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Trelow
Guest
“I discovered that someone without a sash had shared the host they had received with Eduard—who was wearing a sash. What this person (and apparently other non-sash wearers) did seems to me to be what communion is all about.”
HORSE ****!!!
This is why we need a public excommunication of these people.
HORSE ****!!!
This is why we need a public excommunication of these people.
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GregoryPalamas
Guest
I can’t access the link.
Dan L
Dan L
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Trelow
Guest
It is in reference to this article.
pulsetc.com/article.php?sid=1836
Commentary: My Rainbow Sash experience
Wednesday 18 May @ 14:14:45
by Michael J. Bayly
My experience as part of the Rainbow Sash action at the Cathedral of St. Paul on Pentecost Sunday was actually quite a positive one. I felt totally in communion with those around me and with God—even though the priest presiding at the mass, Father Michael Skluzacek, denied the Eucharist to all who were wearing the sash—myself included.
My friend Eduard and I arrived a half hour before mass started. We joined the other Rainbow Sashers at the cathedral’s side entrance and donned our sashes in the late morning sunshine. I was interviewed by KARE 11 News and by a reporter from the Pioneer Press.
I was also inundated with thanks and congratulations from friends who had read the commentary I had written and which the Star Tribune had published the day before. My piece had clearly resonated with many and I felt honored to have been in some small way a voice for so many Catholic GLBT people, their families and their loved ones.
To the sound of voices singing “We Shall Overcome,” Eduard and I entered the cathedral and sat toward the front with my friend Kathleen. The cathedral of St. Paul really is a beautiful building—though the acoustics are not the best. All around us were people in Rainbow Sashes—well over 100. It was the largest Rainbow Sash event ever, according to Brian McNeill, the coordinator of the Rainbow Sash Alliance and president of Dignity/Twin Cities.
The mass began, and I found myself amazed at how the readings and hymns supported both why we had gathered at the cathedral on this day celebrating the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, and why we were wearing the Rainbow Sash—the symbol of celebration of our God-given sexuality.
One hymn had the following words: “Joined together as one body, knit together, we are one. We the church, God’s chosen body … joined together by the Spirit, every person brings a gift. Every life is full of merit … Joined together, all-embracing, yet our separate selves we bring; on our hearts our God is tracing words of love that make us sing.”
When communion time came, Fr. Skluzacek reiterated the archbishop’s request that those wearing the Rainbow Sash remove them before receiving communion “as a sign of reverence for the Lord and a desire for unity.” I found myself wondering how wearing a multi-colored sash could possibly threaten either the Lord or Christian unity. The denying of communion as a way of protesting and punishing those you disagree with seemed much more disrespectful and divisive.
Fr. Skluzacek continued his pre-communion warning—noting that if anyone did attempt to receive communion wearing the sash, they would not receive the Eucharistic host but just a blessing. No one around me made a move to remove their sash.
When it was my turn to approach Skluzacek, I did so and received his blessing. I then looked him in the eyes and said, “I realize the situation you’re in, and I forgive you.” I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he was simply following orders. Perhaps if it was up to him he would give communion to all of us. Perhaps he lacked the courage to follow his conscience and defy such orders.
Interestingly, I think everyone wearing the sash made some comment to the Eucharistic minister they approached to receive communion. My friend Mary, for instance, took the hands raised in blessing of one minister and said, “Shame on you!” Later she told me how appalled she was that they would consider their blessing a substitute for what they were denying. “It was so incredibly pompous!” she said.
In retrospect, it was quite amazing: Over a hundred people speaking from that holiest of places—their conscience—and making their feelings and beliefs known to the hierarchy at the most sacred time of the mass. How appropriate for Pentecost! And how unprecedented! Have the members of the church hierarchy ever before experienced such a loving yet firm challenge? Who could have foretold that the banning of communion to Rainbow Sash wearers would initiate such an outpouring of the spirit! Such confounding paradox, the Bible contends, is often a sign of the presence and action of God.
cont…
T
Trelow
Guest
from above…
Such thoughts, however, were to come to me later. For the moment, I found myself returning to my seat having been denied communion – at least by a priest. For as it turned out, I was to receive communion that morning.
Back in our pew, Eduard gently touched my arm. Turning, I saw that he was reverently holding half a host in his hand. He broke it and gave a portion of it to me. I, in turn, broke my piece and gave half to my friend Kathleen.
Later I discovered that someone without a sash had shared the host they had received with Eduard—who was wearing a sash. What this person (and apparently other non-sash wearers) did seems to me to be what communion is all about. I found this loving and sharing action very inspiring and hopeful. It would be something Jesus would do—and did do through the actions of these people. Here were “ordinary Catholics” taking to heart Christ’s call to be a “priestly people.” I later heard that other non-sash wearers refused to receive communion as a way of standing in loving solidarity with those who were wearing the Rainbow Sash.
At the end of the mass a group of Rainbow Sash wearers left their pews and tagged onto the end of the recessional as it made its way to the back of the church. Usually this recessional is comprised of ordained ministers and other “official” folks. It brought a smile to my face to see GLBT people, their parents, and loved ones—all adorned in the Rainbow Sash—taking the initiative and proclaiming their own unique authority and leadership.
As my friends and I were leaving the cathedral, various people—ushers and parishioners—thanked us and offered words of encouragement.
In short, I feel renewed and reenergized as a result of my participation in Pentecost Sunday’s Rainbow Sash action and thank all of you who were present at the cathedral and all who offered your prayers of love and support to me and all who wore the Rainbow Sash. ||
Such thoughts, however, were to come to me later. For the moment, I found myself returning to my seat having been denied communion – at least by a priest. For as it turned out, I was to receive communion that morning.
Back in our pew, Eduard gently touched my arm. Turning, I saw that he was reverently holding half a host in his hand. He broke it and gave a portion of it to me. I, in turn, broke my piece and gave half to my friend Kathleen.
Later I discovered that someone without a sash had shared the host they had received with Eduard—who was wearing a sash. What this person (and apparently other non-sash wearers) did seems to me to be what communion is all about. I found this loving and sharing action very inspiring and hopeful. It would be something Jesus would do—and did do through the actions of these people. Here were “ordinary Catholics” taking to heart Christ’s call to be a “priestly people.” I later heard that other non-sash wearers refused to receive communion as a way of standing in loving solidarity with those who were wearing the Rainbow Sash.
At the end of the mass a group of Rainbow Sash wearers left their pews and tagged onto the end of the recessional as it made its way to the back of the church. Usually this recessional is comprised of ordained ministers and other “official” folks. It brought a smile to my face to see GLBT people, their parents, and loved ones—all adorned in the Rainbow Sash—taking the initiative and proclaiming their own unique authority and leadership.
As my friends and I were leaving the cathedral, various people—ushers and parishioners—thanked us and offered words of encouragement.
In short, I feel renewed and reenergized as a result of my participation in Pentecost Sunday’s Rainbow Sash action and thank all of you who were present at the cathedral and all who offered your prayers of love and support to me and all who wore the Rainbow Sash. ||
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LourdesladyN
Guest
Thanks for providing the story. I am not sure of copyright so I always hesitate. I also think I have a “Ghost in the Machine” because I am having loads of trouble lately with posting.
In Peace,
T
Trelow
Guest
As long as you source the document you can do almost anything with it except make money.
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LourdesladyN
Guest
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GregoryPalamas
Guest
The Church has flourished in worse but the present situation is very disgusting. Do others believe that the Church should have been clearer is explaining why the rebellious conscience is really no proper guide? The conscience, surrendered to God and His Kingdom, is quite valuable in opposing sin in the world. But a rebellious conscience formed only by selfish interests is quite damaging.
Dan L
Dan L
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walstan
Guest
I have a much more frightening question:
How did anyone recieving the Host manage to return to their seat without consuming?
Eucheristic Ministers in our Church are taught, very carefully, to ensure ANYONE who takes the host consumes and, if they are not seen too they are apraoched immediately (usually by the MC) who ensures the Host is consumed or protected.
Strikes me that there is not only lax theology but lax practices as well!!!
How did anyone recieving the Host manage to return to their seat without consuming?
Eucheristic Ministers in our Church are taught, very carefully, to ensure ANYONE who takes the host consumes and, if they are not seen too they are apraoched immediately (usually by the MC) who ensures the Host is consumed or protected.
Strikes me that there is not only lax theology but lax practices as well!!!
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mommy
Guest
Ok, this is what I don’t get about all the sashers…
We are called to follow Christ.
We are to be submissive to Him.
So why do we sing “we shall overcome” and come to mass in total defiance of his teachings and expect Christ to give in to our whim?
Wasn’t His teachings about not giving in to our temptations and being stronger than that?
If I wanted a church that changed doctorine at the whim of the day, I’d be a Protestant.
And I definately think Rome should look into this whole communion in the hand thing and tell the US Bishops if they can’t stop this kind of thing, it’s all on the tongue!!
We are called to follow Christ.
We are to be submissive to Him.
So why do we sing “we shall overcome” and come to mass in total defiance of his teachings and expect Christ to give in to our whim?
Wasn’t His teachings about not giving in to our temptations and being stronger than that?
If I wanted a church that changed doctorine at the whim of the day, I’d be a Protestant.
And I definately think Rome should look into this whole communion in the hand thing and tell the US Bishops if they can’t stop this kind of thing, it’s all on the tongue!!
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cathgal
Guest
The Sashers and their supporters, they’re all messed up in the head. Have no iota what a well formed conscience is.
The communion in the hand, it should never be allowed from the beginning (whenever that was). It opened up for all sort of abuse of the eucharist. How sad…Rome need to go back to the way it was…on the tongue. This will eliminate all exploitation of the eucharist!
The communion in the hand, it should never be allowed from the beginning (whenever that was). It opened up for all sort of abuse of the eucharist. How sad…Rome need to go back to the way it was…on the tongue. This will eliminate all exploitation of the eucharist!
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4HisChurch
Guest
I have only seen 1 church vigilantly prevent the host from being taken back to the pew and that was the Cathedral in Washington, DC. They have uniformed ushers who stand at the front and literally prevent people from walking away from the altar with the host in their hands.
Every other parish I’ve been to allows all kinds of communion reception abuses including letting the communicant hold the cup when consuming the Precious Blood.
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Sola
Guest
Quote: In retrospect, it was quite amazing: Over a hundred people speaking from that holiest of places—their conscience—
How telling. Their holiest place is their conscience, their own selves, their own desires. Christian teaching is that holiest place is God and God’s teachings and God’s desires for us. Holiness comes from the Lord, not from us.
Quote: Have the members of the church hierarchy ever before experienced such a loving yet firm challenge?
This is a loving challenge? Rebellion, the elevation of self, defiance to Church teachings, hostility…these things are loving? Wow, how delusional.
There is just so much in this man’s essay that screams out hypocrisy and selfishness.
Part of me wonders if his frequent use of the words “love” and “loving” and such are really just a cover, trying to make himself and other Rainbow sashers feel better about what happened. Trying to paint a cheerful picture of an event that didn’t go as they planned.
How telling. Their holiest place is their conscience, their own selves, their own desires. Christian teaching is that holiest place is God and God’s teachings and God’s desires for us. Holiness comes from the Lord, not from us.
Quote: Have the members of the church hierarchy ever before experienced such a loving yet firm challenge?
This is a loving challenge? Rebellion, the elevation of self, defiance to Church teachings, hostility…these things are loving? Wow, how delusional.
There is just so much in this man’s essay that screams out hypocrisy and selfishness.
Part of me wonders if his frequent use of the words “love” and “loving” and such are really just a cover, trying to make himself and other Rainbow sashers feel better about what happened. Trying to paint a cheerful picture of an event that didn’t go as they planned.
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Sola
Guest
Cathgal, this is the perhaps the best argument I’ve ever heard for abolishing communion in the hand. Truly.
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4HisChurch
Guest
Excellent point! Is the Sacred Host Jesus or not? Are we going to start treating it like Our Lord, or are we Protestants?
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mommy
Guest
Well if they are loving, then it makes all those opposed to their positions “haters”. It automatically puts those who agree and follow church teaching on the ‘wrong side’ of this issue (at least in their eyes)
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sweetchuck
Guest
Probably. I believe they were called Albigensianism, Arianism, Protestantism, Gnosticism, and so on and so forth. They’d probably all also fit her definition of “loving” – that being extreme love of self and human will. Though, it can be effectively argued that such love is really not love at all.
How inappropriate, asserting the fallen human nature “at the most sacred time of mass.” No pleas for ignorance here, they knew what they were doing. Who is “pompous”: the Eucharistic minister extending his/her hands in blessing, or the Sasher who looks directly over the Body of Christ to curse His Eucharistic minister. No, Sasher, “shame on you!” More the worse for she who rejects a blessing and utters a curse over the Body of Christ.
That is so sad.
Job.20:5-7: The triumph of the wicked is short and the joy of the impious but for a moment. Though his pride mount up to the heavens and his head reach to the clouds, Yet he perishes forever like the fuel of his fire, and the onlookers say, “Where is he?”
Sir.10:12-17: The beginning of pride is man’s stubbornness in withdrawing his heart from his Maker; For pride is the reservoir of sin, a source which runs over with vice; Because of it God sends unheard-of afflictions and brings men to utter ruin. The thrones of the arrogant God overturns and establishes the lowly in their stead. The roots of the proud God plucks up, to plant the humble in their place: He breaks down their stem to the level of the ground, then digs their roots from the earth. The traces of the proud God sweeps away and effaces the memory of them from the earth.
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