Ascension Sunday? No! Marketing pitch!

[ibkc]

I suppose this really is mundane, but it is bothering me. We just got back from mass. Today is Ascension Sunday, which I’m told is at least a somewhat important day in the liturgical calendar. We had a guest priest who didn’t even mention it and made the entire mass into a marketing pitch to sell tickets to a musical that his apostolate is putting on in a few weeks. Songs from the musical, complete with drums, bass and lyrics more appropriate to theologies incompatible with ours were played over the sound system throughout the mass. The homily was a 20-minute sales presentation. And as we were trying to leave, people selling tickets were aggressively demanding to know whether we’d gotten a flyer and why won’t we buy a ticket?

The whole thing really cheesed me off and even though I’d be running the risk of being one of “those people”, I may write our pastor and complain. Our parish is generally quite conservative, and this was just weird. Usually when we have visitors to promote something, they are given time to speak about it after the mass is finished. So, it’s the way this was turned into a kind of theme mass that is bothering me so much.

I really wish we lived a little bit closet to the “trad” parish, where this kind of stuff never happens.

 

[Will_B]

Sounds to me a little like Jesus turning over the tables in the temple…

“You have turned my Fathers house in to a den of thieves, which should be a house of prayer” Paraphrased from the story of Jesus tossing out the money changers in the temple.

Yes, I would bring it to the attention of someone in authority.

 

[passus]

I suppose this really is mundane, but it is bothering me. We just got back from mass. Today is Ascension Sunday, which I’m told is at least a somewhat important day in the liturgical calendar. We had a guest priest who didn’t even mention it and made the entire mass into a marketing pitch to sell tickets to a musical that his apostolate is putting on in a few weeks. Songs from the musical, complete with drums, bass and lyrics more appropriate to theologies incompatible with ours were played over the sound system throughout the mass. The homily was a 20-minute sales presentation. And as we were trying to leave, people selling tickets were aggressively demanding to know whether we’d gotten a flyer and why won’t we buy a ticket?

The whole thing really cheesed me off and even though I’d be running the risk of being one of “those people”, I may write our pastor and complain. Our parish is generally quite conservative, and this was just weird. Usually when we have visitors to promote something, they are given time to speak about it after the mass is finished. So, it’s the way this was turned into a kind of theme mass that is bothering me so much.

I really wish we lived a little bit closet to the “trad” parish, where this kind of stuff never happens.

You’re unlikely to see any positive result come of your efforts by bringing this up to your pastor, writing e-mails and letters, etc.

No, it does not sound like what went on was appropriate. Yes, “Memorex music” is a liturgical abuse. I think you can be sure, however, this is not something that’s going to happen again any time soon.

While it is frustrating to be solicited in church, you have to consider that with the economic conditions we’re facing right now, our Catholic not-for-profit apostolates are desperately hurting for money. Whatever the visiting priest was promoting was probably a very important source of funds for the organization, ergo the visitors’ understandably offputting zeal.

 

[ibkc]

While it is frustrating to be solicited in church, you have to consider that with the economic conditions we’re facing right now, our Catholic not-for-profit apostolates are desperately hurting for money. Whatever the visiting priest was promoting was probably a very important source of funds for the organization, ergo the visitors’ understandably offputting zeal.

I understand that and I do not mind having guests explaining their work and asking for donations. In fact we have that all the time and I love knowing about what fellow Catholics are up to. I’m sure this group does fine work. My problem was that the entire mass was centered around it. I’ve heard about this kind of thing going on at other parishes, and I was just shocked to see it at ours. First time for everything, I suppose.

 

[Ockham]

Write your bishop and complain. For too long the silent majority has sat by while “progressives” slowly implement change to our liturgy and religion in general. All Catholics have a duty to ensure the liturgy is followed as the rules prescribe.

 

[peary]

I suppose this really is mundane, but it is bothering me. We just got back from mass. Today is Ascension Sunday, which I’m told is at least a somewhat important day in the liturgical calendar. We had a guest priest who didn’t even mention it and made the entire mass into a marketing pitch to sell tickets to a musical that his apostolate is putting on in a few weeks. Songs from the musical, complete with drums, bass and lyrics more appropriate to theologies incompatible with ours were played over the sound system throughout the mass. The homily was a 20-minute sales presentation. And as we were trying to leave, people selling tickets were aggressively demanding to know whether we’d gotten a flyer and why won’t we buy a ticket?

The whole thing really cheesed me off and even though I’d be running the risk of being one of “those people”, I may write our pastor and complain. Our parish is generally quite conservative, and this was just weird. Usually when we have visitors to promote something, they are given time to speak about it after the mass is finished. So, it’s the way this was turned into a kind of theme mass that is bothering me so much.

I really wish we lived a little bit closet to the “trad” parish, where this kind of stuff never happens.

.
And then we wonder how we lost two generations to passing down the Faith. If you cannot find time to catechize your congregation from the pulpit, you’ve lost it. You pastor needs to rethink what he’s doing.

 

[Callixtus]

This is not a liberal/conservative issue. It happens at both parishes at times - I have seen it at both.

If it’s a one-time thing, go easy on your pastor. Writing to the bishop is a last resort.

 

[Volodymyr]

Today is Ascension Sunday, which I’m told is at least a somewhat important day in the liturgical calendar.

I thought as Orthodox believer that this was Feast we have in common with Catolic believers. But by ancient tradition this is always celebrated by us on Thursday.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
The celebration of the Ascending comes from the most ancient antiquiety of the church. Already in the Apostolic Directions it is prescriped to celebrate it on the 40th day after Paskha (a thursday) (Canon 5). Very importantly it is Saint Ioann Zlatoust (of Konstantinopl) and Blessed Avgustin who call this the most important and great feast which like Feasts of Paskha and Fifty-Days (Pentecost) was established by the Apostles. We pray on this that that we be not left orphans, that in his mercy that Jesus Christ will send ms as he promised, the Most Holy Spirit to enlighten our souls.

We have just done this yesterday.

 

[peary]

Our pastor only mentioned the Ascension…in the parish news letter!! And it was such a flimsy and untheological approach. All he said was that it was a “sign of hope” for all Christians.

However, during Sunday Mass, he discussed parish finances…

 

[churchsecretary]

Some dioceses celebrate Ascension on the following Sunday. I live in a conservative diocese, and we still have Ascension Thursday, and it IS a holy day of obligation.

I had heard (not sure if it’s true or not) that the Acension Sunday thing started out west in areas where people had to drive far distances to get to Mass, so in order to help these people, the holy day was moved to the following Sunday. Has anyone else heard if this is true?

 

[Chatter163]

Some dioceses celebrate Ascension on the following Sunday. I live in a conservative diocese, and we still have Ascension Thursday, and it IS a holy day of obligation.

I had heard (not sure if it’s true or not) that the Acension Sunday thing started out west in areas where people had to drive far distances to get to Mass, so in order to help these people, the holy day was moved to the following Sunday. Has anyone else heard if this is true?

Yes, this permission was granted for western provinces in 1992, but not for other American dioceses until 1999. Similar changes were made during the same period in several other countries.

 

[NHInsider]

Yes, this permission was granted for western provinces in 1992, but not for other American dioceses until 1999. Similar changes were made during the same period in several other countries.

One year I drove out to a neighboring parish on Ascension Thursday because they have a mid-day Mass and our parish doesn’t - and sat in the empty church for a while before figuring out they weren’t having Mass. Turns out they had transferred the feast to Sunday. I didn’t think this could be done at the parish level. . .

 

[Chatter163]

One year I drove out to a neighboring parish on Ascension Thursday because they have a mid-day Mass and our parish doesn’t - and sat in the empty church for a while before figuring out they weren’t having Mass. Turns out they had transferred the feast to Sunday. I didn’t think this could be done at the parish level. . .

It cannot, though I do not understand the schedule matter, though. Do they always have a weekday noon Mass? When was this? Which diocese?

 

[NHInsider]

It cannot, though I do not understand the schedule matter, though. Do they always have a weekday noon Mass? When was this? Which diocese?

It was a couple of years ago. The parish does not have a daily noon Mass (nor does my parish, or any others in the area). So absent the holy day there was no Mass at that time. In my parish the holy day Masses are a 7pm vigil and 7am/7pm day of the feast. If you’re unable to attend Mass at 7 (and I’m not, due to medical care for my invalid mother) you’re out of luck.

 

[whatevergirl]

I suppose this really is mundane, but it is bothering me. We just got back from mass. Today is Ascension Sunday, which I’m told is at least a somewhat important day in the liturgical calendar. We had a guest priest who didn’t even mention it and made the entire mass into a marketing pitch to sell tickets to a musical that his apostolate is putting on in a few weeks. Songs from the musical, complete with drums, bass and lyrics more appropriate to theologies incompatible with ours were played over the sound system throughout the mass. The homily was a 20-minute sales presentation. And as we were trying to leave, people selling tickets were aggressively demanding to know whether we’d gotten a flyer and why won’t we buy a ticket?

The whole thing really cheesed me off and even though I’d be running the risk of being one of “those people”, I may write our pastor and complain. Our parish is generally quite conservative, and this was just weird. Usually when we have visitors to promote something, they are given time to speak about it after the mass is finished. So, it’s the way this was turned into a kind of theme mass that is bothering me so much.

I really wish we lived a little bit closet to the “trad” parish, where this kind of stuff never happens.

** I don’t blame you for being upset. I have witnessed this before, it’s been a while, but in the past. This type of thing should never replace the homily – it should be reserved for once mass is over. I would write a letter…hopefully, your concern won’t be taken lightly. **

 

[Chatter163]

It was a couple of years ago. The parish does not have a daily noon Mass (nor does my parish, or any others in the area). So absent the holy day there was no Mass at that time. In my parish the holy day Masses are a 7pm vigil and 7am/7pm day of the feast. If you’re unable to attend Mass at 7 (and I’m not, due to medical care for my invalid mother) you’re out of luck.

I am still confused. Are you saying that the other parish–the one that is not your own–normally has a noon Mass on a holy day of obligation, which is why you were there? In which diocese was this? When is a “couple of years ago”? If it was after the years indicated in my previous post, and you were not in Massachussetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Nebrasks, then the entire diocese and province had moved the holy day, not just the parish.

 

[NHInsider]

I am still confused. Are you saying that the other parish–the one that is not your own–normally has a noon Mass on a holy day of obligation, which is why you were there? In which diocese was this? When is a “couple of years ago”? If it was after the years indicated in my previous post, and you were not in Massachussetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Nebrasks, then the entire diocese and province had moved the holy day, not just the parish.

Yes, the neighboring parish normally has Mass at noon on Holy Days (or at least they used to - I don’t attend there regularly so their schedule could have changed.)

Diocese is Manchester (New Hampshire). I don’t honestly recall how long ago - recent enough that all my kids must have been in school, as I was alone. Long enough ago that I don’t recall, but that’s getting shorter all the time!

The details are foggy enough that I’m sure I’m not giving them accurately. . . . and don’t intend to suggest that anyone other than me did anything wrong.