Posted on 05/17/2010 9:18:11 AM PDT by markomalley
Tonight, we went to Mass at a local parish we had never been to. I’ve been wanting to go to a Mass there because I know several people who are parishioners at the parish who really like it. After tonight, I’m confused as to why. Besides the typical architectural disaster that this building was, the misplacement of the tabernacle and the lack of Catholic art (good statues, stained glass, etc.), the sense of what was about to happen was not Mass… it wasn’t sacred… it wasn’t important… it was just a thing. That’s what I got when I first walked in.
As Mass started, I was highly disappointed in what was taking place… a jazz concert masked by the appearance of a worship service. Between the really obnoxious singers (all mic’d up individually, ouch!) and the electronic drum set, I couldn’t figure out what was happening… was it about the music group? or about the Mass? In my mind, the music was winning, although it didn’t have much of a following in the congregation. As Mass continued, I realized what the problem was. It was shouting at me loud and clear…
There were virtually NO MEN in servant-leadership roles! The vast majority of the servant-leaders were women, which has almost nothing to do with the women, and everything to do with the men. When men don’t actively serve in parish life, specifically in the Mass, a parish is going to suffer. Here’s the scenario at this parish; these numbers are typical for most parishes around the country.
So, out of 32 servant-leadership positions, (31 really, when you remove the priest from the list) only 4 were filled by men! And one of those 4 was a 12 year-old boy altar server! This is despicable. Again, this has nothing to do with the women, and everything to do with the men! I’ll explain myself in more detail, in the next post… you’ve got to come back!
What kind of message did they preach? Was it Scriptural?
Just a guess, but as a male I would prefer a more traditional service down the block.
Or could it be "you" don't matter so much anymore, because "men" just don't have the clout they used to in the workplace, the home, and society in general? Because they are being marginalized in all sorts of institutional settings : gov't workplace, private workplace, private clubs, churches and so on ? Could it be men (in their traditional roles) have been overtaken by a feminist super-government that finds them either superfluous or irritating ?
Feminine mass Feminine sermons. Feminine priests. What do you expect?
The congregation was very diminished. The choir was no more. The "pastor" was a woman. As I was leaving, I realized I was the only man in the place. It was really weird. My wife didn't feel comfortable there either. She is completely against women serving as priests, ministers, pastors etc.
Of coure, I am not affliated with the Presby church anymore; Southern Baptist.
I know you said your Church had a male pastor, but as another poster mentioned maybe the men are more inclined to attend a "traditional" Church. Or maybe the message is watered down; feminine.
Our Church does two services. Morning service is with a Praise Band. The afternoon servie is traditional; its the one I go to.
When I can, I travel 20+ miles to a Traditional Latin Mass (although it should be said that my church is negligibly like this one...)
I beleive that my church is about 50/50, male to female.
It’s Southern Baptist.
I am with you! I am not Catholic, and have no desire to be, (do not take offense if you are Catholic) but I attend Mass with my wife and daughter. When I was in Nevada, (before I was married) I went to Mass because the Priest was very traditional and I enjoyed his homily, as a family we attended Mass in Illinois. In those cases I generally walked away thinking about what was said. At the church we attended now, I waiver since sometimes it is OK sometimes I would do better reading a bible passage and pondering on it for five minutes.
There is something to be said for tradition, what could be better than a good sermon that teaches us something and gives us a chance to think about something other than bills, politics and work? These modern services are about conversion, money for the church or why this church is the only true path to God. Give me a traditional service that teaches what God expects of me and why Jesus said this or did that. I have to go to Barnes and Noble to find out things the priest should be telling the congregation.
That in a nut shell is where I'm finding myself more and more these days. After more than 50 years as a loyal son of the Church I find it harder and harder to even bother to go to Mass anymore. Instead of nourishing my soul I feel as though the Priest and lay leaders are poisoning it. I can't stand the music. I can't stand the way the guy with the biggest guitar 'leads' the celebration and everyone else...priest included...follow his lead. I resent the touchy feely, I'm OK, You're OK crappy homilies we get every week. I hate the fact that there are 40 or 50 people distributing Holy Communion. I hate the fact that after Communion we have to sit through 1 or two sappy, insipid, "Meditation Hymns" by the guitar group and then we're expected to applaud like we're at some crappy coffee house production. I could go on and on but why bother? I know I'm being too judgemental but I can't help it. This parish used to be the most traditional parish in the diocese...now it's the exact opposite. I've tried other churches in the area and they're all just as bad. I don't know what I'm going to do.
I’ve been at churches that have been both male-led and female-led. Here is what tends to happen:
MALE-LED:
1. Men generally respect a male-led institution, so they show up.
2. Women are delighted that their husbands are taking an interest in religion, so they show up as well.
3. Ambitious women who can’t be in leadership or preaching positions decide to show they are as smart as anyone by taking over other areas of the church and often do a great job at it. Children’s programs, music, and arts flourish. Life is good.
WOMEN-LED:
1. While some women want to provide good leadership, women with grievances about organized religion worm their way into leadership positions. The problem is that honorable women sometimes have a problem telling other women that certain ideas are unworkable. Furthermore, men will often not want to get involved in a dispute between two women. It’s just human nature.
2. All areas of the church become open to women. Women start dominating all areas as men don’t feel like competing with women.
3. Men drop out.
4. The families drop out with them.
5. The church starts to get really liberal as unmarried women dominate the leadership.
6. Conservatives leave.
7. The church goes on with empty pews, budget deficits and “a commit to social justice.”
It’s unfair, I know, and I apologize to the many conservative women out there who would make great pastors and church leaders. But I’m just writing about what I’ve seen.
Have you looked at St. Benedict's Chapel in Chesapeake? (521 McCosh Drive Chesapeake, Virginia 23320). They have two TLM Masses a week, offered by FSSP. Of course, being up in the DC area, I've not actually been there, but I would wager that you would have none of the guitar-mass, feminizing touchy feely gobbledygook at an FSSP parish.
Although it might seem a lot to go out of your way, it may be well worth your while.
Just a thought.
I have to drive 45 mins to Mass...other people are coming in from 5 different states.
PGK you couldn’t have articulated my sentiments any more clearly!
Additionally, my Diocese is consolidating Parishes all over and closing their churches, yet weekly we are taking up special collections for our new, $6M Church building, the financing of which includes hefty loans from the Diocese. Incongrous to say the least, and quite disturbing that we are closing Churches, but the Diocese has money to erect glass palaces.
Why not use the money to keep Churches active so grandma doesn’t have to take a bus two towns over to go to Mass, when she used to walk to the Church on the corner?
Vivat Jesus!
Fortunately, there are three TLM's conveniently within reach for me (St. Alphonsus, St. Mary Mother of God, and St. Our Lady Queen of Poland / St. Maximilian Kolbe). I count myself very fortunate, as where my inlaws live there is but one Catholic church within driving distance...and it is just one of these church ugly modernist covens.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.