Still small voice
Yesterday my wife and I were down in the Orlando area and decided to attend the Vigil Mass, at the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe - a Church not far from Disney World and which primarily serves the tourists. I have been to their excellent gift shop a couple of times which has a pretty good selection of solid Catholic books along with other items. The church itself is quite nice looking for a modern Church though the furnishing in the sanctuary leave something to be desired. But the stained glass windows are quite beautiful and the chapel is also very nice. The constructions is such that the chapel is behind the Tabernacle that goes through the wall and on the Chapel side they have a monstrance. Though on that side they also have a transparent door on the tabernacle which is not allowed by Canon law 938.
The Mass was said by an Irish priest who started with what I guess you could call a census (people never learn from King David). "How many of you are from out of town?" pretty much everybody raised their hands. "How many of you are from outside the U.S.?" He then proceeded down the isle extracting country of origin from a number of people who raised their hands. We are no five minutes into the Mass. Next it was "How many are married over 50 years please stand up." Followed by encouragement for applause and then "Stand up if you are a grandparent" Here he inserts mandatory joke about them being free babysitters." Then we had the "everybody introduce yourself to the people around you ." I had heard of this practice at some parishes, but never had to suffer through this false bit of community that has everybody glad handing the other (I though this was reserved for the Kiss of Peace). We are now ten minutes into the start of Mass and we haven't even got to the confeitor yet. Now if priests are going to act like a Vegas lounge act can I also be a heckler? Unfortunately a Vegas lounge act all to accurately describes this type of behavior at the beginning of Mass, though some do this type of thing at the end of Mass. He used the type of jokes that would make Hennyman groan.
Surprisingly the rest of the Mass was without experimentation and according to the GIRM. The music was also totally without standard Haugen/Haas fare with no hymns newer than a hundred years old sung by an older gentlemen with a rich voice as he played the organ. Though the first and last hymns were standard Protestant ones. The homily though was quite a different matter.
The priest really opened my eyes to Matthew 14 and 1st Kings 19. The stepping out in faith of Peter is really all about steeping out in faith in your community for comprehensive healthcare doncha know, fair business practices, violence and other bits of social justice. No mention of pro-life or other social justice items though. But I was trying to be fair to what the priest was saying and not to impose or read too much into what he was saying. Then he got to the "still small voice" where he said he had a still small voice and that it was called a "vote" and that we all needed to be registered to vote as he was to exclaim your still small voice in the voting booth. Again he reiterated comprehensive healthcare and this time being a community activist in your neighborhood along with the list of social justice issues minus the social justice issues that are actually intrinsically evil. So I guess this was the only vote for Obama homily I have had the non-privilege of hearing. So aren't you all glad that you now know that stepping out in faith means and what the still small voice is?
Known as 
Wow. Guess I won't be going to Queen of the Universe for Mass.
With that mentality I wonder if they are referring to Mary as the Queen of the Universe or someone else.
Reminds of the saying on why so many people in Latin America are abandoning the Catholic Faith to become protestant: "Whenever we need a new union leader, we go to the priest. If we want to hear about God, we go to the (protestant) minister"
Note to self; when on vacation avoid tourist-trap style churches.
Not to pick liturgical nits, or split canon hairs, but if all the "meet and greet" occurred *before* the sign of the Cross, it technically occurred *before* Mass.
Father's *homily*, IMHO, is indefensible, and yes, it's the reason why so many former Catholics populate the pews of other, non-Catholic churches. But then, I'm a deacon. What could I possibly know about a homily?
God bless!
Not to pick liturgical nits, or split canon hairs, but if all the "meet and greet" occurred *before* the sign of the Cross, it technically occurred *before* Mass.
Father's *homily*, IMHO, is indefensible, and yes, it's the reason why so many former Catholics populate the pews of other, non-Catholic churches. But then, I'm a deacon. What could I possibly know about a homily?
God bless!
Jeff,
I've been there a few times over the years and I know exactly what and who you are talking about.
I won't comment on the points missing from the sermon. But I do have one thing to say about the not quite pre-Mass activities.
It's the same routine every time. Well, almost. It changes slightly during football season. In any case, it's just a thinly disguised attempt at allowing all of the tourists to get into the church before "really" starting. It also gives him a chance to beg for more money.
As you said, at least the rest was by the GIRM.
One last note about the music. I've noticed that the skill level is quite high. And they do some good stuff--except for the "basic four". That tends to be the same drivel found everywhere else.
John
Wow. Much the same occurs in our parish. Unfortunately it occurs immediately following communion. We DO have Haugen/Haas AND the protestant hymns. We have been praying for our parish priest and today's homily was surprising orthodox... He talked about our need to be still and quiet in the hustle and bustle, and especially in the presence of God, so that we don't miss the "still small voice". However, one of our deacons is another story all together. He ALWAYS has a joke! He ALWAYS wants to know where everybody is from. If they happen to tell more than just city/state and go on into why they are in town, he ALWAYS makes the joke, "I didn't ask for your life story!" (buh-dum-bum) However, today he did the most horrible thing ever... we were beginning the general intercessions. Our priest had just finished the preface and the deacon was to begin the intercessions when Deacon J said, "Please pray for the owner of a white camero. They've left their lights on. Yes, we're all going to watch you get up and leave!" (((laughter ensues))). At the end of mass during the announcements, he said, "Folks, it wasn't a camero, it was actually a (whatever it was - don't remember), so I guess you guys need to pray for ME!" (((harharharharhar - more laughter ensues))) This is the same deacon who refuses to purify the vessles after mass... I'm praying. However, we have no bishop and "Msgr. Stand-in" won't respond to my e-mails... Any suggestions? Anyone? The only other Catholic church in my community has a new priest who recently taught that purgatory was an "optional" belief... HELP! (Sorry this was so long... I think I need my own blog. ^_^)
Deekinchip
It was after the sign of the cross and after this he basically when right into the confeitor.
Wow, We went there 5 years ago (on vacation) and it was the exact same comedy routine.
We also attended Mass there this July, on our way north. We had 'googled' to find a likely church and were thrilled to find a 'Shrine'. The 'make the tourists your friends so they'll give money' schtick was the same as you described. I was also struck by the absence of any reference to Mary (It is a Marian Shrine...).
I had been hopeful, but honestly, it looked like the best bet, from what I could find on net!
Oh, then he was just *wrong*.
Deacon Greg Kandra posted a very sweet prayer for our priests on his blog a few days ago; I have it referenced on mine now (blog is linked at my name). If there was ever a time for prayer for our priests, it's now; we are on the threshold of something great. However, without priests who are willing to *lead* us there, we'll just stand on the threshold looking in, never to experience the joy God has waiting for us once we commit to faithfully following His Church.
John Paul The Great recognized that we are entering a new springtime in the Church. Maybe this is just the allergy season?
I love the last comment! (achoo)
I love the last comment! (achoo)
p.s. I think this priest needs a "I support the Communion of Saints" button from my blog.
FYI on the Shrine: it is not a parish at all, but completely relies on tourists remembering them when making donations. It was built specifically for the Catholics who were being brought into the area by Disney and started out as Mass being said at the Polenesian resort.
It's been a while since we attended Mass there, to be honest. Usually when we go back to Florida, we stay with relatives north of Orlando. Last time, we were actually in Daytona, so didn't even attend at our family's parish!
I do recall the "where're you from" thing, but didn't remember when it was happening. There are so many good things there, and I fell in love with their Rosary garden. (Soccer Dad promised he'd build one for me at our home!)
Jeff, I have been to Mass many times there and it is always the same thing you experienced. I travel all over the country for work and attend Mass at many different churches. I could have my own blog on all of the crazy things I have seen but also the many beautiful ones as well. I always remember that as long as it is a validly ordained priest saying the Mass, then the consecration is valid and I have received the real body and blood of Jesus. If the priest preaches error in his sermon or does not follow the GIRM, he will have to answer for that to his Bishop, or worse, to God at his judgement. I will withhold my judgement and simply pray that His will be done. After all, I have a hard enough time with my own mistakes, much less trying to worry about those of another.
To those who would consider not going to Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine in Orlando, please reconsider. The Sunday services have the most beautiful music sung by a, what seems to me, a professional level choir. The gift shop could bring me to bankruptcy if I am not careful and the Rosary garden is beautiful. There is also a priest on duty all day to hear confessions. What a wonderful gift that is to those who are on the road.
In His peace,
Greg Keuter
At every moment, do what Love requires
I am loving the (newly re-introduced in my parish) TLM more and more and more....