Mailbag 21: Too Hard on the Main Line?

A big surprise is coming soon, possibly even this week. In the meantime, Project reader Kathy doesn't think I was fair to Our Mother of Good Counsel (OMGC), the birthplace of the infamous Hot Girl Principle.

Did you talk to the pastor there? I doubt it. I am from upstate NY and have known Fr. Jim for more than 50 years. (He is about to retire). Anyway, during my most recent visit, I (from a blue-collar neighborhood) was a little nervous about the reputation of the town, NOT the pastor.

My friend and I experienced a pleasant mass and the people were all very warm and friendly. They went out of their way to make us feel welcome (we were there for a celebration). We could not have enjoyed our visit more! And that is NOT true of many parishes these days. I would encourage you to go back and talk to a different priest or members of the parish council.

"Alice"

Ok, maybe her name is Alice. I dunno, the e-mail sender had a different name.

Anyway, Alice or Kathy or whoever you are:

If I had spoken to the pastor, I would have mentioned it. Especially since Father Dennis McGowan left such a bad taste in my mouth. It really doesn't matter, though. Pastor or not, no member of a parish's clergy or staff should show visitors the complete apathy and disinterest I was shown. It's inexcusable. And if it occurred under the watch of your beloved Fr. Jim, then he's just as culpable.

As for the people, I didn't spend much time one-on-one with them. But having worshiped there and seen them in action, my impression was quite the opposite of yours. You enjoyed it? Great. Good for you. But know that there are at least a dozen church experiences that surpass the whitebread crap that OMGC has to offer. If you want to see what real mass and real community is, let me know and I'll point you in their direction.

But go back to OMGC? Ha ha. No. Just no. I'd rather get lost in South Philly.