Mexicans Fill Pews, Even as Church Is Slow to Adapt

[Lujack]

Then I stand corrected. I had always thought that the homily constituted a “break” in the liturgy.

These differences had no bearing whatsoever on the liturgy, which as you said, was in Latin. Rather these were matters of the community its self. The difference between an Irish parish and an Italian parish in 20th century America was the difference in what Paddy Quinn’s family ate on Monday and what Eugene Castelle’s family ate and in what language they talked over dinner.

So yes you could still go to Mass in Warsaw or Buenas Aires and it would be the same. The community would be different, but what do you expect?

Well, the only bearing Latin has on this thread is whether or not it would reduce the segregation amongst parishes, uniting Hispanic immigrants and others-past evidence would show that it did not integrate the Irish, the Italians, the Poles, and the Slavs.

Anything else to do with Latin is really more for a general discussion on the liturgy-I like Latin myself, and think that it does solve some problems, but just because hammers are good tools doesn’t mean they are meant to fix leaky pipes.

Learn Latin. Honestly… it really does not take much to understand what "Introíbo ad altáre Dei" means.

Learn Latin from what? Does it mean “I will go into the altar of God”, “Ire a altar de dios”, “Irai a autel de dieu”, or the Italian equivalent or the Russian? You need to know a language to learn a language unless you learn by immersion, and that’s not practical.

 

[PaulinVA]

I’m sorry, but my first thought at the suggestion of implementing Latin again to alleviate a shortage of spanish-speaking priests is that then no one will understand the Mass.

Really, is the problem the Mass or the community? If I spoke spanish only, I wouldn’t want to belong to a parish where english was the predominate language and they tossed me a few spanish Masses every weekend. It would be even worse if the predominate language was english and the Mass was in Latin. But, is the answer to that learning english or taking over parishes and demanding spanish speaking priests?

 

[lelhajj]

Language is indeed a big problem as we can see. If i have to go to confession and confess in Latin, i will never go and do it. Let us remember that confession is a very important action within our religious duties. Mass is even a duty that needs constant dedication. If the church can offer masses in other languages besides English, that is good for the immigrants, not because some of them do not want to speak in the language of the country where they are, but as we should also remember not all of them have the skills to learn a new language, evenmore to have a good command of a new language, or do not have the time, the financial means,etc to do so.
Let’s remember that one of the main purposes of our religion is to reach out for souls, not matter race, language, social status, etc. Also, let us remember that there is a big stain in our religion due to so many and so constant scandals related to priests, unfortunately. It is sad to see how much damage those scandals must have damaged our christian community. This is a fact. If we do not continue reaching out for more catholics, there is going to be a time when we will be a minority of parishioners and also due to the high costs of such demands and less number of parishioners we will not afford to keep all those churches open. Also, let’s remember that everytime there are less people who want to become priests. I believe we should welcome every immigrant and treat them as real brothers. Nobody will go to a house or a church where he feels not welcome, that is a fact, specially when missionaries of other religions do more and are more constant in trying to reach those souls. Let us keep in mind what Jesus also said: with the same measure you have judged others, you will also be judged (sorry for the translation, but, you know what i am trying to say). Let’s be humble and be real brothers from our hearts.
The pope can not solve all the problems of all the churches around the world neither a priest can solve them, so let’s do our part at least by welcoming those immigrants really and let’s not be so arrogant because in reality we might be more sinful than those less privileged ones. Let’s plant seeds of love, we will receive more, someday, here on earth or near our Lord.

 

[RuthByzCat3]

I am sorry for my rudeness earlier on this thread and ask your forgiveness…

 

[Lujack]

I’m sorry, but my first thought at the suggestion of implementing Latin again to alleviate a shortage of spanish-speaking priests is that then no one will understand the Mass.

Really, is the problem the Mass or the community? If I spoke spanish only, I wouldn’t want to belong to a parish where english was the predominate language and they tossed me a few spanish Masses every weekend. It would be even worse if the predominate language was english and the Mass was in Latin. But, is the answer to that learning english or taking over parishes and demanding spanish speaking priests?

Well, I would argue that the parish priest is an essential guide in the immigration process. He can help set up the community, he can help teach the immigrants the new language, he can converse with them in their homes and at their festivals. The Italians were given Italian parishes and Italian-speaking priests, the Poles Polish parishes and Polish-speaking priests…what’s the difference now?

 

[PaulinVA]

Well, I would argue that the parish priest is an essential guide in the immigration process. He can help set up the community, he can help teach the immigrants the new language, he can converse with them in their homes and at their festivals. The Italians were given Italian parishes and Italian-speaking priests, the Poles Polish parishes and Polish-speaking priests…what’s the difference now?

I agree.

My problem is that, frankly, less than 1% of newly-arrived Mexican immigrants are in the country legally. So, where I understand the Church’s mandate to help the poor, what does that mean in this case? A bus ticket to the border and enough money for food? Does it mean providing Spanish-speaking priests and the creation of Spanish-speaking parishes?

Can the Church be complicit in harboring, facilitating, illegal activity? I really have questions about what is right in this case.