A Gripe I Have

[Kevirish01]

gez722,

I *very much *appreciate this! Muchas-muchas gracias. I have read MF a few years ago and I must have forgotten this paragraph. Now, I will have no problems using the word *physical *when describing Christ’s Real Presence-------The Eucharist. Thx a bunch.

Petertherock,

You say: Whether you want to realize this or not the Mass is a community celebration.

Please remember, the Mass is first and foremost a *sacrifice. *In JP2’s encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia he uses the words “Eucharistic Sacrifice” over and over. Sure, he does say “Eucharistic celebration” but notice how he capitalizes sacrifice? This is to emphasize that aspect of the celebration.

I agree with you what you say about folks chatting in the presence of the Tabernacle. If the choir needs to “warm up” before the Holy Sacrifice, then they should show up a good hour beforehand and do their “tuning up.” However, they should stop well enough ahead of the scheduled time of the Mass so that folks can prepare themselves in prayer and meditating upon the scriptures.

Peace to you both.

 

[4HisChurch]

Michael Welter:

Obviously you’re not a musician. You can’t expect them to do a good job at Mass if they haven’t warmed up beforehand.

That’s a very good point. As church musicians, my husband and I try to get to church early enough to warm up and practice a bit while no one (or close to no one) is there. Then, my dh plays a bit of music as a “prelude”, usually in the same key as the opening hymn. About 10 minutes before Mass he will stop playing to give people time for quiet contemplation.

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

4HisChurch:

That’s a very good point. As church musicians, my husband and I try to get to church early enough to warm up and practice a bit while no one (or close to no one) is there. Then, my dh plays a bit of music as a “prelude”, usually in the same key as the opening hymn. About 10 minutes before Mass he will stop playing to give people time for quiet contemplation.

And our choir goes to the School gym to do their warmups, then they sneak into church so quietly I don’t even hear them come in.

Most parishes have adjacent buildings where warm ups can take place. Practice should take place outside of regular mass times, especially where instruments are invovled.

I’ve played in folk bands, and the only thing we ever did before Mass was to teach the congregation the responsorial song. But, even that was unnecessary now that I think back, but it wasn’t my call.

 

[gez722]

Kevirish01:

gez722,
I *very much *appreciate this! Muchas-muchas gracias. I have read MF a few years ago and I must have forgotten this paragraph. Now, I will have no problems using the word *physical *when describing Christ’s Real Presence-------The Eucharist. Thx a bunch.

Kevirish,

And thanks to you for making me research this futher! I try to learn a little more about my faith everyday and your comments had me concerned that I may be incorrect by referring to Jesus’ physical presence in the Eucharist.

On Saturday evening, I was reading the Gospel of John in my Navarre Bible and I came across a footnote which contained the section of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical which referred to Christ’s physical presence. The Lord’s timing is perfect, isn’t it?

Thanks again for helping me to learn more about this wonderful gift provided by Our Lord. Now, we can both refer to the “physical presence” with confidence!

God Bless,
Gary

 

[Kevirish01]

gez,

Thx for the head’s-up about the Navarre series. I have the complete NT version. U-R correct. His timing, as always, is impeccable.

At the risk of thread drift (But, in a very real way is a good argument as to why people talk out loud in church these days—that is to say they don’t believe in Jesus being present in the Real Presence!)

May I recommend a ***great ***book by a good and holy priest on the Holy Eucharist I just started.

It is *With Us Today *by Fr. John Hardon S.J.

Link here: amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0970610602/qid=1121113640/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-6252889-1530507?v=glance&s=books

In it Fr. Hardon (RIP) recounts why he was called to Rome twice in the 90’s and was exhorted by JPII to go back to the U.S. and, “Do everything you can, everything you can in getting the Catholic faithful to believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist or I fear whole dioceses will disappear.” (and there **will **be—make no mistake)

An audio taped series by Fr. Hardon, which much of what is in his book is on this series, can be purchased on this next link. I highly-highly recommend it, although it is pricey—the quality of the contents is worth it (click on Audio Tapes, then clcik on the top left box which is The Blessed Sacrament series):

lifeeternal.org/

Peace gez!
Lorrie, this was a great topic. Lead on!

 

[grotto]

I always run into it! Traveled to the next town for Sunday Mass at 8:30. Got there a good 20 minutes early, went into the separate chapel for some time with our Lord in the tabernacle. The people outside the doors (which were closed) were so loud and silly, I could only suffer in sadness that not one other person entered to spend two minutes and those in close proximity could have cared less about being so nearby. The following exchange was heard and I felt disgusted: a senior in age woman, fulfilling some role as a liturgist, “extra”-ordinary Eucharistic Minister or whatever, was telling her audience that it was four minutes to Mass time and “Now I always tell Father that its time to get dressed!” (Ha, ha, ha!) How nice! Another mouth (probably the music leader) said, “Oh, I’m on now”. This is the kind of mind set that these people have come to exhibit as acceptable. How in the heck is it going to get turned around? I am sure I do not know - and it is so discouraging. I suppose some people will not see any harm here but I really do and just am tired of keeping it all to myself. Thanks. smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_9_18.gif