We have two new pastors in my parish (and I’m in the Diocese of Scranton, btw). They’re making changes for the worse, I’m afraid. A new “social justice” committee, as well as folk choir for a specific Mass once a month. My daughter has literally been forced into helping with the folk choir, even though all I see are flashbacks to the 70’s hippy-dippy guitar “kumbaya” Masses.
Those prayers, what can I say? I never respond or pray for them, quietly praying to myself that they are not answered. The cafeterias have been upset with Bishop Martino, all because he follows church teachings. I’ve seen them storm out of Mass in anger, because of the pro-life speeches he wrote that were read to parishoners at certain times.
Pope Benedict was right - the church must get smaller in order for it to grow. Get rid of these people, including the pastors, and things will improve. Until then, we have to continue to fight the good fight against their lunacy.
Here is the thing I have observed before: we conservatives have the common sense and the innate knowledge. But not speaking the lingo as well.
Here is my thesis: many of the hard-core social justice types will never be won over; on the other hand, there are squishy ones who are trying to be good Catholics and do the feel-good thing.
Well, if you can inculcate some of the real meanings of the words, like "human dignity" or "common good" or "solidarity" or "participation" or "option for the poor." The terms are defined in the Compendium. And the Compendium references all of the important Magesterial documents.
So the point is that if you can cite the applicable documents and actually discuss them (rather than just spew memorized facts), you might be able to win over some in the group. Not the hard-core ones, but some of the others.
And if you want / need to be able to read the citations, you can buy an inexpensive Netbook and download all the applicable documents to it, so that they are immediately available.
One good place to practice your skills is on the Catholic Answers Forums. They are stocked full of liberals.