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ConfusedLucy
Guest
I imagine many older church buildings would not exist if there weren’t additional ways to raise money for their upkeep.
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ConfusedLucy
Guest
I think that’s a wonderful thing for people to witness. Really brings home that these buildings are special places.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Bingo…I imagine many older church buildings would not exist if there weren’t additional ways to raise money for their upkeep.
Many of the ones in Europe have already closed and been converted into full-time concert halls or art exhibit spaces and are not even used as a church anymore. (I am not counting those in my list - the ones I mentioned above were still active churches at the time I saw the concerts.)
I’d rather see the church continue as a church for its regular Mass schedule and see a concert in there to benefit the Church when religious services are not going on. It’s also a great way to get non-Catholics to come inside and maybe get interested in the Church.
I’ve also seen a rock concert in a historic Protestant church and a soft-rock concert in a synagogue. These are also houses of God, even though there is not the issue of Jesus in the tabernacle. Again, I think it is a matter of trying to make some money to keep up the beautiful old building, rather than tear it down or let it fall into disrepair from lack of funds. The shows I saw were packed, so I am sure there was money made.
Methinks the people who turn up their nose at the idea of a church being used for a secular concert aren’t the ones who have to pay the bills for the maintenance and upkeep.
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Wow. That’s totally respectful to the blessed sacrament.One of the monks said a short prayer before the concert de-consecrating the church, then said another after the concert re-consecrating it.
Hey Jesus, shove off into the corner there while we have a performance and use your house for money making. Wasn’t there a story in the Gospel about this…
Or we’re the ones who have reverence for the blessed sacrament and don’t want the church turned onto a concert venue. I could maybe get behind the idea of a religious music concert where the blessed sacrament is still present. But I really do not think it is appropriate to have activities in the church that require removal of the blessed sacrament from it’s rightful place.Methinks the people who turn up their nose at the idea of a church being used for a secular concert aren’t the ones who have to pay the bills for the maintenance and upkeep.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
You are entitled to your opinion; like I said, you’re free to not attend.
I get a little tired of “reverence” always being brought up. This is not a worship service and there is nothing irreverent about these proceedings in connection with the use of the space. People stay in their seats; no one is dancing or acting up or getting thrown out (the churches do not book those kinds of acts); there is no food or alcohol; the sanctuary area is closed off or in some cases screened off. On top of that, this has nothing to do with worship and is a use of the church as a public space. As a previous poster mentioned, if necessary to say a prayer to de-sanctify and re-sanctify the space, this is done.
In addition, the Bishop or other superior (I’m not sure if monasteries doing this are under the Bishop) has obviously authorized the concerts to take place, so while you are making speeches about “reverence” regarding concerts you don’t seem to have seen yourself, you are disrespecting the authority of the Bishop (or other superior) in making this decision because you have decided on your own it is somehow not reverent. Seems like pride to me.
I get a little tired of “reverence” always being brought up. This is not a worship service and there is nothing irreverent about these proceedings in connection with the use of the space. People stay in their seats; no one is dancing or acting up or getting thrown out (the churches do not book those kinds of acts); there is no food or alcohol; the sanctuary area is closed off or in some cases screened off. On top of that, this has nothing to do with worship and is a use of the church as a public space. As a previous poster mentioned, if necessary to say a prayer to de-sanctify and re-sanctify the space, this is done.
In addition, the Bishop or other superior (I’m not sure if monasteries doing this are under the Bishop) has obviously authorized the concerts to take place, so while you are making speeches about “reverence” regarding concerts you don’t seem to have seen yourself, you are disrespecting the authority of the Bishop (or other superior) in making this decision because you have decided on your own it is somehow not reverent. Seems like pride to me.
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RandomAlias
Guest
I understand what you are saying. I trust that the monk or the bishop has considered your point, and I would be curious to hear him explain it.
It may be one of those situations where the issue is not the objective matter – in this case, the use of the building – but rather the effect it has on the faith of the parishioners and of the community.
It may be one of those situations where the issue is not the objective matter – in this case, the use of the building – but rather the effect it has on the faith of the parishioners and of the community.
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CTBcin
Guest
I’d say it depends on the concert. If it’s a rock concert, no go. But if it’s something like an organ performance, orchestra, or performance of sacred music, then go right ahead! Many larger churches have organ concerts to showcase their beautiful instrument!
Moving the Blessed Sacrament to a safe location is imperative, though.
Moving the Blessed Sacrament to a safe location is imperative, though.
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michaelArc
Guest
There is a church in my diocese on the outskirts of the city that is known for their public concerts. They only have mass once per week and there is at least one concert every three months though they are more frequent during the Christmas season.
Admission is €15 per person and the tickets are limited. I think if it weren’t for the concerts, and all the other activities (movie night, guest speakers, workshops, etc) I believe the church would have closed down by now.
Admission is €15 per person and the tickets are limited. I think if it weren’t for the concerts, and all the other activities (movie night, guest speakers, workshops, etc) I believe the church would have closed down by now.
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OraLabora
Guest
That was exactly what my wife and I thought at the time.
Our own local abbey often has concerts. The abbot is a prize-winning organist, and often participates himself. A couple of years ago they also held a beautiful concert of Eastern and Orthodox liturgical music. There is another one coming up this coming weekend.
The abbot, and the choirmaster who is an excellent organist as well, hold organ recitals every Sunday afternoon in the summer, each playing on alternating Sundays.
Beautiful music is a gift from God, gifts that He bestowed on the composers and musicians. His houses are most appropriate venues to savour those gifts. Provided of course that the music is appropriate and tasteful, and care is taken to avoid desecration or disrespect towards the Blessed Sacrament. I’ve been to a few concerts in Catholic churches and that has always been the case.
Our own local abbey often has concerts. The abbot is a prize-winning organist, and often participates himself. A couple of years ago they also held a beautiful concert of Eastern and Orthodox liturgical music. There is another one coming up this coming weekend.
The abbot, and the choirmaster who is an excellent organist as well, hold organ recitals every Sunday afternoon in the summer, each playing on alternating Sundays.
Beautiful music is a gift from God, gifts that He bestowed on the composers and musicians. His houses are most appropriate venues to savour those gifts. Provided of course that the music is appropriate and tasteful, and care is taken to avoid desecration or disrespect towards the Blessed Sacrament. I’ve been to a few concerts in Catholic churches and that has always been the case.
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OraLabora
Guest
The Blessed Sacrament in many Benedictine churches has traditionally been reserved in side chapels since before the Council. It was the case in the church I was referring to, as it is in our abbey’s church, and as it is in many monasteries in Europe. That also applies to many basilicas and cathedrals as well.Wow. That’s totally respectful to the blessed sacrament.
Hey Jesus, shove off into the corner there while we have a performance and use your house for money making. Wasn’t there a story in the Gospel about this…
In our abbey, the chapel is not « shoved off in some corner ». It’s entrance is prominently located near the entrance of the church. It features beautiful modern architecture bathed in natural light from a skylight, with fine hand-crafted solid oak pews with leather kneelers, a small solid oak altar (Mass is sometimes celebrated there), and a noble solid marble and brass tabernacle. It is a place most conducive to prayer, meditation and adoration and is extremely popular with the faithful. The monks have their own identical chapel the other side of the wall which delimits the cloister, and in fact the tabernacle is encased in that wall and serves both chapels.
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TheLittleLady
Guest
There is a wonderful Catholic mission work in Eastern Russia. The Mary Mother of God Mission Society.
In Vladivostok they have a beautiful building (one of the few that was left standing and able to be reclaimed after the fall of the Soviets) and a lovely organ.
While there are still strict government policies about proselytizing, one way the parish can reach out to the community is to host concerts of classical music. These concerts have become so popular that the tickets are sold out far in advance. Some of the classical music is, of course, sacred music. Those pieces share the beauty of the Gospel in a way that does not proselytize.
If the beauty of our Church can be shared through music, some person who would never set foot in a Church just might do so and that little exposure may whet their appetite for God.
In Vladivostok they have a beautiful building (one of the few that was left standing and able to be reclaimed after the fall of the Soviets) and a lovely organ.
While there are still strict government policies about proselytizing, one way the parish can reach out to the community is to host concerts of classical music. These concerts have become so popular that the tickets are sold out far in advance. Some of the classical music is, of course, sacred music. Those pieces share the beauty of the Gospel in a way that does not proselytize.
If the beauty of our Church can be shared through music, some person who would never set foot in a Church just might do so and that little exposure may whet their appetite for God.
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tafan2
Guest
It has been done for centuries, so yes it can be proper. It can also be abused. It all in the details.
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St.Martin_de_Porres
Guest
^^^^^^^^^This…The Bishop has made a decision on the matter yours, mine, or any others feelings on the matter are simply that our feelings. We are free to show our discontent by not attending, or if it really grinds your gears write a letter to the Bishop.You are entitled to your opinion; like I said, you’re free to not attend.
I get a little tired of “reverence” always being brought up. This is not a worship service and there is nothing irreverent about these proceedings in connection with the use of the space. People stay in their seats; no one is dancing or acting up or getting thrown out (the churches do not book those kinds of acts); there is no food or alcohol; the sanctuary area is closed off or in some cases screened off. On top of that, this has nothing to do with worship and is a use of the church as a public space. As a previous poster mentioned, if necessary to say a prayer to de-sanctify and re-sanctify the space, this is done.
In addition, the Bishop or other superior (I’m not sure if monasteries doing this are under the Bishop) has obviously authorized the concerts to take place, so while you are making speeches about “reverence” regarding concerts you don’t seem to have seen yourself, you are disrespecting the authority of the Bishop (or other superior) in making this decision because you have decided on your own it is somehow not reverent. Seems like pride to me.
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OraLabora
Guest
The monasteries in question are Benedictine and Benedictines are of Pontifical Right, so aren’t under the bishop; the ordinary of the place is the abbot.In addition, the Bishop or other superior (I’m not sure if monasteries doing this are under the Bishop)
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phil19034
Guest
To me it depends on what kind of concert you are talking about.
If you are referring to classical music from Mozart, Bach, etc it’s fine and actually great.
Most of that music was written for Church anyway, so what a great way to show all the best Church Music ever written than to play it.
If you are talking about a cover band playing rock & roll hits from the 1960s & 1970s… no.
I would be on the fence about Catholic Christian Rock.
If you are referring to classical music from Mozart, Bach, etc it’s fine and actually great.
Most of that music was written for Church anyway, so what a great way to show all the best Church Music ever written than to play it.
If you are talking about a cover band playing rock & roll hits from the 1960s & 1970s… no.
I would be on the fence about Catholic Christian Rock.
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KJD55
Guest
A couple of things came to mind to me this morning in reflection of this discussion. First, scripture…Jesus making a whip and chasing the money changers and merchants from outside of the temple, “My house shall be called a House of prayer…”
second, a question came to mind. Since the Blessed Sacrament is removed, one would not genuflect, but would you still bow to the alter when enter? If yes why, if no why not?
Many use the term “building” and an argument this being a great source of revenue for the church…I believe each Catholic Church is so much more than merely a building or a gathering place when Mass is not being celebrated. Each is consecrated ground, Holy for a purpose.
Thanks again for so many perspectives as I continue to ponder.
second, a question came to mind. Since the Blessed Sacrament is removed, one would not genuflect, but would you still bow to the alter when enter? If yes why, if no why not?
Many use the term “building” and an argument this being a great source of revenue for the church…I believe each Catholic Church is so much more than merely a building or a gathering place when Mass is not being celebrated. Each is consecrated ground, Holy for a purpose.
Thanks again for so many perspectives as I continue to ponder.
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Sunbreak
Guest
I am not opposed to concerts being held in church. The concerts I have seen offered in churches are usually classical music or something like an organ concert.
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TheLittleLady
Guest
The cleansing of the Temple was about crooks and thieves swindling people.. First, scripture…Jesus making a whip and chasing the money changers and merchants from outside of the temple, “My house shall be called a House of prayer…”
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OraLabora
Guest
Basically I agree, though I would think Catholic Christian rock is OK. I just wouldn’t attend as it’s not my genre. But then who am I to impose my tastes on others? I would think that theologically ok rock might be attractive to many, especially younger folks. As something that gets younger faithful to gather together, and potentially attracts young people searching for meaning to join them, I think that would be a good thing.
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