Mass or Game Show?

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Cognovimus

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Recently I attended a mass for the parish school in which the priest as “homily” proceeded to discuss the children’s summer plans with them. He asked who was doing something “really special”? Among the many raised hands, he chose a group of 3 children and had them broadcast their plans into the microphone. There were things like trips to the beach, and so forth. None were “special” enough to suit his taste, so after belittling the childrena bit, they were sent back to their seats, and another group was asked up to the microphone. This group’s responses included more family activities, and one boy who said he was going to go to church every Sunday. In response to this, he was told that wasn’t “special” because he had to do that. I nearly left at that point, but instead I turned to the crucifix and apologized to the Lord. He may have just discouraged a vocation with that remark. It was sad, but an example of how the Mass can be used as a vehicle for entertainment at times. No wonder some turn to Tridentine masses, both licit and illicit.
 
Perhaps, at his final judgment, Our Lord will put this insensitive (though, no doubt, well-meaning) priest in the uncomfortable position of having to choose his eternity from among Door #1, Door #2 or Door #3!

😃

a pilgrim
 
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Cognovimus:
Recently I attended a mass for the parish school in which the priest as “homily” proceeded to discuss the children’s summer plans with them. He asked who was doing something “really special”? Among the many raised hands, he chose a group of 3 children and had them broadcast their plans into the microphone. There were things like trips to the beach, and so forth. None were “special” enough to suit his taste, so after belittling the childrena bit, they were sent back to their seats, and another group was asked up to the microphone. This group’s responses included more family activities, and one boy who said he was going to go to church every Sunday. In response to this, he was told that wasn’t “special” because he had to do that. I nearly left at that point, but instead I turned to the crucifix and apologized to the Lord. He may have just discouraged a vocation with that remark. It was sad, but an example of how the Mass can be used as a vehicle for entertainment at times. No wonder some turn to Tridentine masses, both licit and illicit.
Gee! I have served at many Cofirmation Masses with Archbishops and Bishops over the years and they did basically the same thing when questioning those to be Confirmed in their Homily. I don’t think it was a game show! Could these Bishops be wrong? Do I need to apologize for them? :confused: I don’t think so. They were using it as a tool to get their point across. I think Jesus warned the jews against being so caught up with the Letter of the Law that they lost sight of the Spirit of the Law.

Blessings and Peace,
DigitalDeacon:)
 
I’m familiar with the format you’re describing for Confirmation masses, and while I’m not especially fond of it, I think the questions there usually have some faith content involved. If they are belittling the children’s responses or telling them that going to Mass isn’t anything special, then I would have a similar concern.I realize none of us comes up with the appropriate response in every situation (which is a good reason to prepare a homily in advance), but a better approach in this case might have been: “Great, and I’d love to see you at daily mass if you can make it.”
 
I haven’t personally experienced a Confirmation Mass, being a convert of somewhat recent vintage (6 years as of this Easter), but my wife informs me that the common practice in her day was for the bishop to “quiz” the children on certain aspects of the Faith. (She was confirmed by John Cardinal Krol, if that makes a difference.) For example, she was asked to list the fruits of the Holy Spirit. (In her response she mistakenly listed the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and nearly burst out in tears because she thought she was not going to be confirmed! ;)) The bishop certainly didn’t quiz them about their summer plans. That’s just bizarre.
 
👍 Sadly, this is the wide-spread same situation going on in the once Catholic, “catholic” parrochial schools throughout this land. This seems to have been realted to the 1970’s and on when nuns in mass left their orders, stopped teaching(lots) and kicked the habit, literally.:nope: Then came the kum-baya songs, the nuns who out of thier own whim thought they should show more leg, hence the habit bacame shorter (if they still used habits). Then the plague of certain very left-wing priests, who instructed people not to call them Father so and so, but rather by their FIRST names:banghead: .
As someone who has worked teaching in a certain catholic Elementary School, I saw first-hand how not only were some teachers hostil to Catholic Doctrine(but were still allowed to teach in a catholic school, and even praised at times). Why has ultra-feminism infected the Parrochial school system in the USA? With the exception of maybe three dioceses which i leave unmentioned?
Yes, sad to say, in many parishes the mass has become a SHOW, or a forum to make people laugh, dance, joke, chew gum, drink soda, and see lay people exercising the role which belongs to the ORDAINED PRIEST, or deacon, just so they won’t feel left out, and everyone could be happy. It also seems that cassoks and the Roman collar is NO longer for the priest only, but for the LAY members who distribute communion, read in Mass, or just simply work in the rectory in one function or another. Can someone please tell me??? Is not the Alb, Cassock, and Roman Collar for the Validly ordained Priest, deacon, or official seminarian? :clapping:
 
Once again, I believe we can turn to Redemptionis Sacramentum for the answer…

[153.] Furthermore, it is never licit for laypersons to assume the role or the vesture of a Priest or a Deacon or other clothing similar to such vesture.
 
Redemptionis Sacramentum is a great document, if it is implemented. So far, I haven’t seen where it has made any difference in my parish, enough it is supposed to be effective now. I’ve heard of priests and bishops being very unreceptive to comments from lay people as to “violations,” so how will it be enforced? “Frateral” correction isn’t an easy thing when you have no influence over your “brother” other than your modest contribution to the parish, and his “boss” may be equally unreceptive.
 
Why don’t you folks wake up and just say no. Stop going to church and stop giving money to the church.

Am I the devil for saying this? I don’t think so.

When I find the real Catholic Church, I’ll start going again. But, especially these “dumbed down” Masses drive me right out the door. Let these priests figure out how to pay the bills when nobody shows up. I’ve read about 30 postings today and there’s a general theme of clergy that pay no attention to Church rules and generally ignore people who complain. **** 'em.
 
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Cognovimus:
Recently I attended a mass for the parish school in which the priest as “homily” proceeded to discuss the children’s summer plans with them.

one boy who said he was going to go to church every Sunday. In response to this, he was told that wasn’t “special” because he had to do that.
I’ve seen many an interactive homily, esp. with children, and I think it can work well, assuming it leads to a “homily”. Often times, they ask simple questions which eventually tie into a point they are trying to make about the reading of the day. I think with children, this can be esp. helpful.

As far as the non-special comment. It sounds very unsensitive, to both the child and to the rest of the parish. Maybe he feels that way, but not everyone does. This might be a point to share with him, about how special the Mass really is!

🙂
 
“lay people exercising the role which belongs to the ORDAINED PRIEST, or deacon, just so they won’t feel left out, and everyone could be happy. It also seems that cassoks and the Roman collar is NO longer for the priest only, but for the LAY members who distribute communion, read in Mass, or just simply work in the rectory in one function or another. Can someone please tell me??? Is not the Alb, Cassock, and Roman Collar for the Validly ordained Priest, deacon, or official seminarian?”

The alb is a symbol of baptism. It may be worn by baptized Catholics, particularly when they have a role in the mas such as altar server, etc. The cassock and surplice are for priests and deacons, seminarians, and altar servers. The Roman collar is for priests and transitional deacons, and for seminarians.
 
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BayCityRickL:
Why don’t you folks wake up and just say no. Stop going to church and stop giving money to the church.

Am I the devil for saying this? I don’t think so.

When I find the real Catholic Church, I’ll start going again. But, especially these “dumbed down” Masses drive me right out the door. Let these priests figure out how to pay the bills when nobody shows up. I’ve read about 30 postings today and there’s a general theme of clergy that pay no attention to Church rules and generally ignore people who complain. **** 'em.
I think for many of us, we’re not ready to give up on God, our faith or even our sometimes pitiful parishes. We still believe in the validity of the Mass, even when the priest breaks (almost) every rule in the book. While attending other parishes is fine (and I do, often), you are still considered part of your geographic parish unless you register elsewhere. That’s not easy since many parishes respect other parishes’ boundaries. Also, much of this can be pastor-dependent and may be subject to change when the priests’ assignments get changed. So sometimes we visit other parishes (perhaps make some of our monetary contributions there); sometimes we may try to nudge things in a more orthodox direction; other times we just watch and pray for the right kind of change. No matter how bad things get, the core of it is our faith in Christ’s Church not Pastor X’s.
 
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