In ten years even the vocal objectors will look back and admit that when they had resisted introducing English in the mass or having the priest face the people, they did what they do now. May the example of the Vatican II bishops steer us on a course that is better for the Church at large, the one to which we all commit our loyalty. -Fr. Robert Gregorio, Catholic Star Herald, May 22, 2008

(Ha ha. Do they really think anybody's going to take that seriously? Just look around us at the mess that is the American Catholic Church. I won't even start.)

So you think that it's just the extremist weirdos who are throwbacks to the 1950s who are against having their churches closed? Interesting. After all those "Speak Out" sessions, not much listening must've been going on. I personally don't know a single soul--not a one--who is for the closing of their church. Who would be? Obviously some people are trusting the word of the bishop and the diocese. But most of us see straight through it.

Listen up, Fr. Gregorio. I'm 32 years old. I have two children, 4 and 2. I was raised in the aftermath--the fallout--of Vatican II and the abusive practices perpetrated in its name. This is yet another ridiculous appeal to Vatican II and yet another abuse you are attempting to perpetrate in its name. All the people I know within ten or fifteen years of my age one way or the other doesn't want the watered-down, liberal nonsense. Especially the converts. And the children, my own included! They want the real deal, the whole package. Even---GASP--the traditional mass! The devotions, the sacramentals, everything. We call it THE TRUTH. And it just so happens, coincidentally, that the churches that are the most characteristically Catholic and have the oldest histories are the ones you want to close.

Oh, and while I'm at it, let it be known that when you look on the Catholic Star Herald's Youth and Young Adults Page, the first item you see is for St. Anthony's Parish in Waterford for its Youth Group. And you want to close this church. Vital? Yep.