by Romano Amerio titled Iota Unum: A Study of Changes in the Catholic Church in the XXth Century. A lot of the traditional relationships and practices have broken down. His book is encyclopedic and full of citations.

One interesting fact, which is probably not in Amerio’s book: in the 1970s a group of Catholics – I forget the name – said that ‘the bishop of Rome has no more authority than any other foreign bishop’, or something to that effect: they were not anathematized!

 

[kirabira]

not just you =)

I moved to NC after graduating college and was just shocked at how “different” the Church was there. I just couldnt put my finger on it and would actually be in tears over the ‘unfamiliarity’ I felt with the way mass said… and times when I went to the Church during the day only to find it was locked! This totally shocked me!
In the end it was good because I wanted to understand and find out WHY things were this way. I looked around online and found catholic answers and started ordering books etc to educate myself and everything started to make sense. In the begining I was soooo naive… I really liked the young ‘cool’ priest at the parish who taught RCIA that I attended with my fiance. I thought I could talk to him about things that were bothering me, but when I asked about the non-priest homilists, handholding or whatever issue (I cant really recall which one in particular!)-- he yelled at me and told me I needed to stop judging people. His exact words I will never forget he said ‘not everyone is as SHINY as you are’-- I’ll never forget because I had this shirt that said " S H I N E " on the front of it (from the gap). I was so crushed! Not to mention confused by his reaction. Looking back I cant presume to know what was going on with him, but maybe it was his guilt at knowing some of the things they were doing were wrong, or maybe other parishoners were complaining to him and since I was so young all of his ‘rage’ at them just came out all wrong in talking to me.
I’m just thankful I live in the arlington diocese =)

 

[Marie]

csr:

I’d highly recommend a book by Romano Amerio titled Iota Unum: A Study of Changes in the Catholic Church in the XXth Century. A lot of the traditional relationships and practices have broken down. His book is encyclopedic and full of citations.

One interesting fact, which is probably not in Amerio’s book: in the 1970s a group of Catholics – I forget the name – said that ‘the bishop of Rome has no more authority than any other foreign bishop’, or something to that effect: they were not anathematized!

Conspiracy theories abound in the SSPX group and their ilk. This is after all a Catholic board, loyal to Rome and Holy Mother Church.

I don’t think we need waste our time and money on Professor Amerio’s SSPX manifesto. But thanks so much for the suggestion.

 

[deogratias]

Well I personally know one who declines using them and his last name begins with a Z

 

[_pro-life_teen]

Thanks again for everyone’s support and advice!
I can particularly emphathize with this: “*My dear friend.I too feel this way at times. At one stage I would find myself angry at a Priest as he walked out onto the Altar before he even began the Mass simply because i knew what was coming. Not helpful at all to the human soul who wants to be one with God during the most sacred moment of the day.” *
and loved this part: “If you have become aware of things that are not right during the Mass then pray at that moment for God to forgive the person who has caused the fault. Thank God that you have recognised the moments where God too is hurt and give your heart to Him there and then in reparation. Many people attending that Mass have no idea of what is right or wrong. Above everything else PRAY PRAY PRAY for guidance and wisdom.”
** I guess its just so hard, sometimes I wish I could just pretend like I never knew anything was going so terribly wrong, but I know that's the exact oppposite of what I should be thinking. It is true that my pastor has helped a lot in fostering my love for the Church, and in many ways, he is supportive of me and the pro-life activities I do. Which is why its hard to approach him with a complaint because I don't think he will take me seriously or might ask (like he did to a woman questioning what he said on priestly celibacy) "What are you, from Opus Dei or something?" Also, like today at Mass, I just saw everyone so blithely unaware of the liturgial abuses that were going on and felt envious, I guess is the best word, and then felt ashamed for feeling envious and I don't want to make people think I think I am better than they are but now I think I am just rambling on and on and will end with a really heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave their advice. **