Saturday night and Sunday morning..
The girl who distributes communion had a sweater over her sun dress Saturday evening - and she kept turning to look at me. I never spoke to the priest about her attire, so maybe she read my blog. Wow! And that means I really do look like Aaron Eckhart because she recognized me! Yeah - I don't think so. (That sounds so creepy, doesn't it. LOL!)
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Anyway. The priests will be gone next week - for their diocesan retreat in Rochester. I don't get that. (Love you bishops and priests - kiss, kiss - why can't you stay home?) Really, I don't get it. What it means - instead of Mass each morning there will be Liturgy of the Word instead. Then let's do General Absolution before they go too.
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Seriously, after Friday's Mass, and Saturday evening's anticipated Mass - I wished that the Novus Ordo had never been concocted, that there were no EMC's, that fat women in capri pants and sleeveless tops with hideous hair were not permitted in the sanctuary, and much worse, permitted to do the readings. I wished that... oh forget it.
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I've been leaving Mass depressed lately. I think I better return to St. Agnes - and don't jump to any conclusions - I'm just not ready for the pomposity of the trad place yet. (Besides, I don't have the clothes.)
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Very seriously - I really believe if the Mass was offered ad orientum it would solve a whole lot of problems.
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I need to do more penance.
I would seriously recommend writing a letter to the Archbishop inquiring as to why the priests must go to Rochester for the four days. It certainly can't hurt for the Archbishop to know that the people want the MASS and not just a word and communion service. Just a recommendation from a priest of the diocese in mention.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for the suggestion Father. A blessed Year of the Priest to you - I'm praying for you guys. God bless.
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteWhen I read that bit about the girl's suddenly modest attire, I remembered something Mark Shea used to say (and maybe still does). Terry, you may have "unleashed the power of the 'blog!"
Terry,
ReplyDeleteI need to do more penance, but...I don't know how. I mean, can you offer some practical things I can do for penance?
Thanks
BTW, your blog is a riot. LOL!
I don't ever recall priests being gone on a Sunday. And I haven't missed Mass in a long time. Of course, occasionally I have been out of town. And some parishes have had visiting priests from Africa or Asia who probably aren't invited to an archdiocesan retreat.
ReplyDeleteBut, assuming you are correct, why does the four date retreat include a Sunday?
Ray - They will be gone mid-week - not on the weekend.
ReplyDeleteAh - penance. For me it means not being so lazy, mortifying my curiosity, giving up being online or watching tv so much etc. Some people fast, some give alms - or themselves, some keep vigil - get up extra early or stay up late praying. Our lives are filled with opportunities for self-denial. Little stuff and generosity in our daily duty is the best.
ReplyDeleteAround here, the religious order priests and retired priests fill in for things like retreats. And I believe the archdiocese splits the retreats into two groups, so everybody isn't gone at once. I enjoy having the retired priests; sometimes we get the same one several years in a row. One of them apologized for being a little forgetful, said he "hoped that he wasn't giving the same homily that he gave last year". Nobody had the heart to tell him that most of us would forget his homily by the time we got out of Mass. We all have selective Alzheimer's.
ReplyDeleteThe priests arrive in Rochester on Monday evening and are dismissed after morning mass on Thursday. So there will be mass in the morning on Monday and in the afternoon on Thursday (hopefully). Also, this is only for the diocesan priests, not the religious order priests. So there will still be masses at some parishes around the Archdiocese. You could call a few places.
ReplyDeleteAlso, thank you all for your prayers during the year of the Priest.
And I would also like to thank everyone for the fantastic blogging and responses! It keeps us priests inspired (and entertained)!
Thanks Father - that is great news.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I know. Now we have the retired priests who can barely hold the paten subbing. Horrible.
ReplyDeleteMeow
I hate when the priest leaves even for a day! Living in Utah, very few priests around to fill in and so when Father goes on retreat or vacation--we just have suffer, at least Deacon Bob gives Communion--whew! But boy, do we ever miss him! And I'm sure the girl who was dressing badly is just looking at you cause your probably looking at her. Stop it! Look at the fat girls in capri's instead--LOL.
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ReplyDeleteIt's Fr. Joseph - he's a good dad - he makes certain his kids are fed - that is why the Cathedral will have Mass and confession. Thanks Nan.
ReplyDeleteNan - I responded to your comment on the other post here.
ReplyDeleteIn defense of my pastor, our parish will also be having mass throughout the week. :-)
ReplyDeleteTerry - you were good in The Dark Knight, but you really should have passed up on The Core.
ReplyDelete