Dear Carolyn,

Thanks for the question.

You said:

• Let me know what you think about this.

I agree, it appears your pastor is struggling with his vows. I would privately have a Mass said at a religious order in your area. Maybe you can have one or two said for him personally on a monthly basis. If his eye contact gets more serious, bring a friend with you and address this with him. This is what Jesus tells us to do in the Scriptures. (Matthew 18:15-16) If the problem still exists after talking with him, I would consider bringing this up with the bishop.

You said:
He talks to the people as if though they were children.

I have this problem where I attend Sunday Mass too.

Keep in mind that the homilist has a tough job. Most of the time, your 9:00 am Mass, which I go to, is considered your Family Mass. The homilist of the Mass has the difficult job of meeting the spiritual needs of:

• the kids who are not even ready for CCD.
• older teenagers who are in CCD.
• young adults who have been confirmed
• poorly catechized adult Catholics, some who rarely come to Mass, and
• those like me, who may know the faith a tad bit better than others in the pews.
  

It's a very tough job. Personally, I'd be happy if the homilist just explain what a Catholic Apologist does (and does not do). : ) Until the faithful in the pew know this, they will never understand what I have dedicated twenty-five (25) years of my life to.

I admire your husband's interest in serving the Church. Only he can discern, through prayer, whether serving as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist is his calling or not. I would encourage him to find out what other ministries the parish offers, then prayerfully discern which he thinks the Lord is calling him to.

Hope this helps,

Mike