Sharings

Non-Catholics

Grace and peace to you!

I enjoyed reading the bulletin insert concerning “Non-Catholic” communion (Bulletin Inserts, April 1999 [26:3]). I am certain that you know there are some “non-Catholic” (an insulting term, by the way) churches — Anglican, Polish National Catholic, Baltic Lutherans, etc.— who hold to “real presence” and catholicity of faith.

It is quite amazing to me how many clergy must defend themselves as “true” Catholics. This would include Uniate clergy who are bi-ritual and some former Lutheran and Episcopalian clergy now of the Latin/Roman rite.

Thanks for your otherwise excellent products and material.

Father Jon Bigsby
Jon@karnesec.net

Food for thought

I very much enjoyed and profited from your “Post-modern Liturgy” article (May 1999 [26:4]). It hit at issues I think about a lot. I am just now completing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Columbia Theological Seminary near Atlanta with a concentration in Gospel and Ministry. My focus for four years has been media, especially the new media and religion. I have read, annotated and frequently quoted from more than 100 books — but your article still gave me new insights and food for thought. Thanks!

Dan Andriacco 
Cincinnati
Dandriacco@aol.com

Ed. note: See Dan’s article on page 16 of the printed edition of ML.

Liturgical dance

Thank you for your article “Liturgical Dance” in the March issue of Ministry & Liturgy (Liturgical Lil Talks Back [26:2]). I have been working in a large parish for the past nine months as the director of music and liturgy. We had some liturgical dance during Lent, which was very well received by the assembly. I believe the dance fit well into the liturgy. Nonetheless, there are a handful of very vocal members who do not think that dance belongs in the church, and I fear they have challenged the future of dance in our worship.

It would be interesting to discuss the different ways that we can integrate dance into worship without being threatening. I would be interested in ideas for a retreat for liturgical dance and in any other sources that ML readers might recommend.

Rebecca Whelpley 
Watertown, Wis.
becky_whel@hotmail.com
 

Introductory Rites

I enjoy your Home Church articles in Ministry & Liturgy. However, I have a comment on your March 1999 article “Lord, have mercy” (26:2). If a presider seems to be breezing through the penitential rite, it might be for motives besides being in a rush.

The Introductory Rites, including the penitential rite, will be streamlined when (or if) the new sacramentary is ever issued. The image I’ve heard is that introductory rites should be seen as a “vestibule” where you spend a brief time on the way into the main part of the house, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Without cutting out anything that’s essential, I try to keep that in mind when I’m presiding.

Regarding the penitential rites in particular, are you familiar with Dennis Smolarski’s book How Not To Say Mass? He deals with it very well on page 40. In brief, he says that when using the third penitential rite (Lord, Have Mercy), “(1) do not speak to the Father, the Spirit, or anyone other than Christ, and (2) do not dwell on human failures, but rather proclaim Christ’s mercy and saving qualities.” Invocations that stress human failures are “more appropriate for a litany of penitence during a Communal Penance Service, but not as a typical proclamation of praise of God’s mercy.”

I’ve been ordained five years, and I keep learning more all the time. Our liturgies aren’t anywhere near “liturgically correct,” but we try. Keep up the good work.

Peace,

Fr. Jud Weiksnar, OFM
judw@juno.com

More applause

In regard to John Hajda’s article on applause during the liturgy (26:5), I dare to suggest that the author, as well as many of the respondents, have fallen into the trap of saying, “My experience is the measure of all experience.” I have ministered in the Catholic African-American community for a number of years and have had a number of book reviews published in ML in this subject area. In the African-American context, in which worship is almost always a liminal experience, clapping is a response to the invitation of the psalms, “To all you people clap your hands...”

David O. Brown
Assumption Church, Chicago

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