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Give them my encouragement and thanks. If they feel that they are going it alone then it can be very intimidating. Once they can find kindred spirits who share their values and goals, and they will find many once they begin looking, it will become a work of joy. I have seen that a few bad apples with sharp elbows can seem to intimidate and dominate parishes and eventually ruin parishes.

If your relatives have the energy and dedication I would encourage them to pursue the diaconate. Being ordained and working in service to the diocese and the bishop and not the specific parish or priest, they can resist a lot of nonsense and facilitate a lot of good.

Peace be to you.

If your relatives have the energy and dedication I would encourage them to pursue the diaconate.
Well, many of them are now a little too 'long in the tooth' for that IMO. You never know though and I'll tell them about your suggestion.
The kids and grand kids (my cousins) are a bit too...influenced shall we say...by the world around them if you know what I mean. They've only held on this long because of their elders. They see it as something they must endure for their sake.

I have seen that a few bad apples with sharp elbows can seem to intimidate and dominate parishes and eventually ruin parishes.
Good point. I'll ask them about that. They know I'm Protestant so they don't get into particulars.

Peace be to you.
And to you and yours also.