Lost Lambs

Fr. Richard Neuhaus , that co anchored the papal visit with Raymond Arroyo on EWTN has an excellent post about the papal mass in Washington DC.

I will post just a snippet, I highly suggest reading his work, he is a very smart priest, based on his latest post, he really understands the need and the want of the “Reform of the Reform”

I do not wish to be too hard on those who planned the celebration at Nationals Park. It was, sad to say, not unrepresentative of much Catholic worship in our time. The planners and the performers no doubt meant well, but it is worthy of remark that at a papal Mass there was so much that reflected an ignorance of, or defiance of, the very considered views of the pope.

You can read the entire post here : http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=1056

Hey, did anyone hear? The Holy Father is in town, and He held a Huge Mass in the ordinary form in Washington D.C. today. I have been watching the Pontiffs trip very closely and was impressed with the Solemn Vespers last night but was left wanting after todays Mass.

I have had the privilege to be in the presence of Pope John Paul II during world youth day’s 1993 and 2000 and in 1999 when he came to St. Louis. I would like to offer my readers my feelings of participating in an overpopulated open air Mass that resembles what we saw today.

Right away I would like to point out that just watching the Mass today it seemed MUCH more respectful and a bit more reverent than the Mass’ I participated at. In an open air mass the sense of reverence and sacred are lacking, partially due to the fact that we are in a stadium, that we are surrounded by thousands upon thousands - or in the case of Rome in 2000 MILLIONS of people. It is unavoidable to be distracted and the situation has turned into somewhat of a novelty, kneeling can be impaired and weather has played a factor as well.

Sight lines, distance, and noise impedes my concetration on the word and of the sacrifice. Also as pointed out today the music for the liturgy today as in most massive liturgies are not usually considered “Sacred Music”.

I think large liturgical celebrations can be done respectfully and reverently but they are far and few between, the larger the crowd the worse it gets, perhaps there could be a limit set on these in the future - of course when Rome calls to ask me my opinion, you will know where I stand.

This past weekend I have Prayed at three Holy Mass’ 2 of the three were “Ordinary” and One was “Extraordinary”.

I regret to inform you that The two “Ordinary” were Full of abuses that I feel are way to common place in this day and age.

Some things I noticed this weekend at Ordinary Mass-

• Guitar (Electric and Acoustic) Played for all “Hymns”
• “Hymns” were composed by the Ex-Jesuit Dan Schutte whom has left the Priesthood for the Gay Lifestyle were sung throughout both Ordinary Mass
• While The Dress of the parishioners attending the Mass was very immodest while the dress is not an Liturgical Abuse per Se.. I would say that it reflects the law of lex orandi, lex credendi
• “Extraordinary Ministers” Entering the Sanctuary, Opening the Tabernacle and waiting behind the priest before the priest receives communion
• “Extraordinary Ministers” Grabbing and Gathering the Consecrated host’s after communion, scraping the crumbs of the Blessed Sacrament as the priest Drinks the ablutions after communion without gathering the spare particles.. the Priest then stood aside to watch the ministers finish Grabbing at the hosts and place them in the Tabernacle
• The Priest asked for Applause for the Guitar “Choir” and for the lector, Servers, and Extraordinary Ministers.
• Random Applause after the priest processed out, for the end of the last “Hymn”
• No Homily was given at one ordinary mass.. instead a Video was played on the pornography initiative that the diocese Started MONTHS ago.. there was no follow up discussion or talk after the Priest.
• an “Children’s Liturgy of the word” took place during this anti-pornography video when the children returned they had in hand the coloring pages that they were doing during this time

All of this was seen of the course of this past Saturday and Sunday at two Catholic “Community’s” in the Johnson County Area one of which brings in over $40,000 in monies per the 10+ page Bulletin with 3 Full pages of Advertisements. (This Community needs Teachers for their “School of Religion” Classes I have seriously given thought to Helping them out)

So why Do I bring this up… its simple …. I feel compelled to do something about it…but I’m not sure what… So dear readers I ask you how can I help change the tide in these parish’s that are so geographically close to my home. I look for your suggestions in the comment box

Please Help Me.

Here are some Photos from a Recent Visit to Assumption Parish in Edgerton, KS

Tonight I enjoyed a great evening with friends, family, and some great food. Interestingly enough a conversation was started from comments on my brown scapular, positive, innocent remarks that led into discussion of the Catholic faith.

We started talking about our parishes and where we attend. One mutual friend spoke of the near by parish that we sometimes attend ordinary mass, some at the table I had never met before, but turned out to be Catholic as well, she informed us of her “Gospel” parish where ,”the gospel choir was most excellent and the sign of peace lasts 15-20 Minutes where everyone is leaving their pews and and congregating to shake each others hand”- out of prudence I held my tounge. We then mentioned that on Sundays we drive >20 minutes to attend the Extraordinary Mass in Latin, everyone at the table interest perked when I mentioned this, they began to ask questions and reminisce of their few “Old” mass experiences. I then informed them that soon the Holy Father is to allow any priest to say the Extraordinary Mass, and once again- a very positive response.

The most disappointing thing about all of this is they had no clue the Traditional Mass was still happening, and I fear this is the case for most Catholics, I think announcement of the Motu Proprio will immediately fall on mostly deaf ears, most Catholics at first will not be akin to giving up their hand holding sentiments. This Motu Proprio will be noted as the start of a Giant U turn, that we will see to transform the ordinary Latin liturgy as well as establish a concrete place for the Extraordinary form.

As we finished up the conversation, it was clear we planted some sort of seed one friend mentioned how she missed the communion rails, and she felt it was wrong they took them out, I made sure to let her knew where she could experience such a blessing again, and maybe someday, others will never share her sentiment as the period between the 1960’s- 2007 will be chalked up to another very strange time in church history.