tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501603353476337948.post8858553996403762197..comments2023-06-27T14:34:29.650+01:00Comments on freeranger: Pictures fail meMartin Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02543035178806387386noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501603353476337948.post-72897989489761187292009-05-10T20:07:00.000+01:002009-05-10T20:07:00.000+01:00Fr. Tom celebrated my father's funeral Mass last m...Fr. Tom celebrated my father's funeral Mass last month and I can't commend him enough for both his pastoral ministry and the beauty with which he offered the Mass. <br /><br />Are you sure you're not judging him unfairly? Why can't there be accommodation for both forms of the Liturgy without having to wage war like sullen and disobedient children?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501603353476337948.post-2058387612680885382008-08-27T16:50:00.000+01:002008-08-27T16:50:00.000+01:00Comment from a friend who is a classical scholar, ...Comment from a friend who is a classical scholar, the product of a Catholic upbringing (but no longer practising): "I was particularly interested in your views and the subsequent correspondence on the Latin Mass. My own view is that the only justification for retaining it, or re-introducing it, would be to add a little sublimity. But this would only benefit those who understood Latin and these same people would also (I imagine!) agree that the quality of the Latin of the Mass, and also of most of the Vulgate, is by and large pretty indifferent." <BR/><BR/>Another (Catholic) friend writes about mass in the extraordinary form: ...I am left wondering why anyone would want to attend one. To quote St Luke (9:62) “No one who sets his hand to the plough and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of heaven.”Martin Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02543035178806387386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501603353476337948.post-62971010448774596792008-08-10T17:03:00.000+01:002008-08-10T17:03:00.000+01:00Thanks to those who have left Comments. I have ha...Thanks to those who have left Comments. I have had a number of other views expressed to me, which I'll set down here, without attributions.<BR/><BR/>"You are not the only one who has said there are higher priorities."<BR/><BR/>"I have just read your very well worded blog. As a non-Catholic (I despise that term!) I feel it is awkward for me to express my thoughts, but I agree so fully that there are so many things to do and we seem to find it so hard to get anything off the ground. I’ve just read an interesting document about community cohesion with regard to schools (a Government and Diocesan imperative) and I just can’t marry what’s in that document with Tridentine Masses!"<BR/><BR/>"I was so heartened to read your thoughts on Fr. Tom's sermon, as I was afraid I was the only one leaving the church that evening feeling dejected and that we were taking a step backwards. I so agree with everything you say and the comments made by the three people below your item. We can still enjoy our Latin heritage at the 11.15 Sunday Mass and on special occasions, without going back to the Tridentine Mass. We have moved on from that, or so I thought."<BR/><BR/>One friend went to the extraordinary form mass this morning and wrote: "About 100 turned up - 90 plus anyway - from St Gregory's (not just 11.15 faces), some people I recognised from Sacred Hearts, and others I didn't recognise. Young, old and middle-aged. I have to say I was sad and disappointed when I read your blog. You're obviously entitled to your opinion. And I know - from what I've read and people I've spoken to - that people do feel very strongly about it, one way or the other. The tone and content was very rude to both Fr. Tom and Fr. John, and to the priesthood. It was very disrespectful."Martin Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02543035178806387386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501603353476337948.post-1605409969938486752008-08-06T17:33:00.000+01:002008-08-06T17:33:00.000+01:00I read your blog of 4th August with interest and w...I read your blog of 4th August with interest and was left with much the same questions. What is lacking in the liturgical lives of young priests today which encourages them to look to forms they cannot know, for sustenance. Is it the same hunger for something different and exotic that drove The Beatles to seek enlightenment in India in the 60's? Or is this, too, a movement of the Holy Spirit? We shall have to wait and see.<BR/><BR/>Best wishes to you and your parish,Robin Molièreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11130391428541106290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501603353476337948.post-33306308458964469342008-08-06T12:23:00.000+01:002008-08-06T12:23:00.000+01:00MartinI have some sympathy with your point of view...Martin<BR/><BR/>I have some sympathy with your point of view about trying to re-establish the Latin mass on a regular basis. I too remember clearly the pre Vat II mass and was an altar server. Although I regret the loss of some aspects of the Latin tradition, for example the music, I feel the changes have been for the better by a long chalk.<BR/><BR/>On a recent visit to NZ we attended a Latin mass at the Cathedral in Christchurch, not by choice. It just happened to take place. It was a complete re-enactment of 65 years ago - everything: vestments, altar turned round, music, an altar rail for communicants etc. No sound system was used and the priest was inaudible. Communion was only given in the mouth. One lady put out her hands for the host which were knocked aside. She either received it as offered or not at all. My wife and I felt that a stronger case for the vernacular mass could not have been made.<BR/> <BR/>I would support a very occasional Latin Mass for nostalgic reasons in the same way that one might watch a black and white film.<BR/> <BR/>Perhaps I could point out that Sacred Hearts has an active J & P group. I cannot speak for St Gregory's.<BR/> <BR/>God Bless<BR/> <BR/>BobBob Danielshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04339169209666972591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501603353476337948.post-5354591231146670182008-08-05T10:33:00.000+01:002008-08-05T10:33:00.000+01:00Martin,It takes some courage to write in these ter...Martin,<BR/><BR/>It takes some courage to write in these terms. The Tridentine Mass can be a source of comfort but does create a celebrant/observer situation. Nevertheless it has its place but not, in my view, as a substitute for the modern mass. I see from the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that the Vatican has approved some new words for the mass but not yet their use. The aim seems to be to clarify and bring up to date some phrases. This seems to be a further dissociation from the Tridentine Mass.<BR/><BR/>What parishioners find hard to understand is why parish clergy seem to be so unavailable for home visits and personal evangelisation. Parishioners wonder what takes up the priests' time. Better knowledge would lead to better understanding and, perhaps, a greater willingness to help shoulder the burden of pastoral care e.g. by parishioners volunteering to train as Eucharistic Ministers. Perhaps the parish web-site should show a diary of commitments!<BR/><BR/>Alan CrickmoreAlan Crickmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06360189557025779988noreply@blogger.com