Good-bye Fr. Weinberger

Rod Dreher's account:

We arrived early this morning at Blessed Sacrament church for the 10:45 Latin mass. The 9 a.m. Spanish language mass was just ending, and so many people were there I had to park the car some distance away. I don't know if this is normal for that mass, but if so, it gives lie to Bishop Grahmann's claim that Fr. Weinberger is underserving the Spanish people in that parish.

As we approached the entrance to the church, there was Fr. Weinberger in his usual post-mass spot, seated outside the door on a stool, receiving his parishioners. It was cold and rainy, but people stood in line for a long time to tell him goodbye. It was absolutely heartbreaking to watch. These are the working poor of Dallas, the janitors, the maids, the busboys, and so forth ... and their hearts were broken. Young people were crying. Old ladies were weeping. Even big strapping grown men were wiping away tears. I couldn't look at that scene, knowing how absolutely unnecessary it was, and knowing that Bishop Grahmann wasn't man enough to come down here and tell these souls why he was doing this to them.

I saw a TV crew from WFAA Channel 8 there, as was a photographer and religion desk reporter from the Dallas Morning News. Good, I thought; the people of Dallas need to see what kind of parish this is. My family and I took our seats, and began to pray.

The mass -- the Novus Ordo in Latin -- began with chanting and the usual procession. There must have been 10 reverent boys as altar servers, and I thought: none of these children were born when Fr. Weinberger arrived here. He's taught them all so well.

I took out my notebook when the homily began. After about five minutes of preaching, Fr. Weinberger addressed his personal situation. He said, of his past decade of service in this parish, "I'm 44, and these have been the happiest years of my life." But he added that these have also been "the 10 most difficult years in the history of our diocese." He said the trial of the pedophile priest Rudy Kos, which resulted in a $119 million judgment against the Diocese of Dallas (later reduced) was the Dallas Church's own 9/11.

"You would have to be inert not to see Blessed Sacrament over the last 10 years as a beacon of positive Catholic light in this diocese," he told his people. He thanked the bishop for sending him to this parish 10 years ago, and he recalled how, on his first Sunday in the pulpit, he vowed that the $1 million debt would be paid off within a decade, that the stained glass windows would be replaced, that the shabby church building would be repainted and the parking lot repaved. All that was done as he promised, through (as Fr. W. put it), "ora et labora" -- prayer and work -- and "through divine providence, the intercession of Our Lady, your prayers and your work. Thanks be to God."

Then Father said something interesting. He said that several years ago, a family making out a will approached him and offered him a $1 million bequest upon the death of the family head, to be used by him in Bl. Sacrament parish. He said he convinced the family that this money would be better off given to the diocese, for the bishop to use as he saw fit. In other words, Weinberger refused the million-dollar bequest, and told the donor(s) to will it to Grahmann instead.

Father didn't have to say it (and he didn't), but the implication was obvious: he arranged for a million dollars to be given to the bishop out of this parish, but the bishop wouldn't even bother answering his letters. I know that the matriarch of the family making the bequest has not died yet. It will be interesting to see if she changes the terms of her will given how Grahmann has treated Fr. Weinberger and Blessed Sacrament parish.

Then things got hot in the homily. Fr. W. said that it's not true what the diocese is saying about his transfer now, that it is normal. Fr. W. had two years left to go on his assignment at Bl. Sacrament. He said, "If, after the Rudy Kos trial, you as a Roman Catholic accept that without serious introspection. You need help. You need serious help." He explained that no Catholic should accept the transfer of any priest by a bishop as business as usual, because "normal transfers are a thing of the past."

Fr. Weinberger then read a carefully worded statement that he had already handed out to parishioners, addressing comments Deacon Bronson Havard, the bishop's spokesman, made to columnist Terry Mattingly about Fr. Weinberger's ministry, and which he allegedly made to a California layman who has since offered sworn testimony that Havard said these things. The layman swore out a deposition saying that Havard stated to him, "However, I know several priests who did just as much busy work [i.e., offering many masses and confessions] and they turned out to be pedophiles."

Fr. Weinberger thundered from the pulpit: "These are shocking comments. They are reckless in the extreme and they are deeply offensive to me personally. In no way should anyone speak so dismissively of me and my good name." He continued: "That a Deacon would ever speak of priestly service in the celebration of the Sacraments and the liturgy of the Church as 'busywork' is extremely hard to imagine."

"I only have a good name," Father said. "I am 44, born in Dallas, and I plan to serve here the rest of my life. If I plan to skip along without addressing this, it may never get taken care of." Father said he has repeatedly asked the bishop to do something about Havard's statements, but has not heard from him.

"I'm sorry," he said, "but this has to be dealt with. ...This will be taken care of. It will not stand in silence, as it has for over a month."

Father effusively praised his replacement, Fr. Rudy Garcia, and asked prayers for him, for Bishop Grahmann, "and even Deacon Havard." And after a few more remarks, the liturgy of the word ended.

After mass, everyone lined up to tell Fr. Paul goodbye. The Channel 8 reporter asked me if I'd be interviewed on camera, and I agreed to be. I told him on camera that the most tragic thing was that this did not have to happen, and I said for the record that Bishop Grahmann wasn't man enough to come face these people, and that there is no such thing as accountability in our Church, either by a bishop to his people, or from the bishop to Rome. The reporter went to talk to other people, including a woman who drove up from Houston for the service. I spoke to a number of parishioners there outside the church, and they were heartsick. Over and over again, I heard Catholic men and women say they'd written the bishop about this, and heard nothing back, and that they'd sent letters to the nuncio, and heard nothing. They could not understand how any of this could happen, how such a thing could be done and no one in the hierarchy not feel the least compunction to address the legitimate concerns of the faithful.

I told several of them that I'd said to the Channel 8 reporter what a tragedy it is that we the Catholic laity don't hold the bishop to account. He said, "But honestly, what can we do? We've written to all the right people, and they don't even pay attention to us. We really are powerless."

And he's right, I'm afraid. What a sorry spectacle that was this morning. But God will somehow bring good out of it. The people of the far outlying parish to which Fr. Weinberger has been sent have no idea what kind of grace they are about to receive in their new pastor. I heard a number of those parishioners, especially those with big families, say they'll follow Fr. Weinberger wherever he goes. Greenville, the town where his new parish is, is an hour's drive northeast of Dallas. Lots of them will be there next Sunday morning, standing by their pastor and friend. One of the dads said to me how much he wishes that next time, Rome would send Dallas a Christian bishop. There's a lot of bitterness and alienation there -- all so very, very unnecessary. If only somebody in Rome would give a damn about the destruction being worked on the real lives of parishes and families and people by these bishops of ours.

The news reports in the newspaper and on TV tonight will be the first most Dallasites have heard about Bronson Havard's comments about Fr. Weinberger. I think it will cause quite a shock. This isn't over.

And also:

Fr. Weinberger told the parish today that he is going to post his entire correspondence with Bishop Grahmann in the matter of his transfer to the parish's website: here. Transparency in action!

Comments

[Rod Dreher]

Amy, thanks for posting this. I see in my haste to get this down when I walked in from mass (I wrote it out for friends and supporters of Fr. Weinberger who live elsewhere) that I was a bit sloppy in my writing. In the paragraph that starts like this:

I told several of them that I'd said to the Channel 8 reporter what a tragedy it is that we the Catholic laity don't hold the bishop to account. He said, "But honestly, what can we do?..."

...the "he" is one of the men standing in a group talking about this, not the Channel 8 reporter (who may not even be Catholic).

I notice too that I didn't mention how warm and calm Fr. Weinberger was. He wasn't visibly angry, but when he demanded that the bishop address Bronson Havard's remarks about him and his service, he spoke with a strong, clear, ringing voice. He's a man of honor and integrity and boundless kindness, that Paul Weinberger, and I suspect that really came through today to any outsiders who came to the mass.

The woman there who had either driven up or flown in from Houston (she and her husband were parishioners until they got transferred a year or two ago) had dropped everything to do so when she heard today was to be Fr. Weinberger's last day. Her husband had been on a business trip to Colorado, and he flew in just for today's mass. The husband and wife met each other at mass this morning. That's the kind of devotion Fr. Paul, in his goodness to his people, has inspired.

[Jim]

Until we hold the man responsible who is uniquely responsible for the appointment, oversight and disciplining of bishops, these kinds of problems will persist. Unfortunately, that man is protected by a thick cult of personality and a canonical structure that is designed primarily to protect the hierarchy. Blame Bp. Grahmann if you must -- he is deserving of all kinds of blame -- but hold his boss accountable. Rome has subsumed to itself in the last 150 years the sole power to appoint bishops -- it must assume the responsibility for bad choices, too!

[Nicole]

Thank you for posting this Amy. I am just so sorry for the people in this Parish and the Diocese. I understand why people feel helpless. So many things are wrong with this picture.

Nicole
St. Louis, MO
Waiting to see how our new Bishop is

[Fr. Vierling]

I am wondering if this would have happened if Bishop Galante were the bishop?

[Cathy]

Rod, thank you for your witness.

[Stephanie]

I'd like to offer the following, as posted a couple of other places:

I, too, was at the 10:45 Mass at Blessed Sacrament today, and it was as Rod describes. When I was handed the many announcements before Mass, and read about Fr. Paul accepting the position of Pastor in Greenville, I gasped, then the tears began to stream quietly down my cheeks.

You see, my husband and I moved our family from Dallas to a little bit of land 15 minutes north of Greenville in August. Fr. Paul's move this way seems somehow providential..

There will definitely be a challenge or two for Fr. Paul at St. William's, but you might be surprised to know that a few mostly homeschooling families out here near Texarkana have been among those "long hauling" to Blessed Sacrament.

As for my family, we are extremely well served by Fr. Corcoran in Commerce, who has been introducing Latin, and recently purchased several acres for a new Church and school. He would very much like an altar rail installed in the new church, and to open a regional Catholic school (but ONLY if run by a religious order, specifically the Nashville Dominicans.)

Can you imagine what will happen up here with two dynamic men of truly Catholic vision? Whoa! I can hardly wait to see this take shape!

What I'm trying to say is this... It's really not all that backwards out here... And this move, although so incredibly painful for Fr. Paul, may also end up being something truly awesome.

There are several of us ready to welcome Fr. Paul to the area. He knows he has friends up here, and we all hope that is some consolation to him as he leaves his beloved Blessed Sacrament.

God Bless Fr. Paul, Fr. Rudy, and Fr. Stan!

God Bless Blessed Sacrament, St. William's, and St. Joseph's!

[Colleen]

Such a sad situation but as Stephanie notes above, a blessing for Fr. Paul's new families - and I hope for Fr. Paul as well.

All I can say, not knowing anyone involved here, is that I took a look at the Blessed Sacrament homepage when this story first broke. Fr. Paul is involved with everything in his parish... no DREs or pastoral associates - he is what most priests used to be - seeing the priesthood as a vocation and not as a 9 to 5 job. What a contrast to those priests in Milwaukee (and increasingly, elsewhere) who wrote that "poor us" letter to the newspaper before forwarding it to their bishop.

I wonder how many vocations a devoted priest like Fr. Paul inspires? Maybe it's a good thing not to keep him in one place and this story has sure brought the national focus on what one dedicated and orthodox priest can do.

May God give us more like Fr. Paul (and may we be worthy of good priests)!

[michigancatholic]

Colleen's right in a way. Passing him around may be a bit hard on Father while it eases the bishop's frustration a bit, but it will also let a lot of people see what they've been missing. A great priest is a gift from God. Too many do think they have a nine-to-five entertainment job, at least around here, and I assume where you are too.....

[chas. e. vaske]

I beleive the good lord is POSITIONING HIS GOOD PRIESTS IN CERTIAN AREAS AND AS IN THIS CASE GROUPING THEM, IN PREPERATION FOR SOME AS YET UNFORSEEN EVENT. HE HAS A PLAN I`M SURE AND IT IS NOT FOR US TO WORRY ABOUT. WE NEED TO BE OBEIDENT AND TRUST AND FOLLOW HIM AND HIS HOLY MOTHER WHEN WE ARE CALLED.PRAY AND DISCERN THEN ACT.

[michigancatholic]

I'm fascinated by this turn of complaint because it always fascinates me when fellow Catholics act like passive doormats and then claim they are trapped.

You know, you are trapped only because you don't get in your car and drive over there. What's the bishop going to do, take your keys away?? Grow up.

BTW, don't leave your wallet laying around in places which don't deserve your support, eh?

[cs]

In a related note, Bishop Cullen of the Allentown Diocese has placed the National Center for Padre Pio under interdict, as of Jan 1. No sacraments are permitted to be celebrated there, ever.

He has forbidden the Center's directors from contacting him personally, instructing them to communicate only with his legal counsel.

Maybe he meant talk to the hand.

[Colleen]

cs - what's the story here? I can't find anything about this on the Internet - so it must not exist ;-) --- seriously, no sacraments ever is beyond comprehension - what happened to the Center or what happened to the bishop to merit this permanent interdict?

[Rod Dreher]

I'm so glad Fr. Paul will be out there among friends. I do note, though, that I've been told tonight that the parish out in Greenville is the smallest of the 66 in the Diocese of Dallas ... and that there are three parishes in this diocese without pastors now. Grahmann is exiling Weinberger to Siberia. And God bless Siberia, because Fr. Paul is going to make flowers bloom there.

[Stephanie]

Siberia??? Ouch, Mr. D!

I know for a fact the church in Commerce (also diocese of Dallas) is smaller than the one in Greenville. Have you been to Greenville yet? Maybe you can make it to Fr. Paul's 1st Mass? It's really, really not the last outpost on earth. Again, I'm pretty sure that would be Commerce. But we're working hard to change that!!

I don't know your source, but you might want to read ch 8's report before invoking the word "exile."

[John Hetman]

From Niles, Illinois, all I can say now is: "May the Lord Watch Over Father Paul." I wish that we had him here.

[Rod Dreher]

No insult intended, Stephanie. Like I said, Fr. Paul is lucky to be among friends like you and your family, and I'm certain he will make that little parish bloom. When I say "Siberia," it really is in geographical terms (which should tell readers what it means that y'all were driving all the way into south Dallas every Sunday for mass at Blessed Sacrament ... and that plenty of folks this morning outside of Bl. Sac. were saying that they'll drive all the way out to Greenville from now on).

[Therese]

I don't know, for as unfair as this situation is, I think Fr Paul is risking playing right into their hands by being public about this. He is in a no win situation: If he says nothing, they will still exile him. If he says something they still exile him and also say to Rome, see how tells tales outside of school. From what I can tell, good priests like Fr Paul are at high risk of being exiled to the netherlands. I guess they want them to get embittered, frustrated, and just give up and go play golf 2 or 3 days a week and do the minimum or start breaking some rules and stop being such a boy scout. They want the dedicated orthodox priests to do anything, anything at all, but proove that it is possible for the laity to be receptive to the Church's teachings. They want them to get on the dumbing down the faith and watering down the commandments band wagon.

[Rod Dreher]

You're right about that, Therese, but if they think they're going to break Paul Weinberger, they have no idea who they're messing with.

Deacon Havard wrote in the Texas Catholic, the paper he edits, within the last couple of years that a survey showing younger priests are more orthodox and traditional in their beliefs and piety indicates that there's a great deal of trouble in the next generation. That's the mindset in the chancery here, it seems.

[Carrie]

I can't help but reflect that when Fr. Fessio (I think I have the name right) was "exiled" to Florida, the Church got a new orthodox university in the bargain. We should never underestimate the power of God.

Having said that, though, I have other thoughts as well. These:

Rod wrote:

There's a lot of bitterness and alienation there -- all so very, very unnecessary. If only somebody in Rome would give a damn about the destruction being worked on the real lives of parishes and families and people by these bishops of ours.

This crisis will not come to an end until the "Why?" that Rod's statement raises has been answered. Rome is not ignorant of what has happened in America. And one could almost believe that destruction of the traditional faith is somehow a high priority on somebody's agenda. Tales of woe not unlike Blessed Sacrament is enduring have been happening repeatedly in parishes for decades. How could anyone possibly think this is nothing more than bungling mismanagement?

Jim wrote:

Until we hold the man responsible who is uniquely responsible for the appointment, oversight and disciplining of bishops, these kinds of problems will persist. Unfortunately, that man is protected by a thick cult of personality and a canonical structure that is designed primarily to protect the hierarchy. Blame Bp. Grahmann if you must -- he is deserving of all kinds of blame -- but hold his boss accountable. Rome has subsumed to itself in the last 150 years the sole power to appoint bishops -- it must assume the responsibility for bad choices, too!

Agreed. But Rome will not assume anything. The only way there will be accountability at the top is if and when the laity demand it. Something is wrong in Rome. I don't know what, but something is wrong.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

[Colleen]

--- "That's the mindset in the chancery here, it seems". ---

I think that mindset is quite common in most of our dioceses. Probably all of us can relate a story or two about an orthodox priest relegated to the hinterlands or being told to keep quiet about volatile issues (we have Fr. Mullen who spoke out publicly against "Talk about Touching" to the newspapers and on the O'Reilly factor - he now has to be quiet on this subject. Someone else mentioned Fr. Fessio). I would also think that an orthodox priest like Fr. Paul engenders some jealousy among some of his priestly brothers who don't view the priesthood in quite the same way as Fr. Paul does - which might explain the transfer to a not so easy to get to parish. Less draining on other parishes.

And think about it... when one priest in an area preaches Catholic Truth and lives it every day, people start to question why most of the other priests in the area just talk about social justice and playing nice with others almost every week. It's the difference between real beer and "near beer" - after awhile you realize that there's nothing in the latter.

Looking at the bishops of large sees and bishops of small sees, one has to wonder if this mindset creeps up to the hierarchy - although there have been some happy appointments to larger dioceses of late - like Rigali, Dolan and Burke of St. Louis.

[Jeanne Schmelzer]

Reminds me of St. John Vianney, Cure of Ars, who was banished to an outlying post only for a different reason (poor learning abilities) and look what happened. All of France (and beyond) came, plus we know him today. God is good.

[Cecil]

God has already taken one major step to reclaim Dallas for His Church. He has provided Rod.

[Stuart Buck]

By the way, you can watch the local Channel 8 coverage, along with a short clip of Rod, here. If that doesn't work, try this link. (You might have to register.)

[Carrie]

And think about it... when one priest in an area preaches Catholic Truth and lives it every day, people start to question why most of the other priests in the area just talk about social justice and playing nice with others almost every week. It's the difference between real beer and "near beer" - after awhile you realize that there's nothing in the latter.

BINGO!

[Carrie]

Good video, Stuart.

Just a thought...the cost of expanding parking lots is much lower in outlying districts. The cost of building a bigger church is cheaper there, too. And there just might be a need for both. Just that short clip of the chanting brought back a flood of wonderful memories from the days before the Council. It's a shame Texas is so far away from Ohio. Sigh. (I live in Ohio.)

On a positive note, my pastor talked about heresies and the development of the faith the last two times I've been at one of his Masses. :) If we can relearn our history, we can hold on to our faith! There is so much richness in Catholic history...so much to be proud of. So much to weigh in balance with the current scandal.

Just knowing there is a Fr. Weinberger somewhere, and that Catholics are responding to him, helps when yet more revelations come out of the woodwork.

[Rod Dreher]

I am told that there are only 200 people in the congregation at the church in Greenville to which Fr. Weinberger has been sent -- though there will be a lot of new faces there this coming Sunday, as some of his Blessed Sacrament faithful rally to his side.

I don't think he will be allowed to say the Latin mass there, even though -- despite what the Dallas chancery says -- there is no canonical reason (to my understanding) why he cannot offer the NOVUS ORDO mass in Latin. Bishop Grahmann has probably just killed the Latin Novus Ordo in this diocese. This is the same mass the Holy Father says daily. Unless, I guess, he's in Dallas.

[Colleen]

Rod can you keep us posted on the availability of the Latin NO in Fr.'s new parish? It's a very interesting part of the puzzle if what you suspect will happen, happens.

[Carrie]

200 faithful Catholics in Greenville. Well, how many faithful Catholics were at Blessed Sacrament when he began there? He does seem to know how to bloom where he's planted. God might have something to do with that. I expect God will be able to find Greenville.

But the threat to suspend the Latin Novus Ordo bespeaks a much deeper problem at the core of our scandal...at the heart of our chanceries?

What is it about Latin that sacres 'em so much? What do those who would undermine the faith see in the use of Latin that will prevent the accomplishment of whatever they intend? There was a time when what they intended appeared to be the implementation of Vatican II. But nothing about the Novus Ordo in Latin would stall that implementation, if the implementation they have in mind is legitimate and consistent with Catholic Tradition. But suppose the objectives are not consistent with Catholic Tradition. What then? And what might those objectives be?

Whatever it is, I suspect it's the same reason that makes the opposition fear the Tridentine.

OK, here's an utterly off-the-wall suggestion. Could the fear be that the Prayer to St. Michael will once again be added at the end of the Mass? Is it just possible that that prayer is far more effective than any Catholic today gives it credit for? I know how outlandish this sounds. We think the answers lie in the material world. But what if they don't?

[Franklin Jennings]

Even if the bishop were Satan in drag, how can he suppress the normative liturgy of the Roman Rite? I don't get that at all. The Novus Ordo is MEANT to be delivered in Latin. Certainly vernacular masses are perfectly legitimate now, but that is not the same thing by a long shot.

Of course, I have heard that another Bishop of a southeastern Diocese has suppressed Latin NO as well.

But canonically speaking, isn't it impossible?

[Franklin Jennings]

But they say the St. Micheal prayer after english NO masses here in Atlanta. Or at least the 2 I've attended. People aren't saying the St. Michael prayer in other places?!?!?! That is shocking, scandalous and I wish I knew another s-word! Of course the answers aren't in the material world, and if there are parishes out ther enot imploring St. Michael to come to our aid I would beg each and every good and true catholic there to pray it, alone if neccessary, after every single mass.

Sorry to be so nuts, but I had no idea this could be happening. I am aghast!

[Peggy]

F.J.

We've been praying the prayer to St. Michael at the end of EVERY Mass [vernacular N.O.] since about a year after 9-11 and the sniper showed up here in DC metro. I noticed us not praying it for the first time I think since Christmas Midnight mass. I've been out of town, though. I recall not hearing it on NY Day also, this past Sunday, and on a Sat am Mass for Life w/the bishop. I hope we have not dispensed w/it for good.

[Colleen]

I have never, ever heard the St. Michael prayer outside of the Mass on EWTN and the local Indult in my diocese. I've lived here (Massachusetts) all of my life (44 years) and have (and still do) attend Masses all over the place. Another prayer destined for the dustbin is the Confiteor - I haven't heard it at a Mass in years and years outside of the Indult or the EWTN Mass.

What an interesting question..."Is it just possible that that prayer is far more effective than any Catholic today gives it credit for?"

I woulda thought you were nuts for asking it before the scales fell from my eyes.

[Denise Michelle]

I am a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament, or was! We will be attending St. William's in Greenville along with many other faithful Catholics from Blessed Sacrament.

I have been recording Fr. Paul's homilies since last February and posting them on the site I moderate. His homilies are arrows that strike right at the heart. People from all over the world have been reading his homilies every week so he has touched many hearts. I will continue to record and post the homilies, only now it will be from another parish.

Once after Mass Fr. Paul asked us to come to the rectory and handed me a letter from a man in another state. From what I remember, this man is the RCIA director at his parish and he wanted permission to copy the homilies and use them in the RCIA classes. I was terribly excited. When I first asked Fr. Paul for permission to tape and type his homilies, he could not understand why I wanted to do that. I told him that it would be a gift to others to be able to read the "truth" and if a homily only touched one person then it was all worth the time. And then this letter shows up asking permission to use them to teach. Awesome!

If anyone is interested in reading the homilies, they can be accessed here
http://www.yourcatholic.com

I wanted to address some of the statements made by Bishop Galante and whoever else made comments in the article at the Dallas Morning News. I'd written a thank you note to Fr. Joe Wilson for all he has said and done on behalf of Fr. Paul and included these quotes and comments in the note. Instead of writing them all over, I will just paste here what I wrote to him. It seems that the comments by the bishop leave still more questions. I owuld love to share Fr. Wilson's reply but have not asked his permission to do so. Let me say that he is an awesome priest though.

To Fr. Wilson

First of all, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have bravely stood up and done to help Fr. Paul all these years. If there were more priests like the two of you, we would experience more of Heaven on earth.

I have to say that I am very disappointed with the decisions the Diocese of Dallas have made, not only with Fr. Paul but in other cases also. The case with Fr. Paul does take the cake though. I just need to get some things off my chest after the lengthy ordeal we have suffered here. Of course "crosses" make us stronger and God has a plan, but that doesn't mean that we cannot get angry at unjust statements and actions. There comes a time to "stop defending and start attacking." Those words from my wise and holy dearly departed Spiritual Director.

I would like to address some statements made by Bishop Galante and other "officials" in the article at the Dallas Morning News today, Jan. 5, 2004

quote:
But diocese officials said a Hispanic priest would better serve the people in the parish.

My question is this. Why is Fr. Paul all of a sudden, after 10 years, not capable of serving the Hispanic community? He has never had a problem with it before. He speaks Spanish fluently and the Hispanic people love him dearly. Now there is a problem? I would like to know what the difference will be with an Hispanic priest serving there compared to Fr. Paul being there.

Quote
But the diocese felt a Hispanic priest would better serve the people who live in the parish, Bishop Galante said.

Why would Bishop Galante say this? Should we have a Pope for each nationality there is in the world? Should the Holy Father only serve the Polish people? How ridiculous. Should Fr. Paul only serve a German Catholic parish? I am a cajun, I wonder where that would leave me? Is the Bishop trying to tell the anglo people that we are not welcomed at a Spanish parish? Sounds like divide and conquer to me! What about unity?

Quote
But there's no hidden agenda, Bishop Galante said.
"In no way should this have been this messy," he said. "The reason this got messy is that people have read too much into it."

All I can say to this is YES VIRGINIA, THERE IS AN AGENDA! And no, this would not have gotten this messy at all if our Shepherds werent so smoked over. Like my dear departed spiritual Director, Fr. Denis E. OBrien M.M. use to tell me constantly,

God never sleeps, He knows what is going on. You must pray this simple but powerful prayer, OH GOD, PLEASE CLEAN UP THE MESS! You cant tell Him when or how, just wait on Him.

God never sleeps and Judas left many offspring!!!!!!

I am also very tired of hearing people say we are "following a man". What the devoted sheep are following is the truth, someone who DOES NOT spew half baked garbage that sounds like a "Burger King Gospel", you know their slogan, "HAVE IT YOUR WAY". Many people followed Jesus and they followed Him because he was TRUTH and they recognized that He was God. So, for me, I will follow Fr. Paul who lives in the IMMITATION OF CHRIST.

And don't get me started on Bronson Havard! If any catholic that knows their faith would read all the heretical things in the Catholic paper here, they would immediately understand why he made such idiotic statements he did concerning Fr. Paul. He prints idiotic and heretical things in the paper. If you question him about it you either get no response or a cocky, holier than thou response. There is a program that is supposed to be in place to protect the sheep, where is the program that protects the faithful shepherds from such statements as Bronson Havard has made?
..snip..

There is more than something rotten in the Diocese of Dallas.

It is an act of charity to cry out against the wolf when he is among the sheep(St. Francis de Sales)

Blessings
Denise

[Rod Dreher]

Fr. Weinberger has told me that the parish they offered him as his father lay dying in the Blessed Sacrament rectory (Bp. Grahmann told him to put his father in a nursing home and get on with his life, but Fr. Weinberger refused) was an all-Hispanic parish.

So you tell me: why was Fr. Weinberger considered last year to be good enough with native Spanish speakers to be put into an all-Hispanic parish, but is now not good enough to serve the Spanish-speakers at Blessed Sacrament?

The bishops of our diocese had better get their stories straight. They have no credibility.

[Denise-Moderator-Your Catholic Message Board]

Like I said, "YES VIRGINIA, THERE IS AN AGENDA".

I may be wrong but I truly believe that the church property will be sold. It appears that DART really likes it.

Blessings
Denise

[Rod Dreher]

There is a rumor that the parish's land is in the city's sights for expansion of the public transportation light-rail line. I called DART (the rail agency) to ask them, and they say that this isn't true.

I'm just cynical enough not to be sure whether this is believable...

[Carrie]

Has anyone considered a Sunday morning chartered bus to Greenville from Blessed Sacrament and return? Could it possibly be a feasible solution?

Regarding the prayer to St. Michael...I'm in the Cleveland Diocese. The location of one of the more scandalous sexual abuse situations. The prayer to St. Michael has not been said at the end of Mass at any church I've attended here since 1970 when I moved into the diocese.

My pastor has printed it in the bulletin each Sunday for several weeks. The same pastor who is now incorporating teaching on heresy into his homilies when appropriate. (God please grant that my writing that here will not get him into trouble with the bishop!)

Amy recently posted some information about the lawyer who was dismissed from the chancery because he handled the scandal in the way that most thinking Catholics would recognize as Catholic.

We have an indult Tridentine on two Sundays each month in an inner city parish in Akron. Hardly anyone attends it. There is no chanting. It is not a beautiful Mass, but it is the Tridentine of my youth. The parish is located in an area with many one-way streets. Getting to the church is easy. Getting back out of the neighborhood is not. Once when I attended it, when driving home I found myself on a street where I had no business being, and I was completely lost. Consequently I'm reluctant to attend this Mass regularly.

One thing I would ask of anyone from Blessed Sacrament who is reading or posting here. We have a tradition that is seldom mentioned anymore. The tradition of offering up our difficulties to God for a specific intention. Since you are suffering the loss of Fr. Weinberger, would you please offer up your suffering so that God will clean up this mess?

[Denise Michelle]

Carrie, amazing you would bring up the chartered bus. I had to giggle because that is the first thing we thought about. Guess what else? There is a Mexican bus charter service right across the street from the church driveway.

Stephanie, who has posted here and knows Fr. Paul, just posted on our forum a denial by Bronson Havard in the Texas Catholic that he never told the man in California what the man is claiming. The man has signed a legal sworn statement concerning what Havard said. Like I replied on the forum, does Havard not think that the man may have taped the conversation? I am anxious to see if Havard's voice appears on the news speaking the same words he is denying, or a tape ends up in a court case proving he did say it.

There was a mess going on in Dallas that I attended a meeting for. I have it all on tape so if there is ever any denial about what was said, I have it all on tape and transcriptions abound. ;)

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!

My momma use to say that all the time when I was little. See momma, I did listen!

Blessings
Denise

[Rod Dreher]

I have just spoken to the San Diego man who filed the affidavit. There may be more news coming on this. Watch this space, or the Dallas Morning News blog (http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/blog) for more information as I can get it.

[Denise Michelle]

Rod, I hope he taped all this!!!!! Can't wait to read what is next.

Blessings
Denise

[Denise Michelle]

Just thought I would mention that we just returned from the new parish in Greenville. We wanted to see how far it was exactly so we would know what time to leave the house and get there 30 minutes before Mass so we can say our rosaries. It was about 38 miles and took 35 minutes which is only about a 10 minute longer drive that what it is from here to Blessed Sacrament.

I spoke to a friend that goes to Mass at St. Williams and she said that the Deacon and the DRE are very thrilled about Fr. Paul coming there. That was great news for me and I am sure Fr. Paul will appreciate it.

The Church building is a lot different than what we are use to, but Jesus is there and that is what matters. I am sure changes will be made in time. I hope he figures out how to install an altar rail :0) Knowing him, he has a spare set.

Something else was brought to my attention that involves some of the statements made by the Dallas Diocese which seems like a contradiction.

There is a priest at Holy Cross that has been there for 30 years, how come he hasn't been moved? What is all the malarky about only being able to stay somewhere for 10 years? Hum!

Liek we say where I am from, "now ain't that the pot callin the kettle black!"

Blessings
Denise

[Denise Michelle]

Just thought I would mention that we just returned from the new parish in Greenville. We wanted to see how far it was exactly so we would know what time to leave the house and get there 30 minutes before Mass so we can say our rosaries. It was about 38 miles and took 35 minutes which is only about a 10 minute longer drive that what it is from here to Blessed Sacrament.

I spoke to a friend that goes to Mass at St. Williams and she said that the Deacon and the DRE are very thrilled about Fr. Paul coming there. That was great news for me and I am sure Fr. Paul will appreciate it.

The Church building is a lot different than what we are use to, but Jesus is there and that is what matters. I am sure changes will be made in time. I hope he figures out how to install an altar rail :0) Knowing him, he has a spare set.

Something else was brought to my attention that involves some of the statements made by the Dallas Diocese which seems like a contradiction.

There is a priest at Holy Cross that has been there for 30 years, how come he hasn't been moved? What is all the malarky about only being able to stay somewhere for 10 years? Hum!

Like we say where I am from, "now ain't that the pot callin the kettle black!"

Blessings
Denise

[Jonathan]

Let me start by saying I live in Greenville and am not Catholic, but that my wife is. She is also Hispanic. We are both very excited about Fr. Paul coming to town. I stated that I am not Catholic but I am very interested in learning more about the church and its beliefs. From what I am reading about Fr. Paul I feel that I am about to learn some amazing things. Recently my wife and I have been attending Spanish Mass in downtown Dallas because of a lack of spiritualism felt in Greenville, hopefully I'm not offending too many Greenville parishioners. Yes, Greenville is small compared to Dallas and I have attended Spanish Mass there at times with only about a dozen other people, but I feel there is great potential in the community that hasn't been tapped. It appears to me that Fr. Paul is just the man to tap that potential. My family and I welcome Fr. Paul along with several other families I have spoken to, and I am sure there are many more out there eager for his arrival. I look forward to Mass and to all y'all (yes I'm native Texan) from Dallas coming. The Bishop cannot take away yours keys or faith no matter how hard he tries.

[Denise Michelle]

Johathan, that was just beautiful! I am going to send Fr. Paul your post, he will be very pleased.

I have been on the phone with a lady in Greenville and they are hopping over there. It appears that many people there are very anxious for Fr.'s arrival. I was very happy to hear that some of the parishioners there are sending flowers to welcome Fr. Paul. He will be amazed.

We will be there for the 5pm Mass on Saturday and again at the 10am on Sunday. We won't be the only ones from his former parish joining St. Williams. Fr. was very happy that so many people wanted him to be comfortable on his first weekend.

I have to share something. The Catholics in Greenville will find that Fr. Paul has a great devotion to the saints. He is so spiritually tied to them and things just seem to happen on certain days or at certain times having to do with situations and concerning the saints.

I decided today to look up St. William, who was a Bishop and it just so happens that this Saturday, Fr. Paul's first Mass at St. Williams, is the Feast of St. William. Wow! What an amazing day! St.William also had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament as does Fr. Paul and there was a mention in St. Williams life about some kind of "dissention" going on among the fathers and brothers. Not an accident that Fr. has been assigned to this new parish. When all the talk about moving him a year ago was buzzing, I leaned over to Fr. Paul and told him that although this was upsetting, it is always exciting to see what God is going to do. He works in mysterious ways. What a blessing!

Hope to meet you and your wife soon.

blessings
Denise

[Denise Michelle]

I have completed Fr. Paul's homily from the Feast of the Epiphany, his last Sunday at Blessed Sacrament, the Mass Rod was present for.

I was wondering if it would be ok to post it here, or is that a faux pas? I know it can be read at our forum, but some people may not want to join the forum and sad to say, it is like getting into a fortress to join due to the fact that we were attacked by the most vile pictures and posts.

blessings
Denise

[michigancatholic]

Yes, Franklin. But I'm a Catholic convert (19 yrs now) and there's one thing that's never ceased to amaze me, and that's how mindlessly dumb most Catholics are about their history and their Faith. They tend to equate their religion with their own parish priests, even when/if their own parish priests are miscreants--heck especially when their own priests are miscreants! This, to the point where sometimes you wouldn't know the Catholic faith was all about GOD! You'd think it was about their dumb parish councils (read in-clique) and what wacky old father (bishop/deacon, etc) whatshisname said to look cool this week to someone.

The scandal has been horrible in almost every way but one. It has partially broken this idiotic bootlicking that Catholics, both self-describedly liberal and conservative (especially liberal!!) engage in.

A faithful priest is a wonderful gift from God and deserves all the praise and honor he can get. A poor or unfaithful priest is a crying shame, and should be steered well clear of.

Ordination is a wonderful and awesome thing. It can create a saint or a monster. Just remember that.

[Irma Solis]

I am a Blessed Sacrament parishioner, have been since l999. I need to comment on this week's edition of Deacon Havard's Texas Catholic. It was a slap in the face to Father Paul that two parishes were featured with overflowing Hispanic parishioners. They are served with non-speaking Anglo pastors. One comment was that the priests were struggling to learn Spanish, but that the Hispanic parisioners were very patient and understanding, something to that effect. WHY
AREN'T THESE TWO PASTORS BEING REPLACED WITH
HISPANICS PRIESTS, THE SAME AS THEY DID WITH FATHER PAUL? Did they immerse themselves in a poor parish in Mexico the way Father Paul did in order to learn FLUENT Spanish prior to going to Blessed Sacrament? And I do mean fluent. Yes, there is an agenda. Father Paul was as Mexican a priest as anyone could possibly be, without being one. You had to have been there to know this, but then Deacon Havard never attended any Masses, Missions, etc. at Blessed Sacrament. Without ever speaking to Father Paul or knowing him he can mention the word pedophile in a response to a comment on Father Paul's holiness. INCREDIBLE. As to his other comment about Father's holiness. A priest is either holy or he is not. Father Paul is holy whether he is offering many masses in his church or whether he is standing on top of the Empire State Building. We need to pray for all involved, but especially for Deacon Havard and Bishop Grahmann. None of this is the fault of any priest involved or cited here. We know where the problem is.

Irma O. Solis

[Denise Michelle]

Hi Irma, are you still attending Blessed Sacrament or have you transfered to St. Williams as so many of us have?

Many who have changed their membership to St. Williams went to Mass last Saturday at Blessed Sacrament and also to St. Williams on Sunday. I heard some really disturbing things about the Saturday Mass at Blessed Sacrament. Several people have described some things that should NOT be done. I pray for all the people who can not follow Fr. Paul and the truth he so lovingly shares.

A dear friend of Fr. Paul's and mine does not have permission to travel to Greenville yet, she is under a doctor's care. She told me that NEVER has she EVER felt so descriminated against as she did this past Sunday when she went to Blessed Sacrament. I suppose Anglos are not welcome at Blessed Sacrament anymore.It would appear so from the "new" Mass schedule.

What really amazes me is the excuse about having an Hispanic priest to serve the people. I understand the new priest is not even living at the parish and goes to Plano every night. He has cut the confession times from 17 hours a week down to 45 minutes on Saturday. How can this large hispanic population that they are referring to even feel like they have a pastor that will see to their needs?

On a happier note, Fr. Paul is settling in well and everyone at St. Williams seems to love him very much. They just flock to him after Mass and I heard one man giggle and tell another, "He reminds me of the "Pied Piper." This was said with awe and affection. Of course all people of Good Will certainly will be attracted to him because he emits "Good will" toward all.

His heart is still breaking for the family he had to leave, but he is forging ahead in joyful hope and embracing with all his heart, a new family also.

Blessings
Denise

[Irma O. Solis]

Hi Denise,

Thanks for your post. No, I haven't been to St. Williams yet. I'll probably go once a month or so. Yes, I definitely got the impression that they don't want to serve Anglos anymore at Blessed Sacrament, nor anyone speaking English predominately as I do. I felt bad for the few Anglo parishioners who were at the Mass I attended for the message being sent to them loud and clear. This is not the way to unite a parish.

Do you know what Father Paul's hours are for confession at St. Williams yet? I know he is busy getting settled in with his new loving family, but I hope, and knowing him, am sure he will offer enough Confession time for his flock. For this, I will definitely drive all the way to Greenville. I did this last week to find Father's new church so I wouldn't get lost when I do go there for Mass. It doesn't make sense to go to confession with just one hour and not know if you are going to make it or not. I certainly don't fault Father Rudy in any of this. He has his old parishoners who also miss him very much. I am shocked if he is not living at Blessed Sacrament. If this is true, how will emergencies of his parishioners be possible?

Denise, I have a question. There is a website named Homilies of Father. Will you be posting Father Paul's new homilies there as well or just on the yourcatholic.com site?

Thank you Denise for all you've done and continue to do with your talents to keep giving us Father Paul's heartfelt homilies and updates on him.

I have to share this one comment with everyone who may not know Father Paul yet. I had one conference with him when I first joined Blessed Sacrament. This is what he said to me and well as others, I'm sure. Father Paul stated that his job as he saw it was to help his parishioners (family) get to heaven and that his parishioners job was to get him to heaven. This is Father's mission. Yes, we miss him terribly, but we'll be making some of his masses at St Williams. God Bless Everyone.

God Bless Denise,

Irma

[Denise Michelle]

Irma, yes, the homilies have continued. There are two new ones posted. We haven't missed a beat. :0)

Fr. Paul will have the daily Mass schedule and the Confession Schedule posted in the bulletin this Sunday.

Listen, why don't you e-mail me at

yourcatholic7@yahoo.com

We can communicate in private if you would like.

Blessings
Denise

[SRS]

God bless your great watch-dogness and honed whistle-blower skills -- I trust you folks get a chance now and then to actually participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

[Denise Michelle]

SRS, You have something against holy Priests or do you just have a bad attitude? Oh, maybe I am taking your "remark" wrong?

To answer you, yes, we even have time for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, a Mass that maybe you should consider attending. Be informed before you make statements that only make you look, well, ......I will practice charity here.

You can check out the Mass schedule and all the other things that Fr. Paul has time for by visiting http://www.saintwilliamtheconfessor.com

I just don't understand people who resent it when a priest fulfills his duty concerning his state in life. Can you explain that to me, maybe?