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Unfortuately I'm not kidding. And I'm talking about probably one of the 20 wealthiest parishes in the country (of the approx. 20,000.)

The reason no resolution to the current crises is at all in sight is that it is not just some of the bishops and cardinals who don't get it. There is a big divide. I believe the majority of the lay people active on parish councils, as CCD teachers, etc. feel that the problem is that the Church is still too uptight and rules driven -- that Vatican II didn't go far enough in dumbing down the concept of sin and loosening the rules. For example, reading between the lines, I believe they feel that something black-and-white like celibacy is a problem that Vatican II mistakenly overlooked and failed to toss out.

The only solution is for more people -- like me I guess -- to get off our rears and join parish councils and become CCD teachers, and so forth, and not just walk away from the whole scene and surrender the field to the liberals -- though they have the battle 95% won.

"and not just walk away from the whole scene and surrender the field to the liberals -- though they have the battle 95% won. "

Yep. Liberals have captured the religious field in the same way that they have captured politics, media and education. They have obtained ownership and authorship in the press.

Some time ago someone who went through RCIA 'classes' asked me for a good short source book on what Catholics believe (sad isn't it after RCIA) - not as long and scholarly as the Catechism. I asked Priests and came up empty. The closest I came was a book 'Catholicism for Dummies'. But even that was mostly what Catholics do rather than 'this is what Catholics believe'. Years ago my wife got kicked out from CCD teaching because she tried to go beyond "Jesus loves me and I love Jesus".

Still looking if anyone has a lead. thanks,

In the interest of time I've sloppily paraphrased your post,you say: "the only solution,is for folks like me,--to get on parish councils,become catechists etc.".And you are correct but there is another activity that takes less time and is afforded to more people.

The Amchurch to spread its error ridden teachings faster and further take every oppurtunity to reprogram the faithful. That is why it is now necessary to have classes for the parents of children receiving the sacraments. Try to find a couple of like minded parents,whose chidren are being prepared and plan to attend classes with them.

Take a Catechism and know how to access it quickly,split up at the door so you are spread out the classroom and question everything they say that is wrong using the Catechism as your "bible",do it respectfully and when they make it clear that your question has received all the attention it's going to get,have one of your cohorts,say "I don't think you fully answered that last person's question".Believe me it can be very effective and it prevents them from teaching error because it cuts into their propaganda time and it actually teahes some of the parents what Catholicism is,and it supports many who know what there saying is not right but don't have the courage to stand up and be humiliated.

I think this is what Vatican II was looking for when it advocated for more lay participation.