Our music director gave the choir a week off, so I went to another church this week.
It didn't get off to a good start, 'cause when I arrived, their choir was practicing a song in which they were congratulating us all about our "diversity" and wanting to "sing a new church into being." So from diversitie, they went on to heresie.
To my relief, I saw on the hymn board that they were going to sing it as a recessional ditty, and that would solve the problem. I wouldn't have to be under the same roof with them while they were singing it; I could just leave quickly after the dismissal, in case God were to drop the Big One on them.
Anyway, I like the pastor there: he preached well, and he talked about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Mass was not completely as usual, because he performed a baptism for an infant, and the steps in that rite were interpolated into the Mass at various points.
At one point, he spoke about the duties of the parents and godparents: that little Sean Joseph needed to "learn the difference between good and evil and how to choose evil and avoid good, and someone is going to have to teach him to choose evil and avoid good."
Huh? So maybe they were singing a new church into being after all? Nah.
I don't know if anybody else noticed his verbal flub. I couldn't help chuckling and making a "swap those two things" gesture. For whatever reason, he paused, and then went on with his explanations, and didn't have any more glitches.
A friend who used to direct music at that church told me later: don't worry, they'll probably never sing that song again: the pastor detests it.
Like I said, I think he's a good guy.
There should be a pastors-r-us network so pastors can get fraternal encouragement and fraternal correction more often. That would really out parishes.
Hmm...maybe a network for persecuted people around the world, too. They could definitely use hope and aid against their oppressors.
I wish you'd give a hint as to which church this is, what town, etc... :-)
My favorite homily flub was a new pastor's first homily:
"My friends - I have not come to serve. I have come to be served."
After a congregational gasp he realized the error and corrected himself.
Dear Faithful,
Here is what a real Catholic Hero looks like.
He stands up against a World of God and His Christ hating men:
Most Reverend Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco, stated that membership in Freemasonry, regardless of obedience chosen, was incompatible with membership of the Catholic Church. And this, in response to formal installation, February 19, the Grand Lodge national regular of the Principality of Monaco (GLNRPM), first in Monaco where Catholicism is the State religion. And where the heir to the throne of the Grimaldi must be derived from the "sacred marriage links".
"The constant teaching of the Catholic Church is clear on this subject and has been confirmed by a statement of the Congregation of the doctrine of the faith, dated November 26, 1983, explains Archbishop." "The negative judgment of Freemasonry Church remained unchanged, because its principles were inconsistent with the doctrine of the Church: this is why it remains prohibited by the Church register." "Catholics who are part of Freemasonry are in a State of grave sin and may not approach Holy communion," said Bishop Barsi.
Pray for the Roman Catholic Archbishop.
Say a Hail Mary for the soul of Princess Grace, who must be an advocate for Monaco; I hope she is begging for all of us.
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