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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Where do I go? Miguel Monday, February 21, 2005

Question:

This past weekend I attended the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California. While, I enjoyed several of the workshops, some of the speakers didn't hold everything the Church held. It seemed this extended beyond the workshops. At the three Masses I attended there was liturgical dancing when the presider entered caryying jars of incense, when the table was prepared (which the dancers prepared) and after Communion. As far as I know, liturgical dancing isn't allowed in the Latin Church unless it's an organic part of that culture. At the Congress, it seemed only the "Samoan" Mass qualified. I know I can epxress my complaints to the bishop under Redemptionis Sacramentum, but there seems little point since the closing Mass was not only attended by the Bishop of Orange, in whose diocese this was held, was presided over by Roger Cardinal Mahoney. Also, there were several bishops from Canada, England, and Vietnam. Many enjoyed the dancing (I closed my eyes most of the time), but I can't help but think the solemnity of the Mass was pushed aside to keep the "grace" of the Congress going and to entertain us. So, where do I go, what can I do?

Miguel

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Miguel,

Yes I agree with what you have said and feel as you do.

Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot that you can do since ultimately it is the priests' and bishops' decision whether or not to disobey to the instructions.  Of course you can and should express your disappointment.  I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but the more people that do, the more likely you will see positive action.

If I may comment on the words:  "presider" and "table".

The word "presider" is used by some Catholics to lessen the importance of the priest, to emphasize that he is simply a member of the assembly who happens to be leading prayer.  I don't like this.  Of course the priest is presider in the sense that he leads the assembly, but he is so much more.  He is a priest, and so one of his primary roles is to offer sacrifice, specifically the Sacrifice of the Mass.  He is not on "equal footing" as the rest since he is ordained to Holy Orders.

  The word "table" is also used by some to diminish the importance of the sacrifice.  A table is furniture upon which things are set, such as food that is laid out for a meal.  An altar is a "table" upon which sacrifices are offered, such as the Mass.  An altar should NEVER be called a table, at least in my opinion.

Thanks for writing, let me know if I can help again.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.