I've spent the last few weeks slogging through page after page of arguments about BOB/BOD and spiteful comments about Feenyites.

Meanwhile, when I posted in a thread about the Chastisement that there are no traditional chapels or churches near me and that being fully united (and thus truly united) with the Church is nearly impossible for me right now, there were ZERO comments of encouragement. Neither were there any suggestions about what I might do to rectify the most important issue in my spiritual life.

I'd like to thank the Moderator and Mrs. Moderator for their efforts in trying to keep this place truly Catholic and thus truly Christian. I wish I could say that those efforts were bearing more fruit than not.

On the other hand, I'd like to thank all the people who have turned a place that many people had relied on for encouragement into a pseudo-protestant battleground where the answer to so many topics is not "pray" but rather "you're an idiot". That's how many of you are treating one another.

I haven't come across a thread in a long time where there was any sort of consensus on anything except the majority-opinion that the Novus Ordo is the wicked product of a false Council.

It seems as though you've locked the doors to try to keep the modernism out only to turn on each other.

That's not what my soul needs when I'm in the battle of my life to save it.

As always,

Immaculate Heart of Mary, triumph soon!

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Stephen Francis,

Don't be discouraged. As my priest has told me before, "Don't give up!"

I can understand though if you want to get away from the forum. There are a lot of good information and discussion here, but the polemics can really mount up too much as well. The disgruntled atmosphere that comes with many traditional Catholics is indeed pitiful, for we should not be united merely because of being against the Novus Ordo. We should, first of all, be united in Christ and His Church in the Catholic faith.

I want to thank you though, Stephen Francis, for the advice you have given all of us.

May God bless you and Mary keep you and your family!





Kephapaulos

Stephen Francis;
I also did not read your posts because the BOD/Feeneyite thread isn't a big issue with me.  This week, I'll probably go to Mass/Confession with my friend who goes to an unofficially Feeneyite chapel.  
I'm sorry if you were insulted or worse, spiritually discouraged.  Generally, I simply avoid threads that devolve into name-calling or malicious accusations.  
I CAN sympathize with having to be the "Lone-Ranger Catholic."  If the SSPX gets so that it is dangerous to my faith and I can't go even occasionally, then I'll be in the same boat.  I don't have anyone with whom to pray the Rosary or converse.  If I can't get to Mass, it's like being a churchless protestant--just "me 'an 'Jesus."  Or else figure out a way to drive 800 miles on Sunday and still do my duties on Monday morning!  It could well happen.  I've had a sense since I converted in 2005 that a time would come when there would be no Mass or Sacraments available to me.  The upheaval in the SSPX and changes in my work and family situation over the last year have already cut my Mass attendance and frequency of Confession and Communion in half from what it was two years ago.  It has definitely caused harm to my soul.  
CI has been helpful in keeping up on issues and making some personal connections.  I'd advise you to stay on, just delete the posts or people you find destructive.  Not every post is serious to every poster.  I've sometimes posted a flippant remark, but I usually use a bunch of dancing bananas if I'm not serious.  
Otherwise, I use one banana to show that I'm still hanging in there.
Would you like a  :dancing-banana:  for a cyber pen-pal?  I'm half Irish on Dad's side.  Would love visit Ireland, but thus far, my extensive wanderings are within the U.S.

Stephen Francis I will miss your post and your online "character." I don't know you IRL but what I see on a screen,  your own standard for modest dress, righteousness, not be ashamed of holiness, often remind me of a man I knew as a child. He was a great example to me. I don't understand baptism of desire debate but wanted to tell you how much you encourage me.

There is a lot of contention with trads. CI was the first forum I joined. Someone warned me about the contention many years ago between  and I now I know what they were talking about! I'm in that boat too at times. There are wonderful people here too though who are really salt of the earth types. Sometimes the red or white X is a good place to be, I totally understand that! God bless you and your family.