No doubt, there are many SSPX parishioners who see the writing on the wall, and would love nothing more than to have an alternate venue ready to go, but who (lacking practical business acuмen, initiative, time, and/or leadership) simply don't know how to get it done.
It is for such persons that I write this post, to give you a loose "blueprint," as it were, on how to organize locally, and bring this option to fruition.
Here, in proper chronology, are the steps to take:
1) Hopefully, you have perked up your ears in the church basement after Mass, and know a few people who are like-minded. If these people are discreet and trustworthy, let them in on your idea. They too would have been perking up their ears around the coffee pot, and likely also know a couple additional like-minded persons.
2) Somehow, you must build enough trust to get people to consent to a public, but discreet, meeting (by invitation only!). This has the effect of building confidence through numbers. You are not alone, and in fact have much more support than you thought, when you were left to your own private misery!
3) Take stock of your numbers: How many are you? How many were too scared to come, but would have come, had they known X people would show up? How many donors are among you (Huge question! A priest can't come your way on a magic carpet!)?
4) If you could get a priest, where would you have the Holy Mass?
5) Where would the priests stay (and will this answer present additional expenses your group can handle)?
6) What method of transportation will the priest use (I.e, If the priest is forced to drive rather than fly, his visits will be much less frequent; if you are willing to incur the added expense of flying, can your group support the expense?)?
7) Priests are human beings! A group willing to dole out health insurance, auto insurance, a car, etc., would be in a much stronger position to have a higher frequency of visits than a group that can hardly muster gas and food. Our good priests should have the bare necessities taken care of! If you desire to retain normalcy in an abnormal crisis, consider that a priest who will be spreading himself pretty thinly must take this into consideration.
8) Once you have all this figured out, contact Fr. Pfeiffer, Bishop Williamson, or other resistance priest and let them know you are viable, and make a formal request.
9) Appoint a leader, or leaders, to handle this on behalf of the group: A priest can't be talking business to 10-30 different people from the same group.
10) Understand that the priest will also have practical questions for you: They must do the most good for the most people. Do not be taken aback by such questions. This is how things get done. They will need to consider your offer, and weigh it against competing requests.
11) Think about the future: You need to pay for what you want. You need a church. You need a rectory. You may desire a school. All these things can be addressed in the future, but you need men with business acuмen, and the foresight to guide the development of your local group's aspirations. Don't forget, a priest also wants normalcy, and a group that has a comprehensive and long-term vision will climb high on the priority list when requesting weekly Mass!
Conclusion: This is a bare bones blueprint of going about organizing a local resistance chapel in your locale. You can fill in the blanks. It provides enough to get you up and running.
It might be helpful for other Cathinfo members to off their helpful considerations.
Ps: And if there are any priests here on Cathinfo, your suggestions would be particularly helpful.
Pax tecuм,
Seraphim
Topic: How to Start a Resistance Chapel (Read 2888 times)