A
antiaphrodite
Guest
youāre welcome, as usual!Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!
youāre always in my thoughts and prayers.
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youāre always in my thoughts and prayers.
J
Jew_Man_73
Guest
G-d bless you!youāre welcome, as usual!
Iāll keep you all posted on what happens.
W
Walburga
Guest
JM, is your choir still meeting in the summer? Our choir takes a break and I was wondering if yours did too, which would certainly give you a break from the weirdness. And Iām thinking that you must have stopped getting the private sessions from the RCIA teacher, right? I really hope the meeting with your pastor can be peaceful and enlightening for both of you and not a stress filled session. Is there anyone you can think of that you would like to sponsor you there through the RCIA program starting in the fall should you still be there? Okay, well, Iām still praying for you. Keep the faith!
J
Jew_Man_73
Guest
Thank you for reminding me of the covenant, Ghosty! Your encouragement comes at a time when I really need it!
J
Jew_Man_73
Guest
Thank you for your prayers! My choir is still meeting, and Iām not meeting with the RCIA instructor right now. I havenāt met with the priest yet.
A
antiaphrodite
Guest
weāre praying it goes well when you do meet him
C
CARose
Guest
JM,
Know that you remain in my prayers. Iām sorry to hear a hint of āthings are tough right nowā in your post to Ghosty. I guess God really wants us to grow and learn to let go and let him take the lead.
Antiaphrodite,
I didnāt specifically thank you for your earlier assurance of prayers to be offered. I hope itās not to late to say it now. Thank you. You are such a nice presence here on the forums.
Things are getting interesting for me. I may start working in the Fall. Please pray for me that things will go well. Iām hoping it will help things at home, as my husband has never understood the importance of my being available for our daughter. The job will be part time, allowing me to be there when sheās out of school and itās flexible enough that I can be there if there is something at school that requires my attendance or attention.
The continued prayers for this would be most appreciated.
CARose
Know that you remain in my prayers. Iām sorry to hear a hint of āthings are tough right nowā in your post to Ghosty. I guess God really wants us to grow and learn to let go and let him take the lead.
Antiaphrodite,
I didnāt specifically thank you for your earlier assurance of prayers to be offered. I hope itās not to late to say it now. Thank you. You are such a nice presence here on the forums.
Things are getting interesting for me. I may start working in the Fall. Please pray for me that things will go well. Iām hoping it will help things at home, as my husband has never understood the importance of my being available for our daughter. The job will be part time, allowing me to be there when sheās out of school and itās flexible enough that I can be there if there is something at school that requires my attendance or attention.
The continued prayers for this would be most appreciated.
CARose
A
antiaphrodite
Guest
http://bestsmileys.com/blushing/5.g...ng/5.gifhttp://bestsmileys.com/blushing/5.gif http://bestsmileys.com/blushing/4.g...ng/4.gifhttp://bestsmileys.com/blushing/4.gif youāre very welcome, carose!!!
weāre still praying, donāt worry!!!:yup:
A
AuntMartha
Guest
Hello JM,
I am so late to this thread - wow.
Anyway, I wanted to share with you that I too was concerned about fallout from the letter I wrote to the Bishop about a situation in a parish in my area. Since I just sent it recently, I have not heard anything. But I wonder - will I get an angry call or letter from the priest? Will the speaker I complained about (who spoke against church teaching on things like womenās ordination, homosexuality, and birth control) call me up and confront me or something? You can read about what I included in the letter on this thread:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=63498
I figure I can handle the repercussions. It wonāt be pleasant for sure, but it was more important that I speak out. In your situation, it sounds like perhaps you might be able to work with the church to straighten things out. Although if these gay men are activists, I do believe they will fight tooth and nail (and purse!) to keep their cushy arrangement. You may end up having to write to the Bishop after all. The thing to remember is - as long you are asking others to do what the Church teaches, they should have no quarrel with you.
I am so late to this thread - wow.
Anyway, I wanted to share with you that I too was concerned about fallout from the letter I wrote to the Bishop about a situation in a parish in my area. Since I just sent it recently, I have not heard anything. But I wonder - will I get an angry call or letter from the priest? Will the speaker I complained about (who spoke against church teaching on things like womenās ordination, homosexuality, and birth control) call me up and confront me or something? You can read about what I included in the letter on this thread:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=63498
I figure I can handle the repercussions. It wonāt be pleasant for sure, but it was more important that I speak out. In your situation, it sounds like perhaps you might be able to work with the church to straighten things out. Although if these gay men are activists, I do believe they will fight tooth and nail (and purse!) to keep their cushy arrangement. You may end up having to write to the Bishop after all. The thing to remember is - as long you are asking others to do what the Church teaches, they should have no quarrel with you.
C
CARose
Guest
Well JM,
The week is nearly over and weāve heard nothing regarding your talking to the pastor. With all the changes to the Parish have you decided not to talk to him at this time?
Have you had recent Choir practice? If so, was the member of the ācoupleā there? Have there been continuing rude comments or suggestions made? How has the choir director handled things after her admission that she should have never included this man in the choir?
Is the lector from this couple on the schedule to read? Even with the changes in the Parish relative to the DRE and RCIA director leaving, the issues associated with this couple will not be addressed.
You remain in my prayers,
CARose
(oh, btw, interesting things have been happening in my life, which I attribute to the prayers of all who have promised me theirs, thanks)
The week is nearly over and weāve heard nothing regarding your talking to the pastor. With all the changes to the Parish have you decided not to talk to him at this time?
Have you had recent Choir practice? If so, was the member of the ācoupleā there? Have there been continuing rude comments or suggestions made? How has the choir director handled things after her admission that she should have never included this man in the choir?
Is the lector from this couple on the schedule to read? Even with the changes in the Parish relative to the DRE and RCIA director leaving, the issues associated with this couple will not be addressed.
You remain in my prayers,
CARose
(oh, btw, interesting things have been happening in my life, which I attribute to the prayers of all who have promised me theirs, thanks)
J
Jew_Man_73
Guest
Things have been interesting here. My choir director has been distancing herself from this couple, and they havenāt been singing on the choir. She made a comment to me last week about possibly not allowing them on the choir in the fall. Their attendance has been more and more sporadic. In the past four weeks, theyāve been to Mass once, and didnāt sing in the choir that Sunday. Theyāve stopped coming to practice. I donāt know why. I spoke with the choir director last week, and she told me that she spoke to one of the men about me. She told me that she told him to back off me, that it was upsetting me. He supposedly became irritated but promised to leave me alone. Iām talking to my priest on Tuesday.
As for the one who is a lector, he hasnāt lectored in a while. On the other hand, he hasnāt been attending Mass regularly, so that would explain it. I donāt know for sure whatās going on with that.
As for the DRE, sheās gone. I saw the RCIA director yesterday, and she was acting strange. She made several comments about leaving the parish, and she made arrangements with my roommate to start his training soon. Heās decided to take her position. (Her secretary position, of course. Not her RCIA position.)
How are you?
J
Jew_Man_73
Guest
weāre still praying, donāt worry!!!:yup:
Thanks!
Thanks!
J
Jew_Man_73
Guest
Thank you. Iāll read your thread when I have more time. (Have to leave for work soon.) These men are activists, but things are getting interesting here, as you can see in my response to CARose. Iāll be praying for you! Let me know how things are.
A
antiaphrodite
Guest
great to hear from you, jew_man!!!
iām glad your roommate took the secretary position. please send our regards
Z
Zooey
Guest
Iām still praying for youā¦Let us know how things are goingā¦
God bless.
God bless.
C
CARose
Guest
Hi JM,
Iām doing well thanks. Checking in on this thread to see how things are going for you. Right now Iām juggling two job offers, both came to me and now I need to ask God to make it apparent which is the position he most desires for me.
It is my hope and prayer that in accepting one of these that my husband will be happy that I am working (it is something he has wanted for quite a while, but which I have put off, as I believe that raising our daughter is my first priority). Please keep us in your prayers as I try to sort things out and take the position to which God is leading me.
And know that youāre in my prayers. I hope things with the Gay couple are working out. It sounds like God really had a plan for you at that parish and that your presence has already had a profound impact on things. God uses us in mysterious ways, often times without our even being aware of how the things we say or do can impact the world.
God Bless you and keep us informed.
CARose
Iām doing well thanks. Checking in on this thread to see how things are going for you. Right now Iām juggling two job offers, both came to me and now I need to ask God to make it apparent which is the position he most desires for me.
It is my hope and prayer that in accepting one of these that my husband will be happy that I am working (it is something he has wanted for quite a while, but which I have put off, as I believe that raising our daughter is my first priority). Please keep us in your prayers as I try to sort things out and take the position to which God is leading me.
And know that youāre in my prayers. I hope things with the Gay couple are working out. It sounds like God really had a plan for you at that parish and that your presence has already had a profound impact on things. God uses us in mysterious ways, often times without our even being aware of how the things we say or do can impact the world.
God Bless you and keep us informed.
CARose
J
Jew_Man_73
Guest
Hi everyone,
Iām sorry itās taken me so long to update all of you, but things have been crazy here. I really havenāt had much of a chance to log on to the forums.
I appreciate the prayers of all of you and all the insights Iāve received.
I spoke with my priest, and things didnāt go well. I voiced my concerns to him, and showed him what the CCC said about homosexuality. I also took my Bible, Catholic edition, and read relevant passages relating to homosexuality. He agreed with me that homosexual realations are a sin, but disagrees about how to handle the gay men. He, as well as just about everyone else on staff there apparently, believe that the ālaw of loveā is supreme above all other Church teachings. Because of this, they believe that the loving thing to do is to allow these men to stay at the parish in an active role. These men will remain on the choir, remain active in several parish councils to which they belong, and the one who is a lector will remain in that capacity. That is the ālovingā thing to do.
Iām frustrated, disappointed, sad, and infuriated all at the same time. Iāve reached the point where just the sight of these men makes me sick. Last week I went to a choir dinner at the home of one of the choir members and one of these men was there. He was socializing and being the life of the party. Heās very well liked at the parish. I kept my distance from him the entire evening. He literally sickened me.
I really donāt know what to do right now. Iāve made some good friends there, but I donāt know if I should stay. Some of my forum friends on here have called this church a āJudas parish.ā Iām starting to think that maybe it is.
Iām furious. Iām not even sure exactly why, but I am. Absolutely furious.
Should my next step be to write a letter to the bishop?
Please pray.
Iām sorry itās taken me so long to update all of you, but things have been crazy here. I really havenāt had much of a chance to log on to the forums.
I appreciate the prayers of all of you and all the insights Iāve received.
I spoke with my priest, and things didnāt go well. I voiced my concerns to him, and showed him what the CCC said about homosexuality. I also took my Bible, Catholic edition, and read relevant passages relating to homosexuality. He agreed with me that homosexual realations are a sin, but disagrees about how to handle the gay men. He, as well as just about everyone else on staff there apparently, believe that the ālaw of loveā is supreme above all other Church teachings. Because of this, they believe that the loving thing to do is to allow these men to stay at the parish in an active role. These men will remain on the choir, remain active in several parish councils to which they belong, and the one who is a lector will remain in that capacity. That is the ālovingā thing to do.
Iām frustrated, disappointed, sad, and infuriated all at the same time. Iāve reached the point where just the sight of these men makes me sick. Last week I went to a choir dinner at the home of one of the choir members and one of these men was there. He was socializing and being the life of the party. Heās very well liked at the parish. I kept my distance from him the entire evening. He literally sickened me.
I really donāt know what to do right now. Iāve made some good friends there, but I donāt know if I should stay. Some of my forum friends on here have called this church a āJudas parish.ā Iām starting to think that maybe it is.
Iām furious. Iām not even sure exactly why, but I am. Absolutely furious.
Should my next step be to write a letter to the bishop?
Please pray.
I
Ignatius
Guest
My next step would be to find a more orthodox parish. In the mean time, we will pray for correction of your parish. Donāt despair.
G_d Bless.
J
Jew_Man_73
Guest
Thank you. There is one other parish in this area, and Iāve heard that itās conservative an orthodox. Iām starting to think itās time that I checked it out.
E
ElizabethJoy
Guest
Oh dear, youāve sure had it handed to you in bundles, hm?
Youāve spent a lot of time trying to make people understand why the behavior and flagrant flouting of the law can cause scandal and shaken faith and youāve been hammered for it. You spoke to the priest and from what you say, he doesnāt seem to understand that he is appearing to condone behavior that is against the teachings of the Church.
But, as likely as I am to be vocal about things not being what theyāre supposed to be, I donāt know as Iād write to the bishop, yet. How many would even take us seriously, not being fully confirmed, yet?
I think my first step would be to figure out why Iām angry and pray for the grace to let it go.
Then, I think Iād be right behind Ignatius. Zoom!
I know that one person can make a big difference. But, I also think that it could be threatening to our new faith to have to deal with this kind of thing so early in our conversion. How much or how little does it take to strip away our joy and conviction and force us into that ālukewarmā conformist mold?
Itās got to be very difficult - Iāve only had an inkling of it compared to you, but I think I know how painful it is to love the church this much and have something like this speak against her. Is that maybe where the feeling of being furious is coming from?
I have nothing of value to offer you in the way of advice, but I will certainly pray for you and the situation in your church.
Youāve spent a lot of time trying to make people understand why the behavior and flagrant flouting of the law can cause scandal and shaken faith and youāve been hammered for it. You spoke to the priest and from what you say, he doesnāt seem to understand that he is appearing to condone behavior that is against the teachings of the Church.
But, as likely as I am to be vocal about things not being what theyāre supposed to be, I donāt know as Iād write to the bishop, yet. How many would even take us seriously, not being fully confirmed, yet?
I think my first step would be to figure out why Iām angry and pray for the grace to let it go.
Then, I think Iād be right behind Ignatius. Zoom!
I know that one person can make a big difference. But, I also think that it could be threatening to our new faith to have to deal with this kind of thing so early in our conversion. How much or how little does it take to strip away our joy and conviction and force us into that ālukewarmā conformist mold?
Itās got to be very difficult - Iāve only had an inkling of it compared to you, but I think I know how painful it is to love the church this much and have something like this speak against her. Is that maybe where the feeling of being furious is coming from?
I have nothing of value to offer you in the way of advice, but I will certainly pray for you and the situation in your church.
- Status