JMJ
Hello to all. I have been reading CathInfo for some time. This is my first ever post on a forum. I beg your patience!
Last year, we moved to the Phoenix area from another SSPX Mass center. It has been difficult since September: we were one Sunday away from permanently cutting ties with the SSPX. And then there was Ambrose. For the sake of maintaining a semblance of stability for our children, we have continued – painfully – with the SSPX.
I have no previous history with OLS so cannot comment about the past of the parish. However, I believe I can say that it suffers as so many other parishes suffer. It suffers from the creeping liberalism and modernism that affects people everywhere. And I do mean everywhere – it is not just in the SSPX. The empty, “airy-fairy” sermons are definitely everywhere in the SSPX. It is one reason why the faithful are slowly becoming faithless. They are not hearing what they need to hear to keep their faith alive. Yes, it can be done without talking about “The Crisis”, but it is a lot harder if no one is fighting for anything anymore.
Specifically regarding OLS, I have observed several things that are troubling:
• The All-Saints party did not really seem to be a celebration of the saints. We arrived a bit late and so missed what must have been an extremely short presentation of saints. Many children did not dress as saints. Of the ones who did it appeared to be only the younger children. At the former location, the parish party (separate from the school’s observance) was very much focused on the children’s presentations. We all gathered in the hall and enjoyed Father guessing who each child represented. At OLS, the event is outside and was basically a free-for-all with bounce houses and volleyball. My oldest especially felt out of place as no one her age was in costume. The older girls spent their time on the courts playing volleyball with the boys, and the brothers!
• We are very disappointed in the school fundraiser masquerading as an event in honor of St. Joseph. It is hard to believe that an adults only night out with appetizers, wine, and beer on an Ember Day in Lent is an appropriate expression of the traditional St. Joseph’s Table.
• The now bulletin contains this message:
NOTA BENE:
No food or drink (anything to be chewed or swallowed)
is allowed anywhere at anytime in the church including the cry room - nursing babies excepted. Further, never leave any trash whatsoever anywhere in the church.
As such an offense is wholly unfitting for the House of God; anyone noticing another doing such should admonish them per the dictates of St. Paul, and report them to one of the priests assigned to OLS for educational purposes.
Terribilis est Locus!
I do agree in principal, but are we really supposed to report an offender to one of the priests for correction? Shouldn’t we be more concerned about spiritual formation? Modesty in dress, action, intention? Fighting the errors in the world? Not texting while in the confession line? Yes, I have seen that!
• There is also this:
Registration cards are available at the entrance of the church for the parish records. This entitles you in canon law to receive the sacraments by the priests of the SSPX. Please complete to keep your information up to date and place in the collection basket.
Is that correct? What canon is referred to here?
• Lastly, I would agree that the parish is growing since the opening of the new building. There are many many people who are clearly not traditional. Their manner of dressing is a giveaway (although I would say that OLS is very lax overall in it’s dress code.) New people are in attendance each week. Are they interested in tradition? Do they return? Do they think it is the Novus Ordo with a Mass in Latin?
Thank you for being patience with me in this my first post.
In Jesus, Risen as He said.