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Father Benedict Groeschel has said numerous times we are in a post Christian era. The heterodoxy we see and hear in the Church is a result of many years of attacks by modernists. This didn't just start with V2, it has been with us a very long time, battled by the likes of Pope Leo XIII and Pope St. Pius X.

I and all of our parishioners are blessed; Presently. And I am one who would not kid myself or be so naive as to believe that this blessed state couldn't be removed. Our blessed situation could change overnight by the removal of our present pastor only to be replaced by some heterodox nutcase. We had one of those and many, including myself, suffered for seven years with his progressive heterodox ideals and abusively intolerant liberal behaviors.

But then again, any new pastor would have to deal with me. ;^)
(my pastor is planning in two years to petition the bishop to remain for another six years, so this may be a moot issue.)

You ought to come down to Westerly for a visit, AC! It's a beautiful little coastal town. With most of the tourists gone home for the summer, right now is a good time to come.

PS: The work I do as a deacon is sheer pleasure. Oh yeah, there are some parts that are drudgery but that is typical of everything. I love being a deacon. The grace of Holy Orders that comes through the ontological change at ordination makes all the difference. It has nothing to do with me, although I graciously accept your compliment, yet has everything to do with the Holy Spirit and God's superabundant grace! For years before I was ordained and even now I've prayed the following prayer. I get to Church 45 minutes or so before mass and do my office of readings and then spend time before the Blessed Sacrament where the following litany becomes one of my sources of petition.

LITANY OF HUMILITY

(accustomed to be said after celebration of Mass,
by Merry Cardinal del Val, secretary of state to
Pope Saint Pius X)

(for private use only)

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected,
Deliver me, O Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I,
provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

God Bless you and your family AC,