Too critical of my parish

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grasscutter said:
Us professional grasscutters call it a weed-wacker. Although, it may be also referred to as a line-trimmer or weed-eater. Basically a power tool that trims the edges of a grass area. And, when properly operated, has a tonal quality of a middle “C”.
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Be careful. Weed-wackers cut both weeds and wheat indescriminately.

Matthew 13:24-30

-Tim-
 
The pipe organ developed in the 12th century. To be stuck on thinking that this is the only instrument to use at mass is limiting and nearsighted. Obviously other instruments were used at mass long before the pipe organ. Probably the next toughest job in the church after the priest is the Music director and there are not many organist out there. To give others a chance to use musical talents and give the music director a needed break, We need to encourage and support others to come forward. There are so many wonderful choices in instruments. We are only limited by rigid attitudes stuck on one instrument. Harps, string instruments, flutes, woodwinds, pianos and classical guitars all can lead in a reverent, peaceful beautiful worship experience.
 
jeanannemarie said:
I almost always leave Mass at any of the parishes in my deanery and wonder why I don’t like the music, why I always yearn for something else. I don’t like the chosen songs, I don’t like the talking before Mass. Everyone else seems fine and I don’t voice complaints. I just go away sad and wonder what is wrong with me that I don’t like any of it. It is what I have and I try to accept it…but I don’t like it. I am only saying this because you asked and it was on my mind anyway. For a long time I have been asking St. Cecelia to intercede on behalf of the music in my parish, but she must like it the way it is, too, because it has not changed one bit! LOL
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First of all, what are you looking for in church music. You state that you live in a rural area. You might consider that in smaller, less populated churches, there are less people to choose from to come forward and lead in music. You might try to consider that if these are small parishes, the people that are leading music are just volunteers doing their best and not professional musicians. Also consider what you are there for, encountering God in the eucharist. If you are focused on this, the other irritating things such as talking, noise, less than perfect music, bad homilies etc take a back seat. It is not easy to lead the music at mass and in fact can be challenging. Have you tried to join the worship committee? have you tried to get to know the music director? These things might help you have a better attitude about what goes on.
 
Trishie said:
My son is a classical guitarist. I cannot imagine that God would find the talent He has given him to play a guitar so beautifully honors God less than an organ or piano.

Does God reject the talents of others or finds it less worthy when a non-traditional instrument is played with a devout heart and intent?
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The person we had playing the organ for a while was a classical guitarist. I would have preferred his playing the guitar excellently at Mass to hearing him struggle to make the organ sound half decent. He was usually accompanied by guitar players who didn’t read music and only knew how to strum. Now he’s gone and only the strummers remain.

We are supposed to offer God our best. If the best we have is a flutist, or a violinist, let us use them; if the best we have is an organist, let us use him/her. The reality though, is that the organ can support congregational singing much better than a guitar or flute or violin.
 
Let’s just remember… The music is to praise and worship God. It is not for our entertainment. My guess is that God likes whatever worship we have to offer.
 
robwar said:
First of all, what are you looking for in church music. You state that you live in a rural area. You might consider that in smaller, less populated churches, there are less people to choose from to come forward and lead in music. You might try to consider that if these are small parishes, the people that are leading music are just volunteers doing their best and not professional musicians. Also consider what you are there for, encountering God in the eucharist. If you are focused on this, the other irritating things such as talking, noise, less than perfect music, bad homilies etc take a back seat. It is not easy to lead the music at mass and in fact can be challenging. Have you tried to join the worship committee? have you tried to get to know the music director? These things might help you have a better attitude about what goes on.
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Yes, I have recognized that the rural area is a big factor. You can’t even imagine the smallish parish I belong to. I sit behind the music director during most Masses. We have had some conversations about the music. It does seem that I have entirely different preferences than the majority, or they don’t speak out, as I do not, out of respect for what others do. The problem is, my heart belongs to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, which is not an option here. Ah, now the truth comes out!
 
tabycat said:
Where I’m from, a young person who thinks that they know more (and better) then an older person and lets everyone else knows it. :hmmm::blushing:
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That’s funny! In these parts it is a Whipper Snapper, not a Whipper Snipper! But then, my young blond daughter was in her early twenties when she realized it was a “dog eat dog world”, and not a “doggie-dog world.” She hasn’t lived that down yet! I guess it is all in what you think you hear.
 
jeanannemarie said:
Yes, I have recognized that the rural area is a big factor. You can’t even imagine the smallish parish I belong to. I sit behind the music director during most Masses. We have had some conversations about the music. It does seem that I have entirely different preferences than the majority, or they don’t speak out, as I do not, out of respect for what others do. The problem is, my heart belongs to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, which is not an option here. Ah, now the truth comes out!
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Don’t be so romantic. The EF can be beautiful but by pining after something you can’t have you may be losing sight of what you do have – God there on the altar I front of you.

If you don’t already play piano then start taking lessons. Do you sing? Again take some lessons. Offer to help. See if you can become a cantor and chant.

Otherwise, keep your head down and pray.
 
Mrs_Sally said:
Don’t be so romantic. The EF can be beautiful but by pining after something you can’t have you may be losing sight of what you do have – God there on the altar I front of you.

If you don’t already play piano then start taking lessons. Do you sing? Again take some lessons. Offer to help. See if you can become a cantor and chant.

Otherwise, keep your head down and pray.
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Thank you, Mrs. Sally for setting me straight. I will, indeed, keep my head down, as well as covered.
 
jeanannemarie said:
Thank you, Mrs. Sally for setting me straight. I will, indeed, keep my head down, as well as covered.
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😉 :rotfl:

And I do also appreciate the true honour that I have of attending any Catholic Mass. I’m sure many people feel as I do that it is possible to be open to the absolute, awesome and sacred thing that is happening without being distracted by needing everything to be exactly the way we want it to be.

It’s a shame when we allow small things (not actual liturgical abuses) pry our attention away from the miracle that is happening before our eyes. Not to be self-centered, but when I attend Mass I’m there for me and so I’m mainly concerned with my relationship and communication and worship of with my Creator.
 
If it bugs you that much, get your butt to organ lessons, become expert and offer your services. If you haven’t done that, then stop whining and deal with the fact that your preferences aren’t being met.

It’s ludicrous to assert that a guitar makes mass ‘protestant’. Protestantism is a set of theological beliefs, not a music style!
 
signumcrux said:
Hello all,

Both of the churches I attend regularly have guitars, clarinets, or other instruments accompany the singers. Am I being irrational for finding this irritating? I feel like this is an abuse and is making our churches more protestant. Does anyone else have problems with this?
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In response to someone who begged him (Saint Pius X) to “go soft” on the Modernists, He retorted: “Kindness is for fools! They want them to be treated with oil, soap, and caresses but they ought to be beaten with fists! In a duel you don’t count or measure the blows, you strike as you can! War is not made with charity, it is a struggle a duel. If Our Lord were not terrible he would not have given an example in this too.”
 
kevthecath said:
In response to someone who begged him (Saint Pius X) to “go soft” on the Modernists, He retorted: “Kindness is for fools! They want them to be treated with oil, soap, and caresses but they ought to be beaten with fists! In a duel you don’t count or measure the blows, you strike as you can! War is not made with charity, it is a struggle a duel. If Our Lord were not terrible he would not have given an example in this too.”
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Where did he say this?:confused:
 
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