[Worship] On my own

["McRae, Tom" <Tom.McRae@argis.com>]

A new subject.
Does anyone else out there feel completely on their own?  I am the worship
leader for the "Simply Worship" 
praise & worship group at St Bartholomew Catholic Church in Katy Tx.  Our
group is not really supported 
by the church - just tolerated.  We are forced to stay separate from the
official services.  We have repeatedly been 
refused permission to incorporate praise music into the mass - even before
or after it.  We are largely ignored or viewed 
as a curiousity by the parish leadership.  We can post limited info in the
Sunday bulletin, but are not allowed any 
announcement from the pulpit.  I really wonder what these people are afraid
of? 

My worship partner and I converted to Catholocism in 1998 after lots and
lots of prayer and discernment.   The Lord told us to teach the Catholic
masses how to get to know Jesus and the meaning of joy in song.  Now
sometimes I really have to ask "Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"
This is such an uphill battle.  We feel so out of place - - yet - - God
placed us HERE.  I know I am whining, but I am also discouraged and so
hungry to light the fires in our parish.      

We have a parish of 2300 souls, yet only 12-15 in each of our three choirs.
In addition to leading worship for "Simply Worship", I play guitar and sing
in the contemporary choir.  When I stand up there, doing my best to reflect
the Holy Spirit, I look out at the passive faces and I see no fire - no
hunger!   In fact, we get complaints  if we sing more than one verse of the
closing song.  

Are there any other frozen chosen out there?

In Christ
Tom in Katy


             

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