Yeah...

[Eretria90]

Hello friends of OBOB.

I am asking for prayers because there are multiple internal struggles I am dealing with right now. I'm not going to really describe any of them but many of them deal with how I am viewing Catholicism. I believe in the teachings of the Church, in the Real Presence, in the Saints, Papacy, etc. but the liturgy at my parish is atrocious and there are many abuses. Easter Sunday Mass felt like the "praise and worship" style; I'll admit I almost walked out, had it not been for the Eucharist. To me, this is unacceptable, and the fact that this apparently occurs in most US parishes makes me wonder.

I casually brought the issue up with my priest but he is either oblivious or doesn't genuinely understand. Which is a shame, because I really like my priest. I really care about the liturgy. I really love the Catholic Church. I don't believe in the Protestantisms or Orthodoxy, so I won't be converting to those.

Hhm, just not sure what to do. I'll admit I've been in one of those "spiritually dry zones" for the past few months. I have to deal with an extremely, anti-Christian/anti-Catholic/anti-religious/strongly anti-God father and this doesn't help either. I swear he is being influenced by the devil in some way, so all I do is pray for him.

Well, I guess that's where it stands. I hope some Catholics here understand my struggles, and I'm not looking for input from Protestants/Orthodox since I have no intention of converting to either of those (though, I appreciate your prayers regardless). I won't discuss it any farther. I am not interested in hateful comments against the Church either; though I'm having spiritual issues I do not hate the Church.

I thought about maybe attending a Byzantine Catholic parish, but I have a feeling it will be an ethnic parish and I'll be viewed as the "outsider." Can't stand phyletism, no matter what parish it is. There's EF Masses at the cathedral downtown but I'm not a big fan of "extreme proper dress code" even if I love the Latin liturgy.

Well anyway I appreciate your prayers.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

It sounds like you know there's a place for you, and you're always welcome in said place, if you ever decide to leave.

FWIW, I've always wanted to check out a Byzantine Catholic parish for giggles to see how close it is to Orthodoxy.

 

[Michie]

Prayers God leads & directs you during this difficult time.

Hello friends of OBOB.

I am asking for prayers because there are multiple internal struggles I am dealing with right now. I'm not going to really describe any of them but many of them deal with how I am viewing Catholicism. I believe in the teachings of the Church, in the Real Presence, in the Saints, Papacy, etc. but the liturgy at my parish is atrocious and there are many abuses. Easter Sunday Mass felt like the "praise and worship" style; I'll admit I almost walked out, had it not been for the Eucharist. To me, this is unacceptable, and the fact that this apparently occurs in most US parishes makes me wonder.

I casually brought the issue up with my priest but he is either oblivious or doesn't genuinely understand. Which is a shame, because I really like my priest. I really care about the liturgy. I really love the Catholic Church. I don't believe in the Protestantisms or Orthodoxy, so I won't be converting to those.

Hhm, just not sure what to do. I'll admit I've been in one of those "spiritually dry zones" for the past few months. I have to deal with an extremely, anti-Christian/anti-Catholic/anti-religious/strongly anti-God father and this doesn't help either. I swear he is being influenced by the devil in some way, so all I do is pray for him.

Well, I guess that's where it stands. I hope some Catholics here understand my struggles, and I'm not looking for input from Protestants/Orthodox since I have no intention of converting to either of those (though, I appreciate your prayers regardless). I won't discuss it any farther. I am not interested in hateful comments against the Church either; though I'm having spiritual issues I do not hate the Church.

I thought about maybe attending a Byzantine Catholic parish, but I have a feeling it will be an ethnic parish and I'll be viewed as the "outsider." Can't stand phyletism, no matter what parish it is. There's EF Masses at the cathedral downtown but I'm not a big fan of "extreme proper dress code" even if I love the Latin liturgy.

Well anyway I appreciate your prayers.

 

[MikeK]

You are wise to not consider leaving the Catholic Church, who has been uniquely entrusted with all I Christ's Truths and is the only Church to remain as He founded it. If you PM me your city or county I may be able to point you toward what you're looking for. You will be in my prayers.

 

[Eretria90]

You are wise to not consider leaving the Catholic Church, who has been uniquely entrusted with all I Christ's Truths and is the only Church to remain as He founded it. If you PM me your city or county I may be able to point you toward what you're looking for. You will be in my prayers.

Thanks Mike. I still consider myself Catholic because I still attend Mass, Confession, believe in the teachings, the history, the Communion of Saints, etc. I love the Church but the sloppy liturgy (not to mention disrespect) is enough to drive any serious, practicing Catholic mad. Not to mention, there are so many Catholics who fail to believe in the truths the Church teaches. It's hard enough dealing with the secular, material world; it's even harder to deal with Catholics who do not know the basic teachings and/or bring their modernist tendencies to Mass. We are all sinners and I myself am a sinner, but I don't think anyone can understand how badly I am struggling with this.

I don't think the liturgy itself needs "fixing" but it needs to be respected and implemented correctly in the U.S. I hope Papa Francisco does some much needed "renewal" of the liturgy throughout American parishes, hopefully bringing this serious issue to light. I'm sure many will disagree with my view but I would hope some others at least moderately agree.

What am I supposed to do?

 

[MikeK]

I hear you on bad Catholics and a lack of respect for the liturgy. There are good, young, faithful Catholics in close proximity to you, but I know how hard they can be to find. Consider taking part in more Parish social events - do they have Theology on Tap once in a while? As far as liturgy goes, I always recommend the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest. Check if they offer Mass near you.

 

[Rhamiel]

prayers

you are a very smart woman and your respect for the dignity of our Lord touches my heart
maybe try and find a parish that is more reverent?

do not focus on the trappings like the music or how other people dress, remember that little candle next to the tabernacle is lit because Jesus is present in the Eucharist, focus on Him

I know this can be hard where there are so many distractions

 

[Mary's Bhoy]

My first instinct is to encourage you towards assisting at Mass in the Extraordinary Form according to the Missal of Pope Saint John XXIII.* Dress conservatively and be content in that, and don't fret about what other people think. I've served the Latin Mass in torn jeans and sneakers before. But if it's very off-putting to you, take the time to visit a Byzantine church. Don't assume that you'll be treated as an "outsider". You'll never know unless you take the plunge!

I completely understand where you're coming from, though. I feel dead every time I have to assist at the Ordinary Form as it's celebrated here. It's just so... lacklustre. Thankfully I'll be able to assist at the traditional Mass again starting this Sunday!

Yours in Jesus and Mary,
SCIM.

 

[Needing_Grace]

My first instinct is to encourage you towards assisting at Mass in the Extraordinary Form according to the Missal of Pope Saint John XXIII.* Dress conservatively and be content in that, and don't fret about what other people think. I've served the Latin Mass in torn jeans and sneakers before. But if it's very off-putting to you, take the time to visit a Byzantine church. Don't assume that you'll be treated as an "outsider". You'll never know unless you take the plunge!

I completely understand where you're coming from, though. I feel dead every time I have to assist at the Ordinary Form as it's celebrated here. It's just so... lacklustre. Thankfully I'll be able to assist at the traditional Mass again starting this Sunday!

Yours in Jesus and Mary,
SCIM.

Just be very, very careful about which EF Mass you go to. If you see "SSPX" or hear of SSPX spoken of in a positive manner, run as though you have encountered an angry Dalek....on a spiritual level, the Dalek is far less dangerous.

 

[Autumnleaf]

You don't like the praise and worship thing, but what specifically are you having trouble with? God likes to be worshiped. Especially on Easter as that was quite a miracle He performed bringing the Son back from the dead.

 

[Mary's Bhoy]

Just be very, very careful about which EF Mass you go to. If you see "SSPX" or hear of SSPX spoken of in a positive manner, run as though you have encountered an angry Dalek....on a spiritual level, the Dalek is far less dangerous.

I am so torn in how to respond to your post. I want to rejoice to see a Whovian, but I want to second your warning against the SSPX. Rejoice, or second, rejoice, or second, rejoice, or second... these are true first world problems.

But yes, this is entirely true. Stay away from SSPX chapels as much as is humanly possible. You may come across SSPX-sympathisers are diocesan Masses which shouldn't put one off, because you'll find sympathisers for the other extreme at "Novus Ordo" parishes. But generally keep them at arms length if you can.

Yours in Jesus and Mary,
SCIM.

 

[Galilee63]

Eretria, from my own Faith in Jesus/God/The Holy Spirit and in our Heavenly Mother Mary whom intercedes for me daily - I strongly suggest you take the following steps:-

. Firstly, Consecrate your Heart and Soul to Jesus Christ our Saviour's Holy Sacred Heart now and forever. Consecrate your Heart and Soul to Our Lady Mary Mother of God's Holy Immaculate Heart, followed by 3 Hail Mary's while kneeling in front of Jesus' Cross and focussing on Jesus' Stations of His Cross.

. Next, pray Jesus' Divine Mercy Chaplet for your Family and Causes, including "Handing over your Parish by name and location including the name of the Priest" to Jesus Christ our Saviour through our Lady Mary Mother of God to intercede.

. Lastly, if you pray at 3pm daily for a week, guaranteed you will see some incredible changes; let me know how it goes!

You need to fully Trust in Jesus from your Heart as opposed to from your mind.

Love and kindest wishes my Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ our Saviour

 

[MikeK]

Just be very, very careful about which EF Mass you go to. If you see "SSPX" or hear of SSPX spoken of in a positive manner, run as though you have encountered an angry Dalek....on a spiritual level, the Dalek is far less dangerous.

A potential litmus test for a traditional Catholic Parish is to ask them how they observed Divine Mercy Sunday. If their response is favorable to St Faustina, the Divine Mercy Immage and the Indulgence that Christ offers us, you're a-ok. If not, run.

 

[Needing_Grace]

I am so torn in how to respond to your post. I want to rejoice to see a Whovian, but I want to second your warning against the SSPX. Rejoice, or second, rejoice, or second, rejoice, or second... these are true first world problems.

But yes, this is entirely true. Stay away from SSPX chapels as much as is humanly possible. You may come across SSPX-sympathisers are diocesan Masses which shouldn't put one off, because you'll find sympathisers for the other extreme at "Novus Ordo" parishes. But generally keep them at arms length if you can.

Yours in Jesus and Mary,
SCIM.

As a former protestant who lived in world of "either/or" for years, might I encourage you to consider the Catholic "both/and."

 

[Needing_Grace]

A potential litmus test for a traditional Catholic Parish is to ask them how they observed Divine Mercy Sunday. If their response is favorable to St Faustina, the Divine Mercy Immage and the Indulgence that Christ offers us, you're a-ok. If not, run.

You know, that's an excellent test. Thanks for reminding me of it!

 

[Mary's Bhoy]

A potential litmus test for a traditional Catholic Parish is to ask them how they observed Divine Mercy Sunday. If their response is favorable to St Faustina, the Divine Mercy Immage and the Indulgence that Christ offers us, you're a-ok. If not, run.

So you're imposing a private revelation and extra-liturgical devotion on persons as a litmus test on their Catholicity?

Yours in Jesus and Mary,
SCIM.

 

[Eretria90]

Please no debates in this thread. I know to stay away from SSPX. The EF mass near me is FSSP. Not a fan of schismatic groups anyway.

 

[MikeK]

So you're imposing a private revelation and extra-liturgical devotion on persons as a litmus test on their Catholicity?

Yours in Jesus and Mary,
SCIM.

Not on persons, on a parish....and absolutely I am.

 

[AXO]

With the intercession of Pope Saint Pius V, I'll pray for you and your parish and priest. Anyway SSPX exercises no valid ministry and isn't in communion with Rome.

 

[`Raine]

You could try the EF mass or Byzantine parish if you think you'd be comfortable at either one. I don't know about your area in particular, but I have friends who are Byzantine Catholics in both NC & TX despite not being part of ethnic groups usually associated with the East and they seem to have been welcomed and found a place where they fit in.

If it's an option, you could also check out other parishes with the OF mass. Because of schedule and travel, I frequently assist at Mass at 2 parishes other than my home. They are very different and I have found all have their good and bad points. My home parish is very high liturgy "smells and bells", choir singing in Latin, chanted/sung liturgy, etc but the pastor is not fond of traditionalists or things that smack of traditionalism (like mantillas, so I wear a wide headband or hat so I can do what I feel called to and also not do something he is afraid will stir up controversy). The next closest is one I really looked at disdainfully when I first visited, because it seemed so plain compared to the first and because they use a lot of newer worship songs that I am not a fan of ("Lord of the Dance" is frequently sung during communion), but I have found things to appreciate over the past year - for once, even though the priest says a very plain almost stripped down liturgy he does follow the rubrics and you can almost feel his reverence as he offers mass or leads devotions (this is also the only parish with First Friday devotions and weekly Adoration) - attending early, I found out they also have the rosary and the traditional prayers at the foot of the altar each Sunday before Mass, and I ave found so many good things that I missed at first when I was focused on music and decor.

In the case of actual liturgical abuses, I would find somewhere else to go for sure, I know the typical answer is to bring it up respectfully to the priest to see if he even knows it's a problem or why, but that could be hard to do and so easily taken the wrong way. (The second answer in that vein is usually tell the bishop, but he's gonna want to know why you didn't talk to the priest first).