People aren't aware that there is an alternative. I wasn't aware of the alternative for many years. People feel trapped in their Novus Ordo hell where they get to hear heresy from the pulpit and off-key lounge singing accompanied by guitars. They just stop going. That has been the decision of the large majority of Catholics, "Just say no." This has been my experience as well. I am among those who continue to go to church every week, and every week I hope for the best. But more often than not, I am deeply disappointed by the seemingly never-ending innovations that come down the pike with alarming frequency.
And I'm not alone. The other mothers I speak to are equally upset, but when I ask them to join me in protesting, they hesitate. They are intimidated by both the pastor, who is an utterly unrepentent hippy-dippy type, and the Liturgy Committee, which is made up of individuals who are equally hippy-dippy.
I'll tell you this: If all of a sudden a miracle happened, and the pope ordered all parishes to offer at least one traditional rite Mass per week, the place would be PACKED --especially with the families of the kids who attend the school (I know I'd certainly be there).
Regards,
I agree with you. Last week I attended a 4 PM afternoon Mass in a parish that I had not attended before. It's in a different diocese than the one I am in although it's only 20 minutes from my house. The priest was very good compared to the priest in my own parish. First time I have heard the Confetior outside of EWTN! The Mass was half full, an older crowd (55+ - 60+ mostly women and a few old men, just like the Saturday 5 PM at my own parish and in most parishes that have a Sat. afternoon Mass). This week I attended that same 4 PM Mass again except it was said by a priest who I later found out is an assistant priest who lives in the rectory but mostly does a hospital ministry, interestingly, he is from Ireland and maybe about 40 years old. Well, this priest was FANTASTIC! Everything you would want in a NO Mass - including the Hail Mary. The place was packed. Tons of young guys with small and medium kids. Traditional music, a homily that nearly brought tears to my eyes and which both my kids understood and listened to intently and talked about after Mass (now that never happens!). The priest was a "Baltimore Catechism" type priest and 100% Catholic and not afraid to be that way. He explained the readings and intertwined them with authentic Catholic teaching. Later I went over to my sisters house for a birthday party and she told me that the families in this town love this priest and beg the bishop to assign him his own parish. She says the families call the rectory and ask which Masses this priest is saying because they want their kids exposed to Catholicism.