I don’t think I mentioned it when it happened, but Suzette and I recently moved from Nashville to Gallatin to be closer to the school she’s attending. This had it’s pros and cons, with most of the cons being in my court. It being much farther from the airport (my office commute) being the biggest con. The pros were mostly for Suzette. The biggest pro being that she now drive two minutes to get to school. Since I am out of town so much these days, we went with Suzette’s pros. I want to make sure she has the easiest time at school possible. Well, it turns out the biggest pro of all is in both our favor.
Since we’ve moved to Nashville, I’ve been somewhat disappointed with the state of the Church here as I have seen it. Since moving to the area, I’ve been to Thyatira. I’ve been to Sardis. I’ve been to Laodicea. I have to admit it has been a spiritually dry time for me, as I struggled with my own faith as I saw a lack of faith(fulness) in the environment around me. Please don’t misunderstand me. I have attended Mass at four parishes (well, I think most of them refuse the moniker “parish” and prefer “Catholic community”). The Diocese of Nashville has a huge Catholic presence that includes 51 parishes and 3 missions. So, what I have seen so far is probably not representative of the diocese as a whole. Nowhere is perfect though, not even Memphis. I know that. I am just speaking of my experinces. I am not trying to discredit the diocese.
Well now that we have moved to Gallatin, I can happily proclaim that I have found myself in Philadelphia. We are now attending Saint John Vianney in Gallatin. This parish is the stuff of dreams for an orthodox Roman Catholic. Now don’t get me wrong, the holy sacrifice of the Mass is always awesome. No matter how much someone tries to mess with it, it still has the same power and bestows the same graces as long as it’s valid. But it certainly warms this crusty old Roman Catholic’s heart to participate in the Mass where prayers are chanted, you hear the Greek “kyrie eleison”, the hymns are actually hymns and not some sixties feel good ditty that has no theological value and the priest never abandons Christ at the altar during the liturgy of the Eucharist. Don’t get me wrong, some of those feel good songs are catchy. “On Eagle’s Wings” has a lot of sentimental value for me. But they don’t belong in the Mass. I also can’t stand to hear the prayers of the Mass (holy holy holy, etc.) reduced to simple songs sung during the Mass. They are prayers and should be recited as such, not sung as songs where parts of them of turned into a chorus. It makes you forget that you are speaking with God.
I have also been to the Sacrament of Reconciliation at Saint John. I think I can say without breaking the seal of confession that these were a wonderful change of pace for me spiritually. Father gave good advice and penance that would not only fit the sin to make amends, but that would also help fight against the temptation to commit those sins again.
I am very happy to have found Saint John. I personally have renewed faith and spirituality and hope for the future of the Church here in Nashville now. I know it was The Blessed Virgin Mary that led me back to here son, just like she always does by leading me to Saint John. Rosaries always help like that. 