Some of you may know that I have recently moved half-way around the world and recently joined a new parish. The parish is run/administered by a lay woman and the other local parish in the next town/city is likewise run by a lay woman. (Recently two nuns "retired" after 20 years of doing the same.)
After coming from a vibrant and active parish and archdiocese, I am unfamiliar with small town Catholic parish life. The last time I lived in small town USA, I was not going to Catholic Mass, but instead protestant small town church.
What concerns me/perplexes me is how to use my strong willed and foolishly brave attitude for the GOOD. You see, as a semi-traditionalist I would love to see "reform" in my new parish, but alas it is not my place as a new comer... or is it? I would also like to see a vibrant life outside of "Sundays" at the Church. (Yes, we have Adoration once a week and Mass daily... at times I cannot attend but I mean more...) There is a weird situation at our parish, where many of the activities, groups, etc... are not "supported" by the "church." I am not sure if that means the priests, whom are mission priests and assigned to multiple churches, the parish administrator, or whom. I just know that our Sunday bulletin does not contain the various groups that exist in our parish or their weekly/monthly activities. (Theology Tap/Brew/etc... group, bible study, various groups, etc...) This upsets me because it almost seems as if we are dissenters by having such groups. Why do I feel this way, well for one the Priests don't generally attend these events - not so much out of displeasure but time and prudence. (At least that is how I view it, I could be wrong as usual.)
It is just difficult, because as more and more Catholics strive to have a vibrant parish life, and attempt to nourish their faith, the last thing they need is to be road-blocked by their "own team." I don't think anyone is specifically trying to be malicious, I just think that when there is confusion or untraditional leadership in Churches, things get "murky." Just remember to keep my parish, and all parishes, in your prayers... that we do things out of the pursuit of God and the good, and not out of selfish needs and wants.
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