Is it wrong to be "new" here? Is it wrong to ask questions? Is this a closed group? Hmmm?
You will have to learn to ignore certain people, get a thick skin, and pray for the crazies.
I would ask your friend to ask fr. Ringrose specifically.
Is he associated with a convent? Which one?
Is there a decent traditional convent in this country which is not sede, not feenyite, not nutters?