Who is Fr. Richard Fragomeni? (vanity question)

my own skeptical curiousity | 03/06/04 | kstewskis

[kstewskis]

We will be having a priest come to our parish March 13-16th to speak about the "On-going Call to Conversion: Lived Out Through the Liturugy and the Sacraments."

His name is Fr. Richard Fragomeni, I have never heard of him (which isn't unusual). He has recently spoken at the Catechetical Congress in Los Angeles (first hesitation), and some staff members at our (liberal) parish are very enthusiastic that he is coming to our community. It is being highly encouraged that all parishoners attend his talks during that time.

Are any of you familiar with his writings? Work? More and more I get skeptical about how these "priests" are being promoted, not knowing what their background is. I'd like to do some homework before attending his talks, so I can be in the right frame of mind.

Thank you all in advance!

[NYer]

It is so bad in this one. I have to sometimes not go, for fear that I will breathe FIRE (Holy Prophetic Fire) on the teacher/ group.

Lol .... just do it! Nail them to the wall! Scare the beejeebees out of them. They deserve nothing less. Here in the Albany Diocese, the liberal machine has been churning away for 27 years (I've only been here 11 years). Last year, my 11th grade, 16 year old daughter, entered the final phase of preparation for Confirmation (thank you, Lord!) The pastor asked if I could help out by teaching one of the Confirmation groups.

Flashback: I made my Confirmation back in 1960 at the ripe age of 11, and under the old Latin Rite. Back then, the 'confirmandi' were called to the Church Militant and referred to as 'Soldiers of Christ'. Like many kids that age, we shuffled our feet into the church, sat through the droning Latin mass and waved programs to cool ourselves down under the white and red robes that we wore into the church that night. The bishop stood up and began his homily. Blah ... blah ... blah ... 'soldiers of Christ' ... blah .... blah! My head jerked to attention! What was it he called us? Soldiers? of Christ? My attention was now riveted upon each and every one of his words as he 'commissioned' us. That night stands out today as though it had happened yesterday. Truly!

So, when the pastor asked me to help out, as a 'soldier of Christ', I answered the call and volunteered. Was I in for a surprise! Prior to the beginning of classes, the instructors met with the DRE. She handed us the Catechists's Guide - all 400 pages of it! She then handed us the Student's handbook - all 50 pages of it!

I take these assignments seriously and spent hours pouring over the Catechist's guide, preparing materials for my first class. The 'handbook' is broken down into 4 parts - Period of Invitation, Period of Formation, Period of Reflection and Period of Mission. Excitedly, I flipped the pages to Chapter 1 of the Period of Invitation. Here are the 'Materials Needed' for the first class. (this is no joke!)

1. one or more dice, depending on size of group
2. newsprint and markers or a chalkboard and chalk.
3. stones of similar size and texture, one for each candidate
4. 3 narrow strips of dense fabric to serve as blindfolds
5. candidates' handbooks, one for each participant
6. pens, one for each candidate 7. a large rock to serve as a symbol of Jesus
8. 2 pillar candles and matches.
9. a Bible (finally!)
10. a tape player or CD player and songs on the themes of loneliness and friendship.

At that point, I tossed the book into the cabinet, printed off copies of the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, packed up my Bible and Catechism of the Catholic Church and drove over to the church.

On the 3rd week of classes, the DRE threw open the door to my classroom, boombox in hand, and asked for volunteers to perform a liturgical dance. My jaw dropped! I made excuses for her, thinking that she must not know that liturgical dance was banned in the US by the USCCB and the Vatican.

Long story short, she didn't. She took the materials I gave her to the pastor, he told her to disregard them, I then spoke with the pastor; he tried to rephrase it as a 'processional'; I wrote to the diocese; they supported the pastor; I wrote back and quoted from Inaestimable Donum - "all catholics have a right to a valid liturgy'; the diocese wrote back and conceded the issue.

Pont of this post ... KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, as a catholic and be prepared to fight for them.

Is Your Mass Valid? Liturgical Abuse

I have now left that parish and roam the Albany Diocese in search of a new one. Thanks to another catholic freeper, tomorrow, I will attend mass at St. Ann's Maronite Church in Troy NY. The Consecration is in Aramaic, the language of Jesus.

There are 21 Rites that make up the Catholic Church. to learn more about these, click the following link.

Catholic Rites and Churches

[GirlShortstop]

I wrote back and quoted from Inaestimable Donum - "all catholics have a right to a valid liturgy'; the diocese wrote back and conceded the issue.

You are proof that not everything that comes out of Albany is bad.   Soldier of Christ!   Pax et bonum.

[Siobhan]

sandyeggo attends the Maronite Church from time to time. And as many know on FR The Maronite reite parishes have long been our sanctuary in America. I speak Arabic, and when I hear the parts of the Mass in Aramaic I am transported in time. Most Maronite parishes have Mass in English and Aramaic now, and the English is so very beautiful.

To me, the Maronites are the only ones in the Catholic Church who understand the theology of the Exchange of the Peace of the Lord as well as how it should be done.

NYer, my prayers that it may be a haven of rest and blessing for you.

[Siobhan]

That may have been a confusing post. Yes, I am a Latin rite Irish American Catholic. I meant that I have found sanctuary from the madness that one sometimes finds in our Latin rite parishes, yes, I have found a holy have of peace among the Maronites.

I have learned how to appreciate this aspect of the Catholic Church -- how as a loving mother she gives us a means off surviving during the horrors we have experienced in our various dioceses.

[Siobhan]

My last two posts are evidence that it is hard to type with children climbing on you.....signing off for now.. God bless you all!

[GirlShortstop]

My last two posts are evidence that it is hard to type with children climbing on you.....signing off for now.. God bless you all!

LOL... 'til next time!   God bless you as well Siobhan.

[kstewskis]

I made excuses for her, thinking that she must not know that liturgical dance was banned in the US by the USCCB and the Vatican

Good grief! Someone needs to tell our parish priest! (as if he'll listen...) I can't bear to see these "liturgical dancers again whom our priest calls 'a form of prayer' during the Triduuum.

[cielo]

I attended a class taught by Fr. Fragomeni when he was still in Albany NY. I think it(the class) was Astrology and Religion or something like that. He had a psychologist speak to us about Jung. Now, that was long ago...perhaps he's had a conversion.

[TotusTuus]

Well, Phx has a new Bishop now and...

Seriously, gather some like-minded people from your parish, study the relevant documents, have high-ended dignified conversions with your pastor concerning any continuing liturgical/other abuses, document said efforts and failures for corrections (if necessary).

In other words, play the dialogue game over time - leaving your emotions in check. Then, if necessary, write to the new Bishop with your concerns and documentation. Things might start to change then!

"Other abuses" could include this speaker (Priest). You have to be intelligent in this process though. The Bishop is still new and learning the Diocese. Well thought out and documented critiques from sober and faithful laity could help him out!

[kstewskis]

excellent advice. Thank you for your kind input, TotusTuus.

[bboop]

Thanks for the encouragement. I was greatly heartened this morning to find Our Lady's Warriors (.com) a great orthodox site. And Soldiers of Christ, it is too true. I am reminded of Joshua's Few But Fierce Warriors -- who watched for danger even when drinking water. Probably the Lord has me in that class for a reason -- hold on to your hats. Have fun with the confirmation class!!! Good for you.

[johnb2004]

The priest in question was invited to speak and say mass at one of the local parishes here about 2 years ago. I went. This parish is a hotbed of left wing dissent. Lay homilists, rainbow sash folks receiving communion and applause. The Pope and Vatican called sexist, homophobic and should get a clue. In short, 100% no good.

The homily from this priest, as I remember, was typical left with a patina of truth. That is how the smarter ones operate. They give 70% truth and 30% error. That way they sound Catholic all the while promoting sin and error. He is a dissenter.

[Siobhan]

Sober advice and very well said. That will be very helpful to the new Bishop in Phx, one hopes and prays.

[Siobhan]

Thank you, johnb2004.

kstewskis, please see john's post number 53.

[johnb2004]

This is from a gay website:

Lesbian & Gay-Friendly Parishes

New York St. Andrew, St. Boniface --Brooklyn St. Joseph's (Greenwich Village), St. Sebastian, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Francis Xavier --New York City Corpus Christi, Emmanuel Church of the Deaf, Our Lady of Good Counsel, St. Augustine, St. Mary's Downtown, St. Monica --Rochester St. Andrew the Apostle --Syracuse St. Bridget's --Westbury, Long Island

He spoke at St. Mary's

[rogator]

"Hand-holding and glass chalices does not render a Mass illicit."

The last I heard these practices were not authorized by church law.
If they are not approved by church law, it seems to stand to reason that they are illicit.

[sinkspur]

I've never read anywhere that hand-holding during the Our Father is illicit.

The use of glass cups for distribution of the Precious Blood is perfectly licit (all the GIRM says is the use of a non-porous substance). The principal chalice is to be of precious metal.

[johnb2004]

How about this from EWTN?

Concerning holding hands in the Eucharistic Liturgy the Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome responded as follows:

QUERY: In some places there is a current practice whereby those taking part in the Mass replace the giving of the sign of peace at the deacon's invitation by holding hands during the singing of the Lord's Prayer. Is this acceptable? REPLY: The prolonged holding of hands is of itself a sign of communion rather than of peace. Further, it is a liturgical gesture introduced spontaneously but on personal initiative; it is not in the rubrics. Nor is there any clear explanation of why the sign of peace at the invitation: "Let us offer each other the sign of peace" should be supplanted in order to bring a different gesture with less meaning into another part of the Mass: the sign of peace is filled with meaning, graciousness, and Christian inspiration. Any substitution for it must be repudiated: Notitiae 11 (1975) 226. [Notitiae is the journal of the Congregation in which its official interpretations of the rubrics are published.]

While this addresses the holding of hands at the Sign of Peace the reasons given apply also elsewhere in the Mass, including at the Our Father.

1) It is an inappropriate "sign," since Communion is the sign of intimacy. Thus, a gesture of intimacy is introduced both before the sign of reconciliation (the Sign of Peace), but more importantly, before Holy Communion, the sacramental sign of communion/intimacy within the People of God.

2) It is introduced on personal initiative. The Holy See has authority over the liturgy according to Vatican II's "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy" #22 and canon 838 of the Code of Canon Law.

This gesture has come into widespread use, often leaving bishops and pastors at a loss as to how to reverse the situation. For individuals, I would recommend closed eyes and a prayerful posture as sufficient response, rather than belligerence. Most laity, and probably many priests, are blind to the liturgical significance of interrupting the flow of the Mass in this way. It is not necessary to lose one's peace over this or be an irritation to others. Some proportion is required. If asked why you don't participate, simply, plainly and charitably tell the questioner of your discovery. If some chance of changing the practice is possible talk to the pastor or work with other laity through the parish council. You can also write the bishop, as is your right in the case of any liturgical abuse not resolved at the parish level. If your judgment is that no change is possible then I believe you are excused from further fraternal correction.

[sinkspur]

It is not necessary to lose one's peace over this or be an irritation to others.

A very good and sound recommendation to all.