I had the BEST Mass experience today

[Sojourner]

The GIRM doesn't limit musical selections to Gregorian chant and organ. In fact, the only masses I've gone to which employ those exclusively are Latin masses, which I also enjoy but in a different way.

This music was far and away better than 95 percent of the music I've heard in parishes I've visited. The tripe we sing in my own parish makes me want to vomit. That's one of the reasons I don't cantor at my parish.

And actually, EENS, the service did remind me of a Protestant service in a number of ways, including both the music and the preaching. However, it remained faithful to the rubrics of the Mass. For this former Protestant, it was a little bit of heaven -- some of the familiarity of churches I worshiped with before becoming Catholic, combined with the beauty of Catholic liturgy. It was great.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Sep 11 2005, 03:27 PM']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... 
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I would love for you to visit it with me the next time you guys are in town. I'm betting you'd really enjoy it.

One of the cool things was how deeply this congregation identified with the hurricane victims, because many of them hail from the South. (I can't imagine we have too many native black Catholics in Indiana).

They're planning to help five or ten families get back on their feet, which for such a small congregation is a huge undertaking, but shows that they have both vision and chutzpah. I like it.

[Paladin D]

If only most Masses were *direct* in their teaching like that, and have longer homilies. But you know what will happen, the impatient ones who are really busy wouldn't like that. More time for the things of the world, than for God.

[Brother Adam]

Every Church needs a Fr. Larry Richards

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='Sojourner' date='Sep 11 2005, 04:45 PM']The GIRM doesn't limit musical selections to Gregorian chant and organ. In fact, the only masses I've gone to which employ those exclusively are Latin masses, which I also enjoy but in a different way.
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Which is why I said "advocate" and not "enforce". The GIRM is very [i]general[/i], as its name would imply. I sometimes feel as if it's not clear [i]enough[/i] as to what we're supposed to do about music at the Mass. For example, I have been to some Lifeteen Masses and man, I know deep down that the loud rock music is NOT supposed to be in Mass.

[Cathurian]

That sounds excellent. You make me wanna go!

Glad you loved it!

[Sojourner]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Sep 11 2005, 05:00 PM']Every Church needs a Fr. Larry Richards
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Who's this? Never heard of him.

And yes, Paladin, I agree. I'm all for longer homilies (as long as the teaching is solid). But given the number of people I see leave before the end of Mass anyway I can't imagine most people would stick around.

[stargirl3:16]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Sep 11 2005, 05:00 PM']Every Church needs a Fr. Larry Richards
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I agree. He knows how to give a talk. I've got "The Mass Explained" at home, I love it.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Extra ecclesiam nulla salus' date='Sep 11 2005, 04:23 PM']sounds kind of phishy and protestant.......................
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I would like to know when the definition of Catholicity with regard to individuals became "perfect, flawless, and completely legalistic."

"Humility, humility, humility..." -St. Augustine

I don't like liturgical abuses, and there are problems with every parish, but I think that viewing things from the positive side reduces our judgmentality. Now, we should strive for increased orthodoxy, but in the meantime, we should begin by praising what is good in others, not by condemning what is bad. Only by focusing on what is good will there be any desire to become better.

I'd rather attend a parish that wasn't completely up to liturgical standards, but had its heart in the right place, than a parish that followed all the rules perfectly, save one: to do it all with love.

You're a good person, EENS...get better.

[kateri05]

ahhh fr. larry. do you want regular confession or the list?

[Philippe]

[quote name='Totus Tuus' date='Sep 11 2005, 03:09 PM']Which is why I said "advocate" and not "enforce". The GIRM is very [i]general[/i], as its name would imply. I sometimes feel as if it's not clear [i]enough[/i] as to what we're supposed to do about music at the Mass. For example, I have been to some Lifeteen Masses and man, I know deep down that the loud rock music is NOT supposed to be in Mass.
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If it wasnt for the loud good fun rock music at Mass i dont think i would be where i am right now. I definitaly would not have an appreciation for gregorian chant. Just because its geared to the teens doesnt make it wrong.

[photosynthesis]

I have no problem with Gospel music, as long as the lyrics are consistent with Church teaching and the tone is reverent. I used to sing in a Gospel choir and had a lot of fun doing it!

One of the priests who says Mass at Goucher (my college) always says "If there is any one here who is not Catholic and would like to recieve a blessing, please come up with your arms crossed and I will be happy to give you a blessing."

[cappie]

[quote name='photosynthesis' date='Sep 12 2005, 04:34 PM']I have no problem with Gospel music, as long as the lyrics are consistent with Church teaching and the tone is reverent.  I used to sing in a Gospel choir and had a lot of fun doing it!

One of the priests who says Mass at Goucher (my college) always says "If there is any one here who is not Catholic and would like to recieve a blessing, please come up with your arms crossed and I will be happy to give you a blessing."
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That's really good :

Just in case someone comments on the blessing thing this question was looked at a few months ago on the web site Zenit:

Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University.

Q: At many Masses these days, non-communicating participants approach the altar at Communion time and receive a blessing when they cannot communicate. However, some priests do not do this, saying it is not "in the rubrics." Is it all right for priests to do this? -- M.T., New South Wales, Australia

A: As far as I have been able to ascertain, this practice arose over the last two decades or so, above all in English-speaking countries, such as Australia and the United States, where Catholics form a significant minority amid a basically Christian population.

Because of this, it is relatively common to have non-Catholics present at Mass, for example, Protestant spouses of Catholics, catechumens, and other visitors. This is especially true of weddings and funerals when the number of non-Catholics is even larger.

Another common situation, which apparently gave rise to this practice, is the increase in non-Catholic students at Catholic schools and colleges. At times, about half the student body is unable to participate in Communion.

Situations such as these probably inspired the practice of inviting those unable to receive Communion to approach the altar to receive a blessing so as not to feel excluded.

Certainly this blessing is not in the rubrics and there is no obligation to make such an invitation. However, neither is there any prohibition and the practice seems to have been tacitly accepted by many bishops who are aware of this nascent custom and have even participated in giving such blessings.

As far as I know, no bishop has issued specific directives on this issue, nor has the Holy See intervened although it is certainly aware of its existence.

The decision as to whether to adopt such a practice depends on the concrete pastoral circumstances involved. As in all similar initiatives, due reflection is required regarding the custom's pastoral utility and as to any possible consequences that it may provoke in the short or long term, for example, changing the way people perceive the act of receiving Communion.

[Lil Red]

i'm glad you had a good experience. my mass yesterday was my worst mass ever.