Thank you Father!

[MichiganTrumbul]

MichiganTrumbul, was it really necessary to take an entirely positive thread and turn it into a negative?.

If a person’s answer to liturgical abuse is to bury one’s head in the sand, to completely ignore the truth of what is going on in our parishes, and to criticize those who do not follow their suit, then it is not only necessary, but it is damn necessary! A lot of people are fortunate in that they can drive 10 or 20 or 50 miles to find a proper Mass, but a lot of people - the elderly, for example - are not so fortunate. They are stuck - stuck, mind you - with whatever excuse for a mass their local parish priest decides to grant them.

I just cannot imagine shutting myself into what I would consider a “good” parish, and then shutting out the outside world and those who are stuck in it!

Do you personally know everything about each priest and parish mentioned here that you feel justified in offering blanket criticisms?

Do I need to know everything about each priest in order to discern the difference between a proper mass and an improper one? Am I to consider that perhaps Father X had a good reason to let Mrs. Y read the gospel and give the homily? Am I to suppose that, if I knew Monsignor Z a little better I might think that “Over the Rainbow” really isn’t so bad?

To discern a proper mass from an improper one, one needs only to refer to the liturgical laws. I can point to the exact paragraph in the G.I.R.M. and cite the relevant paragraphs. Can you?

Oh, and incidentally, please do not consider calling me a Pharisee on account of my respect for the liturgical laws. Both St. Joseph Cafasso and Father Martin von Cochem (author of “The Incredible Catholic Mass”) acknowledge, correctly, that a priest who ignores these laws cannot avoid sin. Is it an act of charity to see a person committing sin and remain silent?

Then you haven’t visited SS Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights, Assumption Grotto in Detroit, or the Tridentine Latin Mass at St. Josaphat, also in Detroit. And if you have, and still think the Masses offered at those parishes contain abuses, then I have no idea what to say to you.

Oh, yes I have; all three of them (incidentally, in an archdiocese this big, why is it that you can only name three? Hmmmm…). I do credit credit Father Perrone. He is the one exception that proves the rule.

The Tridentine Mass is good, but the N.O. mass at St Josaphat leaves something to be desired (their pastor also saw fit to have a “Polka Mass” at another church in his cluster).

As for Sts C & M, they are usually tolerable, but the abuses are creeping in. Drop me a private line if you want me to elaborate.

MT

 

[KatieD]

Jpjd’s idea of telling our priests this Christmas how much we appreciate them is a great one! Believe me, they hear plenty of complaints, and I know that a warm word of encouragement and appreciation would be welcome. The priests at my parish know how wonderful I think they are, and I’ve had some really nice talks with each of them. They put a lot of time and effort into serving us, and I am so grateful that they’ve answered the call.

 

[George_Waters]

I would like to thank the ten folks who actually used this thread to say something nice about their priests. Of the over 300 people that viewed this thread, you ten demonstrated a true Christian attitude. Thank you.

 

[baltobetsy]

Thank you, Father at my home parish, for bravely continuing to bring us Mass and the Sacraments in spite of being held up at gunpoint in our declining neighborhood.

Thank you for being a straight arrow and not messing with the Mass and for using the Communion rail as often as the Bishop allows (every weekday & every other Sunday).

Thank you, young priest at the Cathedral, for doing what’s printed in red and saying what’s printed in black, no more, no less. And for using a chalice veil. And for being kind, attentive and authoritative in confession. And for realizing your dignity as a priest.

May God preserve and strenghen all our priests.

Betsy