Tired of the way things are going

[coolduude]

I am growing tired of the way Mass is run at some parishes (it feels like the majority of parishes do this, but I could be wrong).

Here’s what I saw when visiting a parish earlier today:
-Bad Liturgical music (Sing-songy songs, almost to the point of clapping. Here is a link to one of the songs we actually did sing).
-Going against the rubrics several times:
-For the collection, the deacon came down from the altar, stood in front of it facing out, and the little children of the parish ran (yes, ran) to him to deposit money.
-The chalices used were of glass
-Hand holding during the Our Father
-A Risen Lord statue suspended in front of the church (above the altar) instead of a crucifix.
-Tabernacle off to the side

I could go on, but other complaints of mine wouldn’t be about the Mass.

I wish things didn’t have to be like this. Is it ignorance or arrogance that causes such… abuses? And what can we do to change it? Get involved?

Thanks for any (name removed by moderator)ut,
Coolduude

 

[Monica4316]

The chalices used were of glass

This one is definitely an abuse.

this is one of the reasons why I prefer the Latin Mass

 

[Stylites]

Try to focus on God rather than upon supposed likes and dislikes and personal complaints and imagined wrongs. Try to see the positive in everything rather than seeking out the negative. Try to come to church to worship God rather than to run the church. Try to amend one’s own ignorance and arrogance rather than assigning ignorance and arrogance to others whom one does not even know.

Maybe then you might not be so tired of attending Mass in the presence of God.

 

[CountrySteve]

i don’t think the little details matter, as long as one is there giving their heart to God and worshiping the Holy Trinity

 

[coolduude]

Try to focus on God rather than upon supposed likes and dislikes and personal complaints and imagined wrongs. Try to see the positive in everything rather than seeking out the negative. Try to come to church to worship God rather than to run the church. Try to amend one’s own ignorance and arrogance rather than assigning ignorance and arrogance to others whom one does not even know.

Maybe then you might not be so tired of attending Mass in the presence of God.

I never said that. I said I’m tired of the way it’s run.

 

[Redratfish]

I am growing tired of the way Mass is run at some parishes (it feels like the majority of parishes do this, but I could be wrong).

Here’s what I saw when visiting a parish earlier today:
-Bad Liturgical music (Sing-songy songs, almost to the point of clapping. Here is a link to one of the songs we actually did sing).
-Going against the rubrics several times:
-For the collection, the deacon came down from the altar, stood in front of it facing out, and the little children of the parish ran (yes, ran) to him to deposit money.
-The chalices used were of glass
-Hand holding during the Our Father
-A Risen Lord statue suspended in front of the church (above the altar) instead of a crucifix.
-Tabernacle off to the side

I could go on, but other complaints of mine wouldn’t be about the Mass.

I wish things didn’t have to be like this. Is it ignorance or arrogance that causes such… abuses? And what can we do to change it? Get involved?

Thanks for any (name removed by moderator)ut,
Coolduude

I understand why people do not like the abuses above. Especially, the Tabernacle, the hand holding, and the risen Lord. Those I believe most people hate.

But what is wrong with glass chalices? I haven’t heard of this being an abuse before. my Church doesn’t use them but just wondering? Thanks

 

[Stylites]

I never said that. I said I’m tired of the way it’s run.

Well, if you don’t like the way the church is run and think you can do better then step forward and become a priest, and maybe you’ll be assigned to admistrative duties.

 

[coolduude]

Well, if you don’t like the way the church is run and think you can do better then step forward and become a priest, and maybe you’ll be assigned to admistrative duties.

That’s not how it works. You don’t become a priest just to fix things.

 

[PattiDay]

I understand why people do not like the abuses above. Especially, the Tabernacle, the hand holding, and the risen Lord. Those I believe most people hate.

But what is wrong with glass chalices? I haven’t heard of this being an abuse before. my Church doesn’t use them but just wondering? Thanks

Chalices must be made of materials of permanence. Glass, even though it might be very highly elaborate, is not considered permanent, as it may shatter.

 

[Love_Divine]

If there’s another parish you can attend that does things more by the books, I would do that. I tried to stick it out in my territorial parish, but after last week’s Bruin’s Stanley cup win acknowledgement and laughing and cheering between the Gospel and the homily, I decided I couldn’t hold out through the CFL football season. I went to a new parish today and it was like night and day. The EMHC evern had enough common sense to put the paten underneath my chin while he distributed communion on my tongue.

 

[Little_One0307]

That is why I go to contemplative relgious Masses. Less litrugical abuses and is more quiet than parish churches. I don’t think I would ever go back to a parish church.

 

[Stylites]

That’s not how it works. You don’t become a priest just to fix things.

Ah, but the priestly members of the Church are the only ones who can fix things. I thought you had asked what you can do to “fix” and change things, even those which are not at all broken or needing changes.

.

 

[Love_Divine]

Ah, but the priestly members of the Church are the only ones who can fix things. I thought you had asked what you can do to “fix” and change things, even those which are not at all broken or needing changes.

.

Actually, you don’t choose to become a priest. God calls you to the priesthood.

 

[coolduude]

Ah, but the priestly members of the Church are the only ones who can fix things. I thought you had asked what you can do to “fix” and change things, even those which are not at all broken or needing changes.

.

Not at all broken? Oy.

Lay members can fix things too. It takes longer but they can do it.

 

[PattiDay]

Not at all broken? Oy.

Lay members can fix things too. It takes longer but they can do it.

It does take a long time. Many of the traditions may not return in my lifetime. I believe the translation that is closer to the Latin to be introduced at Advent is a positive step. Improvements to the liturgical music (the song you linked, not a hymn in my mind) are anticipated. Maybe for the sake of soul and sanity you should consider another Catholic church.

 

[coolduude]

It does take a long time. Many of the traditions may not return in my lifetime. I believe the translation that is closer to the Latin to be introduced at Advent is a positive step. Improvements to the liturgical music (the song you linked, not a hymn in my mind) are anticipated. Maybe for the sake of soul and sanity you should consider another Catholic church.

Perhaps. I do plan on attending a Latin Mass in the fall (this is where I will be going actually).

 

[laszlo]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stylites View Post
Ah, but the priestly members of the Church are the only ones who can fix things. I thought you had asked what you can do to “fix” and change things, even those which are not at all broken or needing changes.

.
Actually, you don’t choose to become a priest. God calls you to the priesthood. .

Thre are two problems with this:

• Priest cannot change the Church only the bishop.
• as the bishop is chosen by the pope, so the priest by the bishop when He call the candidate and he replies Adsum. God’s call is beyond our understanding, and always supposed behind the bishop’s call

For the original poster, if you are living around Chicago, go attend Masses at the St John Cantius Fathers downtown for both forms, the Institute of Christ downtown or in Rockford for the TLM, the FSSP in Naperville or Joliet, and also various TLM masses all over the Metropolitan area.

To resolve your problem is much more effective that to spit, grunt which resolves nothing.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

That is why I go to contemplative relgious Masses. Less litrugical abuses and is more quiet than parish churches. I don’t think I would ever go back to a parish church.

Where would you find one in your area? And does this fulfill the obligation?

 

[AveMaria12]

Well I think that it is better if none of those (Music, breaching of regulations etc.) were present. It would be much better and more easier to pray without those things, but I guess we just need to endure it, pray, and encourage a change.

 

[benedictgal]

I understand why people do not like the abuses above. Especially, the Tabernacle, the hand holding, and the risen Lord. Those I believe most people hate.

But what is wrong with glass chalices? I haven’t heard of this being an abuse before. my Church doesn’t use them but just wondering? Thanks

It is an abuse; in fact, the Holy See calls it reprobate. Redemptionis Sacramentum states that:

1. Sacred Vessels
   [117.] Sacred vessels for containing the Body and Blood of the Lord must be made in strict conformity with the norms of tradition and of the liturgical books.205 The Bishops’ Conferences have the faculty to decide whether it is appropriate, once their decisions have been given the recognitio by the Apostolic See, for sacred vessels to be made of other solid materials as well. It is strictly required, however, that such materials be truly noble in the common estimation within a given region,206 so that honor will be given to the Lord by their use, and all risk of diminishing the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in the eyes of the faithful will be avoided. Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate.207

Now, insofar as the music is concerned, Pope Benedict XVi addressed the issue in Sacramentum Caritatis:

Liturgical song

1. In the ars celebrandi, liturgical song has a pre-eminent place. (126) Saint Augustine rightly says in a famous sermon that “the new man sings a new song. Singing is an expression of joy and, if we consider the matter, an expression of love” (127). The People of God assembled for the liturgy sings the praises of God. In the course of her two-thousand-year history, the Church has created, and still creates, music and songs which represent a rich patrimony of faith and love. This heritage must not be lost. **Certainly as far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another. Generic improvisation or the introduction of musical genres which fail to respect the meaning of the liturgy should be avoided. As an element of the liturgy, song should be well integrated into the overall celebration (128). Consequently everything – texts, music, execution – ought to correspond to the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, the structure of the rite and the liturgical seasons (129). **Finally, while respecting various styles and different and highly praiseworthy traditions, I desire, in accordance with the request advanced by the Synod Fathers, that Gregorian chant be suitably esteemed and employed (130) as the chant proper to the Roman liturgy (131).

Thus, the OP has every right to be concerned about the liturgical state in his parish.