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In this hell hole of a diocese, those Catholics who still recognize a valid mass, gravitate to what few remaining churches where they can celebrate a valid liturgy.

After 27 years of "Hubbard doctrine", many catholics take for granted what is served up at Sunday Mass, as being orthodox. They would probably rise up in arms if another bishop should restore an authentic liturgy - it's that alien around here.

I'm really starting to feel guilty. I live in an archdiocese where kneeling never went out of style; where the music is icky in places, but only because there are so many proud alumni of St. Louis University where the folk Mass got it's start here; where the Cathedral wasn't destroyed by our only liberal bishop (and nominally at that), but finished and the paperwork started for its designation as a basilica. Some priests say the goofy alternate Masses, and I heard one last week (still not sure the consecration was valid), but for the most part, it's just not done. All Tabernacles were ordered to the foot of the Crucifix, or at least VERY visible in the church.

There are arguments all over town on the benefit vs. dangers of life teen and children's liturgy of the word. It's completely up to the individual pastors and some won't hear of it. I still won't go to Mass in a basement unless the church is undergoing some sort of work, but in some places that's where daily Mass is, to save money on heating expenses. And every parish has daily Mass.

We appear to be in much better shape than I thought. I can't imagine what so many Catholics out there have endured. And to still have faith is amazing.

Reading the events of how NYer's diocese has gotten to this rotten state (ie: recruiting active homosexual men to be priests who were rejected by other dioceses, for starters) reminded me once of a conversation I had with the last priest from my parish.

He leans "a little left" (his words) and we were chatting about the how other diocese have plenty of priests and plenty of seminarians. I mentioned Joliet, Il. as being one of those (pretty sure...I forget now). At any rate, my priest said, "Oh, Joliet will take anybody and everybody." (alluding they take the "rigid men" who were rejected by other dioceses)

Well, it looks like to me the "take anybody and everybody" (unfit candidates for the priesthood) mentality has gotten us into this sad situation (especially for the church in Albany) given the numbers released by the "abuse commission" the other day.

I still feel Rose's book is absolutely correct.