First Sunday of Advent: Disturbing

[Peter78]

Hello Everyone,
I was wondering if I could get some of your (name removed by moderator)ut on something that greatly disturbs me at my parish. On the first Sunday of Advent, I entered my parish and noticed a change in the “decorations” in the sanctuary. First thing I noticed was that the altar candles were removed and replaced with a single white candle with a blue bow wrapped around it. Then underneath the platform where the candle rested, a white cloth lead to the floor where there was a jewish menorah. Beside the menorah was the Hebrew Bible on a small stand resembling something like a manger in many nativity scenes and beside that was what I believe to be the Jewish Bat Mitzfah (sp) scarf. The explanation of all this was that this is a symbolism of Christianity’s roots. I feel that this was entirely inappropriate as these are the symbols that reject Christ’s divinity and the teachings of the Catholic Church. I’m pretty sure that you wouldn’t see a Nativity Scene on the front lawn of a Synogogue. I am really disturbed by what i see each and everyday throughout the world and the changes within the Church. I know alot of these abuses are not approved but what has happened to our once militant faith. Am I over reacting?

Regards

 

[puzzleannie]

I can’t comment about your parish, the choice of decorations or the reasons (I hope they were not on the altar as that is forbidden in any case)

in our parish we will have several “Jewish” symbols displayed thorughout Advent as we have Jesse tree, one of bare branches, on which the children place ornaments each week representing some of the OT stories and personages that directly prefigure Christ. The explanations are in the bulletin, and the children have learned the stories in their CCD class.

One cannot possibly discuss the coming of Christ without the context of these events within the history of the Jewish people, so I imagine this is where your parish liturgy people are coming from, but it sounds like they should have done a much better job explaining their logic, since you and others are confused and dismayed.

 

[pnewton]

I feel that this was entirely inappropriate as these are the symbols that reject Christ’s divinity and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The symbols do not reject Christ’s divinity, nor do they represent heresy. In fact, the feast the menorah represents is in the Bible, at least a Catholic’s Bible. We should remember our Jewish roots, as much of our liturgy is modeled on Jewish liturgy. While we do not celebrate the Jewish feasts, they are woven into our heritage, right down to our greatest Sacrament, which has its roots in the Jewish Passover.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

If you go into any Byzantine Catholic church you will find a menorah on (or behind) the Holy Table (altar) – it’s there not because of Jewish tradition bur because it’s what God called for on the altar! The single candle would be to represent Jesus who is the “Light of the World.” The “blue” ribbon probably should have been purple or violet – but blue is the color associated with Mary and reminds us of her purity and call to be the Mother of God.

I’m not sure what you were upset about, but perhaps a little understanding of the history of these symbols might be worthwhile.

Deacon Ed

 

[bpbasilphx]

Beside the menorah was the Hebrew Bible on a small stand resembling something like a manger in many nativity scenes and beside that was what I believe to be the Jewish Bat Mitzfah (sp) scarf.

**What is a “Bat Mitzvah” scarf? Are you referring to the tallith–prayer shawl usually worn by Jewish men (and in some cases now, women)?

BTW–Bat Mitzvah means DAUGHTER of the Commandment.**

 

[ASD]

I don’t think you’re overreacting at all. I get tired of the constant changes, too. For me it carries a double message:

(1) Like all the other empty pursuits of our culture, liturgy & Church practice need constant innovation & novelty, including a little shock, to keep our attention. Wrong.

(2) Old-fashioned Catholic practices, like an old-fashioned creche, aren’t good enough. We need a version with the latest politically correct spin. Arrogant.

So, I don’t really think it’s relevant whether somebody can give a detailed explanation of why it might make sense to put some jewish stuff out. I get that, & I don’t care.

Heritage? Although the incident described by OP isn’t the end of the world, to my mind, changes like that represent an absolute will to ignore our Catholic inheritance, break with the past & “improve” on it.

In fact, to invest that little episode with the entire burden of the past 40 years or so: Isn’t that what people refer to as “the spirit of Vatican II?” Let’s remake the Church in the image of the society around us.

ASD​

Traditional Latin Mass: Translation and Grammar

 

[Freshman88]

Yeah, but he’s in Toronto… I can almost guarantee you that the motivation wasn’t to teach, but some kind of inclusive multicultural none sense. I mean that’s what the local Catholic schoolboard shoved down our throats, at the expense of our very own faith. IMHO, the Church in this area is sick, very sick and this kind of none sense isn’t uncommon at all.

I’d suggest you go over to the Oratorians (Holy Family and St. Vincent de Paul) if you can, their Churches are strongholds of orthodoxy.

 

[Ruthie]

From the GIRM (bolding mine):

1. The altar is to be covered with at least one white cloth. In addition, on or next to the altar are to be placed candlesticks with lighted candles: at least two in any celebration, or even four or six, especially for a Sunday Mass or a holy day of obligation. If the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, then seven candles should be used. Also on or close to the altar, there is to be a cross with a figure of Christ crucified. The candles and the cross adorned with a figure of Christ crucified may also be carried in the Entrance Procession. On the altar itself may be placed the Book of the Gospels, distinct from the book of other readings, unless it is carried in the Entrance Procession.

What you described is a liturgical abuse. You are entitled to a proper liturgy. If your pastor won’t listen, take it to the Bishop.

Urgh. The sins performed in the name of “diversity” and political correctness…

Praying for you, your parish, and your pastor,

Ruthie

 

[TLM08]

I don’t think you’re overreacting at all. I get tired of the constant changes, too. For me it carries a double message:

(1) Like all the other empty pursuits of our culture, liturgy & Church practice need constant innovation & novelty, including a little shock, to keep our attention. Wrong.

(2) Old-fashioned Catholic practices, like an old-fashioned creche, aren’t good enough. We need a version with the latest politically correct spin. Arrogant.

So, I don’t really think it’s relevant whether somebody can give a detailed explanation of why it might make sense to put some jewish stuff out. I get that, & I don’t care.

Heritage? Although the incident described by OP isn’t the end of the world, to my mind, changes like that represent an absolute will to ignore our Catholic inheritance, break with the past & “improve” on it.

In fact, to invest that little episode with the entire burden of the past 40 years or so: Isn’t that what people refer to as “the spirit of Vatican II?” Let’s remake the Church in the image of the society around us.

ASD​

Traditional Latin Mass: Translation and Grammar

I was a child when the big changes started happening in the late 1960s and these days I attend both the Novus Ordo (at various parishes) as well as the Traditional Latin Mass. The number one priority of the Church should be recovering and reestablishing her Catholic identity which has been nearly destroyed.

 

[Phemie]

I was a child when the big changes started happening in the late 1960s and these days I attend both the Novus Ordo (at various parishes) as well as the Traditional Latin Mass. The number one priority of the Church should be recovering and reestablishing her Catholic identity which has been nearly destroyed.

Part of her Catholic identity is her Jewish roots. You need not ignore that Jesus was a Jew who used a menorah in the celebration of Hanukkah (a celebration commemorating the redication of the Temple, an event alluded to in 1 &2 Maccabees); wore the tallith & phylacteries while at prayer; and read the Torah at the Synagogue.

The altar candle was an unfortunate break from the rubrics. You need 2 for Mass and blue is not a liturgical colour.

 

[puzzleannie]

please keep the discussion to the circumstance described by OP which refers to one event on one day in one parish, and do not use it as springboard to attack “all the changes in the Church”. One decorating committee in one parish is not “the Church” and decorations that are not in keeping with the spirit of the season or the liturgy and disconcerting, but they do not signal wholesale change in the Church’s doctrine or mission, nor are they necessarily liturgical abuse.

 

[ASD]

please keep the discussion to the circumstance described by OP which refers to one event on one day in one parish, and do not use it as springboard to attack “all the changes in the Church”. One decorating committee in one parish is not “the Church” and decorations that are not in keeping with the spirit of the season or the liturgy and disconcerting, but they do not signal wholesale change in the Church’s doctrine or mission, nor are they necessarily liturgical abuse.

I beg your pardon, puzzleannie. With all due respect, although it seems fair to ask people to stick to a topic, I don’t understand your rebuke in this case.

I think the candles and the modified creche are excellent examples of deplorable general trends. Why shouldn’t they be discussed as such?

And I do think that innovations, novelty, trendiness, etc, are distractions that bear on doctrine and mission. Lex orandi, lex credendi.

To tell you the truth, I wish I could just concede that you’re right: I wish it was just one decorating committee, etc.

ASD​

Tradtional Latin Mass: Translation and Grammar

 

[Lainey63]

Whatever churches I have attended the tradition has always been the advent wreath, the nativity creche (hope I spelled that right) and recently (within the past 10 years…christmas trees). I would be upset also…one of the beauties of the Catholic Church is tradition. We are supposed to be preparing for the arrival of Christ during Advent. I would also question the pastor about that-I can guarentee that you are not the only one who is upset and confused. I would also do my homework and some facts together before I went to speak to him-not to be an arrogant jerk…just so I know the truth. I feel exactly the way you do…but we could both be wrong.

 

[pnewton]

What you described is a liturgical abuse. You are entitled to a proper liturgy. If your pastor won’t listen, take it to the Bishop.

The problem is that if we want to curtail abuses, the worst thing we can do is bring petty problems to the Bishop. Then when the real abuse comes it is lost among the background noise of things that people just don’t like. Think about what the actual abuse is: one candle instead of two, a blue ribbon instead of a purple.

This is not what the OP even complained about. He didn’t like the Jewish symbols that were on the floor. Since they were not on the altar, they are not covered by the GIRM. They were no more than props for a homily that the OP did not care for.