[philman_36]

Brother, these were hard core Catholics for years. They've been through all of that stuff.
They don't miss crossing themselves at any church or edifice even while driving and I've been with family when they actually drive around the block to drive back in front of one they didn't see in time! Oh their feeling of remorse. They couldn't stop talking about it.
Too wild! Imagine my confusion at nothing more than..."I've got to go back. I've just got to go back."
Most were heavily involved until about ten years ago or so. I don't know what happened back then, but that's about the time it started for them.

I'll still pass on your recommendations.

[Natural Law]

Give them my encouragement and thanks. If they feel that they are going it alone then it can be very intimidating. Once they can find kindred spirits who share their values and goals, and they will find many once they begin looking, it will become a work of joy. I have seen that a few bad apples with sharp elbows can seem to intimidate and dominate parishes and eventually ruin parishes.

If your relatives have the energy and dedication I would encourage them to pursue the diaconate. Being ordained and working in service to the diocese and the bishop and not the specific parish or priest, they can resist a lot of nonsense and facilitate a lot of good.

Peace be to you.

[AnAmericanMother]

Notice you're in Texas - don't know if your relatives are - but there are some VERY orthodox Anglican-Use parishes around Texas. It will remind them of pre-VCII.

Another thing that your relatives could do is get a recommendation for a parish from somebody that's straight-up orthodox, like say Father Zuhlsdorf ("Fr. Z") who runs the What Does the Prayer Really Say? blog. He does answer his Emails, and he knows people everywhere.

Our parish priest, who is as orthodox as they come, gave my daughter a reccy for a parish where she went to college. He was 100% on the money, too. Very conservative, old-fashioned parish within 10 miles of the craziest buncha Jesuit loons you'd ever want NOT to meet.

Even if it's some distance, at least they could get to Confession on a regular basis.