Forgive me if I have already posted this information to you on a prior thread but, sometimes, it is necessary to jolt fellow catholics from a liturgical stupor. Like you, I struggled to attend Sunday mass; in my parish, it was liturgical abuses. Recognizing that the majority of pew catholics are ignorant of this, I took on the pastor, one abuse at a time, single handedly. First up was a liturgical dance. An invitation was extended to young catholics preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, to perform a liturgical dance. After the "shock and awe" of the moment wore off, I wrote to the diocesan office for liturgy and worship to complain, citing a NCCB document banning liturgical dance in the US.
Not surprisingly, the diocesan response supported the pastor, citing a VCII document on multiculturalism. There was nothing "multicultural" about our lilly white parish. Undaunted, I wrote a 2nd letter, citing [Sacrosanctum Concilium "The faithful have a right to a true Liturgy, ..." I also copied Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect - Congregation for Divine Worship at the Vatican.
The liturgical dance never took place. Score one victory for us!
Next up was the absence of a crucifix on or near the altar, in compliance with the GIRM (General Instructions of the Roman Missal). While still embroiled in that battle, I watched a EMHC drop a consecrated host on the sanctuary floor and not know how to respond. The pastor met her gaze then averted his eyes. She bent over, picked it up and redeposited it in her glass communion bowl. This was the last straw. I bent my head in prayer and asked our Lord to guide me to "a holy priest, a reverent liturgy and a community in need of whatever my God given abilities may be".
That same day, I compiled a list of Catholic parishes within a certain range of home, which included 2 Eastern Catholic Churches. Each week I attended mass at a different parish on that list. When I went to the Maronite Church, our Lord let me know in no uncertain terms that here is where I belonged. That was more than 10 years ago and I have never looked back. It has been a joy filled experience to celebrate mass each week in such a beautiful and reverent manner. And, true to my commitment, I have been called on to serve in multiple capacities. In the process, I discovered gifts and abilities that had never been used and were in much need.
You have two options. You can continue to attend mass at this parish and complain about it; or, you can commit this to prayer. Our Lord said: "Ask and it shall be given to you; knock and the door shall be opened to you".
Pax et Bonum
We were going to a parish for decades and things had improved greatly until we got a new pastor and things went very goofy. We tried other parishes and recently found one which is pretty darned good. The liturgy is reverent including 75% of the music, so my complaining is out of habit. I have plenty to be grateful for and need to quit my whining.
Funny thing is, we see a LOT of people there who also left Our Lady of Toon Town parish.