Why Latin?!

The following is from one of my favorite blogs: Acts of the Apostasy: Press '1' For English

We attended Mass at our "home" parish today due to scheduling conflicts, and I was quickly reminded why I don't like going there. 
It was announced that, in honor of yesterday's Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, that the first reading would be read in English and Spanish. And, as an added bonus, the Prayers of the Faithful would be read in English and Spanish.
And the secret surprise was...the final blessing, in Spanish.
Never mind that we're a white-bread suburban parish.
It got me thinking, though - since the Mass included elements not spoken in the vernacular, then why not just use Latin?

This is actually my favorite argument FOR LATIN as the language of the Mass. [This is not an argument about form. i.e. Tridentine versus Novus Ordo - it is about the language used AT mass, regardless of the form.]

Actually this is a good time to explain my comment above. When Vatican II occurred, they changed both the FORM and the LANGUAGE. The get more info on how this occurred visit the Vatican Website - That being said, it is important to recognize that my argument here is about language and not necessarily form. [Although I am in favor of the Extraordinary Form.]

My argument is that many parishes across our country have a multi-cultural membership. In fact many churches have multiple masses, each of which are said in a different language. This perplexes me because our faith is supposed to be universal. In fact, Catholic means universal. So how then do those parishes create a universality within their parish, when they divide the people through language and sometimes culture? [Again this isn't about form, or associated practices of form.] Such parishes essentially divide their church and segregate parishioners from one another for the sake of what?

So you can divide parishes which creates more problems than I believe multiple masses in different languages helps; or you can choose one language and essentially have only a portion of your parish hear the Mass in their vernacular.

Or you could just use latin. Sure the people wouldn't HEAR the mass in their vernacular but everyone could get a MISSAL in their vernacular. Sure, there are limitations to this as well... as there is no perfect system, but in the end I would much rather create a universal setting than one that divides the church. It also encourages people to participate in the Mass in a much more academic way through reading and study via a missal. The Mass is about CHRIST and not us... we should do what we can to create churches that are universal and unified... not ones that a segregated and divided.

[Note: I realized after I posted this that I didn't explain fully my argument. I left out the fact that I do appreciate and enjoy the mass in english. Especially the new form. Even more, I love that after S.P. we can now celebrate both forms of the Mass. [Well not here in Alaska... any priests want to come say a Tridentine Mass?] My argument is more aimed at those parishes that do what the parish did in the opening quote. I think the vernacular can play a very important and educational role in our theological catechisis.]

Perplexation: The Function and Purpose of a Catholic Blog.

Blogging is an interesting... hobby. [I pause because I wonder if it is more than a hobby and maybe something else?] Usually, the blogger starts with a purpose, and through their posts the strive to achieve that purpose. As they post more, this purpose changes and grows. The blog they once envisioned has become something quite surprising. [Sometimes this is a good thing, and for some not so good.]

For example, I started my blog for a couple of reasons:

• As Pope John Paul II said, we live in the "Culture of Death" our world and our culture is not one of life and Christ, but instead of Death and Relativism. Such lies can only come from one... the Deceiver, the King of Lies... Satan. Therefore, I wanted a place to discuss the battle against such evil and a place to discuss the battle against the "Culture of Death."
• After going to a catholic professional school for 3 years, I learned a lot about my faith, my vocation, and how one can inter-weave faith and life into a way which not only brings Greater Glory to God, but upholds your family and friends in a way that helps facilitate the same from them.
• I also saw a battle waging in our Church, the Holy Roman Catholic Church. This battle is between Relativism and Reverence. It is over whether faith is supposed to be centered and focused on US, the people of the Church; or if our faith should be centered on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit - all one in the same the summit of reality. I saw that as our culture descended deeper and deeper into relativism, hedonism, and self-indulgence I saw many in our Church doing the same.
• Finally, after officially entering the Church a few years back, I have dedicated myself to learning as much as I can about the faith. I know that through discussions with my friends, they enjoyed my take on certain aspects of it, and I decided this would be a good platform to discuss certain matters, and at the same time sharing knowledge with others about what I have found, and what I am interested in.

So the beginnings really were benign. Yet, I was aware of the pitfalls and problems. Through past exposure to blogs and small communities, I witnessed the problematic and divisive nature that they can take on when there is disagreement over fundamental principles. I also know how that can be compounded by "anonymous" blogging while at the same time not keeping the institution, organization, and personalities featured on the blogs "anonymous" at the same time. In other words, I know that when blogs call out people and places, but the bloggers themselves remains "anonymous" this only grows the divisiveness. So from the beginning, I tried not to explicitly mention my parish, specific people, or make any attacks on individuals if they weren't already public figures. [In other words, public figures are fair game.]

I have taken inventory on my goals and purpose, and realized that some of my posting has been quite sarcastic and borders on being un-charitable. That is the last thing I want. As a more tradional-"ist" Catholic I know that a majority of Catholics don't agree with or practice the faith exactly like I do. I know we all have likes and dislikes. I have always made it a point to do things with my faith only if there is a purpose and if that purpose is directed at the Mystery of our faith. If it is simply because I "like it" better or it "is more comfortable" I choose not to do it, because that isn't what our faith is about, at least for the most part.

So moving forward, I will focus less on such sarcastic posts and more on my original goals. I want a blog that Catholic men and women can come to that enriches their faith life. I don't want a blog that creates dissension and anger. This isn't in response to any specific conversation or event, but it is because as I meet more people in my parish, I realize that being the new guy my traditionalist views may not be quickly understood by fellow parishioners and when read on-line could be taken incorrectly. It is also hard for some to realize that someone as myself who has such firm views could be accepting and understanding of others who don't necessarily share my view. I know that ultra-"uber"-Catholics are often rigid, un-moving, and judging. Although I would like to think that I am none of these, I know that such labels could be placed upon me because of the views I hold and espouse.

I don't want to be weak and flacid, but at the same time I think that it is charitable to restrain yourself when you know that your actions, even when appropriate and correct, will do more harm then good. I think that prudence should rule the day when it comes to blogging, and I am no master of prudence. Therefore as we approach Advent, that is going to be my goal - PRUDENCE. I will not hold back on all things, but when it comes to the sarcasm and "preferences" I show on this blog, I will be more discerning in when and how I make such things known. I will also try and do a better job of explaining WHY I think the way I do... so that those that disagree with me, will understand that I am simply not doing so in a knee jerk reactionary way, but instead it is based on firm philosophical and theological ground. I also want readers to know that I am always willing to discuss things, and my email is posted for all to use. My rule for myself has always been that if I say anything I must be willing to explain it, answer for it, and apoligize for it when I am incorrect.

So moving forward...I hope to post less sacasm and fewer flippant posts, and more posts explaining why I think and believe the way that I do. I think in the end this will serve this blog, my readers, myself and the Church better in the end.

CCHD - What you can do...

So today the USCCB met in Baltimore again as they will for the rest of the week. USCCB Fall Meeting

During todays meetings, they briefly talked about the CCHD amidst complaints by A.L.L. and others that CCHD has contributed to groups like ACORN in the past. The statement from the USCCB was pretty basic and didn't invoke a lot of questions or discussion. The USCCB via Bishop Morin endorsed the CCHD and essentially said that all groups are vetted, and any groups not inline with Catholic teaching are de-funded. For example last year ACORN was a fund-ee. This year they are not, for obvious reasons.

A group dedicated to Reforming CCHD has sprung up and is trying to walk the line between obedience to the American Bishops and Obedience to Holy Mother Church... not always easy, especially when one finds themselves in a situation where the two are opposite. I tried to do my own research, but the Reform CCHD has done a lot of it: http://www.reformcchdnow.com/

After doing a lot of research, questioning, and praying I realized that the best thing we can do as Catholics is to avoid giving to CCHD this week and to give to another Charity. CCHD is a "funding" organization or "middle man." They operate much the way that United Way does. They intake a lot of money in a coordinated effort to maximize donations. From there they distribute the money to groups that they have awarded funding too, much the way grants are funded. Unfortunately, this type of operation requires an enormous amount of oversight, especially in the situation of the Church where the groups must meet the teachings of the church. Unfortunately the applicants are not worried about Catholic teaching and are simply seeking funding.

Questions you may ask:

• Aren't MOST of the groups GOOD - they adhere to the teaching of the Church? Yes... most are, but having just one is unacceptable. This campaign isn't necessary, and donating DIRECTLY to the groups that are loyal to the Church is more effective.
• Doesn't the CCHD defend groups that are found to have stances contrary to Catholic teaching? Yes... unfortunately defunding=closing the door after the horse is gone. One can only DEFUND a group that has already been funded... see the problem?
• Aren't we being disloyal to the Church and the Bishops by not supporting the CCHD if we were asked to give? No... you can give to the GOOD groups that CCHD funds without supporting the "2nd collection." There is no mandate or teaching of the Church that says our charity must come in the form of a "collection." We must demand better... we can easily support good charities by supporting them directly. We can also support our Church by simply doubling up on our normal collection and knowing that is going to a good cause.

I'd love feedback on this. My wife and I are planning on giving what we would have given to a more "worthy" 2nd collection with our main gift. We might include the "coupon" that is being circulated or we may simply write a letter, we haven't decided. I need to figure out in my heart if the coupon (below) is the best way of getting our feelings across or if it is abrasive and improper.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD): Should you give to the 2nd collection this Sunday?

Ok... I don't have a lot of info yet on this... but I wanted to at least get something out there. Last year, CCHD had some issues which mostly revolved around the fact that they funded ACORN.

This year the appeal has gone out again, with priests everywhere urging parishoners to contribute and feel "safe" about doing so because ACORN is no longer on the contribution list. Before you do so though, I suggest you research the matter a little more.
Normally I would NEVER suggest going against the teachings of a priest - but there may be enough information out there for you to make up your own mind. On top of that, I always suggest RESEARCHING the organizations you donate to; blindly funding "feeder" organizations is a great way to support things you never intended.
Here is a good jumping off point: http://reformcchdnow.com/

Another site to get info:
http://www.all.org/article.php?id=12307


I haven't figured out what I am going to do... but I sure am going to research more. You can ALWAYS give money... but once you give, you can't take it back.

Liturgical Music Mayhem Madness...

Ok... I need to be as charitable as possible with this post. That will be hard since I am going to be discussing traditional vs. modern music at Mass.

Our local parish has 2 Masses every Sunday: 9:00am & 11:30am. We have only attended the late mass twice. We also chose the church (1 of 2) because it seemed more... traditional? conservative? orthodox? Anyways, I don't want to turn my blog into a 'bash my parish' type site, I don't think that is helpful most of the time. For the most part, things are done well, with the usual ups and downs any parish has.

Yet, I cannot help but be frustrated with this 11:30 Mass. The first one we went to there was a video screen and a "Band" of some type. It seemed from some of the comments and discussions that it was a fairly new thing. So I took it as an experiment, and hadn't been back since. Until today...

The video screen was back, along with guitars, drums, BONGOS, a triangle, and a RAIN STICK. Really... a Rainstick. Now, we came from a pretty orthodox parish, housed in a pretty new and modern church. It was an interesting but GOOD mix of traditional and modern. The music at our old parish was traditional for almost every mass, except the late 5pm Mass on Sundays, which was specifically set up as the Life Teen Mass. In other words you knew what you were getting, and it was at a time specifically set aside for the teens.

This Mass is not that, at least it isn't set up that way. Now don't get me wrong, I like worship music, the sort of stuff you hear on the radio. I like it when I am driving in my car, studying, getting ready for sleep, etc... I don't expect to walk into Mass and see Casting Crowns or Third Day setting up to play a set. I think that Pope Benedict covers the issue well in "The Sacred Liturgy." The point is... Mass is not the place for a RAINSTICK.

Now for those of you that think I am being to harsh... the worst part was that the video screen didn't aid us most of the time. For one of the songs, the person controlling it was flashing through all of the songs. Now they didn't just have the songs, they had EVERYTHING that the congregation is supposed to sing or say. Which I think is counterproductive, especially since the church already has missalettes. It proved to be quite distracting, and like I said counterproductive. On top of that, the songs they have in their repertoire didn't exactly match up with All Saints Day. Overall, I just wish more churches were focused on making the Liturgy more meaningful as opposed to making it more entertaining.
We as Catholics should focus on Christ and not on ourselves. That music was not selected to worship God better, but instead was played to make us feel better. When we do things like that with the Liturgy we have already begun to erode its meaning. Instead of focusing on God, we are focusing on ourselves, which is the reason Christ had to get up on the cross in the first-place... it's almost as if we have learned  nothing.

I think The Crescat sums things up with this post: "Still not a liturgical instrument"

Bp. Sample, Marquette, and Ridiculousness!

So a little bit of a controversy has been brewing in the land of Snow, Hockey, and Snow. For those not from Michigan, I am speaking of Marquette.

Recently the Archbishop of the Marquette Diocese, Bishop Sample, wrote a public letter to Aux. Bishop Gumbleton. For more on the original story choose one of the links below:

• Diocese of Marquette
• Bishop Sample on Bishop Gumbleton.....not in my diocese!
• Bishop Sample of Marquette tells Bishop Gumbleton 'don't come to my diocese
• Fr. Z's Take on the issue...
• Curt Jester's Take...

Now though, the controversy has taken a new twist. The local paper in Marquette, The Mining Journal, has a bunch of comments which attempt to attack Bp. Sample, but in turn end up just showing how clueless most people are about how to analyze socio-political situations. Fr. Z has a link here: What happens when Bishops act like Bishops

I think the worst part is that the paper didn't post anything in support of the decision. But what can you expect from the media. We just have to keep Bp. Sample and the diocese in our prayers. As I stated in the previous post about politics, evil attacks by making Catholics seem like the ones perpetrating the evil, as opposed to being the ones that are fighting it.

"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist!"

American Papist: Not Your Average Catholic!: New Bishop: Msgr. Hubda gets hoisted into Gaylord, MI!

American Papist: Not Your Average Catholic!: New Bishop: Msgr. Hubda gets hoisted into Gaylord, MI!

This is great NEWS!!! I don't have a lot of time now but I will try and get some more info later and post about this!

Gaylord needs some change and this seems like it might be the man to bring that change!