Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won’t last forever. We must take it or leave it. – C.S. Lewis
Extremely excellent article Gretchen. Kudos to you for having the courage to do what you do. I will continue to pray for you and all the others who are trying so openly and honestly to save our beloved St. Vincents!
Several weeks ago my wife and I were so offended by one of these homilies at St. Mary's...we couldn't take it anymore and simply got up and left. Two weeks ago we heard yet another offensive homily by the same deacon about the supposed Italian-Irish divide and his wonder at speaking with real-live Chinese people (from Beijing of all places!!). What does he live under a rock or something? How could he live in Corning, NY and never talk with any people of different ethnic backgrounds? Nowadays we are hesitant even to attend mass at All Saints for fear that either the deacon or pastoral administrator will use the pulpit to chastise and/or offend parishioners. This isn't what church is supposed to be about!
5:59 If I were you, I would walk out the door and not return until there is a change in leadership. That's what my family did- no regrets, no more inappropriate homilies, no more Priests on the back burner, no more drama. The ABC parishes offer a safe, welcoming and orthodox refuge from this war on, and in, the Catholic Church at All Saints.
I think we all appreciate and know about the refuge at the ABC parishes, 6:57. But let us not begin anew the tired discussion of whether one should stay or go. Some go. Some stay. It is a personal decision based on a number of factors. Thanks for understanding.
The irony. Now you people are bashing two of our Deacon's. Will Deacon Jim be next on your list? When will you stop criticizing and start supporting the parish? Or, leave, if you are agonized as you claim to be.
10:56...here's an idea....why don't you leave and take the two problem deacons with you....we would all be better off...you are not here forever...this is just a job to you so YOU move on...
The hyperbole does not aid your cause. Please address the issue, if possible.
I have heard that some feel they are on a divine mission to rid the parish of undesirables, namely those who speak out about the sale of SV and who address the fractured relationship between staff and parishioners.
It would be convenient for the staff if they left...
Deacon Jim won't ever be on that list. He has class and presence in the parish. Poor guy has his hands tied, too. Gretchen; sometimes God answers our prayers in a way other than what we had hoped for. By providing us parishes close by, I think He is happy we are spreading the good news of how it works there. We support the cause but until it gets better please don't push us aside. The deacons would like nothing more than to see dissent among us.
Would never push you away, 12:29. There are many ways to support the cause of parishioners, and you don't have to attend mass here to do it. I just hope we can all agree it is a personal decision and that we can respect each other's choices.
I also agree with your comments regarding Deacon Jim.
5:59 am- Dean will not silence anybody on his staff because they are in his corner and he has few who are there. He can't afford to alienate the current staff; he has hand selected those who remain and those who are no longer here. Ray is probably not going to back off or change his way of thinking. I remember years ago when he publically stated that the Church was wrong in their teaching on the male priesthood and that women should be ordained. I'm quite certain that would not solve all the problems in the parish.
I'm quite certain that women priests are not the answer either and I am a woman. Some people always think they have more wisdom than the Holy Spirit, who guides our Church.
When I listen to some of these Homilies, I have to recite my favorite prayer... Dear Lord, keep you arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth. Sometimes, I wish THEY will recite and follow this prayer.
One of the main issues is we have a lack of temporal and spiritual leadership in the parish and the Diocese. The homilies we have heard of late, the actions of the staff, and the purge of orthodoxy would NOT be going on if those in leadership showed some intestinal fortitude and led according to the teachings and magisterium of the Church.
CTC Tom: It is pride and the unwillingness to submit to the teaching authority of the Church that pleases the devil more than anyone, who seeks to destroy our faith. He has a strong hold in the parish. Those who fail to recognize him for who he is and what he doing are his greatest assets.
Interesting point. If I recall correctly, Deacon Ray has stated that there is no hell...so, does that mean there is no Satan?
For those who criticize people on this blog who challenge homilies: our deacons are public figures, who use the pulpit to share their opinions and views. Anything they share publically, should stand up to public critique. It should also represent the teachings of the Church. Nothing more, nothing less.
Agreed. This is among the many reasons that Pride is one of the seven deadly sins. It is easy to fall into, is the gateway to other sins, and it leaves a person open to the Evil One. I believe that the Evil One las his hooks into many in leadership here and in the Diocese. Some are mere useful idiots who are nice and go along to get along, while others are completely in his thrall. The next bishop will need a strong broom and an iron will to clean out the muck. God give him the strength to do so, as well as call back the lost sheep.
Excellent article.
ReplyDeleteExtremely excellent article Gretchen. Kudos to you for having the courage to do what you do.
ReplyDeleteI will continue to pray for you and all the others who are trying so openly and honestly to save our beloved St. Vincents!
Several weeks ago my wife and I were so offended by one of these homilies at St. Mary's...we couldn't take it anymore and simply got up and left. Two weeks ago we heard yet another offensive homily by the same deacon about the supposed Italian-Irish divide and his wonder at speaking with real-live Chinese people (from Beijing of all places!!). What does he live under a rock or something? How could he live in Corning, NY and never talk with any people of different ethnic backgrounds? Nowadays we are hesitant even to attend mass at All Saints for fear that either the deacon or pastoral administrator will use the pulpit to chastise and/or offend parishioners. This isn't what church is supposed to be about!
ReplyDelete5:59 If I were you, I would walk out the door and not return until there is a change in leadership. That's what my family did- no regrets, no more inappropriate homilies, no more Priests on the back burner, no more drama. The ABC parishes offer a safe, welcoming and orthodox refuge from this war on, and in, the Catholic Church at All Saints.
ReplyDeleteI think we all appreciate and know about the refuge at the ABC parishes, 6:57. But let us not begin anew the tired discussion of whether one should stay or go. Some go. Some stay. It is a personal decision based on a number of factors. Thanks for understanding.
ReplyDeleteGretchen- Then, let us not begin anew the tired discussion of the deacon's gone wild in the parish.
ReplyDeleteThe irony. Now you people are bashing two of our Deacon's. Will Deacon Jim be next on your list? When will you stop criticizing and start supporting the parish? Or, leave, if you are agonized as you claim to be.
ReplyDelete10:56...here's an idea....why don't you leave and take the two problem deacons with you....we would all be better off...you are not here forever...this is just a job to you so YOU move on...
ReplyDeleteThe hyperbole does not aid your cause. Please address the issue, if possible.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that some feel they are on a divine mission to rid the parish of undesirables, namely those who speak out about the sale of SV and who address the fractured relationship between staff and parishioners.
It would be convenient for the staff if they left...
Deacon Jim won't ever be on that list. He has class and presence in the parish. Poor guy has his hands tied, too.
ReplyDeleteGretchen; sometimes God answers our prayers in a way other than what we had hoped for. By providing us parishes close by, I think He is happy we are spreading the good news of how it works there. We support the cause but until it gets better please don't push us aside. The deacons would like nothing more than to see dissent among us.
Would never push you away, 12:29. There are many ways to support the cause of parishioners, and you don't have to attend mass here to do it. I just hope we can all agree it is a personal decision and that we can respect each other's choices.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your comments regarding Deacon Jim.
5:59 am- Dean will not silence anybody on his staff because they are in his corner and he has few who are there. He can't afford to alienate the current staff; he has hand selected those who remain and those who are no longer here. Ray is probably not going to back off or change his way of thinking. I remember years ago when he publically stated that the Church was wrong in their teaching on the male priesthood and that women should be ordained. I'm quite certain that would not solve all the problems in the parish.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite certain that women priests are not the answer either and I am a woman. Some people always think they have more wisdom than the Holy Spirit, who guides our Church.
ReplyDeleteWhen I listen to some of these Homilies, I have to recite my favorite prayer... Dear Lord, keep you arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I wish THEY will recite and follow this prayer.
One of the main issues is we have a lack of temporal and spiritual leadership in the parish and the Diocese. The homilies we have heard of late, the actions of the staff, and the purge of orthodoxy would NOT be going on if those in leadership showed some intestinal fortitude and led according to the teachings and magisterium of the Church.
ReplyDeleteCTC Tom: It is pride and the unwillingness to submit to the teaching authority of the Church that pleases the devil more than anyone, who seeks to destroy our faith. He has a strong hold in the parish. Those who fail to recognize him for who he is and what he doing are his greatest assets.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point. If I recall correctly, Deacon Ray has stated that there is no hell...so, does that mean there is no Satan?
ReplyDeleteFor those who criticize people on this blog who challenge homilies: our deacons are public figures, who use the pulpit to share their opinions and views. Anything they share publically, should stand up to public critique. It should also represent the teachings of the Church. Nothing more, nothing less.
@3:46
ReplyDeleteAgreed. This is among the many reasons that Pride is one of the seven deadly sins. It is easy to fall into, is the gateway to other sins, and it leaves a person open to the Evil One. I believe that the Evil One las his hooks into many in leadership here and in the Diocese. Some are mere useful idiots who are nice and go along to get along, while others are completely in his thrall. The next bishop will need a strong broom and an iron will to clean out the muck. God give him the strength to do so, as well as call back the lost sheep.
St Michael Defend us and pray for us!