This is simply where you and I differ. If the priest wants contemporary hymns, awesome! But don’t do it because you think Latin will push people away. Latin has a rich history in the Church and it shouldn’t be thrown to the side because some people treat it like a spider. I’m more than happy to have half and half, contemporary and Latin.
Perhaps I’ve seen so many Protestant churches utterly divided and destroyed over music–that is why I believe in caution and patience and taking time to make sure that everyone is on board and that people aren’t being discarded for the sake of music.
In my mother’s church, an internationally-renowned musician/composer was hired to be the Music Pastor. (You would recognize his name.) He completely eliminated almost ALL traditional hymns, and the only time the organ was heard was for funerals of old people, and only when they requested it. No longer could people just join the choir–they had to try out.
When the older folks (and a lot of younger folks, too) tried to protest, they were told to “stop hindering the work of the Holy Spirit.” This was very hurtful to these dear people who had spent decades living faithfully and supporting their church.
Quite a few of them left the church of their childhood.
Perhaps this is why I say, “Ease into it.” It is tragic that these older folks were just cast aside and told to “Like it or lump it, but this is the way things will be from now on.” There was no reason for that.
Here’s an honest question for ya: if your pastor decided that he only wanted Latin to be sung, would you continue to play the piano at that parish?
Of course I would keep playing, but I don’t think that most of the Latin chants are done with accompaniment, are they? But I think the hymns have piano accompaniments, don’t they?
I believe strongly in parish loyalty. I would not leave my parish unless the parish got involved with promoting something sinful; e.g., abortion on demand or gay marriage. Or if the bishop closed down the parish and proclaimed it heretical (I don’t think he’s likely to let any of his parishes get to the point where they are proclaiming heresy–our bishop jumps on the slightest liturgical abuse like a cat on a mouse and puts a stop to it.)
Agreed. However, you seem too willing to compromise tradition because more contemporary people feel turned off by anything that’s “too Catholic.” While I agree that nothing you suggest is against the rubrics, and thus “technically” correct, I dislike the notion that we have to now cater to people. It did not seem to be a problem for the centuries the TLM was in place. Again, this is just a personal disagreement; I’m not suggesting that you’re wrong or that I’m wrong.
I still advocate care and time and easy does it. This century is NOT the previous century. People have changed. Do you realize that only fifty years ago, many women never ever wore a pair of slacks? I only saw my mother in slacks a few times in my life. The only time my grandmother ever wore slacks was when she did chores (milking cows).
It’s not that women CHOSE to wear dresses back then. They didn’t have the choice. No women wore slacks (except Katherine Hepburn).
Wow, have times ever changed. The last time I wore a dress was two years ago at my daughter’s wedding. My feet are so deformed that I hate exposing them in their clunky orthopedic shoes, and dresses force me to reveal my feet. Also, I feel naked and vulnerable in a dress; I remember in school when boys would pull up my dress (or other girls’ dresses). I prefer the safety and modesty of slacks.
Anyway, my point is that people have CHOICES in this day and age, and they exercise those choices often. These are the times we live in and we have to accept it.
As you know, most Catholics have no clue about their Church. Many of us on CAF are “enlightened” and we are passionately committed to our Church and our Savior. But I’ve seen the posts in the Traditional Section–over half of Catholics do not accept the basic Catholic teaching of the True Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
We CANNOT lose these people! They are like lambs, and if we lose them, they will be devoured by the wolves. We can’t let them go for the sake of a song.
I think that many of them would be very happy to accept Latin eventually, and some might love it all the time. But this should be carefully discerned by the priest and other wise parishioners. We should NOT throw down the gauntlet and dare people to leave the Church, because they WILL leave the Church. And frankly, I think the Lord will not be pleased to hear that we sacrificed lambs for the sake of Latin (or whatever). I think He’d rather have souls than songs.
St. Paul said that in order to win people to Christ, he becomes all things to all people. So yes, I think we SHOULD cater to people. I don’t think we should compromise our dogma ever. But I think it is a charitable and wise thing to do to ease into a return to ancient music. I don’t think that charity and hospitality are wimpy at all.
with a truck load of guilt 
uch:folded in. The fishbowl is quite comfy to some. Sure beats going out into the “real world” and looking at others who are in our “universal” Church spreading and sharing the love and sacrifice of our Lord Saviour.
it is difficult at best for some people to understand the “spirit of the law”