My Parish Is Doing Something Crazy....

[MissyP89]

I had a fit when I read my parish's bulletin today after Mass. (No, I'm not going to tell you what parish I go to. No, I'm not going to tell you my diocese, either. Sorry, I'm weird about those things. Hope that's okay. )

We're doing some events this summer to encourage both spiritual and physical healing. It's a nice idea, if you ask me, even if I'm not interested.

So I'm reading about it in the bulletin...

We have some random Sister (Medical Missions) coming down to our parish in a few weeks.

Offering, among other things--ready? Sit down.

[i]Reiki healing.[/i] This, for those of you that don't know, is reliant upon a life energy that the Church says we don't even have (CCC 365). It's an occult practice common in Paganism. To have it in the Church is just..wildly insane.

As a former Pagan, this is shocking and scary. Somebody needs to know about this. It takes very little to start traveling down that path. So many people could be led astray by this.

I want to say something. The priest that heard my first confession when I came back knows of my history in the occult and Paganism. I want to tell him that we've got a flat-out, dangerous heresy on our hands that could lead people astray right under our noses....

But I don't know who should know, or how they should be told. I don't have the means to go to the church rectory outside of Mass. Calling would be weird, as they don't even know my name (and if they call back, my parents would kill me). A friend told me it wouldn't be wise to bring it up in the privacy of the confessional, but that's really the only chance I've got to speak to him privately, face-to-face.

I'm afraid that I'm too young to be taken seriously.

I mean, what would [i]you[/i] do if you were a priest of over 50 years, and some random teen that's been coming to Mass for only three months says to you, "You're doing something heretical and unbiblical here"?

...Pham, would you help a girl out? At the very least, your prayers for my parish would be wonderful. Otherwise, how would I go about letting someone know what's really going on?

[geetarplayer]

"Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity." -1 Timothy 4:12

You know how dangerous this will be. The people of your parish must know as well. Don't be afraid to call the rectory and introduce yourself and express your concern. Otherwise, you could talk to one of the priests briefly after Mass, maybe set up an appointment during his office hours. Do whatever it takes to stop this event from taking place.

Peace,
Mark

[KnightofChrist]

Do something. Ether talk with the priest in private and respectfully of course but get the point across. I'm afraid the argument against you will be the classic "its no big deal" or something to that effect. Your parents are Catholic and regularly go to this parish? If so talk to them as well say you know what your talking about, print out some evidence, get them to support you or try...

You may even think of typing up a argument against this Reiki healing, back it up with Church documents, present it to all persons in authorty in your parish not just one, get them all to talk about, they may hate you but as long as you are speaking truth and doing so repectfully and justly, your ok I would think. And if all less fails, go to the meeting straight up ask this sister why she is teaching Reiki healing when that is against Church Teaching, but be kind about it.

Edited July 15, 2007 by KnightofChrist

[MIKolbe]

Not to sound like a geek, but..

have you talked to your parents about this?? (from a 'they will not take me seriously' persepctive)

If my daughter came to me with these things, you BETTER believe I would stand behind her and with her if she wished to bring this to the attention of those 'responsible'.

just don't underestimate the parental units....

I will certainly pray.

Pax-
Jason

[Lioness For Christ]

I'll pray for ya... I know the Holy Spirit will give you courage to do what is right... Stand up against it!

[EJames]

Ephesians 6:12
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (even in the Parish and the Religious Communities!) fast and pray, fast..pray, be filled with healing Power of The Holy Spirit....then take the above posters actions....
Pax!.... (NASB ©1995)

Edited July 15, 2007 by EJames

[TotusTuusMaria]

J.M.J.

yeah... what KnightofChrist said.

I said a prayer for you. You should do something about this. Jesus will help you.

Edited July 15, 2007 by TotusTuusMaria

[Starets]

Not sure what I can add. make sure to present your case with as much fact and as little emotion as possible. Knightofchrist and mlkolbe have given you some good advice I think.

[KnightofChrist]

[quote name='geetarplayer' post='1329012' date='Jul 14 2007, 11:25 PM']"Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity." -1 Timothy 4:12

You know how dangerous this will be. The people of your parish must know as well. Don't be afraid to call the rectory and introduce yourself and express your concern. Otherwise, you could talk to one of the priests briefly after Mass, maybe set up an appointment during his office hours. Do whatever it takes to stop this event from taking place.

Peace,
Mark[/quote]

How'd you get ahead of me? This makes me remember once by accident I passed a little old lady in a line at walmart and she smacked me in the back of my head!! She was short I didnt see'er... she was crazy... anywhos ramble ramble...

But really great post better, wiser, more sound than what I said... you should go first

peace in Christ!

Edited July 15, 2007 by KnightofChrist

[Mercy me]

Johnnette Benkovic has been very outspoken on this issue. Perhaps there is something of her that you sould bring with you as support for what you are saying.

[prose]

We have had major problems with this in our diocese. Ennegrams, reiki, yoga, all sorts of new age stuff at Catholic retreat centers and through Churches. People complain, nothing seems to get done.

Talk to your priest, and write a letter to your bishop/archbishop.

Someone explained to me how things work this way...

Change in the Catholic Church is sometimes like turning a large ship. It takes a while and a lot of effort, but the Church tends to continually direct in the right direction. Just stay on board and try to help the "captain" see that the current may affect the direction you are going.

[MissScripture]

Don't be afraid because you are young. Sometimes, in fact, they will take it more seriously, because if you know what's going on, they know that you are serious about it.

[MissyP89]

My parents are secular.

[BG45]

Just a Protestant, but you've got my prayers. Catholics and Protestants may have their differences, but the occult being a no-no isn't one of them.

[HeavenlyCalling]

Write a letter to your parish priest, dont whine and complain, just give the hard facts (aka the Canon Law passages against it, and any other Vatican released condemnations of it ), ask for a response. If you do not get one, send the same letter to your bishop, adding thatyour priest has done nothing to protect his Flock. In my family expirance, if you dont launch into personal stories or complain in an annoying way, you will get a respounce.

God Bless you for taking ( or seeking to take ) action, you have my prayers!!!

[MissyP89]

Well, thanks, BG and everyone. You guys are fantastic. Or phantastic. Oh, man, I am so lame.

Sorry, I'm really just nervous as all get-out. You have no idea.

I found email addresses. May I remain anonymous when I write? I've been told no.

[philosophette]

[quote name='BG45' post='1329977' date='Jul 15 2007, 07:11 PM']Just a Protestant, but you've got my prayers. Catholics and Protestants may have their differences, but the occult being a no-no isn't one of them.[/quote]


What do you mean "just"? Your prayers are so welcome here! (Your thoughts, too!)

I agree with what others have said. You have to speak to your priest and do what you can. Sharing your own story might be an important witness to give.

Never think that just because you are young you cannot change things; [b]because [/b]you are young you can change things. You have the zeal, the knowledge, the energy and the desire to glorify God.

If the older people of the parish went to him the pastor might think their opinions no longer matter because they will die soon, but I think if anything, your youth will help your case. I am sure it will at the very least shake him if he does not agree with you.

God bless you!

[philosophette]

[quote name='MissyP89' post='1330001' date='Jul 15 2007, 07:30 PM']Well, thanks, BG and everyone. You guys are fantastic. Or phantastic. Oh, man, I am so lame.

Sorry, I'm really just nervous as all get-out. You have no idea.

I found email addresses. May I remain anonymous when I write? I've been told no.[/quote]


If you are anonymous they will not take the letter seriously. Make sure to sign it as a MEMBER of the parish.

[MissyP89]

[quote]If you are anonymous they will not take the letter seriously. Make sure to sign it as a MEMBER of the parish.[/quote]

So, "a member of [parish name]" or "[my name], of [parish name]"

See, my fear is that they're somehow going to come after me for this...randomly call my house or something. That would upset the fam, to be sure.

[MissyP89]

Update: I confided in my dad, and he's cool with me writing my parish priest. I'm no longer worried about writing my name down.