Pope Benedict XVI Rocks!

There are many reasons why I love our Pope, but THIS is at the top of the list.....

From "The Ratzinger Report~An Exclusive Interview on the State of the Church" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger with Vittorio Messor.

     "The liturgy is not a show, a spectacle, requiring brilliant producers and talented actors.  The life of the liturgy does not consist in 'pleasant' surprises and attractive 'ideas' but in solemn repetitions.  It cannot be an expression of what is current and transitory, for it expresses the mystery of the Holy.  Many people have felt and said that liturgy must be 'made' by the whole community if it is really to belong to them.  Such an attitude has led to the 'success' of the liturgy being measured by its effect at the level of spectacle and entertainment.  It is to lose sight of what is distinctive to the liturgy, which does not come from what we do but from the fact that something is taking place here that all of us together cannot 'make'.  In the liturgy there is a power, an energy at work which not even the Church as a whole can generate:  what it manifests is the Wholly Other, coming to us through the community (which is hence not sovereign but servant, purely instrumental)."

He goes on:  "Liturgy, for the Catholic, is his common homeland, the source of his identity.  And another reason why it must be something 'given' and 'constant' is that, by means of ritual, it manifests holiness of God.  The revolt against what has been described as 'the old rubricist rigidity', which was accused of stifling 'creativity', has in fact made the liturgy into a do-it-yourself patchwork and trivialized it, adapting it to our mediocrity."

Further:  "The Council rightly reminded us that liturgy also means actio, something done, and it demanded that the faithful be guaranteed an actuosa participatio, an active participation."  The interviewer then expressed that he regarded this as a good thing.  The Cardinal continued:  "The concept is no doubt correct.  But the way it has been applied following the Council has exhibited a fatal narrowing of perspective.  The impression arose that there was only 'active participation' when there was discernible external activity-speaking, singing, preaching, reading, shaking hands.  It was forgotten that the Council also included silence under actuosa participatio, for silense also facilitates a really deep, personal participation, allowing us to listen inwardly to the Lord's word.  Many liturgies now lack all trace of this silence."

I came across this passage as I was doing some follow up reading to the book "Mass Confusion" that I mentioned here.

Over the years, I have seen some pretty serious liturgical abuses.  Sometimes subtle and sometimes blatant.  In any case, I have noticed, lately, that the trend has begun leaning toward orthodoxy once again.  It is refreshing.  Many religious orders are returning to more traditional practices...like wearing habits and living in community. As a matter of fact,  I have been told (from a very reliable source) that the orders that were growing like wildfire in the late 60's and early 70's (the ones without habits) are pretty much dying off.  Those religious orders are not growing like they once were.  However, the orders that are growing the fastest are those that choose to wear the habit. 

I understand that there are benefits to both sides of the "habit" issue.  There is an excellent blog post at A Catholic Life regarding this very subject.  Take a few minutes to read it and see what you think.

It's interesting to me how my own preferences about these issues are changing.  I'm being drawn to a more quiet, traditional way of life and I can't really explain why.  There is so much noise in my life...between work, the TV., the phone,   the radio, and three kids ages ten and under....I'm craving more silence.  I no longer turn on the radio when I'm in the car.  My time with Glenn Beck on my way home from work has been replaced with some quiet time to reflect on my day.  The T.V. is never on during the day anymore!  I don't miss it at all.  As a society, we are so busy 'doing'...that we miss out on just 'being'.

Even Sunday Mass has become a place for constant noise.  It's seems as though  in many churches someone has decided that there can't be any silence during Mass at all.  I know that people are craving some quiet time, especially after communion so that they can pause and speak to the Lord directly and concentrate on what He might be trying to say to them.

How do you deal with the constant noise in your life?

Guess What?

This morning, Nathan was up bright and early getting ready for mass! He was excited because our priests hear confessions directly before each mass and it's been a whole WEEK since his last confession! Believe it or not, he had a list with him...apparently of all the sins he's committed this week since his first confession last Saturday. As a mother, it is hard not to jump up and down with excitement at my son's enthusiasm for partaking of the sacraments. However, I'm also aware that the honeymoon period will probably wear off one of these days and it will turn into a chore to get him to go. But for now, I'm just going to enjoy it.

The girls were awful at mass today! This was just one of those days where whining and sassing were part of their personalities. First, Olivia lost her right to a donut after mass...and then...Amelia soon followed. I don't often have to resort to bribery, but sometimes it's is necessary. I hate to open up a can of worms here, but, what do you all think is appropriate punishment or discipline when it comes to behavior at mass? Do any of you use donuts after mass or some other food item as an incentive? We do have a "cry room" but it is often filled to capacity (hot, stuffy and smelly) and some parents don't think any of the same rules from inside the church apply to this particular room. Besides, I really want my kids with me at mass...I want us to be a family unit and to worship together.

Anyway, we took them out to lunch and really enjoyed each other's company. We had a very relaxing day of rest...which is a good thing because the next week will be very busy!
What are your plans for this week?

Sleeping in Church

My wonderful husband let me sleep until 8:30 this morning! I can't remember the last time I slept that late! I woke up with more energy than I've had in a long time. It was a beautiful morning! Clear, blue sky and about 58 degrees. I ran around the house opening windows so the fresh air could circulate. Dan made the kids breakfast while I changed beds, dusted ceiling fans and folded laundry. I was really on a roll this morning so Dan and I decided we would go to the 6pm mass instead of our regular 10am.
The kids played outside all day. They rode bikes, dug a huge hole in the front yard and got good and dirty. This called for baths all around before dinner....which a wonderful friend brought (Thanks, NancyF.!!). Then, we got ready for church.
I knew as soon as we sat down in the pew the girls were never going to make it. They were fidgety and cranky. Olivia is especially wiggly because deep down inside, she knows if she stops moving...she'll fall asleep. She avoids this at all costs. Finally, they both succumbed at the offertory and were out cold! This was no problem...until the Eucharistic Prayer. They both began to snore in unison.....during the most quiet and important part of mass! Dan was holding Amelia and I had Olivia. We had to keep readjusting them to get them to stop snoring! It was hilarious. At one point, Olivia let out such a loud snort that the entire church turned to look!
This is clearly why we make the morning mass our usual routine!

Funny thing is...by the time we got home....they were wide awake and as I sit here and type this post at 9:42pm....Olivia is laying right beside me....smiling and looking at a book. And to think...all this because I got to sleep in!!

New Book Study

"When I come to a human heart in Holy Communion, my hands are full of all kinds of graces which I want to give to the soul, but souls do not even pay attention to me. They leave me to myself and busy themselves with other things.....They treat me as a dead object."

Sr. Faustina, Diary, 1385

Some friends and I have started a small, informal book study on this book. I can tell you that I feel really convicted from the very first chapter! Oh boy, do I need confession! As a Catholic, I'm supposed to know all of this...and...I do. It's just that, there is always so much of ME in the way! Pride is a nasty little trait. How often do we (me, that is) treat the Eucharist as a "dead object"? How many times have I forgotten that the Eucharist is really alive? If you're like me at all...I find myself distracted with many things when I go up for Communion. Mostly, I'm fighting with little hands and feet trying to keep them from bumping into others and running away from me. How many times have I mindlessly received Our Lord into my mouth secretly willing mass to be over so that I can get home to let the kids run free? Exactly how much respect and reverence for the Eucharist do I show?

Oh God...please forgive my pride and arrogance at taking You for granted. Please help me to remember that You truly are ALIVE in the Holy Eucharist and that my "business as usual" attitude only serves to separate us further. Help me to recognize the abundant graces that You offer and that You have invited me to share. Amen.

Is it just me?

A couple of weeks ago I posted a short note (click here to read it) regarding the letter to the USSCB regarding the use of the word "Yahweh" during mass. I had no idea that it would end up being my own parish that went against the rules....and so quickly!! I have read the letter that was sent to the Bishops from the Congregation For Divine Worship. It seems pretty clear to me. Today, after mass, some other parishioners and I were talking about it and it seems they either heard or were told that the reason this came about was so as to not offend our Jewish brothers and sisters. Hmmm. It's funny, the letter doesn't mention this at all. In case you're interested, here is the document. You read it and see for yourself...go ahead....I'll wait.

Inspite of this...we sang "Yahweh, I Know You Are Near" today. I'm not really sure what to make of this. I consider our pastor very orthodox. I mean, liturgically speaking, I think we follow the rules pretty well. I can't tell if this is just an honest mistake...as in "oops, I forgot" or if this is a purposeful, in your face "I don't like this rule so I'm not going to follow it" kind of thing. I know our pastor pretty well and I am also very fond of him. Likewise, our choir director is a wonderful man who just recently came into the Church. Since we (actually "I") are on the subject of liturgical abuses....let me mention a few others that really bug me.

1. As if singing "You Are Near" was not enough...we also applauded today during mass. We applauded all of the catechetical ministers (teachers). Apparently, we were recognizing all of the people in our parish who participate in teaching our children. Now, don't get me wrong...I appreciate them VERY much, but, I don't think the middle of mass was the appropriate time to do this. After or before mass would have been much better...that is....in my humble opinion. I'm sure that there are very valid arguments in favor and/or opposing this practice. It just bugs me.

2. I am totally speechless with how people are dressing for church these days. I know we live in Florida...but, geez. It isn't just the teenagers either. I have seen adult women in halter tops and shirts so low cut that I was scared something might fall out. I wonder how some of these parents can let their children out the door like this. Is it laziness? Is it a blatant disregard for the Holiness of God? Do these people not realize that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist? Daisy Duke shorts are not appropriate...sleeveless shirts are not appropriate....flip-flops are not appropriate. Why doesn't anybody say anything? It needs to come from the pulpit! When Dan and I visited St. Peter's in Rome...there were signs all over the place (with pictures for those who can't read) showing what is NOT APPROPRIATE to wear inside of a church!! Even here in Jackonville there is at least one church I know of where there is a sign, upon entering, asking everyone to dress appropriately. I could not envision myself going up to communion to take Our Lord into my mouth....half naked! It's just not right.

3. Sitting in the cry room sometimes gives you a vantage point that you would never get otherwise. What you would see...would amaze you! For one thing...about half the church leaves before the priest. I can't get over it. People make the decision and effort to come to mass, but don't have the courtesy to wait until the priest has exited the church. I guess they are in a great hurry...to what? To turn the tv on for the football game? To get something to eat? To be the first one out of the parking lot? What is it that makes spending even one extra minute in church so devastatingly horrible that they can't wait for the priest to leave first?

4. I am part of a ministry at our church called the Altar Rosary Society. We are a group of women that take turns on a weekly basis to make sure the church and the sanctuary are cleaned and taken care of. As far as I'm concerned, it is a blessing and privilege to be able to do this. When we clean the pews...we find some of the most disgusting things......crushed and sticky cheerios....fake fingernails.....hair.....and not long ago....we found a Consecrated Host with a bite taken out of it! What is wrong with people???!!!!

Ok...so my complaining is not really getting us anywhere. I guess it's kind of like dealing with children....you pick your battles and go from there.