Archdiocese Of Boston Open Mass To Be Held

[katholikkid]

[color=#666666][font=Arial, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif][size=4]"The Archdiocese of Boston is committed to evangelization and to being a welcoming Church for all of God’s people. St. Cecilia’s is a wonderful example of the exceptional parishes in the Archdiocese which seek to serve the Catholic faithful with grace, dignity, respect, compassion and love and being devoted to the Gospel and Christ’s saving ministry.[/size][/font][/color]

[color=#666666][font=Arial, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif][size=4]The reports that the Mass, originally scheduled for June 19th, was cancelled are not accurate. Rather the Mass was postponed. As indicated in the statement of the Archdiocese on June 10, a Mass welcoming the wider community of the faithful, including gays and lesbians, will be held. The Mass has been rescheduled to Sunday, July 10th at 11am.[/size][/font][/color]

[color=#666666][font=Arial, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif][size=4]We respect the desire of those individuals organizing and participating in the prayer service. We know that the postponement of the June 19th Mass has been disappointing to them. Our hope and prayer is that we can come together as one community of Catholics sharing in the Lord’s divine love for each of us." Diocesan Website --[color=#000000][font=arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif][size=3][url="http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Utility/News-And-Press/Content.aspx?id=20754"]http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Utility/News-And-Press/Content.aspx?id=20754[/url] [/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color]

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[color=#666666][font=Arial, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif][size=4][color=#000000][font=arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif][size=3]I think every Mass should be welcoming the wider community of Catholics. Any thoughts?[/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color]

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[Nihil Obstat]

That priest should probably be removed from public ministry. It's pretty obvious that he intends specifically to welcome people whose lifestyle is diametrically opposed to the Catholic faith.
Everyone is welcome, but not exactly the way they are. That's a modern fallacy that we've all been taught: "you're perfect just the way you are". No. You are not. People who live a homosexual lifestyle are expected to change that lifestyle before they're actually welcome in the Church. If they continue to live in that way, it's not us who cast them out; it is they who cast out themselves.

[Cam42]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1308590935' post='2256349']
That priest should probably be removed from public ministry. It's pretty obvious that he intends specifically to welcome people whose lifestyle is diametrically opposed to the Catholic faith.
Everyone is welcome, but not exactly the way they are. That's a modern fallacy that we've all been taught: "you're perfect just the way you are". No. You are not. People who live a homosexual lifestyle are expected to change that lifestyle before they're actually welcome in the Church. If they continue to live in that way, it's not us who cast them out; it is they who cast out themselves.
[/quote]

This.

[Vincent Vega]

I would love for more SSA-impacted people to attend the Mass (provided, of course, that they not receive unless they were in a state of grace). No doubt the graces that they would receive just from being in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist could have an influence on turning them from their sin.
Obviously what is happening here is wrong, but we do need to do something to correct the view that the Church hates homosexual individuals and clarify teaching on the matter.

Edited June 20, 2011 by USAirwaysIHS

[Cam42]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1308592657' post='2256360']
I would love for more SSA-impacted people to attend the Mass (provided, of course, that they not receive unless they were in a state of grace). No doubt the graces that they would receive just from being in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist could have an influence on turning them from their sin.
Obviously what is happening here is wrong, but we do need to do something to correct the view that the Church hates homosexual individuals and clarify teaching on the matter.
[/quote]

The teaching is clear. The application is more or less clear. I don't know of many Catholics who are hate mongers. What I really think needs to happen is that we need to get the mainstream media to stop demonizing Catholics. As they say, Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice. The MSM has been distorting Catholic teaching on homosexuality for years and years.

The Church is perfectly clear and perfectly concise on how we are to deal with the unchaste homosexual, as well as unchaste single heterosexuals, which is not any differently, btw.

[sixpence]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1308592657' post='2256360']
I would love for more SSA-impacted people to attend the Mass (provided, of course, that they not receive unless they were in a state of grace). No doubt the graces that they would receive just from being in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist could have an influence on turning them from their sin.
Obviously what is happening here is wrong, but we do need to do something to correct the view that the Church hates homosexual individuals and clarify teaching on the matter.
[/quote]

This is more along the lines of what I was thinking.... I do not think it should be assumed that all homosexual people are acting out their inclinations or that they live a "homosexual lifestyle" and I think ANYONE should be allowed to attend Mass... but it should be made very clear that anyone not in a state of grace should abstain from receiving... I do not see how this Mass will be different from any other Mass, assuming that there will be nothing implying that the Church is okay with people acting out the "homosexual lifestyle"

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='Cam42' timestamp='1308593215' post='2256361']
The teaching is clear. The application is more or less clear. I don't know of many Catholics who are hate mongers. What I really think needs to happen is that we need to get the mainstream media to stop demonizing Catholics. As they say, Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice. The MSM has been distorting Catholic teaching on homosexuality for years and years.

The Church is perfectly clear and perfectly concise on how we are to deal with the unchaste homosexual, as well as unchaste single heterosexuals, which is not any differently, btw.
[/quote]
Obviously we don't need to clarify it to Catholics (well, sadly, I think we probably do need to clarify it to many Catholics...sigh...that's another conversation). We need to clarify it to the homosexuals, many of whom have a flawed (to put it kindly) understanding of the Church's teaching on the matter.

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='katholikkid' timestamp='1308590130' post='2256343']

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[color="#666666"][font="Arial, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif"][size="4"][color="#000000"][font="arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif"][size="3"]I think every Mass should be welcoming the wider community of Catholics. Any thoughts?[/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color]



[/quote]


Yes, I agree. I find it a real shame that these people do not feel welcome at 'normal' Masses and that a special one is considered necessary.

I don't believe that homosexual tendencies are things that people choose to have, nor should they be made to feel guilty for feeling as they do. I think the Church and its members need to welcome [i]everyone[/i] regardless of their sexuality or anything else that makes them 'undesirable' (for want of a better word) and then provide them with catechisis given with kindness and compassion, so that they come to realise that their behaviours are not appropriate for Christians and give them up. We are all sinners, just most of us keep our sins hidden rather than being honest and open about them.

I am confident that Jesus would have gone to find them, spoken to them, shared a meal with them etc, and as we should always strive to be more like Him we should accept everyone, whatever their state.

I used to have a lovely little card with a picture of a falling apart teddy it said:

'Jesus loved me just the way I am, but He loves me too much to leave me this way'.

[Brother Adam]

To protest the scandal caused:

Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, OFM Cap.
Archdiocese of Boston
66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA 02184-3839
Telephone: 617-254-0100

[Cam42]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1308594035' post='2256364']
Yes, I agree. I find it a real shame that these people do not feel welcome at 'normal' Masses and that a special one is considered necessary.

I don't believe that homosexual tendencies are things that people choose to have, nor should they be made to feel guilty for feeling as they do. I think the Church and its members need to welcome [i]everyone[/i] regardless of their sexuality or anything else that makes them 'undesirable' (for want of a better word) and then provide them with catechisis given with kindness and compassion, so that they come to realise that their behaviours are not appropriate for Christians and give them up. We are all sinners, just most of us keep our sins hidden rather than being honest and open about them.

I am confident that Jesus would have gone to find them, spoken to them, shared a meal with them etc, and as we should always strive to be more like Him we should accept everyone, whatever their state.

I used to have a lovely little card with a picture of a falling apart teddy it said:

'Jesus loved me just the way I am, but He loves me too much to leave me this way'.
[/quote]

I don't disagree with what you said, but the issue is that most homosexuals don't think that their lifestyle is a sin. So, there is a culpability issue with that and an honesty issue as well.

As I have said and I will continue to say, we are to approach the homosexual with disinterested friendship with a goal of helping them to overcome their disorder.

Edited June 20, 2011 by Cam42

[Cam42]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1308593441' post='2256363']
Obviously we don't need to clarify it to Catholics (well, sadly, I think we probably do need to clarify it to many Catholics...sigh...that's another conversation). We need to clarify it to the homosexuals, many of whom have a flawed (to put it kindly) understanding of the Church's teaching on the matter.
[/quote]

I don't think that it's just a flawed understanding. I think that it is willful dissent for the vast majority of homosexuals. There are not many places which will tell them that their actions are wrong. Their actions are wrong. And to add my usual disclaimer when speaking about homosexuals, we are to approach them in disinterested friendship with a goal of helping them overcome their disorder.

[Brother Adam]

A homosexual high school classmate recently asked if she and her partner could go to Mass. I said absolutely yes, please do go as often as possible. I explained to them that they could not receive the Eucharist, and that just like anyone else, they should not show any kind of PDA, especially because the Church considers the relationship gravely evil. They made it clear they were not there to cause a disruption but the friend knew that God was missing in her life though she was not ready to accept her lifestyle was wrong. I invited her to talk to the pastor and explain the situation and if anyone gave them a hard time for simply sitting in Mass to ignore them. To advertise a Mass as a 'gay friendly' Mass is very scandalous, if gives the impression of approving the sin. Anyone can go to any public worship service.

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='Cam42' timestamp='1308594446' post='2256369'] And to add my usual disclaimer when speaking about homosexuals, we are to approach them in disinterested friendship with a goal of helping them overcome their disorder.
[/quote]
How many hearts have you changed with this approach?

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='Brother Adam' timestamp='1308595184' post='2256373']
A homosexual high school classmate recently asked if she and her partner could go to Mass. I said absolutely yes, please do go as often as possible. I explained to them that they could not receive the Eucharist, and that just like anyone else, they should not show any kind of PDA, especially because the Church considers the relationship gravely evil. They made it clear they were not there to cause a disruption but the friend knew that God was missing in her life though she was not ready to accept her lifestyle was wrong. I invited her to talk to the pastor and explain the situation and if anyone gave them a hard time for simply sitting in Mass to ignore them. To advertise a Mass as a 'gay friendly' Mass is very scandalous, if gives the impression of approving the sin. Anyone can go to any public worship service.
[/quote]

This about covers it. We have a similar situation at my current parish.

All, indeed, are welcome. But 'welcome' doesn't mean fully participate. When I was in grade school, we used to have "rock climbing" days during gym, but if we were going to actually climb, we had to have a parent permission form. If you forgot the form or didn't have it signed, you still went to class, but you didn't get to fully participate. It's the same thing. All are welcome... but only those in a state of grace can fully participate. And there's no difference between a practicing homosexual and an adulterer, and any other serious sin.

[das8949]

I personally find it judgment and unforgiving of individuals who propagate disunity in the church as well as in life in general.

I would urge those individuals posting in a less than diplomatic way to peruse the guidelines of the holy fathers whom I believe have the ultimate word:

from Ratzinger's homily during Pope John Paul II's funeral on April 8, 2005.


On homosexuality: "Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered to an intrinsic moral evil, and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder."

from Ratzinger's "Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons," 1986, as reported by National Catholic Reporter.



"It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the church's pastors wherever it occurs... The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in work, in action and in law."

_ from same. "Above all, we must have great respect for these people who also suffer and who want to find their own way of correct living. On the other hand, to create a legal form of a kind of homosexual marriage, in reality, does not help these people."



[b][i]A Statement of the Bishops' Committee on Marriage and Family

[url="http://www.usccb.org/laity/alwaysp.shtml"]Spanish (Español) Version[/url][/i][/b]


Preface The purpose of this pastoral message is to reach out to parents trying to cope with the discovery of homosexuality in their adolescent or adult child. It urges families to draw upon the reservoirs of faith, hope, and love as they face uncharted futures. It asks them to recognize that the Church offers enormous spiritual resources to strengthen and support them at this moment in their family's life and in the days to come.

This message draws upon the [i]Catechism of the Catholic Church[/i], the teachings of Pope John Paul II, and statements of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and of our own conference. This message is not a treatise on homosexuality. It is not a systematic presentation of the Church's moral teaching. It does not break any new ground theologically. Rather, relying on the Church's teaching, as well as our own pastoral experience, we intend to speak words of faith, hope, and love to parents who need the Church's loving presence at a time that may be one of the most challenging in their lives. We also hope this message will be helpful to priests and pastoral ministers who often are the first ones parents or their children approach with their struggles and anxieties.