J
jpvirnig
Guest
Hello brothers and sisters,
My family has recently moved to San Antonio, and when buying a home, we sought out a parish that would provide solid preaching, a sense of reverence in the Liturgy, and support for our homeschooling efforts. We were drawn to a parish before we even relocated, having done online research on homeschooling communities in the area. Through our discernment, we quickly decided and purchased a house. At first we found the parish moderately welcoming, and found great support for my wife through some ministries.
As we’ve become more involved in parish life, we’ve encountered individuals and cliques who are quite uncharitable in relating with fellow parishioners especially in regards to ‘territory,’ local tradition, or differing perspectives. Some of these attitudes have come from pastoral staff. Among the laity, we’ve witnessed newer Catholics or families seeking a parish with more orthodox teaching being corrected harshly by parishioners for expressing a perception that either differs from their own, or is not completely orthodox.
Some good friends of ours have been the direct recipients of such correction. They left a parish that had an incredibly welcoming, and strong sense of community and support because of the pastors comments contradicting the USCCB’s statements regarding voting and pro-life issues. Even after speaking privately with the priest, he was unrepentant. They sought more orthodox teaching, and in our parish they found a pastor who is both orthodox and wonderfully pastoral. But they’ve been hurt by the lack of welcome and support, and by attacks over issues having nothing to do with doctrine or morality.
It saddens me so much to see people who appear to care so little for their brothers and sisters. Sometimes it seems like instead of a protestant ‘Jesus and me’ spirituality, some Catholics have a ‘Magisterium and me’ spirituality. People cling to the Authoritative teaching of the hierarchy and if anyone deviates or expresses a differing perception, they hit them with the ‘bludgeon of truth,’ and if they still haven’t gotten in line behind them…forget 'em.
Some are so reverencing of the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament, but so cruel to their brothers and sisters, the walking tabernacles with whom they’ve just partaken of the one loaf, the one body.
The evangelistic fire seems so dim sometimes… no sense of Paul’s:
“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
I Cor 9:2
Rather, this is the way we do it. If you want to do it this way, you’re welcome to join us. If not…
I know that the grass always tends to be greener on the other side, but I am sometimes so very attracted by the joy I encounter among some evangelical protestants. I will never leave the Catholic Church, but Satan sure does seem to be having a hey-day attacking the the Repository of the Fullness of Truth from within. After this recent ‘Year of St Paul’ I am seeing how very much we need a Paul to admonish our Parishes.
I apologize for the listing of complaints… the Lord has uncovered some of the uncharitable attitudes within me throughout this whole experience. I would appreciate any insights, encouragement, and prayer you can provide… especially prayer that the Father would show us what role He would have our family play in all of this.
To the praise of His glory!
My family has recently moved to San Antonio, and when buying a home, we sought out a parish that would provide solid preaching, a sense of reverence in the Liturgy, and support for our homeschooling efforts. We were drawn to a parish before we even relocated, having done online research on homeschooling communities in the area. Through our discernment, we quickly decided and purchased a house. At first we found the parish moderately welcoming, and found great support for my wife through some ministries.
As we’ve become more involved in parish life, we’ve encountered individuals and cliques who are quite uncharitable in relating with fellow parishioners especially in regards to ‘territory,’ local tradition, or differing perspectives. Some of these attitudes have come from pastoral staff. Among the laity, we’ve witnessed newer Catholics or families seeking a parish with more orthodox teaching being corrected harshly by parishioners for expressing a perception that either differs from their own, or is not completely orthodox.
Some good friends of ours have been the direct recipients of such correction. They left a parish that had an incredibly welcoming, and strong sense of community and support because of the pastors comments contradicting the USCCB’s statements regarding voting and pro-life issues. Even after speaking privately with the priest, he was unrepentant. They sought more orthodox teaching, and in our parish they found a pastor who is both orthodox and wonderfully pastoral. But they’ve been hurt by the lack of welcome and support, and by attacks over issues having nothing to do with doctrine or morality.
It saddens me so much to see people who appear to care so little for their brothers and sisters. Sometimes it seems like instead of a protestant ‘Jesus and me’ spirituality, some Catholics have a ‘Magisterium and me’ spirituality. People cling to the Authoritative teaching of the hierarchy and if anyone deviates or expresses a differing perception, they hit them with the ‘bludgeon of truth,’ and if they still haven’t gotten in line behind them…forget 'em.
Some are so reverencing of the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament, but so cruel to their brothers and sisters, the walking tabernacles with whom they’ve just partaken of the one loaf, the one body.
The evangelistic fire seems so dim sometimes… no sense of Paul’s:
“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
I Cor 9:2
Rather, this is the way we do it. If you want to do it this way, you’re welcome to join us. If not…
I know that the grass always tends to be greener on the other side, but I am sometimes so very attracted by the joy I encounter among some evangelical protestants. I will never leave the Catholic Church, but Satan sure does seem to be having a hey-day attacking the the Repository of the Fullness of Truth from within. After this recent ‘Year of St Paul’ I am seeing how very much we need a Paul to admonish our Parishes.
I apologize for the listing of complaints… the Lord has uncovered some of the uncharitable attitudes within me throughout this whole experience. I would appreciate any insights, encouragement, and prayer you can provide… especially prayer that the Father would show us what role He would have our family play in all of this.
To the praise of His glory!
