Comments for Mass with 'Nowhere Man' at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 21 out of 20 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Sat, 25 May 2013 18:13:39 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3721 Now I love folk masses and have actually played guitar at quite a few in my time, but the song "Nowhere Man"? That's probably not the best choice, based on either a Scriptural or Catholic dogma perspective. As for the sermon, what is wrong with that one? Calling a Bible verse "Marxist?" There should less emphasis on materialism/capitalism which have their roots in greed and selfishness, both of which are sins. As for women doctors of the church, why not? The Church is made of men AND women. - Sabirna Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:49:11 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3259 Latin is the language of the Church in much the same way that Hebrew is the language of the Synagogue. The primary difference is that the practicing Jewish community still teaches Hebrew to their children. While I would not want the entire Mass in Latin, I do think there is much to recommend learning prayers and many of the chants that are in Latin. It gives the universal church a universal common language. - Jennifer Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:40:59 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3258 At my son's graduation Mass the music for the song chosen to help us meditate on the fact we had just received the Body,Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus in the Eucharist was John Lennon's "Imagine" - imagine there's no Heaven, it's easy if you try!!! And that is just one example - it's happening all the time. And after Mass when I close my eyes for thanksgiving - one would think it was a Bing Hall! Hopefully B16 will bring the reverence back to our Mass. Oh I'm Irish by the way. - Rene - Mrs. Rene O Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:03:11 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3247 I read your article, and am left wondering do you just have trouble with a fresh move of Gods Holy Spirit& or do you think that the traditional Irish Catholic experience is the only experience? Because the traditional Eucharistic experience was liturgical yet does not match in any way the first century believers or even match well with our modren African catholics. Yes nowhere man disturbs me and can be construed as well a Apostolic need for some priestly pruning. We all were not there. - Paul Zerovnik Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:33:05 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3241 I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the title of article. My husband and I attended a deacon retreat where a rogue guitarist insisted that Nowhere Man be sung at Communion. Most of us just stared in astonishment thinking, "What in the world?" Apparently this wasn't an isolated incident. Go figure. - Elizabeth Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:56:40 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3240 Let not your heart be troubled..... it is my "bent" to be forlorn many times at Mass, as you noted, the music is a distraction, we endure the most banal talks instead of learning what God has to say, let alone expect to be inspired! of late, i have been trying to present myself to our Lady, a dirty shepherd, a poor bride out of wine, knowing She will present me to Him, & He will make all things new. but keeping our chin up IS TOUGH! - debby Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:51:53 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3239 I agree that "Nowhere Man" is inappropriate for the Mass, and that many Catholic services have liberalized it too much. But I can't go along with the implication that we must go back to the Latin Rite. I don't understand Latin, and thus wouldn't understand the Mass any more. Jesus didn't preach in Latin, and neither did any of the Apostles. Paul preached in Greek and Aramaic. I also don't think facing the congregation is such a big deal. Not all of the Novus Ordo is bad. - Michael Hebert Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:51:21 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3238 While I am in complete agreement with most of the comments, I cannot understand the fascination with Latin. Would Jesus want the Truth told to us in a foreign language? The Mysteries are beautiful in English; why add mystery to them? - Dave Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:50:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3237 Sorry about your bad luck Liz. I reside in West Central Fla. There is much to praise God for here. Not the least of is Ave Maria College and I believe Fr. Fessio is a part of that community. While it is beneficial to experience a liturgy that is focused on worship of Our Lord, & not ourselves, let's pray for the priests and communities that are "forlorn". Especially in this year of priests. Regardless of his experience in Ireland the man left mass with the pearl of great price...Jesus. - B Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:50:10 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3236 "It's a shame if one wants to hear classical Catholic hymns or Gregorian Chant, he has to go to a record store." What's a record store? - W. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:49:35 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3235 We've read hundreds of complaints like this. Time to move on. I loath the "reformed" post-council liturgies but just try to focus on what's really happening and it works— except, I confess, that, like Theresa, I just cannot abide those horrible hymns ("come dance in the forest, come play in the fields!"--you dance! you play! you moron) the Catholic music directors prefer. The music is ghastly! But we'll just wait it out and sooner or later the perps will die off, and we may outlive a few. - Bob G Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:49:10 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3234 Forlorn? How about all those teeth marks on my car's steering wheel? - William Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:48:28 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3233 Forlorn, meaning desolate and unhappy, is the perfect word for that production you described. It seems that since Vatican II the soteriological aspect of the Mass has been downplayed to a communal celebration- no Sacrifice of the Mass anymore. I guess this is to please the Reformers. Its a shame one has to be submitted to some of the liturgical pop music of the day. It's a shame if one wants to hear classical Catholic hymns or Gregorian Chant, he has to go to a record store. Kyrie eleison. - w Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:57:27 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3231 Modern Ideologies and Movements have definitely replaced sound teaching and common sense in homilies. The most effective move that the dissenters of Vatican II pulled was hijacking the music at the liturgy. Modern folk hymns are anything but natural and easy harmonies. Long held notes, multiple sharps and flats and wide ranges make it impossible for anyone without a training in music to participate. Whereas music once awakened the soul at mass, it now distracts and flattens it. - Teresa Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:56:41 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3230 The Mass of today bears little resemblance to my boyhood 50+ years ago when the Latin liturgy filled parishioners with the awe of the Mysteries of Christ. Which is I why don't go to Mass regularly any more. These days many Catholic churches are home to bingo games and folk concerts, downgrading the sacred in favor of the profane and modern. It's a shame that the Church has succumbed to modernism. "The Mass is the temporalization in our time and localization in space of Calvary." -- Bishop Sheen - joseph Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:56:19 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3229 Happily, my experience at St. Mary's in Waltham, MA resembles Sandy's more than that of Liz. Leadership is so vital, and prayer becomes more important than ever... Fr. Schall reports an experience that, alas, is all too common. - John McCarthy Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:55:25 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3232 The genius of Benedict was on display this week with the Anglican announcement. Despite his apparent personal preference for Latin, his vision of the liturgy is not limited to a single rite or language. Hence, Anglican hymns and a fully Catholic liturgy with the Elizabethan English of Cranmer will now join the Latin Tridentine Rite, the Novus Ordo in the vernacular, the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in Old Slovanic, etc. None are forlorn, all are Catholic. May Jesus Christ be praised! - Bradley Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:24:49 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3225 What's a Catholic doing at Georgetown? - Frankly Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:37:26 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3227 I am sorry that Liz has had such a bad experience and sympathize with her. However, I also attend Mass in Central Florida, where we have a deeply fulfilling spiritual experience each Sunday, with a traditional priest, with good homilies. Yes, a nun runs the educational program, but she is traditional, orthodox and excellent. - Sandy O'Seay Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:36:42 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/mass-with-nowhere-man.html#comment-3228 grace abounds the more. - Richard A Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:30:28 +0100