[Gophack]

I am really beginning to think that it is up to the lay faithful to keep traditional alive and well in the Church. I know it sounds trite to say we only have ourselves to blame, but it's true in some ways. I blame myself because for nearly 20 years I rarely went to mass (I was a Christmas/Easter Catholic). That's 20 years where my prayers could have been joined with others to strengthen the church.

Now that we are seeing these problems, we can do something about it. The first is to know the rules, the second is to learn diplomacy, and the third is to never give up.

[american colleen]

I blame myself because for nearly 20 years I rarely went to mass (I was a Christmas/Easter Catholic). That's 20 years where my prayers could have been joined with others to strengthen the church.

I'm shamefaced, I was the same. I thank God every single day that He has helped and allowed me come back to Him. I've never been so happy.