www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology My First Jazz? Mass

Dear Mike:

Isn't there still a UGCC parish in Cherry Hill off of Rte. 70?

During my three years in Philly/So. Jersey my Sundays were spent at St. Michael the Archangel in Jenkintown, PA. Every Sunday was Standing Room Only with LOTS of young families, many of them recent immigrants from Ukraine.

Yours,

hal

Although this thread has strayed a bit from the original topic . . .

I believe, as I have pointed out before, that Rome's inability to resolve jazz, rock, folk, and other style liturgies will remain, on the ground, a barrier to reunification.

I just can't imagine a local Orthodox priest saying it's okay for one of his flock to go to one of these "liturgies."

Cizinec:

Somehow we always seem to come back to Rome micro-managing its dioceses' and parishes. The reality is that a lot of "stuff" goes on that probably never registers in Rome. We've had the admonitions and warnings. But there are those who insist that they will do what they want to do. It seems that the idea of dissent has been woven into the institutional fabric and will not easily be taken out of the pattern.

Maybe that's what the East is called to be for us: a prophetic reminder that the Liturgy is more than what someone in a parish, whether the priest or the liturgy committee, thinks it ought to be today--assuming that tomorrow we'll try something different if today's experiment doesn't "do it" for us.

When you're told to hold onto your traditions, enter into the "why" behind each and every gesture and custom to see what profound spiritual lesson your Fathers are teaching you. They'll be lessons you can share with the wider Apostolic Church.

In Christ,

BOB

At a local Roman Catholic parish the priest when asked about the omission of the Creed one Sunday ("Did you forget?"), said that he omitted it to have more time for what he wanted to say.

Of course not all the Masses at which the Pope of Rome has been the principle celebrant during his many travels have been consistent with the rubrics either. If one has to participate in a Roman Mass, I think that he just has to find the parish that has a reverent one as much in line with the teaching of the Church as he can find.

Yes, the "free-for-all" approach to liturgy so prevelant nowadays would certainly be an obstacle to unity should it continue indefinitely. The Church has, however, been through many other periods of craziness through the centuries. Either there will be a genuine renewal at some time (not necessarily our lifetime) or else we are at the end of the age.

Thankfully, the Divine Liturgy of the few Byzantine churches I have been able to visit, as well as at the few Orthodx churches I have been to, have been within the limits of what I find acceptable. I don't think we are going to see jazz, clowns, dancing girls, etc. any time soon!

Perhaps we need to express appreciation more often to those priests who celebrate a reverent, worshipful liturgy, whether Eastern or Western.

Porter (actual name)

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Yes, let's express that appreciation!

Porter(user name)

Dear Halychanyn:

Yes, St. Michael's is still there. I arrive exactly as the Liturgy begins on Sat. night, but I would have to wait 1 hr. for the return bus.
No bus service on Sundays.

I did attend a couple of years ago when SEPTA (The Philly bus system) was on strike. As I entered the church a woman approached me and asked if I was Ukranian, I replied "NO". She replied "Oh you don't belong here" I haven't been back since.