Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
March 27, 2002
Letters
Church is for worship
As I read letters that people are sending to the Register, it is becoming clearer that people do not understand why our churches are becoming more and more secular in nature, rather than true houses to worship our Lord.
Now to those people who think this "pop" music is OK in our churches, let us remember that we are going to God's church to worship him, not to a concert.
I believe wholeheartedly that we no longer fear God. According to Scripture, time and time again God's people put him aside. God has only so much patience before he shows his wrath. Unless we start to change our ways, I believe that we are about to see his wrath again.
Listen to the mandates of the Holy See these past 30 years, but more importantly, to the laws of God himself.
G. L. Beranek
Louisville
Socialize outside Mass
This is in reference to the letter "Quiet please" and also the article "Lenten exercise: listening to the Lord" in the Feb. 27 issue.
In the parish we belong to there is no quiet time either before or after Mass. My husband and I always attend the 7:30 a.m. Mass usually arriving about a half hour early, so that we can have some quiet time to pray, to say the rosary, but that is impossible.
The choir is in the front of the church practicing, talking, laughing and even putting on makeup. There are two ladies in the back of the church cleaning the vigil candles; they are talking loudly about family, friends, illness, clothes, children, etc.
Other members of the congregation are arriving and most of them are quiet and respectful of the house of the Lord, but some of them start socializing as soon as they come in and do not stop until Mass starts. They seem to have no respect for where they are or for others. I always thought socializing was for outside the church and not in the church.
Nancy Fuller
Broomfield
Quiz error
Sorry Dominic, your answer to Question 7 of your CateQuiz'em about the Baby Ruth candy bar in the March 6 Register should have been a little sweetie.
The bar was actually named after the eldest daughter of President Grover Cleveland. Babe (not "Baby") Ruth was better noted for consuming hot dogs and guzzling at another type of bar.
Regardless, love the column.
Keep slugging away. Even the Babe struck out once or more.
Algird Pocius
Littleton
Hebrew chants
As far as music in the Church is concerned, whether it be Latin or otherwise, if it praises God, that is the most important thing.
Perhaps we should go back to the music of Jesus. The Hebrew chants are absolutely beautiful.
Michael Rosen
Denver
Extraordinary Eucharistic ministers
Robert Ostrowski rightly celebrates (letter to editor, March 13) the laity's increased role in the liturgy. His enthusiasm, however, goes overboard. Some cautions worth noting:
The Catholic Church still teaches and legislates (Canon 910) that only the ordained minister has the right to distribute the Eucharist. When there are not enough priests and deacons to fulfill this task, the laity then can be commissioned by the pastor to serve as extraordinary Eucharistic ministers. "Extra-ordinary" means that they are not ordinary ministers of the Eucharist. Bishops, priests and deacons are ordinary ministers by virtue of their sacramental consecration.
Further, the Catholic faithful in the United States can receive the Eucharist under both forms (the body and blood of Christ) thanks to permission from the U.S. bishops. It is not a universal right and is not available in every diocese of the world. Also, a pastor is not obliged to offer the cup to the laity at every Mass, it is up to his discretion.
The laity have not been promoted by Vatican II to the level of priests regarding access to the Eucharist.
Arthur Mallozzi
Denver
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