A brief recap of our situation: we live in a small town (pop. 3,000 approx.,) in a small county. Our local Catholic parish is novus ordo. Our priest has to say Mass at two other parishes as well. The third parish was only recently added. For a long time now (close to a year), Father has stopped giving out the Eucharist himself. He cites sciatic nerve problems. He stands for the Consecration, for the reading of the Gospel and for the Homily. He also stands out front following Mass to say good-bye to everyone. He is by no means visibly hobbled or prevented from carrying out all his other duties. Note: we also have a very small parish, and the amount of time it takes to give Communion is typically less than 10 minutes. :thinking:
As in many N.O. parishes, women are the dominant force in every capacity. They are the majority of Eucharistic Ministers (and they're not behaving as "extraordinary" ministers, if you know what I mean....it's every single Mass no matter how many are there...it's never necessary). The choir, eem's, fundraisers, other joiners, all women. 90% of the altar boys are girls. Sometime they're women as well.
There are other irregularities, that I won't mention here in consideration of your attention and potential fatigue from the reading of the ridiculousness (and worse) what we're experiencing. Suffice it to say, that the Sacraments, and the Rosary and the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament have all been compromised by innovations and ignorance.
Yesterday after the Gospel reading, Father announced that Mrs so-and-so, was now going to offer the "reflection." He said his "allergies" were bothering him, and that it wasn't the Homily, but a "reflection." Mrs so-and-so proceeded to stand at the lecturn and preach about St. John the Baptist. She referenced Scripture and also managed to say a few things that were outright heretical.
I don't care what you call it. It was a Homily. Obviously, this did not happen overnight. But there have been things at this parish that have been bothersome for years. It's a very happy clappy do da day kind of place, insipid hymns, bad music, irreverant dress and attitude. Cluelessness...and our priest is culpable all the way down the line. May the Lord Forgive him.
I'm mainly venting here because we cannot sell our house we owe $80,000 more on it than it's worth. We cannot find another parish because the nearest Traditional Parish is 300 miles from us. We're still probably going to try to talk to Father...but expect him to be unhelpful. He acts like this is perfectly alright. Even thought it is against Canon Law for a non-ordained person to give the Homily! And of course to give out the Eurcharist unless by grave necessity!
As we were talking amongst ourselves later it came up that even Pope John Paul II continued to give the Eucharist out from a sitting position until the end of his life! It can be done if needed. And maybe then we could kneel when receiving Communion! (imagine! :scratchchin:)
Please remember us and those like us in your prayers tonight .. and especially be grateful tonight for those of you who are blessed with access to a Traditional Parish!
It's really, really terrible here. :cry: