Sr. Helen (April 7, 2022)
What disturbs or breaks your heart about the Catholic church today?
Clericalism: they are boss, and “we” are nobody. Everyone has a voice, a right to be heard. Having a “Shepherd” who never comes to know us or support his flock.
It is raunchy that we have to fight with everything directed at us. St. Joes is not our parish, we have to stand up and say “no”. It's like mixing apples and oranges, each parish has its own charism.
Rome cannot close ethnic parishes: everyone is important,
I hope bishop went to meeting [East Coast] about Vatican II, about working together, with everybody involved together. Everybody has a right to say how they feel.
Why doesn't bishop involve the people? Very discouraging. We are All the Church, not just the clerical!!!
What fills your heart about the Catholic church? How, guided by the Holy Spirit, could we nurture that experience at St. Patrick Parish, in the Archdiocese of Seattle, and the world?
We are the church: St. Pat's has something that no other church has in the diocese. Creative, welcoming, energizing, because there is an aliveness there. People are welcomed at the door: We see who you are! 90% participation says a lot about who we are. We have community at St Pat's. I know I'm wanted, they appreciate my presence. We care for the deaf/blind, L'Arche etc. We provide rides for those in need. Everyone participates in many and varied ways. It brings new life and energy to come to St. Pat's! Come and experience "New Life." This is called "Community."