NationStates Jolt Archive

Just came back from a memorial mass for Pope John Paul II. I haven't been to church in a while and I don't consider myself a church going individual. I'm rather torn about the Catholic mass, but I'll get into that later.

Like I said, it was a memorial service for the late Pontiff. As I said I disagreed with the man on many things, but I always respected him. I believe the ceremony was carried with great respect and dignity, although there were two things I believe could have been improved upon.

1. During the retrospective on JPII papacy, they listed off his opposition to contraception, woman's ordination, gay-marriage and abortion as "successes", or at least that's what I drew from it. Being a supporter of gay rights, contraception and women's ordination, and a pro-choice supporter, I found this statement rather...awkward. And living in a rather liberal town, I think alot of people agreed with me.

2. In that same retrospective, the speaker didn't seem to notice the people leaving the church...because she droned on-and-on-and-on...I was this close to getting out an orchastra and pulling a "wrap it up".

Which brings me to my next point. I haven't been to mass in a long time. I respect the mass, but feel as though it pushes people away. Because as much as I hate to say it...mass is boring. I stood and reflected during this time, and I enjoyed the spiritual experience, but I feel that it takes too long to get a single point across sometimes.

Does anyone feel the same way?

Thanks!

Ages ago I went to a small Sacred Heart college for women. On Sunday evenings, we had Mass in a small, very comfortable parlor. Most of us sat on the floor. The women brought bread they had baked for communion, and the musically talented ones brought their instruments to provide music. The priest who officiated was a talented homilist, but he always kept his remarks brief and pointed. Then, the group shared their reflections on the Gospel.
Those Masses were real spiritual refreshment, and I hope someday you get to experience something like them. I would go a long way to attend a Mass like that again. In the meantime, I try to meditate on the readings when the rest of the service is tiresome, as it is all too often.

Father Andrew Greeley has some very sharp marks to make about what a Mass should do for the participants. You might enjoy a look at his website. God bless.

Let's go back to the Latin Mass. Let's go back to altar boys. Let's go back to the REAL Catholic Church.