[Catholic Caucus] The Importance of Not Being Us

Remnant Newspaper ^ | December 31, 2017 | Christopher A. Ferrara

[livius]

Thanks, I’ll do that. I put that up years ago, mostly to innoculate myself from the attacks of the Protestants on this site. There are only a few now who are really devoted to attacking Catholics, but when I first started here (gasp! In 2000 for the first Bush campaign!) there were a few pure Jack Chick posters who used to bust up every Catholic thread by blaming us all for the lunatic statements of a few of the crazy leftist wing.

[miss marmelstein]

Oh, converts. I'm sure I'll hear an earful here but my mother's family, Irish Catholics for many generations, always giggled at converts - the way Jews smirk, sometimes, at goys who convert. Yes, they are more Catholic than Catholic.

To be frank, I've gone to traditional Mass in NYC and in France & Italy, dressed badly, and have never been given a hard time. Of course, that may be because I don't interact with people. And thankfully, at a Latin Mass, you don't have to do the stupid handshake bit. I also always sit apart out of respect. I have deep admiration for the parishioners at St. Agnes - many of whom appear to be of ethnic origin. Some of them appear quite holy to me in their intense devotion. Never let people interfere with your communication with God! Respect the traditions but do not allow yourself to be pushed around either.

Glad you know Father Rutler! What a guy. I'm hoping to move to an apt. nearby so that I can attend his Masses.

[livius]

It’s a great neighborhood - certainly changed a lot, but being near that church would be wonderful. I think Fr Rutler is very respectful of people and he is all about the Faith and not about women covering themselves up.

I was a little freaked out because in one of the Old Rite churches here, I actually heard a young man saying that women had to cover their elbows and the backs of their necks because it “inflamed” him too much to see them. I think he needs do a little “custody of the eyes” or maybe even visit a therapist if all it takes to “inflame” him is bared elbows.

Of course, here in Florida, we could stand a little more attention to dress. People literally come in wearing their beach wraps.

BTW, a friend of mine - like most, a former Catholic - said she’d go to mass again if they didn’t have the “handshake of peace.”