Letters

Last man standing!

Anne Lastman

Contents - Dec 2014 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The Coming of Christ - Peter Westmore Family Synod: Synod reaffirms Church teaching on marriage and family - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World Dissent: New controversy erupts in Toowoomba - Peter Westmore Vocations: Young Men of God Retreat for 2014 another success - Br Barry Coldrey The Long View: Catholicism today and the lessons of history - John Young Economic justice: The Catholic Church explains sexual mores - with economics - Emma Green Cardinal Pell: Synod rebuts 'secular agenda' - Catholic News Service The after-life: Why pray for those who are no longer with us? - Audrey English Separation of church and state: the position outside Australia - Frank Mobbs Obituary: Fr Benedict Groeschel, aged 81, dies in New Jersey - Peter Westmore Letters: Toowoomba trouble - Tristan Ross Letters: Synod of Bishops - Arnold Jago Letters: Language - Frank O'Connor Letters: Last man standing! - Anne Lastman Books: IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF THE SPIRIT: Guide to the Sacraments in the Byzantine Church - Paul Simmons (reviewer) Books: AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY, by C. Fini and C. Ryan (Eds) - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Support: 2014 Fighting Fund Progress Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light - Pope Francis

Dear Mr Editor, I'm under siege!

First Dr Mobbs, then Mr Westmore and his wretched apps, and Audrey English defending him and them, and now Mr Charles Shann.

I feel a bit like Thomas a'Becket and Henry II's famous words, "Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?" I feel like the "meddlesome priest."

To answer Mr Shann's statement that for the most part, people who read from their missal pay more attention to the Mass than those who don't: I would have to say, "Baloney!"

If one does not know what readings are about, it is because of inattention, and so being consciously "present" would ensure a knowledge of Scripture passages being proclaimed. Those who read from missals do not have added advantages except to say that a lector is unnecessary.

To be able to proclaim beautifully the Word of God (except the Gospel) is a great privilege, so why disdain this privilege?

Mr Shann believes that greater attention was paid to the Canon in the past than is now the case. However, veneration has nothing to do with language. It has to do with the state of mind of the celebrant and the congregation.

If the celebrant believes in the holiness of his action then this will be translated to his congregation, and they in turn will respond.

I believe that the most beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit in our time was the gift of the Holy Eucharist in the vernacular. It fulfils the prophecy found in Acts 2 at Pentecost: "How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language?"

The holy language is given to each so that we can understand and participate in worship in our own language.

Since the days of Babel no one could understand each other. Now it became again possible to worship and understand the worship. I also grew up with the convent Mass and Latin but have not retained it.

Mr Shann asked if I had EWTN and watched the Pope saying Mass. I don't have EWTN, but have done several interviews for them and my book Redeeming Grief has been featured on their programs.

As for the Pope and priests reading from the Missal, indeed he is the celebrant and must needs ensure correct liturgy. He stands before God, leading his congregation in their worship.

As for travelling overseas and needing a missal with Latin to participate in the Eucharist, I have travelled extensively and always find the nearest church to where I am staying to ensure that I can go to Mass.

I will ask someone which readings are to be used and then I know what is going to be said. As for the responses, I say them quietly in English or Italian.

And finally, how do apps encourage better singing? And what have they to do with decent hymns and their rarity in these days?

ANNE LASTMAN,
Melbourne, Vic.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 27 No 11 (December 2014 - January 2015), p. 15