Bishop's Message to our Pastor

[BernadetteM]

I just wanted some thoughts from you all about a message that was read to our parish today during Mass.

It was from the Bishop who had done the 5 years visit to our parish a few months ago.

Our parish is traditional, the priest faces ad orietem, we receive kneeling and most of the people receive on the tongue.

From visiting several other parishes and from what I see posted on CAF, most parishes distribute Holy Communion to members standing and in the hand. I have read several posts that state that the person who wants to receive kneeling and on the tongue or just on the tongue feel intimidated, also some have been denied Communion kneeling. In fact, when my grandchildren were to receive their First Holy Communion, the priest told them to receive only in the hand. They are triplets and the two girls received on the tongue, they are brave, the boy received in the hand.

It appears that at least in 90% of all parishes, standing and in the hand is the norm, and if you wish to receive in a manner which to you is more reverent you feel that the priest might deny you or let you know this is not the norm.

Well this Bishop wrote our priest that he was worried that some people might feel intimidated to receive kneeling and on the tongue implying that in some way our parish was not distributing Holy Communion in an appropriate manner.

The priest read the message and then quoted our Pastor saying the intimidation comes in other parishes. The Pastor also stated that the Holy Father only gives Communion on the tongue while kneeling. I have seen others stand to receive with no problems.

I feel that since we are a more traditional parish that the Bishop is being very unfair. I have a feeling they would like Father to retire so they can send a liberal priest, but if they do, I can promise you there won’t be any parishioners going. As it is some come from over 50 miles to our parish. Many just for the OF. We also have the EF on Sundays and some other days.

Any thoughts on this issue. I am praying that Archbishop Gomez who will be over the LA diocese soon, although not ours will be able to stop some of these Bishops who do not like the more orthodox and traditional parishes from practicing legitimate forms within the Mass. I believe that an Archbishop, who will probably soon be named a Cardinal influences all the dioceses in surrounding areas.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[ProVobis]

Is there a violation of one of the conditions under which CITH is allowed?

(d) Conditions in the indult:

1. The new manner of giving Communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. It is a matter of particular seriousness that in places where the new practice is lawfully permitted, every one of the faithful have the option to receive Communion on the tongue, even when others receive Communion in the hand. The two ways of receiving Communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. There is a twofold purpose here: that none will find in the new rite anything disturbing to personal devotion toward the Eucharist; that this sacrament, the source and cause of unity by its very nature, will not become an occasion of discord between members of the faithful.

1. The rite of Communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. Since the question involves human attitudes, this manner of Communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning, within small, better-prepared groups and in favorable settings. Above all it is necessary to have the introduction of the rite preceded by an effective catechesis, so that the people will clearly understand the meaning of receiving in the hand and will practice it with the reverence owed to the Sacrament. This catechesis must succeed in excluding any suggestion that in the mind of the Church there is a lessening of faith in the Eucharistic presence and in excluding as well any danger or hint of danger of profaning the Eucharist.

1. The option offered to the faithful of receiving the Eucharistic Bread in their hand and putting it in their own mouth must not turn out to be the occasion for regarding It as ordinary bread or as just another religious article. Instead this option must increase in them a consciousness of the dignity of the members of Christ’s Mystical Body, into which they are incorporated by Baptism and by the grace of the Eucharist. It must also increase their faith in the sublime reality of the Lord’s Body and Blood, which they touch with their hand. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing.

1. [Condition #4 was eliminated on the occasion of the publication of De sacra Communione et du cultu Mysterii Eucharistichi (n. 21), July 21, 1973].

1. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the Eucharistic Bread to fall or be scattered. Care must also be taken that the communicants have clean hands and that their comportment is becoming and in keeping with the practices of the different peoples.

1. In the case of Communion under both kinds by way of intinction, it is never permitted to place on the hand of the communicant the Host that has been dipped in the Lord’s Blood.

 

[Shin]

A sad story, so often heard. You have my heartfelt sympathy.

Deo gratias you have him.

 

[AugustEleventh]

It’s difficult to say from your limited account of the Bishop’s actual words whether or not the letter to be read to your church was a threat, or just posturing, or political.

Were there demands for change? It sounds like after the letter was read, it was refuted by your priest, which makes me think it was just correspondence.

It’s so sad that people (bishops included!) are intimidated by others receiving the flesh of God in any way other than being plopped into their dirty hands. As for myself, after 20+ years of receiving exclusively on the hand, I’ve reevaluated and realized how unique and how infinitely special the matter is that I’m receiving, and now (unless the minister is 4ft tall and can’t reach high enough to make oral reception practical) I never touch the host with my hands.

However, I do believe that if your priest were to do something like scowl, say something directly to the communicant, or refuse to provide Communion for anyone who came forward standing and with their hands out, they would possibly be in error. If that happens, I do think that they could rightfully be made by the bishop to change. However, I’d be shocked if that were actually the case.

 

[Adeodatus]

Ad multos annos for your priest, Deo gratias.

We should all pray for your parish. I pity all the upright who have to live in lands like California! But what a chance you have to show the glory of the Lord.

 

[BernadetteM]

Everything is done properly in my parish. No one is turned away or looked zg in a way of dissaproval by any priests. There have been a few that stand and receive in the hand, but we have an altar server with a “paten”, not sure correct word, which is placed under the communicate, of course if they have it placed in their hands I don’t know how a paten would be of use. We also have a few who stand after the Sanctus, most kneel as that is the directions is the Missal.

There are many Bishops and priests in my area who don’t appear to take the Sacrament of the Lord’s Body and Blood with the same caring as our priests. Not trying to be uncharitable, it is a fact.

If one doesn’t want to be told the Gospel or hear hard words sometimes they would know after attending our parish that it is not the one for them.

Our Pastor lives in some very small rooms attached to the church building. He is a very dedicated priest and humble, but is also not one to be politically correct. He tells it like it is, not like some would like to hear it. The priest who conducts two of the Masses is from a religious order. He is great too, very human and has humbled himself to us on more than one occasion about his own faults as a fellow human being.

We must face the facts that we have Bishops and priests who need to attend RCIA. At least, I know I’ll get flack for this comment but this is the way I see it. They are human and sometimes personal agendas get in the way of being a Shepherd to the flock.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[WatchingMedia]

Bernadette,

There are real issues in CA and throughout other parts of the US.

The best you can all do is make certain every Catholic you know has a copy of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” first printed in the US in March 2000.
Ask your Paster to advertise it in your Church.
This will insure that Catholics get the correct teaching.

God bless your Paster.

“The Catholic Church is not a salad bar. You cannot pick and choose what you want to believe”. - Cardinal John O’Connor.

“A man of conscience, is one who never acquires tolerance, well- being, success, public standing , and approval on the part of prevailing opinion, at the expense of truth.” - Pope Benedict XVI