Like you, I live in a RC diocese run by a reprobate bishop. (To gain a better understanding of how this happened, click on this link. Following the death of our pastor, the bishop assigned a new priest who was "light in the loafers". After assessing the parish situation, he gradually began to make changes. At first, these were imperceptible to the average "pew catholic". Much attention was given to the church 'decor'. As the 'appearance' of the church improved, "pew catholics" oohed and aahed and invited their friends. The parish began to grow. Next on his agenda was to introduce changes to the liturgy which included inviting the young Confirmation students to perform liturgical dance, banned by the USCCB in the US. I fought him on this and won but the victory was short lived as he introduced other liturgical abuses.
Two years ago I compiled a list of other parishes within the community, including Eastern Catholic Churches. After attending Mass at different churches each week, the Maronite Catholic Church came up on the list. After one visit, I knew I was home.
Eastern Catholic bishops and cardinals offer a prayer service for JPII
The Catholic Church is both Western and Eastern. As most of us realize, the Church began in the East. Our Lord lived and died and resurrected in the Holy Land. The Church spread from Jerusalem throughout the known world. As the Church spread, it encountered different cultures and adapted, retaining from each culture what was consistent with the Gospel. In the city of Alexandria, the Church became very Egyptian; in Antioch it remained very Jewish; in Rome it took on an Italian appearance and in Constantinople it took on the trappings of the Roman imperial court. All the churches which developed this way were Eastern, except Rome. Most Catholics in the United States have their roots in Western Europe where the Roman rite predominated. It has been said that the Eastern Catholic Churches are "the best kept secret in the Catholic Church."
The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15). Pope John Paul II said that "the Catholic Church is both Eastern and Western."
Check your local community at the following link and look into attending an Eastern Catholic Liturgy (not to be confused with the Orthodox Church).
Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S.
The Eastern Catholic Rites retain the rich heritage of our church, without the "novelties" introduced into the Novus Ordo liturgy. Incense is used throughout.
I attend a Maronite Catholic Church. The Consecration is in Aramaic, using the words and language of our Lord at the Last Supper. Communion is ONLY distributed by the priest. It is by intinction (the priest dips the consecrated host into the Precious Blood) and is ONLY received on the tongue. The priest administers communion with the words: "The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is given to you for the remission of sin and eternal salvation".
A Roman Catholic may attend the Divine Liturgy at any Eastern Catholic Church. You can learn more about the 22 different liturgies at this link:
Should you have any questions about the Eastern Catholic Churches, please do not hesitate to freepmail me. Good luck on your journey! I will keep you in my prayers.