Friday, April 25, 2008
Benedict Has Come and Spring Has Sprung
Benedict Has Come and Spring Has Sprung
Posted By Leticia Velasquez On April 25, 2008 @ 12:00 am In Today | No Comments
The week before the arrival of the Holy Father, the American media was abuzz with predictions about the reception he would receive from American Catholics. Fringe groups used the media to promote their agendas, and the specter of the sex abuse scandal threatened to overshadow the Holy Father’s visit. Bill Maher seized the opportunity to lash out at the Pope, comparing the Catholic Church to the FLDS cult. Cruel nicknames such as “Panzer Pope” resurfaced, and members of the media predicted a lukewarm reception at best. Such dire predictions made the unprecedented greeting Pope Benedict received from President Bush at Andrews AFB, and the spectacular White House welcoming ceremony with a record 13,000 participants, even more striking. The effect on both the general public and on celebrities like Rush Limbaugh came as a complete surprise. “I had trouble tearing myself away from the video (of the White House welcoming ceremony) to watch the Democrat debate,” quipped Limbaugh, who later admitted, “that event changed my life.”
The quiet power of Pope Benedict’s elegantly worded speeches and choice of sites to visit, such as the Synagogue in New York City, made a positive impression on the American people, according to a New York Post survey. This news heightened my excitement as I made plans to attend the Meeting with Youth and Seminarians at St. Joseph’s Seminary with my teenage daughter, Gabriela.
A devoted member of the John Paul II Generation, I was jubilant at the election of our wise and gentle shepherd, and thrilled at the opportunity to see him. As the bus drove past budding trees in the brilliant spring sunshine, I interviewed teens on their way to the Rally. Mary Rose Rodriguez, age 17, said, “I’m really excited to meet him because he sounds like a really holy person. I hope that I will see my life in a new light and spread the word.”
John Hargaden, age 18, who will be entering seminary next year, said, “Of course, Pope John Paul II was a man that was made for the TV camera. Pope Benedict’s referred to by many as a scholar in the Catholic faith. What I’m expecting from the Pope today is to show us how we need to deepen our faith as Catholics. I’m expecting that the Pope is going to be a voice of hope to us. ”
After hours spent listening to musicians in the hot sun, the crowd of 25,000, many of whom had spread blankets on the field, rose to watch Kelly Clarkson, and I was unsure whether the Holy Father would have the same effect on the youthful crowd. Another hour passed, and as the afternoon cooled, I admired the fashion show of traditional religious habits worn by hundreds of young religious from burgeoning new orders: the Missionaries of Charity, Legionnaires of Christ, New York’s own Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and Sisters of Life. I asked one of the Sisters of Life for a messge to the teens. She said, “Tell them not to be afraid to open their hearts to what Jesus has for them. He will return whatever they give Him with much more than they can possibly imagine.”
042508_lead_today.jpgSoon the Jumbotrons showed the approach of the papal motorcade, and the listless gathering sprang to life. The roar started at one end of the field and spread as white and gold scarves were enthusiastically waved at the screens. A tender scene played out before us as Pope Benedict reached down to bless disabled children who greeted him in the chapel. Over fifty years ago, a young Joseph Ratzinger had a cousin with Down syndrome torn from his family by the Nazis, never to be seen again. Was it this memory that inspired his tenderness as he cupped the face of a little girl with Down syndrome in his hands? As the girl reached up to pat his hand, my heart was enflamed with joy. I told Gabriela, “Look that’s just what Christina does!” Christina is my youngest daughter, age 6 and she too has Down syndrome. When the pope asked the children to pray for him, his voice broke, and a bond, deeper than words, was forming in my heart for Pope Benedict. It was soon apparent that I wasn’t alone.
By the time the popemobile brought him to us, the assembly was jubilant, cheering and waving, as the Holy Father took the stage. The octogenarian pontiff with a twinkle in his eye raised both arms to greet first one side and then the other, raising the crescendo of cheers like an orchestra conductor. Chants of “We love you”, and “Que vive el papa!” began with the boisterous Mexican seminarians in front, and spread throughout the crowd. We sang “Happy Birthday” to Pope Benedict in German, and the former professor gave us, “an A+ in German pronunciation.”
The sunburned assembly that had waited for hours in food lines stood attentively as the pontiff delivered the longest address of his US visit. He referred to the images of American saints given to him by local students when he told us that, regardless of our backgrounds, holiness was possible, and warned us to avoid relativism that leads young people to despair and exploitation. He explained, “Dear friends, truth is not an imposition. Nor is it simply a set of rules. It is a discovery of the One who never fails us; the One whom we can always trust. In seeking truth we come to live by belief because ultimately truth is a person: Jesus Christ. That is why authentic freedom is not an opting out. It is an opting in; nothing less than letting go of self and allowing oneself to be drawn into Christ’s very being for others.” He concluded by exhorting the young people, “Nourished by personal prayer, prompted in silence, shaped by the Church’s liturgy you will discover the particular vocation God has for you. Embrace it with joy. You are Christ’s disciples today. Shine His light upon this great city and beyond. Show the world the reason for the hope that resonates within you. Tell others about the truth that sets you free.”
The event concluded as we sang the Our Father and the Litany of the Saints. Kelly Clarkson sang the “Ave Maria”, but by now there was no doubt who the real star of the day was. The Holy Father had reached out in a paternal embrace to his children who had responded eagerly and were reluctant to let him go. When the popemobile was seen leaving the field, many of us ran to follow it, to wish our beloved Pope a final farewell.
Fr. Justin Semanti of the Bronx, whose youth group at Holy Rosary parish is preparing to attend World Youth Day, said, “It was encouraging to see all these young people here with the pope, showing their love and devotion to him and the Church, and just a real springtime, I think, to bring this about in New York and to all of America. It’s a really exciting and encouraging time to be a Catholic, to be a young person in the Church today.”
It seems that springtime is just beginning.
Article printed from Catholic Exchange: http://www.catholicexchange.com
URL to article: http://www.catholicexchange.com/2008/04/25/111869/
Posted By Leticia Velasquez On April 25, 2008 @ 12:00 am In Today | No Comments
The week before the arrival of the Holy Father, the American media was abuzz with predictions about the reception he would receive from American Catholics. Fringe groups used the media to promote their agendas, and the specter of the sex abuse scandal threatened to overshadow the Holy Father’s visit. Bill Maher seized the opportunity to lash out at the Pope, comparing the Catholic Church to the FLDS cult. Cruel nicknames such as “Panzer Pope” resurfaced, and members of the media predicted a lukewarm reception at best. Such dire predictions made the unprecedented greeting Pope Benedict received from President Bush at Andrews AFB, and the spectacular White House welcoming ceremony with a record 13,000 participants, even more striking. The effect on both the general public and on celebrities like Rush Limbaugh came as a complete surprise. “I had trouble tearing myself away from the video (of the White House welcoming ceremony) to watch the Democrat debate,” quipped Limbaugh, who later admitted, “that event changed my life.”
The quiet power of Pope Benedict’s elegantly worded speeches and choice of sites to visit, such as the Synagogue in New York City, made a positive impression on the American people, according to a New York Post survey. This news heightened my excitement as I made plans to attend the Meeting with Youth and Seminarians at St. Joseph’s Seminary with my teenage daughter, Gabriela.
A devoted member of the John Paul II Generation, I was jubilant at the election of our wise and gentle shepherd, and thrilled at the opportunity to see him. As the bus drove past budding trees in the brilliant spring sunshine, I interviewed teens on their way to the Rally. Mary Rose Rodriguez, age 17, said, “I’m really excited to meet him because he sounds like a really holy person. I hope that I will see my life in a new light and spread the word.”
John Hargaden, age 18, who will be entering seminary next year, said, “Of course, Pope John Paul II was a man that was made for the TV camera. Pope Benedict’s referred to by many as a scholar in the Catholic faith. What I’m expecting from the Pope today is to show us how we need to deepen our faith as Catholics. I’m expecting that the Pope is going to be a voice of hope to us. ”
After hours spent listening to musicians in the hot sun, the crowd of 25,000, many of whom had spread blankets on the field, rose to watch Kelly Clarkson, and I was unsure whether the Holy Father would have the same effect on the youthful crowd. Another hour passed, and as the afternoon cooled, I admired the fashion show of traditional religious habits worn by hundreds of young religious from burgeoning new orders: the Missionaries of Charity, Legionnaires of Christ, New York’s own Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and Sisters of Life. I asked one of the Sisters of Life for a messge to the teens. She said, “Tell them not to be afraid to open their hearts to what Jesus has for them. He will return whatever they give Him with much more than they can possibly imagine.”
042508_lead_today.jpgSoon the Jumbotrons showed the approach of the papal motorcade, and the listless gathering sprang to life. The roar started at one end of the field and spread as white and gold scarves were enthusiastically waved at the screens. A tender scene played out before us as Pope Benedict reached down to bless disabled children who greeted him in the chapel. Over fifty years ago, a young Joseph Ratzinger had a cousin with Down syndrome torn from his family by the Nazis, never to be seen again. Was it this memory that inspired his tenderness as he cupped the face of a little girl with Down syndrome in his hands? As the girl reached up to pat his hand, my heart was enflamed with joy. I told Gabriela, “Look that’s just what Christina does!” Christina is my youngest daughter, age 6 and she too has Down syndrome. When the pope asked the children to pray for him, his voice broke, and a bond, deeper than words, was forming in my heart for Pope Benedict. It was soon apparent that I wasn’t alone.
By the time the popemobile brought him to us, the assembly was jubilant, cheering and waving, as the Holy Father took the stage. The octogenarian pontiff with a twinkle in his eye raised both arms to greet first one side and then the other, raising the crescendo of cheers like an orchestra conductor. Chants of “We love you”, and “Que vive el papa!” began with the boisterous Mexican seminarians in front, and spread throughout the crowd. We sang “Happy Birthday” to Pope Benedict in German, and the former professor gave us, “an A+ in German pronunciation.”
The sunburned assembly that had waited for hours in food lines stood attentively as the pontiff delivered the longest address of his US visit. He referred to the images of American saints given to him by local students when he told us that, regardless of our backgrounds, holiness was possible, and warned us to avoid relativism that leads young people to despair and exploitation. He explained, “Dear friends, truth is not an imposition. Nor is it simply a set of rules. It is a discovery of the One who never fails us; the One whom we can always trust. In seeking truth we come to live by belief because ultimately truth is a person: Jesus Christ. That is why authentic freedom is not an opting out. It is an opting in; nothing less than letting go of self and allowing oneself to be drawn into Christ’s very being for others.” He concluded by exhorting the young people, “Nourished by personal prayer, prompted in silence, shaped by the Church’s liturgy you will discover the particular vocation God has for you. Embrace it with joy. You are Christ’s disciples today. Shine His light upon this great city and beyond. Show the world the reason for the hope that resonates within you. Tell others about the truth that sets you free.”
The event concluded as we sang the Our Father and the Litany of the Saints. Kelly Clarkson sang the “Ave Maria”, but by now there was no doubt who the real star of the day was. The Holy Father had reached out in a paternal embrace to his children who had responded eagerly and were reluctant to let him go. When the popemobile was seen leaving the field, many of us ran to follow it, to wish our beloved Pope a final farewell.
Fr. Justin Semanti of the Bronx, whose youth group at Holy Rosary parish is preparing to attend World Youth Day, said, “It was encouraging to see all these young people here with the pope, showing their love and devotion to him and the Church, and just a real springtime, I think, to bring this about in New York and to all of America. It’s a really exciting and encouraging time to be a Catholic, to be a young person in the Church today.”
It seems that springtime is just beginning.
Article printed from Catholic Exchange: http://www.catholicexchange.com
URL to article: http://www.catholicexchange.com/2008/04/25/111869/
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
THE AFTERGLOW: HANDICAPPING OUR COVERAGE
THE AFTERGLOW: HANDICAPPING OUR COVERAGE
Raymond Arroyo
Raymond Arroyo is an internationally recognized, award-winning journalist, producer, and bestselling author, seen each week in more than 100 million homes around the globe. He has worked for the Associated Press, the political columnist team of Evans and Novak, and as a Capitol Hill Correspondent. He studied under theatre luminaries Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, and Beatrice Straight. He acted and directed in in New York and London.
As host and creator of EWTN’s international news magazine, "The World Over Live", Arroyo has interrogated the leading figures of the day. Highlights include: The first, exclusive, sit down interview with Mel Gibson on the set of his film, “The Passion of the Christ” and a landmark interview with Pope Benedict XVI: the only English language conversation ever recorded with the pontiff.
Arroyo is the producer of the bestselling, all star, audio Bible, "The Word of Promise" (Thomas Nelson). He is also executive producer "The Birth of Christ" (Sony Classics), the billboard topping Christmas Cantata that premiered on PBS during the 2007 Christmas season.
Arroyo and his work have been featured on "The Today Show", "Good Morning America", "Hannity and Colmes", "Access Hollywood", “CNN Headline News”, "The Laura Ingraham Show", and other programs. His writings have been published by The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, The Financial Times, and The National Catholic Register. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Arroyo is author of the New York Times Bestsellers: Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles (Doubleday) and Mother Angelica''s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality (Doubleday).
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
We are still receiving hundreds of e-mails to our papal visit box every hour and I am delighted. The vast majority of correspondents were ecstatic about our coverage of the Papal visit. Below is just one of the thousands of kudos that I think captures the spirit of what we were trying to accomplish with our broadcasts:
Raymond, I want to thank you, and EWTN for bringing our Catholic family this wonderful coverage of the Holy Father's Journey to the USA. Listening to you, Father Neuhaus, Carl Anderson, and Joan Lewis was lovely. I felt like I was enjoying a great big family reunion. The family was gathered. The uncles were telling stories and the children were listening with rapt attention, soaking up every detail of each story. There were prayerful moments, musical moments, poignant moments, anxious moments, moments of good natured joking and serene moments of ineffable joy and thanksgiving as together our family celebrated the most marvelous event any family could hope to celebrate with their beloved Papa.
Still there were those irked by some of our commentary, particularly during the Masses. Since I can't possibly respond to every cranky e-mail (some of them downright nasty) I will do so here.
Firstly, there are obligations that BROADCASTS make upon us. One of those is narrating for our international and domestic radio audience for whom silence is not golden, but death. Many radio listeners wrote to us wondering "what was happening" when long areas of silence prevailed. So that explains some of the "scene setting" that we at times engaged in.
Regarding commentary: our job is to put these papal events in context. That means evaluating them and explaining them in the context of Magisterial teaching and the writings of the Holy Father. Other broadcasters this past week imposed their pop culture perspectives on the visit (focusing on the need to ordain women, the Pope's fashion, and polls which found that no one believes what they should believe to be considered believers). I think for the general public (even the average Catholic) there is great lack of understanding. Few have had time to read the Pope's writings with any attention and even fewer have had occasions to watch him with any frequency. What we tried to do, delicately I think, was to reveal the thinking behind this or that speech (or event), connecting it to what has gone before.
Commentary was inserted into pockets of events consciously avoiding stepping on the key parts of the Mass etc. Still some felt we should be entirely silent during the Masses--a papal C-Span. So we made a decision to say NOTHING during the St. Patrick's Mass, and in flooded a torrent of viewer protest. "What happened to your commentary?" "Please don't stop commenting. It's like being left alone," our e-mail screamed. I have learned my lesson, we will continue to split the difference with due deference to the sacrality of the events we are covering, but we shant be silent.
It is important for all of us to realize that what EWTN offers is a BROADCAST of the papal Mass, not the Mass itself. This does not fulfill a Catholic's Sunday obligation and should not be viewed as a liturgy substitute. It is a televised representation of the Mass with inherent challenges and professional requirements. For those who were annoyed, I am sorry. But for millions of viewers, the commentary helped them make sense of what they were watching and sort through the reactions they were experiencing. And that's what we were trying to do.
Thank you all for being with us for this truly amazing visit, and I hope you'll watch the World Over this Friday for more analysis of the trip... Gratefully, Raymond
Raymond Arroyo
Raymond Arroyo is an internationally recognized, award-winning journalist, producer, and bestselling author, seen each week in more than 100 million homes around the globe. He has worked for the Associated Press, the political columnist team of Evans and Novak, and as a Capitol Hill Correspondent. He studied under theatre luminaries Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, and Beatrice Straight. He acted and directed in in New York and London.
As host and creator of EWTN’s international news magazine, "The World Over Live", Arroyo has interrogated the leading figures of the day. Highlights include: The first, exclusive, sit down interview with Mel Gibson on the set of his film, “The Passion of the Christ” and a landmark interview with Pope Benedict XVI: the only English language conversation ever recorded with the pontiff.
Arroyo is the producer of the bestselling, all star, audio Bible, "The Word of Promise" (Thomas Nelson). He is also executive producer "The Birth of Christ" (Sony Classics), the billboard topping Christmas Cantata that premiered on PBS during the 2007 Christmas season.
Arroyo and his work have been featured on "The Today Show", "Good Morning America", "Hannity and Colmes", "Access Hollywood", “CNN Headline News”, "The Laura Ingraham Show", and other programs. His writings have been published by The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, The Financial Times, and The National Catholic Register. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Arroyo is author of the New York Times Bestsellers: Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles (Doubleday) and Mother Angelica''s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality (Doubleday).
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
We are still receiving hundreds of e-mails to our papal visit box every hour and I am delighted. The vast majority of correspondents were ecstatic about our coverage of the Papal visit. Below is just one of the thousands of kudos that I think captures the spirit of what we were trying to accomplish with our broadcasts:
Raymond, I want to thank you, and EWTN for bringing our Catholic family this wonderful coverage of the Holy Father's Journey to the USA. Listening to you, Father Neuhaus, Carl Anderson, and Joan Lewis was lovely. I felt like I was enjoying a great big family reunion. The family was gathered. The uncles were telling stories and the children were listening with rapt attention, soaking up every detail of each story. There were prayerful moments, musical moments, poignant moments, anxious moments, moments of good natured joking and serene moments of ineffable joy and thanksgiving as together our family celebrated the most marvelous event any family could hope to celebrate with their beloved Papa.
Still there were those irked by some of our commentary, particularly during the Masses. Since I can't possibly respond to every cranky e-mail (some of them downright nasty) I will do so here.
Firstly, there are obligations that BROADCASTS make upon us. One of those is narrating for our international and domestic radio audience for whom silence is not golden, but death. Many radio listeners wrote to us wondering "what was happening" when long areas of silence prevailed. So that explains some of the "scene setting" that we at times engaged in.
Regarding commentary: our job is to put these papal events in context. That means evaluating them and explaining them in the context of Magisterial teaching and the writings of the Holy Father. Other broadcasters this past week imposed their pop culture perspectives on the visit (focusing on the need to ordain women, the Pope's fashion, and polls which found that no one believes what they should believe to be considered believers). I think for the general public (even the average Catholic) there is great lack of understanding. Few have had time to read the Pope's writings with any attention and even fewer have had occasions to watch him with any frequency. What we tried to do, delicately I think, was to reveal the thinking behind this or that speech (or event), connecting it to what has gone before.
Commentary was inserted into pockets of events consciously avoiding stepping on the key parts of the Mass etc. Still some felt we should be entirely silent during the Masses--a papal C-Span. So we made a decision to say NOTHING during the St. Patrick's Mass, and in flooded a torrent of viewer protest. "What happened to your commentary?" "Please don't stop commenting. It's like being left alone," our e-mail screamed. I have learned my lesson, we will continue to split the difference with due deference to the sacrality of the events we are covering, but we shant be silent.
It is important for all of us to realize that what EWTN offers is a BROADCAST of the papal Mass, not the Mass itself. This does not fulfill a Catholic's Sunday obligation and should not be viewed as a liturgy substitute. It is a televised representation of the Mass with inherent challenges and professional requirements. For those who were annoyed, I am sorry. But for millions of viewers, the commentary helped them make sense of what they were watching and sort through the reactions they were experiencing. And that's what we were trying to do.
Thank you all for being with us for this truly amazing visit, and I hope you'll watch the World Over this Friday for more analysis of the trip... Gratefully, Raymond
POPE BENEDICT'S TRIUMPH
POPE BENEDICT'S TRIUMPH
Raymond Arroyo
Raymond Arroyo is an internationally recognized, award-winning journalist, producer, and bestselling author, seen each week in more than 100 million homes around the globe. He has worked for the Associated Press, the political columnist team of Evans and Novak, and as a Capitol Hill Correspondent. He studied under theatre luminaries Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, and Beatrice Straight. He acted and directed in in New York and London.
As host and creator of EWTN’s international news magazine, "The World Over Live", Arroyo has interrogated the leading figures of the day. Highlights include: The first, exclusive, sit down interview with Mel Gibson on the set of his film, “The Passion of the Christ” and a landmark interview with Pope Benedict XVI: the only English language conversation ever recorded with the pontiff.
Arroyo is the producer of the bestselling, all star, audio Bible, "The Word of Promise" (Thomas Nelson). He is also executive producer "The Birth of Christ" (Sony Classics), the billboard topping Christmas Cantata that premiered on PBS during the 2007 Christmas season.
Arroyo and his work have been featured on "The Today Show", "Good Morning America", "Hannity and Colmes", "Access Hollywood", “CNN Headline News”, "The Laura Ingraham Show", and other programs. His writings have been published by The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, The Financial Times, and The National Catholic Register. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Arroyo is author of the New York Times Bestsellers: Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles (Doubleday) and Mother Angelica''s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality (Doubleday).
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Before the Pope arrived I wrote a long preview piece that concluded this way:
"A number of Vatican officials have told me that the Pope will assiduously avoid politics throughout his American pilgrimage and focus instead on inspiring the faithful to reform their lives and society at large. It could be thought of as trickle down spirituality. This summary by Benedict of his visit to Brazil in 2007 nicely encapsulates what I think he will offer America:
'I encouraged them to recover everywhere the style of the first Christian community described in the Acts of the Apostles: assiduous in catechesis, the sacramental life and charitable works. I know the dedication of these faithful servants of the Gospel who want to present it fully without confusion, watching over the deposit of the faith with discernment; it is also their constant duty to promote social development, principally through the formation of the laity, called to assume responsibility in the field of politics and economics…. Only the one who meets the love of God in Jesus and sets himself upon this way to practice it among men, becomes his disciple and missionary.'
Benedict will do what all Popes do on these shores: call new disciples and missionaries into the hopeful vineyard that is America. At a moment when the country is confronted by economic downturns, terrorism, political instability, and a leadership vacuum, the Pope will offer hope.
The measure of this trip’s success will not be found so much in what the Pope does, as in the echo that remains after he does it. The response of those who hear him will tell the tale."
Journalists are now calling inquiring about whether the Pope's trip was successful and what impact it has had. I stand by the last two sentences I wrote weeks ago. This papal visit will play out in big and small ways, in the hearts and minds of those who have heard Benedict's call.
From a purely external perspective (the media perspective if you will), the trip has been a triumph. Pope Benedict's "theatre of substantive acts": his meeting with victims of clerical sexual abuse; the visit with religious leaders at the John Paul II Cultural Center; his warm, "impromptu" stop at the Park East Synagogue in New York, and the solemn prayer service at Ground Zero all brilliantly revealed a man of faith willing to engage the world with hope and love.
I have been struck by the number of non-Catholics who have stopped me in the streets of New York or written to share how touched they have been by the events of this week. Many say they are strangely drawn to this "new pope."
I think we have all found ourselves fascinated and drawn to this Pontiff-- not due to his dazzling oratory or ability to entertain, but for his willingness to challenge and risk for the sake of the Gospel message. It has been quite a week. Quiet, bold Benedict has left his mark.
Raymond Arroyo
Raymond Arroyo is an internationally recognized, award-winning journalist, producer, and bestselling author, seen each week in more than 100 million homes around the globe. He has worked for the Associated Press, the political columnist team of Evans and Novak, and as a Capitol Hill Correspondent. He studied under theatre luminaries Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, and Beatrice Straight. He acted and directed in in New York and London.
As host and creator of EWTN’s international news magazine, "The World Over Live", Arroyo has interrogated the leading figures of the day. Highlights include: The first, exclusive, sit down interview with Mel Gibson on the set of his film, “The Passion of the Christ” and a landmark interview with Pope Benedict XVI: the only English language conversation ever recorded with the pontiff.
Arroyo is the producer of the bestselling, all star, audio Bible, "The Word of Promise" (Thomas Nelson). He is also executive producer "The Birth of Christ" (Sony Classics), the billboard topping Christmas Cantata that premiered on PBS during the 2007 Christmas season.
Arroyo and his work have been featured on "The Today Show", "Good Morning America", "Hannity and Colmes", "Access Hollywood", “CNN Headline News”, "The Laura Ingraham Show", and other programs. His writings have been published by The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, The Financial Times, and The National Catholic Register. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Arroyo is author of the New York Times Bestsellers: Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles (Doubleday) and Mother Angelica''s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality (Doubleday).
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Before the Pope arrived I wrote a long preview piece that concluded this way:
"A number of Vatican officials have told me that the Pope will assiduously avoid politics throughout his American pilgrimage and focus instead on inspiring the faithful to reform their lives and society at large. It could be thought of as trickle down spirituality. This summary by Benedict of his visit to Brazil in 2007 nicely encapsulates what I think he will offer America:
'I encouraged them to recover everywhere the style of the first Christian community described in the Acts of the Apostles: assiduous in catechesis, the sacramental life and charitable works. I know the dedication of these faithful servants of the Gospel who want to present it fully without confusion, watching over the deposit of the faith with discernment; it is also their constant duty to promote social development, principally through the formation of the laity, called to assume responsibility in the field of politics and economics…. Only the one who meets the love of God in Jesus and sets himself upon this way to practice it among men, becomes his disciple and missionary.'
Benedict will do what all Popes do on these shores: call new disciples and missionaries into the hopeful vineyard that is America. At a moment when the country is confronted by economic downturns, terrorism, political instability, and a leadership vacuum, the Pope will offer hope.
The measure of this trip’s success will not be found so much in what the Pope does, as in the echo that remains after he does it. The response of those who hear him will tell the tale."
Journalists are now calling inquiring about whether the Pope's trip was successful and what impact it has had. I stand by the last two sentences I wrote weeks ago. This papal visit will play out in big and small ways, in the hearts and minds of those who have heard Benedict's call.
From a purely external perspective (the media perspective if you will), the trip has been a triumph. Pope Benedict's "theatre of substantive acts": his meeting with victims of clerical sexual abuse; the visit with religious leaders at the John Paul II Cultural Center; his warm, "impromptu" stop at the Park East Synagogue in New York, and the solemn prayer service at Ground Zero all brilliantly revealed a man of faith willing to engage the world with hope and love.
I have been struck by the number of non-Catholics who have stopped me in the streets of New York or written to share how touched they have been by the events of this week. Many say they are strangely drawn to this "new pope."
I think we have all found ourselves fascinated and drawn to this Pontiff-- not due to his dazzling oratory or ability to entertain, but for his willingness to challenge and risk for the sake of the Gospel message. It has been quite a week. Quiet, bold Benedict has left his mark.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Crofton family attends pope's Mass
Crofton family attends pope's Mass at Nationals Park
Paula Popp - For The Capital
The Scheidhouer family decorated the outside of their home and flew the Bavarian and Vatican flags to honor the pope's visit to the United States. FRom left are Sharon and Gerry Scheidhauer adn 5-month-old Nicholas, Jack, 8, and Brooke, 11.
By PAULA POPP
Published April 22, 2008
Gerry and Sharon Scheidhauer decorated the outside of their Crofton home with yellow and white flowers and flew the Vatican and Bavarian flags in honor of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Washington, D.C., last week.
"I got my inspiration from the National Shrine in D.C. where they planted yellow and white flower beds for the pope's visit," said Gerry, who makes a weekly pilgrimage to the shrine.
During his visit to the shrine on April 15, Gerry said he had lunch at Colonel Brooks' Tavern and found himself sitting next to Cardinal Sean O'Malley from Boston. The result was a photo of 5-month-old Nicholas Scheidhauer with the Boston archbishop.
The couple and their four children, Max, Brooke, Jack and Nicholas, also attended the pope's Mass at the new Nationals Park last Thursday. The Archdiocese of Baltimore notified them several weeks ago that out of 100,000 requests, the family would receive six of the more than 46,000 tickets distributed.
Gerry's father, Jerry Scheidhauer, also of Crofton, attended the Mass of Pope John Paul II in 1995 at Camden Yards, and also attended Pope Benedict's Mass.
"We're a big Catholic family and this is our spiritual leader," said Gerry about why he wanted to take his family to the event.
"We often watch the pope say Mass on TV on Sunday," said Sharon.
Originally from Bowie, they have lived in Crofton for 15 years and are members of Our Lady of the Fields Parish in Millersville.
Gerry owns an import/export business and Sharon works for the Drug Enforcement Administration in the public affairs office.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Pics on the Washinton Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/community/mypost/index.html?newspaperUserId=gscheid
Papal Photos on Washington Post site
Papal Photos on Washington Post site
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Faithful flock to Nationals Stadium
Faithful flock to Nationals Stadium to hear pope’s message of hope
Submitted on April 17, 2008 - 5:24pm. Kantele Franko | Nanette Light
Just after 8:30 a.m., they got one - four, actually - when Alecia Maniatis offered them exactly the number of tickets they needed to attend Pope Benedict XVI's first public Mass in the U.S.
"We had a beautiful seat," said Fonner, 41, of Aurora, Ill., wiping tears from her eyes and gesturing to the screen on which they planned to watch the Mass from the street. "But this is wonderful."
Maniatis, 31, attended with a group from George Washington University. When four students didn't show up, she gave the tickets to Fonner, her mother and her two sisters.
"I just saw them sitting there praying a rosary," Maniatis explained as she joined the throngs pushing toward security checkpoints.
Fonner said the huge crowd symbolized the strength of faith in America.
"The media loves to tell you that faith is gone," she said, "but here you go."
Some came dressed in their Sunday best, others in T-shirts and jeans, and many were excited by the pope's presence in the District even before they entered the stadium.
Click on photo to enlarge or download: Vendors peddle commemorative pins, flags and T-shirts as crowds enter Nationals Park on Thursday for Pope Benedict XVI’s first public Mass in the U.S. SHFWire photo by Kantele FrankoYvonne Priestly, 56, a meetings manager from Hyattsville, Md., said she expected the Mass to be uplifting and comforting, "like going to a family dinner with a favorite grandfather or grandmother."
Dan Prochaska, 25, of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students at Colorado State University, also had high spirits, despite having to arrive at Nationals Stadium several hours before the 10 a.m. Mass began.
"It's going to be wonderful to celebrate Mass with 40,000 of our closest friends," he said with a laugh.
Kaylene Lyons, 15, of Rockville, Md., said she expected the Mass to be one of the biggest events in her life.
Her sister Casey, 18, said she was honored just to be there.
"It's so rare you get this opportunity to hear about our faith from the source," she said.
Marcia Vogin, 73, a church organist from Olney, Md., was enjoying that opportunity for the second time, having seen Pope John Paul II when he came to D.C. three decades ago.
The crowd this time seemed livelier and included more young people, she said.
Among them was Clark Miller, 21, a student at Howard Community College in Columbia, Md., who admitted to behaving better because the pontiff was in town.
"I hope people come to the Mass and experience Christ," Miller said as he waited to enter the stadium. "I like Pope Benedict. He's a cool guy. Hopefully, they take away more from the Mass than his message."
Those who did not have tickets watched on a video screen in the street as the pontiff offered a message of hope and cooperation that spoke specifically to American concerns.
Click on photo to enlarge or download: People who could not get tickets for the Mass watch a video screen on N Street SE outside the stadium as Pope Benedict gives communion. SHFWire photo by Kantele FrankoSusana Garcia, 48, who originally is from Mexico but lives in Cary, N.C., was elated to have a ticket to hear the homily. The pope's references to the role of Latinos in the church, along with the singing of world-renowned tenor Placido Domingo, especially impressed her.
"For us as Hispanics," she said, "it made me feel welcome."
Equally impressive to Vince Petruccelli, a freshman at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md., was the spectacle that came along with the crowd.
"They just fill this stadium to see this old guy - it's amazing," said Petruccelli, 15, adding quickly that his amazement did not overshadow his reverence for the pontiff.
His teacher, Stephen Sanchez, said the Mass brought ancient history to modern life.
"For me, to see the pope is to see [the apostle] Peter, the Church as it passes through 2,000 years and arrives at me," Sanchez said as he and several of his students left the stadium.
Click on photo to enlarge or download: Teresa Santoleri, left, 47, of Glen Mills, Pa., and B. Minnie Diana, 60, of Silver Spring, Md., watch Pope Benedict’s Mass on a video screen outside Nationals Park. SHFWire photo by Kantele FrankoPolice and Metro officials said they ran trains through the Navy Yard Metro station back-to-back for more than two hours to clear the crowd after the Mass ended about noon.
By 3 p.m., Metro recorded 456,812 rides on its trains. Spokesman Steven Taubenkibel estimated 24,000 who attended the Mass passed through the Navy Yard station near the stadium. He said it will be Friday before officials know if the Mass contributed to a record-breaking day.
On Friday, Metro logged the third-highest weekday ridership in its history with about 828,000 rides, he said.
To see more photos of Pope Benedict’s day in Washington, visit this photo gallery.
http://shfwire.com/story/faithful-flock-to-nationals-stadium-to-hear-pope-s-message-of-hope
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Buffalo News
An act of contrition for pope
‘Ashamed’ Of Clergy Scandal Benedict greeted by Bushat start of first U.S. trip
By Jerry Zremski NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF
Updated: 04/16/08 6:35 AM
WASHINGTON — Pope Benedict XVI began his first trip to America as pontiff Tuesday with an act of contrition over the Atlantic, telling reporters on his plane that he is “deeply ashamed” by the sex abuse scandal involving the clergy.
Yet the debacle, which has cost the church $2 billion and shaken countless parishes, seemed far from the minds of the adoring crowd that saw President Bush welcome Benedict at Andrews Air Force Base and the volunteers and visitors who were preparing for the pope’s visit.
Three years into his papacy and a day before his 81st birthday, Benedict stepped out of an Alitalia jet nicknamed “Shepherd One” and into the brilliant sunshine of a wind-swept spring afternoon.
Clutching his skullcap as his white robes shimmered in the breeze, he walked down the plane’s steps, waving with both hands and smiling at the invitation- only crowd of 1,200 composed largely of Catholic dignitaries and schoolchildren.
The children screamed with joy and the adults applauded as the pontiff shook hands with the president, first lady Laura Bush and their daughter
Jenna. Benedict visited briefly with the president before departing for the Vatican’s embassy in Washington, the Papal Nunciature, where he was to spend the night.
The pope made no public statements during his first day on the ground in Washington, but earlier on the flight from Rome, he confronted one of the most difficult issues facing the American church: the clergy sex abuse scandal that exploded in 2002 and resulted in 691 new accusations last year alone.
“I am deeply ashamed, and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future,” the pope said in English in response to questions submitted in advance, the Associated Press reported.
In particular, the pope reiterated the Vatican’s intention to get tough with priests who abuse members of the flock.
“We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry,” he said. “It is more important to have good priests than many priests. We will do everything possible to heal this wound.”
Peter Isely, a spokesman for the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, said the pontiff had not done nearly enough.
“Three years into his papacy, Benedict has done essentially what John Paul II did — make a few vague, brief remarks about the continuing crisis, and nothing more,” Isely said. “It’s easy and tempting to continually focus on the pedophile priests themselves. It’s harder but crucial to focus on the broader problem: complicity in the rest of the church hierarchy.”
Benedict, however, spoke primarily about the priests and the damage they did to the church and its children.
“It is a great suffering for the church in the United States and for the church in general and for me personally that this could happen,” Benedict said. “It is difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way their mission . . . to these children.”
Benedict is expected to address the clergy abuse scandal again during his six-day visit to the United States, which will be split between Washington and New York.
His first day in Washington was largely private. After his brief meeting with Bush, the pontiff was to have dinner with church officials in the Papal Nunciature.
The pontiff is seeing Bush again this morning when a crowd of 9,000 is expected to greet Benedict on the South Lawn of the White House. At noon, he is to depart by “Pope-mobile” and greet thousands more who are expected to line the route of his motorcade.
Later in the day, the pope will travel to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, America’s largest Catholic church, for vespers and a meeting with U.S. Catholic bishops — including Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of the Diocese of Buffalo.
Thursday’s agenda includes a Mass at Nationals Park, the city’s new baseball stadium, and a meeting with Catholic educators, including several from Catholic colleges and universities in Western New York.
With the pope arriving in Washington at 3:53 p.m. and no public events planned beyond his arrival, Tuesday was largely a day of anticipation for Washington- area Catholics and visitors lucky enough to score tickets to Thursday’s Mass.
Workers labored through the day to convert Nationals Park into an outdoor cathedral, laying down flooring and folding chairs while erecting a huge altar in center field.
Dozens of volunteers filled the stands Tuesday afternoon to practice for what seems like an ambitious task.
“The idea is to serve Communion for 47,000 people in 20 minutes,” said Abby Wihl, 20, an American University sophomore who volunteered to help make sure things proceed smoothly in the aisles.
Volunteers said they will be honored to see the pontiff in person. “To me, his presence here is evidence of God in our lives,” Wihl said.
Jenny Sparks, another volunteer who will be helping with Communion, saw the pope on a pilgrimage to Rome but said she will be especially thrilled to see him again in the nation’s capital. “It means the world to me,” said Sparks, 19, also an American U student.
Benedict’s trip to the United States is the first by a pontiff since a brief trip to St. Louis by Pope John Paul II in 1999.
Washington-area Catholics are abuzz about the visit. At the National Shrine at noontime Tuesday, they stood eight deep at the kiosk where Cesar Elias sold papal portraits and coffee mugs, not to mention $18 T-shirts that said “Property of Benedict XVI.”
Gary Scheidhauer, 42, of Crofton, Md., visited the shrine with his family, including his 5- month-old son, Nicholas.
After wheeling Nicholas’ baby carriage up next to the posterboard pontiff and taking a picture, Scheidhauer said he was lucky to be able to get six tickets to Thursday’s Mass through a lottery conducted by the Diocese of Baltimore.
Tickets for the Mass were going for more than $200 apiece on eBay. And when Scheidhauer called the Baltimore Diocese to turn back an extra ticket, he found a willing taker: a priest.
“They took care of the D.C. priests,” Scheidhauer said, “but this priest in Baltimore, even he needed a ticket.”
jzremski@buffnews.com
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Friday Night Feeding
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 11:53 PM
Subject: Friday Night Feeding
Hello everyone -
First of all thank you for making casseroles on your assigned Friday night. The guests enjoy all the food that is taken to them. The numbers are ever increasing and so your contribution really makes a difference.
A special thank you to Gerry Seidhauer and Anne Tallone, each of whom have graciously served as team leaders over the past year. Unfortunately each has had to step down from being the team leader so if you are so inclined, please let me know.
We also have lost the first week's baker due to pregnancy, but hopefully JoMary will return in a few weeks. Marie Spara is presently too busy with Jeff so keep the Spara's in your prayers.
I'll be putting a bulletin announcemnt in the next 2 weeks papers asking for more casserole volunteers. We sure could use the maximum casseroles, 28, to help feed the increasing number of guests, averaging 250 to 300 each week. Anyone interested in being a team leader?
Peace and God Bless
Susan Burns
PS Claire Larson is working on updating my Friday night list, at least for the 2nd Friday. Kindly pass my message along and let me know corrections.
Subject: Friday Night Feeding
Hello everyone -
First of all thank you for making casseroles on your assigned Friday night. The guests enjoy all the food that is taken to them. The numbers are ever increasing and so your contribution really makes a difference.
A special thank you to Gerry Seidhauer and Anne Tallone, each of whom have graciously served as team leaders over the past year. Unfortunately each has had to step down from being the team leader so if you are so inclined, please let me know.
We also have lost the first week's baker due to pregnancy, but hopefully JoMary will return in a few weeks. Marie Spara is presently too busy with Jeff so keep the Spara's in your prayers.
I'll be putting a bulletin announcemnt in the next 2 weeks papers asking for more casserole volunteers. We sure could use the maximum casseroles, 28, to help feed the increasing number of guests, averaging 250 to 300 each week. Anyone interested in being a team leader?
Peace and God Bless
Susan Burns
PS Claire Larson is working on updating my Friday night list, at least for the 2nd Friday. Kindly pass my message along and let me know corrections.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Most Common Abuses--US Liturgies
Here are the most common abuses that you find in American liturgies today, with a few references to the laws that prohibit them. Check out those references and you’ll probably find laws on similar problems in your own parish.
1. Disregarding the prescribed text of the Order of Mass.
This particular abuse is perhaps the most widespread. You might think that the mere existence of a prescribed, official Order of Mass would be enough to show priests that they’re not to change or improvise, but it isn’t.
It’s not uncommon to find lectors eliminating male references to God in the Scripture readings or using the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (or other inaccurate and unapproved ones) for the readings. You sometimes hear priests changing the words of the Nicene Creed—omitting the word "men" in "for us men and for our salvation" is the most common violation—or omitting the Creed altogether; saying aloud the prayers to be said quietly; or generalizing them, saying, for instance, "Lord, wash away our iniquities and cleanse us of our sins" (instead of "my" and "me").
You hear priests changing the tense and thereby the sense of phrases like "pray that our sacrifice is acceptable" instead of "may be acceptable" or "the Lord is with you" instead of "the Lord be with you." You hear them inviting the congregation to join in prayers specified as the priest’s alone. On occasion you even find priests winging it during the Eucharistic Prayer. And beyond the improvised words you’ll find a lot of flippant practices like using blue vestments for Marian feasts or gingerbread for the Eucharist at children’s Masses.
All of this is unlawful: "Regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the bishop. Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority" (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 22, repeated in documents like Sacram Liturgiam; Tres Abhinc Annos; CIC 841, 846; and many other laws and regulations). Deviations from the Order are illicit, and when done intentionally they’re a grave offense both against the Church and the faithful who have a right to an authentic liturgy (Inaestimabile Donum, CSDW, April 3, 1980).
2. Interrupting the Mass.
The priest has no more right to interrupt the Mass from the sanctuary than you have to interrupt it from the pews. At the conclusion of Mass the lector or priest may make general announcements for the information of the parish; that’s specified in the Order. But no one may stop the Mass to make announcements, give financial reports, or make pleas for funds (Inter Oecumenici; Inaestimabile Donum). No one may stop the Mass for extra homilies (CSDW, Liturgicae Instaurationes 2(a)) and certainly not for other activities that are themselves unlawful, like skits or "liturgical dance."
3. Omitting the penitential rite.
This one is often misunderstood. A priest may choose to use the rite of blessing and sprinkling as given in the Order, in which case he must omit the "Lord have mercy." But a priest can never omit the penitential rite altogether, and he cannot give a general absolution during the penitential rite of the Mass as a substitute for individual Reconciliation (nor can he do so during a communal penance service [CIC 961]).
There are other options available to the celebrant elsewhere in the Order. The sign of peace, for instance, is optional (GIRM 112). If he includes it, though, the priest is not allowed to leave the sanctuary to exchange it with the congregation (GIRM 136).
4. Replacing or omitting the homily.
A priest may omit the homily only on weekdays that are not holy days. On Sundays and holy days he must give a homily (Sacrosanctum Concilium; CIC 767); it should relate the readings to one another and indicate how their message can be applied to the lives of his parishioners (Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntianidi; Inter Oecumenici). No priest can substitute announcements, financial reports, or pleas in place of the homily, nor add such things to it. Of course the Holy See isn’t going to make a fuss if he takes a couple of sentences at the end of the homily to make an announcement, tell how much is in the building fund, or mention a second collection.
Nobody who is not a priest, deacon, or bishop can give the homily at Mass; nobody who is not ordained can give a "talk" or "reflection" in place of the homily (CIC 766–768). Although some few groups like the Society for the Propagation of the Faith have a dispensation to speak on behalf of an order or mission at the time appointed for the homily, it is never permitted without that dispensation—not even if he (or, worse, she) gives a short homily before launching into the appeal. An ordained minister gives a homily structured on certain guidelines; that’s it.
Incidentally, he may not leave the sanctuary during the homily (GIRM 97).
5. Dictating posture.
There are parishes where the ushers will ask you to stand when you’re kneeling. Many churches are being built now without kneelers to discourage you from kneeling at all. This violates the law and does no honor to Christ nor to the martyrs who died rather than compromise the outward signs of their faith.
But if the celebrant and his ushers can’t mandate your posture, the law can, and it does. Everybody at Mass is supposed to be uniform in standing, sitting, and kneeling (GIRM 20), and there are universal rules about it. In this country you are still required to kneel during the Consecration, from after the end of the Sanctus until the Great Amen, even if there aren’t any kneelers (GIRM 21; Appendix to the General Instruction 21). You are required to bow or kneel at the words "by the power of the Holy Spirit" in the Creed (GIRM 98). You are required to genuflect whenever you pass the Eucharist, whether it’s in the tabernacle or publicly exposed except when in procession (GIRM 233; CB 71). And contrary to what you might see these days, the Eucharist’s tabernacle can’t be tucked out of the way. It should be "placed in a part of the church that is prominent, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer" (CIC 938).
After Communion, though, you’re free to stand, sit, or kneel as you choose.
6. Dictating the manner of reception of the Eucharist.
Vatican II never mentioned receiving the host in hand. But when some countries introduced the practice illicitly Pope Paul VI surveyed the world’s bishops to see if it should be allowed where it already existed. Rather than suddenly suppressing reception in the hand, the pope granted an indult intended to let the practice continue for a time in those areas where it already existed. Oddly enough, the bishops of the United States—where the practice did not exist—asked permission of the Holy See to introduce it here. Even more amazingly, they got it.
Still, universal Church law does not permit reception of the Sacrament in the hand, and John Paul II disapproves of the practice. The indult that allowed it specified that reception in the hand "must not be imposed" (CSDW, En réponse, 1969). Absolutely no priest or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may refuse to administer the Eucharist on the tongue. Your right to determine which lawful manner you use is stated in the GIRM (Appendix for the United States, 240b).
The chalice cannot be left on the altar for people to pick up and drink from, not even during lightly attended Masses. The celebrant must distribute the Sacrament (United States Bishops’ Directory on Communion Under Both Species, 47). In fact, you’re not allowed to dip your host into the chalice; you have to take the cup and drink from it (DCUBS 45).
By the way, as to Eucharistic ministers, it’s important to note that they’re not supposed to help distribute the Sacrament routinely; only if there’s an unusually large number of people at Mass or if they’re sent to distribute extraordinarily outside of Mass, as to the sick. They are not supposed to assist at all when a priest is in attendance. Their office has nothing whatever to do with increased participation by the laity.
7. Ignoring rules for reception of the Eucharist.
The official statement of the rules for reception has recently been rewritten by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and unfortunately it’s pretty vague. But it still says clearly that "in order to be properly disposed to receive communion, participants . . . normally should have fasted for one hour," abstaining from food and drink except water or medicine.
The rewrite also goes to great lengths to say that non-Christians and Christians not in communion with the Church are welcome to come to Mass, but it’s not nearly so clear as it used to be on the fact that they may not receive the Eucharist. The new phrase "ordinarily not admitted to holy communion" makes some Catholics—and too many priests—figure that it’s all right for non-Catholics to take communion on special occasions like weddings or funerals, or if the non-Catholic is a prominent person like a government official or head of state. Exceptions are so few and given in circumstances so rare that it might have been more helpful to write simply "not admitted to holy communion"; but that’s for the bishops to say.
Naturally, you’re also required to be free from "grave" sin—what we all used to call "mortal" sin—which means Reconciliation before reception if you have committed a grave offense. And, no, the theology about what constitutes a grave sin has not changed, even if the terminology has.
8. Holding hands during the Our Father.
This is oddly widespread in the United States but it’s an illicit addition to the liturgy. The official publication of the Sacred Congregation for the Sacrament sand Divine Worship, Notitiae (11 [1975] 226), states the practice "must be repudiated . . . it is a liturgical gesture introduced spontaneously but on a personal initiative; it is not in the rubrics." And anything not in the rubrics is unlawful, again because "no other person . . . may add . . . anything [to] the liturgy on his own authority" (ibid).
Notitiae (17 [1981] 186)) also reaffirms that the priest may never invite the congregation to stand around the altar and hold hands during the Consecration. He stays in the sanctuary and we stay outside of it.
9. Performing liturgical dance.
Introducing dance into the liturgy in the United States would be to add "one of the most desacralized and desacralizing elements" leading to "an atmosphere of profanity, which would easily suggest to those present worldly places and profane situations. Nor is it acceptable to introduce into the liturgy the so-called artistic ballet because it would reduce the liturgy to mere entertainment" (Notitiae 11 [1975] 202–205).
10. Closing the holy water fonts at some seasons.
This is another innovation introduced spontaneously, and while holy water fonts are not integral parts of the Mass, emptying them during Lent or Advent is wrong no matter how you look at it. It’s not found anywhere in liturgical law, which is reason enough to suppose it to be forbidden. And it makes absolutely no sense. Holy water is a sacramental, so its right use carries with it a certain degree of forgiveness of sin and remission of punishment (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1668; CB 110–114). There is no positive spiritual benefit in depriving the faithful of this legitimate aid at any time. In fact, removing it during penitential seasons is bizarre—that’s when we need it most.
By the way, because the penitential rite of the Mass and reception of the Eucharist remit venial sins, there’s no need to use holy water on the way out of Mass. Unless you’ve been up to some mischief in those few minutes.
http://mariancatholicforum.forumco.com/topic~TOPIC_ID~652.asp
1. Disregarding the prescribed text of the Order of Mass.
This particular abuse is perhaps the most widespread. You might think that the mere existence of a prescribed, official Order of Mass would be enough to show priests that they’re not to change or improvise, but it isn’t.
It’s not uncommon to find lectors eliminating male references to God in the Scripture readings or using the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (or other inaccurate and unapproved ones) for the readings. You sometimes hear priests changing the words of the Nicene Creed—omitting the word "men" in "for us men and for our salvation" is the most common violation—or omitting the Creed altogether; saying aloud the prayers to be said quietly; or generalizing them, saying, for instance, "Lord, wash away our iniquities and cleanse us of our sins" (instead of "my" and "me").
You hear priests changing the tense and thereby the sense of phrases like "pray that our sacrifice is acceptable" instead of "may be acceptable" or "the Lord is with you" instead of "the Lord be with you." You hear them inviting the congregation to join in prayers specified as the priest’s alone. On occasion you even find priests winging it during the Eucharistic Prayer. And beyond the improvised words you’ll find a lot of flippant practices like using blue vestments for Marian feasts or gingerbread for the Eucharist at children’s Masses.
All of this is unlawful: "Regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the bishop. Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority" (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 22, repeated in documents like Sacram Liturgiam; Tres Abhinc Annos; CIC 841, 846; and many other laws and regulations). Deviations from the Order are illicit, and when done intentionally they’re a grave offense both against the Church and the faithful who have a right to an authentic liturgy (Inaestimabile Donum, CSDW, April 3, 1980).
2. Interrupting the Mass.
The priest has no more right to interrupt the Mass from the sanctuary than you have to interrupt it from the pews. At the conclusion of Mass the lector or priest may make general announcements for the information of the parish; that’s specified in the Order. But no one may stop the Mass to make announcements, give financial reports, or make pleas for funds (Inter Oecumenici; Inaestimabile Donum). No one may stop the Mass for extra homilies (CSDW, Liturgicae Instaurationes 2(a)) and certainly not for other activities that are themselves unlawful, like skits or "liturgical dance."
3. Omitting the penitential rite.
This one is often misunderstood. A priest may choose to use the rite of blessing and sprinkling as given in the Order, in which case he must omit the "Lord have mercy." But a priest can never omit the penitential rite altogether, and he cannot give a general absolution during the penitential rite of the Mass as a substitute for individual Reconciliation (nor can he do so during a communal penance service [CIC 961]).
There are other options available to the celebrant elsewhere in the Order. The sign of peace, for instance, is optional (GIRM 112). If he includes it, though, the priest is not allowed to leave the sanctuary to exchange it with the congregation (GIRM 136).
4. Replacing or omitting the homily.
A priest may omit the homily only on weekdays that are not holy days. On Sundays and holy days he must give a homily (Sacrosanctum Concilium; CIC 767); it should relate the readings to one another and indicate how their message can be applied to the lives of his parishioners (Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntianidi; Inter Oecumenici). No priest can substitute announcements, financial reports, or pleas in place of the homily, nor add such things to it. Of course the Holy See isn’t going to make a fuss if he takes a couple of sentences at the end of the homily to make an announcement, tell how much is in the building fund, or mention a second collection.
Nobody who is not a priest, deacon, or bishop can give the homily at Mass; nobody who is not ordained can give a "talk" or "reflection" in place of the homily (CIC 766–768). Although some few groups like the Society for the Propagation of the Faith have a dispensation to speak on behalf of an order or mission at the time appointed for the homily, it is never permitted without that dispensation—not even if he (or, worse, she) gives a short homily before launching into the appeal. An ordained minister gives a homily structured on certain guidelines; that’s it.
Incidentally, he may not leave the sanctuary during the homily (GIRM 97).
5. Dictating posture.
There are parishes where the ushers will ask you to stand when you’re kneeling. Many churches are being built now without kneelers to discourage you from kneeling at all. This violates the law and does no honor to Christ nor to the martyrs who died rather than compromise the outward signs of their faith.
But if the celebrant and his ushers can’t mandate your posture, the law can, and it does. Everybody at Mass is supposed to be uniform in standing, sitting, and kneeling (GIRM 20), and there are universal rules about it. In this country you are still required to kneel during the Consecration, from after the end of the Sanctus until the Great Amen, even if there aren’t any kneelers (GIRM 21; Appendix to the General Instruction 21). You are required to bow or kneel at the words "by the power of the Holy Spirit" in the Creed (GIRM 98). You are required to genuflect whenever you pass the Eucharist, whether it’s in the tabernacle or publicly exposed except when in procession (GIRM 233; CB 71). And contrary to what you might see these days, the Eucharist’s tabernacle can’t be tucked out of the way. It should be "placed in a part of the church that is prominent, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer" (CIC 938).
After Communion, though, you’re free to stand, sit, or kneel as you choose.
6. Dictating the manner of reception of the Eucharist.
Vatican II never mentioned receiving the host in hand. But when some countries introduced the practice illicitly Pope Paul VI surveyed the world’s bishops to see if it should be allowed where it already existed. Rather than suddenly suppressing reception in the hand, the pope granted an indult intended to let the practice continue for a time in those areas where it already existed. Oddly enough, the bishops of the United States—where the practice did not exist—asked permission of the Holy See to introduce it here. Even more amazingly, they got it.
Still, universal Church law does not permit reception of the Sacrament in the hand, and John Paul II disapproves of the practice. The indult that allowed it specified that reception in the hand "must not be imposed" (CSDW, En réponse, 1969). Absolutely no priest or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may refuse to administer the Eucharist on the tongue. Your right to determine which lawful manner you use is stated in the GIRM (Appendix for the United States, 240b).
The chalice cannot be left on the altar for people to pick up and drink from, not even during lightly attended Masses. The celebrant must distribute the Sacrament (United States Bishops’ Directory on Communion Under Both Species, 47). In fact, you’re not allowed to dip your host into the chalice; you have to take the cup and drink from it (DCUBS 45).
By the way, as to Eucharistic ministers, it’s important to note that they’re not supposed to help distribute the Sacrament routinely; only if there’s an unusually large number of people at Mass or if they’re sent to distribute extraordinarily outside of Mass, as to the sick. They are not supposed to assist at all when a priest is in attendance. Their office has nothing whatever to do with increased participation by the laity.
7. Ignoring rules for reception of the Eucharist.
The official statement of the rules for reception has recently been rewritten by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and unfortunately it’s pretty vague. But it still says clearly that "in order to be properly disposed to receive communion, participants . . . normally should have fasted for one hour," abstaining from food and drink except water or medicine.
The rewrite also goes to great lengths to say that non-Christians and Christians not in communion with the Church are welcome to come to Mass, but it’s not nearly so clear as it used to be on the fact that they may not receive the Eucharist. The new phrase "ordinarily not admitted to holy communion" makes some Catholics—and too many priests—figure that it’s all right for non-Catholics to take communion on special occasions like weddings or funerals, or if the non-Catholic is a prominent person like a government official or head of state. Exceptions are so few and given in circumstances so rare that it might have been more helpful to write simply "not admitted to holy communion"; but that’s for the bishops to say.
Naturally, you’re also required to be free from "grave" sin—what we all used to call "mortal" sin—which means Reconciliation before reception if you have committed a grave offense. And, no, the theology about what constitutes a grave sin has not changed, even if the terminology has.
8. Holding hands during the Our Father.
This is oddly widespread in the United States but it’s an illicit addition to the liturgy. The official publication of the Sacred Congregation for the Sacrament sand Divine Worship, Notitiae (11 [1975] 226), states the practice "must be repudiated . . . it is a liturgical gesture introduced spontaneously but on a personal initiative; it is not in the rubrics." And anything not in the rubrics is unlawful, again because "no other person . . . may add . . . anything [to] the liturgy on his own authority" (ibid).
Notitiae (17 [1981] 186)) also reaffirms that the priest may never invite the congregation to stand around the altar and hold hands during the Consecration. He stays in the sanctuary and we stay outside of it.
9. Performing liturgical dance.
Introducing dance into the liturgy in the United States would be to add "one of the most desacralized and desacralizing elements" leading to "an atmosphere of profanity, which would easily suggest to those present worldly places and profane situations. Nor is it acceptable to introduce into the liturgy the so-called artistic ballet because it would reduce the liturgy to mere entertainment" (Notitiae 11 [1975] 202–205).
10. Closing the holy water fonts at some seasons.
This is another innovation introduced spontaneously, and while holy water fonts are not integral parts of the Mass, emptying them during Lent or Advent is wrong no matter how you look at it. It’s not found anywhere in liturgical law, which is reason enough to suppose it to be forbidden. And it makes absolutely no sense. Holy water is a sacramental, so its right use carries with it a certain degree of forgiveness of sin and remission of punishment (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1668; CB 110–114). There is no positive spiritual benefit in depriving the faithful of this legitimate aid at any time. In fact, removing it during penitential seasons is bizarre—that’s when we need it most.
By the way, because the penitential rite of the Mass and reception of the Eucharist remit venial sins, there’s no need to use holy water on the way out of Mass. Unless you’ve been up to some mischief in those few minutes.
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