B
benedictgal
Guest
This past weekend, I returned to the parish where a friend of mine is substituting for the pastor. In a previous thread, I noted that, along with the altar severs, lector, EMHCs and commentator going up to the altar to hold hands, there were some other unsettling things. The music was horrid and the EMHCs still approached the altar as though they were concelebrants.
Even though the documents note that a commentator is certainly allowed, the manner in which this parish uses this person is most unsettling, albeit annoying. First of all, the commentator introduced everyone, from altar servers to celebrant, as though they were cast of characters or performers. Second, there is no need to have the commentator explain the readings, nor the “theme” of the Mass, since that is one of the reasons the homily exists.
This Sunday, things weren’t much better. The commentator still got up and did her thing, much to the chagrin of my friend. However, he did take matters into his own hands and recited the Kyrie and the Gloria (the musical versions this particular choir uses are horrid). He proclaimed the Gospel, beating the commentator to the punch.
What was rather annoying was the commentator having to explain why the collection was being taken up and then proceeding to introduce who was to bring up the gifts. The Sanctus was horrible. In fact it was very disconcerting to the point that my friend nearly forgot to consecrate the wine.
He intoned the “Mysterium Fidei”, but, no one sang. The group came up and surrounded him for the Pater Noster, but, he stepped away from them. And then, during the Sign of Peace, the choir began a horrid version of the Agnus Dei. My friend signalled for them to stop. He went to the Tabernacle to retrieve the ciborium, much to the surprise of the EMHCs. He then told the choir to begin the Agnus Dei.
Before Mass concluded, he told the faithful that the reason why he asked the choir to stop singing was because the Sign of Peace and the Agnus Dei were two separate activities. Therefore, they should begin to sing when the priest has begun the Fraction.
My friend is very frustrated and he still has two more weekends at this parish. As I mentioned in a previous thread, it’s hard to clean up someone else’s house, especially when the pastor is a friend.
Even though the documents note that a commentator is certainly allowed, the manner in which this parish uses this person is most unsettling, albeit annoying. First of all, the commentator introduced everyone, from altar servers to celebrant, as though they were cast of characters or performers. Second, there is no need to have the commentator explain the readings, nor the “theme” of the Mass, since that is one of the reasons the homily exists.
This Sunday, things weren’t much better. The commentator still got up and did her thing, much to the chagrin of my friend. However, he did take matters into his own hands and recited the Kyrie and the Gloria (the musical versions this particular choir uses are horrid). He proclaimed the Gospel, beating the commentator to the punch.
What was rather annoying was the commentator having to explain why the collection was being taken up and then proceeding to introduce who was to bring up the gifts. The Sanctus was horrible. In fact it was very disconcerting to the point that my friend nearly forgot to consecrate the wine.
He intoned the “Mysterium Fidei”, but, no one sang. The group came up and surrounded him for the Pater Noster, but, he stepped away from them. And then, during the Sign of Peace, the choir began a horrid version of the Agnus Dei. My friend signalled for them to stop. He went to the Tabernacle to retrieve the ciborium, much to the surprise of the EMHCs. He then told the choir to begin the Agnus Dei.
Before Mass concluded, he told the faithful that the reason why he asked the choir to stop singing was because the Sign of Peace and the Agnus Dei were two separate activities. Therefore, they should begin to sing when the priest has begun the Fraction.
My friend is very frustrated and he still has two more weekends at this parish. As I mentioned in a previous thread, it’s hard to clean up someone else’s house, especially when the pastor is a friend.