P
Peeps
Guest
I’m somewhat befuddled and disheartened by a response to one of my posts over in the Traditional Forum.
I was not involved with the discussion during the day because of work. But when I checked into the CAF this morning, I found that one of my posts had been flagged by a member and was deleted.
I am grateful to all those who defended me. Thank you.
What I’m confused about is why my references to “choreography”, “dance,” “stage manager”, and “theater/actor” were seen as disrespectful to the Mass and the Church.
Disclosure: My daughter is a professional stage manager. My other daughter is involved in coaching a sport (figure skating). I have accompanied many musicals. And my husband has acted in community theater.
“Choreography” is set of movements that have been determined in advance. It’s a different word than “rubrics,” because “rubrics” take into account all that happens in the Mass, not just the movements. But in the Mass, there are movements that are required, and that have meaning. I see no disrespect in referring to this as “choreography”–a set of movements determined in advance. I don’t see why this is offensive.
And dance. Why is comparing these “movements” of the priest, the altar servers, etc. to “dance” offensive? Yes, there are dances that are extremely suggestive, but dance does not have to be suggestive or sinful. Dance is merely a specific set of choreographed movements.
And dance–for many of us like me!–is difficult to learn! I have tried several times to learn to dance, but I just can’t make my feet do the movements and i can’t remember the prescribed movements (choreography) from week to week. I’m sure that there are other people like me–even priests–who have a hard time remembering which way to turn, at what point to raise both arms, when to kneel, when to face the altar, and when to make the Sign of the Cross. That’s all I was trying say. I don’t see how this is offensive.
As for stage management, I take massive offense that others find my suggestion disrespectful, especially when the Church already provides for a Master of Ceremonies–a “stage manager”–to make sure that the Mass is done correctly. There is no shame in my daughter’s profession–she describes herself as a “servant” who is responsible to make sure that the actors, musicians, director, etc. can do their job well. I personally think that “stage manger” is an honorable way to describe someone who would help priests and altar servers to remember “what happens next.”
Finally, actors–someone in that thread apparently took offense at this profession being compared to the Church/priests/Mass. I realize that a lot of the actors have no religion and no respect for the Lord God, but many DO. The profession is an honorable one. The Church is often compared to a hospital and the priests to doctors and no one takes offense at that. Why take offense when the Church and its clergy and laity are compared to theater and actors?
I was not involved with the discussion during the day because of work. But when I checked into the CAF this morning, I found that one of my posts had been flagged by a member and was deleted.
I am grateful to all those who defended me. Thank you.
What I’m confused about is why my references to “choreography”, “dance,” “stage manager”, and “theater/actor” were seen as disrespectful to the Mass and the Church.
Disclosure: My daughter is a professional stage manager. My other daughter is involved in coaching a sport (figure skating). I have accompanied many musicals. And my husband has acted in community theater.
“Choreography” is set of movements that have been determined in advance. It’s a different word than “rubrics,” because “rubrics” take into account all that happens in the Mass, not just the movements. But in the Mass, there are movements that are required, and that have meaning. I see no disrespect in referring to this as “choreography”–a set of movements determined in advance. I don’t see why this is offensive.
And dance. Why is comparing these “movements” of the priest, the altar servers, etc. to “dance” offensive? Yes, there are dances that are extremely suggestive, but dance does not have to be suggestive or sinful. Dance is merely a specific set of choreographed movements.
And dance–for many of us like me!–is difficult to learn! I have tried several times to learn to dance, but I just can’t make my feet do the movements and i can’t remember the prescribed movements (choreography) from week to week. I’m sure that there are other people like me–even priests–who have a hard time remembering which way to turn, at what point to raise both arms, when to kneel, when to face the altar, and when to make the Sign of the Cross. That’s all I was trying say. I don’t see how this is offensive.
As for stage management, I take massive offense that others find my suggestion disrespectful, especially when the Church already provides for a Master of Ceremonies–a “stage manager”–to make sure that the Mass is done correctly. There is no shame in my daughter’s profession–she describes herself as a “servant” who is responsible to make sure that the actors, musicians, director, etc. can do their job well. I personally think that “stage manger” is an honorable way to describe someone who would help priests and altar servers to remember “what happens next.”
Finally, actors–someone in that thread apparently took offense at this profession being compared to the Church/priests/Mass. I realize that a lot of the actors have no religion and no respect for the Lord God, but many DO. The profession is an honorable one. The Church is often compared to a hospital and the priests to doctors and no one takes offense at that. Why take offense when the Church and its clergy and laity are compared to theater and actors?
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