KAC--
I pray for our priests every single day and ask the Mother of God for more. This will be straightened out in God's good time. I can wait for whatever He has in store. It is fascinating to see the differences as one moves about the country, however. I have seen some that are intensely reverent and some that I wondered about. Once, the priest said an entire Mass without glancing at the Lectionary--even for the Gospel. He seemed to literally say whatever popped into his head.
NYer is correct, this is more a matter of obedience to the Rubrics than anything else. Many priests realize it is Christ who is the High Priest and act accordingly in His Name. Others think it is "show time" and about us.
There is where the rubber meets the road.
F
It's the show time mentality that is the sadness.
I am now in a diocese where that has been an overwhelming theme, evidently. From what I can tell there is an odd mix of strong devotion and flakiness. I will trust that Our Lord brought me here cause he knows that I will be of use and can grow here. He's already led me to a wonderful group of lay Domincans, very serious about their faith, and I will walk in trust.
But o, I miss my former parish!