Author Topic: St. Marys KS -- Catholic Disneyland or good thing? (Read 33458 times)

Matthew · « **on:** November 15, 2010, 12:29:02 PM »

There seems to be a controversy over whether the traditional Catholic "mega-community" at St. Mary's, KS is just what the doctor ordered for the times in which we live.

Here is an example of why I would be tempted to say NO:

Quote

My son, N..., has moved to St. Marys with his wife and two children - and one more on the way. This addition to the Assumption Chapel and Academy families is seeking a house to rent in town or near by if possible; three bedrooms a must. Also, N... has (skills omitted); he has a versatile background and will be looking for work to support that family. Anyone that has any suggestions on either or both both fronts - it would be appreciated if your run them by me. Please pray for this family.

Regards,

(Name withheld)

Should Catholics be more prudent and make sure they have a way to support themselves, rather than head for the "trad Catholic mecca" in blind faith that they'll find something when they get there?

I know of at least one SSPX priest who was highly critical of PRECISELY the case I quoted above. Moving to St. Marys, with no idea how you will support yourself.

"Because it's... well, St. Mary's! 5 Masses on Sunday! Come on!"

But St. Marys has it own problems as well. Let's just say people are more inclined to take the Faith for granted when it's so prevalent -- just like the 1950's all across America.

On the other hand, other prominent priests believed that St. Mary's is certainly a good thing, even though many residents are worldly, etc. -- after all, you can't change human nature or control people's Free Will. But you can't say that a Catholic environment is a bad thing.

I see the merit in this point of view as well.

I just wanted to start a conversation about this important topic.

Matthew

Matthew · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2010, 12:32:31 PM »

I bet a LOT of people have been disappointed after a move to St. Mary's.

For many reasons.

I visited there for 10 days once; I know a family member who went to school (college) there for a year, and several seminarians who were from there.

One wise person said, "It's like your typical SSPX chapel, only with 30 to 50 times the population. Nothing more, nothing less." or something to that effect.

Matthew

Matthew · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2010, 12:43:42 PM »

One interesting question --

WHAT KIND of traditional Catholics are attracted to a place like St. Mary's?

Perhaps a portion of the population consists of weaker Catholics with a need to be around a bunch of "yes men" -- they need to be around "like-minded people" to be strong in their faith?

Not speaking about everyone there, but I could easily see it.

Matthew

MyrnaM · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2010, 01:33:29 PM »

Oh, I don't know. Many people picked up and moved to Spokane to be living in a Catholic community.

It has its problems for sure, but it has its advantages too.

My husband wouldn't think of moving till he retired from Lockheed, so I had to wait 15 years to get to a Catholic community, but I love it. It was worth waiting for, and I think it is good for the children. A Catholic school K through high school. Many of them have married each other, some have drifted off into the world never to be seen again. That does not mean they lost their Faith, just left Spokane.

Have you ever heard that saying, "once a Catholic, always a Catholic".....

sedetrad · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2010, 01:40:48 PM »

Moving to a place where you cannot viably support your family is wrong. St. Mary's is probably a nice place to go to mass, but it seems to me that the city has not grown in an organic fashion. The only thing many of the people would have in common would be their faith. Their politics and backgrounds may be vastly different. For example, how would a Trad from the deep South really like to live next to a New York city trad and vice-versa. They are not culturally compatible. It is not like the old ethnic Catholic neighborhoods that existed during the 20's-50's where people were ethnically similiar, related, and new each other. It seems to me building these artifical "traditional" communities is a recipe for failure.