Well, I want to Change to The FSSP Parish, But

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gatewood1988

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Ok guys, another dilema (I seem to have a lot of those). I am currently attending a parish that in a sense doesn’t want anything traditional at all. I love all the people there but however I have experienced the FSSP parish for myself and now my soul craves to be there. My husband is torn too. If I were to leave the parish I am at now, they would lose not only a parishioner, but a catechist, a nursery helper, and even a EMHC. My husband and I are very involved at our parish and we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, especially Father’s. I am trying to figure out the best way to go about it and I feel stuck. I just don’t want to abandon everyone. Any ideas?
 
I’ll pray for your dilemma. Maybe you can go to the FSSP AND the NO at your beloved parish.
 
GW1988,
I will join KZ in praying for you, that the Holy Spirit give you right discernment. Have you talked to the FSSP priest or other members of the FSSP parish about your dilemma? Chances are that many of them went through what you currently face.

“Directionally” speaking, the primary reservations you describe have more to do with the discomfort of leaving your current situation versus experiencing “cold feet” about embarking upon the new one. So it looks to me–and you can take this with a grain of sand–that your will is already tending in the direction of the FSSP option.

[The following statements reflect my personal bias in favor of the FSSP option.]
Over time, things may develop into the same level of friendship and parish involvement for you with the FSSP parish that you now risk losing in your current parish. Besides, true friendship should and will endure the change as well. And along a pastoral vein, Father should be happy for you in your desire to worship God in the EF of the Roman Liturgy.

Either way, I think, you can continue to be a beacon for the parish where you’ve been a longstanding member and contributor.

Cordially,
PAB
 
gatewood1988 said:
Ok guys, another dilema (I seem to have a lot of those). I am currently attending a parish that in a sense doesn’t want anything traditional at all. I love all the people there but however I have experienced the FSSP parish for myself and now my soul craves to be there. My husband is torn too. If I were to leave the parish I am at now, they would lose not only a parishioner, but a catechist, a nursery helper, and even a EMHC. My husband and I are very involved at our parish and we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, especially Father’s. I am trying to figure out the best way to go about it and I feel stuck. I just don’t want to abandon everyone. Any ideas?
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If you feel that your very soul is calling you to attent the Tridentine Mass, then it could very well be God’s will that you attend Holy Mass at the FSSP Parish. If you were torn between following God’s will for you and staying with the other parish, which would you choose? At the very least go to Mass at the FSSP parish a few times and see how you feel about it. Good luck!
 
I almost feel like I am betraying Father and stabbing him in the back after everything he has done for our family. I almost am afraid to tell him that I have even been going to the FSSP parish when I can.
 
gatewood1988 said:
I almost feel like I am betraying Father and stabbing him in the back after everything he has done for our family. I almost am afraid to tell him that I have even been going to the FSSP parish when I can.
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If he is a good priest he will understand and support you. It is about spiritual nourishment after all. A priest who is more focused on himself and ‘his’ community would feel back-stabbed. But that is not your problem. I suggest you and your husband go and have a chat with him and explain what is happening. Explain it is not personal and that the parish has given you so much, but that God is calling you to traditional liturgy. Who knows, maybe that will be a wakeup call for him and he might become more open towards traditional liturgy.
 
My wife and I went through the same thing 5 years ago. We go to our FSSP parish about twice a month and to our OF parish about twice a month.

Our OF parish is well known for its traditional leanings so within that parish we formed a Latin Mass Society. After 3 years of work, we will celebrate our first Roman Latin Mass this coming Sunday. True its only once a month for now, but its a start.

God Bless. And trust Jesus!
 
gatewood1988 said:
Ok guys, another dilema (I seem to have a lot of those). I am currently attending a parish that in a sense doesn’t want anything traditional at all. I love all the people there but however I have experienced the FSSP parish for myself and now my soul craves to be there. My husband is torn too. If I were to leave the parish I am at now, they would lose not only a parishioner, but a catechist, a nursery helper, and even a EMHC. My husband and I are very involved at our parish and we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, especially Father’s. I am trying to figure out the best way to go about it and I feel stuck. I just don’t want to abandon everyone. Any ideas?
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I love my parish, which does offer the EF every Sunday and has some minor traditional elements (brick by brick style :)) but if I had the opportunity to belong to an FSSP parish I would attend period.

You are not leaving the church, you are not moving to a different state. Just because you attend differnt parishes does not mean you won’t see the people at your current parish or even attend on occasion if a friend has a wedding or the mass times just work out better for daily mass etc.

If you are really attached to the EF it does make it easier to not live the bi-rite life of OF some days and EF others.
 
gatewood, there are so many things to say to this!!! ARGH! to only having a half hour lunch and a few moments during the day! (Thanks be to God I have a job, though, so, NO complaints!!).

Where is God getting proper worship?
Where are you getting fed?

Please keep those in mind.

I will say a Rosary for you; I promise.
 
adstrinity said:
Where is God getting proper worship?
Where are you getting fed?
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The real question is where do you serve better God, which has to be shown by serving thy neighbors.

Do you serve God as catechist, nursery helper, Extraordinary Eucharistic minister or just your vanity?

And in other hand: do you get closer to God by the usus antiquior or again just vanity?

As a practical rule, try both, one week here one week there, and may be both presence and activity will help the other to be deeper.
 
I had a nice talk on the phone with the RE director about my dilema and she said that if I find fulfillment at another parish then I should go and she won’t be upset to see me go. She said she’ll miss me terribly but she understands. I also am setting up an appointment to talk with Father about it as well. Maybe I will feel better about leaving if I tie up those ends instead of just walking out. I mean I will still go there for my spiritual direction appointments and my study group with Sister, so it’s not like I am shaking them completely off so to speak.
 
I attend a FSSP church and am very thankful. I came to this church 2 yrs ago after
a 45 yr leave of absence. I was a walking poster child for every mortal sin possibe.
My return to the church was largely due to an ordained FSSP deacon from Our Lady
of Guadalupe seminary (FSSP) in Nebraska. He was ordained a priest 1 yr later.
I know God was showing much mercy to me in my coming in touch with this very
church. I am severely bipolar, and I self mutilate which results in transfusions of blood
and chemo infusions. I’ve also attempted suicide 3x. I’ve been truly snatched from
the hands of Satan. Thanks be to God. Lorraine
 
laslo, I must, MUST, disagree. I post this for the lurkers.

There are four ways to participate in the Mass: Adoration, Petition, Reparation, & Thanksgiving. This is why we go to the Mass. One can serve one’s neighbour at any time, including any other time, other than the hour and a half for Mass. Mass is time we get with God. Mass is the time, THE TIME when God comes down to meet with us and becomes one with us. Mass, even though gatewood did not mention Mass in her OP, Mass is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; there is nothing, NOTHING, NOTHING, more important ever. Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi.
 
Thank you adstrinity for that, I was going to post something along those lines but you beat me to it :D. Now I do enjoy my positions at my parish, but I wasn’t doing it for my own benefit but for God’s glory. I love the children so much that I teach and watch after, however if it is God’s will for me to do so, I am sure that at the FSSP parish He will make it so and other opportunities to serve may arise.
 
You’re welcome!! 😃 I was hoping you would not be offended…

I know you love your kids at the one parish and I know this because you want to teach them Catholicism proper, and I understand that, and, I wish…honestly, I wish they could all come to the FSSP parish with you and learn and live the Faith. I know you want to stay because without you, they may not get the proper formation AT ALL in the Catholic faith, and, well, that is damning, for them and for those who refuse to teach the Truth. I know it is not an easy decision to make, if you must choose.

I want you to know, though, that there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with at the FSSP Parish…
 
gatewood1988 said:
Ok If I were to leave the parish I am at now, they would lose not only a parishioner, but a catechist, a nursery helper, and even a EMHC. My husband and I are very involved at our parish and we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, especially Father’s. ?
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true but the same thing would happen if you had to move because of a job transfer etc. Your new parish also needs help in many areas. The Holy Spirit already has somebody in mind to take over your old responsibilities so leave it in his hands.
 
puzzleannie said:
true but the same thing would happen if you had to move because of a job transfer etc. Your new parish also needs help in many areas. The Holy Spirit already has somebody in mind to take over your old responsibilities so leave it in his hands.
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I never thought of it that way. Maybe this longing in my heart is the Holy Spirit letting me know I am needed elsewhere. That makes me feel a ton better. Maybe also the Holy Spirit is directing me so that I may be able to cope better with these dark nights of the soul I have been experiencing.
 
gatewood1988 said:
I never thought of it that way. Maybe this longing in my heart is the Holy Spirit letting me know I am needed elsewhere. That makes me feel a ton better. Maybe also the Holy Spirit is directing me so that I may be able to cope better with these dark nights of the soul I have been experiencing.
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Those dark nights of the soul are the Heavenly Father’s means to prune you–branch that you are in the True Vine–in order to make you more fruitful! : )

Please continue to keep us posted.
 
Strange dilemma. Just attend the FSSP if you desire it. All churches need some kind of help. I am sure they will find someone to replace your vacancy and no one will take it as a back stabbing. Maybe if you converted to a Christian denom 🙂 but attending another church, never…
 
laszlo said:
The real question is where do you serve better God, which has to be shown by serving thy neighbors.

Do you serve God as catechist, nursery helper, Extraordinary Eucharistic minister or just your vanity?

And in other hand: do you get closer to God by the usus antiquior or again just vanity?

As a practical rule, try both, one week here one week there, and may be both presence and activity will help the other to be deeper.
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Why can’t she serve in some additional way at the FSSP? You present a false dichotomy.
 
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