Will I ever get it all?

[heathernoel]

I’m feeling VERY overwhelmed right now.

I am FINALLY being confirmed on Pentecost (see my religious status and join date? I’d already been in RCIA for a YEAR before coming here). But the last few days on this forum have made me feel a little , , and . Our parish doesn’t offer Latin masses…does this make it a bad parish? We sing our processional and recessional from the red Worship hymnal. Does this mean that we aren’t observing Rome’s position that we should be using more Gregorian chants? Canon law, proper ettiquette, proper celebrations…rules, AHHHHHHHH!!

Will it ever not be overwhelming? Up until a few days ago, I was sure that the parish I attend was Home.

:crying::banghead::doh2::bighanky:

 

[puzzleannie]

. Our parish doesn’t offer Latin masses…does this make it a bad parish? We sing our processional and recessional from the red Worship hymnal. Does this mean that we aren’t observing Rome’s position that we should be using more Gregorian chants? Canon law, proper ettiquette, proper celebrations…rules, AHHHHHHHH!!

Will it ever not be overwhelming? Up until a few days ago, I was sure that the parish I attend was Home.

welcome home

90% of parishes in this country and around the world don’t offer the Latin Mass so if that is a problem we are all in trouble

the Worship hymnal is fine, lucky your parish can afford them

Rome has said nothing about requiring Gregorian Chant

even if your parish were in error on all these points it would not be your problem, but the pastors

relax, bask in your new found grace in the sacraments (and stay of the traditional forum whatever you do, those folks will confuse you)

 

[markomalley]

I’m feeling VERY overwhelmed right now.

I am FINALLY being confirmed on Pentecost (see my religious status and join date? I’d already been in RCIA for a YEAR before coming here). But the last few days on this forum have made me feel a little , , and . Our parish doesn’t offer Latin masses…does this make it a bad parish? We sing our processional and recessional from the red Worship hymnal. Does this mean that we aren’t observing Rome’s position that we should be using more Gregorian chants? Canon law, proper ettiquette, proper celebrations…rules, AHHHHHHHH!!

Will it ever not be overwhelming? Up until a few days ago, I was sure that the parish I attend was Home.

:crying::banghead::doh2::bighanky:

You will never fully understand the Faith. I would wager if you were to ask the Holy Father if he fully understood the Faith, he’d say that he was nowhere near that point – and he’s a world-renowned theologian.

The Mass in the vernacular are perfectly valid and licit. There are a lot of people who prefer the Tridentine Mass (myself included), but there is nothing wrong with a reverently celebrated Novus Ordo mass.

The selection of music is an issue, but does not affect the validity or liceity of the liturgy. If you have an opportunity to go to a parish (maybe your cathedral) where they have a schola, you may get a chance to recognize the beauty of the older forms of music.

Recognize this, though: CAF has a whole lot of theology geeks, canon law geeks, self-styled liturgists, and wannabee apologists. Myself included. You are probably mostly hearing the majority of us venting our spleens and should take everything with a grain of salt. That is not to say that the information provided here is incorrect…but it is likely that none of us are in the ideal parish, nor is it likely that any of us would ever find the ideal parish. So keep it in context.

 

[Cristiano]

I’m feeling VERY overwhelmed right now.

I am FINALLY being confirmed on Pentecost (see my religious status and join date? I’d already been in RCIA for a YEAR before coming here). But the last few days on this forum have made me feel a little , , and . Our parish doesn’t offer Latin masses…does this make it a bad parish? We sing our processional and recessional from the red Worship hymnal. Does this mean that we aren’t observing Rome’s position that we should be using more Gregorian chants? Canon law, proper ettiquette, proper celebrations…rules, AHHHHHHHH!!

Will it ever not be overwhelming? Up until a few days ago, I was sure that the parish I attend was Home.

:crying::banghead::doh2::bighanky:

The parish that you attended is Home. Sometime a home might not fit your sense of aesthetic, sometime it can be a little dusty and a vacuum cleaner would help, sometime is in not such a great shape and the roof leaks during a heavy rainstorm. However, it will never stop from being your rightful home and if you are going to take care of it, it will be better than before and it will shelter you from the elements.

 

[TrueLight]

The parish that you attended is Home. Sometime a home might not fit your sense of aesthetic, sometime it can be a little dusty and a vacuum cleaner would help, sometime is in not such a great shape and the roof leaks during a heavy rainstorm. However, it will never stop from being your rightful home and if you are going to take care of it, it will be better than before and it will shelter you from the elements.

Nice analogy.

Heather, if you felt fine where you are, do not let any CAF posts convince you that there is something wrong with your parish. You can always visit other parishes now and then to experience something new.

Do not let a forum put a damper on your enthusiasm in anticipation of your confirmation!

 

[OscarsMama]

Heathernoel: I am happy for you to be joining!!! And there are ALWAYS things that people would change about a parish… take it from me… a cradle Catholic. But those are the “HUMAN” things.

Remember, we go to church to worship GOD. I think that God understands that some churches are bigger, have more masses (including a Latin mass), have hymn books, don’t have hymn books, have padded pews, have wooden pews, etc.

Sometimes I like the songs that are sung at mass. Sometimes, they sing a song I don’t like. But that really doesn’t matter. It is about GOD.

 

[TheMc]

I’m feeling VERY overwhelmed right now.

I am FINALLY being confirmed on Pentecost (see my religious status and join date? I’d already been in RCIA for a YEAR before coming here). But the last few days on this forum have made me feel a little , , and . Our parish doesn’t offer Latin masses…does this make it a bad parish? We sing our processional and recessional from the red Worship hymnal. Does this mean that we aren’t observing Rome’s position that we should be using more Gregorian chants? Canon law, proper ettiquette, proper celebrations…rules, AHHHHHHHH!!

Will it ever not be overwhelming? Up until a few days ago, I was sure that the parish I attend was Home.

:crying::banghead::doh2::bighanky:

Don’t worry. The main thing to look for is if the parish is reverent. If they are reverent, everything else will probably fall into place, and you won’t have to worry about a thing.

You’re using the worship hymnals? From everything I’ve heard about those, they are very good, and don’t have much contemporary or heretical trash. Traditional hymns are the second best thing to chant.

Don’t worry. Just pray.

 

[MarkThompson]

Recognize this, though: CAF has a whole lot of theology geeks, canon law geeks, self-styled liturgists, and wannabee apologists. Myself included.

This is a vital point. The cross-section of people who post to boards like the Liturgy & Sacraments forum are NOT NORMAL CATHOLICS. And I happily include myself.

 

[TheMc]

markomalley:

Recognize this, though: CAF has a whole lot of theology geeks, canon law geeks, self-styled liturgists, and wannabee apologists. Myself included.

This is a vital point. The cross-section of people who post to boards like the Liturgy & Sacraments forum are NOT NORMAL CATHOLICS. And I happily include myself.

Seriously, very vital point. We are the liturgy geeks of the liturgy geeks sometimes. And I’m the first one to admit it. So while on a technical level, what many of us say might be right much of the, take it with a grain of salt and don’t freak out when we say something crazy or start talking to each other in latin.

*Latin est magna. Quod si propterea non accipimus hoc, consolamini. Ego vere Internet adhibuit interpres. Ego sugentes latin.

Si haec scitis, mitte mihi litteras clam (aka, PM)*

Whoops! There I go again!

 

[TheMc]

Latin est magna. Quod si propterea non accipimus hoc, consolamini. Ego vere Internet adhibuit interpres. Ego sugentes latin.

Si haec scitis, mitte mihi litteras clam (aka, PM)

Hint

 

[Linda_Marie]

I’m feeling VERY overwhelmed right now.

I am FINALLY being confirmed on Pentecost (see my religious status and join date? I’d already been in RCIA for a YEAR before coming here). But the last few days on this forum have made me feel a little , , and . Our parish doesn’t offer Latin masses…does this make it a bad parish? We sing our processional and recessional from the red Worship hymnal. Does this mean that we aren’t observing Rome’s position that we should be using more Gregorian chants? Canon law, proper ettiquette, proper celebrations…rules, AHHHHHHHH!!

Will it ever not be overwhelming? Up until a few days ago, I was sure that the parish I attend was Home.

:crying::banghead::doh2::bighanky:

Whatever parish you attend, it is the Church which is Home. I know this from personal experience. I was received into the Church in St. Cyril’s of Alexandria Catholic Church in Houston. Some 2 years after that, my husband’s company moved us to rural Scotland, where I attended Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Chapel in Aberfeldy. We were there 4 years when again work moved us, this time to Australia. We are blessed to have 2 Catholic churches in town so we get a choice, but it is all the same parish.

In addition, when on holiday, I have attended Mass wherever we were. I have felt at home in all of them.

World-wide, it is all the same Church. It is One Lord offered on the altar and we are One Body in Christ.

As far as ‘getting it all’ - I’m still learning and it has been 31 years now.

 

[heathernoel]

Thank you so much for all of your words. Truly. I needed to hear it.

I am glad to hear that there will always be something to learn about the Church…that makes me feel better. I get lost in the the language here, and I want to do what is right…I’m bringing my children on my faith journey and don’t want to misguide them.

Thank you so much for the welcome home! Our baby is being baptized on Pentecost too, so it’s going to be a great day. Father is thinking about blessing our marriage that day too!!

 

[Ginkgo100]

I’m going to sum up my answer in the words of Blessed John Paul the Great: “Be not afraid!” Take comfort from the words of the Mass, in the embolism following the Lord’s Prayer: “Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ” (emphases added). Christ above all comes to free us from undue fears, anxiety, and turmoil, which are ultimately effects of sin (not necessarily yours; sin affects us all). Pray this prayer when these concerns begin to feel overwhelming. And now, on to some specific questions:

Our parish doesn’t offer Latin masses…does this make it a bad parish?

NO. I’m a cradle Catholic who attended the Latin Mass exclusively for my entire childhood and youth; I first attended the Ordinary Form when I was 24 years old. Since about 2005 I have attended OF parishes almost exclusively. I have seen parishes where the pastor and much of the congregation have a “bad” attitude with BOTH the OF and the EF (Latin Tridentine Mass). And I have seen Christ-focused parishes with a vibrant spiritual life with BOTH the OF and the EF. (I currently attend one of the latter, a real sacramental and evangelistic parish, and it has never offered a Latin Mass.) And in fact, I would say there’s no such thing as a “bad” parish, as long as it exists in obedience to the ordinary (bishop) and therefore to Rome. There are poor priests, and there are lukewarm congregations, but the parish is bigger than the pastor and flock. Every parish is a microcosm of the universal Church; every parish is a member of the Body of Christ; and therefore every parish is “good” even if its community’s spiritual life is not so good.

We sing our processional and recessional from the red Worship hymnal. Does this mean that we aren’t observing Rome’s position that we should be using more Gregorian chants?

It’s my understanding that this is a recommendation rather than a rule. The music used at Mass is the #1 source of comments at my parish, and I imagine this is true most everywhere. When people have such strong opinions and emotions about something like music, changes should be made gradually, with due pastoral care for the local community (unless, of course, there is a situation of liturgical abuse, which is not the case if you’re using an approved hymnal).

Canon law, proper ettiquette, proper celebrations…rules, AHHHHHHHH!!

Rules were created for man, and not man for rules! (Please forgive my paraphrase of Mark 2:27.) If rules are getting in the way of your spiritual life, then step back, take a deep breath, ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, and take it slow. Our God is a God of mercy, and anyone who approaches with a sincere heart and a desire to obey the rules (which exist only for our own good) will be forgiven of any inadvertent infraction—if there is indeed anything to forgive.

Will it ever not be overwhelming? Up until a few days ago, I was sure that the parish I attend was Home.

Well, there are two possibilities. One, the Holy Spirit could be calling you to make another parish your home. If this is the case, then what He has in mind is either a place where you can grow even closer to Him, or a place that especially needs your talents and witness. And the only way to know for sure is to pray and discern. Take your time; there’s no rush to change parishes. The other possibility is that this is just a form of “cold feet,” like before a wedding. In fact, you ARE approaching a wedding: the Wedding Supper of the Lamb! On Pentecost you will finally join this festal banquet, the “feast of heaven and earth,” as you become fully united with the Bride of Christ. It’s natural to start feeling nervous before something this momentous! Congratulations and welcome. I’ll pray for you, and will think of you on Pentecost when you and I are united in the Eucharist for the first time. Peace of Christ be with you!

Robyn