What if the only Mass available is filled with liturgical abuses?

[Susan_Mary]

I live in a small town with only two Catholic Churches. They stagger mass times so people have options. One church is horribly progressive, and, because of an unfortunate family situation, sometimes only the progressive church mass time fits into my schedule.

The more progressive one is an uncomfortable place to worship for numerous reasons: it shares space with a protestant church so has no tabernacle, no kneelers, a cross instead of a crucifix, one small statue on rollers so it’s removable, no stations of the cross, no pictures or paintings, and it has a kitchenette with coffee and cookies waiting to be served at the end of mass.

It gets worse! I think some of the following are liturgical abuses.

1. Near the beginning of mass the priest calls forward the children to go downstairs to the children’s liturgy. As the kids come forward, the priest leads the congregation in a little song “We bless you in the name of the Lord…” as everyone raises a hand in what looks like a Nazi salute.
2. The priest has a strong accent and occasionally gives his written homily to a church member to read at the lectern and the priest sits.
3. When the children return from their liturgy they circle the priest and alter and hold each others hands during the Consecration.
4. The kids also hold each others hands, raised up to about shoulder level, during the Our Father. After all that they return to their parents in the pews.
5. The extraordinary minister give a blessing, either by putting his/her hand on their head or making a sign of the cross, to every individual not receiving the host. (I thought during mass only the priest is to give a blessing).
6. I asked the priest if we could have a portable kneeler for those how wish to receive communion on the tongue while kneeling. He said no, a) he told me the early church didn’t do it that way and no one likes to get their fingers wet from someone’s mouth. The priest will give communion on the tongue but shoves it harshly into their mouth, and b) portable kneeler would cause disunity because we wouldn’t all be doing the same thing.

Needless to say, I don’t receive Communion anymore when I go to this church.

And now my question: When my schedule forces me to use the progressive church I described must I go? And, if I must, should I take the kids? I don’t want the kids to be poorly formed in their faith, I’m worried.

Some have complained to the bishop but with no success.

Thank you taking the time to read my long post and answer my two questions. If you wish to also make some suggestions I would very much like that.

 

[Augusta_Crowley]

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Recommended Reading:

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How do I go about questioning my diocese’s liturgical abuses?
How would a saint react to liturgical abuses?
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