The writers and readers of Catholic Light have criticized the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia for its lackadaisical attitude toward doctrinal orthodoxy and liturgical fidelity. This criticism is hardly unfair: the now-retired Bishop Sullivan emphasized "social justice" above all else. He was also on the national board of Pax Christi USA, a wacky "Catholic" "peace" group formed to give a veneer of legitimacy to secular anti-war activism. Virginia has more active duty military members than any other state except California, and thus Bishop Sullivan's occupation of the See of Richmond was quite discordant.
I was confirmed in our university's Catholic ministry, which was part of the Richmond Diocese. In my two-and-a-half years of attending Mass there, I don't remember any mention of spiritual formation, abortion, chastity, selecting a spouse, or any other topic that is vitally relevant to young adults. If it was controversial, Father wouldn't touch it.
Actually, I'm sitting here trying to think of something, anything that Father taught us, and I'm drawing a blank. I can remember him delivering earnest homilies in the manner of a motivational speaker (large gestures while moving around in front of the altar.) I remember him being personable, and he was popular with students, but that was because he approached his ministry like a camp counselor: just keep the kids happy, supervise some fun activities, don't challenge them too much. They'll move on to other things soon enough.
My wife and I were in Williamsburg two weekends ago, the first time we have ever left our three kids with anyone overnight. We had planned to go to the Byzantine-rite parish near where we were staying, but we woke up too late (ah, blissful sleep!) So we went to St. Bede's, a parish on the other side of town.
The church itself is less than a year old, although the parish has been around since the '30s. Encouragingly, when we arrived there were dozens of families piling out of cars — so many that I had to drop off my wife at the door and drive about a quarter-mile to park. The people were generally dressed conservatively, and entered respectfully.
Still, because most of the Richmond churches I've attended or heard about are at least a little kooky, I was still skeptical. Then they read some parish announcements. They were having a holy hour for teens, which apparently had been quite successful in the past. This made me take notice.
Holy hours are one of those things that have no earthly purpose whatsoever, and thus they're a good indicator of good, solid Catholicism. Nobody goes to holy hour to show off their moral goodness, or out of intellectual pride. The focus is on Christ in the Eucharist, and it's good practice for when, we hope, we prostrate ourselves before the Lamb and adore him in the fulness of his presence. And to encourage teenagers to do such a self-negating thing — that takes true spiritual leadership.
The pastor, Monsignor William Carr, celebrated the Mass with dignity and without any special flourishes. His homily was exceptional, and we're used to good homilies. His theme was the Enlightenment's view of freedom, which, he said, was fine as far as it went, but it did not address the deepest needs of man, and often becomes perverted into freedom for its own sake. He included a short, pointed critique of Immanuel Kant's philosophy, and showed how freedom-as-selfishness led inevitably to injustice toward others, including abortion. I'm not doing justice to the breadth of his homily: I have rarely heard so much good material covered so smoothly and so well.
Thank you, good monsignor, for giving us such a truly inspired opportunity to worship. If it was typical, then the people of St. Bede's need to thank God every Sunday for their parish's shepherd.
Thank you, dear friend, for saying SOMETHING positive about the Richmond Diocese. We who happen to live here must continue to search out such spirit-filled places of worship. (As I was reading the other entries, I was a little heart-sick and began to feel as if my spirituality was somehow lacking because of where I happen to live.) Believe me, we have searched long and hard for a great church and have found it in Holy Rosary in Richmond's Church Hill. (When Monsignor Kelley was alive we attended the Cathedral and he always motivated and challenged us to live what we believe. A truly beautiful soul that we miss to this day...) Anyway, Monsignor Barrett at Holy Rosary is a man of incredible faith, and reminds us constantly of how we need to be Christ-centered. There are a few of us who are not as kooky as the rest and who really want to give our children a true Catholic identity. ;) (By the way, we really miss you guys!)
We miss you too, MJ. There are plenty of good, faithful Catholics in the Richmond Diocese who deserve better. Like you guys, for instance!
It really is good to know that there are some decent parishes in Richmond. (OK, from what you all are saying, MUCH better than "decent"!)
Holy Rosary, Richmond
St. Bede's, Williamsburg
I think there is an indult parish in Chesapeake, too. Are there other parishes in the Richmond Diocese where one can attend Mass without cringing? Inquiring minds want to know!
Remember, Eric - you can leave the three oldest at Casa Schultz if you and Paige take another trip. They would have an absolute blast I'm sure.
And Casa Brunner is always open, too. Joseph and Anna can discuss politics and religion. (Well, Anna can discuss, Joe will listen intently.)
Fr. Neuhaus reported the remark of a convert (a former Protestant Paster, I think) that he knew in one of his "Public Square" columns in First Things: "I thought I was joining the Catholic Church, but then I found out that I was joining the Diocese of Richmond"
Fr. Neuhaus reported the remark of a convert (a former Protestant Paster, I think) that he knew in one of his "Public Square" columns in First Things: "I thought I was joining the Catholic Church, but then I found out that I was joining the Diocese of Richmond"
Additions to the "good parishes in the Richmond Diocese" list:
- St. Francis of Assisi, Staunton
- St. Benedict, Richmond
I'm glad to hear Msgr. Carr is doing good things at St. Bede -- it's the parish I grew up in. My only contact with him was in relation to my dad's funeral a few years back -- he dealt with our family with great compassion.
Eric, I'd be interested to hear your impressions of that new basketball arena of a church that they've built -- I haven't had the pleasure yet. The St. Bede of my youth can be seen here: http://www.williamsburgpostcards.com/miscpic/misc26.htm (Sorry, don't know how to create a link).
Re: the new St. Bede, I should add (to paraphrase the slogan of a local microbrewery) that "It's not just a church, it's a Vosko!"
Wow! What an awesome homily!
Additions to the "good parishes in the Richmond Diocese" list:
Christ the King in Norfolk. Kind of a modern church building; but Fr, always has a solid homily and uses phrases like "holy sacrifice of the mass," which are lacking in this diocese. He also actually wears a black chasuble on All Soul's Day.
Star of the Sea in Virginia Beach is .....scary. Feels like a Protestant church, i.e. where's the tabernacle? And why is everybody talking and visiting just before Mass(which isn't called Mass but "liturgy" or "gathering")And the music...does anyone know the Shirley Murray tune "A Place At the Table"? Creepy.
A good parish in Richmond Diocese? RUN, don't walk, to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Quinton, between Richmond and Williamsburg. The Pastor is the diocesan theologian, a censor librorum, and an amazing priest. Truly. on Sunday evenings, Latin Novus Ordo, versus apsidem, with chant and polyphony. Wow!
As is Casa Victor ...
bwahahahahahaha.
So... does this mean they got rid of the "deaconess" from the Protestant church across the street? Is the "covenant" between the two churches still posted in the church? Did they move the Tabernacle out of that little side room and actually put it somewhere near the altar? (Did you happen to notice similarity in architecture between the Catholic and Protestant churches?)
I visit Williamsburg once or twice a year and have always gone to St. Bede's. It used to be in a chapel on the campus of William and Mary and was a very inspirational church. The one and only Mass I went to at the new location left MUCH to be desired.
Hopefully, they have changed in the months since I was there last. I certainly pray it is so.
Dear Mike,
I know Fr. Rafferty of Norfolk. I would agree with your points made of him. He preached at Philmont on trail about Bld. Kateri on her feast day. Wow. That's all I'm saying.
Becky,
Like you my one experience at St. Bede was quite poor. The lame "church in the round" stuff always irks me, and it certainly didn't help that the entrance was (surprise surprise) "Gather Us In." No tabernacle in sight, so nowhere to genuflect. The priest allowed a laywoman to make some "comments" during his homily, and he also omitted the elevation from the consecration -- quite clearly on purpose, by the way. They also dedicated a new felt banner, or something. In my limited time as a Catholic, that Mass that I attended at St. Bede's was easily the worst.