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Letters to the Editor

The response from readers on the subject of limiting the service of altar girls and eliminating applause and dancing during Mass was overwhelmingly critical of what many saw as a significant leap backward for our Church. Recently, VOTF has learned in NCR that the Vatican supporters of such changes have reconsidered and will not, at this time, be advocating several of the proposals, which generated considerable controversy and shock among Catholics. Nonetheless, your response tells us a little more about who we are and what we're thinking even beyond specific liturgical changes Be sure to give some thought to this month's "What Do You Think?" and many, many thanks for your spontaneous and articulate response to this first foray! Respond to leaderpub@votf.org.

"Ridiculous! Where are the lessons learned from Vatican II? One day the Church will be needing women for ministry of all sorts. This would represent another retrenchment. As far as officiating with other clergy - where is our ecumenical movement? We should be emphasizing our similarities, not our differences. Have we learned nothing?"
M. Welch

"Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic is another analogy that comes to mind. It makes me sick that this is where our authority figures place their efforts."

"I was furious after reading the article in the Charlotte, NC Diocesan paper regarding restriction of altar girls, applause, and liturgical dance, Many forms of worship, whether cultural or simply expressive of love of our Creator, using our talents such as dance or applause in moderation, express encouragement or acknowledgement for another. Dear God, help me keep the Faith."
Margaret Lozier-Arps

"Regarding the latest proposed changes, I could just cry when I realize that this is what has been on the minds of our leaders with the world in such a sorry and needy condition today."
Pauline Reynolds, Providence, RI

"Having been involved in Ecumenical dialogue for some fifteen years, and also in Muslim/Christian and Jewish/Christian dialogue for as many years, in Montreal, I have but one comment: I think it's absolutely ludicrous!"
Rita Leblanc

"We have been blessed to have been able to travel quite extensively. My wife quips that there is no church we have ever seen that we have not visited. This is especially true of non-American churches. Worldwide, churches are the repository of the history and art of an area. Each one is a museum of culture and beauty. One can learn, and enjoy, much by making these visits.

Historically, the American church has been healthier than others around the world. People attended US churches and participated. In recent times, however, a malaise, similar to that of other countries, is starting to take hold. We are becoming cynical. The sins of the hierarchy, the ugliness of the pedophile tragedy, the disgusting focus on donations, the denigration of females in general, the refusal to follow through on the wonders of Vatican II, the mismanagement and so much more. And now a small thing, but emblematic of so much that is wrong with the church - the proposal from Vatican sources that altar girls might be welcome no longer. It took so long to allow them to participate and now this stupidity. Sometimes it is just a small straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back."
Bob Dahlen

"I really don't think much of the ideas presented. It has taken centuries to try to break down barriers that artificially separate and someone wants to put all of that behind us? As to the idea of banning poetry, etc., I have always thought that the majority of priests (I'm an ex-seminarian) didn't really understand what was going on in the lives of the people in the pews. If something can be uplifting, then there is certainly nothing wrong with using it. We all recognize why we're at a Mass - to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. If we can be uplifted and feel good while we're there, then hooray!
Peter Halle

"Let's hope there are new guidelines demanding more reverent and worshipful behavior at Mass - the sooner the better. Maybe it will remind Catholics what the Mass is, or should be, all about."
Rose Kehoe

"Here are two thoughts regarding 'What Do You Think?' First, the very act of asking us what we think is novel and deeply necessary for a modernization of the Catholic Church in America. We hold democratic and representative rule very near to our hearts, yet the Church always dictates and never asks. Please keep asking opinions on different topics and present aggregate findings to the Church. This is a model that can be used to better involve the laity. We believe that we are the Church, we are God's Hands, and yet we are treated like stupid sheep.

Secondly, keep the girls involved!!! As a Catholic woman raising a Catholic daughter, I think we need more opportunities, not fewer. Except for women religious, we don't have any role models for involvement. DON"T let the Church undo what tiny progress has been made. Finally, bless you for starting and maintaining a Web site to be a focal point."
Rosellen Kraus, Orlando , Florida

"We shall refuse to eliminate altar girls in our parish, and my daughter, a former professional dancer with an MFA in Dance, has a teen liturgical dance ensemble that will continue to participate in liturgies.

I must admit that applause does nothing for me. As a matter of fact, I think it takes away from the divine moment and cuts it off. We do have applause in our parish and I do not participate. As one involved in theatre, I'm fearful that we could confuse liturgy and theatre."
Gwen Johnston

"People often applaud without any thought and dance is a big part of many cultures. Would it be helpful if all the women in our churches stayed home for two full weekends and see what we would have?"
Sr. Mary

"I believe the Church needs to continually strive to eradicate the sexism that has existed for too long. I do notice that there seems to be an abundance of altar girls these days, which would point to the need for men to model their involvement in the Church so that being an altar boy remains appealing to boys.

Liturgical dance should continue. It is a valid expression of worship. In the US we have not used our bodies enough as an expression of worship. Too many Masses are so dry that it is increasingly difficult to sit through them. We need more exuberance and energy in the Mass.

Applause at Mass has always blessed me. Continue when it is appropriate. I have never been to a Mass when applause has been used inappropriately."
Amy Prudhomme

"This is ridiculous! This is the kind of thing that is driving me away from the Church. I can't believe our Church turned a blind eye to rampant pedophilia by priests - tacit institutional approval of such practices for decades. Now they are worried about dancing, poetry, and applause? No. The attempt to further exclude girls and women from meaningful participation in the Church is even more distasteful. I urge VOTF to continue to present the view of the laity so that the Church will wake up."
Jamie Cutler

"Just another example of how OUT OF TOUCH the Church leadership is. The "male" clergy in general have made a mess of things. We need more not less 'female' influence to clean it up."
Patrice Baer

"I believe that the idea of limiting girls' roles in the Church (or the roles of women in general) emphasizes Jesus' gender at the expense of His humanity. I believe that limiting expressions of human creativity and joy in our central mode of worship, the Mass, similarly denies much of the humanity that Christ experienced. For example, He attended weddings where the host ran out of wine. Even a small stretch of the imagination suggests that dancing or poetry readings (or singing) were responsible for that thirsty group (either that or we are left with an image of the historical Jesus hanging out with a purely drinking crowd).

We Catholics believe that Christ is among us humans based on our fundamental religious document, the New Testament, and the various Acts and Letters of the early Christians. Everyday observation of the behavior of other humans and honest self-reflection upon our own behavior reveals to any rational being that Jesus is among all of us, but not entirely in any one of us. Therefore, our life-long search for Christ requires us to look for him in all whom we encounter. Logically (and even statistically), this search is most complete when as many humans as possible can present themselves to others in their entirety. That entirety may take expression in someone's femininity, masculinity, ability to write poetry (or express appreciation for this talent in others), ability to dance (or express appreciation for this talent in others), or the kindness to recognize that other faiths may also give people access to God.

Therefore, whenever we deny opportunity of expression to any human, we are denying ourselves an opportunity to find Christ."
Jerry J. Cura, PhD

"We seek the more open, flexible services that are few and far-between in Charleston, South Carolina. One Monsignor evidently knows theology and rather than speak down to his congregation expects them to walk beside him as he explores unique interpretations of the day's readings. However, Bishop Baker has given his blessing to the Latinate Mass. It seems this is more significant than the dramatic changes Vatican II attempted to effect at the behest of Pope John XXIII."

"Several years ago we attended Mass in Wisconsin. To our surprise there were no kneelers in the pews. The congregation stood during consecration! Novel? Yes. Involving? Yes. Uplifting? Yes.

May the Holy Spirit descend upon you and grant you hope and fortitude to continue your vital work."
James N. Letendre

"The problem with having well-meaning applause during Mass for, say, installation of Parish Council officers or following a baptism is that you have to be consistent and fair and allow other vocal demonstrations, e. g., booing if some are inclined. We would be horrified at booing, but at ball games booing and applause are two sides of public expression. Don't think you can allow one and prohibit the other.

Yes, get rid of poetry. We had a priest who loved to read Helen Steiner Rice calling-card selections. The problem was he was aware that it was not well-received but continued to read anyway. There should be ample food for thought from the Scripture readings; that's why other Christians refer to them as lessons.

However, I don't think the Church has to be concerned about altar girls in the future. I don't think there will be that many people attending Mass. The emphasis for young people is away from the Catholic Church. Does it make me sad? Yes, it does. I am now 60 years old and still a practicing Catholic. But if I were raising my children today, I would have to think twice about raising them Catholic."
Kathleen

"As a Canadian in the Diocese of Victoria/B.C. we not only have taken Vatican II to heart but had a Synod, which supports the increasing involvement of ALL the laity. We certainly are dead against any changes that would inhibit our female altar servers from being a part of Church.

As to the non-Catholic participation, our thrust in the Cowichan Valley and in the diocese is towards more, not less ecumenical outreach. Dancing is an integral part of Judaic/Christian worship and, where appropriate, will, we state, continue - applause, likewise.

We watch with interest the movement of VOTF in the States and look forward to contacting others who might help form a 'cell' of action here."
Peter Elliott

(Ed. note - we have put Peter in touch with others in his area)

"What kind of men spend time and energy on such questions?"
Mary Lou LoVecchio

"The holy sacrifice of the Mass is not a theatre production and does not require applause or dancing. As for altar girls, this should be reserved for boys as the priesthood is. On the subject of conduct at Mass, the trading of non-Catholic ministers at each others churches for homilies is not in accord with Catholic teaching."
John R. Lang

"These proposals would take the Church ONE GIANT STEP BACKWARDS! Whatever happened to the Ecumenical movement? With the advent of altar girls (my daughter is one), the Church took one small step forward for women. The next, long overdue step is the full participation of women in the Church as priests, bishops, and even, Pope someday. As for dancing, they might as well eliminate music, too. Dancing can also be a way of worship, as is singing. What's wrong with prayerful poems and readings that aren't from the Bible? Thank you for soliciting my opinion. Will anyone in the Vatican hear me?"
Eileen M. Craffey

"I am a convert to Catholicism. I have practiced my faith for over 30 years. The trend I have seen is to become more like the Protestant religion by relaxing the rules and allowing liturgical dancing, applause, etc. I see people chatting during the Mass, children getting up and leaving to go outdoors for a little while and return when they feel like it. Half of the people no longer genuflect when they go into church. Mothers of teenagers coming into church in SHORT shorts and allowing their daughters to come in with shorts and spaghetti strap blouses with their midriffs exposed. There is an overall lack of respect for the Church and what it represents. There is no longer any sacredness attached to the Mass. One of the reasons why, I believe, is that the Church has stopped teaching proper behavior during the Mass. And having the Blessed Sacrament stuck over in some obscure corner does not help at all. In our church the Crucifix is also off to the side and the bishop's chair is front and center. The priest tells jokes and, quite frankly, it is more like a day for fun than a day for prayer and reflection. I believe the Church must put respect back into church, by teaching the rules to be observed during the Mass. In addition they should observe the rules themselves."
Jackie Slater

"To banish girls from altar service, or texts that do not come directly from Scripture, or applause or dancing, would be a serious misdirection of our call to love and serve God and our neighbor. The leadership of the Church should be looking for ways to help us live more genuinely Christian lives, which would include being open to ministers of other Christian faiths or to lay persons assisting at liturgies of various kinds. Social justice, humility, poverty in spirit, purity in hearts should be our concern, not narrowing our certification of Roman Catholic identity. Priests and bishops and faithful followers have better things to do."
Virginia Wilkinson

"Most of our servers in our small southern Church are female. As for applause, that was what I heard first when I completed the conversion process many years ago. It made me feel welcome. Thanks for your work in helping to change the Church and God Bless."

"Altar girls are fine with me, also good liturgical dancing, but poetry? Why don't we stick to the loveliest poetry of all - the Psalms? I should add that I love to go to a Gregorian Mass once in a while, too. I can do this at the 9:15 Sunday mass at Our Lady of Sorrows in Kansas City, Missouri. The church is host to a Gregorian community in addition to the "regular" pastors - a great combination."
Kay Miles, Missouri

"I barely hang onto my faith. Sometimes I think the best thing is to share your thoughts and prayers with Jesus and eliminate the middleman (formal Church) completely. That is what most of the younger generation does."
Martha

"I can do without liturgical dancing and non-Biblical readings. I don't need wine for everybody and think the 'sign of peace' is silly. I hate applause in church, except at a concert. But I think not allowing women and girls to participate as altar servers, readers, cantors or Eucharistic ministers would be totally wrong. If they do their jobs with reverence and efficiency they belong there. Keeping non-Catholics from participating is also a stupid idea. Haven't we gotten past the idea that God loves only Catholics?"

"When I read the article about the suggested changes in the Church in my local newspaper, I almost fell out of my chair. If these 'suggested' changes are approved it will only show how out of touch Rome is with the American Catholic Church.

I feel most American Catholics like the Church just the way it is. Sure, it took some time for us to accept English, Communion in the hand, and, yes, even altar-girls; but these are some of the best things that have happened in our lifetimes in our Church. Let's hope cooler and clearer heads prevail in Rome before they add more fuel to the recent scandals."

"I really see this as a feeble attempt to retain a power that has gotten out of the box. Thanks to organizations like VOTF, I do not ever see our Roman Catholic Church being put back in the box. But if the laity becomes apathetic or if we do not understand our responsibilities, little snips at our freedom will occur.

A deeper concern that I see in the article is the last item, 'There is also a proposal to inhibit pan-religious participation in the Mass, a practice that had taken root during decades of ecumenical enthusiasm in the Catholic Church. Representatives of Protestant or other non-Catholic sects should not take part in the service beside the priests, according to the proposal.'

As a baptized Christian I am baptized into the Body of Christ, not the Roman Catholic Church and not any other Christian denomination. In ecumenical weddings, it is preposterous and offensive to ask a non-Roman Catholic minister to participate in the wedding but not to allow any participation in the service beside the priest. In the Nicene Creed, a truly ecumenical creed because it was developed by the early Christian Church before any division occurred, we proclaim, 'We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.' In grammatically correct printing of this creed, the word 'catholic' is not capitalized. That is because the word 'catholic' does not equal Roman Catholic.

We the baptized need to claim the spirituality of our baptism. 'There is...one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.' (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Don E Siegal, Lemoore, CA, Diocese of Fresno

"One half of the Catholics throughout the world are female. How is it conceivable to consider excluding females from the same roles allowed for males during Mass? This mentality has the Church in a position now where we do not have enough priests to carry on the role of serving the parishes. Think of where the Church would be if lay people were not serving in the various ministries! A large percentage of these volunteers are in the Autumn of there years. We need to start thinking 'out of the box' to save the future of our beloved Church."
Jack

"Personally, I think that these "possible changes" are a step backwards and insult the laity once again. Not only are these changes divisive, they come at a time when our Church needs to concentrate on building community, not focusing on trivial matters. Thank you for providing this opportunity to express my views. Blessings and PEACE!"
Toni Bastoni, VOTF member in Santa Rosa, California

"I think the restriction of freedoms within the Catholic church recently show fear on the part of the governing [male] hierarchy within the Church. Dialog diminishes with fear, and dogmatic ultimatums (with the threat of being 'unfaithful' for the noncompliant) increase.

The proposed changes appear to be reactionary and based upon insecurity. The theological strengthening of the 'God-priest' coupled with the reduced participation of the 'non-priest' laity (are we now the "god-less," I wonder?) won't negate the current crisis within the Church. Resurrecting the "we vs. them" mentality is not only regressive, it is downright alienating.

We love our faith, which is why this is so disturbing. I will pray that our church management has the courage to face their fear and begin to realize that true communion is only a dialog away."
Mrs. Virginia Pierson

Regarding the buzz about eliminating girl altar servers, liturgical dance, and applause, it seems that this is an attempt to eliminate the female energy and service in our liturgy celebrations of the Eucharist. What would Jesus do? He would, without any doubt, welcome everyone and their gifts to His table. How can we survive and deal with all the serious issues of our day when our Church leaders are focusing on such demoralizing actions? God help them to wake up and fill up with the Holy Spirit! Sincerely your sister in Christ."
Mary Ann Barry, Prayerful Voice Rep., St. Theresa's VOTF, Harvard, MA

"How are they going to stop applause? Call the police? Take tapes of who is clapping and threaten them with excommunication?"
Pat Goddard

"Are burkas next? I really don't think these proposed changes will happen. I think the People of God are not going to be pushed back behind the altar rail to a passive role in THEIR Church."
Ellen Healey, Indianapolis

"The role of women and girls in ministry should not be limited. I believe that gender apartheid is just as wrong when practiced in the Catholic Church in the United States as it is when practiced by the Taliban."
Shirley Stokes, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

"Our diocesan news here in North Carolina covered the proposed changes in liturgical practice very briefly, reporting that the instruction '... recognizes a bishops authority to permit girls and women to serve at the altar BUT NEVER WITHOUT A JUST PASTORAL REASON' (caps mine). Could not the needed "reason" be that we as female are Gods own loved daughters?

At 67 years of age, I would have hoped for so much more from our bishops. But I rejoice that VOTF is, after having been birthed in enormous pain, alive and growing, and giving hope to us all. Blessings to you, VOTF."

"Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton of Detroit has written a letter to the editor of Commonweal (Oct. 10, 2003) that is very supportive of VOTF. The bishop ends his letter by saying, 'We can only hope that Voice of the Faithful and other lay groups will have the stamina to persist in their efforts to hold the bishops accountable and to bring structural reform to the Church.' Progress comes slowly, but it will come.
John Gallagher, Westminster, CA

"Limiting the already pathetically small role of females at mass (for instance, by eliminating girl altar servers) might just succeed in finally driving me out of the Church. I say this as a woman who's been a lector almost since the admission of lay women to that function was introduced. It's one thing for us to progress slowly, quite another to destroy advances already made. What on earth (or in heaven) harm has been done by letting girls feel their Church values their assistance?

I don't have strong feelings about most of the other issues, though I've always disliked the practice of applauding during Mass. We're not an audience, and the liturgical dancers are not performing for our benefit. I once attended a demonstration of Tibetan monks chanting. Though they were on a stage in an auditorium, we were asked in the program not to applaud because the monks did not wish to shift the emphasis to themselves from That to which their chants were addressed. The tension in the silences between chants was palpable; people wanted to applaud. Not being allowed to do so made us focus on the purpose of the extraordinary sounds we were hearing. I'd like to see a similar focus maintained during mass.

The use of non-biblical readings is acceptable if their choice is carefully monitored by a trained liturgical committee. I'm strongly in favor of cooperative liturgies involving other clergy alongside priests. I favor a pluralistic approach in such situations: let different perspectives exist side-by-side rather than 'blanding down' to a single mutually acceptable prayer or ceremony. That's a matter for the pastor to decide on a case-by-case basis, though, in my opinion.

Thanks for opening this discussion. I hope our words get passed on... or upward."
Mary Rosenbaum

"I learned of these possible limitations on Monday, September 29. It felt like a slap in the face, especially because on Sunday, September 28 I served on the altar for the first time in my life as a Minister of Ceremonies, being the principal assistant to the priest at Mass.

As a child I went to daily Mass during the school year and also on Saturday in Lent. I knew all the Latin, and because my missal was English/ Latin I KNEW what the Latin meant. I knew what the altar boys did and when to do it, and I knew every movement the priest made. I was always on time, awake and alert - while the boys often were not. But I could never go and help the priest, I could not assist at Mass. I was a girl and that was that.

It took 45 years for me to assist at Mass. And the very next day I read that this tiniest of accommodations may be taken away. Discrimination is a terrible thing and that is what this amounts to. I am hurt and angry.

I also understand that another recommendation is to re-install a communion rail, keeping the priest away from the congregation. Are these really the things that senior Church leadership is concerned about???? 'Out of touch' does not begin to describe the chasm between hierarchy and laity if this is the case."
Meg Mazzeo

"Just a short note, as a Roman Catholic still in shock over the recent incidents in our Church, I just wanted to give you encouragement to continue your good work. And if and when a chapter comes to the Boca Raton, Florida area I will be in attendance.

Your group presence for this extremely good cause to save the Catholic church and the real roots of the Catholic religion is an inspiration. I have not attended Mass since the exposure of Cardinal Law and his group of merry men. I must get over it and seek a Catholic Church that has our true meaning of what religion is all about. There has to be more humility and spirituality for all. May God bless each and every one of you."

(Ed. note: We have put the writer in touch with our Florida coordinator.)

"Thanks for all you do and have done. Many active Catholics see the crying need for change. We love the message of Jesus and want to follow Him to His Father."
Nan Smith

"This level of control is counterproductive to the gospel and the movement of the Holy Spirit! VOTF is a critical movement for hope in the Catholic Church."
Janet Wortman

"My opinion is that women have an important role in the future of our Church. I honestly think we have drifted away from the beauty and solemnity of our religion. Dancing is one of my loves but I don't see its place in a church.

Attendance at Mass is somewhat of a three-ring circus at times. Children go back and forth to the bathroom to pass the time. (We didn't even know there was a bathroom in the church and if we did we would have been embarrassed to distract everyone by strolling back and forth.) People don't show reverence for the Blessed Sacrament - they talk throughout the Mass. Teenagers are bored because they don't have the opportunity to feel the sacredness of the same Mass that thousands of us felt 30 or 40 years ago. People are never admonished to dress appropriately. That would be another assault on their free will.

We Catholics used to see the need for rules, standards and good manners. Now we go with the tide of complacency. Wake up and restore the Church as it was meant to be. Priests and bishops should stand up and be counted. Today many are a disgrace to the Church and its mission. Instead of dancing in the church, look at the more important issues before it's too late. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the beautiful things that are His. How about the beauty of the Church before Vatican II?"
Pat Hooks

More letters:

"Thank you VOTF for strengthening my belief. I waited 35 years for understanding. Keep the Voice strong."
Bob Schwiderski, a victim/survivor of Catholic Clergy sexual abuse

"A Suggestion: We have listed as a goal 'to change the Church'. At the same time we have had difficulty being accepted and recognized by our bishop. During the months of September thru December the Rockville Center Diocese, NY is holding Synod Parish Listening Sessions. The Bishop is offering to hear what the people have to say. Are we (VOTF) as an organization using this opportunity to "voice" our concerns, hopes, and dreams? Is the organization encouraging its members to attend and participate in their parishes? This is an opportunity to 'put our money where our mouth is.' Is the organization truly interested in this opportunity to be heard or is VOTF only interested in being recognized as an organization? Something to think about from a VOTF member!"

 

 

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In the Vineyard
November '03
Volume 2, Issue 12

Page One

National News

Letters to the Editor

Survivor Support News

Parish Voice News

Events, Opportunities & News

What Do You Think?

Prayer of the Month

Books for your review

Printer Friendly Version

In the Vineyard Archives

Our postal address is VOTF,
Box 423,
Newton, MA
02464-0002

Donations can be sent to this address or through our Web site

For an overview of press coverage of VOTF, click here.

 

Have you received your VOTF quarterly? If not, please call the VOTF office at 617-558-5252 and request the fall issue. Submissions for the quarterly are gratefully considered. Please contact Peggie Thorp at leaderpub@votf.org.

REMINDER: To contact an affiliate in your area, just go to the VOTF Web site at www.votf.org and click on Parish Voices for a menu. Choose "Directory," identify your state by region, click appropriately and you're there.