I know that I can be a bit fussy, musically and liturgically. I don’t mind a few contemporary songs, but I just want to hear the traditional music too. And, liturgically, while I would prefer some reform in the backwards direction, I certainly enjoy a Catholic mass done "by the book." My new (or soon to be new) parish doesn’t terribly excite me musically or liturgically, but it’s still a good place to worship. Instead of focusing on the weaknesses, I want to look at the strengths. One incredibly positive thing I love about it is the age and class diversity.
My previous experiences with worship before I became Catholic was this: old, white, and rich. Young people were non-existent, families were few, and I don’t think I could point out anyone who worked with his hands. Diversity was discussed and affirmed, but didn’t really exist. However, this parish, like my old parish, doesn’t mention diversity, but naturally succeeds in having it.
For one, the parish must’ve had at least 80 kids and this was at only one of five masses. And, of course, kids mean families. And yet there was no shortage of older people either. During the mass, the community also was bringing in about 8 people to the RCIA process and most of them were in the 20-30ish age range. I was heartened to see that. There were people from all ethnic backgrounds and classes as well. Experiences like this bring out the "catholic" in the Catholic Church.
So, although I’ve complained in the past (this is not, however, the same parish that did "Shine, Jesus, Shine"), I want to emphasize one of the positive aspects of my soon to be new parish home. Oh yeah, the priest also spoke on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. I’ve definitely never heard that preached before in a local parish.
