tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post2080675573620219591..comments2024-03-27T13:12:39.343-04:00Comments on A Concord Pastor Comments: Of tributes and eulogies at the Kennedy funeralConcord Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18322127779647130869noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-50275384792392316102009-08-31T11:10:24.823-04:002009-08-31T11:10:24.823-04:00To Fr Gene,
I currently serve on a Diocesan Litur...To Fr Gene,<br /> I currently serve on a Diocesan Liturgical Commission and have been significantly involved in planing liturgies at National conferences in the past; my take is more often than not Worship offices and Diocesan Liturgical commissions DO have the tools but their input is not sought and, if offered, it's not welcomed.nednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-86651104499168884982009-08-31T09:43:51.735-04:002009-08-31T09:43:51.735-04:00Anon said..."seems that a funeral should comf...Anon said..."seems that a funeral should comfort and, if you will, please, the family more than it should the pastor/celebrant of the funeral."<br /><br />True! Actually,the rites, if followed correctly do just that! We believe it is Christ who is doing the comforting. It is Christ present among us praying with us. The funeral mass is not just a "service". For Catholics, the Mass is the most important act of worship. It is the source and summit of Catholic life. The Mass also unites those grieving families with all others who are present and worshipping with them... and...with those who have gone before us. <br />Culture and society dictate that we need not be slave to every little liturgical rule. Some rules can and should be adapted to the particular family and assembly. The Boston Archdiocese did just that by allowing a few words of remembrance (which the OCF does not include for the mass) following communion. The problem is that some pastors allow more than one speaker and don't review the words before hand. There "brief" words turn into a long eulogy and sometimes are uncomfortable to hear in a church environment. There is a time to speak about the life of the deceased. A time we can cry and laugh about past events. That time is before the mass at the Vigil/wake and/or after the mass at the cemetery or recption.<br /> How we worship and pray effects people at many levels. We should be very careful what we do because our main concern should be the building up of the body of Christ. I think that when we overlook certain aspects of the liturgy for what we may believe is a pastoral reason, some times we are not being pastoral at all. This proves, I think, that the liturgical reform is ongoing. We still have lots to learn.annenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-91979690323731470892009-08-31T08:33:34.895-04:002009-08-31T08:33:34.895-04:00Anonymous, may I ask you from what should the fami...Anonymous, may I ask you from what should the family of the deceased find comfort? <br /><br />The Church encourages all of us to console the mourner. This is an ongoing process. There are plenty of appropriate places and times to share memories of and pay to deceased loved ones. The Mass of the Resurrection is not one of them. <br /><br />The Order of Christian Funerals suggests that the true source comfort is derived from "Christ’s victory over sin and death." and that the purpose of the funeral liturgy is not intended to be a memorialization of the dearly departed but "to commend the deceased to God’s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the paschal mystery." (OCF 129) <br /><br />This is what the Church teaches and this my hope and where I find my consolation.<br /><br />FWITW, I, too, found the homily worthy and my eight year-old was astute enough to query as to why the psalm and acclamations were all spoken. I regretted that I had no sufficient reply.Lisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-52710361818211106342009-08-31T02:11:52.484-04:002009-08-31T02:11:52.484-04:00Austin,
Once again, you're right on the mark ...Austin,<br /><br />Once again, you're right on the mark regarding the vision of OCF.<br /><br /><br />How sad it is that diocesan officials such as Bishops, Cardinals, and even Worship Office directors don't have the tools to teach "Celebrities" about the depth of the beauty of our liturgical practices.<br /><br />My prayers are with you, and all who seek to spread the Good News of the best of the Church's liturgy.<br /><br />The best of the Church's Liturgy may be the best-kept secret of our faith.<br /><br />Hoping that you keep the faith,<br /><br />Fraternally,<br /><br />Gene VavrickFr. Gene Vavrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17083002845638941172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-55319364573603175892009-08-30T22:19:59.524-04:002009-08-30T22:19:59.524-04:00Oh CP, I have been in some interesting conversatio...Oh CP, I have been in some interesting conversations, both in comm boxes and in person on this one.<br /><br />I am with you on this matter.<br /><br />And what was up with the music? I did not think it was altogether well chosen, although what was not to like about YoYo Ma and Domingo? I did love the Ave Maria, but then again I am always do.<br /><br />No sung psalm? And Psalm 72? And no Gospel acclamation? Lordy. No sung parts of mass. <br /><br />In any case, I watched every minute and did shed some tears, but overall, but I did not love it.<br /><br />FWIW I did think the homily was good.St Edwards Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00585815864104929974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-52643163550646699332009-08-30T22:01:51.192-04:002009-08-30T22:01:51.192-04:00seems that a funeral should comfort and, if you wi...seems that a funeral should comfort and, if you will, please, the family more than it should the pastor/celebrant of the funeral. I'm not sure why anyone should get so worked up and pedantic about it. <br />MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com