needing some help with communion issue - Page 2

anp1215 · #16 May 8, '12, 3:52 pm

I feel that you should stay and continue to advocate for these parishioners who seem to have no voice in their own parish. It sounds to me like maybe God sent you to this parish for a reason.

The situation you describe truly saddens me! All this will do is alienate and push these Hispanics into the arms of the welcoming Protestant church down the street that offers services in their language.

I get really angry and annoyed when I hear the "Welcome to America, learn to speak English immediately" attitude. I fully and 100% believe that immigrants should make every effort to learn the language of their new country, but that is easier said than done. For one, this DRE has no idea how long many of the Hispanic people have been here. For all she knows, some of these kids moved here a few months ago with their families. It takes time to learn a new language. Where do all of these people work? If they work in the home, learning English is going to be even more difficult. A stay at home mom might not leave the house often enough to pick up much English. She might not be able to afford English classes (this is why I want to start a ministry at my parish that offers free English classes to immigrants).

Also, nowhere did you even say that these people can't understand English. I bet many of them can. So where did the "they live in America they need to speak English" comment from the DRE even come from? Just because you can speak English doesn't mean you can never hear/speak Spanish ever again.

I'd like to see this DRE move to the Netherlands and immediately learn to speak Dutch. And even if she lived there for a long time and did learn the language, does that mean that she wouldn't appreciate the comfort of hearing her native language in church? That's what a native language is to me, a comfort. What harm would it do to allow these people the small comfort of hearing a single song in their language?

keepingfaith4 · #17 May 9, '12, 7:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by anp1215

I feel that you should stay and continue to advocate for these parishioners who seem to have no voice in their own parish. It sounds to me like maybe God sent you to this parish for a reason.

The situation you describe truly saddens me! All this will do is alienate and push these Hispanics into the arms of the welcoming Protestant church down the street that offers services in their language.

I get really angry and annoyed when I hear the "Welcome to America, learn to speak English immediately" attitude. I fully and 100% believe that immigrants should make every effort to learn the language of their new country, but that is easier said than done. For one, this DRE has no idea how long many of the Hispanic people have been here. For all she knows, some of these kids moved here a few months ago with their families. It takes time to learn a new language. Where do all of these people work? If they work in the home, learning English is going to be even more difficult. A stay at home mom might not leave the house often enough to pick up much English. She might not be able to afford English classes (this is why I want to start a ministry at my parish that offers free English classes to immigrants).

Also, nowhere did you even say that these people can't understand English. I bet many of them can. So where did the "they live in America they need to speak English" comment from the DRE even come from? Just because you can speak English doesn't mean you can never hear/speak Spanish ever again.

I'd like to see this DRE move to the Netherlands and immediately learn to speak Dutch. And even if she lived there for a long time and did learn the language, does that mean that she wouldn't appreciate the comfort of hearing her native language in church? That's what a native language is to me, a comfort. What harm would it do to allow these people the small comfort of hearing a single song in their language?

you have said exactly what i am feeling but am still not sure about staying as the man who is the dre has quite a temper,carries grudges and has been in the diocese as an educator for many years.Along with this,he wields much power.these families are already beginning to leave this catholic church and are joining more hispanic non catholic organizations

this dre comes from a small town with small town ideas and finds honoring others cultural backgrounds unacceptable.Despite having a fairly rapidly growing african-american-and hispanic community within 2 miles of this church there are NO outreach ministries.
I will continue to pray over this and hope this next communion mass this week has a much happier tone from the dre and his helpers.I intend to NOT take a backseat this mass and will work hard to keep the joy in this special occasion as it should be

anp1215 · #18 May 9, '12, 8:02 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by keepingfaith4

you have said exactly what i am feeling but am still not sure about staying as the man who is the dre has quite a temper,carries grudges and has been in the diocese as an educator for many years.Along with this,he wields much power.these families are already beginning to leave this catholic church and are joining more hispanic non catholic organizations

this dre comes from a small town with small town ideas and finds honoring others cultural backgrounds unacceptable.Despite having a fairly rapidly growing african-american-and hispanic community within 2 miles of this church there are NO outreach ministries.
I will continue to pray over this and hope this next communion mass this week has a much happier tone from the dre and his helpers.I intend to NOT take a backseat this mass and will work hard to keep the joy in this special occasion as it should be

I hope so too. What a nasty and unfortunate attitude to have. Maybe you should remind him that without Hispanics, the Church in America would be SHRINKING.

Bring this to prayer. Ask God what He wants you to do.

Irishgal49 · #19 May 9, '12, 8:02 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pfaffenhoffen

Again, remember Luther King and what he did?
He was is a worse situation and did it!
That priest needs help so that someone may open his blind eyes. If you are brave enough, do it! One step at a time! Speak softly but with assertiveness. Repeat what you want 10 times. Softy. Never lower your eyes.
2 times you lose, 1 you win. You are going forward.
I am giving you the steps that are better.
I would not have the guts to do it. I would explode! But I think my way would not be the best way !!!
Ghandi and Luther King came and gave us the way adapted to our times of a Christian way of bein in society. Not violent revolution. No passive obedience.
But non-violent revolution.
You will know what the best way is for you.
I am just thinking aloud and trying to help.

It's not the parishioners job to "convert" the priest and the parish. I do think IF you choose to stay I would inform the Bishop. He needs to know what's going on in that parish. Especially since you indicated there is a Spanish speaking priest there, no excuse for what's happening at all.

keepingfaith4 · #20 May 13, '12, 2:12 pm

yesterday was the second and last of the first communion classes to recieve.God truly stepped in for the timid spanish priest stood up and two days ago finished the requirements the 3 children that were going to be excluded by the dre and pastor and insisted they join their class in receiving.

Then with the backup of the music director DID include a spanish hymn during communion

the dre was furious.He came 10 minutes before mass was to start and he had all the seat arrangements and programs,so we 3 helpers had to hurry.
On top of this,the servers never showed,so one of the teacher helpers pinched in(a mystery as to why they did not come)
the lector helper also did not show----so we 3 banded together and insisted the dre do it since he surprisingly had all this person's liturgy parts for the children to do.
I was ignored by the dre and pastor and banished to the music area by his helper.
The dre had a scowl on the entire time(twill be on the video)
The spanish priest did the homily and part of the consecration in spanish.
the videographer asked the dre why he was so angry afterwards---he said to him---it's not the kids that infuriate me--it's the adults here and walked away.
Bottom line---the kids were happy and the parents were thrilled despite the glitches.The weather was gorgeous.The spanish priest for the first time stayed after mass to greet families,take pictures,bless rosaries,etc

God smiled on us and i am thankful!

anp1215 · #21 May 13, '12, 2:22 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by keepingfaith4

yesterday was the second and last of the first communion classes to recieve.God truly stepped in for the timid spanish priest stood up and two days ago finished the requirements the 3 children that were going to be excluded by the dre and pastor and insisted they join their class in receiving.

Then with the backup of the music director DID include a spanish hymn during communion

the dre was furious.He came 10 minutes before mass was to start and he had all the seat arrangements and programs,so we 3 helpers had to hurry.
On top of this,the servers never showed,so one of the teacher helpers pinched in(a mystery as to why they did not come)
the lector helper also did not show----so we 3 banded together and insisted the dre do it since he surprisingly had all this person's liturgy parts for the children to do.
I was ignored by the dre and pastor and banished to the music area by his helper.
The dre had a scowl on the entire time(twill be on the video)
The spanish priest did the homily and part of the consecration in spanish.
the videographer asked the dre why he was so angry afterwards---he said to him---it's not the kids that infuriate me--it's the adults here and walked away.
Bottom line---the kids were happy and the parents were thrilled despite the glitches.The weather was gorgeous.The spanish priest for the first time stayed after mass to greet families,take pictures,bless rosaries,etc

God smiled on us and i am thankful!

Pfaffenhoffen · #22 May 14, '12, 1:02 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishgal49

It's not the parishioners job to "convert" the priest and the parish. I do think IF you choose to stay I would inform the Bishop. He needs to know what's going on in that parish. Especially since you indicated there is a Spanish speaking priest there, no excuse for what's happening at all.

It is up to the Bishop to correct all the mistakes in the Parish.
We, laypersons, are not just a decoration.
We are the Church of God.