Mass Gone Astray

[ICUP]

Hello, I live in a fairly small community and attend a parish which has dubbed themselves as “The friendliest little parish in the valley.” And they are, they really are. The people there are great, very tight knit, and lovingly sociable.

However.

I have noticed that the way that they celebrate is not exactly… traditional. Or somber for that matter.

Instead of a homily that teaches us the meaning of the readings, the priest will either:

A: Tell a story about his week / vacation / etc.
or
B: Sit back and let the laypeople put on a play, or showcase their talents. (Like Ballet!)

It really has become borderline ridiculous. Today, several women were wearing Wonder Woman capes while bringing the youth up to bless the elderly and infirm towards the end of mass.

Also, they do not say the Nicene Creed. Instead, they have replaced it with their own little completely made up prayer: “The Holy Family Prayer”.

The priest at this parish is very ill, but it feels like he is using his worsening illness as an excuse to do whatever he wants, since he will joining the Lord sooner than normal anyway.

The congregation meets in the Gym of the nearby High School. It’s certainly a step up from the Elementary School, where they had been meeting for years, but I wonder sometimes where everyone’s money is going to exactly? (But that’s opening up a whole 'nother can of worms entirely…)

The priest just returned from a trip to Cabo San Lucas, and I know that he SAYS that he has purchased some land in the hopes of building a church, but we have yet to see proof of this. (He shares everything with the congregation, but we haven’t heard about this subject in QUITE awhile…Years.)

Regardless, the Mass is certainly starting to take its toll, as I can no longer concentrate because of all of the hoopla going on! :banghead:

Just wondering what I should do about this? Because obviously this cannot go on. People cannot be allowed to think that this type of “Mass” is acceptable to the Church. :tsktsk:

I’m ranting now, and getting all worked up. Sigh Advice?
Thank You.

 

[snowbee]

I would call up the Bishop and let him know what is going on. That definitely sounds wrong. If that were the case I wouldn’t even go, I don’t know which a worse sin.

 

[ICUP]

I would call up the Bishop and let him know what is going on. That definitely sounds wrong. If that were the case I wouldn’t even go, I don’t know which a worse sin.

Absolutely. Today was the last straw.

 

[MarkThompson]

I would discuss these matters with the priest, and then write a letter to the bishop of your diocese outlining the liturgical problems you’ve discussed (though probably not the vague sense you have that something might be off about the finances). Under the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, any member of the faithful “has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.”

Certainly, leaving out the Creed on Sunday (it is permitted to use either the Nicene or the Apostles’, and things like the renewal of baptismal promises can substitute) and having people act out skits in place of the homily are not consistent with our liturgical norms.

 

[texasnan]

Regarding the land purchase – is there a parish finance council? There should be, and you could ask one of them.

 

[PAboy57]

sounds like something has gone terribly wrong. suggest you sit down with your priest and have a conversation asap to understand what is going on. as mentioned before you may write to the Bishop.

I would find out what groups are established to assist in managing church affairs. the buing some land comment is disturbing. a lot of things have to happen before a church is built.

it really sounds like a bad movie. I don’t know what your personal impact would be to just pick up and find a sound parish in which to worship. I can understand trying to save this one but you may be the only one interested in that cause.

your priest could be mentally impaired if he is that sickly. but what about the nice vacation?

It sounds like souls are in danger here? There are many senior members on this site so much more well versed in proper protocal. If certain procedures are not followed you do not have a valid Mass.

 

[Edward_H]

It’s your responsibility to pull the plug on this little dissident and friendly community. Send a calm “here are just the facts” hardcopy letter, signed, to the Bishop, requesting “instruction” on the matter.

My guess is this little parish is far from the flagpole so to speak…some distance from the Bishop’s office.

Keep going higher until you get a satisfactory answer…then failing to see immediate results send a note to finance committee, telling them that your weekly offertory will be re-directed to some rock solid Catholic entity outside of the diocese because the parish is no longer witnessing to the Catholic Faith…list the reasons.

The damage being done is inestimable.

There’s a time, place, and a way of fraternal correction…and you’re in that moment.

Be charitable, and fact based, but be persistent.

 

[ICUP]

Thank You to all.

I realize that there is a chain of command here, and I have sent a letter to the priest outlining the problems.

(I cannot meet with him face to face as I have a mild form of Social Anxiety Disorder.)

In the meantime my husband and I will be attending a MUCH more traditionalist Church farther into town.

If I don’t see any changes, or hear back from them after a couple of weeks, I will certainly write to the Bishop.

It really scares me to think that they are allowing this to happen, and that they are teaching their children that this is Okay as well. There are so many children going through CCD over there just because “it’s closer”, and they’re seeing this as an example.

Again, thank you all for the wonderful advice.

Tough times, indeed.

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

They have made idols out of themselves and friendliness and they worship them.

Letter to the Bishop is the way to go, take a video camera with you and get some good clips.

 

[Edward_H]

Make sure you close the loop with the Bishop, even if you decide to leave. He needs to know what sorts of nonsense is going on among his sheep. Most bishops takes souls very seriously.

Bad digression. I’m teaching 10th Grade CCD again…and there’s a lot to pack in…some of it even seems useful…and the students are coming from all different levels and backgrounds. My thought, which I can’t and won’t follow through on because it’s not my prerogative/role/program, is to throw most of the curriculum out…and simply teach them all about the Mass. Maybe structure all the other “stuff” around as in someway of supporting the Holy Mass. If young people developed an understanding and love of the Mass, lots of other things would fit in: Prayer, reparation, supplication, communion with each other, love, acts of Faith,

If I had the time, that’d be a neat program to develop.

 

[benedictgal]

Thank You to all.

I realize that there is a chain of command here, and I have sent a letter to the priest outlining the problems.

(I cannot meet with him face to face as I have a mild form of Social Anxiety Disorder.)

In the meantime my husband and I will be attending a MUCH more traditionalist Church farther into town.

If I don’t see any changes, or hear back from them after a couple of weeks, I will certainly write to the Bishop.

It really scares me to think that they are allowing this to happen, and that they are teaching their children that this is Okay as well. There are so many children going through CCD over there just because “it’s closer”, and they’re seeing this as an example.

Again, thank you all for the wonderful advice.

Tough times, indeed.

I do not think that this situation will change in a couple of weeks. If they have been doing this for quite some time, it’s not going to go away any time soon.

Please note what Redemptionis Sacramentum states about the homily:

[64.] The homily, which is given in the course of the celebration of Holy Mass and is a part of the Liturgy itself,142 “should ordinarily be given by the Priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating Priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to a Deacon, but never to a layperson.143 In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a Priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate”.144

[65.] It should be borne in mind that any previous norm that may have admitted non-ordained faithful to give the homily during the Eucharistic celebration is to be considered abrogated by the norm of canon 767 §1.145 This practice is reprobated, so that it cannot be permitted to attain the force of custom.

[66.] The prohibition of the admission of laypersons to preach within the Mass applies also to seminarians, students of theological disciplines, and those who have assumed the function of those known as “pastoral assistants”; nor is there to be any exception for any other kind of layperson, or group, or community, or association.146

[67.] Particular care is to be taken so that the homily is firmly based upon the mysteries of salvation, expounding the mysteries of the Faith and the norms of Christian life from the biblical readings and liturgical texts throughout the course of the liturgical year and providing commentary on the texts of the Ordinary or the Proper of the Mass, or of some other rite of the Church.147 It is clear that all interpretations of Sacred Scripture are to be referred back to Christ Himself as the one upon whom the entire economy of salvation hinges, though this should be done in light of the specific context of the liturgical celebration. In the homily to be given, care is to be taken so that the light of Christ may shine upon life’s events. Even so, this is to be done so as not to obscure the true and unadulterated word of God: for instance, treating only of politics or profane subjects, or drawing upon notions derived from contemporary pseudo-religious currents as a source.148

Here is the section concerning the Creed:

[69.] In Holy Mass as well as in other celebrations of the Sacred Liturgy, no Creed or Profession of Faith is to be introduced which is not found in the duly approved liturgical books.

I hope this helps.

 

[PAboy57]

someone just like Benedict Girl was the senior guidance I was talking about.

good for you – write letters and find a new parish.

that is the way to stand up for the Faith. God is smiling upon you!!!

May you receive abundant amounts of Grace from Amighty God the rest of your life. That was a big step. I’m proud of you. Not that that means a whole bunch. I think others are also.