I always feel like I have to go to Mass

[Detroit_Sue]

After attending Mass at my husband’s parish. It’s like a rollicking, Holy Ghost revival meeting (and no, I don’t mean charismatic). Hand clapping, and swaying to simplistic spirtuals or Haugen/Haas tunes. The priest seems to rush through the Consecration so the “music minister” and “cantors” can showcase their stuff.

The good thing is, they ARE hosting Alex Jones in the coming weeks. I will not miss that.

For refreshment for my soul, my parish is starting 40 hours tomorrow.

 

[Rand_Al_Thor]

Pax tecum!

Maybe Alex Jones will be able to enlighten them on what an authentic Catholic liturgy is supposed to be. That is, after all, what got his conversion started in the first place!

In Christ,
Rand

 

[dano1972]

The priest seems to rush through the Consecration so the “music minister” and “cantors” can showcase their stuff.

Perhaps the “music minister” and “cantors” truly have a sincere desire to use their gifts to serve where they are needed. I often see posts on these message boards speaking sarcastically and in a negative way about musicians. This is very uncharitable and not very Christ-like. As a musician serving in our local parish, I hope people in the pews are not thinking of my sincere service in such a harsh and judgemental way.

dano1972

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I am glad to see somebody else has a his n’ hers parish situation.

 

[jmcrae]

Perhaps the “music minister” and “cantors” truly have a sincere desire to use their gifts to serve where they are needed. I often see posts on these message boards speaking sarcastically and in a negative way about musicians. This is very uncharitable and not very Christ-like. As a musician serving in our local parish, I hope people in the pews are not thinking of my sincere service in such a harsh and judgemental way.

dano1972

I hope not, too.

This site does seem to have a lot of people on it who are even holier than the Pope, or so they seem to think.

Me, I do as my priest tells me. After all, he’s the one who did eight years of Seminary, plus how ever many years of Catholic school and formation.

I’ve only been Catholic for five years, so if we disagree on something (even if I read it on the Internet, or perhaps especially if I read it on the Internet), the chances are pretty good that he’s the one who’s going to be right - so I just keep my mouth shut and do as I’m told.

Hasn’t hurt me yet!

 

[Detroit_Sue]

The priest seems to rush through the Consecration so the “music minister” and “cantors” can showcase their stuff.

Perhaps the “music minister” and “cantors” truly have a sincere desire to use their gifts to serve where they are needed. I often see posts on these message boards speaking sarcastically and in a negative way about musicians. This is very uncharitable and not very Christ-like. As a musician serving in our local parish, I hope people in the pews are not thinking of my sincere service in such a harsh and judgemental way.

dano1972

I love Mass. I love the hymns. I hate maracas & triangles & that wooden washboard-y thing and the bongos. I’m not the only one who feels that way, either. Letters go to the worship commision every single month and are ignored. I hate non-Catholic music during the Mass. It’s so distracting when they are performing a Broadway style number when we should be in prayer. And yes, it’s all about them. They are simply dreadful. If anyone is being uncharitable, it is the “music ministers” and “cantors” who are there to perform, not to bring us into an attitude of prayer.

 

[dano1972]

I love Mass. I love the hymns. I hate maracas & triangles & that wooden washboard-y thing and the bongos.

Posting your likes and dislikes in mass is one thing, but assigning motives to the musicians is quite another thing. You have no possible way of knowing what is in their hearts. They may just see music differently than you. Just because the music is not to your taste does not make it a performance, nor does it mean the musicians are only out for a show.

 

[crobynb]

Well, I do appreciate what the musicians do - really I do!! I find beauty even in the less than technical voices, or less than perfect piano playing.

However, I do not enjoy the clapping/tambourine/stick-things either. I am from a relatively small parish in a small rural and Conservative! community. All of the sudden these past few months our formerly traditional musicians have started singing the Gloria and Holy Holy to some jazzed up clap along feel good tunes. It makes me sick. I want the respectful and traditional hymns!! I am not the only one either. It seems like the only people who are actually enjoying and participating with this butchering session are the children and the spouses of the musicians (the children dont know how tacky it is and the spouses are merely being supportive, which I respect).

So how does one approach them to change? How do you inform your diocese of this trainwreck without stepping on toes? I would not want to hurt feelings . . . but this music hurts mine! Thus far I have just kept my mouth shut, but I hear the discontent around me and nobody wants to be the one to burst their musical bubble.

 

[demerzel85]

Hmm…but Veni Creator Spiritus is about the most charismatic hymn that there is

 

[dano1972]

So how does one approach them to change? How do you inform your diocese of this trainwreck without stepping on toes? I would not want to hurt feelings . . . but this music hurts mine! Thus far I have just kept my mouth shut, but I hear the discontent around me and nobody wants to be the one to burst their musical bubble.

I don’t think the diocese is the place to start. If the parishioners do not like the new music they should talk to the pastor. If it is done with respect to the musicians and appreciation of their efforts I’m sure it will have a better outcome. Our pastor listens to people who address music preferences and if several people talk to him independently he will get a better picture of how the parish feels about this.

 

[kevathaide01]

I do too always feel like going to Mass. My local church is bound by two roads and in Bombay that means the chorus comes from the cars on the roads more than the congregation.

Our people in India lack the originality for Eucharistic celebration that creates some of the events in the US I read of. And that’s a good thing.

Actually it’s something in my head that calls me to daily Mass. Wonder who it could be.

 

[Damascus]

I am glad to see somebody else has a his n’ hers parish situation.

Pray for mine to go ahead please!

I am currently working on that right now. Baby steps so far, but I could use the help.

Any tips on how you made that happen would be welcome.

Detriot Sue- God Bless you and your family.

I hope you can be assured that many are in your corner hoping the best for you!