Sojourner Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 I visited St. Rita's Catholic Church here in Indianapolis with a friend of mine. It's the first parish in Indy built for the black community. Its priest is a member of [url="http://www.divineword.org/"]Society of the Divine Word[/url]. The service last 2.5 hours, which is the longest I've ever been in a Mass aside from Easter Vigil, but it was FANTASTIC. The congregation is small, about 200 members, I'd estimate, but they've got a great choir which provided us with some fantastic gospel music, and they seem to be a very tight-knit community. Lots of children. And the priest PREACHED. He actually had us use our pew Bibles while he preached (I've NEVER been in another Catholic church that had pew Bibles). He preached for about 40 minutes, and it was peppered with "Amens" and clapping from the audience. He went through each of the readings, talking about forgiveness and a few other points. Then he was very clear on the meaning of the Eucharist, and talked about how you shouldn't receive if you're not Catholic, and directed interested folks to the RCIA teacher ... I don't believe I've ever heard a priest give that caution before. I am SO happy I found this church. I've missed good music and good preaching, and it's awesome to find both in a Catholic church. I probably won't go back every week, but you can be sure I'll be back. The one embarrassing thing is that I realized about halfway through the service that I put my blouse on inside out. I just pulled it off the hanger and put it on this morning, and assumed that since it was hanging that it was in good shape. My housemate hadn't noticed either. So hopefully it wasn't too awfully obvious. It made having to stand up and introduce myself a little embarrassing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmjtina Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 the Late Irish Msgr. Higgins was the only white person in his parish and he was the priest. It was one of the most lively parishes he had ever been at. My parish priest also warns about recieving the Eucharist but doesn't refer to RCIA during mass!!! Bibles in the pews? : Wow, that sounds really, really cool. And St. Rita? Wow, she's really popular right now on phatmass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleflower+JMJ Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 that is really neat sojourner!! im really happy for you. that sounds like a very great community Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extra ecclesiam nulla salus Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 sounds kind of phishy and protestant....................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avemaria40 Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 enthusiastic worship has a place in the Catholic Church and we have more of a reason to preach and sing enthusiastically, because we have the Eucharist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 [quote name='Extra ecclesiam nulla salus' date='Sep 11 2005, 03:23 PM']sounds kind of phishy and protestant....................... [right][snapback]719528[/snapback][/right] [/quote] No it doesn't. Sojjie!!! I'm happy for you. I would love to visit there next time we are in Indy... The fact that you are willing to show your face again there after having WORN YOUR CLOTHING INSIDE OUT says a lot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiritualbeing Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 [quote name='Extra ecclesiam nulla salus' date='Sep 11 2005, 03:23 PM']sounds kind of phishy and protestant....................... [right][snapback]719528[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I tend to agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 [quote name='Extra ecclesiam nulla salus' date='Sep 11 2005, 01:23 PM']sounds kind of phishy and protestant....................... [right][snapback]719528[/snapback][/right] [/quote] who are you to say something like this? Since when cant there be a lil enthusiasm and joy in the Church. Your missing out on something beautiful. The Mass sounds beautiful and they are very blessed to be able to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totus Tuus Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 [quote name='Philippe' date='Sep 11 2005, 03:55 PM']who are you to say something like this? Since when cant there be a lil enthusiasm and joy in the Church. Your missing out on something beautiful. The Mass sounds beautiful and they are very blessed to be able to go! [right][snapback]719556[/snapback][/right] [/quote] It sounds like it was a good service. But gospel music, for instance, is not the preferred music of Mass, and therefore was a legit. reason to be suspicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 who says you cant have gospel music? Its just another way of praising God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 Couldn't you have Gospel music before and afterwards? She did say that it was 2 and a half hours long... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totus Tuus Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 [quote name='Philippe' date='Sep 11 2005, 04:06 PM']who says you cant have gospel music? Its just another way of praising God. [right][snapback]719572[/snapback][/right] [/quote] But we Catholics have something called the "General Instructions of the Roman Missal", which advocates Gregorian chant and the organ. Sometimes cultural exceptions can be made in America, but I would assume that the parish would need permission to have that (which this parish may very well have). The reason they may be an exception is because the black community in America's [i]heritage[/i] involves gospel music, not Gregorian chant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totus Tuus Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 [quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Sep 11 2005, 04:10 PM']Couldn't you have Gospel music before and afterwards? She did say that it was 2 and a half hours long... [right][snapback]719574[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Yes, I believe this would be possible so long as Mass was officially ended before the gospel music began, or if Mass had not begun yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 [quote name='Totus Tuus' date='Sep 11 2005, 02:13 PM']But we Catholics have something called the "General Instructions of the Roman Missal", which advocates Gregorian chant and the organ. Sometimes cultural exceptions can be made in America, but I would assume that the parish would need permission to have that (which this parish may very well have). The reason they may be an exception is because the black community in America's [i]heritage[/i] involves gospel music, not Gregorian chant. [right][snapback]719578[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I know what the GIRM is, it doesnt limit us completely to gregorian chant and the organ though. They could get permission like you said to have different types of music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 (edited) Ultra-Traditionalism sounds more Protestant to me than this Church, and if its a cultural adaptation for the people of this area and is approved by the Church, more power to them. Not my bag a chips though. Edited September 11, 2005 by Brother Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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