Posted on 09/08/2013 7:34:05 AM PDT by markomalley
Today was supposed to be the big day for parishes around the country to push their parishioners to support amnesty for undocumented workers undocumented aliens illegal immigrants illegal aliens foreign invaders.
In preparation for that (I couldn't choose to go to my local TLM parish, as I was scheduled to read today), I had myself all armed with applicable Church Teaching, US law, statistics, and logic...in preparation for getting into an argument after Mass.
Happily, all that preparation was for nought: not a single mention of amnesty anywhere during the Mass (neither tha homily nor the often-politicized prayer of the faithful).
When I think about it, I guess, in light of what is happening in Syria right now, it shouldn't be all that surprising that they would find it incredibly tone-deaf to discuss amnesty this Sunday...but, still, tone-deafness is something that AMCHURCH™ is known for...
So I'm curious how many of my fellow Catholics were plagued with a screed about supporting amnesty (and you're nothing but a xenophobic, racist, nativist, know-nothing if you don't support it blindly)? Or how many heard a teaching about today's readings...
Thanks.
And, for the record, yes, I know the US bishops (as a group, with some notable exceptions) are off the rails on this...along with any number of other social issues...so I don't need a reminder of that...nor does any other Catholic FReeper.
No mention of amnesty for illegals, homily stuck close to the readings (and actually wasn’t all that bad), nothing in the bulletin, nothing in the bulletin insert comprising excerpts from the archdiocesan rag.
The homily last night was on the Gospel. Jesus headed to Jerusalem and telling the crowd three things:
Pick up your cross,
Be prepared,
Detach yourself from your possessions — even your own life,
and follow him.
I’ll find out this afternoon. Last week, during the Prayer of the Faithful, there was a quip about all workers earnings a fair wage for their efforts which sounded reminiscent of the fast-food workers demanding a 100% raise. It irked me, but then again, lately everything gets under my skin.
I went to Mass yesterday. Nothing about illegal aliens, although our priest asked us to pray that the United States will not start a war with Syria. He said that one action leads to a reaction and then things escalate from there.
not a word. Nothing in the bulletin.
Hartford CT archdiocese
Not where I went to Mass...thank God.
I am so relieved to hear of your experience today. Perhaps the controversial theme will be heard in regions more open to a surging illegal population into the US. Just wonder where those regions might be.
Thanks for this thread. I am interested in the feedback also. Off to Mass shortly.
I chose not to go to the Latin Mass, and went instead to a local new Mass parish. Priests stuck to the readings in his homily. It wasn’t a great homily, but he did stick to the readings.
Not a word at our TLM on Long Island (Diocese of Rockville Centre). Nothing in the bulletin.
Regards,
Not a word at my parish last night. I’ll ask Tom if he heard anything about immigration this morning ... and he’ll probably say, “What homily?” and then I’ll say, “Weren’t you at Mass? Do I have to ask Vlad? He was with you when you left the house!” and Tom will say, “It’s your fault: you got me up too early,” and things will degenerate from there.
No homily on immigration at our parish.
Not a word at SSPP in Tucson, the Diocese headed by Bp. Kicanas the primary force behind the USCCB’s push for comprhensive immigration reform.
If people walked out after homily, but before the collection?
3. Restoration of the General Intercessions – There is a strange moment in the Old Mass when, after the homily and creed the priest turns and says to the people (Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you) and they reply et cum spiritu tuo (and with your spirit). He then says, Oremus (Let us pray). But there is no prayer. He simply turns back to the altar and the people are once again seated. Many centuries before there had been bidding prayers here similar to our current “Prayers of the Faithful” or “General Intercessions.” They had been composed by Pope Gelasius but were later suppressed by Pope Gregory since they prolonged the Mass. But somehow the call to prayer (that odd little “oremus“) stayed there all those centuries.There was need to attend to this. Either restore the prayers or drop the call to prayer. The current, Ordinary Form of the Mass has restored these prayers or general intercessions. I think this is a valuable aspect of the Ordinary Form of the Mass if it is done correctly. We ought to to pray for others as is so beautifully done in the Eastern Rites of the Church. It seems suitable that, after hearing and reflecting on God’s Word, we be drawn to pray for ourselves and the world.
However there is a tendency in some parishes to misunderstand the nature of these prayers. They are general intercessions, not particular ones. The prayers ought to be of a general nature not for every one’s sick cousin, aunt, or brother, mentioned by name with a full medical report included in the prayer. Rather we pray for the sick in general, for the poor, for Church leaders, Government leaders, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, for peace and so forth. Specific political and idiosyncratic prayers are wholly to be avoided.
If these norms are observed, the general intercessions (or prayer of the faithful) is a beautiful and ancient practice restored in the ordinary and newer form of the mass and it also links us more to the practice of the Eastern Rites.
Well, I have to admit that ironically this is a case where the New Mass is more traditional than the old. It does seem to be an error that this is missing from the Tridentine Mass. However, having it does seem to present an opportunity for abuse as some have noted. I kind of wish the Latin Mass had it but in a fixed form.
None in my parish either. Homily was based on the gospel and very much some words I needed to hear.
On occasion there is a prayer that I don’t think is necessarily appropriate, like the minimum wage post above.
For the most part the only time I think it is incorrect or abused is in parishes that choose to allow members of the congregation to participate. The invite anyone to speak up at some point during the general intercessions. These go on and on there is usually TMI and some seem vain or thoughtless.
Our deacons read the general intercessions and the last one is for the prayers we hold in our hearts. It serves the same purpose without the abuse.
No mention of immigration, illegal or otherwise. The homily was about the value of prayer and fasting, in reference to praying for peace in Syria but also generally. The celebrant also asked us to pray for a mother of a large family who had emergency surgery yesterday (didn't get the details).
After Mass, there was an announcement about a pro-life concert at the local Catholic college, and a letter was read from our bishop asking us to support the Pope in his calls for prayers for peace.
Only at daily Mass does our priest allow this.
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