Please Help Me See Clearly

[TrooperThorn]

I belong to a parish that is rife with gossip and lies. Our priest’s own housekeeper is the biggest culprit, divulging his private information and even spreading rumors that he was seeing the DRE on a romantic basis. I proved it to Father and he is now retaliating against me, as though I’m the one who is the problem. This morning he yelled in my face and I left with tears in my eyes. When does one know when it is time to leave a parish. I’m very active in ministries and am very loyal to my priest.

 

[EmeraldWings]

that’s rough…me and my family have experienced very similar issues at my neighborhood parish,
the best thing to do is pray for your priest and all those in the parish,

especially this praying during the priests communion -
*
" O Lord, may Thou find shelter and rest gently within the heart of Thy priest…

Make him, O Lord, a priest according to Thy heart: meek, humble, zealous, so that all he does will be for Thine honor and glory. Mold him into a man of prayer and labor, insensible to earthly things, and sensible only to Thy love and to the graces of the Holy Ghost. Amen." *

and here’s a prayer for Holy Priests -

*"My Dear Jesus, Thou desirest that we pray the Lord of the harvest that He send zealous laborers into His harvest. Deign to raise up in Thy Church, and especially in this diocese, numerous and holy priests who, taking Thy Divine Heart as their Model, will, in the exercise of their holy priesthood, promote the glory of Thy heavenly Father and the salvation of those souls whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood. Give us truly holy priests who, inflamed with the fire of Thy divine love, seek nothing but Thy greater glory and the salvation of souls.

O Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us; obtain for us a number of holy priests. "*

you are not bound by your parish, you can leave any time, with or without good reason,
but that is your decision, if you don’t think you feel comfortable in this church, or that you have trouble meditating and communicating with God because of the atmosphere in this parish, well…i’d consider that good reason to find a new church.
but if you decided to stay for the sake of praying for them and helping them…that would be good to…but whatever you choose is perfectly fine.

and although things seem bad now, i’m sure it will get better, the seed has been planted, all you have to do is pray, and God will do the rest.

i’ll pray for you and your parish to though, since i can really relate to this and i know how you feel…so i hope things get better.

ok hope this helps, take care.

 

[KBernadette]

Leave. Find a parish faithful to Tradition and the Holy Father and never look back. The only thing you will regret is not doing it sooner.

 

[LindaSK]

I belong to a parish that is rife with gossip and lies. Our priest’s own housekeeper is the biggest culprit, divulging his private information and even spreading rumors that he was seeing the DRE on a romantic basis. I proved it to Father and he is now retaliating against me, as though I’m the one who is the problem. This morning he yelled in my face and I left with tears in my eyes. When does one know when it is time to leave a parish. I’m very active in ministries and am very loyal to my priest.

Sadly, I can relate. I have said that it’s too much like high school all over again. And I didn’t like high school much - cliques, gossip, favoritism, lies… It’s also kind of like a car that you keep investing in, repairing one thing after another. When is it time to just give up, trade it in, and be done with it? I don’t really know. I tend to keep my vehicles 'til they die! But the parish isn’t a car - do you just keep trying and praying?

 

[SpaceNeedle]

I understand your feelings, but where do you go I am reminded of the expression “out of the frying pan and into the fire”. I love my parish, but if you came to mine, you would see (as an example from this past Sunday) the more vocal ladies of Catholic Daughters hoopin’, hollerin’, and carryin’ on just outside the narthex during the consecration of the Eucharist. And I should mention this jokin’ and laughin’ went on in front of late arrivers who were participating in the Mass from outside. I was mortified, but it is not the first time.

Youy could always try another parish, and hope it isn’t as bad. But I do feel for your situation; I am very sorry for your tears

 

[puzzleannie]

I belong to a parish that is rife with gossip and lies. Our priest’s own housekeeper is the biggest culprit, divulging his private information and even spreading rumors that he was seeing the DRE on a romantic basis. I proved it to Father and he is now retaliating against me, as though I’m the one who is the problem. This morning he yelled in my face and I left with tears in my eyes. When does one know when it is time to leave a parish. I’m very active in ministries and am very loyal to my priest.

if this is true, and I sense there is a lot more to the story than this, it is the type of abuse that should be reported to the diocese, go on the website or call the diocese and ask to speak personally to the person assigned to deal with complaints of abuse from the laity.

you leave a parish when participation in parish life is detrimental to your spiritual, psychological or physical health, the same reasons you would sever ties with family members.

 

[TrooperThorn]

Thank you all for your insight. I will ponder and pray and make a decision.

God bless you all!