From the Pastor's Desk

I have been ordained for 41 years and that in itself is unnerving. During this period of time I have seen many changes take place within the Eucharistic Liturgy as well as in the style of architecture for worship spaces. My first pastor, Monsignor Gosche had me write about the different changes as they came forth within the Liturgy at that time. I have been writing letters from the “pastor’s desk”, my whole priesthood, except for the short time when I was the Associate Pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in 1986-87. During my graduate studies at the University of Dallas and then later at St. Meinrad School of Theology the congregation was invited to receive Holy Communion either in the hand or on the tongue and to stand during its reception as in the early Church of the first 600 years. I remember writing my letter at St. Mary’s Cathedral when the chalice was first offered to the laity so they could communicate under both species. Next came the training and instructing of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist to help with giving forth of the Body and Blood of Christ. In our Diocese later than in more populated dioceses, married deacons appeared who not only assisted the celebrant at Mass but could preach the homily, celebrate weddings, baptisms, bury the dead and celebrate communion services, again going back to the early church. The old “fiddleback” vestments were no longer being worn when I was ordained, but the chasuble style which traced its lineage back to Roman times of the 3rd through the 10th centuries. I myself have many of my own vestments made in the monastic style which I became very comfortable with since I was taught by Benedictine Monks for seven and half years. By the time I was ordained the altar rails were already removed from most churches since their purpose no longer existed, to kneel for communion and to keep the people at a distance from the altar and out of the sanctuary. In newly built churches the baptismal font was returned to its prominent place at the doors of the church and also became what it had been in the early churches of Rome, a baptismal pool. Baptisms once again became a part of the Sunday Masses, not a private event. This emphasizes that a child is being brought into the family of God, which is a community event, not a private family event. Today I continue to learn about sound and lighting as modern technology continues to grow and change. Choirs and cantors are to lead us in music, not to entertain us. Organs are supplemented with guitars, pianos and in some instances electronic instruments. The Sacred Scriptures tell us to make a joyous noise unto the Lord. In the Old as well as the New Testament, all types of musical instruments were used in celebrations at the temple and in the synagogues. Modern microphone systems are attuned to individual voices and even whispers can be heard at the back of churches. I will continue next week.