ML Down UnderDear Editor, The November (ML 23:9) issue — which just hit my desk here in Australia — is superb. This *has* to be one of the best issues of ML that I have read in some time. I'm really impressed. The stained glass article ("1997 Visual Arts Awards — Stained Glass") gave me ideas for what I'd like to do with a chapel (other than raze it to the ground!); William Bausch's article ("Storytelling the Word") was excellent and obviously a well-thought-out and considered work (mind you, what would you expect coming from him!?); the two articles on small faith communities ("Small Church Communities and Active Sunday Assemblies" and "Liturgy and Faith Sharing") revived memories of Art Baranowski here in Australia four years ago on this subject. Well done! Dominic Hearne Smoke gets in your eyesDear Editor, I would like your feedback on a topic that has been a problem in our church for about a year now. The topic is "incense." We have a new priest who has begun using incense at our 11:00 a.m. choir Mass. No problem! I love the smell of incense. It reminds me of my younger days in Catholic school. But, the problem is that the incense has caused a great debate among church regulars. You see, whether it is the type or amount of incense being used, the incense is killing us, especially the choir, which sits in the front of the church. The smoke is so thick and heavy at times that it chokes the choir and the congregation, so much so that the incense has begun to affect attendance at the choir Mass. We have tried to restrict the use of the incense to curb the choking effect on the assembly, but that has run into some difficulties with some of the priests. Do you know of a brand of incense that is odorless or is at least more appealing than the usual brands? I know this sounds silly, but the incense is becoming a problem. We on the pastoral staff and liturgy committee like the use of incense but dislike the choking effect it has on the assembly. Michael Fontana Fr. Paul Turner, author of the "Bulletin Inserts" in ML, replies: I checked with Steve Obarski in our diocesan liturgy office. He's pretty good at such questions. Steve tries to get long-burning incense, not fast-igniting stuff. A good quality incense will be clear of impurities like sawdust or bark chips. He suggests Monastery Incense, Geneva, NE, an orthodox monastery. You can fax them at 402-759-3381 or phone 800-729-4952. They accept credit cards. Steve also likes Holy Rood Guild in Spencer, MA, at St. Joseph's Abbey. You can fax them at (508) 885- 8701 or phone (508) 885-8750. |