I personally think Latin is a key strategy in parishes. Though I think the vernacular brings an understanding to people who are not capable or choose not to invest in learning the Latin, as well as those who cannot read, our bi-lingual Masses have taken on a lot of Latin. We have gained unity not only at Mass, but for those involved in the Mass, working through the preparation brings us together several times a year. Thus we are reminded that we are still one parish.
Every problem we have, every challenge we face, is also an opportunity to learn and grow.
Not you specifically but your’s was the closest to the end of this thread.
Ya’ll do realize the Hispanics, usually Mexican, do not speak a lick of Latin, nor do they want to? I’ve had Mexican members of my parish tell me Spanish came first, then Latin. My parish is about 107 years old, it was originally a Polish parish, was still that till about 17 years ago, when our current bishop demanded all parishes start holding Spanish Masses. My former parish voted on this subject. We were also a Polish parish (104 when the fool closed our doors) Yeah, our Mexicans along with everyone else said, no we don’t need that. A number said they felt insulted that the bishop didn’t think they knew English. Also we had just recently ended our Polish Mass due to our pastor’s failing health.One of the reasons he closed our parish was because we refused to open our doors to Hispanics. (We wouldn’t politic for the pro-obama ticket.)
My current parish used to have two English Masses on Sunday and one Polish Mass. Saturday vigil was only in English, as were the usual morning Masses. They said ok let’s add a Spanish Mass. Now we have only one Polish Mass, two English Masses for the weekend (one Sat. one Sun.) and three Spanish Masses for the weekend plus two or three Spanish Masses and a Spanish Holy Hour and once a month an overnight Spanish prayer service. No daily Masses in Polish, even in the case of a funeral. The Spanish Masses are a joke. That priest doesn’t want singing in Mass, so no Gloria, no Alleluia, no Sanctus, he doesn’t even want the Lord’s Prayer recited. This to him takes up too much time. However his 40-50 min. sermons are ok. The bishop has told our pastor to stop questioning him or this priest about these things. We had a beautiful multi-cultured/lingual choir. This priest ‘fired’ all but the main guitarist for the Spanish Masses. He also tried getting the choir director fired.
We now all have to learn about the Day of the Dead every Nov. 1. This isn’t really part of the Catholic faith, it’s from the Aztecs. All of our major happenings, Communion, Conformation, Christmas, Easter are almost exclusively in Spanish, two songs in English and or Polish and maybe a greeting or two in Polish. This Sunday there were almost no Hispanics in church. They don’t feel the need to come back after the sacraments have been received. So now there will be three Masses every weekend with almost no one in attendance. Non-Hispanics are basically being shoved out the door for a group that doesn’t necessarily want in.
I don’t mind learning other languages, or customs. I do mind being told I must learn these new ways and adopt them as my own. Why does everyone have to pretend to be Mexican to be Catholic? I’ve been told I’m racist for not being ashamed of being Polish-Gypsy. (Last time I checked, no one was ever burned at the stake just for being Mexican.) Why can’t there be room for all of us?
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