Hymns Projected On A Wall?

[Debra Little]

[quote name='DameAgnes' timestamp='1306943781' post='2248713']
[url="http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Writing-on-the-Wall-Deacon-Greg-Kandra-06-01-2011.html"]http://www.patheos.c...06-01-2011.html[/url]

This Deacon doesn't like it.
[/quote]

why? then everyone can see.

[Debra Little]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1306944480' post='2248721']
I think it can be useful. It depends on the building - my parish church is like walking into a migraine and theres not an inch of plain wall - but if there is a suitable plain wall then it can be fine. It means you don't need to be juggling books about, or limited to one hymn book. Its far cheaper in the long run to use the screen than but however many hundred new hymn books. It does not have to exclude those with vision problems either as there could be a handful of books for those who need them.
[/quote]




"It means you don't need to be juggling books about, "

That' right. There are people, I'm one, for whom holding hymn books is painful. I had carpel tunnel surgeries on both hands before
the arthritis set in. And Catholic sing all the verses. LIke six or seven of them sometimes. Holding a book is something I have
to offer. And I'm glad to do it.

Even a paper back book hurts sometimes.

[Ed Normile]

I guess you guys have never seen the Bishops annual appeal? I travel a lot and have seen it at many different parishes, usually they set up the old stand with the pull down screen, looks like a window blind, and the filmed appeal is played in place of the homily. Back in the early 80's I was at a parish that used to broadcast the words to the hymns on a wall to the right of the altar, complete with a bouncing ball to sing along with.

ed

[MissScripture]

[quote name='littleflower+JMJ' timestamp='1307724716' post='2252041']
It's so annoying and disrespectful to the blessed sacrament and to the mass. Why should everybody be facing towards, most times in the opposite direction of the altar? Then they add cool backgrounds and pictures and transitions then what you got is a mini movie that entertains.
[/quote]
I've always seen them over the altar or just to the side of it, so you're still facing in the direction of the altar. There is one church I've seen, everything is white, and very sterile looking, and on the white walls to the side of the altar, they project pictures of stained glass windows when they don't have words up. I thought that looked really, really tacky...

[quote name='Ed Normile' timestamp='1307733326' post='2252108']
I guess you guys have never seen the Bishops annual appeal? I travel a lot and have seen it at many different parishes, usually they set up the old stand with the pull down screen, looks like a window blind, and the filmed appeal is played in place of the homily. Back in the early 80's I was at a parish that used to broadcast the words to the hymns on a wall to the right of the altar, complete with a bouncing ball to sing along with.

ed
[/quote]
I found it strange, because at my parents' parish where they HAVE a sceen, and many of the churches there do, the diocesan appeal was just a voice recording, but here, where many parishes don't have screens, they always have it video taped.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

I read some of these threads and I just have to laugh.

I agree that it's sort of 50's and unaesthetic and not very worshipful to project hymns on a wall, but PROTESTANT? Huh?

I've been to hundreds of Protestant worship services in a variety of denominations and NEVER ONCE have I been to a worship service where hymns were projected on a wall.

Maybe some Protestant parishes do it, but from this thread you'd think it was standard Protestant practice. Phatmass posters get (justifiably) angry and frustrated when Protestants have strange ideas about what is standard Catholic practice, but if I didn't know much about Protestants and read this thread I'd think projecting hymns on a wall was typical. Maybe some Protestant parishes do it. But typical--No.

And, since when has "Protestant" become a descriptor for whatever miscellaneous thing a Catholic parish does that someone doesn't like? Protestant has a very specific theological meaning, and is NOT just a descriptor for whatever you don't like. It wouldn't bug me, except the descriptor is only used for something you DON'T like. There are hundreds of things that both Protestants and Catholics do. Are you going to stop having a parish bulletin JUST because Protestants do it, too? Heck, are you going to not have cake at your wedding reception because Protestants do that, too?

You're going to be sharing heaven with Protestants, who worship the same God you do. And, a great many of them (not excluding moi--although I don't really think of myself as as Protestant) are devout, loving, intelligent people.

I'm used to Phatmass, but we have non-Catholic visitors, and they might not be used to this use of the word "Protestant." (Obviously, any visitor would expect the word Protestant in a serious theological discussion.)

If a Protestant church does something I don't like that is completely unrelated to its theology, I don't say, "Oh yuck, that's so CATHOLIC."

No one is asking you to agree with Protestant theology. But, some threads suggest that some of you at least don't have much experience of Protestant worship services.

I just wanted to let you guys know that at best a Protestant is going to laugh at this thread, and at worst, is going to be insulted.

BTW--USAirways, I'm not picking on you personally AT ALL, despite your post in this thread. You know I like and respect you.

Edited June 11, 2011 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[Lil Red]

perhaps what should have been said was "evangelical Christian" - because that's the only churches I've heard tell (in my neck 'o' the woods) that have used projectors, and screens.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1307754901' post='2252239']
perhaps what should have been said was "evangelical Christian" - because that's the only churches I've heard tell (in my neck 'o' the woods) that have used projectors, and screens.
[/quote]

That makes sense. For example, I can't say I've ever attended an evangelical Christian worship service at one of what I call the "uber-churches" that are more like auditoriums with the pastor as "performer," and have thousands of attendees, so for all I know, some do this. Also, it could be a regional thing. But, among mainstream Protestant denominations, I'd guess that while some parishes do this during Sunday worship services, most don't.

Edited June 11, 2011 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[littleflower+JMJ]

The ones in my area compete with each other. The more technology the better! Its becoming a rarity to have simple pulpit I guess.

[rhetoricfemme]

I think it can be done right, or it can be overdone. For people with bad eyesight or certain other physical setbacks, the projector could be very useful.

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' timestamp='1306949212' post='2248754']
Interesting idea. I've never tried it but I can't imagine evangelizing on WoW. I agree though, it's just playing Mass in a game so as long as there's nothing blasphemous it's not a big deal.
[/quote]
Ah, WoW. I think it's actually against the rules to bring up religion there. Once upon a time I thought it'd be really cool to form a Christian guild, but they're not allowed. I could see religion coming up on guild chat or if folks are talking on Vent, though.

[Andrea348]

[quote name='Ed Normile' timestamp='1307733326' post='2252108']
I guess you guys have never seen the Bishops annual appeal? I travel a lot and have seen it at many different parishes, usually they set up the old stand with the pull down screen, looks like a window blind, and the filmed appeal is played in place of the homily. Back in the early 80's I was at a parish that used to broadcast the words to the hymns on a wall to the right of the altar, complete with a bouncing ball to sing along with.

ed
[/quote]

I wish there was an old stand with a pull down screen at my parish. My church rolls out this ancient 19 inch tv and turn the volume up as loud as it can go. From the choir loft in the back, you can barely see it.

[Andrea348]

A parish nearby built a new church 2-3 years ago. I just visited for the first time during Holy Week and they project the hymns on two screens on either side of the altar. It was very distracting for me because the screen that was easiest for me to see was slightly off (the edge of the words were just off the screen.) It was also hard for me because since I am a musician, I usually follow the notes. If it is a song I don't know, I just follow the notes and sing it with no problem.

The ONLY advantage was that with the screens, I was able to sing while walking up to communion. Most people still did not though.

My parish is building a new church right now and I was so excited to find out earlier this week that we are NOT putting screens up!

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1307312038' post='2250250']
That would be a dream wouldn't it? I adore music and singing has always been a big part of my worship, but it took me years to accept that scripture says to make a joyful noise to the Lord, not a tuneful one!
[/quote]

There's a wonderful guy in my parish. He is very active in the Mass and [i]loves[/i] to sing to the hymns. He knows he can't hold a note, but he does it for the glory of God! My pastor, bless his heart, also has some trouble (and he sort of [i]has[/i] to sing!) . But they try!

[AdamUp]

I think this is a great idea. As long as it doesnt distract from the sacredness of the mass. It should be down to the individual parish but the beauty of this is that parishes can start to introduce more modern hymns and keep the singing fresh. I think trying to stay behind the times with modern day culture and keeping everything static can be very costly to the church.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='AdamUp' timestamp='1308168441' post='2254145']
I think this is a great idea. [b]As long as it doesnt distract from the sacredness of the mass[/b]. It should be down to the individual parish but the beauty of this is that parishes can start to introduce more modern hymns and keep the singing fresh. I think trying to stay behind the times with modern day culture and keeping everything static can be very costly to the church.
[/quote]
Ah, but that's the issue, isn't it?
Sacred architecture seems to be a dying art, but it's so important. Everything in a parish, from the building itself to the iconography, to the music, has a very specific purpose that is directed towards the traditional understanding of worship.

[AdamUp]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1308169644' post='2254181']
Ah, but that's the issue, isn't it?
Sacred architecture seems to be a dying art, but it's so important. Everything in a parish, from the building itself to the iconography, to the music, has a very specific purpose that is directed towards the traditional understanding of worship.
[/quote]

I certainly agree with what you are saying, however I was born the 1980's and didnt get to experience the changes that occured with pre and post Vatican II. I have not been to a Latin Mass or to a Mass where the Priest faces the tabernacle whilst preparing the eucharist. These are things that I am told about that happened from my parents era. However alot of the hymns that are sung at our church seem to be all written in the 1970's and we have a folk band playing them. Now Im not against it as I am used to it, but surely that must of been a big change from the hymns written in the 19th century and played on a organ. Change is inevitable but it needs to stick with traditional understanding.