I find it irritating that these clusters of ordinariate groups exist in places like Texas, when there isn't a single ordinariate Parish in Ohio, Michigan, or Western Pennsylvania. I can understand why there are clusters in a few places, but not Texas.I've wondered the same thing, but naturally, the questions extend beyond Texas, because the ordinariate has not found takers in neighboring states like Oklahoma, Louisiana, or Arkansas, and hasn't been strong elsewhere in the Bible Belt. That would include Virginia, West Virginia, and Mississippi. So a Bible Belt explanation for strength in Texas doesn't seem to fit. The visitor goes on,
As for the Woodlands, it is one of the most wealthy areas in America. Perhaps it is fiscally wise to put up churches in wealthy places, where the community (or a few wealthy donors) can support the mission. This approach works well for orders like the Dominicans.From what I can see, there are actually three Catholic parishes in Woodlands, TX, leaving the Presentation group aside, which doesn't yet come up on searches. These include St Anthony of Padua, Sts Simon and Jude, and something called the St Peter's New Catholic Church Rectory. Someone knowledgeable may be able to explain what these parishes are like.It seems to me, the Ordinariate is a great idea. But, rather than focus squarely on building programs to re-evangelize and bring Protestants in, it is focused on something else. And it would be nice to see a parish pop up some place where there isn't already another in town.
There are two Episcopal parishes in The Woodlands, Trinity Episcopal and St Isidore, plus an ACNA parish, HopePointe Anglican. Somehow I doubt there'll be a membership drop at any of these stemming from the Presentation startup.
But even if the three existing Catholic parishes were all happy-clappy, flip-flops and halter-tops, Dan Schuette guitar masses, I'm not sure what the draw would be at Presentation, for whom a decent digital organ would be in the $20-50,000 range, and as best as can be determined so far from social media, their first venue outside the priest's front parlor will be a prefab metal barn. Couldn't some of the affluent people behind Presentation make pledges that would get them noticed at an established parish and make it onto the parish council or liturgy committee?
I do find that pledges at a certain level can get people noticed. By the same token, a serious offer of money that isn't taken seriously is a sign to move on, but let's face it, the money should go to something besides a floor for the new barn. The visitor continues,
Can you imagine being Bishop Lopes? He could be a Cardinal, if he gets this together. But it threatens to become a failure for him. His office isn't responsive and I am not sure what to think of him. I have spoken to many Episcopal priests who have the same experience.I'm leaving out details for everyone's protection, but the visitor speaks of an Episcopal priest with solid credentials who would bring a parish with him, but who has apparently found Houston unresponsive. It's worth noting that the original intent of Anglicanorum coetibus was for existing parishes to come in with their clergy and, ideally, their property, something that hasn't happened for several years. One would think Houston would respond actively to a hot prospect, but apparently it doesn't, although my experience of Fr Perkins is that the man is basically supine. But that's the guy Bp Lopes wants.
So I came away from the visitor's e-mail with two questions worthy of reflection: certainly there are prosperous communities all over North America that have hosted active Anglo-Catholic leaning Episcopalian parishes,for which an enhanced liturgy joined with authentic Catholicism might prove appealing. I grew up in several affluent snob towns, Cranbury and Chatham, NJ, and Bethesda, MD, where if there were a will, there could be a way.
Is there such a total lack of interest, or are the wrong people running the show in Houston? I'd be interested to know if other Anglican or Episcopalian clergy have experienced unresponsiveness there.
