Vent-"Living Stations"

[EmilB]

Just returned from “Living Stations” as presented by my son’s grade school.

To make a long story short there was the now obligatory 15th station “Jesus Rises From the Dead”. I guess that one is for those among us who don’t know how the story ends. Don’t want to bum anyone out with all that suffering.

To top it off -I’m leaving out alot-the blessed sacrament was in the tabernacle, on the altar the entire time. No one seemed to know or care. You’d think we were at a dinner theater with the amount and volume of conversation. Then when the whole thing was over, all the kids stood on the altar for a curtain call to thunderous applause. As we made a bee-line for the door through the throngs of parents and teenagers who were whooping it up, my wife mentioned to the principal-a Sister, mind you-that the Blessed sacrament was in fact in the tabernacle Sister replied “No. Don’t do that. God celebrates His people.” and physically brushed my wife out of the way.

Nice…

 

[MarkThompson]

I hope, hope, hope that you mean that kids stood in the sanctuary, not … up on the altar?

 

[JaredR]

They stood on the actual altar?

 

[EmilB]

No no, not on the altar, in the sanctuary. Sorry, I was a little ticked when I initially posted…Plus its kind of a local expression, “on the altar” for “in the sanctuary”. Didn’t mean to make it worse.

Still…

 

[PatriceA]

I get that you’re peeved about the situation.

BUT, was there anything you found positive or liked about the presentation?

 

[EmilB]

No, sadly. The blatant disregard for the Blessed Sacrament kind of says it all I think.

 

[JerrySeibert]

Emil, proud of you. Proud of the fact that you saw it. And that it upset you. I know your pain. I have seen so many treat the Eucharist with so little respect it sickens me.

Thank goodness I am not the only person on the planet that takes this seriously.

 

[EasterJoy]

As we made a bee-line for the door through the throngs of parents and teenagers who were whooping it up, my wife mentioned to the principal-a Sister, mind you-that the Blessed sacrament was in fact in the tabernacle Sister replied “No. Don’t do that. God celebrates His people.” and physically brushed my wife out of the way.

Nice…

Hmm, that seems a bit rude. I might consider giving the good Sister a chance to explain exactly what she meant by that remark. If she repeats that she meant it exactly the way your wife took it, I’d mention it to the pastor. As I understood what she said and did, it was beyond the pale, but it never hurts to let people explain themselves, especially after such a quick interchange. Misunderstandings happen, and somethings we handle things in a way we would not repeat. It would not hurt to give her that chance.

 

[EmilB]

Hmm, that seems a bit rude. I might consider giving the good Sister a chance to explain exactly what she meant by that remark. If she repeats that she meant it exactly the way your wife took it, I’d mention it to the pastor. As I understood what she said and did, it was beyond the pale, but it never hurts to let people explain themselves, especially after such a quick interchange. Misunderstandings happen, and somethings we handle things in a way we would not repeat. It would not hurt to give her that chance.

Couple things…There’s no Pastor. Its a HS chapel. Also, there’s a bit of history with the Sister. My wife and I are orthodox, some would say trad. We tend to bring things up-very respectfully mind you-that aren’t copesetic with the faith or within the school. I think she’s a bit tired of us.

 

[EmilB]

Emil, proud of you. Proud of the fact that you saw it. And that it upset you. I know your pain. I have seen so many treat the Eucharist with so little respect it sickens me.

Thank goodness I am not the only person on the planet that takes this seriously.

Oh no my man you’re not. Its depressing. As a matter of fact, at our weekly Mass, there is typically an after Mass back-slapping, hand-shaking gab fest that erupts from the altar rail to the narthex the minute the recessional hymn is over. My wife-bless her-mentioned it the Pastor who said “Oh that’s a small thing isn’t it? It builds community!” (the socializing I mean)

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .
To make a long story short there was the now obligatory 15th station “Jesus Rises From the Dead”. . . . …

I think that was officially added to the stations a couple of decades back. It never caught on very much. Some of the newer churches added it to their stations at the time. To balance things out they also added a 0th station on the other side of the church for The Agony in the Garden; though that was never officially added as far a I know.

Bottom line:; they can probably quote an authority to justify it. Focus on your bigger battles.

 

[Trishie]

Canon Law. 1210 Only those things which serve the exercise or promotion of worship, piety, or religion are permitted in a sacred place; anything not consonant with the holiness of the place is forbidden. In an individual case, however, the ordinary [the Bishop] can permit other uses which are not contrary to the holiness of the place.

 

[EmilB]

Canon Law. 1210 Only those things which serve the exercise or promotion of worship, piety, or religion are permitted in a sacred place; anything not consonant with the holiness of the place is forbidden. In an individual case, however, the ordinary [the Bishop] can permit other uses which are not contrary to the holiness of the place.

Not sure what your point is…
I don’t have a problem with the living stations per se. I don’t have a problem with living stations in a chapel. What I DO have a problem with is Catholics who have no idea that they are in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

I think loud talking, laughing, jumping, inappropriate dress, etc. are all “contrary to the holiness of the place”

 

[EmilB]

I think that was officially added to the stations a couple of decades back. It never caught on very much. Some of the newer churches added it to their stations at the time. To balance things out they also added a 0th station on the other side of the church for The Agony in the Garden; though that was never officially added as far a I know.

Bottom line:; they can probably quote an authority to justify it. Focus on your bigger battles.

The 15th station was minor compared to the blatant disrespect for the Blessed Sacrament. That’s the bigger battle and we’re losing.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

To make a long story short there was the now obligatory 15th station “Jesus Rises From the Dead”. I guess that one is for those among us who don’t know how the story ends. Don’t want to bum anyone out with all that suffering.

IIRC, Pope John Paul II added the 15th station.

To top it off -I’m leaving out alot-the blessed sacrament was in the tabernacle, on the altar the entire time. No one seemed to know or care. You’d think we were at a dinner theater with the amount and volume of conversation. Then when the whole thing was over, all the kids stood on the altar for a curtain call to thunderous applause. As we made a bee-line for the door through the throngs of parents and teenagers who were whooping it up, my wife mentioned to the principal-a Sister, mind you-that the Blessed sacrament was in fact in the tabernacle Sister replied “No. Don’t do that. God celebrates His people.” and physically brushed my wife out of the way.

Nice…

Without seeing what happened its hard for others to judge. The Blessed Sacrament should be removed if there’s going to be some kind of issue in this regard. However, live stations in-and-of themselves aren’t disrespectful of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

[Cat]

If this situation is like the one at our parish, then many of the parents in that Catholic school truly DON’T realize that Jesus is Truly Present in the Blessed Sacrament.

There are some very sad statistics about Mass attendance and parents of Catholic school children coming out of our parish, and I’m guessing that your parish has those same statistics.

The school is working hard to draw these parents BACK to Mass attendance. One way to do this is to bring them into the Presence of the Lord Himself and allow HIM to woo them back.

The Living Stations presented by their own children is a great “method” that will bring these parents into the Presence of the Lord. Very few parents will refuse the chance to see their little ones in a special program.

Now perhaps some of you don’t believe that Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is capable of doing anything. Well, I disagree. When I was a still a Protestant (Evangelical), when I came to Mass, I RECOGNIZED HIM in the Blessed Sacrament. Why wouldn’t I? He is Jesus, and I had enjoyed a “personal relationship” with Jesus since I was seven. I KNEW Jesus, and when I saw Him in the Blessed Sacrament, I KNEW Who He was.

And I wanted Him so badly. Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was wooing me home, drawing me to His Church.

And I think the same thing can and DOES happen to these parents who, for whatever reason, have fallen away from Mass and the Lord. The Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament has stopped warriors from attacking in the past. Why wouldn’t He be able to call home a parent who has fallen away?

So IMO, those of us who are already home should not get all puffy-headed and upset when these wayward parents act in an unseemly way in the Presence of the Lord. They don’t know any better because they aren’t practicing Catholics or in many cases, they may be Protestants married to a Catholic, or Protestants who sent their kids to the Catholic school because the school is superior to other schools in the city. Why would you expect non-practicing Catholics or Protestants to honor the Lord?

Instead of criticizing the school and demanding that the Lord’s Presence be removed from them, we should instead PRAY to the Lord and ask Him in the Blessed Sacrament to call out to these fallen-away parents, to reach out to them, and to woo them back home, back to Mass, back to HIM. That’s a prayer that I believe He will gladly answer!

There are prayers we can pray to ask the Lord to forgive the insults that He receives in the Most August Sacrament. We could offer those prayers up, and ask that the sins of others not be laid to their charge, even as Stephen asked that the Lord not charge his murderers for their sin.

And we should be grateful that the precious children are serving as the evangelists to help bring their parents back to full faith again. May God bless their efforts!

 

[EasterJoy]

Couple things…There’s no Pastor. Its a HS chapel. Also, there’s a bit of history with the Sister. My wife and I are orthodox, some would say trad. We tend to bring things up-very respectfully mind you-that aren’t copesetic with the faith or within the school. I think she’s a bit tired of us.

Hmmm. Well, the only suggestion I have in that case is to praise her and support her in her vocation whenever the opportunity presents itself. When the people who support you the most and the people who take issue with how you do some things are the same people, it is a little harder to ignore the issues. Besides, bless her heart, there aren’t many women willing to sign on as religious sisters anymore. The sisters do not get anything like the respect they once had. So when you complain, do it in the context of appreciating all the effort she puts in, and her good motivations in leaving the reins a bit too slack. After all, it used to be that the sisters were always criticized for being too strict. You have to give the poor women some way to win. If you are already doing that, well, remember what Mother Theresa said, “The Lord did not call me to be successful. The Lord called me to be faithful.” Do your best, and leave the results to God.

The chapel has to have a priest or a pastoral associate overseeing it. If she is that person, then I guess that the issue can be taken to her supervisor at the chancery office and within her order. I would not expect concrete results, but feedback that says the conduct at some official events upsets you is feedback. No one can say, “Why didn’t anyone ever complain?” Do it by saying the situation upsets you, though, and not with the implication that you want there to be repercussions. Make it clear that avoiding a repeat is your only goal. Vindictiveness (rightly) does not get people very far in these cases. So many people go to the bishop and want the “guilty” to be “penalized” that it might easily be assumed you want your pound of flesh, unless you are quite clear that you don’t. (It is no piece of cake to work at the chancery office any more, either.)

 

[EmilB]

“IIRC, Pope John Paul II added the 15th station.”

IIRC the source for that is a book “by” John Paul II. I believe JPII used to pray the Stations daily, so in that case I could see where he may be inclined to add to it for his own prayer. I don’t think its appropriate during Lent, kind of misses the point.

“However, live stations in-and-of themselves aren’t disrespectful of the Blessed Sacrament.”

I agree. I said so a couple of posts earlier. Its the fact that the chapel was treated like a gymnasium and that my wife was totally blown off by Sister that bothers me. If you’re going to whoop it up, just remove the Blessed Sacrament, that’s all I’m saying.

 

[EmilB]

If this situation is like the one at our parish, then many of the parents in that Catholic school truly DON’T realize that Jesus is Truly Present in the Blessed Sacrament.

-First let me clarify. Its not a parish school. Its a private Catholic academy. For Catholics.

There are some very sad statistics about Mass attendance and parents of Catholic school children coming out of our parish, and I’m guessing that your parish has those same statistics.

-Again, not a parish, and I do know for a fact that some of theses folks don’t attend weekly Mass, and don’t have a problem saying so at parent teacher meetings.

The school is working hard to draw these parents BACK to Mass attendance. One way to do this is to bring them into the Presence of the Lord Himself and allow HIM to woo them back.

-Our school isn’t working hard. Unless you call putting little reminders to go to Mass once a week in the weekly take home envelope. My seventh grader doesn’t even have regular religion class.

The Living Stations presented by their own children is a great “method” that will bring these parents into the Presence of the Lord. Very few parents will refuse the chance to see their little ones in a special program.

-Again, allow me to clarify. These weren’t “little ones”. They are eight graders-13-14 yrs.old. Young men and women.

Now perhaps some of you don’t believe that Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is capable of doing anything.
-Actually I do. I prayed very much about this situation. A repeat performance of the same living stations was scheduled for the very next day at the very same chapel. The weather was so bad
(rain, high winds, below normal temps) that the kids couldn’t make the trek to the chapel, so they had to perform… in the GYM!

And I think the same thing can and DOES happen to these parents who, for whatever reason, have fallen away from Mass and the Lord. The Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament has stopped warriors from attacking in the past. Why wouldn’t He be able to call home a parent who has fallen away?

So IMO, those of us who are already home should not get all puffy-headed and upset when these wayward parents act in an unseemly way in the Presence of the Lord.

-First of all, please don’t call me “puffy-headed”. I don’t care for it. Second, while I do know that some parents don’t go to Mass, I wouldn’t call anyone “wayward” because I don’t know the state of their soul.

They don’t know any better because they aren’t practicing Catholics or in many cases, they may be Protestants married to a Catholic, or Protestants who sent their kids to the Catholic school because the school is superior to other schools in the city. Why would you expect non-practicing Catholics or Protestants to honor the Lord?

-I assure you Sister is a practicing Catholic (see first post). So judging by actions, 95% of the parents in attendance were non-practicing Catholics. or Protestants?

Instead of criticizing the school and demanding that the Lord’s Presence be removed from them, we should instead PRAY to the Lord and ask Him in the Blessed Sacrament to call out to these fallen-away parents, to reach out to them, and to woo them back home, back to Mass, back to HIM. That’s a prayer that I believe He will gladly answer!

-Again, I don’t know who goes to Mass, doesn’t go to Mass, whatever… I DO know that if you’re going to call yourself a Catholic, you ought to at understand who is in the tabernacle. And barring that, you should at least have enough sense not to cavort around in a holy place as if you were in the party room at Chuck E. Cheese. I know atheists who have more respect for Churches…

There are prayers we can pray to ask the Lord to forgive the insults that He receives in the Most August Sacrament. We could offer those prayers up, and ask that the sins of others not be laid to their charge, even as Stephen asked that the Lord not charge his murderers for their sin.

-Agreed. However, since we are all BAPTIZED Catholics who have received instruction in the Faith we must remember more importantly:

“From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”

 

[agapewolf]

“IIRC, Pope John Paul II added the 15th station.”

IIRC the source for that is a book “by” John Paul II. I believe JPII used to pray the Stations daily, so in that case I could see where he may be inclined to add to it for his own prayer. I don’t think its appropriate during Lent, kind of misses the point.

“However, live stations in-and-of themselves aren’t disrespectful of the Blessed Sacrament.”

I agree. I said so a couple of posts earlier. Its the fact that the chapel was treated like a gymnasium and that my wife was totally blown off by Sister that bothers me. If you’re going to whoop it up, just remove the Blessed Sacrament, that’s all I’m saying.

Adding the 15th station does not miss the point. There is no point in suffering without hope in the resurrection.

The stations are a devotion…yes, there are traditional ones, but there are also different variations as well, JPII’s stations, scriptural stations, etc.