I happen to reside in one of the most 'progressive' dioceses in the US. Our bishop was also elevated by the same one who put Mahony in his position, "Still Proud of the Bishops He Gave the US", Archbishop Jean Jadot. In fact, our bishop unleashed the "wreckovator of churches" - Fr. Dr. Richard Vosko.
After battling liturgical abuse at the diocesan level, I set off in search of - "a holy priest, a reverent liturgy and a community where my God-given abilities (whatever they might be) would be of assistance. That day, I compiled a list of several other RC parishes within a certain radius of home. Another freeper suggested that I also include any Eastern Catholic parishes. There were two and were added to the list. Each week I would attend Mass at one of the parishes and, with a sincere and humble heart, offer up that prayer to our Lord. On March 7, 2004, I stepped into St. Ann's Maronite Catholic Church. There was nothing impressive about the interior but I was immediately captivated by the 3 alcoves behind the altar containing - the Tabernacle, a beautifully simple Crucifix and the Book of the Gospels. Though disoriented by the different liturgy, I was moved to tears by its prayers that elevated my heart heavenward. The interior of the church was clean but dismal and I kept thinking "I will help them build a new church" (why that thought? I have no idea!) I left the church that day with a sense of peace unlike anything I had ever experienced before and, as already noted, I grew up with the Latin Mass.
That was 6 years ago. Two weeks later, I joined the parish and have never looked back. We are in the process of transforming a 160 y/o former Methodist/Episcopal Church into a Catholic Church. To restore the magnificent stained glass windows of the old church was much too expensive. Working with the pastor, we applied for recognition as a state landmark and were accorded both state and national status. The next day, I downloaded a large packet of materials to apply for a matching state grant to restore the brick masonry and the stained glass windows. More than 350+ applicants applied for a matching grant that year. I personally drove the 5 original copies up to the grant office on deadline day. The words of St. Paul rang out: "If God is for you, who can be against you?", and prayed to our Lord all the way back: "If it is your will Lord, please make this happen." Only 16 grants were awarded that year and we were one of them!
Over the past 6 years, I have been asked to serve in the women's society, elected to the Parish Council and acceded to the pastor's request to serve as Director for Religious Education.
My point in posting all of this information is to let you know that the Catholic Church is much larger and even older than what you imagine. There are 21 Eastern Catholic Churches that make up the One, Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church. The Maronite Church traces its origins to the city of Antioch where St. Peter served as bishop before proceeding to Rome. The liturgical language of the Maronite Church is Aramaic, the language spoken by our Lord, His Blessed Mother and the Apostles. It is the language still used for the Consecration, much like being at the Last Supper.
You don't get any older liturgy than that used in the Eastern Catholic Churches.
P.S. I have told a person or two that a couple of the best Catholics I know post frequently on FR and their usernames start with NY... and Sal...