P
Phemie
Guest
I was in another parish for Mass this morning, having attended a conference on Friday. DH & I had decided to stay over (it’s a 7 hr drive) to make a weekend of it. I opted for Mass this morning rather than 4:30 p.m. Sat.
I knew I was in for penance when the Prelude included Kumbaya on the grand piano, but I didn’t know how much penance.
This was the Cathedral parish until last fall’s realignment, now it’s a minor Basilica. They’ve redone the interior and now where the Bishop’s chair used to be is a beautiful green marble stand for the Tabernacle, right in the middle against the white marble wall. That’s where ‘tradition’ ends.
Fr. walked up to the front before Mass to address the 15 or so kids sitting in the first 5 pews. They, it turns out, are making their First Communion next week. He proceeded to have them turn and wave to the Bishop who was standing at the back. Then he invited them to come to the back where he explained the use of the Font. He had them bless themselves, then cup their hand and carry water to someone else for them to bless themselves. Then they returned to their pews and the procession began.
Unfortunately I’d stumbled in to the “Children’s Mass” & a running commentary by the presiding priest (2 concelebrants) about every single thing he was doing.
The “Homily” was the story of “Chicken Elmo” complete with Elmo Doll and the priest’s invitation to the kids to do the Chicken Dance with Elmo.
All these kids were invited to stand around the altar for the Preface and Eucharistic Prayer (some leaning on it, one had his head on it). The priest’s prayers at the Lavabo & adding water to the wine? Didn’t happen, he talked to the kids constantly as he was doing both those actions, telling them what he was doing but not explaining either action. He talked to them through the consecration and at the Lord’s Prayer he invited all the rest of the kids in the church to come up to the altar. About 40 people there. Then they were sent out to the assembly to give the Sign of Peace.
The celebrant’s/concelebrants’ chalice was gold, the ‘chalices’ used for the assembly were glass goblets. The ciborium that is used for reservation of the Blessed Sacrament is gold; glass bowls matching the goblets are used to hold the Hosts for Communion.
The Communion “Hymn” was Kumbaya.
On my way out I met one of my fellow parishioners, she had LOVED the Mass.
I knew I was in for penance when the Prelude included Kumbaya on the grand piano, but I didn’t know how much penance.
This was the Cathedral parish until last fall’s realignment, now it’s a minor Basilica. They’ve redone the interior and now where the Bishop’s chair used to be is a beautiful green marble stand for the Tabernacle, right in the middle against the white marble wall. That’s where ‘tradition’ ends.
Fr. walked up to the front before Mass to address the 15 or so kids sitting in the first 5 pews. They, it turns out, are making their First Communion next week. He proceeded to have them turn and wave to the Bishop who was standing at the back. Then he invited them to come to the back where he explained the use of the Font. He had them bless themselves, then cup their hand and carry water to someone else for them to bless themselves. Then they returned to their pews and the procession began.
Unfortunately I’d stumbled in to the “Children’s Mass” & a running commentary by the presiding priest (2 concelebrants) about every single thing he was doing.
The “Homily” was the story of “Chicken Elmo” complete with Elmo Doll and the priest’s invitation to the kids to do the Chicken Dance with Elmo.
All these kids were invited to stand around the altar for the Preface and Eucharistic Prayer (some leaning on it, one had his head on it). The priest’s prayers at the Lavabo & adding water to the wine? Didn’t happen, he talked to the kids constantly as he was doing both those actions, telling them what he was doing but not explaining either action. He talked to them through the consecration and at the Lord’s Prayer he invited all the rest of the kids in the church to come up to the altar. About 40 people there. Then they were sent out to the assembly to give the Sign of Peace.
The celebrant’s/concelebrants’ chalice was gold, the ‘chalices’ used for the assembly were glass goblets. The ciborium that is used for reservation of the Blessed Sacrament is gold; glass bowls matching the goblets are used to hold the Hosts for Communion.
The Communion “Hymn” was Kumbaya.
On my way out I met one of my fellow parishioners, she had LOVED the Mass.