October 31, 2007

Homily Hostage

Via Diogenes

A California priest threatens to hold back a treat unless his congregation agrees to play ball:

Troubles at St. Anne Catholic School in Santa Monica were so dire at one point that Father Michael D. Gutierrez turned to his congregation for help. He refused to give his sermon until at least 10 families stepped forward to consider enrolling their children in the financially strapped parish school.

A risky proposition, methinks. Granted that a parish school is a good cause, how many preachers would give the faithful the option -- even at no cost -- of going home homilyless?

I hope Father Michael's gambit catches on. Think of the happy possibilities ... "Unless I see a double sawbuck in the collection basket every week from every family, you'll never hear On Eagles Wings in this church again!"

Now that would be a great fundraiser tool.  Contribute money or we will use Here I am Lord or other such song for all four hymns of the standard hymn sandwich.  How about selling tickets to a Gather Hymnal bonfire?  Surely you would raise enough to fund the Adoramus or other appropriate hymnal.  Cough up money or a drum kit will be given to the choir!

Now in reality the idea of withholding a homily is really a bad idea and the first instance of sermon extortion I have ever heard of. You have to be a pretty confident preacher in the first place to use this one, though of course under Canon law there is no way you could licitly do this for a Sunday or other Holy Day of Obligation Mass.

Posted by Jeff Miller at October 31, 2007 1:35 PM