Help! Backlash on trying to restore order in liturgy!

[Sirach2]

Simon Dodd,

Thank you!

 

[Sirach2]

Another consideration occurred to me as I reflected on this thread. Many new churches were built with the fan-shape. My church has six sections facing the altar, two at each side, two in the center, and two in the pie wedge. Ideally, there would be a station at two sides in addition to the priest in the center. Another church I attend has only the center aisle with pews on each side, and naturally, these would use less EMHC’s. Other churches with very long two sections have used extra EMHC’s at the front sides as well as distributing with the priest at the center. Before folks get in a tither over the “numbers” serving, it would be good to consider the legistisics of the church itself.

I have also noticed that when there is a backup of people waiting to receive from the cup, which could be a problem in the center aisle, that these simply bypass the chalice because of congestion. I’m one of them, but this is only at morning mass when there is but one EMHC in the center aisle. Think about it - folks take more time with the chalice, and the EMHC must take time to wipe the chalice before the next person receives. I can appreciate the bishops’ directive to use two per station when communion is received under both species.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Here was the reply:

I would like to point out that while you think that you may be right with this quote, you should look at the bigger picture.

• Firstly, a quibbling remark. The projectors back in the mentioned time frame were vastly different than they are today and a noisy whirring machine that could only really display film, pales in comparison and function to projectors today.
• This ‘rule’ happened before Vatican 2, a council which paved the way for major reforms in the Catholic church. For one, they stopped blaming the Jews for the crucifixion of Jesus, the mass was changed into languages besides Latin and so on.
• Since then other things have changed, the concept of Limbo has been abandoned and the liturgy has been revised many times over.
• Your statement comes from a time pre-dating the modern Catholic world.
• I should also probably add that in that period Pope John XIII proposed that all masses were to stay in Latin, an idea which was shot down.
• Also the Vatican also proposed for extraordinary ministers to help out with masses, to help cope with increasing crowds and decreasing priests. Another idea that was disapproved of by Pope John XIII.
• Given the significant reforms made by Vatican 2, it is quite evident to see that there would be a lot that ‘just wasn’t done’ back in the 1950s.
• The church has changed, as must you.
• So yes, Rome has spoken. Your archaic idea of Rome, much like many of the ideas it endorsed, has spoken. If you wish to follow these, then I feel you were indeed born in the wrong time
• The churches ways have changed, Tom, you must accept it. If we live by rules and regulations while losing sight of benefitting those who need it, we are no better than the Pharisees.
• To maintain the ‘beauty’ of the mass by keeping the mass in Latin or having hymns in your language, at the expense of the communities own needs is both unrealistic and hideously selfish. Trying to ride such a feel good wave is a ridiculous idea. Our true happiness in the mass should come from worshipping God as a united community and what other way to recognise this fully than to include all.
• And yes, that includes technology.

I am kind of left… well, shocked. To be honest, I only want what is best for our Church as a whole. So if I am wrong, I will admit to it. But I am afraid that the mentality is that the Mass is our little shindig meant for our waving of hands and fun times. When it should be a solemn, beautiful, reverent thing.

Thoughts?

i understand what you are going thru. i wonder what VII documents they have been reading. did you ask them. obviously they have no intention to change their ways.

it reminded of my priest telling me i needed to change, meaning gettiing with the times.
it will be a loosing battle. [edited] support those who want to keep the Mass intact where Jesus rules and not modernists.