Fr. Louis Scurti - Bringing Dogs to Mass?

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Lux_et_veritas

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I turned on my television just to see what might be on EWTN, forgetting that CTND shares the one station (I don’t have a cable box in my room and can’t get the EWTN station in isolation, but watch on the internet in such cases).

Anyway, this priest, Fr. Louis Scurti, is giving his homily, but gave another priest a microphone where he is sitting behind the altar (which seemed odd to begin with). The next thing I know, this big black dog gets up and starts hobbling around the sanctuary and down the aisle.

I just googled “Fr. Louis Scurti and Dog” and came up with this article on it.

I’m not buying it!!! This is outrageous if it is not used for handicapped purposes, and according to the article this priest brings his two dogs with him everywhere, including into Church for Holy Mass. I have seen animals brought in for blessings on the feast of St. Francis and to some extent that is fine, as are dogs used by people with physical impairments. But for this?

How can this happen, especially when this priest is on display for the world???

Setting that aside, there were some other odd things in that liturgy. Is this priest still there at this Jersey University? Who’s the bishop?
 
Oh, yikes!! 😦

Do the Scriptures themselves not say, “Let not that which is holy be given to dogs”? :tsktsk:
 
PS: I really think that some animal lovers are mentally ill, and think that their pets are actually little furry people. 😦
 
Hey, I love dogs and deeply miss my last one. I’m not home as much so I don’t know that I’ll get another.

But, they do not belong in Holy Mass, unless there is a specific purpose, such as is needed with physically impaired people.
 
In general I agree, but my understanding is that in many places the blessing of animals that takes place either on the feast of St Francis of Assisi (or, so I’ve also heard, St Anthony of Padua) can be for any animal, not just those used for therapeutic purposes.
 
LilyM said:
In general I agree, but my understanding is that in many places the blessing of animals that takes place either on the feast of St Francis of Assisi (or, so I’ve also heard, St Anthony of Padua) can be for any animal, not just those used for therapeutic purposes.
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I already pointed this out.

If you read the attached article you will see it has nothing to do with the blessing of animals, but a priest who regularly brings his dogs to Holy Mass and lets them roam the sanctuary at will.

Big difference.
 
Oh I never said there wasn’t, it’s just me being pedantic.

though I do have just the faintest funny feeling that St Francis of Assisi would’ve had the odd furry friend joining him in his Masses …

as the Psalm says ‘all you works of the Lord, O bless the Lord’ - don’t see no distinction between the humans and critters there 😉
 
I understand your meaning, so this may be the overpicking of a nit, but Saint Francis didn’t have Masses, as he wasn’t a priest.

I knew of a priest in my state who was known for doing the same thing. It’s just very strange.

Hope that helps.
 
I’d like to elaborate on why I feel this is a wrong, and harmful practice these days.

Mass is where we lift our hearts, and our minds, to God in prayer. It’s a time when we should leave all of our worldly attachments and give to Him our full and undivided attention. We should be focused on Him, and priests should work at removing distractions, not adding them. Life is busy and many do not have time, or take time for prayer. Sunday Mass is the only real time that they give to God. Priests should not be doing anything that causes attention to be diverted to anything, or anyone else during worship of the Lord.

Some souls sitting in those pews may find themselves pre-occupied with the dogs, especially because it is so unusual. Instead of resting quietly in Him, they find comfort in some of His creatures.

This kind of thing should be avoided at all costs, with the exception of those who legitimately require the aid of such animals.
 
I will not comment on the appropriateness of this but will pass on a funny story. When our Parish was new we had daily Mass in a gymnastic room at a local gym. The first time I went there was a really friendly dog that ran around before mass rubbing up against everyones legs and wanted to be petted. When i got back to the office a Protestant Friend asked me how the mass was and i told it was very informal what with the Pastors Dog rubbing up against everybody. he looked at me very strange and after about 30 seconds he said “The Pastors Daughter was doing what?”

Turns out the Dog belonged to the owner of the Gym, not the Pastor.
 
According to the article, one dog is a little skittish, and one growls if people walk in late (acceptable on a weekday). Not my idea of accomodating PEOPLE. It would drive me nuts. And what about the allergic?
 
I think we’ve more serious issues in the church at this time. I’d rather sit next to a St. Bernard (heh…) than someone who…well, let’s say demand the Pope recognize her “right” to be ordained, or his “right” to marry another man…
 
Is the bread and wine valid matter if it’s part dog hair? I always thought priests were required to have clean hands at the Altar. :confused:
 
jmcrae said:
PS: I really think that some animal lovers are mentally ill, and think that their pets are actually little furry people. 😦
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Its true, where I live there is a big billboard over the highway that says nothing but the words “The Humane Society” but there is a picture of a cat covering up the “e” in the word “humane” :eek:
 
Catholic_Dude said:
Its true, where I live there is a big billboard over the highway that says nothing but the words “The Humane Society” but there is a picture of a cat covering up the “e” in the word “humane” :eek:
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And it was hard for that cat to round up all those humans!😃
 
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OutinChgoburbs:
And it was hard for that cat to round up all those humans!😃
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LOL, it makes me wonder who is running the show…
 
That diocese has a TERRIFIC bishop – Arthur Serratelli. Betcha a quick note to the Worship Office with a cc to His Excellency would fix that: STAT!
 
mercygate said:
That diocese has a TERRIFIC bishop – Arthur Serratelli. Betcha a quick note to the Worship Office with a cc to His Excellency would fix that: STAT!
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Being there was an article in the local paper i suspect not only does the Bishop know about but has no problem with it.
 
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