He was until this morning pastor of Annunciation Parish in the Diocese of Orlando. They just came out of lock down this past Sunday, July 5. Here is his Mass:
Strict comment moderation. As you know, it is a mortal sin to sin against charity!
Bishop Gregory Parkes, our bishop-elect's brother, is the Bishop of Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Our bishop-elect is about 6'5" and his brother is almost 7'! He looks short compared to his brother.
16 comments:
We have a “partner”. Red flag: he uses the word “partner” 4-5 times to describe our yoke to Jesus and marriage between “spouses.” One Homily does not make a priest, but it’s not particularly inspiring.
Such a busy looking sanctuary. It's traditional but, it's not. It's busy with so many arches and candle stands etc. I don't care for the shared reservation chapel/church dynamic particularly here where you can see through the arches from the main church viewing the business of the chapel seating. The fixtures look too small for a church of that size (though the altar really isn't small). Given the dichotomy between large church being semi-joined to small chapel, it is possible that the chapel is the warmer and more pleasing space. Ugg, projection screens. Aren't the celebrants forearms to be touching the mensa during the words of institution?
Father, no one wants to sin against charity. However, when a new bishop comes in from another diocese, there are certain red flags we are obviously going to look for. Voice tone, mannerisms, body language, word choice. We would be foolish NOT to be concerned, given the state of so many bishops in our Church, especially those appointed by the current pope. Based on all of these, I hardly know what to think when watching this video. We will have to wait and see.
Overall, the Church is impressive, although all of the plant stands are off-putting.
The Bishop elect seems to be a very fine fellow and it appears he has been pastor for many years of a vibrant parish. Please give the man a fair chance.
Dreadful liturgy, even worse music. It's 'back to the Seventies' with a vengeance.
"Altamonte" is one word.
I found some time to come back to this and have read the other comments.
The liturgy was average. The music, to my ear, was not the ideal. The church structure is impressive yet, to my eye, some elements of its design are lacking.
As for the Bishop-Elect, I listened to his homily. He has a personable delivery and the message itself was easily understandable and relatable. His demeanor seems reasonable hopefully resulting in a receptive ear benefiting both his new priests and people. You never know, Fr. AJM, perhaps he will join you in choir at one of your TLM's or, embrace ad orientem. That aside, may God grant the Bishop-Elect many years! Axios!! (worthy)
Liturgical music in the Catholic Church today is all over the place. I like his church, not sure if he built it, but yes, those candles all over the place detract from the building and the altar.
I love the altar though. I would bet my bottom dollar that the liturgical consultant for this building was Ralph Rahn. We used him for St. Joseph Church in Macon restoration. The altar looks similar to St. Joseph's although I live the Florida one better. Rahn liked using the redish marble, but I think he used too much on St. Joseph's.
The flooring and liturgical accouterments except for those candlesticks, which aren't Rahn's, I can tell you, are very high quality and artistic.
I agree the music was pretty pedestrian. When the video started with the Franck Panis Angelicus, I had high hopes for more traditional Catholic music and Mass Ordinary. However, it was a positive that the Panis Angelicus was sung which indicates to me the bishop elect is not hostile to Latin and traditional Catholic music. Perhaps Father McDonald can provide some guidance as he gets to know the bishop better.
Rick Swisher was the architect, I cannot determine who made the fixtures. They do look to be of good quality. The tabernacle is actually in the chapel with gates that can be closed in front of it partitioning it from the church. Creating that space was likely a significant expense and for your average parish church, is it really necessary and serving a purpose? Why not have the tabernacle (prominently placed and nobly adorned) in church, the beginning and end of most people's weekly experience, thereby reinforcing the notion of the true presence without the need for extra rooms, furniture, hvac etc,? That's how it always was. Perhaps some of our problems are, in part, the result of this approach.
All in the family! Well, that was quicker than getting a new archbishop here in Atlanta, which for reasons never explained took nearly a year.
I would have to think Savannah is one of the most ideal spots for a bishop's assignment. Imagine the reaction if the papal nuncio announced "the holy father has appointed you to Alaska, or Fargo, North Dakota, or Duluth Minnesota" after living in Orlando!!! From Orlando to the frozen North..eh, I'd prefer Orlando.
Tall indeed---his height reminds me of "Lurch" of the Addams family! Maybe your tallest ever bishop?
The last time I remember two brothers being bishops, one was so-so and the other was dreadful. Enough said.
So kneeling for Communion for Bishop Gregory Parks could put a crick in his back.
rcg, there is a first communion photo, not sure if actual or staged, where Fr. Parkes is kneeling to distribute Holy Communion to the second graders and he is still taller!
In that pic I could not tell if he was kneeling of the child was standing on a box!
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