Priest asking parishioners to thank Eucharistic ministers and music ministry during Mass

[wild_thing]

Okay, I get where you are coming from- it’s important that the mass be reverent. And as Catholics, we like to distinguish ourselves from Christian nondenominational hanky-panky. But on the other hand, maybe next time the priest and the deacons dance down the aisle, you can meditate on this verse from 2 Samuel 6:14-16:

"14 And David danced whirling round before Yahweh with all his might, wearing a linen loincloth.

15 Thus with war cries and blasts on the horn, David and the entire House of Israel brought up the ark of Yahweh.

16 Now as the ark of Yahweh entered the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul was watching from the window and when she saw King David leaping and whirling round before Yahweh, the sight of him filled her with contempt."

Michal was destined to remain childless for the rest of her days. Who knows? Perhaps it was her prideful attitude towards worship that kept her prayers from being answered. Food for thought.

 

[truetofaith]

Whatever happened to the notion that we serve God by serving community and no thanks should be necessary or desired. True discipleship is hidden so that the Lord alone may reward. I would find it exceptionally distasteful should someone call attention to me instead of the sacred liturgy.

In our parish, the Minister of Music is paid a salary ( over $45,000 a yr.) but there are 8 musicians & singers also a choir at other Masses…who are volunteers.

At a special Mass, the priest will ask for applause for the music ministry…and I think that’s the least they can do for the volunteers.

 

[Brendan]

. But on the other hand, maybe next time the priest and the deacons dance down the aisle, you can meditate on this verse from 2 Samuel 6:14-16:

Yep, if the priest desires to do dance down the street through town, just like David did, and well away from sacred spaces, again, just like David did I will keep that in mind.

 

[revert_jen]

I agree and I don’t applaud, But I often go up after Mass and thank the music people and I frequently tell the Alter Servers they are really appreciated as they walk past me back to the Sacristy. I ask God To Bless all those that help out in any way. God Bless, Memaw

As a member of the choir, it makes me very uncomfortable when the congregation applauds. They don’t do it in my current parish, but sometimes they would in my old parish. What are you supposed to do while people are applauding, smile at them like, “Yes, we are pretty good, aren’t we?” And if you don’t smile, it looks mean-spirited. But anyway, it was really uncomfortable for me. (And that’s beside the whole point of not wanting the Mass to be a performance.)

But I really appreciate it when people come up afterwards and say they enjoyed the music. It’s personal, and I know what to do. I say a truly heart-felt “Thank you!”

So, thank you, Memaw!

–Jen

P.S. I agree with others that there was no liturgical abuse described, I just wish people wouldn’t.

 

[Tigg]

In our parish, the Minister of Music is paid a salary ( over $45,000 a yr.) but there are 8 musicians & singers also a choir at other Masses…who are volunteers.

At a special Mass, the priest will ask for applause for the music ministry…and I think that’s the least they can do for the volunteers.

Well, I would assume your music minister is a professional and perhaps is helping support their family on the salary. Nothing wrong with that. As far as the volunteering, that is a part of Christian stewardship and personally, I would consider it a privilege to sing for the Lord (if only I had a voice) and would expect no thanks in return.

 

[ProVobis]

I remember one Sat vespere Mass where in the midst of a blizzard, at the start of Mass, the priest thanked the servers and other ministers for being there. The rest in the pews (not too many) must have wondered whether they were being considered chopped liver or something.

It may not be an abuse, but some respect or acknowledgement should be given to everyone present IMO. We are all equal participants thereof.

 

[Brendan]

Nope, that was still of Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. Not even David could go in there

 

[truetofaith]

Well, I would assume your music minister is a professional and perhaps is helping support their family on the salary. Nothing wrong with that. As far as the volunteering, that is a part of Christian stewardship and personally, I would consider it a privilege to sing for the Lord (if only I had a voice) and would expect no thanks in return.

He is professional and so were the previous 3 we’ve had over the years…btw, they were all single.

I play music for parties , nursing homes, country clubs etc. & get paid…so I guess I’m a professional.
I’ve played every week for the prayer group & at some masses. The priest gave me $10 because he said then he would feel he could always depend on me being there.
After he died, the prayer group received a donation …which I told them to split it with the other 2 musicians with me. We got $5 each. After a yr. the money ran out. So, we played anyway.

 

[baliano]

While I share your distaste for applause and rounds of thank yous (especially if this happens every week) I encourage you to put the notion of “confronting” the priest out of your head.

Whether or not you think it appropriate, use of EMHCs and this kind of music does not deserve the label “liturgical abuse”.

You would do much better to mention to your priest that you prefer organ music and ask him if there is a Mass time where the organ is used. Rather than complaining that there are EMHCs you might say you wonder under what circumstances your bishop thinks they ought to be used.

I keep hearing and reading this admonition to not confront a priest, why? If our priest is going off the deep end Liturgically, and I don’t want any sea-lawyer definitions of abuse, they deserve to be called on the carpet just as any other professional would be. Yes they are ordained ministers of the Lord but they are not the Lord Himself, they are human, make mistakes, get off track and may need an occasional addressing. Are they so psychologically delicate that they can’t stand an occasional rebuff?

 

[Jon_S_1]

I keep hearing and reading this admonition to not confront a priest, why? If our priest is going off the deep end Liturgically, and I don’t want any sea-lawyer definitions of abuse, they deserve to be called on the carpet just as any other professional would be. Yes they are ordained ministers of the Lord but they are not the Lord Himself, they are human, make mistakes, get off track and may need an occasional addressing. Are they so psychologically delicate that they can’t stand an occasional rebuff?

Rebuffing is fine, but rebuffing in this case would be wrong because the pastor has not gone off the rails or done anything wrong.

 

[biffoqueen]

there is no problem with either of these things and why confront the priest. you may not like the way things are been done but some others may like it. at our parish sometimes the priest will thank the choir or readers or whoever and I don’t see anything wrong with it.

 

[Joe_5859]

I keep hearing and reading this admonition to not confront a priest, why? If our priest is going off the deep end Liturgically, and I don’t want any sea-lawyer definitions of abuse, they deserve to be called on the carpet just as any other professional would be. Yes they are ordained ministers of the Lord but they are not the Lord Himself, they are human, make mistakes, get off track and may need an occasional addressing. Are they so psychologically delicate that they can’t stand an occasional rebuff?

That’s true enough, but the problem is that a large number of perceived liturgical abuses are not actual abuses. I will always counsel introspection before confrontation. If someone goes and confronts a priest and they aren’t even correct on the fundamental accusation, how likely is it that the priest will listen to what the person has to say? Not very likely.

But even when there is abuse, it matters how we go about confronting the priest. It’s not so much about protecting their fragile psyche as it is about increasing the likelihood that your concerns will be taken seriously. If you go in with both barrels blazing, don’t be surprised if you don’t receive a warm welcome.

 

[SMHW]

That’s true enough, but the problem is that a large number of perceived liturgical abuses are not actual abuses. I will always counsel introspection before confrontation. If someone goes and confronts a priest and they aren’t even correct on the fundamental accusation, how likely is it that the priest will listen to what the person has to say? Not very likely.

But even when there is abuse, it matters how we go about confronting the priest. It’s not so much about protecting their fragile psyche as it is about increasing the likelihood that your concerns will be taken seriously. If you go in with both barrels blazing, don’t be surprised if you don’t receive a warm welcome.

I think this is the key.
In theory “confronting” is OK but in practice it just doesn’t work that well.

 

[TimothyH]

Nope, that was still of Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. Not even David could go in there

Many scholars and commentators believe that 2 Samuel 7:18 is a reference to David sitting before the Ark of the Covenant inside of the Holy of Holies.

As a foreshadowing of Christ, David is recorded to have done many things which only priests were allowed to do including wearing the linen ephod and eating the holy bread.

I don’t mean to derail the thread but I love scripture and believe that it should be accurately handled. Many much smarter than I agree that David’s entrance into the Holy of Holies foreshadows Christ’s entrance into Heaven for us.

First of all, I am against the use of extraordinary ministers as it should be the priest himself handling the consecrated Hosts and distributing Communion.

A deacon is an ordinary minister of communion and it is his legitimate role to distribute. We see this as far back as Acts 6 in the Bible.

-Tim-

 

[biffoqueen]

I still have trouble with the amount of times people on here want to confront or report the priest for something or other. these men are well educated and know what they are doing I have never confronted a priest in my life I respect and listen to him. there is nothing wrong with what this priest is doing.

 

[808Catholic]

And then we see vids of the Cardinals applauding Pope Benedikt.

During Mass?

 

[triumphguy]

Yep, if the priest desires to do dance down the street through town, just like David did, and well away from sacred spaces, again, just like David did I will keep that in mind.

David danced before the ark - no space more sacred than that in the OT.

2 Samuel 6:14 “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might,”

 

[Catholic_Truth]

“Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.” (Ratzinger, Spirit of the Liturgy).

I concur with then Cardinal Ratzinger. I do appreciate that many of these people are volunteers who sacrifice their time to contribute to the parish community, and I do believe they deserve thanks. Approaching them personally and thanking them after the Mass is more than reasonable. I just do not find it appropriate during the Mass. Since the priest has begun encouraging applause during the announcements, I have noticed that there have been some changes especially in the atmosphere of the church. The atmosphere has gone from a Catholic atmosphere to a very Protestant-like atmosphere. Since the priest has started to encourage applause, there have also been multiple instances DURING the Mass when applause erupts. Taking for example the song during Communion, where on a regular basis after it has been sung, parishioners will begin to clap, along with the priest who at this time has just finished distributing Communion. Sometimes it will even be after singing the “Lamb of God.” Even further, sometimes parishioners will even shout for an “encore,” and the music ministry will actually give this “encore.” I may seem like I am being difficult about the situation, but I am just genuinely concerned because it seems that human achievement is overshadowing the fact that the Mass is a sacrifice where the Lord is truly present and He deserves due reverence and attention. People are coming just to listen to some good music and be entertained. The parish has become less of a house of God, and more of a concert hall.

 

[Jon_S_1]

I concur with then Cardinal Ratzinger. I do appreciate that many of these people are volunteers who sacrifice their time to contribute to the parish community, and I do believe they deserve thanks. Approaching them personally and thanking them after the Mass is more than reasonable. I just do not find it appropriate during the Mass. Since the priest has begun encouraging applause during the announcements, I have noticed that there have been some changes especially in the atmosphere of the church. The atmosphere has gone from a Catholic atmosphere to a very Protestant-like atmosphere. Since the priest has started to encourage applause, there have also been multiple instances DURING the Mass when applause erupts. Taking for example the song during Communion, where on a regular basis after it has been sung, parishioners will begin to clap, along with the priest who at this time has just finished distributing Communion. Sometimes it will even be after singing the “Lamb of God.” Even further, sometimes parishioners will even shout for an “encore,” and the music ministry will actually give this “encore.” I may seem like I am being difficult about the situation, but I am just genuinely concerned because it seems that human achievement is overshadowing the fact that the Mass is a sacrifice where the Lord is truly present and He deserves due reverence and attention. People are coming just to listen to some good music and be entertained. The parish has become less of a house of God, and more of a concert hall.

So, your description to us was deemed not liturgical abuses so you came up with completely outlandish stuff that “didn’t cross your mind before”

Shouting for an encore…I never even heard that in any of my Rock concert mega churches.

Applause after the lamb of God? How does that make any sense.

Or are you talking about rhythm clapping with singing? That’s totally different if that’s what’s going on, it’s not applause it’s equal to singing.

Sorry I’m not buying it…

 

[Jon_S_1]

Perhaps watching this video from the archdiocese of Washington will help you understand music, differing cultures, and proper diversity within the Latin rite of the church.

youtu.be/Y_At5RC2zHc