Posted on 06/13/2002 9:14:00 PM PDT by lanceboyle
I'd add a number 3, Father. 3) It is a superfluous sign of unity in the congregation, only moments before being in Reality united in the Eucharist.
SD
Only if you want to contribute to the breakdown in the roles between priest and laity. Parts of the Mass are for the people, parts are reserved to the priest.
The parts left for the priest, like the words of consecration, are better left to the priest.
Ditto for the outstretched, open palm posture in praying the Our Father. If you have a deacon, notice his posture and the priest's. The priest has the open palm (Orans) position, while the deacon has his hands folded. Only when the deacon is ordained as priest is his gesture changed.
And the folks in the pews are all mimicking the priest (if they're not holding hands, that is.)
SD
The sign of peace is a wonderful part of the mass, I have never had a problem with it. It shows that we care about our fellow Christians. When it gets out of hand -- like I once attended Mass at a Los Angeles parish and the priest wanted everyone to "mingle" as opposed to simply shaking the hands of those in front or in back of you. That's dumb.
We have beautiful music at my church, different feelings for different masses. One mass is organ music and very traditional; another is guitar and piano, a little modern but no less revert (they put in an eastern influence during Lent that was incredible and very holy) ... in fact, we sing the traditional songs but with a more modern feel (no changing the words!) ... and another mass has one lady I call the opera singer. Beautiful voice, but I don't feel like joining in.
I want a traditional mass in the sense of complete worship and reverence for the Word of God and the Holy Eucharist. At the same time, I like the modern-ish music provided that it is, in fact, music for worship. I attend a Cathedral near my work during the week occassionally and I get the very proper, very traditional mass and music there. There's a place for all feelings of worship, as long as the reverence is 100% present, and the Holy Eucharist is treated as the most important part of the Mass, which is it.
Anyway, this is just my opinion. Sorry to ramble.
Yes, thank you. Another Freeper pointed that out privately. I should have known cause I've seen her around here before, but I didn't catch it the first time.
SD
For me, that used to be my favorite part of Mass. I enjoyed connecting with people in my community for a brief moment, whom I did not know, but recognized.
But holding hands is gay.
To me, it's mushy and synthetic. Genuine community is not show by grabbing the hand of a stranger when you are told to do so.
It's shown by a parish that cares about its members, that greets strangers (at the door, not in the liturgy), and that has lots of organizations of good Christian folk who like to hang out together (K of C, sodalities, etc.). I'll never forget the "progressive" parish I was in once where the pastor banned the men's club because they - gasp! - drank beer at the parish festival.
Again, I hate holding hands because it's a parody of what real community is.
But I guess it's easier for Fr. Bob than abandoning his teenage cutie of the moment and doing some serious work. And it's also easier to have laypeople who think that community means holding hands, rather than putting the work into having a functioning parish.
If holding hands, I prefer to hold hands with my wife since there is real power when a husband and wife join together in prayer.
As for guitar masses: From 1968 until a few years ago I led guitar masses. The songs were generally easier to sing and led to more participation from the congregation. Songs from scripture are especially uplifting, but there are some liturgical musicians who don't have a clue as to which songs to use in a particular liturgy. I like songs that are in the Prayer to God and Praise category. I don't like the namby-pamby hymns sung at most masses nowadays that are about what God has done for us or Christian action. Guitars and other string instruments were used in Liturgy for centuries before organs were invented. There is nothing wrong with "Holy God We Praise Thy Name" or "Praise to the Lord" on a guitar. Leading the congregation in Songs of Praise that unite the Church in Worship of Jesus is the job of the Minister of Music, no matter what instrument they use.
Unbelievable!
We have a routine:
Wash in warm soapy water.
Rinse in hot water.
Dip the edge of the ceramic chalices in bleach/water solution
The golsplated chalice may not be dipped in the bleach/water solution, however.
Put away all the dishes and lock up the chalice.
Clean up
All the Eucharistic Ministers are trained that this is part of their duty after each Mass when they are scheduled.
We are too. However, our EMs come from many different places (our parish was combined with another by the VERY RECENTLY RESIGNED Archbishop Rembert Weakland because he has a priest shortage -- I wonder why?) and so we have people who have been doing this for years combined with new people trained a new way. At my suggestion, we even have the rules posted over the tiny sink -- to no avail.
I served with a guy who gave the cups a quick rinse (not even the edge), wiped them out with a dirty dish cloth (not quite dry) and put them away. I was the only one (the only newcomer) who said anything about this. Of course I was ignored by all the others who just wanted to get out of there. Now we have posted rules, but no one pays any attention. The older EMs do what they want, and the cups get little, or no, sanitation. I notice that a lot of the EMs (myself included) are not taking the cup.
And it's also easier to have laypeople who think that community means holding hands, rather than putting the work into having a functioning parish.
Exactly! And I don't know one person who likes it. And it interupts the Mass and makes you "start all over again" attempting to achieve the prayerful prayerful state you were in before the hand holding/shaking.
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