I've been coming to this Chapel for many years, and have given much in financial support. And I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that this is all about money. Many top contributors have left, therefore, a financial gap has formed. The Chapel has grown very much, ever since Covid, but these new parishioners give very little, when compared to the ones that have left.
I left for many reasons, but the straw that broke the camels back, was Fr. Perez's death. I asked myself many questions, and this warning given by Fr. Starbuck only solidified my conclusion.
Fr. Perez not only died of Covid, but also of sadness. He was not a Monsignor, but was in fact cheated, out of a sum of money, for this title, by a fake Bishop. And he had a really hard time admitting this, especially to himself.
Another thing that gave him grief, was this whole Fr. Wiest scandal. Fr. Wiest claims to have met with Fr. Perez in Italy, but when asked about this, Fr. Perez said, he could not remember. Well this is when some of the top contributors started to leave or withhold their support. And around this time is when the Chapel started to ask for more money.
See, before Fr. Wiest, there was Fr. Colletti, which ended up burning not only OLHC but Fr. Perez as well. This situation was very embarrassing for the Chapel, due to the fact that the Bishop of Orange, Van, sent a warning letter to one of the parishioners about Colletti, from there word spread throughout the Chapel, but not from Fr. Perez nor OLHC. So what did they do, they lied, and said, that he got called back to the Diocese of Chicago. At the time I reasoned it away by telling myself everyone makes mistakes, as did many families. Still, some families left, and obviously others never forgot. But looking back, that was a very poor decision, not only on OLHC, but Fr. Perez as a Pastor.
Next, Fr. Sretenovic. This Priest was at OLHC for many years. And one day to the next gone. What were the parishioners told, first, that he went on vacation, and next, that he left for another mission. Well all that was a lie. He had a falling out with Fr. Perez & left, and that was the truth. And I thought to myself, people have disagreements and venture off on their own all the time, but why lie about it? Again I reasoned it away.
Their was also the fact that Fr. Perez said, that the SSPX was in error, but at the same time, he would send his catechumens for conformation to their Bishops. He also claimed other stuff that was just not true, and all for the sake of not losing anymore contributors to other Latin Masses said in the area, SSPX, S. John Baptist, Our Lady by the Sea, etc.
Finally, the death of Fr. Perez. Why did God take Fr. Perez, the way that he did? It's obvious, a chastisement. Fr. Perez was preaching from the pulpit that Covid was no big deal, and that horse dewormer & large doses of ibuprofen could cure you. Mind you weeks before his death, and a few months after a few parishioners died from Covid. I saw God's hand in that.
Fr. Perez's mission was complete, he showed the authentic Catholic faith to whom he needed to show it to. But as a Pastor, put in charge of a flock, to protect it, he failed; albeit he was guiding it to the right direction.
So, it's plain to see, that Fr. Starbuck is in fact Ordained by God to lead OLHC. I would say that he is insipid, but Saint Paul says: to put up with it a bit, and to be patient, for it behooves you. Fr. Starbuck is in the right, and he has 100% my support.
If this Chapel is to survive, then a new group of Elders, needs to be elected by the men of the congregation, who have no ties to the school. They must be kept separate.
This current “board”, who are they? What are their motivations? Who is the secretary? Who is the treasurer? How much money came into the Chapel? Who knows? All I've been told these past few years was that the original Priest, Fr Schell, gave the land to some families he trusted. And I never questioned it, up until now.
And to the people saying, Fr. Perez's dying wish was, that Fr. Starbuck never be made the Pastor, as Saint Paul saith, they are full of shit. Even if he did say it, no Pope, nor Bishop, even less a Priest, can order a certain person, not to become Pope, or Bishop, or Priest. Never been heard of it.