In my limited experiences in that community, I had a similar experience. I was far more comfortable in the church Mass than in the gym Mass, but I know so many people for whom the gym Mass is home. I have experienced few communities that were so empowering to the laity while still retaining the core of the faith. It just makes me sad. And it raises interesting questions about how priests should approach their ministries, especially in communities where lay leadership has been encouraged and cultivated for years (and you have a large group of people who are trained in nonviolent resistance!). It’s too bad that a few conversations and some open communication could have helped prevent such hard feelings on both sides.