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Tuesday 26 May 2009

Dumbing Down & Jazzing Up

This is post and comments thereon, by someone in Auburn California (of which, and of the practice of Catholicism in which I know nothing whatever,) on what's wrong with the Mass.

I am certainly not agreeing with the entire assessment, but I think it might be instructive to those of us in the trenches ("in the lofts?") because it is not, to turn the old phrase on its head, the choir doing the preaching.

Seemingly ignorant of musical and liturgical matters beyond what an average PIP likely know (I am basing that on unfamiliarity with the diocese to diocese difference as to kneeling after the Agnus Dei, where the practice was to be "laudably" maintained..
She, (I'm assuming she.... "Birch"?) has a top ten of complaints
Have any other Catholics noticed the "dumbing down" & the "jazzing up" of the Mass? It's terrible.... Don't conform to to a watered down version of Mass just to blend in. Don't do it. ...

1. The music needs to go or I need to wear earplugs. Not just at out local Churches, but in many others.

2. People don't kneel for a second time prior to receiving the Eucharist. Why?

3. Bad homilies. Priests should not read something from "Readers Digest" to me. I can do that myself. They are supposed to be versed in theology & history... so what's the deal. (This is in regards to only one local Church in particular)

5. Again... the Gloria & Sanctus should never be sang as a striptease.

6. Out of control and/or crying children. There is a "Crying Room." If a person has kids... go sit there. I used to when my daughter was little. Just in case.

7. The Priests aren't chanting any of the Liturgy at the Eucharist. Why not?

8. Holding hands at the "Our Father." Knock it off! It's so corny... please, give it a rest.

9. What do I need to do to get some incense around here once in awhile?

10. I don't know... just give us back some sense of the sacred, please.

What do any other Catholics think?

2 comments:

Jane said...

Where is the original list from?

Scelata said...

I have fixed the link, Jane.

(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)