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I used to live in a small town and belong to the parish there. It is a beautiful, small white church that just warmed your heart when you entered. There was a beautiful, large crucifix hanging over the altar and the pews all had kneelers, it was a traditional lovely small church.

A few years ago, I went back in for a visit and found the crucifix placed in the back of the church over to the side (barely visible unless you looked for it) and it had been replaced by a plain cross over the altar (which doesn't house the Tabernacle anymore) - the front pews - about the first 10 rows - had been ripped out and replaced with chairs that have no kneelers. My heart was broken.

I am really beginning to think that it is up to the lay faithful to keep traditional alive and well in the Church. I know it sounds trite to say we only have ourselves to blame, but it's true in some ways. I blame myself because for nearly 20 years I rarely went to mass (I was a Christmas/Easter Catholic). That's 20 years where my prayers could have been joined with others to strengthen the church.

Now that we are seeing these problems, we can do something about it. The first is to know the rules, the second is to learn diplomacy, and the third is to never give up.

A few years ago, I went back in for a visit and found the crucifix placed in the back of the church over to the side (barely visible unless you looked for it) and it had been replaced by a plain cross over the altar (which doesn't house the Tabernacle anymore) - the front pews - about the first 10 rows - had been ripped out and replaced with chairs that have no kneelers. My heart was broken.

My point exactly! Thank you, american colleen. If you look deeper inside that church, you will probably find upgraded speakers for the electronic instruments that accompany the "Kumbaya" choir. And banners! These "contemporized" churches have banners everywhere. In fact, check out the "banner" (of the Blessed Virgin) just behind the main podium at the bishops conference. What a piece of work!! How inspiring is that?

And .. the music. Some of the contemporary music is beautiful but much of it reminds me of what they sing or perform in the Crystal Cathedral. Is it any wonder catholics are confused, angry, and lost?

Your church was wreckovated. I have no idea if the churches here in my area were ever anything other than they are now. Sunken floor in the center with a table for an altar. Chairs ringed around in a circle. The Tabernacle put away in a side closet... errrr... "chapel" with one, yes, ONE kneeler. The only kneeler in the building. This "chapel" also houses the only crucifix. Over the altar is an empty cross.

Sad really.