Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
December 5, 2001
Letters
Don't promote Potter
I just wanted to comment on the Harry Potter article that was in the Register. I watch EWTN all the time and they have been warning people about the danger of letting our children read these books and going to see the movie. How can we as Catholics go around and preach against this type of occult if we allow this type of article to be published in the Register. It is totally opposite of what needs to be said about this innocently portrayed form of witchcraft.
I just wanted to voice my opinion and the voice of EWTN's to let you know that Harry Potter should not be promoted, especially by a Catholic newspaper that we trust. See http:spiritdaily.com/potter.htm and www.ewtn.com. God bless,
Patrick Havermann
`No' to Potter
My husband and I were chagrined at the positive movie review "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" received in the Nov. 21 Register. It couldn't be clearer in the Bible and the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" that the stuff of Harry Potter is divination and the occult, therefore, as Catholics we are obliged to stay away from them.
Potter is not "harmless fantasy," as the reviewer stated, because of the inclusion of incantations, casting spells, etc. in the books and movie.
When are we as Catholics ever going to stand up for what is right and true and good in our culture? Instead of clamoring to see this movie and expose our innocent children to the darkness of the occult, we should be sounding a resounding "no" to the Potter books, movie, toys and everything they stand for.
Mary Kemper
Castle Rock
Making music prayer
I would like to add the perspective of one who faces the challenge of choosing music for Mass to the recent letters to the editor.
According to the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council, the gathered faithful are called to actively participate in the Mass and one primary means is through music. Since our parishes include quite a diversity of people, how do we choose music for our worship without compromising the quality of the sacred liturgy? The bishops' document "Music in Catholic Worship" says that the following three guidelines must be used: Is the music well-written? Does it fit the liturgical action? Does it enable the people to express their faith?
Listening can indeed be actively participating and Bocelli singing Schubert's "Ave Maria" no doubt can bring tears to our eyes, but, actually singing ourselves: Why is that important in our Catholic liturgy? A recent experience for many of us might be to compare listening to someone else singing "America the Beautiful" versus adding our own voice. Singing ourselves helps us identify who we are and helps us heal. What a gift!
In the song "Gather Us In" we ask God to "give us the courage to enter the song." God gave us this gift. It's our own unique instrument to praise and glorify him. We are not asked to simply listen to the angels and saints praise God, we are asked to "join our voices with the choirs of heaven" as we proclaim "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord."
As hard as we work and pray about what music to use at Mass, it is not the musicians who are ultimately responsible for making it the prayer of God's people — it is up to each and every one of us. I have found that our community generally sings wholeheartedly. However, if we could afford it, we wouldn't mind it if Bocelli would come and sing "Ave Maria" at one of our Masses! Shalom!
Christine Nyholm, music director
St. Mark Catholic Church
Westminster
Selecting music for worship not easy
The letter by John Kelly that appeared in the Nov. 7 DCR wherein he is complaining about going back to a truly "Catholic" focus on music has me deeply incensed.
What Kelly claims as truly "Catholic" music was only regarded so by those who insisted on a belief in the Mass as a liturgical drama/performance! That is not what Jesus had asked of his Church to do. Vatican II specifically intended for any and all music that is used in Catholic worship to be based on, or inspired by, Scripture. "Gather Us In," for instance, happens to be based on, and inspired by, the Gospel passage that was proclaimed on Oct. 28. "How Great Thou Art" is another example. The method in which it was trivialized and commercialized was neither God's own intent, or that of his holy Church!
As a pastoral musician for 20 years in this archdiocese, I have dealt with many struggles in deciding music to be sung at Mass each week. The object of my ministry is to focus on the real, hidden liturgical "bull's eye" each week, yet, from my past experiences, the harsh reality is anything but easy to achieve. Decision-making on music for Catholic worship requires struggling with all factors that come into play in an individual parish environment. I represent three parishes and their individualities can be either interpreted as an obstacle to my ministry or as a chance to mature in my spirituality.
Regarding the St. Louis Jesuits: God's Holy Spirit was alive in their musical artistry and creativity and has used them to enhance our worship!
Lamenting for a return to a "true" Catholicity is not going to lead us towards the heavenly and eternal new Jerusalem. Vatican II set the right course for us in the 1960s. Only by changing our hearts and accepting what Vatican II called for of us will a "true Catholicity" emerge, as Jesus had asked from the beginning.
Robert Ostrowski
Golden
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