Mass at the beach.

[Timothysis]

Perhaps because I’m a recent convert, perhaps because I’m a NeoTrad, perhaps because I’m a prude…** I find that even in its attempt to be reverent, it’s not. ** In approaching the eucharist, you should be at your humblest… Ok so perhaps wearing my skimpiest, oldest cut-offs are humble, Nevermind.

But that is your opinion. Are you going to judge the interior disposition of the hundreds of people who were there? What right do you have to do such a thing? Do you judge the reverence of a person at the local cathedral who is dressed in much less than someone’s Sunday best?

 

[pcg2]

And so this doesn’t get brought up, I take my faith extremely seriously. I don’t see Mass on the beach as a way to “entertain” the youth… in fact, I see that as offensive. I and many of my friends from my parish are at Mass every single week… we don’t see it as a form of entertainment. I take the celebration of the Eucharist very seriously

 

[Timothysis]

lol I give up.

You should. You seem to think that holiness and devotion is only found at a latin Mass. It is not for you, or I, or anyone else to judge the disposition of another, whether it is in the grandest cathedrals or on the beach. Let’s leave that to Jesus, ok?

 

[thunderballs75]

You should. You seem to think that holiness and devotion is only found at a latin Mass. It is not for you, or I, or anyone else to judge the disposition of another, whether it is in the grandest cathedrals or on the beach. Let’s leave that to Jesus, ok?

Woah woah woah bud. You’re the only one who seems to be judging people here. I go to an English OF Mass almost every day of the week. Let’s not get things mixed up here. I’m going to need you to not put things in my mouth which I never said and are absolutely untrue.

I never said that the OF of the Mass was invalid or that it isn’t holy. I think that celebrating the Mass at the beach is not holy. But hey, what’s wrong with me, right? I mean, they did this all the time 50 years ago didn’t they?

And I’m not judging anybody. I don’t feel any malice towards the inappropriately dressed youth. It’s not their fault they have been misguided. It’s one thing if somebody is dressed wrongly in a cathedral, because it could be due to work or something. However when *everybody *is dressed in short-shorts and oversized t-shirts, something tells me we’ve lost a little bit of respect for the holiest thing in this universe.

God bless you.

 

[Godfollower]

And of course we all know that anything goes when it comes to the cause of -]entertaining/-] evangelizing youth. And we all know how many youth believe in the Real Presence now adays. And we all know, judging by the beach towels and lawn chairs (it says it on the diocesan website, because you would never believe crazy ol’ TB) and that food shack in the background, and those tank tops and short-shorts, and the loud contemporary music, and the chicks further out on the beach with bikinis, how reverent and respectful this Mass was.

This is absolutely fine! Are you saying we shouldn’t have the holiest thing on the world on the beach thunderballs?? What are you, nuts??!?!

As a matter of fact, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass isn’t good enough for us youth to go to, unless it is on the beach. God forbid during our summer off more than 2 of us go to that Mass they have every day in the church.

lol I give up.

When Jesus fed the 5,000, he had them sit down on the grass (Mt 14:19). When he fed the 4,000, he had them sit down on the ground (Mt 14:35). The first disciples broke bread from house to house (Acts 2:46). The Apostles taught both in the Temple and from house to house (Acts 5:42). (This is before the persecutions that began with Steven).

This is not to say that Mass is to become a circus. It’s supposed to be celebrated in a sacred place “unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in such a case the celebration must be done in a decent place.” CIC, Canon 932 §1. Since the diocese celebrates this beach Mass once a year, and it gets placement on the diocesan website, I assume that this is somehow part of the diocese’s outreach effort (and I think we can all agree that youth outreach is seriously underwhelming in the Church in America).

I don’t see tank tops and shorts as disreputable, and throughout the pictures of the Mass the only bikinis I see are the straps peeking out from underneath clothing. There’s certainly nothing there to inspire lust in a Christian person. Frankly, there wasn’t anything you wouldn’t see at Mass in a church – with the exception of one guy who apparently didn’t have enough on, so he covered up with a beach towel to receive Communion. Look at the faces of the people receiving Communion; they appear perfectly reverent. The only “wild” looks I see are apparently during a recessional (at least, they’re participating in some sort of song, and the pictures are at the end of the sequence, so I assume it’s the recessional); every other look is reverent.

I wouldn’t go to this Mass every week (if it were offered, that is). But I see the value in reminding youth that there are others like them in Church; I well remember looking around and seeing no one else my age in Mass. This sort of thing is helpful in keeping the youth in the Church once CCD is no longer mandated by their parents.

And, of course, in any event, at least it is a Mass.

 

[thunderballs75]

The difference is, Jesus didn’t have 100s of churches built in His Father’s honor. And He was not celebrating the Holy Eucharist. And He had 4,000 people that needed food. I don’t think this is much like that example.

I think this is more akin to the money changers, who destroyed the sacredness of the temple with their profane ways.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Just because an event happens, doesn’t mean you have to attend. It looked like 100s of people were there, kneeling on the boardwalk during the consecration, but if you don’t want to attend, don’t. And then afterward don’t post snarky threads about it.

Perhaps you can come up with a great, traditional event to suggest to the diosecean youth director. Perhaps organize a procession and benediction for Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. 2 months might be tight for planning, but I think it could be a really cool event. I’ve seen wonderful videos posted online from outdoor processions with altars set up for adoration along the way. Maybe different parishes or apostalate groups could each set up an altar.

There are lots of ways of showing people how to be reverant and respectful the way you’d like them to be. Usually the most effective ways are by showing and teaching rather than pointing at them and snickering.

 

[Timothysis]

Thunderballs,

You have a wonderful talent for making inflammatory remarks and then doing a quick tap dance to pour oils on the waters you troubled. Need I remind you of this gem:

Hey everybody! I’m sure you’ll be pleased to hear that our Mass at the beach in our diocese was a success! I loved being able to dance with my hands up in the air while they turned the bread into the body of God. Not only were we able to replace our pews for beach towels, but we also were able to receive the Sacred Eucharist without a shirt on! The Eucharist goes great with all the hot girls at the beach wearing small bikinis as well.

If you wish to bring up a subject, perhaps you would do well to leave the sarcasm at home.

And I’m not judging anybody. I don’t feel any malice towards the inappropriately dressed youth. **It’s not their fault they have been misguided. **It’s one thing if somebody is dressed wrongly in a cathedral, because it could be due to work or something. However when *everybody *is dressed in short-shorts and oversized t-shirts, something tells me we’ve lost a little bit of respect for the holiest thing in this universe.

In one breath you claim “I’m not judging anybody,” then proclaim "It’s not their fault they have been misguided." So which is it?

 

[adstrinity]

That is a slander against this priest and you should retract it.

No, it is not and no I shant. I didn’t accuse the priest of this, I brought it up as a suggestion. Many people here are the fashion/modesty police and claim that ordinary men sin when women aren’t covered to their liking. If these same people find fault with how people at the beach are dressed, and the priest POSSIBLY knows that less clothes would be worn at the beach, it’s a logical argument. I didn’t accuse BUT, I did bring up a possibility, one that I have been told is uncharitable and we should give the priest the benefit of the doubt.

I don’t see tank tops and shorts as disreputable, and throughout the pictures of the Mass the only bikinis I see are the straps peeking out from underneath clothing. There’s certainly nothing there to inspire lust in a Christian person.

HA! You’ve obviously never seen a “Skirts Only” thread here. Pants on women are an occasion for sin…SANDLES are an occassion for sin…Shirts that don’t go down to an elbow…well, you get the idea.

Frankly, there wasn’t anything you wouldn’t see at Mass in a church – with the exception of one guy who apparently didn’t have enough on, so he covered up with a beach towel to receive Communion.

Yes, now that you mention it, that was rather reverant. NO, I am not being sarcastic. Good on him for knowing to cover himself…or, at least being obedient enough to follow instruction.

Look at the faces of the people receiving Communion; they appear perfectly reverent. The only “wild” looks I see are apparently during a recessional (at least, they’re participating in some sort of song, and the pictures are at the end of the sequence, so I assume it’s the recessional); every other look is reverent.

Yeah, I didn’t know what to make of those pics toward the end, either. For all I knew it was after Mass.

 

[thunderballs75]

Just because an event happens, doesn’t mean you have to attend. It looked like 100s of people were there, kneeling on the boardwalk during the consecration, but if you don’t want to attend, don’t. And then afterward don’t post snarky threads about it.

Perhaps you can come up with a great, traditional event to suggest to the diosecean youth director. Perhaps organize a procession and benediction for Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. 2 months might be tight for planning, but I think it could be a really cool event. I’ve seen wonderful videos posted online from outdoor processions with altars set up for adoration along the way. Maybe different parishes or apostalate groups could each set up an altar.

There are lots of ways of showing people how to be reverant and respectful the way you’d like them to be. Usually the most effective ways are by showing and teaching rather than pointing at them and snickering.

All I was trying to say is that the holiest of holies is not meant for a day at the beach. I have nothing against the people who attended, because they don’t know any better. This is the stuff which is encouraged and taught, and they grew up with it.

Do you honestly think that a diocese which encourages Masses on the beach would allow something traditional? If only it were so simple. Your intentions are very good, and I’m not saying it isn’t a good idea. However the chances of anything like that being allowed are slim to none.

Peace be with you.

 

[Timothysis]

No, it is not and no I shant. I didn’t accuse the priest of this, I brought it up as a suggestion.

…Of course, how do we know this isn’t a dirty priest’s way of giving into his lust to look at more flesh than clothes?

hyp⋅o⋅crite

1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, esp. one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

However the chances of anything like that being allowed are slim to none.

Peace be with you.

A peace be with you also. I think that if you take on most of the work and the organizing, you’d be suprised what is allowed. The problem comes when we request things and expect the usual volunteers/staff to do it all for us. Then you are right, if they prefer organizing beach events, they may not be excitied about a procession. But if you and your friends do all or most of the work, all you need then is the bishop’s permission.

 

[thunderballs75]

Thunderballs,

You have a wonderful talent for making inflammatory remarks and then doing a quick tap dance to pour oils on the waters you troubled. Need I remind you of this gem:

If you wish to bring up a subject, perhaps you would do well to leave the sarcasm at home.

In one breath you claim “I’m not judging anybody,” then proclaim "It’s not their fault they have been misguided." So which is it?

You’re not much of a man for sarcasm I’ve noticed Tim.

As for the second comment, how is one to tell me not to judge, when you make assumptions about me yourself which are completely untrue? How are you to tell me to remove the splinter from my eye, when you have not removed the *plank *from your own? (Remember that one?)

If I am judging, then I am not judging scornfully towards the congregation would be the correct way to say it. I hold no malice or hard feelings to the people who went here. However, I am critical of the people who would actively encourage and make sure things like this happen, and yet deny people anything which promotes reverence and respect for the Body of God the Son.

God bless you, Tim.

 

[thunderballs75]

A peace be with you also. I think that if you take on most of the work and the organizing, you’d be suprised what is allowed. The problem comes when we request things and expect the usual volunteers/staff to do it all for us. Then you are right, if they prefer organizing beach events, they may not be excitied about a procession. But if you and your friends do all or most of the work, all you need then is the bishop’s permission.

Honestly it’s a good idea. I’ll talk to my pastor when he gets back next week. I’m not sure if I could make it a diocesan event, but I could definitely get something going like this at my parish.

Understand that I’m not all talk. I’m trying to get the EF at my parish and I’m not just sitting around complaining (although I may do this from time to time ). This is another thing which could be very beneficial. Good recommendation.

God bless.

 

[adstrinity]

hyp⋅o⋅crite

1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.

2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, esp. one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.

What does this have to do with what I posted?

 

[pcg2]

All I was trying to say is that the holiest of holies is not meant for a day at the beach. I have nothing against the people who attended, because they don’t know any better. This is the stuff which is encouraged and taught, and they grew up with it.

Do you honestly think that a diocese which encourages Masses on the beach would allow something traditional? If only it were so simple. Your intentions are very good, and I’m not saying it isn’t a good idea. However the chances of anything like that being allowed are slim to none.

Peace be with you.

I actually DID know better… and contrary to your grand, empirical and infallible opinion I believe that there was nothing unholy or sacriligious about this event… and I would appreciate it if you would stop stereotyping everyone who attended this Mass as some uneducated mindless follower who simply went because we “grew up with it.” You really are being judgemental and offensive

 

[thunderballs75]

I actually DID know better… and contrary to your grand, empirical and infallible opinion I believe that there was nothing unholy or sacriligious about this event… and I would appreciate it if you would stop stereotyping everyone who attended this Mass as some uneducated mindless follower who simply went because we “grew up with it.” You really are being judgemental and offensive

I’m sorry if I offended you. Please forgive me!

You say you went to this Mass? I know that you said people were expected to dress appropriately. Would you say the vast majority of them did? I’m sorry if I’m being rude. However, it just seems to me like every other person our age I’ve met doesn’t know anything other than this sort of stuff. Maybe I’m basing my opinion on too few people.

Again, I’m sorry if anything I said offended you. But if you do (for a lack of a better term) “know better” why would you go? You honestly think that the beach is a sacred place? It just seems like right on the beach, right next to that snack bar, is the wrong place to have the Body of God consecrated. And then of course there is the uncalled for hand-holding during the Our Father, only illuminated by the fact that people are sitting on beach towels and dancing (unless of course this was after Mass).

God bless you!

PS Do you live in San Bernardino?

 

[StrawberryJam]

I wonder if you would have objected to soldiers in war having Mass on say a card table or on the hood of a jeep, as I have seen pics of at caf here.
Should they have simply refrained from going to Mass because it was not pretty enough for the sacred event?
You may argue that those in circumstances beyond their control should not be compared with those planning an event like this. I just don’t know if you have any basis to argue that Jesus would be offended by this. As another poster said, the crowds that heard him speak were not exactly in their “Sunday best” and likely at least a handful of disciples may have even smelled like fish after, um fishing.

 

[thunderballs75]

I wonder if you would have objected to soldiers in war having Mass on say a card table or on the hood of a jeep, as I have seen pics of at caf here.
Should they have simply refrained from going to Mass because it was not pretty enough for the sacred event?
You may argue that those in circumstances beyond their control should not be compared with those planning an event like this. I just don’t know if you have any basis to argue that Jesus would be offended by this. As another poster said, the crowds that heard him speak were not exactly in their “Sunday best” and likely at least a handful of disciples may have even smelled like fish after, um fishing.

Difference here is that soldiers may likely die tomorrow. They need the sacraments which will give them eternal life. That is absolutely not objectionable. However, as far as I know, there was no war blazing in Newport this past week.

Jesus would not be offended. That’s not too crazy. However, we can’t give Jesus our best? We can’t try harder? We have to go to the beach in order to appeal to young people, rather than just teach them the true Faith? And as I said before, the difference in your example is that there were no starving 4,000 people here. I never said you need to get on your Sunday best and go in a chapel to feed people.

But hey, I think I’ve made my point eh? LOL!

Peace be with you.

 

[thunderballs75]

But hey, I think I’ve made my point eh? LOL!

Blessings.