When we decided to leave our old parish, we thought it important to send the pastor a letter explaining our decision. We heard back from our former pastor today. He indicated that the problem we identified was something he'd not heard before. He then pointed out that the parish was much more than the one program, or the one employee we'd identified as being a problem.
That's true, and it utterly misses the point. There is a tendency among suburban parishes, especially huge suburban parishes, to try to be all things to all people. The list of ministries at our old parish is extensive indeed. A parishioner with the time or the inclination could participate in dozens of activities and serve on a variety of committees. The parish lists 16 separate parish groups and 20 different social missions. Every one of them, in isolation, is admirable and desirable. Taken as a whole, it becomes an unwieldy mess.
Our new parish has fewer resources and doesn't try to provide a comprehensive program of services. We're okay with that, because the parish keeps its primary gaze on the needs of the parishioners and serving the local community first. While I am certain that the missionary priests will come and say Mass, and that there will be a second collection for any number of endeavors, the main focus will remain closer to home.
I think that's important. We have a responsibility as Catholics to go out into the world and do what we can to make it better. To be effective, we need to be sure that we take care of the blocking and tackling. Are we properly educating our children in the faith? Are we demonstrating the larger meaning of faith in our lives? Or are we merely taking on a series of activities that are far-flung and diffuse? If we are going to make the world a better place, we'd better know the answer.
5 comments:
Ah, Rome is catching up with evangelicals in the number of "ministries" distracting everyone, I take it. Sigh.
Seriously, I thought it was a good thing when St. Victoria in Victoria started doing the Alpha Course--nice implementation of Vatican II's encouragement to read the Bible there--but there are a lot of mistakes we evangelicals/fundamentalists make that I pray Rome does not.
In this case, a church I left was so splintered, I joked that they had a group for senior citizens, another for senior citizens with RVs, and yet another for the same with RVs and sports cars. And they wondered why there were almost fistfights in congregational meetings. Well, duh.
I been to some of those large properous parishes that emulate the fun and bells of large evangelical ones. I dont like it. I want the gospel, not a dance troupe and rock music.
Oh, come on, Gino, you know that the Gospel is best presented when you turn the volume up to 11 at the Crystal Cathedral. It's Catholic now, donchaknow?
Or maybe it's time for you to visit Minnesota so you can go to Mark's parish. :^)
Or maybe it's time for you to visit Minnesota so you can go to Mark's parish. :^)
Actually, Gino did visit our old parish on his last visit. If he wants to see the new one, he needs to come back. :)
i once performed at the Crystal Cathedral, back in the day. the accoustics were awesomeness and our drum line tore the place up. spent the past 15yrs driving past it almost daily.
was sad to see the Church buy it. its not a catholic place. its a mountain of bling built with coffers of a watered down gospel, a tribute to one man's performance art instead of a house of Truth.
as for Mark's old parish: it was a nice building and all, but built to the modern standards in an amphitheater fashion, like all the newer parishes are. it supposed to create a sense of greater community and belonging. i hate that.
i dont want other peeps watching me pray. i dont want to party at Mass and feel all self-congratulatory for being there.
i want to sit in the back pew, with a kneeler, where nobody can see me so i can contemplate how much i suck while pleading his mercy.
thats why i switched parishes, too. to get away from the party, and joined an old parish in a retirement zone. there is more penance contemplation there.
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