New priest is ruining Mass...what do I do?

[joanofarc2008]

I thought I would just post this Admonition of St Francis of Assisi - it is the 26th. He was of the opinion that no matter how great the sin we should kiss the hands that Consecrate the Eucharist:

1. That the Servants of God should honor Clerics.

Blessed is the servant of God who exhibits confidence in clerics who live uprightly according to the form of the holy Roman Church. And woe to those who despise them: for even though they [the clerics] may be sinners, nevertheless no one ought to judge them, because the Lord Himself reserves to Himself alone the right of judging them. For as the administration with which they are charged, to wit, of the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they receive and which they alone administer to others—is greater than all others, even so the sin of those who offend against them is greater than any against all the other men in this world.

 

[goforgoal]

Have you ever heard CHRISTIAN CHARITY?

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU

jim roberts

Yes, I do agree with this but I don’t agree with the all cap letters/shouting but maybe you just wanted to make a point.

However, maybe, the OP, didn’t really understand or how to go about approaching this situation.

So maybe, the OP came on the Forum seeking some answers and understanding. It could be similar to people who ask about Confession or something?

I don’t know I’m just guessing. and besides the OP should answer these questions as I’m just guessing.

Could your parish Priest have hypothyroidism? or maybe a tumor(s)? and not over-weight?

I have a cousin who everybody thought was over-weight but it turned out she has hypothyroidism.

A really good friend of mine had tumors in her stomach causing her to look over-weight as well.

Does your parish Priest have a hearing problem, ear infection, etc.? This could be why it seems like he is shouting and maybe at the previous Parish there were some Parishioners with hearing problems who approached him to talk louder during Mass.

I’m really glad to hear that someone confronted the parish Priest.

I do remember reading an article (sorry can’t remember where) about how a group of Parishioners now I’m not too sure if it was CWL or KoC or if it was just a group of Parishioners mixed with the CWL and KoC. Anyways, in this article it stated that the new parish Priest wasn’t very compassionate and so forth. Well, some of the Parishioners decided to have a meeting in which they wanted to forward any complaints and concerns it turned out instead of complaining they would Pray for their previous parish Priest, Pray for their new parish Priest, and Pray for each other.

Here is another question to think about Do we only complain about priests in front of people, or do we encourage and build them up as well?

Just give him a chance and whenever you have time invite him over for a cup of coffee or dinner.

God bless,
goforgoal

 

[bethanysamuel]

Thanks goforgirl you have wisdom

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Something about this thread is bothering me.

Here are some thoughts that have been running though my mind in regards to this thread.

When should we approach the priest and comment on the way he celebrates the Mass?

When there are abuses? Most definitely.

When he celebrates it in a manner which we do not like though there are no abuses? Most definitely not.

When there is something that he does that annoys us? Again, not.

When he is doing something that interferes with our concentration? Possibly but we must be very delicate.

Now when it has to do with personal preference then we should not really say anything.

Such as passing judgement on how he genuflects or that he does a "head roll’ (whatever that is) instead of what you consider a proper head bow, or how he dresses, unless that manner of dress is somehow showing through the vestments…All of these things should be kept to one’s self.

Again I look to the scriptures and see Matthew 7:3-5.

 

[I_Thirst]

Consider what is more ruinous to Mass: a loud priest who can’t genuflect but still follows the rubrics, or parishoners chastising priests for offending our sensibilities?

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

 

[Faithdancer]

Have the courtesy to talk to the priest instead of coming into a public forum complaining about him!

This is a tough call. If you are concerned about the ramifications of approaching your priest directly, I would suggest that you voice your concerns to the Diocesan office, I imagine the Bishop would have observed this priest conducting Mass early on (?) but perhaps it’s time for the Diocese to send someone else out for another observation, and then the Bishop can deal with the issue, if he feels corrective action is warranted. Just remember, this priest made it through seminary and ordination, so he must have a number of good qualities, and may just need some early career guidance- now that he is actually a parish priest, he may be feeling overwhelmed and stressing out.

 

[LovingMass]

Something about this thread is bothering me.

…
Such as passing judgement on how he genuflects or that he does a "head roll’ (whatever that is) instead of what you consider a proper head bow, or how he dresses, unless that manner of dress is somehow showing through the vestments…All of these things should be kept to one’s self.

Again I look to the scriptures and see Matthew 7:3-5.

I agree with your comments, plus a bit more: The original poster later commented that the priest at one point makes it “all about him” rather than about our Lord. That is an unfair, even judgemental statement requiring insight into the priest’s intent, which we don’t have. We must remember that our Catholic Mass isn’t so much about our own experiences during those 60 minutes, but about the consecration of and participation in the Holy Eucharist. I’m sorry that the priest’s personal conduct makes it difficult for the poster to concentrate, but that is a rather small cross to bear. Please just concentrate on being grateful for the blessing and honor of participating in the Lord’s Supper across time and place.:console:

 

[marytk]

I agree with your comments, plus a bit more: The original poster later commented that the priest at one point makes it “all about him” rather than about our Lord. That is an unfair, even judgemental statement requiring insight into the priest’s intent, which we don’t have. We must remember that our Catholic Mass** isn’t so much about our own experiences during those 60 minutes, but about the consecration of and participation in the Holy Eucharist**. I’m sorry that the priest’s personal conduct makes it difficult for the poster to concentrate, but that is a rather small cross to bear. Please just concentrate on being grateful for the blessing and honor of participating in the Lord’s Supper across time and place.:console:

I like this post especially the parts I put in bold. It is so easy to judge others’ intentions. I can do that by deciding a poster is being judgmental. I have heard people say that the musicians make it all about them when I bet most are just singing their hearts out to the Lord. We judge why someone comes late or why they don’t shake hands. Only God can see into a heart.

 

[LovingMass]

I like this post especially the parts I put in bold. It is so easy to judge others’ intentions. I can do that by deciding a poster is being judgmental… Only God can see into a heart.

Your point is well-taken. Thank you.

 

[goforgoal]

Thanks goforgirl you have wisdom

No, believe me I don’t I’m an ignorant Catholic trying her best to live a life for Our Lord.

I think it maybe it’s easy to complain about a person than it is to praise a person.

Something about this thread is bothering me.

Here are some thoughts that have been running though my mind in regards to this thread.

When should we approach the priest and comment on the way he celebrates the Mass?

When there are abuses? Most definitely.

A couple of examples would be using a water gun to bless people during Mass or if a Priest stated that Jesus didn’t exist than someone should talk to the Priest or Bishop of the diocese

When he celebrates it in a manner which we do not like though there are no abuses? Most definitely not.

Each one of us is a gift from God and has their own way of doing things…The parish Priest at the Church I attend will explain what he is doing while celebrating Mass.

When there is something that he does that annoys us? Again, not.

I’m sure I do things that annoy people.

When he is doing something that interferes with our concentration? Possibly but we must be very delicate.

Have you ever read the autobiography of St. Therese? You can read a bit about St. Therese here:

ewtn.com/therese/stubborn.htm

Now when it has to do with personal preference then we should not really say anything.

Such as passing judgement on how he genuflects or that he does a "head roll’ (whatever that is)

A “head roll” sounds familiar to the “neck rolls” I used to have to do during my High School days (I could never do them I would get so dizzy)

Would this be an example?

youtube.com/watch?v=yMJcEukHtnA

instead of what you consider a proper head bow, or how he dresses, unless that manner of dress is somehow showing through the vestments…All of these things should be kept to one’s self.

Again I look to the scriptures and see Matthew 7:3-5.

ByzCath, thank you for this as well.

LovingMass, maybe the OP got their words mixed up and didn’t really mean to be so judgemental and perhaps the OP feels bad enough about posting some of the comments and questions. I don’t really know but the OP can anwer this themself.

God bless,
goforgoal

 

[Newbie2]

Have the courtesy to talk to the priest instead of coming into a public forum complaining about him!

Dittos.

Maybe bring it to the attention of a parish council member if one is hesistant to speak directly with the priest himself.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Have you ever read the autobiography of St. Therese? You can read a bit about St. Therese here:

ewtn.com/therese/stubborn.htm

Thank you for your addition of examples, that was very helpful.

Also thank you for this about St Therese, I do not know how I could forget that one.

 

[joanofarc2008]

Thank you for your addition of examples, that was very helpful.

Also thank you for this about St Therese, I do not know how I could forget that one.

You were overcome by the example of St Francis and thought of jumping ship and becoming a Franciscan.