contemplative:
Also there are the laymen & women who are accustomed to asserting themsleves for 20 or 30 years. They need to be slowly phased out of their position of homilist. To strip so many all at once would only cause much animosity among the imposter homilist and parishioners. I am watching the individual websites for the parishes in this diocese for any change. One thing I do see is a marked increase in meetings for parents of homosexual children. I’d like to be a fly on the wall to see if these meetings are giving orthodox instruction to parents. At this point I have little to no trust in Bp. Clark.
I don’t think so much that they need to be “phased out” as opposed to the priests simply to quit asking these people to speak. From what I recall there were different speakers each week, or is that only some places? Are there regulars at some parishes? If so, then it might go something like this…
Invite them for a meeting with coffee and donuts
Pastor explains to the group (example): The bishop. and many of us priests, had the impression that under the circumstances in use by this diocese and this parish, we felt we were compliant to the GIRM. However, we have been asked to cease this activity because the Vatican does not agree with our reasoning and out of respect for the authority of the Holy See and in charity for their office, we will no longer have lay people speaking during or after the homily. I just want to thank you all for your participation. In lieu of what we were doing, we will arrange for once monthly talks, following the noon Mass, making hot dogs and donuts available, and inviting families to come and hear your reflections.
Now, given such a tactful approach, if a person wants to go off and throw a fit, or stop coming to Church because they can’t be in the sanctuary giving their own version of a homily, they need to start discussing the sin of pride in confession.
I say, end it and end it now, but with love, charity, and with a firm purpose of ammendment.
Furthermore, at my parish, Assumption Grotto in Detroit, we have conferences several times monthly anymore. Right now, Dr. George DePillo is doing a 7 - 8 session class on Veritatis Splendor, meeting after the noon Mass for about an hour or two. It is very well attended, but I don’t have numbers. The last time he did something like this, the number was about 70 men, women, teens and even children (with parents). Whole families pack our lounge for these kinds of things.
We have an upcoming set of seminars on the St. Louis de Montfort consecration to Jesus through Mary offered by the Associate, Fr. Bustamante and one of the Canons who works on the grounds, Fr. Eusebius. They will also have Fr. Paul Ward - a newer priest, also popular among the people. All are highly orthodox and I can guarantee, there will be nearly standing room only for these sessions. These will be held on some Saturdays beginning in February if memory serves.
We have had a PhD from Ave Maria University come and do a history on Sacred Music - once again, well attended.
So, you see, there are opportunities and while people may not come at first, eventually they may. However, Catholic communities which are more orthodox eat this kind of stuff up, so it may not fly in a parish with progressive and dissenting ideals.
Some of the guys at the parish just arbitrarily started barbequing hot dogs, hamburgers and sausages every Sunday, even in the winter and that enables people to buy a cheap meal and remain for the day.
