This is one of my first attempts for using the Connections Board. I thought it might be best to try to communicate here. No medium is perfect, and email threads get lost, but here goes.
Two Tuesday's ago, at the end of our Zoom choir, the recent FutureChurch event that was viewed on FB by apparently 11 people from St. Pat's was brought up. Okay, not great timing, but there's a lot to talk about these days, and it's not clear to me who, when or where to relate our thoughts ( except via the survey ). Laura said something about waiting for the results of the survey, and I said ( or tried to say ) something about being concerned that the results of the survey may be influenced by what I feel is a " bias " by the Advocates, that to try to fight our closure with a Canonical process would be fruitless and cost a whole lot besides. I said this with some emotion, and apparently this was felt as attack by some, but I didn't mean it that way. I am concerned that the Advocates have made know their collective opinion, (An advocate told the congregation that most/ all of them were decidedly not in favor of that option months ago, and Dennis has said in the Parish Council meeting minutes from May 16, 2021 that he is opposed to this action.) The Advocates and Dennis's opinions carry a lot of weight in our community, and a few of the Advocates are paid by the Archdiocese, so there is some potential for conflict of interest.
I am concerned that what I said may be at least partially the reason we got a talking to by Dennis at the end of Mass on Sunday. I am also concerned that expressing one's opinion will be henceforth interpreted as " divisiveness ", and therefore not permitted. I hope that is not the case, because if it is, we've already lost St. Pat's. He then quoted I Corinthians 13 which is wonderful, but felt like spiritual bypassing because the issue isn't a lack of love. Asking questions should not be perceived as threatening the order - that's not St. Pat's way. I said something because I love this community, not because I don't love the Advocates, and want it to continue, and I'm sorry I got a little worked up. It feels to me like the Advocates have an inordinate amount of the responsibility for any action we do. For instance, it's not clear to me if we have/ need permission to do any group action unless we have permission from the Advocates. Are FutureChurch discussions allowed? (This would not likely be an Archdiocesan friendly activity.) What is the role of the Parish Council? Are they leading, or waiting for input from the parishioners? I think they were the ones responsible for the "protest" with St. Mary's - and that was wonderful. Personally, I think that there should be additional events like that. It's not clear to me who has permission to do what. Do we have to stay inside the box that the Advocates are carrying? It feels to me that is how it is, and this places a HUGE burden on their shoulders, and leaves the rest of us out and feeling frustrated.
Love,
Molly
These are good questions Molly. I hope they are addressed.
I think you are making good points for consideration.