>>In fact, I ran into the pastor from one of those parishes who struck up a conversation about the parish but never asked why I had left, nor did he invite me to return. <<
At my old parish, they were happy as a clam to have me gone. No one contacted me because they were thrilled that I was out of their hair. Just too orthodox for the Happy Catholic staff.
Sometimes, they know why you left and are glad you’re gone.
On the other hand, my husband said that he started to consider converting when my current Pastor, learning that the hubby was Presbyterian, invited him to mass anyway. Down to giving him a CCC and telling him that if he felt uncomfortable sitting in the pew for Communion, he was more than welcome to come up for a blessing. Just cross his arms before kneeling down and the Priest would know what to do.
We are very blessed.
You're right. While still a parishioner, I challenged him on liturgical abuse, and won. He probably did a liturgical dance the Sunday after I left.