Polka Mass

[Detroit_Sue]

Actually, the music used for Polka Masses is liturgically approved.

Who is this Colin Donavan, anyway? He certainly doesn’t respond like an STL.

 

[robertaf]

work(name removed by moderator)rogress:

If I want to hear polka, I’ll go to a polka concert. I think most others who don’t appreciate the Eucharist because their parish does silly things, don’t get taught about it at mass, don’t watch EWTN and puts the tabernacle to the side will think the same thing whether they enjoy rock, flutes, polka or what not else. This is not an issue of loosening up but an issue of many who think like you to learn something about mass psychology. Where have all the people gone in the pews? Most likely, most haven’t become traditionalists but instead don’t know why they should go.

I’m listening. Please define “mass psychology” or do you mean Mass psychology? I am open to learning more but I am a little confused by your posts. I love the Eucharist, I do not go to a parish that I think does silly things. We had a flute at Mass but I already said I liked it. I do not use EWTN as my teacher where the Church is concerned.

I would be happy to read your explaination of your post.

 

[dbradio]

The STL is one of Mother’s EWTN go-to guys re liturgy questions.

He’s incommunicado since posting a personal, private full name and referring to most any music outside chants and organ-accompanied as “stupid”. He is also unable to find any evidence that the Polka Music Mass did not occur on the high altar at St. P’s in 1983, according it the full blessing and encouragement of our Holy Father.

He and Father McNamara professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum, believe that Jesus is above
Croats, Slovenians, and any other species which are in love with Jesus and prove it regularly in their adoration.

I don’t receive or accept any EWTN “teaching”.

 

[Franciscum]

dbradio:

The STL is one of Mother’s EWTN go-to guys re liturgy questions.

He’s incommunicado since posting a personal, private full name and referring to most any music outside chants and organ-accompanied as “stupid”. He is also unable to find any evidence that the Polka Music Mass did not occur on the high altar at St. P’s in 1983, according it the full blessing and encouragement of our Holy Father.

He and Father McNamara professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum, believe that Jesus is above
Croats, Slovenians, and any other species which are in love with Jesus and prove it regularly in their adoration.

I don’t receive or accept any EWTN “teaching”.

Mr. Donovan posted nothing here. I cut-and-pasted his answer from a similiar question on EWTN’s Q&A page.

This whole “polka Mass” question distills down to nothing more than the Novus Ordo Mass with horribly inappropriate music.

No one here has shown any irrefutable evidence that a Mass with this sort of music was ever celebrated at the main altar of St. Pete’s. Bet the bank that an om-pah-pah band never played played that room, however…

EWTN bothers a great many because they tell it how it is and they are always in line with the Vatican. They tend to drive the dissenters absolutely nuts…

 

[dbradio]

Read the Franciscum post which includes a personal name.

This could only be Donovan. He is the only one who knows that name. Proof enough?

 

[Franciscum]

dbradio:

Read the Franciscum post which includes a personal name.

This could only be Donovan. He is the only one who knows that name. Proof enough?

You are certainly confused about Mr. Donovan with respect to this thread.

I cut and pasted two of his answers to polka-related questions from the EWTN website. See for yourself at:

ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=422291&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=90&Author=&Keyword=polka&pgnu=1&groupnum=0

ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=421242&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=90&Author=&Keyword=polka&pgnu=1&groupnum=0

You still have not proven that an om-pah-pah band played at St. Pete’s. Maybe in the courtyard…

 

[Franciscum]

oat soda:

Father Perk, as he is known, believed it did not matter how one worshiped as long as it raised one’s mind and heart to God. …Father Perk created a Mass set to the old ethnic melodies of polka music and celebrated the first Polka Mass in 1973. For the next 30 years, this unusual blend of folk music and holy worship has become internationally popular,

In 1983, Father Perk traveled to Rome and celebrated the Polka Mass on the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican for Pope John Paul II, who blessed the “Polka Priest’s” endeavor. It was the experience of a lifetime for a humble pastor from a small town in Minnesota who only wanted to create a liturgical service that would bring people together and closer to God.

That sounds extremely Protestant…

There really dosen’t seem like there is really anything like a “polka Mass.” Rather, it’s the Novus Ordo Mass with questionable music – nothing more, nothing less.

 

[dbradio]

Donovan:

Since I could never access the EWTN site, I’ve only seen reactions from him in a personal answer and in this thread.

If it was posted earlier on the EWTN site, that still does not excuse using personal names.

I will avoid that site due to its open use of what should be hidden information.

 

[Franciscum]

dbradio:

Donovan:

Since I could never access the EWTN site, I’ve only seen reactions from him in a personal answer and in this thread.

If it was posted earlier on the EWTN site, that still does not excuse using personal names.

I will avoid that site due to its open use of what should be hidden information.

You still don’t get it…

“Donovan” ain’t here, and never was here…

 

[dbradio]

I do get it. Someone cut and pasted an inquiry and the answer from Donovan re the Polka Music Mass.

I have not seen the original EWTN traffic, but, as we see here, it does include a name. Even this forum does not publish names unless the user chooses to do so.

I’m disappointed that he posted the name in the original traffic to and from him at the EWTN site. I’d think there’d be sensitivity to confidentiality at that site.

 

[Franciscum]

dbradio:

I do get it. Someone cut and pasted an inquiry and the answer from Donovan re the Polka Music Mass.

I have not seen the original EWTN traffic, but, as we see here, it does include a name. Even this forum does not publish names unless the user chooses to do so.

I’m disappointed that he posted the name in the original traffic to and from him at the EWTN site. I’d think there’d be sensitivity to confidentiality at that site.

Nonsense. EWTN prints whatever name, nickname or alias you give them. In this case the person asking the questions obviously didn’t care because he gave his full name on more than one occasion.

Your agenda is quite transparent. You’re trying to denigrate Mr. Donovan because does not agree with you, but it’s not working. I’ll choose his position (and that of the Church’s) over your own anytime…

 

[Franciscum]

robertaf:

Greetings Church

Ever notice how some folks can get hung up on the oddest stuff. They even decide what is appropriate music, if it should be sung or not and what instruments are “holy”. Once again, I am so grateful for Jesus becoming one of us. I am sure it went far in increasing His sense of humor.

Folks the Church is UNIVERSAL!!! How do you think Catholics celebrate Mass in Africa, for example"
Mass is not celebrated just for the likes of some of you.

Come on, loosen up, let Holy Mother Church decide what is OK and what is not and avoid those masses that offend you so much. Focus on Jesus and work on your tendency to be distracted.

I have never heard of a Polka Mass before I read this but I do remember the Folk Masses you mentioned and I loved them.

At our 10PM Midnight Christmas Mass we had a flute. For some of you organ only folks, let me tell you, this was purely beautiful.

To even suggest that wanting the Mass to be celebrated as the Church directs in any way removes one’s focus from Jesus Christ is horrible and misleading. *The Mass can certainly be celebrated as directed by the Church while keeping the focus on Jesus Christ. In fact, I know of no better way… *

Being present at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as directed by the Church is the single most powerful means of devotion available to mankind.

The rest is just foof and window-dressing…

 

[robertaf]

Franciscum:

To even suggest that wanting the Mass to be celebrated as the Church directs in any way removes one’s focus from Jesus Christ is horrible and misleading. The Mass can certainly be celebrated as directed by the Church while keeping the focus on Jesus Christ. In fact, I know of no better way….

I think this was directed to me.
My point was, Holy Mother Church directs how Mass must be celebrated. We, who are lay people can be distracted from Jesus by allowing our likes and dislikes in music, instruments and other things become more important. In fact, we let these things often become more important than our brothers and sisters in the pews with us.

That was the main intent of my post.

 

[_authority]

While watching this unfold, I visited EWTN’s site. I could find no mention that one’s name would be published. Please redirect me if I’m wrong.

Names are not present on this site. That leads to privacy, if nothing else. I don’t want my information out there for the dangerous world to see.

Why would EWTN do that? I did notice in Mr. Donovan’s reply that he _____ deleted the priest’s name.

 

[shannon_e]

?authority:

While watching this unfold, I visited EWTN’s site. I could find no mention that one’s name would be published. Please redirect me if I’m wrong.

Names are not present on this site. That leads to privacy, if nothing else. I don’t want my information out there for the dangerous world to see.

Why would EWTN do that? I did notice in Mr. Donovan’s reply that he _____ deleted the priest’s name.

Actually, names are present on this site. Many people choose to use their real names. Others don’t. And that’s how it is at EWTN. The people who ask the question decide what name they will use for themselves.

Peace and Merry Christmas

 

[Franciscum]

?authority:

While watching this unfold, I visited EWTN’s site. I could find no mention that one’s name would be published. Please redirect me if I’m wrong.

Names are not present on this site. That leads to privacy, if nothing else. I don’t want my information out there for the dangerous world to see.

Why would EWTN do that? I did notice in Mr. Donovan’s reply that he _____ deleted the priest’s name.

1.) This site is not EWTN. They print the name, nickname or alias you give them. If you are worried about some sort of “danger”, use an alias. (Note: “information” consists of one’s first and last name in this case. No address, phone, credit card or SS numbers…)

2.) Why WOULDN’T EWTN use the name that was given to them? It’s VERY obvious that the EWTN forums use the name, nickname or alias given to them. Use an alias or don’t post.

As someone else noted, many people use their real names and even post their photos on this forum…

 

[Franciscum]

robertaf:

I think this was directed to me.
My point was, Holy Mother Church directs how Mass must be celebrated. We, who are lay people can be distracted from Jesus by allowing our likes and dislikes in music, instruments and other things become more important. In fact, we let these things often become more important than our brothers and sisters in the pews with us.

That was the main intent of my post.

Tpically it’s not a matter of our likes and dislikes (which mean nothing), but parishes/celebrants failing to celebrate the Mass as directed by the Church.

If I detest the music used by a parish and the music conforms to what the Church directs, I am free to move on.

Converesely, if the musics is inappropriate (not based on my taste, but on the rubrics of the Mass), then I should do all I can to drive change.

(example: I recently heard that during communion a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells” was pounded-out by the music ministers in place of something that would have been acceptable…)

 

[DaveBj]

This has been a very amusing exchange. I fall very much on the side of chant/Ren-music for Mass, but on the other hand, I grew up near South Bend (polkas every Sat/Sun afternoon), and I have been known to play them for the folks in the nursing homes. I’ve even written one (lyric below).

What I’m trying to figure out is how it can be proven that someone did not do a certain thing. I’ve always thought that a negative cannot be proven (meaning that atheists cannot prove that there is no God).

Anyway…I wrote this sitting in my car a few years back, after I’d locked myself out of the house:

Uff-da! Uff-da! Norskies all say “Uff-da!”
When something in their life goes wrong.
Uff-da! Uff-da! Every time they goof-da,
But they don’t stay mad for long.
Uff-da! Uff-da! When you hear that “Uff-da!”
You know we’ll have some fun, all right!
Let your troubles float away, dance, be happy while we play
The Uff-Da Polka tonight.

DaveBj

 

[robertaf]

Franciscum:

Tpically it’s not a matter of our likes and dislikes (which mean nothing), but parishes/celebrants failing to celebrate the Mass as directed by the Church.

If I detest the music used by a parish and the music conforms to what the Church directs, I am free to move on.

Converesely, if the musics is inappropriate (not based on my taste, but on the rubrics of the Mass), then I should do all I can to drive change.

(example: I recently heard that during communion a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells” was pounded-out by the music ministers in place of something that would have been acceptable…)

I see you did get my point and I couldn’t agree with you more in what you posted here.

Frankly it is hard to know exactly what Holy Mother Church really approves.
There have posters here who insist, some person writes out things for the Pope to say, regarding the Charismatic Renewal and like a parrot he reads it and doesn’t really mean it. I know this is absolutely ridiculous but the person who posts things like this will insist it is God’s own truth.
Too many folks believe they also know what is meant by what is NOT said in the rubrics.

I am not that good even though I have been well certified to teach in the Church over the past 30 years. I just choose to follow what my Bishop tells me. If he allowed a Polka Mass, whatever that happens to be, I would probably go and enjoy it (or not).

 

[Franciscum]

robertaf:

I see you did get my point and I couldn’t agree with you more in what you posted here.

Frankly it is hard to know exactly what Holy Mother Church really approves.
There have posters here who insist, some person writes out things for the Pope to say, regarding the Charismatic Renewal and like a parrot he reads it and doesn’t really mean it. I know this is absolutely ridiculous but the person who posts things like this will insist it is God’s own truth.
Too many folks believe they also know what is meant by what is NOT said in the rubrics.

I am not that good even though I have been well certified to teach in the Church over the past 30 years. I just choose to follow what my Bishop tells me. If he allowed a Polka Mass, whatever that happens to be, I would probably go and enjoy it (or not).

The is a real danger in condemning something as being unallowed by the Church, when in reality the Church says it is OK. Many “traditionalists” seems to fall into this trap. They actually condemn what they don’t like, versus what the Church actually allows.

I see another problem at my parish however. We have 9 Masses between Saturday night and Sunday night. All have LONG standing traditions of being very traditional, or very family friendly, or very charismatic or bilingual, etc. etc.

Some liturgists tried to re-tool the solemn/traditional Mass because it did not fit their tastes, even though they do not attend that Mass. Even though what they tried to implement was OK per the Church, it was met with harshly combative actions by those who had long attended that Mass.

I think the people were very correct in fighting for the type of solemn/traditional Mass they had long attended, even though the proposed changes were OK per the Church. There was already a “coffee-house” Mass in the schedule (which is poorly attended.)