Meeting with Pastor in a few hours

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I talked with him earlier. We left the meeting with him saying that he was, “less than convinced that it should be done.” When I mentioned having servers, choir members, etc lined up, he wondered if they were from our parish. He said that if they were, he wondered where they were trained as they weren’t, “Getting the training for that here.”

He also felt that even if it attracted many in the area who did not regularly attend our parish, that the attraction it would get would not be long-lasting as far as evangelization goes (as it would be a one-off mass) and that essentially, we would be advertising a novelty.

The meeting was closed with, “If people have already found somewhere to go for this mass, why are they requesting it here? If they are going to it somewhere else, then they are not my parishioners.” This was his response to a petition for 100+ faithful in our parish that were interested.

It was also stated that Vatican II has supposedly abrogated the Tridentine Mass, and that Pope Benedict only just allowed it. Since the year of faith is all about Vatican II, it would be inappropriate to open the year of faith with the EF.

There was a bit more said, I just cannot remember it all. I’m glad he spoke to me-in the end, he said maybe later in the year depending on how the “year of faith looks” as it goes on, but as far as opening the year of faith, he seemed reluctant at best.

On the other hand, our University/Parish’s Newman Center voted for my t-shirt design for the coming year. 😃

http://oi49.tinypic.com/2njkked.jpg

http://oi45.tinypic.com/b9cdnq.jpg

Please keep praying for our Diocese!!! We are hoping to attract the FSSP or Institute in the long run. Please keep the Jeff City Diocese in your prayers!!!
Do you think your Pastor is put off by the fact that people are willing to be servers, choir members, etc. for the EF Mass, yet are not investing the same amount of time in the regular parish activities? In other words, if they are spending time elsewhere getting training for this, why aren’t they spending extra time training for service in the regular parish activities? I don’t know if this is what is happening, but if it is, I can somewhat see his point about concern for disunity.

Also, though you did your homework and got interest sparked, it could be somewhat off-putting to him for you to show up with a list of people all prepared for this, without his having a say in it, and perhaps these people are not currently doing much to help out serving the regular parishioners. That could be seen as a threat to unity also.

I’m not saying that’s the way it is, I don’t know your parish, but it appears it could be seen in that light from the info you have given–people all lined up, etc. Some of this also depends on the personality of your pastor.

He might also have a legitimate concern in his remarks about evangelization. This is to be a priority in parishes per the Pope, and he may not see having an EF Mass as being part of that goal and prefers to spend time and resources elsewhere.

I am only pointing these things out because of remarks by some that some pastors are just anti-EF, when actually that may not be the case. They may just feel that other things need to be done in their parishes that serve a larger group of parishioners and the community, and they have well-thought out reasons for not wishing to support an EF Mass at this time, not just an automatic reaction against it.
 
Esrb, maybe you could try talking to the bishop about this. Perhaps he would allow the Solemn High Mass at the cathedral in Jeff City. That way, your pastor would be off the hook, since he doesn’t seem inclined to want the EF at his parish, which is his perogative.
 
I like the T-shirt!

Perhaps the Priest has a point regarding introducing the Year of Faith and the new translation of the English Missal.

I feel it is of integral importance to see your pastor as your ally and not your advesary- not that you have been doing that.

I hope that things go well for you- God Bless!
 
Quare tristis es, anima mea, et quare conturbas me? Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confetibor salutare vultus mei et Deus meus…Ut quid Domine, recessisti longe, despicis in opportunitate, in tribulatione? Non me derelinquas usquequaque.

Pax
 
Well, they have a good point. Quite often, the “everyday” Masses at parishes do leave a lot to be desired. Maybe the pastor isn’t ready to change.
For you. Often they leave a lot to be desired for you.

For some of us, an ordinary Mass is heaven on earth and leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.

-Tim-
 
For you. Often they leave a lot to be desired for you.

For some of us, an ordinary Mass is heaven on earth and leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.

-Tim-
Amen. Jesus is present in our gathering together. He is present in His word. At the epiclesis time and eternity embrace. The words of consecration; ecstasy. We touch God and live.

peace
 
First of all, awesome logo!

Second: You tried. It’s a good thing that you tried; God simply hasn’t opened the door for it at the moment. I recommend praying about it, giving thanks either way, and letting it go for now. The priest is our representative of Jesus on earth, and the Holy Spirit did not move him to approve your request at this time…doesn’t mean he won’t down the line.
 
For you. Often they leave a lot to be desired for you.

For some of us, an ordinary Mass is heaven on earth and leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.
For all. They leave a lot desired for anyone who wishes to see the Mass celebrated according to the rubrics.

Actually, most parish Masses I’ve been to outside my parish leave a lot to be desired objectively speaking, both in Eucharistic reverence, and violations of the simple rubrics of the Mass, whether it’s ad-libbing, or EHMCs gathering around during the agnus dei, or overstoles, or Mass ordinaries that change the texts, etc, etc. These are not subjective things. Granted, it doesn’t happen in all parishes, but in my traveling, I see many of these things at many parishes throughout the country. Note that I often pick parishes randomly, so it’s usually a pretty good sampling.
 
This just seems so wrong.

The church has said that the pastor should willingly accept requests to celebrate the EF.

Article 7 of SP specifically says:

If a group of lay faithful, as mentioned [above], has not obtained satisfaction to their requests from the pastor, they should inform the diocesan bishop.

You should try letting your bishop or his office know, maybe you’ll get somewhere.
 
This just seems so wrong.

The church has said that the pastor should willingly accept requests to celebrate the EF.

Article 7 of SP specifically says:

If a group of lay faithful, as mentioned [above], has not obtained satisfaction to their requests from the pastor, they should inform the diocesan bishop.

You should try letting your bishop or his office know, maybe you’ll get somewhere.
I don’t think it’s that cut-and-dry.
 
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