Story here.
I watched the video.
The priest was suspended for greeting people at Christmas, riding a hoverboard up and down the aisle - singing an old pop-Christmas song - all before the final blessing. Pope John Paul used a rolling cart entering and exiting for Mass - I think Pope Benedict did too? I bet the priest was thinking along those lines. I've seen worse happen between the final prayer and final blessing - which in many parishes is usually the time for announcements and promos for parish fundraisers - sometimes dramatic and or comedic performances in fact. Give the guy a break. It's Christmas.
Those Filipinos are so strict.
What?
END of DAY UPDATE:
Filipino news agency just announced:
Priest's hoveround caught fire
and so he had to use the hoverboard.
What?
What if he came in on a pogo stick? I think there's a little bit of difference between an aging pope using an aid to navigate the long aisle at St. Peter's and a healthy priest using this year's gift craze, the hover board.
ReplyDeleteBut maybe I'm just a curmudgeon who appreciates keeping the liturgy solemn. Ride the hover board over to the church hall AFTER MASS.
I also don't like the social hall atmosphere in the church with people laughing and shouting to others after Mass. It makes me wonder if people believe in the Real Presence. Go eat doughnuts and drink coffee with your friends in the appropriate place.
Happy New Year from the cranky old lady in Virginia.
LOL! Happy New Year Mary Ann!
DeleteHe wasn't really greeting people. He was being an entertainer, moving past people like a singer at a nightclub. But on a hoverboard--which takes it past nightclub to circus level. And he cannot sing well, which definitely takes us to the clown act part of a circus event, always the most painful part. I never liked clowns. OK, I'm a curmudgeon.
ReplyDeleteIn the video someone slapped his hand laughing. I think you are right - it does have a sort of piano bar - lounge singer quality about it.
DeleteToo funny, Elena. I sent a link to a favorite priest, with the subject "Not your circus" and labeled the link "not your monkey." I have so few opportunities to say that.
Delete"The diocese said the priest admitted his mistake, apologized, and “will be out of the parish and will spend some time to reflect on this past event.”
ReplyDeleteToo tacky despite whatever he may have thought about somehow pulling it off and/or being cute. Can't read his mind but actions do count.
Happy New Year!
Wasn't there an Irish priest who broke into song at a couple's wedding Mass last year? Haha!
DeleteYep, there was. Was he silenced I wonder?
DeleteBe very very careful, Terry. We, of the Tender Mercy Orthodoxy Enforcement Apostolate have our eyes on you! Next thing, you'll probably want female Eucharistic Ministers on hoverboards taking the Sanctissimum to nursing mothers in the pews! As we say, "Mercy isn't mercy unless you make 'em hurt!" What? Merry Christmas, and thank you for your blog -- an oasis of sanity.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Thanks Fr. Frank - Merry Christmas to you too! Hope you are feeling well - and stay away from hoverboards and skateboards.
DeleteI believe this took place after Mass. Don't know. Don't care. Some things are just not done in a church.
ReplyDeleteI think this one comment left on Facebook should give everyone pause.
I'm all for reverence, but this is actually fun. The Catholic Church needs something to make Mass a little more interesting. It is thoughts like calling for a Traditional Latin Mass instead of embracing a little bit of fun that drives people away from the Church and has people not taking a vocation. When Dioceses are starving for Priests, they decide to reprimand one for having a little bit of fun with Mass. That is shameful in my books.
I am Roman Catholic, but I am not a practicing one that attends Mass regularly. If there were more Priests like this one, I may be tempted to return to Mass. But if people keep calling for the Traditional Latin Mass to return, you will lose even the most ardent Catholics.
Yep. We need something to liven up that boring 'ol Mass. You know, where bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. Yawn...
"It is thoughts like calling for a Traditional Latin Mass instead of embracing a little bit of fun that drives people away from the Church and has people not taking a vocation."
DeleteHuh. I guess I should let all of those bores at my thriving, young family abundant TLM parish that they're all showing up for the wrong reasons.
What if he used a Hoveround?
DeleteI went to one of those boring old Masses this morning. It was the priest's mother's funeral Mass and it was wonderful. Please put your drink down. There was a priest with a Maniple!He was dressed in choro so presumably was vested for EF Mass so discarded his maniple and prayed in the choir stall while all the rest of the priests went to the altar.
DeleteI was impressed by how well the priest was able to use the hoverboard.
ReplyDeleteMe too.
Delete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI'll bet Father was suspended only because someone got the incident on video. And I wonder how many Catholics are going to start getting back at priests they don't like by recording them.
Not saying the grievances aren't or won't be valid--just that this changes things A LOT!
I agree.
DeleteSee, now This is why I come to Abbe-Roads for all of my news. I never would have found this on my own....
ReplyDelete& yes, Donald R. I too am impressed.
Enbrethiliel, what's up with taking video during Mass ? That gives me pause just as much as the priest-parade.
Now that I am afraid to drive after dark (actually even after 3, here) since a buck jumped on my car, I have to go to mass up the street: where a True piano-bar player performs, and it is really a trial for me. So unnerving: and yet no one else seems to mind...
LOL! I turned around to wish someone a Merry Christmas last Sunday - the guy said he couldn't wait to get out because of the music and I laughed and said it sounded like a piano bar - the pianist did all of these jazzie flourishes - it cracked me up. But I was able to recollect myself and make my thanksgiving. It doesn't bother me any more.
Deletethink it is amazing you can recollect during that ! I walk out of there like a limp dish rag....!
Delete+JMJ+
DeleteI only see people shooting personal videos or photos during Mass when something unusual is going on (e.g., a wedding, a blessing, the Tridentine rite--LOL!)--basically something they'll want to show to their friends later. It disorientated me the first time I saw "Trads" doing it (and can you guess which part of the Mass it was? ;-) ); but these days, my policy is never to berate a Trad for acting like the tax collectors rather than like the pharisees. Anyway, the person recording Father's hoverboard moment was either really, really amused or really, really angry.
Me too.
ReplyDeleteWonder what he would have done if instead he had received a drone as a gift.
ReplyDeleteROFLOL
ReplyDeleteI'm all for videotaping scandals, like the California Halloween Mass with Eucharistic ministers dressed like witches and devils and the priest going out after Mass and coming back as Barney. Some things just can't be described. You need to see them to believe them. But I would go to Mass twice.
ReplyDeleteMy parish just got the best pastor ever - last summer actually. He does everything right and devoutly - he's made a huge difference is a very short time.
Delete