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Annie
Member
| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 718 |
| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Apr 27th, 2007 11:55 am |
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I went to a different church last Saturday and had a whole different reconciliation experience. The priest wore an alb and stole and he said the most beautiful prayer. He listened carefully and gave me a penance that actually "fit the crime." He also acknowledged that Satan is real, which the priest at my "home church" doesn't believe, apparently. I think I will go back to this same church for reconciliation from now on. For the first time I really feel like my soul has benefited.
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Annie
Ora et labora
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Fri Apr 27th, 2007 12:00 pm |
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That's wonderful, Annie. That's what the Sacrament of Penance should feel like. Obviously, the confessor really does make a difference. I'm glad you found a good one.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 877 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Fri Apr 27th, 2007 05:18 pm |
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Annie wrote: I went to a different church last Saturday and had a whole different reconciliation experience. The priest wore an alb and stole and he said the most beautiful prayer. He listened carefully and gave me a penance that actually "fit the crime." He also acknowledged that Satan is real, which the priest at my "home church" doesn't believe, apparently. I think I will go back to this same church for reconciliation from now on. For the first time I really feel like my soul has benefited.
How can a priest not believe in the existance of Satan?  Annie, pray for him. Perhaps he is discouraged in his faith or very distant from God, just going through the motions of a priest but no longer believing.
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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Annie
Member
| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 718 |
| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue May 1st, 2007 11:53 am |
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Darlene wrote: Perhaps he is discouraged in his faith or very distant from God, just going through the motions of a priest but no longer believing.
Darlene
That's exactly what is going on, this poor fellow is questioning his vocation. He doesn't believe in much of what is taught by the magisterium. Every week in the bulletin notes he mentions in passing how much time he has to retirement (many years). He is not doing the job at all. I have posted before about this, refusing to wear clerical clothing even in the confessional, etc. There are violations of canon law, liturgical abuses, gossip, slander, etc. going on. Very sad.
I tried to talk to the head of the parish council but she joined the Church because her sister goes there and is also a church employee, a conflict of interest, and won't deal with the issues. She accuses me of having some sort of personal problem with Father. There has been enough time to load the committees with members of the Father Fan Club. It will be up to the bishop to make a decision about what to do. But there is such an interlocking system of conflicts of interest it may be better to just isolate that parish (it is within a 15 minute drive of about 6 other parishes).
I went over there early this morning and prayed by the tabernacle and lit a candle for Father. I will continue to do this every week. I also pray the chaplet of St. Michael for him every day because it invokes the help of all the choirs of angels. And I pray for St. John Vianney for him too.
Poor Father, he is so intelligent and kind and humorous. Just the kind of priest we would need if he were able to do the job. But he hates EWTN, Father Corapi, anything orthodox at all. Including me.
Sorry to run on. I am so upset by this. This happened in my old Methodist church too.
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Annie
Ora et labora
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heardclarke
Member
| Joined: | Mon Apr 9th, 2007 |
| Location: | Dallas Area, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 197 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Episcopalian; confirmed RC Easter 2005 |
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Posted: Tue May 1st, 2007 08:30 pm |
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Dear Annie,
How discouraging when a priest cannot shepherd his flock. But it is so great that you will pray for him. Fr. Corapi himself says that no matter how aggravating (or even sinful) a priest is, he needs prayer and encouragement. They do suffer terribly from burn out sometimes, and I think some were hoping we'd get a "progressive" (a.k.a. lax) Pope after Pope John Paul II. We got just the opposite (thanks be to God).
As for liturgical abuses, you can appeal to the diocese, if it's really bad, or just "vote with your feet" as in going to Confession at the other parish. Personally, coming from the Anglican church, I am uncomfortable with a casual approach to any sacrament. (At least they know how to dress up!) It seems trivial but as George Weigel says, "Stuff counts."
I had a wonderful experience going to Confession at a parish across town (because I really needed to go and my regular parish was already done for Holy Week). The priest had me recite the Act of Contrition (my first time for that, except with my students) and gave me a fitting penance, the Prayer of St. Michael, coincidentally. Come to think of it, it's been a month now, and I should work that in this weekend......
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Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
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Annie
Member
| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 718 |
| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed May 2nd, 2007 09:17 am |
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I only go to my home parish now when some fill-in priest is there. Things are just too uncomfortable. I wish they had not let things go so far. If the lay people cared enough to change it they would but the damage is done with the committees loaded with people who don't care. But if the diocese needs a "social church" that one is in the ideal location because it is so close to other parishes.
I hate it when Father sits in the confessional in gardening clothes with a cup of coffee and doesn't pray or do any of the rubrics. He just looks so bored, leaning his elbow on the shelf. It becomes a pop psychology session because nothing is a sin any more. Poor guy. Maybe he will experience a renewal some day.
I did send a letter to the bishop about the really bad things (violations of canon and civil law) but I think a decision was made a while ago just to isolate the parish. It's virtually unheard of to have a parish of that size with one priest and no deacon.
I go to other churches for Mass, etc. because I don't feel I should go to a church where I am forced to decide the difference between licitness and validity.
older and wiser (unfortunately),
Annie
Last edited on Wed May 2nd, 2007 09:44 am by Annie
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Annie
Ora et labora
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heardclarke
Member
| Joined: | Mon Apr 9th, 2007 |
| Location: | Dallas Area, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 197 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Episcopalian; confirmed RC Easter 2005 |
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Posted: Wed May 2nd, 2007 02:43 pm |
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Dear Annie,
That is much worse than I had imagined....What can your bishop be thinking?! No wonder you go elsewhere.
Lisa
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Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
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Steven Barrett
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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2007 01:46 am |
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Dear Annie,
Take comfort in knowing that there are many other ports in the storm you can dock your own trawler in if Fr. Whatever isn't up the his calling. He'll have to answer for it eventually.
Why don't you check in on any local monastery for Sunday Masses and confession?
YOu have my encouragement and prayers, and of course, a much happier end to this chapter in your faith life. Remember what a good Polish priest used to advise his (global) parish, "Be Not Afraid!"
s.
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For anyone suffering from a mental illness or has a loved one with a mental illness, my book "Lead kindly Light: A Devotional For The Mentally Ill" might be of some help: http://www.lulu.com/ (Use search box at the top of page.)
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Annie
Member
| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 718 |
| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2007 09:49 am |
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heardclarke wrote: What can your bishop be thinking?!
Books (and web sites) have been written on the US bishops and their desire above all to offend no one at the expense of following canon law, etc. But this particular problem predates our bishop who is new and hasn't had time to look at the situation and he has just had a heart attack so doesn't need this kind of problem right now. So I pray for him too! I hope my letter to him isn't what caused the heart attack!
The priest shortage probably has a lot to do with it too. We have something like 127 parishes and 177 priests, 58 of whom are "retired." I hope I have the numbers right. We ordain 1 to 2 each year while 3 to 5 die. We are in big trouble.
I try to get people interested in perpetual Eucharistic adoration which is the traditional method of praying for vocations but there is no interest. Everybody is too "busy." You'd think that a parish of 7000 people would be able to do this. My home church building is even set up for it, the chapel is accessible from the outside of the building, the designers were obviously thinking of it.
It's great to be within 15 minutes of so many parishes. I learn a lot going to different places. I am not shy so have no fear of walking up to a stranger and asking what's going on in their parish that is exciting.
Let us all pray for our priests and our bishops.
Last edited on Thu May 3rd, 2007 10:28 am by Annie
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Annie
Ora et labora
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heardclarke
Member
| Joined: | Mon Apr 9th, 2007 |
| Location: | Dallas Area, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 197 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Episcopalian; confirmed RC Easter 2005 |
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Posted: Thu May 3rd, 2007 11:42 am |
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Dear Annie,
You have such a great attitude! 
Of course you did not "cause" the heart attack.
I have seen/started reading some of the books you mention. Just never heard a live report from the "front lines."
Take hope. There is a renewal under way and an increase in vocations in faithful dioceses. Young men are seeking vocations and orthodox seminaries to pursue them. I have a friend who wants to begin seminary soon in Ohio, actually. Our prayers are being heard.
Deus caritas est.
Love,
Lisa
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Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
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