We drive 40 minutes west to get to San Antonio's SSPX chapel. They have Indult "Extraordinary Form" in San Antonio too, which seems to be moving up all the time. I think they have their own church now.
And I heard rumors that the FSSP is talking with the diocese about getting a permanent location/church to set up shop here.
But I must say, the SSPX isn't doing a very good job taking care of San Antonians. San Antonio is a HUGE city, and objectively speaking the capital of Catholicism in Texas! Historically, this is where evangelization of Texas began. We should have a priory (main SSPX location where 3 or more priests stay during the week) here, not a small, cramped location that the school across the street wants to pull eminent domain on...
Don't get me started. There are a bunch of parishioners here (including myself) currently trying to get the "authorities" to let us buy a bigger building. We have people watching Mass on a TV set in the parish hall every other week, because everyone won't fit in the chapel! You can imagine the abuses that would take place among the people attending Mass in that manner. One lady was seen eating a breakfast taco. People come in late, because who's going to see them over there in the hall?
But worst of all, we have new people showing up ALL THE TIME and they seldom show up the next week. Probably because there's no room for them in the actual church!
And get this -- we have the money. We have a nice savings account right now. One parishioner has pledged a good sum as well.
But 1/3 of our parishioners -- mostly the "early Mass" crowd are the ones who don't like change, even moving to a larger church to accommodate the needs of the Catholics around San Antonio. These are the people who go to Mass at 7:30 AM, and leave immediately after, not saying a word to anyone. Sick!
I know what I'm talking about, too. My wife and I used to spearhead a shopping card program whereby we sold gift cards to the local grocery store HEB (you'd have to be in Texas to understand, but HEB is where most people buy groceries around here. There is little to no grocery store competition around here) Every $100 in gift cards, the church made $4. Easy money, considering people have to buy groceries anyhow!
Several times we'd arrive early enough to sell the gift cards to the people leaving the early Mass. We saw several people who didn't even make eye contact with anyone, smile, or anything. Even if you're shy you can be charitable and/or polite. A smile doesn't cost you anything.
Catholics aren't supposed to be anti-social. With Catholics like that, it's no surprise that people aren't converting.
And I realize that old people don't like change -- heck, I'm still using Windows XP and I'm only in my 30's. I'm getting quite adverse to change myself. But it's something we have to offer up for the spiritual good of Catholics around us. Can't people give up ANYTHING or inconvenience themselves in ANY way for the sake of souls?
Oh, and there aren't many sedevacantist chapels around here, as far as I know.
Matthew