Polka mass

[Kearney]

I am interested in the Polka mass. It seems like a great way to enliven our faith in God. Does anyone know where I can get a directory of Polka masses in the USA? How can i go about arranging a Polka mass at my local parish?

I have seen film of this mass before and it really seems to create an atmopshere of intense prayer and holiness in a sun shinney way.

 

[Penance94]

This begs the question: What Is A Polka Mass???

 

[bkovacs]

You know the Pauline Mass with the option of using Polka songs instead of Gregorian chant.

 

[Kearney]

It’s usually in the ordinary form alright (but I’m sure you could arrange to have a Gregorian polka mass if you so desired. The music is actually very reverent and folksy (in an east European ethnic sort of way). If you do not come from a culture where Polka is common music then maybe it’s not for your ears. This mass is pretty neat with people very excited and dancing in the aisles practically, all on fire for the Lord and his holy word (but in a non charismatic type of way).

I’m interested in becoming a promoter of this type of mass. However, as far as I know, most parishes that do this type of liturgy only on certain occasions and not on a weekly basis (But maybe some church somewhere does, not sure though)? It would be nice to have the parish that had a weekly Sunday/Saturday night Polka mass added to its schedule though. After all, they do have folk/guitar masses on a regular basis at some parishes, so why not Polka?

 

[JaMc]

My first instinct is that there is probably not a nationwide directory of “polka Masses,” but, in an ethnic area (Polish comes to mind…) it may be available, or someone may be able to tell you where there may be one…

Personally, the term “Polka Mass” gives me a mental picture of the Priest, Lector, and EMHC’s dancing down the aisle to “In Heaven There is No Beer,” but I have never been to one, so, I suppose, theoretically, it could be done reverently…

 

[bkovacs]

It’s usually in the ordinary form alright (but I’m sure you could arrange to have a Gregorian polka mass if you so desired. The music is actually very reverent and folksy (in an east European ethnic sort of way). If you do not come from a culture where Polka is common music then maybe it’s not for your ears. This mass is pretty neat with people very excited and dancing in the aisles practically, all on fire for the Lord and his holy word (but in a non charismatic type of way).

I’m interested in becoming a promoter of this type of mass. However, as far as I know, most parishes that do this type of liturgy only on certain occasions and not on a weekly basis (But maybe some church somewhere does, not sure though)? It would be nice to have the parish that had a weekly Sunday/Saturday night Polka mass added to its schedule though. After all, they do have folk/guitar masses on a regular basis at some parishes, so why not Polka?

No problem . The Austrians have a Techno Mass. And Archbishop Mahony has a Stone Henge Mass, repleat with pretty Liturgical Dancers right before his very eyes. [edited] How about a Rappers Mass, or a Grand Old Opera Mass. All is possible with the Pauline Mass and it’s vast array of options.

 

[BSHoop96]

It’s usually in the ordinary form alright (but I’m sure you could arrange to have a Gregorian polka mass if you so desired. The music is actually very reverent and folksy (in an east European ethnic sort of way). If you do not come from a culture where Polka is common music then maybe it’s not for your ears. **This mass is pretty neat with people very excited and dancing in the aisles practically, all on fire for the Lord and his holy word (but in a non charismatic type of way). **

I’m interested in becoming a promoter of this type of mass. However, as far as I know, most parishes that do this type of liturgy only on certain occasions and not on a weekly basis (But maybe some church somewhere does, not sure though)? It would be nice to have the parish that had a weekly Sunday/Saturday night Polka mass added to its schedule though. After all, they do have folk/guitar masses on a regular basis at some parishes, so why not Polka?

You’re joking…right?

 

[Leopard]

…This mass is pretty neat with people very excited and dancing in the aisles practically, all on fire for the Lord and his holy word…

Noooo. Not at one I’ve ever been to.

The songs are generally Polish hymns played with a polka tempo, and accordion and other instruments may be used instead of the organ. But there was no dancing until the supper and party following Mass (not in the church.)

 

[Cluny]

…This mass is pretty neat with people very excited and dancing in the aisles practically, all on fire for the Lord and his holy word…

I think they are more likely on fire with mere animal and sensory excitement.

I had the misfortune to attend one decades ago. The choir of the local Ukrainian Catholic parish helped. Their priest was there with a pained expression on his face.

Afterward the commentator said something about this coming from the “land of Ss Cyril and Methodius”.

The priest remarked to me, "Ss. Cyril and Methodius had a hell of a better liturgy to work with.

 

[benedictgal]

I am interested in the Polka mass. It seems like a great way to enliven our faith in God. Does anyone know where I can get a directory of Polka masses in the USA? How can i go about arranging a Polka mass at my local parish?

I have seen film of this mass before and it really seems to create an atmopshere of intense prayer and holiness in a sun shinney way.

With all due respect, the words that I highlighed in bold are most troubling. If we cannot “enliving our faith in God” by an authentic celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, then we have entirely missed the boat as to why we show up Sunday after Sunday.

It is sad that the purveyors of these “creative” liturgies often fail to realize (perhaps because of poor catechesis) that during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the veil between heaven and earth and time and space is lifted. This means that we are just as present at the Sacrifice of Calvary as were the Blessed Mother and Sts. John and Mary Magdalene. This is not the time for novelty; this is time for solemnity as we are standing in the presence of the Divine Majesty of God, witnessing once again the Holy Sacrifice.

The second phrase you used, “sun-shiney way” sounds, with all due respect, somewhat childish. A well-celebrated Holy Sacrifice with excellent music goes beyond “sun-shiney” and cuts to the heart of what the Mass truly is.

Please note what Redemptionis Sacramentum says regarding the false notion of liberty within the Mass:

6.] For abuses “contribute to the obscuring of the Catholic faith and doctrine concerning this wonderful sacrament”.14 Thus, they also hinder the faithful from “re-living in a certain way the experience of the two disciples of Emmaus: ‘and their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him’”.15 For in the presence of God’s power and divinity16 and the splendor of His goodness, made manifest especially in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, it is fitting that all the faithful should have and put into practice that power of acknowledging God’s majesty that they have received through the saving Passion of the Only-Begotten Son.17

[7.] Not infrequently, abuses are rooted in a false understanding of liberty. Yet God has not granted us in Christ an illusory liberty by which we may do what we wish, but a liberty by which we may do that which is fitting and right.18 This is true not only of precepts coming directly from God, but also of laws promulgated by the Church, with appropriate regard for the nature of each norm. For this reason, all should conform to the ordinances set forth by legitimate ecclesiastical authority.

[8.] It is therefore to be noted with great sadness that “ecumenical initiatives which are well-intentioned, nevertheless indulge at times in Eucharistic practices contrary to the discipline by which the Church expresses her faith”. Yet the Eucharist “is too great a gift to tolerate ambiguity or depreciation”. It is therefore necessary that some things be corrected or more clearly delineated so that in this respect as well “the Eucharist will continue to shine forth in all its radiant mystery”.19

Even if such Masses were to be allowed, there should be some sobriety and propriety to them. Is there an indult permitting such Masses? These are important things to look at before one goes out looking for them.

For more information, I refer you to a piece on EWTN’s website as written by Fr. McNamara from Zenit:

ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur29.htm

His response reads, in part:

We have dealt previously with the general principles involved in liturgical music (see (Nov. 11 and Dec. 23). From those I believe that it is fairly clear that music usually associated with dancing or other profane activities (at least in a Western context) should not be admitted into the Mass.

I was rather surprised to hear that Polka Masses were still going on — I had thought that they had gone out in the '70s along with a host of other similar fads.

Perhaps the principal difficulty with such things is not so much the music in itself, which like many human elements in the liturgy may have different meanings in different cultures and in different epochs, but the idea that the Mass needs some sort of a theme in order to enhance its significance or relevance.

When we label the Mass we tend to diminish rather than augment its importance. We restrict its universal meaning as Christ’s very sacrifice renewed upon the altar and the sacred banquet which forms and increases our union as part of Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church.

This is the Church’s greatest offering to God and any addition to the Mass itself — such as “Polka,” “Clown,” “Disco” (yes, there have been cases) or any similar extraneous element — reduces its scope and attempts to press it into service for some cause other than the worship of God.

It could be argued that this is done in order to make the Mass more attractive or welcoming to certain groups. I am certain that it is often done in good faith. Yet, I think that 40 years after the Second Vatican Council it is clear that such attempts have failed to fulfill their promises.

The best and most efficacious means of making the Mass meaningful is to teach Catholic truth as to what the Mass is.

Furthermore, if I may add, the time of experimentation ended in the 1970s; unfortunately for some groups, the lab remains open.

 

[stbruno]

cdbaby.com/cd/fatherfrankperkovich

I don’t know where they are being said, but this is a record of one of the polka masses. It is done with great reverence.

 

[Snerticus]

While I have heard the term “Polka Mass”, I don’t have a clue what it is. In the Church I grew up in, which was by the way located in a small town that consisted mostly of Polish families and therefore more of a Polish-ethnic church, the only thing that I remember was the songs were quite frequently in Polish. I don’t remember any polkas being played at Mass, because the Mass was very reverent.

The only Polkas connected to our parish were performed at our yearly church picnic. I think it was (and may still be) the largest church picnic of the diocese.

That said, there also is a Polish National Church located just a few blocks away. Maybe they have Polka Masses there. I did go to their church picnic once, and it was interesting, but I never attended one of their Masses. I’m not sure how close that would be to a Catholic Mass, but maybe your “polka mass” has roots in the Polish National Church?

There is a Polish parish here in Phoenix that I want to visit at some point. I think the Mass is said in Polish because the website is in Polish, but unfortunately I don’t speak the language. I’ll have to see if they have “Polka Masses”.

All that said, I was told to stay away from Masses that had a theme. You know, “Clown Masses”, “Puppet Masses”, and such. I don’t mind ethnic masses, but using elements of them as a form of entertainment by abusing the liturgy is not a good thing. When you speak of dancing in the ailes, I don’t think that’s a good thing. Perhaps oustide of mass, but not during.

 

[benedictgal]

cdbaby.com/cd/fatherfrankperkovich

I don’t know where they are being said, but this is a record of one of the polka masses. It is done with great reverence.

Yes, I have seen his website. He also notes that he celebrated this Mass in the presence of Pope John Paul II; however, as Francis Cardinal Arinze noted back in 2003 when he was the Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, this may not necessarily mean that this kind of liturgy is justified:

And somebody introduces something funny – is the pope responsible for that? Does that mean it is now approved? Did they put in on the table of the Congregation for Divine Worship? We would throw it out! If people want to dance, they know where to go.

Here, he speaks of the matter of dancing in the liturgy, but, it can probably apply to any other strange act that occured in the presence of Pope John Paul II.

However, does this particular circumstance have an indult? Does it have the approval from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments? These things need to be looked at before rushing headlong into a project that may not be licit.

 

[johnnykins]

This begs the question: What Is A Polka Mass???

Well, I think this is the usual Offertory Hymn;
(To the tune of the Beer Barrel Polka)

Roll out the Eu’christ, we’ll have a barrel of fun
Roll out the Chalice, we’ve got the blues on the run
Zing consecration! ring out a song of good cheer
Now’s the time to transubstantiate, for the gang’s all here!!!
ta da da da da!!!

Sounds lively and fun to me. None of that dreary chant. Should pack 'em in, don’t you think?

 

[Snerticus]

Well, I think this is the usual Offertory Hymn;
(To the tune of the Beer Barrel Polka)

Roll out the Eu’christ, we’ll have a barrel of fun
Roll out the Chalice, we’ve got the blues on the run
Zing consecration! ring out a song of good cheer
Now’s the time to transubstantiate, for the gang’s all here!!!
ta da da da da!!!

Sounds lively and fun to me. None of that dreary chant. Should pack 'em in, don’t you think?

LOL

 

[JPUSC]

cdbaby.com/cd/fatherfrankperkovich

I don’t know where they are being said, but this is a record of one of the polka masses. It is done with great reverence.

Ouch, my ears!!

 

[Kearney]

Well, the Polka mass and accompanying music are approved by the Church authorities. The priest who came up with the idea even celebrated mass before Pope John Paul II! I’m sorry if some people are perturbed by the idea of the Polka being used at sacred services but, after all, was not the mass full of operatic type music during the past several centuries, Often times many of the great religious works of men like Mozart and Beethoven were inspired by less then reverent secular compositions. This was even the case for many years up until Pope Pius X moto on Church music in 1903 (a big mistake by my understanding since it also banned women’s voice in choirs).

The Polka mass is just a continuation of these types of secular inspired sacred music. Believe me, it is very reverently done and the music is truly both sacred and inspiring. I see nothing wrong with using sacred music that has a secular root to it, even when performed in the setting of a Latin Mass. How many TLM’s even try to do works by the great composers? Not many. Most just use the same old boring Gregorian chant melodies that one so tires of hearing week after week. I understand that the Church considers this type of stuff as most suited to the mass but is it the only type of music that can be used?

Also, why can’t we have a polka Latin mass? Why can’t some budding young composer takes the music of the Gregorian chant and add it to a Polka melody? I’d walk a couple miles to hear that for sure.

 

[JPUSC]

Most just use the same old boring Gregorian chant melodies that one so tires of hearing week after week.

Hmm, I do have to agree that Gregorian Chant could get pretty boring.

I think we should do Aramaic chant from Jesus’ time.

 

[Snerticus]

Well, the Polka mass and accompanying music are approved by the Church authorities. The priest who came up with the idea even celebrated mass before Pope John Paul II! I’m sorry if some people are perturbed by the idea of the Polka being used at sacred services but, after all, was not the mass full of operatic type music during the past several centuries, Often times many of the great religious works of men like Mozart and Beethoven were inspired by less then reverent secular compositions. This was even the case for many years up until Pope Pius X moto on Church music in 1903 (a big mistake by my understanding since it also banned women’s voice in choirs).

The Polka mass is just a continuation of these types of secular inspired sacred music. Believe me, it is very reverently done and the music is truly both sacred and inspiring. I see nothing wrong with using sacred music that has a secular root to it, even when performed in the setting of a Latin Mass. How many TLM’s even try to do works by the great composers? Not many. Most just use the same old boring Gregorian chant melodies that one so tires of hearing week after week. I understand that the Church considers this type of stuff as most suited to the mass but is it the only type of music that can be used?

Also, why can’t we have a polka Latin mass? Why can’t some budding young composer takes the music of the Gregorian chant and add it to a Polka melody? I’d walk a couple miles to hear that for sure.

I just can’t see a polka mass being reverent. But that’s not to say it’s not possible. Maybe if I were to attend one I’d have a better respect for it.

But when you said “dancing in the aisles”, that made me suspicious. We’re not supposed to dance at mass, regardless of what liturgical dance advocates think.

 

[Snerticus]

I have to admit, I have been thinking about and singing polkas in my head all day. Reminds me of my childhood.