LENTEN FAITH GROUPS MEET FOR DINNER AND FINAL CHAPTER ON THE LITURGY!

(The deacon in this picture looks a lot like our Deacon Don Coates. I wonder if he is moonlighting in someone else's parish! Caught on camera!)


Last night our home-based faith groups which have been meeting during Lent and studying the new English translation of the Mass, concluded with a wonderful dinner and catechesis by me on the last chapter of Father Paul Turner's booklet, "Understanding the Revised Mass Texts."
Each group leader had the "Leader's Edition" to help their faith group navigate through their weekly studies.

My presentation last night summarized the two styles of translating the Mass texts from the original Latin into English, the current one a rather lose translation based upon "dynamic equivalency" although I would prefer to use the term "dynamited equivalency" since most of the current translation of the Mass really blew apart the meaning of the original Latin and has almost no resemblance to it whatsoever, except some remnant pieces.

The newer ten year old mandate from the Vatican required a literal translation of the original Latin prayers not only in sentence structure but also maintaining the Latin prayer's Catholic spirituality, piety and doctrine. Much of that had been lost in the older translation as unbelievable as that is, but true nonetheless.

One of the more lively comments last night had to do with the current English translation's neutering of the pronouns that refer to Church. The Church is always referred to as "it."

The Latin always had maintained the pronoun references to the Church in the feminine; she or her. The reason for that is our Catholic belief that the Church is the Bride of Christ and the Mother of the Faithful. The last time we all checked brides and mothers are always shes and hers, never its.

Someone made the most astute observation regarding the gender neutering of the Church in the older translation. When this translation was taking place, bishops, priests and laity thought that Vatican II had placed all Catholic beliefs on the table for discussion, change and renewal, even the nature of the Church as Bride of Christ and Holy Mother. A less paternalistic, patriarchal and maternalistic Church would have to be developed according to the "spirit" of Vatican II. What better way to begin this development than by praying in a less than Catholic way, bereft of piety, doctrine and female imagery for the Church?

Is it possible that the translators of the 1960's envisioned a very much changed Church in the future and a changed sacramental system?

If one neuterizes the Church, then one can neuterize two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony. If Bridegroom to Bride no longer requires a male and a female, than any combination of pairing would do. They detected not only a heretical theological provocation on the part of the translators but a political agenda in these earlier translators. Who knows? It could be possible!

Just look at the Anglican Communion to see where this all goes.

The new translation will keep the Church feminine, Christ masculine and the Church as the Bride of Christ and Holy Mother of the faithful. What else should Catholics expect?

We had almost 100 participating last night. Every household in my parish, though, received Fr. Paul Turner's booklet the week before Lent began.

Everyone wants to implement this new and improved English translation yesterday. The old one is such a lame duck in so many ways that people really want their Beijing Duck and they want it now!

But I always remind them by word and example that patience is a virtue!

EVANSVILLE YESTERDAY; SAINT AUGUSTINE TODAY; WHO WILL BE THE PEANUT BUTTER BETWEEN THE TOAST TOMORROW?

Bishop-elect of Evansville, Indiana, (north of Savannah) Chuck Thompson, named yesterday:

Today it's Bishop Felipe Estévez,(no relation to the "Sheen" family, i.e. Charlie) is the bishop-elect of Saint Augustine, Florida, south of Savannah:

Who will be the peanut butter between the bread of Evansville and Saint Augustine tomorrow? Is Savannah next? Time will tell!

Episcopal purple jelly for the Georgia peanut butter?

CARICATURES OF FAR RIGHT AND FAR LEFT CATHOLICS; WE REALLY NEED TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THINGS!

Either BOTH

Or AND

Here are some caricatures of progressive, left leaning Catholics. Keep in mind I was schooled in this way of thinking and if not for a confluence of circumstances I would be stuck in arrested development in this extreme:

1. There is a desire for a perfect Church, not people, but perfect structures that will make perfect people. Vatican II was a "conciliar" council that called for "conciliar" decision making rather than autocratic rule. This in and of itself is a fallacy. Vatican II documents do call for more consultation with the larger Church, bishops among bishops, priests among priests and with the laity also. So if the structures are perfect, we'll be perfect. It is never clear where God fits into all of this and if perfect structures produce grace as though these perfect structures become deified. It is a crass form of Pelagianism.

Those who promote perfect structures, personify these structures. They call flawed structures "sinful" as though a structure can sin. Even a second grader should know that only people sin, not things or ideas or structures. Progressives want to reform the Church by focusing in on "sinful" structures and making them perfect "saints."

2. Because group think is so important to this caricature, the process by which a decision is made is elevated even if the decision is wrong. It is like new math. In old Math it was the correct answer that counted and there were short-cuts that could be employed to get the right answer. In new math, it is the process by which you arrive at the answer. The correct answer doesn't matter, it is the process of arriving at it that counts (no pun intended). When you look at the so-called renewal of religious life, especially among women, their group think was excellent. They went through wonderful processes of dialogue, consultation, prayer and meetings after meetings. But so many of their conclusions were flawed to the point that women religious may soon become extinct. No one wants to be autocratic and calls for major reforms to return to a more identifiable religious life where there is a clear ministry, identifiable habit, community life and a robust support for the Church in her completeness go unanswered in group think.

3. Creativity in liturgy and parish life is the highest form of being "Church." Tradition is frowned upon. Formality is abhorrent. Flexibility and innovation are elevated to a fault.

Here is a caricature of a retro-Catholic who leans severely to the right:

1. The pre-Vatican II Mass and way of life is the cat's meow. Things were perfect in the 1950's so let's make it the 1950's again. Selective memory is involved. It's kind of like the progressives who think the Church was perfect before Constantine's conversion and corrupting influences especially on the liturgy.

2. If we could only get back to the 1950's the Church would be perfect again.

3. Ecumenism is an evil and waters down the Catholic faith.

4. Religious liberty is a flawed idea. We need to make anathemas clear against those who are not Catholic.

5. We need to impose a Catholic culture; Christendom must arise again!

6. The Church must be autocratic and monarchical and demand fidelity from its members and excommunicate anyone who questions.

7. The Church is a perfect society and there is only one way to do anything and everyone else is wrong.

These are caricatures but to be found in people on the left and on the right.

Healthy Catholicism is found somewhere in the middle. Not always either/or but both/and.

You can have the EF and OF Mass in the same parish. There can be active participation in the EF Mass with a good deal of vernacular. There can be some Latin in the OF and it would not be a bad idea to kneel for Holy Communion and receive on the tongue by way of intinction.

You can consult until you are blue in the face but the buck stops with the one in charge, the pope, the bishop, the pastor or the superior general or coordinator. That person approves the final decision or asks for a revision.

What do you think?

THE CHURCH'S INNER HEALING IS OCCURRING

Our 1:00 PM Mass on Easter Sunday was an Extraordinary Form Latin High Mass. We had over 200 in attendance. It was publicly advertised in the paper and announcements as a Latin Mass. Most came because it was.

But there were a few there that did not realize it would be the older form of the Mass. Afterward several came up to me who were younger and had never experienced a Latin Mass, let alone an EF Mass, and said that it was very spiritual. What they liked best was the ability to meditate and read the prayers in English as they were sung or said in Latin. But what they liked the most was kneeling for Holy Communion and receiving on the tongue. Most had never done either.

Others commented that it brought back a flood of family memories of attending Mass with now deceased parents, grand parents and other loved ones. It was a wonderful experience of nostalgia and connectedness with those of the past now hopefully in heaven.

Both groups like the English Mass, but both groups agreed that kneeling for Holy Communion was more reverent for them and less rushed. They asked why we can't do that in the Ordinary Form of the Mass. Good question!

HOW MANY TIMES DOES THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN WHEN THE SOLUTION IS SO EASY?

This morning, Easter Tuesday, one of our Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion came to tell me of an incident at one of our Easter Sunday Masses:

She had distributed the Sacred Host to a gentleman. However, as he received the Host in his hands, he walked off with it. An alert parishioner in the front pew seeing what had happened alerted our Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion that He did not consumed the host. Our EMC went after him and saw him placing the host in his coat pocket. She said to him you must consume the host. He said, I'm taking it to the pew! She said, you have to consume the host! He did so.

She told me that she was so shocked by what had happened that she should have asked for the host back or asked if he was Catholic, but she was caught off-guard.

I cannot tell you how many times this has happened at Mass and on a regular basis and in every parish that I have been assigned for the past 31 years. Some people are clueless about what we believe about Holy Communion, especially if someone attends an Easter Mass but is not Catholic. But today, we can't be assured that even Catholics who attend Mass infrequently know what they are doing.

Simply placing the host on the tongue of a communicant, no matter what their state of grace or religious affiliation if it is unknown to the one ministering Holy Communion will prevent the type of potential desecration I described above as a frequent occurrence. If the Holy Father models this as the norm, why aren't we following suit? Just wondering.

JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

THE BEGINNING AND THE END!
Last night's Great Easter Vigil was long but beautiful, two and a half hours! I had the most baptisms ever for me at an Easter Vigil, 17 in total. Plus we received into the full communion of the Church 17 others. It was a bit cumbersome, but thrilling to have so many people wanting to enter the Church. It is truly a new springtime for the Church. Have a Blessed Easter!

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

On Good Friday, we had Stations of the Cross at 12:10 PM and 3:00 PM and at both the Church was filled! At 7:00 PM we celebrated the Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord. The Church was filled again! God bless my people!

Click twice on photo to enlarge:

THE EVENING MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER, HOLY THURSDAY, 2011!

A packed Church last night for Holy Thursday. We washed the feet of 12 men. We also received the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Cathecumens and the Sacred Chrism as a part of the Offertory Procession. Then after Holy Communion we had the Eucharistic Procession to the Altar of Repose. It was a glorious way to begin the Easter Triduum. Many thanks to Dr. Buck Melton for taking this great photos!
Click once or twice on photo to enlarge!

GOOD FRIDAY LAST YEAR

A blessed and fastful Good Friday to you!
"Click on images twice to enlarge"
As Jesus was stripped of His garments, so too, the altar that symbolizes our Lord

The beginning of the Good Friday Liturgy of the Passion, holy and humble prostration!

Along with two deacons not shown, the proclamation of the Passion of Saint John

The General Intercessions

The Unveiling of the Holy Cross

Holy Veneration of the Sacred Cross

Mass of the Pre-Sanctified (Holy Communion on Good Friday from Hosts consecrated at the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday

Receiving our Crucified and Risen Lord in Holy Communion

Good Friday's Way of the Cross

Communion Featuring The Passion from Hadley Baker on Vimeo.

THE WASHING OF FEET, COULD THERE BE ANYTHING CONTROVERSIAL ABOUT THAT?

Holy Thursday celebrates two sacraments of the Catholic Church, Holy Orders and The Most Holy Eucharist. Traditionally the Chrism Mass is celebrated the morning of Holy Thursday. At this Mass, the three oils that are used in service of the Liturgy, the Oil of Catechumens (for those preparing for Holy Baptism), The Oil of the Sick (for those who are seriously ill, injured or dying), and the Oil of Chrism (consecrated rather then bless and used for Holy Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing a newly ordained priest's hands and anointing a newly ordained bishop as well as anointing the altar and church at their consecration)are blessed/consecrated by the bishop.

Then the priests of the diocese renew their priestly promises to serve as ordained priests.

On Holy Thursday, the night before our Savior died, he commissioned the apostles, the first "high priests" of the Church (bishops) to act in the "Person of Christ" to remember the Lord's Passion on Good Friday through the Sacrificial Meal of Holy Thursday. Implicit in this commission is "ordination" if you will, no matter how implicit it is.

The priest therefore acts as Christ especially at the consecration of the elements of bread and wine during Mass. But also, in a sacramental way, the male priest shows forth Jesus Christ who is the Bridegroom of the Church, with the Church as His holy and spotless bride. The Most Holy Eucharist with Christ sacramentally present in the Priest shows forth the wedding banquet of the Lamb made explicit in the Book of Revelation.

I think most people who understand the "sacramental principle" of the Catholic Church realize that the elements used in the sacraments must point to what is hidden or veiled in a credible way.

For example,a woman cannot be a sacramental sign in a credible way of the masculinity of Christ the Bridegroom which is shown forth in a sacramental way in Holy Orders.

The same is true for the Most Holy Eucharist. Pizza and beer while resembling food and drink do not capture the sacramental essence of Bread and Wine which point to Christ Who is the Bread of Life, Whose sacrifice on the Cross pours out His blood to save mankind. You might co-op the sacrament of the Mass by using pizza and beer, but only to its diminishment sacramentally.

The same is true for Holy Baptism, water, not milk or sand or coke or anything else has the same sacramental qualities that point to Christ, the living Water who rescues us from the waters of turbulence and death through our baptism.

Gasoline is not a good substitute for oil for any of the sacramental oils, it doesn't have the same sacramental characteristics that point to Jesus, healing balm, strengthening ointment, penetrating chrism.

So at St. Joseph Church we select only 12 men to have their feet washed, symbolic of the 12 apostles, the first "high priests" of the Church who point to Jesus Christ, "The High Priest". How can this decision which follows the rubrics of the Roman Missal be construed as "controversial" by Catholics who should know better?

We also realize that this foot washing which is optional is only symbolic of what Christ did prior to celebrating the Last Supper. He was teaching these "New Testament and therefore Christian priests" that unlike the priesthood of the Jews or even of the pagans of that region, their priesthood was not to be merely cultic or temple oriented but one of service to the "unclean." That would have been unheard of for the caste system of the priesthood of the Jewish Temple. Remember the Jewish priest that refused to help the man on the side of the road. He didn't help him out of fear of becoming "unclean" himself for doing so. His duty was merely cultic, not one of service. Jesus teaches implicitly and explicitly that it cannot be that way for the Catholic or Christian deacon, priest or bishop.

In many Catholic Churches tonight, everyone will wash or have their foot washed by someone. This sort of liturgical literalism which came in vogue in the Church in the 1970's is precisely that literalism carried to an extreme. It does not capture the essence of Holy Thursday one bit in the Catholic understanding of what Holy Thursday is. If you want a gimmick to capture the priesthood of the laity then wash feet on Easter Sunday rather than sprinkle them with Holy Water!

Holy Thursday is about the ordained priesthood and the Most Holy Eucharist.

The Great Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday is about the Baptized, Confirmed and Holy Eucharist sharing Catholic people. This is the day of the laity if you will. It is from them, a priestly people, that the cultic or sacramental priests will emerge and be called to show forth the masculinity of Christ who saves us on many different levels. Let's keep our days straight. Without ministerial, ordained priests there would be no Eucharist and there would be no Catholic Church.

WHEN LIGHTENING STRIKES WITHIN THREE DAYS IN THE SAME PLACE!

We strive to celebrate our Masses and other liturgies in a very dignified, practiced and solemn way. However, on occasion, we have bloopers that test my patience.

At our main Mass for Palm Sunday, four of our altar servers did not show up, which of course set me off in not a very pleasant way as our Liturgy began outside with the blessing of the palms and reading of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and then our procession of palms into the Church. Despite that the Mass was quite beautiful and all went smoothly.

However at our 5:00 PM Mass (we did not bless the palms outside, but inside the Church) I found out five minutes before the Mass was to begin that we had no cantor! So I had to scramble and tell the first reader to say the responsorial psalm and then I was going to sing the Lenten Gospel acclamation myself.

Well, the second reader hearing that the first reader read the psalm and we had no cantor thought that she should say the Gospel acclamation too, although I didn't ask her to do that.

So, after she reads the second reading, so looks at me and then immediately says "Alleluia, Alleluia" the people respond, she reads the verse and "Alleluia, Alleluia" again! I let out an unintentional groan and yes my microphone was on as I was preparing to sing the Lenten Acclamation! I was not a happy camper!

Today, Holy Wednesday, the lector who reads the Entrance Antiphon and asks the congregation to do so with him, had the missalette turned to the wrong Wednesday, Easter Week Wednesday and at the end of the Entrance Antiphon he said Alleluia! On Holy Wednesday!!!!!!

Why O lord?

GOOD FOR THE PRESBYTERIANS! LET THE CELL PHONES BE DAMNED AND THOSE WHO HAVE THEM IN CHURCH!

I have a confession to make. When I was a novice cell phone user, I forgot to remove it from my pocket prior to a daily Mass. It was in my left pocket. As fate would have it, it started to ring (traditional phone bell ring) as I was distributing Holy Communion. The alb I had on did not have a left pocket slit for me to easily reach the phone and in addition I was holding the ciborium with my left hand and distributing Holy Communion with my right. What an embarrassment!

RUMORS AND FACTS! CHRISM MASSES IN SAVANNAH AND PENSACOLA!

Three southern dioceses are set to have new bishops, St. Augustine and Pensacola in Florida and my diocese, the Diocese of Savannah. Last night we had our Chrism Mass at our Cathedral in Savannah. I think our bishop, Bishop J. Kevin Boland actually thought last year's Chrism Mass would be his last as Bishop of Savannah.

But no new bishop has been named yet, although rumor was that it would have been this past February or last month. But the rumors are flying that it could be immanent.

Last night, though, Bishop Boland didn't let on although in some ways his homily did sound like a bit of a farewell. But he used Sargent Schultz from the TV show Hogan's Heroes to say and I quote:

"I KNOW NOTHING!"

Of course when Sargent Schultz said that, the TV viewers all knew that he knew everything! So was there a hidden message in that statement from Bishop Boland? I report, you decide!


Bishop Boland last night, "I know nothing!"

"Very interesting" as the other Nazi from Laugh-in use to say!


Now for fact. Archbishop Wynski of Miami celebrated the Chrism Mass in Pensacola as they have no bishop and he is the Apostolic Administrator. In the past Pensacola always had their deacons and lay ministers renew their promises to serve the Church (this from the era that fearED "clericalism" to a fault, and clericalized the laity).

Well not this year. Only the priests renewed their vows. The Cathedral altar was vested in the Benedictine Mode and the Pater Noster was prayED in Latin.

Very interesting!

AND ON THIS BEGINNING OF HOLY WEEK AND JESUS' TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM ON PALM SUNDAY

You may not like this portrayal of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem but it is one of my favorite scenes from "Jesus Christ, Super Star." Am I dating myself? Have a blessed Holy Week!

And so my followers are rejecting my artistic tastes? Then what about this more traditional artistic rendering of the same?
VIEW MORE TRADITIONAL TRIUMPHAL ENTRY BY PRESSING HERE!

And I looked at this after I prepared my homily and it is basically what I preached. Should I sue for plagiarism?

PASSION OR PALM SUNDAY'S LAME DUCK AND BEIJING DUCK--CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT BEIJING DUCK!

Before you read my lame duck, Beijing Duck translations which I'm a bit late in posting because of our RCIA Retreat today, you might note what one of our RCIA team leaders was wearing today. You've got to love it and he's a convert too from about 4 years or so ago! What hath I done to him?



COLLECT

Current Lame Duck

Almighty, ever-living God,
you have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior
as a model of humility.
He fulfilled your will
by becoming man and giving his life on the cross.
Help us to bear witness to you
by following his example of suffering
and make us worthy to share in
his resurrection.

Forthcoming Beijing Duck

Almighty ever-living God,
who as an example of humility for the human race to follow
caused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross,
graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering
and so merit a share in his Resurrection.

AFTER COMMUNION

Current Lame Duck

Lord you have satisfied our hunger with this eucharistic food.
the death of your Son gives us hope and strengthens our faith.
May his resurrection give us perseverance
and lead us to salvation.

Forthcoming Beijing Duck

Nourished with these sacred gifts,
we humbly beseech you, O Lord,
that, just as through the death of your Son
you have brought us to hope for what we believe,
so by his Resurrection
you may lead us to where you call.

THIS IS HILARIOUS AND THE ACTORS LOOK LIKE THE REAL PEOPLE!

Unfortunately, though, there would be some post Vatican II, spirit of Vatican II liturgists who would think this sort of thing at a liturgy would be cool. I don't but I do think this is funny in a sacrilegious way which indicates that even the sacred is not immune from denigration which in some circles would be considered a very serious mortal sin. And maybe it is? But our conscience about such things, and our need to mock and make fun of the sacred indicates how far we have fallen from the "sense of the sacred." Oh well! I report you decide and tell me if you laughed. I did and I'll go to confession later!

WHAT TRIBE OF CATHOICISM TO YOU BELONG TO AND DO YOU TALK TO OTHERS OF OTHER TRIBES?

Whether we are Catholic "Lite" or Catholic "Taliban" without terroristic characteristics of course, we are all Catholic, no?

In the past a good Catholic was distinguished from a bad Catholic by how faithful one was to Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation, Confession, support of one's parish and diocese, not eating meat on Friday, supporting Catholic education, etc.

But usually good Catholics and bad Catholics spoke to one another and bad Catholics weren't so haughty as to think they were good Catholics. They admitted their shame and sheepishly moved the conversation on.

John Allen has a good article today on talking to one another, Catholic Lite and Catholic Taliban. Is it possible?

READ JOHN ALLEN'S ARTICLE "THOUGHTS ON POST TRIBAL CATHOLICISM BY PRESSING HERE!