Here's A Puzzle

The pattern of the US-Canadian Ordinariate may be unique. I've observed here that it resembles very closely the "continuing Anglican" denominations from which some of its parishes have come. It's small, scattered, exclusive, and inward-focused, and so far, it doesn't seem likely to change. But if you visit the Ordinariate News blog, it doesn't appear that the UK or Australian Ordinariates work the same way. Both seem to feature proselytizing initiatives directly from the Ordinaries, like the UK Called to be Holy novena:

Each group is asked to host a Day of Recollection, either during the week of the Novena or later in the year. We are asked to offer an invitation to other Christians to spend the day with us: our English spiritual heritage is one we can all share, in a powerful experience of praying together. Plenty of resources are available: a new DVD with a message from the Ordinary, a poster which can be personalised with details of local events, and materials for children’s activities.

The US and Canada haven't seen any such initiative from Houston; individual parishes do sometimes sponsor equivalent events, but on their own. Nor do we learn much about what kind of numbers such events draw: Anglicanorum coetibus is successful only insofar as it brings in more Anglicans, as far as I can see.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops says only that the RCIA programs at local parishes bring in "thousands" of new Catholics each year. A UK source estimated in 2014 that the UK RCIA brought 3,500 to the Rites of Election at local cathedrals, but said that this didn't reflect the larger number coming in at parish Easter vigils. Do we have any figures on new parishioners at any Ordinariate parishes at all?

The most we hear from Msgr Steenson is that now and then he visits, attends receptions and suppers, has a great time, and is impressed. Is he aware of something the rest of us aren't? Will the US Ordinariate quickly, like the ACA and APA, shrink, become moribund, and die out? It's hard to avoid thinking this is the model he has in mind.

My local Latin parish played its organ yesterday, and I'm discovering wonderful Catholic hymns not in the 1940 or 1982 Hymnals.