Installation Mass for a Woman

[benedictgal]

I don’t know about the US but in Canada we have “Celebrations of Installation and Recognition” and although I don’t have the official edition in the office the Draft Copy contains a rite for Installation of Parish Administrator. The introduction says: " At times lay men, lay women, religious women or deacons are appointed by the Bishop to be responsible for the pastoral care of a particular parish with all the responsibilities that this includes. The installation is the celebration during which the PA is officially presented to and welcomed by those for whom he/she will have pastoral care."

So for us a PA doesn’t just do ‘business’ but Pastoral Care with all that that entails.

Then there is the “Rite of Recognition of Pastoral Assistant” but that one is for those who work hand in hand with the parish priest.

However, since this is a Draft that doesn’t have any authorization yet, it might not be wise to use it just yet. Furthermore, what pastoral care can a lay person offer? Pastoral care means sacramental care which only a priest can provide.

There was a document that Pope John Paul II issued some years ago that sought to clarify things between clergy and the laity. As I’m home right now and will be out to see the doctor about my migraines, I’ll try to look it up when I get back (that is, if he doesn’t give me something that will incapacitate me for a bit). Nonetheless, I seem to remember the Holy Father’s consternation about the issue.

 

[benedictgal]

Just before I head off to the doctors, I remembered something. In our parish, we had a “commissioning” ceremony for the CCD teachers. This was a special blessing after the homily. Furthermore, in my old parish in Austin, EMHCs and lectors were “commissioned” not installed.

To install has a totally different meaning than to commission. Installations are for priests, bishops and Popes (i.e. Pope Benedict had an installation Mass to inaugurate his Petrine Ministry). Commissioning is the proper term for the laity. When you start interchanging them, then you create confusion.

 

[SMHW]

LOOK what happened in my diocese. We just got a new bishop and we thought things like this were going to end.

I would like to know more about what a Parish Life Administrator’s role is supposed to be. Is a Parish Life Administrator the same thing as a Parish Administrator? I’m guessing the word Life was added to make it official (if not clear) that this woman is not the parish administrator and that the non-resident pastor is retaining that role.

Based on similarly named positions in parishes that do have a priest-pastor in residence I’m guessing it involves the parish activities that are not directly related to clergy led Masses/Liturgies. She’s probably oversees those in charge of religious education, lay prayer groups that meet during the week, parish social functions, social services groups, etc. She may or may not oversee parish finances (other than for the budgets of the groups for which she is in charge.)

Now the issue does come up as to whether she will (or ought to) lead public liturgical services when a cleric is not available or is a ‘no-show’.

I understand the discomfort over this woman wearing an alb if she will not handle liturgical functions. But it’s been my observation that half of the Catholics out there will be confused by the wearing or albs and the other half will be confused by the lack of an alb. It doesn’t really matter if the alb is appropriate or not.

As to an “Installation Mass”… many parishes have what they call an “installation” Mass for altar servers, catechists, EMHCs, ushers, greeters, social outreach leaders, etc. If a bishop is available he may say the Mass. Yes, “installed” is probably a poor choice of words because “installed” brings to mind acolytes and lectors (as opposed to altar servers and readers).

I really don’t know if “installed” is an erroneous term. I’d like to be educated.

 

[Phemie]

However, since this is a Draft that doesn’t have any authorization yet, it might not be wise to use it just yet. Furthermore, what pastoral care can a lay person offer? Pastoral care means sacramental care which only a priest can provide.

What I have in my hands is a Draft but the official “Celebrations of Installation and Recognition” (ISBN 978-0-88997-490-6) is in use and includes “Installation of a Pastor”; “Installation of a Parish Administrator”; “Recognition of Deacons” and “Recognition of Pastoral Assistants” as well commissioning of the various liturgical ministries, parish ministries, diocesan/parish ministries (such as prison ministry & chaplaincy; palliative care & hospital chaplaincy) and honours and awards such as Papal Honours & Diocesan Order of Merit.

 

[Joannm]

However, since this is a Draft that doesn’t have any authorization yet, it might not be wise to use it just yet. Furthermore, what pastoral care can a lay person offer? Pastoral care means sacramental care which only a priest can provide.

There was a document that Pope John Paul II issued some years ago that sought to clarify things between clergy and the laity. As I’m home right now and will be out to see the doctor about my migraines, I’ll try to look it up when I get back (that is, if he doesn’t give me something that will incapacitate me for a bit). Nonetheless, I seem to remember the Holy Father’s consternation about the issue.

I think pastoral care means a lot more than sacramental care. There are many people in a parish that can offer pastoral care. Even the Rites of Pastoral Care of the Sick allows for laity to exercise some of the rites. Anyone who is so qualified can offer pastoral counseling, in fact it is a course at our seminary that is open to anyone. There are many lay people doing spiritual direction, which is part of pastoral care. There are lay people who offer pastoral berevement support. “Pastoral” has to do with meeting the spiriutal needs of a person in a parish setting. One need not be a priest to do this.

 

[Phemie]

I think pastoral care means a lot more than sacramental care. There are many people in a parish that can offer pastoral care. Even the Rites of Pastoral Care of the Sick allows for laity to exercise some of the rites. Anyone who is so qualified can offer pastoral counseling, in fact it is a course at our seminary that is open to anyone. There are many lay people doing spiritual direction, which is part of pastoral care. There are lay people who offer pastoral berevement support. “Pastoral” has to do with meeting the spiriutal needs of a person in a parish setting. One need not be a priest to do this.

True. The PA in one of our parishes celebrated baptisms & marriages, offered marriage preparation & other sacramental preparation in addition to doing all the ‘business’ stuff. She had total responsibility for all facets of the parish as well as the responsibility to find priests to come in for Christmas and Easter. The parish was too poor to bring in a priest more often since it cost almost 2 grand each time.

 

[G_S]

I think pastoral care means a lot more than sacramental care. There are many people in a parish that can offer pastoral care. Even the Rites of Pastoral Care of the Sick allows for laity to exercise some of the rites. Anyone who is so qualified can offer pastoral counseling, in fact it is a course at our seminary that is open to anyone. There are many lay people doing spiritual direction, which is part of pastoral care. There are lay people who offer pastoral berevement support. “Pastoral” has to do with meeting the spiriutal needs of a person in a parish setting. One need not be a priest to do this.

A lay person can offer pastoral counseling etc etc. One who is not a priest cannot meet the spiritual needs of the people – unless they need neither the Eucharist or Confession. Pastoral care is more than sacramental care but it certainly is not less than sacramental care.

 

[SMHW]

I think pastoral care means a lot more than sacramental care. There are many people in a parish that can offer pastoral care. Even the Rites of Pastoral Care of the Sick allows for laity to exercise some of the rites. Anyone who is so qualified can offer pastoral counseling, in fact it is a course at our seminary that is open to anyone. There are many lay people doing spiritual direction, which is part of pastoral care. There are lay people who offer pastoral berevement support. “Pastoral” has to do with meeting the spiriutal needs of a person in a parish setting. One need not be a priest to do this.

I would agree with this.

While “pastoral” care initially brings to mind spiritual care (and the subcategory of sacramental care), pastoral care also encompasses the fuller idea of shepherding, including the physical, mental, and organizational needs of the flock.

For reasons of expediency, the Church has clergy, priests in particular, concentrate their time on the spiritual aspects of pastoring. The more physical pastoral needs of the parish might ideally be the responsibility of deacons but the laity is certainly able to and ought to assist.

 

[Joannm]

A lay person can offer pastoral counseling etc etc. One who is not a priest cannot meet the spiritual needs of the people – unless they need neither the Eucharist or Confession. Pastoral care is more than sacramental care but it certainly is not les.s than sacramental care.

A lay person cannot meet all the spiritual needs of a person, but I have certainly have had many of my spiritual needs met by lay people.

 

[benedictgal]

What I have in my hands is a Draft but the official “Celebrations of Installation and Recognition” (ISBN 978-0-88997-490-6) is in use and includes “Installation of a Pastor”; “Installation of a Parish Administrator”; “Recognition of Deacons” and “Recognition of Pastoral Assistants” as well commissioning of the various liturgical ministries, parish ministries, diocesan/parish ministries (such as prison ministry & chaplaincy; palliative care & hospital chaplaincy) and honours and awards such as Papal Honours & Diocesan Order of Merit.

However, the draft doesn’t take effect and should not be used until it has received the necessary recognitio from the Holy See, in this case the Congrefation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The reason I see some red flags here (and it’s not the fuzzy vision I usually get from a migraine) is because Pope John Paul II had issued a document that differentiated and dilineated the role of clergy and the role of the laity. It just makes things way too fuzzy.

 

[Phemie]

However, the draft doesn’t take effect and should not be used until it has received the necessary recognitio from the Holy See, in this case the Congrefation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The reason I see some red flags here (and it’s not the fuzzy vision I usually get from a migraine) is because Pope John Paul II had issued a document that differentiated and dilineated the role of clergy and the role of the laity. It just makes things way too fuzzy.

There is no need to use the draft, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued the finished product. That’s what’s in use in Canada at the moment.

 

[benedictgal]

There is no need to use the draft, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued the finished product. That’s what’s in use in Canada at the moment.

Sorry, but you didn’t mention that in your post. If you did, I apologize for not having read through it carefully. When you said you had a draft, I thought you meant that all they had was a draft. It is still rather off-putting.

For the record, I’m not completely against women exercising some sort of role in the Church. Lord knows that I’ve planned liturgies at the parish and diocesan level, have served as a catechist, lector and EHMC and have been on liturgical commissions. However, to have an installation Mass for someone who is not even clergy and blow the horn and sound the trumpet for this is not appropriate. As a woman, I certainly don’t need the brouhaha and the attention for what I do (or have done). God only knows that Mother Theresa saw no need for it, nor did the most revered lay woman of all time, the Blessed Mother. Would that as women we all held to the same standard as the Mother of God who never sought to draw attention to heself, but always says, “Do whatever he tells you.”

 

[Phemie]

Sorry, but you didn’t mention that in your post. If you did, I apologize for not having read through it carefully. I did mention the ISBN number but with a migraine I don’t think I’d notice everything either.

When you said you had a draft, I thought you meant that all they had was a draft. It is still rather off-putting.

For the record, I’m not completely against women exercising some sort of role in the Church. Lord knows that I’ve planned liturgies at the parish and diocesan level, have served as a catechist, lector and EHMC and have been on liturgical commissions. However, to have an installation Mass for someone who is not even clergy and blow the horn and sound the trumpet for this is not appropriate. As a woman, I certainly don’t need the brouhaha and the attention for what I do (or have done). God only knows that Mother Theresa saw no need for it, nor did the most revered lay woman of all time, the Blessed Mother. Would that as women we all held to the same standard as the Mother of God who never sought to draw attention to heself, but always says, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Well, I don’t know. When you’re dropped in the middle of nowhere, miles from civilization, and you become the de facto pastor for that parish, it helps to have the bishop who assigned you there do something to make you known to the people and make them aware that you are there at his behest. The installation ceremony includes a reading of the letter of assignment (not sure I have the exact title) to the parish.

 

[benedictgal]

Well, I don’t know. When you’re dropped in the middle of nowhere, miles from civilization, and you become the de facto pastor for that parish, it helps to have the bishop who assigned you there do something to make you known to the people and make them aware that you are there at his behest. The installation ceremony includes a reading of the letter of assignment (not sure I have the exact title) to the parish.

But, I don’t think that this was the case with Thurifer’s parish. I can understand getting sent to the Canadian Klondike region or some place really far and remote, but, somehow I don’t think Thurifer is removed from civilization.

By the way, I’m feeling a little better. I’m on a new migraine med which the doctor says should help out. Let’s hope so because these thing are a pain in more ways than one.

 

[otjm]

Thurifer, if you are still following this, keep in mind that 1) being anointed bishop does not presume that the individual thereby is endowed with liturgical expertise, and 2) much of what is set up liturgically for a bishop to do in a diocese is set up by others far in advance, and usually with little or no (name removed by moderator)ut by the bishop. That this was done in the manner reported is not necessarily a reflection on the bishop or his orthodoxy.

Much has been said elsewhwere (and should remain elsewhere and not derail this thread) about the liturgist for John Paul 2. Without arguing the rightness or wrongness of the liturgical celebrations JP2 had as he travelled around the world, it might be kept in mind that JP2 was anything but a fool and a simpleton, he was the pope, and some of the liturgical folderol was of questionable heritage. He was a good and great pope in spite of that. You might keep that in mind in viewing your bishop.

 

[benedictgal]

Thurifer, if you are still following this, keep in mind that 1) being anointed bishop does not presume that the individual thereby is endowed with liturgical expertise, and 2) much of what is set up liturgically for a bishop to do in a diocese is set up by others far in advance, and usually with little or no (name removed by moderator)ut by the bishop. That this was done in the manner reported is not necessarily a reflection on the bishop or his orthodoxy.

Much has been said elsewhwere (and should remain elsewhere and not derail this thread) about the liturgist for John Paul 2. Without arguing the rightness or wrongness of the liturgical celebrations JP2 had as he travelled around the world, it might be kept in mind that JP2 was anything but a fool and a simpleton, he was the pope, and some of the liturgical folderol was of questionable heritage. He was a good and great pope in spite of that. You might keep that in mind in viewing your bishop.

I try very hard to keep that in mind in viewing my ordinary. Believe, me, I try. However, it is a very difficult thing to do. I can’t speak for Thurifer, but, I imagine that he’s trying.

Regarding Archbishop Marini, he did do some very questionable things when he served as JP II’s MC, including the horrible music they were using at St. Peter’s. Thank God for Pope Benedict XVI. Don’t get me wrong, I love JP II and I had a good cry when he died. I was nervous when the conclave began. However, when my dad sent me a text message (while I was at Mass) and couldn’t quite spell Ratzinger (the first four letters gave it away), I almost skipped to receive Holy Communion in glee. My priest friend who was the celebrant read my face and after Mass that day led us in the Te Deum.

Still in all, the idea of having an installation Mass for a woman who has no clerical oversight of a parish and is merely the administrator does leave a bad taste in my mouth. Granted, she does have an important task, but, it pales in comparison to what the pastor does (or, at least, should do) and that involves the care of the souls entrusted to his care.

 

[Paten]

I try very hard to keep that in mind in viewing my ordinary. Believe, me, I try. However, it is a very difficult thing to do. I can’t speak for Thurifer, but, I imagine that he’s trying.

Regarding Archbishop Marini, he did do some very questionable things when he served as JP II’s MC, including the horrible music they were using at St. Peter’s. Thank God for Pope Benedict XVI. Don’t get me wrong, I love JP II and I had a good cry when he died. I was nervous when the conclave began. **However, when my dad sent me a text message (while I was at Mass) and couldn’t quite spell Ratzinger (the first four letters gave it away), I almost skipped to receive Holy Communion in glee. ** My priest friend who was the celebrant read my face and after Mass that day led us in the Te Deum.

Still in all, the idea of having an installation Mass for a woman who has no clerical oversight of a parish and is merely the administrator does leave a bad taste in my mouth. Granted, she does have an important task, but, it pales in comparison to what the pastor does (or, at least, should do) and that involves the care of the souls entrusted to his care.

You read text messages during Mass?

 

[John_Lilburne]

… Still in all, the idea of having an installation Mass for a woman who has no clerical oversight of a parish and is merely the administrator does leave a bad taste in my mouth. Granted, she does have an important task, but, it pales in comparison to what the pastor does (or, at least, should do) and that involves the care of the souls entrusted to his care.

As I posted in #44, the Vatican have approved such a ceremony and put it in a liturgical book, at least for the USA.

The Book of Blessings, in the edition approved for the USA, has this added blessing, not in the original Latin edition:

“Chapter 60
ORDER FOR THE BLESSING OF THOSE WHO EXERCISE PASTORAL SERVICE
1808 In the life of a parish there is a diversity of services that are exercised by lay persons. It is fitting that as people publicly begin their service they receive the blessing of God who gives the gifts needed to carry out this work.”
(Book of Blessings, Liturgical Press, Minnesota, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1875-8, page 683).

The introduction goes on to explain that this can be done during Mass or a “celebration of the word of God” and that the blessing is done by a priest or deacon. So there is no problem with this, at least in the USA.

Also approved for the USA, are blessings in Mass for:
readers (not to be confused with the institution of readers);
altar servers (not to be confused with the institution of acolytes);
sacristans,
musicians,
ushers,
extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion,
a parish council,
welcoming of new parishioners (“The welcome of new parishioners, according to the circumstances may take place occasionally at the Sunday Mass …” n. 1931).
departing parishioners,
those receiving ecclesiastical honors.

Outside of the USA there are blessings in Mass for:
a family,
a married couple,
elderly people confined to their homes,
missionaries sent to proclaim the Gospel,
those appointed as catechists.

They are approved blssings in a liturgical book, Book of Blessings. Why should they be a problem, leaving a bad taste in the mouth?

 

[THurifer2]

Thurifer, if you are still following this, keep in mind that 1) being anointed bishop does not presume that the individual thereby is endowed with liturgical expertise, and 2) much of what is set up liturgically for a bishop to do in a diocese is set up by others far in advance, .

Yes I do keep that in the back of my mind…Cetainly he has MUCH bigger problems with bankrupcy…with that in mind a few CAF posters have praised him. based on the vibes I get from them…I find that more troubling.

 

[THurifer2]

Yes I do keep that in the back of my mind…Cetainly he has MUCH bigger problems with bankrupcy…with that in mind a few CAF posters have praised him. based on the vibes I get from them…I find that more troubling.