From: waldbill1981@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic
Subject: Re: Nature of List--Fossil
Date: 5 Nov 92 10:30:55 -0600
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

In article <CATHOLIC%92110412560103@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU>, DICK HAROLD <ITNEWS@INDYCMS.IUPUI.EDU> writes:
> On Wed, 4 Nov 1992 13:07:51 GMT Bryan D. Boyle said:
> - - - - - some text deleted - - - - -
>>Grow?  that is why there are less priests now than there were 40 years
>>ago, many parishes have to close or merge with another parish, Catholic
>>schools are financially strapped, and of the parishes that are open, the
>>pews are 1/3 filled on Sunday mornings.  Grow?  I have been active as
>>a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, RCIA, and other ministries within the
>>church for over 20 years.  I attend workshops, and all those other
>>events that the diocese provides to help us in our work as ministers of
>>the various rites within the parish.  Grow?  I wish for the sake of the
>>Catholic Church it was true, but, sadly, I think you had better come out
>>of the University and take a look around the world outside of the
>>beltway down there.
>>
> Bryan:
> 
> I too remember the days when, if you didn't get to church at leasty 10
> minutes ahead of time, you didn't get a seat.  When I attended Catholic
> school, and boy was that a long time ago, I had to attend daily Mass as
> part of my education.  Now I can't always find a daily Mass to attend.
> A busy church today offers three or four Masses on Sunday.  There was a
> time when the first Mass started at 6 a.m. and the last Mass was at 12
> noon with a Mass every hour and still they were filled to the doors.
> 
> Many changes within the church have bothered me while some are welcome.
> While I enjoy the Mass in English, I would prefer to have part of it in
> Latin.  And where are those beautiful Latin chants and the music and the
> colorful ceremonies?  Were those so bad?
> 
> Why is it that many young priests want to be called "Tom" or "Chuck" or
> "Bill" rather than "Father?"  I don't consider any priest just one of
> the boys.  A priest is special and deserves special treatment.
> 
> Before and after Mass, the times I used to enjoy because I could say a
> prayer or two, there is so much noise and talking that it is hopeless.
> I realize that part of being a Christian is to love my neighbor, to talk
> to them, but in this busy world there aren't very many opportunities to
> pray - or is that out of vogue these days?
> 
> From the stark appearance of many modern church interiors these days I
> can't help but wonder why we are ashamed to give back to God some of the
> beauty he has allowed us to enjoy.  Why are we now afraid to defend the
> use of statues as a visual aid to prayer and meditation?
> 
> Yes, I'm an old fossil stuch in a lost time, but I haven't seen that the
> efforts of Vatican II have had much of a payoff.
> 
> |======================================================================|
> |  DICK HAROLD    *   ITNEWS@INDYCMS.BITNET  *   IUPUI INDIANAPOLIS    |
> |                *  ITNEWS@INDYCMS.IUPUI.EDU  *                        |
> | - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -|
> |      Old Cars Are Fun.  New Cars Are Just Transportation Modules     |
> |======================================================================|

Mr. Harold:

As a young fossil stuck in a lost time, I whole heartedly agree with many of
your sentiments.  
Where are the fruits of Vatican II?  Where is the RENEWAL that we hear so much
about?
Due to so many Catholics who have lost sight of what it means to adore Christ,
instead of adoring man, the directives of the Council have been rather rudely
shoved aside.  There is no renewal taking place now.
I myself prefer Latin, but I am satisfied when I can find the Mass celebrated
in English in an even semi-reverent manner (which is almost as hard as finding
the Mass in Latin).  I prefer the traditional Mass ("Tridentine" Mass) and I
enjoy serving when I can.  I appreciate the liturgy when it is focused on
Christ alone and NOT on the community. (As Josef Cardinal Ratzinger recently
said, When people celebrate the community, they are celebrating nothing.) 
I know that the Mass is the Eternal Sacrifice of Calvary and it is always 
encouraging to find a priest who realizes this. although they seem to be
relatively few in number at the present time.

You are by no means alone or stuck in a lost time.  What you appear to
appreciate is exactly what Vatican II meant to uphold and foster.  

The problem today is not Vatican II.  It is the lack of proper interpretation
by competent authorities.  The blame goes with the Vatican officials (including
the Holy Father) who do too little to foster the TRUE Catholic spirit of the
Council; with the priests, nuns, and bishops who have and who continue to
distort and warp the conciliar and post-conciliar documents (one calls to mind
the incompetency of the NCCB); and with those of us who fail to educate
ourselves as to what the Council truly teaches and with those of us who fail 
to stand up to the errors (even at the risk of being considered "narrow minded",
"conservative", and "out-of-date".)!

Pax et Veritas Christi,

Brian T. Waldbillig
Petrus Romanus

P.S.  Have you seen a magazine called _The Latin Mass_?  In the most recent
issue, the cover feature is on priests (the vast majority of whom are young)
who celebrate the Roman Mass ("Tridentine" Mass) secretly, having to hide it
from friends, pastors, and diocesean officials.  The article is great!