Dear Fellow Parishioners and Friends of St. Rose
It is with a broken heart and much regret that we write this letter to all of you. By now you have noticed the sad and rapid decline of our beloved parish since the forced removal of our pastor and especially since the new "pastoral" team has taken over. We are being quickly and systematically stripped of our customs, traditions and, more importantly, our sensitivities and spirituality. Our spirituality here at our precious St. Rose, has grown and developed naturally over a period of many decades, not a few years. It is a strong and vibrant spiritualiy deeply rooted in the ancient practices of our Church. We have nurtured beautiful liturgies, richly representing our faith and always in the light of the traditions of our forefathers. The addition of the Tridentine Mass was the culmination of decades of Spirit led, naturally evolving formation NOT a novelty. This addition was barely noticeable because our Novus Ordo (the "new" mass), was celebrated correctly, so very reverently, at times with chant and Latin and other customs maintained from our precious Roman Rite. When you add all that to the beautiful, insightful, intelligent and educational sermons given by Fr. Viall, the experience was truly moving and uplifting. Anyone who experienced the illicit travesties of this past Holy Week knows how obviously this is no longer the case.
This "pastoral" team, with no knowledge of whom and what we are, has set about to force their own brand of spirituality upon us. They certainly have every right to, and a place for their spirituality. It's called the Friary. We ALSO have a right to our own spirituality IN OUR OWN PARISH without being told that if we don't like it we can leave.
So many of us expressed such grief and frustration at being overlooked and dictated to , thinking there is absolutely nothing we can do. This is NOT the case. We are entitled to speak out even when not asked! We are entitled to be who we are even if it is not liked! We have built up this parish with our blood sweat and many tears and prayers. Thay have not. We have contributed to the financial upkeep and beautiful spirtiuality of St. Rose parish. They have not.
What they have done is hurt and offend many by letting people go without warning. Order the removal of Fr. Viall's name from the bulletin (contrary to custom and our wishes), and pass along decrees without any sort of dialogue whatsoever. You must have noticed the irony (or hypocrisy) of a "pastoral" team that supposedly lives "in community" and call each other "brother", dictating to us loly commoners from lofty thrones far out of state.
If you have been saddened and hurt by all this, if you are offended by the callous disregard for who and what we are, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not fund these actions with your precious very hard earned monies. I ask all of you to consider making the painful decision some of us have made and respectfully withhold your financial donations until these concerns can be addressed by the diocese and all of us here at St. Rose. If you feel the need, please return your evelope (without the monies) as a sign of our belief in a resolution.
We ask for your help in building a dialogue among all concerned parishioners with any time or suggestions in rectifying this situation. If you love St. Rose as much as I do, contact me, your fellow parishioner Robert, by e-mail or, if absolutely necessary by phone so we can begin the process of moving forward.
With love, respect and prayer,
Robert Petratos
exspressed@aol.com (intentionally misspelled)
voice your complaint here:
According to the parish website, Father Rooney (the welcoming and inviting new inclusive Franciscan associate pastor at St. Rose) can be reached at rose114@adelphia.net
http://www.cleveland.catholicnet.com/parish/strose/
He went too far, but apparebtly he was pushed into rebellion by the new priest, Thwworst thing about the new mass was the way that it was pushed on the people, the worst kind of clericalism. For people who employ the idea of community so freely, they have little respect for the necessary consent. In truth they have no authority over the people, only over correct doctrine. They can banish parishoners, but what an example to set.
*Maybe the gentleman, having been richly blessed in having a Liturgy he loved, was spiritually unprepared to face hardship.
One wonders if this particular challenge is being allowed to occur so as to reveal to men their own hearts?