Comments for Winters of My Discontent at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 19 out of 19 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:08:29 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15138 One would think, that after reflecting on Jesus' reprimand of Peter, (get thee behind me Satan, you think like man, not like God)Catholics would stop -- thinking like man. Speaking for God as we rationalize our behavior,i.e. "God doesn't care how you dress when you go to church just so ..., God doesn't care what clown priests do, just so they ....., "God wants us to meet them where they are so it is ok to ..." is yielding to the same promtings that Peter did. It always seems to be about us!!! Why don't we just give God the glory, respect and honor He deserves by dressing, acting, obeying and loving him as Jesus taught. We have tried experimenting with the mass for the last 40 years and the data would suggest it hasn't worked. Weekly attendence was about 50-60 percent when we started and now about 25 percent. - from JRF Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:57:54 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15134 I went to the midnight Christmas Mass with my children which consists of 2 college age adults, 2 teenagers and a 11 year old. The Mass was heavily attended with many children, young adults and young families. The priest offered the sacrifice with reverence, the choir sang wonderfully and the laity silently prayed with the priest. No shock and all AWE every Mass. - Matt Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:50:58 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15127 Howard, that's why I said "might" since I don't know your circumstances. If you feel that this will not receive a hearing from the bishop you could write directly to the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and cc the Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. What you have described is truly awful. The fact that the priest would use a child in such a scandalous action just makes me sick to my stomach. The priest, pastor and bishop owe an apology to the child, her parents, and all who were there. And while they are at it they could apologize to the Church at large. I'm so sorry this happened to you and your granddaughter. I will say some prayers in reparation and I will pray for your precious granddaughter. We aren't responsible for results but we should do what is in our power when terrible things like this happen. I would also throw in the pastor's comments about belonging to CTA. Personally, I would give the bishop a chance first, to rectify, and if he fails to do so, then i would go to Rome. Thirty days is sufficient to wait after contacting him. You might even want to contact that St. Joseph Foundation to consult with them on how this should be approached. - Louise Tue, 01 Jan 2013 13:44:00 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15125 Hmmm... I also went to a Vigil "Children's Mass." The priest didn't have any inflatable snowmen during the homily. He did, however, bring all the children up to the crèche, and have them sing a song with him. Ok, fine, it's cute, and then he went into a more normal "adult" sermon. But... just when I thought he was done... he goes back behind the altar... and pulls out a guitar. Sits down and starts playing and singing. I was just.... wow. The rest of the Mass proceeded more or less normally, except at the end, instead of (or in addition to) the proscribed blessing, he started babbling. I understand he was recently installed as pastor of the church, and apparently wanted to appear friendly and approachable. But he just went on and on, until I heard "Go White Sox! Go Bears!" and I turned to my fiancée and asked, "Is he drunk?" - Patrick Tue, 01 Jan 2013 06:18:51 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15121 @Mack, You have raised some truly terrifying possibilities, before the end of the year deadline, to which I would add that The Three Snowpersons probably do not own and would probably be incapable of operating any large pseudo-puppets of the kind favored by liturgy abusers. - Charles E Flynn Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:35:23 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15120 @Louise: "But Howard, I think you might have an obligation to see that efforts to rectify the situation you experienced are made by the bishop and the priest, as the priest committed a grave act of scandal, made even worse by timing it to influence people whose faith is probably weak (those sometimes referred to as the C&E Catholics)." This is Milwaukee. The priest in question is a Salvatorian who helps with Masses occasionally. My pastor in a homily once mentioned that he is a member of Call to Action and Voice of the Faithful. Need I say any more? The parishes in our "Cluster" are quite liberal. The last time I complained to the Archbishop (Dolan, at the time) was about 4 presentations for the parish by CAIR defending Islam. I was referred to the Assistant Bishop, Bishop Sklba, whose emails indicated that I should be more understanding of differences. - Howard Kainz Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:43:10 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15118 Bravo for another excellent year of The Catholic Thing! I have similar feelings about the Christmas Eve mass but I have gone to the same Christmas Eve "Children's Mass" with my parents and tradition largely necessitates that I continue to do so. I typically go to the Midnight Mass later by myself additionally as it allows me to focus more as there is usually less hoopla. Not this year; the Midnight Mass is what made the blood boil. The priest thought it was fitting to have a protestant woman priest deliver an additional blessing at the end of mess (Not the final blessing but still not much better) where she informed the congregation that there is really no difference between the different denominations of Christianity. The priest also gave a blanket invitation for the reception of communion. Perhaps, he told the guest before hand the regulations for proper reception of communion but even if that is the case it is an incredibly dangerous thing to do especially on Christmas Mass. It is very saddening that for whichever reasons, Christmas seems to bring out the worst of the liturgy. - David Mon, 31 Dec 2012 12:09:34 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15117 Let's never forget: the Mass belongs to the faithful. It does NOT belong to the celebrant. He is not there to put on a show or to do anything impromptu. He 'says what's written in black print and does only what it says in the red print.' No more; no less. If Father wants skits for the kids or for those of my generation from the 60's, why not take a Friday night and Father can dress up as a clown or whatever he so chooses. - Deacon Ed Peitler Mon, 31 Dec 2012 11:57:04 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15116 @DS: Did I read my name in vain? (Just kidding). In the Roman Rite we have something called RUBRICS which, in effect, control how the Mass is properly said. Their purpose is to homogenize, if you will, the Mass in order to avoid excesses on the part of the celebrant or the congregants. Having read Brad's piece and the opinions of some of the commenters, I believe the Chuch needs Trent II as well as Vatican III. The present situation is deplorable and shows no sign of ending. The Novus Ordo Mass is focused on MAN as the above demonstrates, rather than on GOD. There is a reason why the N.O. Mass is called Ordinary (hoi polloi?) and the TLM is called Extraordinary. The priest in the N.O. is a confused Presider, as no Alter Christus would ever bring a young girl into the sanctuary to the celebrant's chair which directly contravenes the rubrics. Frankly, I wonder if you nice people are even satisfying your Mass obligations! We are all obliged to pursue Truth no matter where the quest takes us. Pace - Manfred Mon, 31 Dec 2012 11:11:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15115 Wise move, Brad, you know how Inspector Javert turned out...I fear i am either becoming desensitized or lenient as I am not finding the spectacle as horrible as I might have a few years ago. Children have a way of seeing to the heart of things and it probably is an image they will never forget of how lifeless we are without the Holy Spirit. I confess that i don't know what is permissable during homilies for children. All that being said, had i been there in person I suspect i would have been quite aggravated. Perhaps the idea of assisting at your canonically assigned parish came from the Holy Spirit and it is something He wants you to consider doing going forward; sort of a "bloom where you are planted" idea? Who knows? What i am certain though, is that Seanacie is off base in his interpretation. But Howard, I think you might have an obligation to see that efforts to rectify the situation you experienced are made by the bishop and the priest, as the priest committed a grave act of scandal, made even worse by timing it to influence people whose faith is probably weak (those sometimes referred to as the C&E Catholics). The priest also sounds like he could be in an irregular situation re his communion with the Church if he does not accept the teaching on Holy Orders. I suspect that the priest thought he was doing something that would attract these people home; what a grave mistaken notion that is. on a happy note, I very much enjoyed the recent film version of Les Mis and encourage others to go if you have not. Karen, thank you for your efforts in that regard. Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year. May God bless us all. - Louise Mon, 31 Dec 2012 10:11:51 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15114 Snarky, snarky, Brad...seems you went to the nearby parish looking for "trouble" and found it (really no surprise that). Wonder if the parents and children who attended this "children's" Mass sensed the same chagrin as you? Did you see yourself as a guest or visitor at this Mass or as an "inspector"? God works in mysterious ways...a full church, especially with children and family members, would in my judgment be visible testimony to His and His peoples mutual love and respect. - Seanachie Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:35:38 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15113 At the Midnight (10:30 P.M.) vigil I attended, we were also entertained with a skit for the crowd. The priest, who is noted for giving maximum 5-minute homilies with self-deprecating jokes, walked up the aisle and asked if there was a 7-year old girl who would like to assist him. Coincidentally, I had my 7-year old granddaughter with me, but she is not a Catholic, and she had never been at an Xmas Mass before. Anyway, a 10-year old girl near the aisle volunteered, and the priest accompanied her up to the sanctuary and had her sit in the celebrant's chair. He asked her about what she wants to do when she grows up, and talked about his hope that someone like her could sit in that chair. Then he escorted her back and made a few brief comments about the necessity for continuing to hope. - Howard Kainz Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:44:26 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15112 I appreciate your column and the sentiment. My wife would tell you that I am a stickler for sound liturgy. When I encounter something really off (eg, last Easter the rural church we attended sang "Were You There" during Communion....Really? On Easter? Isn't that for Good Friday?), she will tell you that I can't just let it go. Christmas re-orients my liturgical instincts. The world did not welcome Jesus, yet he arrived in the most offensive of human circumstances. He did this because we totally fouled up God's creation. The same is true with liturgy. Even when we totally foul it up and get it wrong and don't follow XVII century rites with precision, the result is certainly not counterfeit as Manfred suggests. Quite the opposite. Our Lord was present at your Christmas Mass, Mr. Miner, amidst the snowmen just as he was present last Easter when the choir sang (rather poorly) "Were Your There." Perhaps the children understand all of this better than we do. - DS Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:24:08 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15111 God save us from "childrens' masses," "teen masses," and all other such three ring circuses. Where is the Inquisition when we really need it? - Jim Morgan Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:22:42 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15110 Ms. de Flon: The figures were exactly the ones pictured in the column. - Brad Miner Mon, 31 Dec 2012 04:48:30 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15109 No doubt these inflatable figures were ugly as well, or at least garish. Not much room for beauty anymore in many churches. And they wonder why the numbers are down. - Nancy de Flon Mon, 31 Dec 2012 04:24:41 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15108 I suppose there is some thin comfort in knowing that The Three Snowpersons were incapable of playing guitars, tambourines, and drums. - Mack Hall Mon, 31 Dec 2012 02:52:45 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15107 Les Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi. Frankly, Brad, I am surprised you did not walk out. My wife and I drive twenty miles each way to our FSSP chapel each week no matter what the circumstances. She went to school in your area (New Rochelle College, '62) so she and I were trained to spot Counterfeit Catholicism by the time we were in our early twenties. Happy and Healthy New Year to you, your family, to all the staff at TCT and to the readers as well! - Manfred Mon, 31 Dec 2012 02:42:22 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/winters-of-my-discontent.html#comment-15106 Here's an idea: the next time anyone visits one of those faux parishes where 'priest as performer' is the order of the day, hand out marketing material for the neighboring orthodox parish that "says the black; does the red." With crowds such as appear on major feasts as Christmas and Easter, active recruiting for the the closest 'really Catholic' parish takes advantage of a great opportunity. - Deacon Ed Peitler Mon, 31 Dec 2012 02:05:39 +0100