Yesterday as I parked my car on Western Avenue to attend Mass at Blessed Sacrament (just off Chevy Chase Circle) another Mass-goer came from behind me and parked his car on Quesada St, just outside the church's side door. He got out and went in.
I could not help but notice as he drove past me the garish rainbow-colored "Obama" bumper strip on his car. I realized he was in desperate need of some education. Fortunately I always carry a supply of Wisdom on Windshields. It is an educational flyer that can be placed on the car of the obviously oblivious fellow Catholic. I placed it on his car and went into the church myself. I was dismayed (but not too terribly surprised) to notice that this man was the lector for the Mass. By the time I left Mass, he had already driven away.
Before I continue with what I saw at Blessed Sacrament, I'll say a few words on behalf of Wisdom on Windshields. It's particularly helpful if you see such a sight but are rushing into Mass and/or not see the car owner. No problem! Just deposit a Wisdom on Windshields flyer under the wiper or in the car door (make sure it can't blow away). You can download it here and have it handy on your own computer. Print it out and always carry a supply with you to Church, as you'll never know when an opportunity will arise to educate an ignorant fellow Catholic. Those of you in other areas of the country should feel free to copy the language to your own letterhead, if that will be more helpful to your local situation. Understand that the distribution of this flyer is an exercise of the Spiritual Works of Mercy of Instructing the Ignorant and/or Rebuking the Sinner, depending on the knowledge/culpability of the recipient (which we of course have no way of knowing).
I resume my discussion of Blessed Sacrament. I picked up a parish bulletin. Because it was Saturday, the bulletin actually was for the previous weekend. Here it is. Now go to page 4 and look at the left-hand column. Why, oh why, is anything by Sister Joan Chittister being put forth as being suitable reading for Catholics? At Blessed Sacrament, is any responsible adult monitoring the goings-on at the parish library? I ask not only because of their dubious offerings but because I understand that it was the library that invited both Chris Matthews and Mark Shriver for their book-signings (both of which we picketed, by the way).
Moving down to page 5, on the right-hand side, we see that Blessed Sacrament is touting a celebration of Earth Day. "Well, so what?", one might ask. The problem is that the Washington Interfaith Network is spearheading this. WIN makes no bones that they are the DC-area affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation. As you look on their webpage, you'll see that they were "founded in 1940". By whom? Well they weren't always so coy about that little detail. The fact is that the IAF was the flagship organization founded by Saul Alinsky himself. The wikipedia (correctly) states that among the many people he influenced was Barack Obama. He also influenced Msgr Jack Egan, who was instrumental in establishing the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
Now not only is the bulletin giving credibility to Alinskyites, but notice something else about the ad. They want to "reduce storm water pollution". Sounds nice, doesn't it? Well, the Maryland parishioners might want to take notice of that one in light of the "rain tax" with which Annapolis just saddled us.
I decided to take a look at this weekend's bulletin. Go to page 4. You'll see unabashed shilling for gun registration and the Catholic "climate covenant". Meanwhile prominent parishioners sport Obama stickers on their cars and the librarian hosts katholyc pro-aborts to sign their books on Church property. Boys and girls, what is wrong with this picture?
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why would you even go there for Mass unless you were looking for trouble. It has been a pro-gay left-wing parish for years.
ReplyDeleteOn Saturdays it's convenient to my schedule since I'm down there anyway. The Sacraments certainly are valid and I receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. Believe me, I know I'm not going to hear any wonderful homily, but I will receive the Eucharist.
DeletePesky thing about that "obedience" vow: priests (orthodox and heretical alike) are still bound by that, even if the ordinary isn't exactly the most ideal (look at who we're talking about here). The big problem with such parishes as BS is the entrenching of the parishioners who were never corrected by priests in charge (either too timid or in total agreement with them).
DeleteNow, I know Fr. Potts personally (he presided over my wedding to my wonderful wife). He is somewhat orthodox (he was actually relieved when my wife asked about covering up for our Nuptial Mass), but I fear that he does more to go along to get along for fear of rocking the boat (the parish he was pastor of when I was married had some really bad things going on that he demurred on, but his replacement was rather firm with them after he had left).
Lord have mercy of Father Huber form Holy Redeemer who is being transferred there. Same problem, he is pretty much unboard but it IMO wants to be liked.
DeleteIf all faithful Catholics just cut and run, we cede more territory to the devil. I do go tho Mary, Mother of God or more reverent NO parishes every so often for refreshment.
Learning
It's a shame that Blessed Sacrament has gone so far off the reservation. It's a beautiful church.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the current ordinary doesn't seem motivated to issue any corrections, so...
well, you may be rececing Our Lord but if you are going to drink rat poison alongside the Blessed Sacrament don't complain to me that you feel sick to your stomach going to Mass there only reinforces another liberal parish. Frankly, I don't attend Mass north of the Potomac, if you know what I mean
ReplyDeleteYou call it "complaining". I call it "shedding light on cockroaches".
DeleteI still call in complaining You knew what you were getting into shame on you
ReplyDeleteYou call it what you want. But I don't think you're being honest. Either you have some chip on your shoulder or you're simply trying to shut me up. It won't work. I'll continue to shine the light and if that light is too bright for your eyes, you can bury your head in the dirt if you'd like.
DeleteFirst you said you went to Blessed Sacrament for mass because it was “convenient;” Now you went there to “shed light on cockroaches.” Maybe it is you who needs to be honest. It is not enough that we approach the Eucharist with faith in Christ’s Presence; we must also, Saint Paul tells us, examine ourselves (I Corinthians 11:28) to make sure we are in good faith. Maybe you need to examine yourself as to why you come to Mass and Holy Communion and if you do so out of Faith in Christ or to be a self-appointed policewoman of others’ souls.
ReplyDeleteYou 'anonymous' made me feel MUCH better bringing some LIGHT of LOVE to this overly toxic and ANGRY post ... Restore-DC-Catholicism you should be ashamed by how much HATE you have in your heart!!! If Jesus was walking by would he applaud your ego-filled tasteless action? Or would he have wished you entered the Parish as the fellow brother who you hoped to hurt when he returned to his car did? I hope you let Him do His work and you do yours ... You, are NOT the judge... Praise the Lord.
DeleteFirst you say I "have hate in my heart" then I "hoped to hurt" someone and then you have the chutzpah to tell me not to judge??? Your little screed reeks of hypocrisy, friend!
DeleteSome parishes need a policeman actually. I put out a newsletter in the Diocese of Arlington and I would have no problem going to Mass at an unfaithful parish to shine the light on it. People have a right to be warned and they can't be warned if someone doesn't blow the trumpet. Father John Hardon, S.J., a holy Jesuit (There are a few.), once told me that when those who have the authority to correct abuse don't do it, those who don't have the authority must. And so I congratulate you, Janet, for shining the light on this bad parish. Keep warning those looking for faithful Masses that they won't find them there.
ReplyDeleteGoogle these four words: john hardon donald mcguire
DeleteBefore stating w/certainty that the sacraments of a parish are valid where you know the priests dissent from other church teachings you may want to speak to the priests (if you are sure they won't lie to you) concerning their belief in the blessed sacrament (ironic isn't it?) etc.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/intention.htm
http://www.ewtn.com/library/DOCTRINE/INTENTIO.TXT
No, to go to Mass and find abuses and report on them is one thing; to go to Mass in order to find abuses is another. I must say that this response lost some of hte respect in which I have held Mrs Kreitzer. From seeing her webiste over the past few years I would have expected more of her. To ocme to Mass and Holy Communion our intention must be to give God worship. To go out with the purpose of looking for trouble is not the spirit in which Our Lord gave us this wonderful sacrament. I am very sad not only for the two of you but for all of us whom you have disappointed by this strategy.
ReplyDeleteFirst, a parenthetical remark. I never said I went to Blessed Sacrament to "shed light on cockroaches" as my purpose. You put those words in my mouth and that is blatantly dishonest. Your apologies are accepted.
DeleteOf course we go to Mass to worship and serve the Lord. Part of that service is to do our best to protect the integrity of the Mass. That means we have to shine the light on cockroaches when we see them. Why? To eradicate them! This is not rocket science!
You seem to have more of a problem with "finding abuses" than you do with the actual abuses themselves. For whom are you trying to cover up? My friend, it's clear to all with two functioning brain neurons that you're simply trying to shut us up - and I think you're operating at the behest of others! If you wish to play your "three monkeys" game, you're perfectly at liberty to do so - but we won't join you, for such willful oblivion in the face of parochial abuse does not constitute a vital part of "worship" and may itself be aiding and abetting mortal sin. Think about that very, very seriously - especially if you're a priest and/or affiliated with Blessed Sacrament parish in any capacity!
Mary Ann and I know you're "disappointed" in us. Rest assured that we will weather that blow and we'll soldier on ahead. Also be assured that the disappointment is reciprocated. But do NOT be assured that any additional attempts to silence us will be published.
I am a Blessed Sacrament (BS) parishioner and am so saddened to read all of the negative comments about the church. I love BS. No one will ever be perfect and that includes priests who are mere humans - flawed like all the rest of us. BS is a very hard working parish and the priests work tirelessly. Because of the priest shortage, they can no longer retire, until they are physically/mentally unable to work anymore. Some of these should-be retirees serving at BS, perform more than one mass a day in addition to all their other duties. I find BS to be very inclusive and there is something for everyone. Finally, to criticize the church is to criticize the people who attend that church, and I would posit that people are the same everywhere - north of the Potomac,south of the Potomac, ...
ReplyDeleteI merely comment about what I saw in that church. What bothers you more: what I saw, or merely the fact that I reported it? I understand you perceive my comments as "negative"; the emotional reverberations of my comments upon you are entirely irrelevant to the objective merits of my comments.
DeleteWhat you call "flaws" are in fact sins. We all sin. But we're called to repent of that sin and strive for holiness. That effort is not accomplished by coddling those who publicly thumb their noses at the teachings of the Church. In fact, that call to holiness - the mission of any Catholic Church - is severely undermined when public dissidents are celebrated, as were Chris Matthews and Mark Shriver over the past two years. When we learned of these events, we attempted many times to contact the pastor with our concerns. Those attempts were rebuffed; I for one never received a reply. Accordingly we picketed. Someone had to show some Christian witness and loyalty to Christ's Magisterium.
If you are one who condoned the invitations to Matthews and/or Shriver, and who applaud the promotion of Joan Chittister in your parish bulletin, you are definitely part of the problem in that church.
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” I am so tired of the world of accusations, blame and condemnation. This is not what Christ left for us to cultivate. When I look at myself and hold myself accountable, I do what I can to love the Church and her people. You don't own the Church anymore than the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteIt is not "condemnation" to point out facts, and the facts are that Blessed Sacrament is harboring folks who espouse teachings contrary to the Catholic Church. Speaking of "holding yourself accountable", what's with this heretical drivel with which you associate yourself? See http://pathwaysinstitute.blogspot.com/
DeleteWhen Kavanaugh was nominated, the coverage in the Washington Post made it crystal clear that the priests at Blessed Sacrament take pains to make sure the pro-abortion Catholics are totally at ease. One can still find homilies by Monsignor Enzler at Blessed Sacrament. I am thinking of one in particular that most people would consider a rip-roaring homily against abortion, but at the last moment he makes sure that no one should draw the kooky conclusion that the horror of abortion could or should conceivably affect one's choice of party or candidates.
ReplyDelete