What did you hear: Easter Sunday edition

Finally!

We went to the "other" parish we regularly attend - the traditional German parish (stations in German, etc). We like it, not just because the Gothic church is lovely and well-preserved, but because the liturgy is not self-serving, the liturgical ministers are not self-referential, and the whole thing is very restrained, just allowing God to work through the liturgy, without having to incessantly tell us what to expect or how to feel.

The snag this morning was that lightening had hit the church Friday night, zapping the sound system and the organ. They had an electric organ in to replace the pipe - and it was fine. Whatever they had jerry-rigged for the sound had a bit of a buzz going on, but as a whole they did great with what they had. Crowded (of course) church decorated with megaflowers around the altars (they still have the high altar) and bunting down the aisles. Music was traditional - Jesus Christ is Risen Today, and so on, with the Sequence sung as a solo by the cantor (there was no choir, just the faithful cantor - an older woman with a lovely, clear, strong, non-operatic voice), there was Latin a couple of times, including for the first Communion hymn. The homily was pretty strong, I thought - that Easter is the foundational feast for Christians, it's one thing to have the belief in the Resurrection attacked from the outside, but the big problem now is how it's being eaten away from the inside. He cited a poll  - I don't know if it was local or national - in which only 36% of self-identified Christians said they believed in the resurrection of the body. After that I sort of lost him, because by that point I was standing in the back with a very fussy Michael the Baby, who found a friend in a baby that was about twice as big as he, but, turned out to be 4 months younger.

Comments

[AmericanPapist]

(yes I went to this one as well - five liturgies in the last 4 days, counting Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday)

Another wonderful Mass... this one a bit more sedate after the Easter Vigil revelries. Pretty much back to the normal wonderful routine. Easter proclamation, refined Homily from the night before. ;)

You know, supreme sacrifice of the Mass. Can't complain. :)

[jdf]

Suburban Chicago - typical Easter fare: Jesus Christ is Risen Today, This Day was Made By the Lord, and Alleluia, Alleluia (Hymn to Joy). No sequence sung or recited. I tried to kick things up by playing a modern Alleluia prelude based on Gregorian themes. The kicker was the homily. The priest explained how there was no Gospel description of the resurrection, so the experience is personal. He then talked about a class he took with the infamous Crossan as professor. The question was put forth "What if they found the bones of Jesus? Would it change your faith?" This priest's answer for himself and everyone else there was "no," because we have all experienced the risen Lord so it doesn't matter whether or not they find His bones. I was stunned. Unfortunately my father also said it was the best homily he ever heard from this priest. Sad. This is the same priest who once preached about the Gospel of Thomas and explained it by telling the congregation, "There were many Gospels, some made it in and some didn't." Overall, very disappointing Triduum.

[Liam]

9AM Mass
St Paul's Parish, Cambridge, MA

The pastor's homily worked the theme, "God would rather die than live without us." He extended substantively particular welcomes to the many new faces and bade them bear with him if they felt out of their element. He then expanded on how the transformation and glorification of Christ in the Resurrection was our call and oftimes painful challenge as well.

The music program (this, with the mixed voice adult choir, being the less ornate of the two main liturgies, with the boy's choir and men's schola following at the 11AM liturgy in the upper church that was so packed that the overflow liturgy in the lower church was also SRO), details provided for the musicians interested in detail (bear with them, they do a lot for everyone):

Preludes:
Voluntary on the Old Hundredth Hymn Tune (brass choir)
Canzona (Gabrieli) (brass choir)
Solemn Entry (R. Strauss) (organ and brass choir)

Processional Hymn: The Clouds of Night Are Passed Away (Lass't Uns Erfreuen) (with brass choir)
Penitential Rite
Gloria: vernacular setting by Dr. Marier (with brass choir)

Psalm 118: setting by Dr. Marier (with brass choir)
Sequence: Victimae Paschali Laudes
Alleluia (with brass choir)

Renewal of baptismal promises & Asperges: The Church’s One Foundation (with brass choir)
Offertory anthem: Praise The Lord (Eric Thiman) (with brass choir)

Holy, Holy, Holy: setting by H. Schroeder (with brass choir)
Memorial acclamation: vernacular chant
Amen: Dresden (with brass choir)
Lord’s Prayer and Doxology: vernacular chant by Dr. Marier
Agnus Dei: Mass XVIII

Communion interludes by brass choir included Elsa’s Procession, Lohengrin (Wagner)
Post-communion anthem: Hallelujah Chorus from “Messiah” (Handel) (with brass choir)

Recessional Hymn: Christ The Lord is Ris’n Today (Gaudeamus Pariter) (with brass choir)

Postlude: Toccata by Charles Widor (with brass choir)

[craig]

0800 Mass in Moscow at Svyaty Ludvik (Russian translation of St. Louis; the parish was built by/for French expatriates). If you wanted to celebrate Easter, this is one of the few choices; the Russian Orthodox are still on Lent until next week.

The regular text of the Mass was in Latin, while the readings were in Russian. (There is a mass in English at 0930, but I had promised earlier to go sightseeing with my coworkers and didn't want to keep them waiting.) The homily was short and in Russian, and between acoustics and language barrier I know almost none of what was said. The elderly priest was French, or at least appeared to chant Latin and speak Russian with a French accent. There were about five helpers, all male.

This was my first ever Catholic Mass (in about 4 years of attending them) with other than suburban American Marty Haugen fare. Despite the language barrier, it went pretty well for me. I know enough Russian to figure out what Gospel excerpt was being read, and enough Latin tidbits ("pater noster", "verbum domini", "oremus", etc.) to stay with the group throughout even though I couldn't pray out loud along past the first line of anything other than Agnus Dei.

There was an organ and a tiny choir in a loft in back, but the acoustics of the place compensated for their leanness. The chanted prayers were easier to hear in that space than spoken words. The music was unfamiliar to me, but it was reverent-sounding and preferable to Gather. All in all, I'd have to say the chant was a major plus, the music a minor plus, and I carry no torch for Latin; it wasn't bad, but it was no better than neutral.

Holy Communion took place with no row-by-row queueing; everyone that went up, went ad hoc. The priest, by himself, gave Christ's Body to the people in their mouths; I did not see anyone with a chalice.

Afterwards, the priest went over to one side and blessed the long row of paschal baked goods that people had brought for that purpose, and ended with the traditional Russian "Christos voskrese". (And it is a definite plus that in Russian, every Sunday is "Voskreseniye").

[Quiet Soul]

Easter Triduum, St. Thomas Aquinas, Charlottesville VA
Holy Thursday: Gregorian Mass ordinary with Kyrie Kyrie XIV, Gloria II, Sanctus XVII, Agnus II; Entrance: "Lord You Gave the Great Commission"; Responsorial Psalm: "Our Blessing Cup" by Monaco; Gregorian Tract "Confitemini" by soloist; Offertory: "At that first Eucharist" Turton-Monk; Gregorian Communion Verse "Manducaverunt." Communion Hymns: "What Wondrous Love" and Byrd's "Ave Verum Corpus" (yes!). Pastor washed the feet of 12 young men in albs with these chants: "Mandatum Novum" and Proulx's "Ubi Caritas." Procession with Blessed Sacrament around outside of parish hall to singing of Pange Lingua (choir sang the melody without words when we were in the deep darkness outside--different). Longish sermon on Christ's gift of the priesthood and Eucharist. Adoration continued to 12 midnight, closing with reading of Christ's Farewell Discourse (Jn 13-17)--a Dominican tradition.
Good Friday: Silent entrance and prostration. Responsorial Psalm: "Father into your Hands"; Gregorian Gradual before Passion "Christus Factus Est" by schola. Passion sung in English to Domincan tone, with pastor as Christ, assistant pastor as narrator, and scholas as the "crowd" (chanting in harmony). Intercessions: all sung by deacon and pastor, with genuflections. Veneration of the Cross: Cross was progressively exposed and elevated during chanting of Wise-Roehig Reproaches combined with a Greek-Latin Hagios. Chants during veneration: Pange Lingua in English; "There in God's Garden" by a trio; Taize "Crucem Tuam"; "Drop, Drop, Slow Tears" Orlando Gibbins. These were all sung 2 or 3 times as the church was full and there was only one cross, so people venerated one by one, with many choosing to kneel or prostrate when kissing it. Communion hymns: Caswell's Hymn to the Precious Blood with Filitz harmony; "Soul of my Savior" 3-part. Departure in silence.
Easter Vigil (at 8:30 pm). Blessing of fire and candle in court yard with usual acclamations entering church; 3 T.O. readings. Gloria VIII (Mass of the Angels) sung with organ, ringing of bells, and lighting of the church. Old Gregorian triple Alleluia of Easter raising pitch each time. Longish sermon by assitant pastor on God being so great that he can care about even the littlest things, so he would have died and risen for even just one of us. Long litany of saints at a rapid clip. 10 baptisms, 12 or 13 professions of faith as Catholics, 40 some odd confirmations. Offertory: "At the Lamb's High Feast" to Hintze-Bach harmonies. Sanctus and Agnus from Mass of the Angels. Communion meditation: Byrd Ave Verum again (yea!!). Recessional: Jesus Christ is Risen Today." Reception/party in parish hall over after midnight.
I didn't make it to the one big parish Mass at day which is in the University's old basketball arena and usually draws over 2000.
A very special Holy Week.

[Elaine]

SF Bay Area, went to early 7:00 am mass. Usual thin crowd. Homily ... forgotten, I'm afraid. Sorry! Processional was Jesus Christ is Risen Today.
No Sequence sung, just the Easter Alleluia. The Psalm was This Day Was Made By the Lord. Offertory song was Ye Sons & Daughters, Communion's was Christ be Our Light. Sending for was to the Ode to Joy, don't remember the title.

We also sang chant-style the Kryie/Lord have Mercy, adn the Our Father.

[Shaun G]

I was at my mom's for Easter, so we went to the 9am at her church, St. Cornelius in Chadds Ford, Pa. (suburb next to Delaware).

The Mass was celebrated outside, under a giant tent. I'm not quite sure what the purpose was; my mother suggested it was to accomodate the crowd, but it didn't seem that much larger than the inside of the church. Outside wasn't unpleasant, but I think I would've preferred inside.

Their choir reminds me more of a contemporary evangelical "Praise and Worship Team" -- with the drum kit, the sax, and about four people on guitar. Very loud, thanks to the Bose speakers. The only song I remember was "Alleluia, Alleluia, Let the Holy Anthem Rise," which was the recessional hymn. They had a couple teens in their ensemble, which impressed me; one girl had a great voice, but she looked pained singing the responsorial psalm.

The homily -- delivered by the pastor, a youngish monsignor -- was about how presumptuous we can sometimes be about whether other people have heard the Good News; we figure, for example, that everyone knows what Good Friday is and what Easter is.

Even the people who have heard the story a hundred times may not have ever *genuinely* heard it, Monsignor said.

He then directed us to think back to that moment when the Good News first truly sunk in for us.

He closed by encouraging us to rejoice, to consider ourselves very blessed to have heard the Good News, and to share it with others.

[Sue]

We missed the opening hymn. We noticed two poor teenage souls on our way to church -- strung out or something -- on a highway overpass, throwing cash around, running out into a busy street, and more. We waited until the police arrived, and then went off to Mass.

I mention this so that you might raise them in prayer. Something was really wrong.

Mass was in the school gym. The size of the parish and Easter attendance requires use of both the Church and the gym.

As I said, we missed the opening hymn, but this Mass offers contemporary music from Holy is the Lord and New Millenium with guitar, electric bass, keyboard and drums which I know does not appeal to everyone. I too love traditional hymns done well. I can't stand Marty Haugen music which I've never heard from this ministry. The music ministry is well trained, good at song leading, and the praise and worship is truly beautiful.

The homily made me think of this blog. Our pastor preaching about the Resurrection condemned the Da Vinci Code as blasphemy while refusing to even utter its name, and he added that he prays that no one there had read the book or would go to see the movie. He concluded his talk saying the "Da Vinci" code movement's attempt to deny the Resurrection among other truths is purely satanic.

This of course lead to the rejection of Satan in the renewal of our Baptismal promises.

I wish you all a Happy and Blessed Easter season.

[Sue]

We missed the opening hymn. We noticed two poor teenage souls on our way to church -- strung out or something -- on a highway overpass, throwing cash around, running out into a busy street, and more. We waited until the police arrived, and then went off to Mass.

I mention this so that you might raise them in prayer. Something was really wrong.

Mass was in the school gym. The size of the parish and Easter attendance requires use of both the Church and the gym.

As I said, we missed the opening hymn, but this Mass offers contemporary music from Holy is the Lord and New Millenium with guitar, electric bass, keyboard and drums which I know does not appeal to everyone. I too love traditional hymns done well. I can't stand Marty Haugen music which I've never heard from this ministry. The music ministry is well trained, good at song leading, and the praise and worship is truly beautiful.

The homily made me think of this blog. Our pastor preaching about the Resurrection condemned the Da Vinci Code as blasphemy while refusing to even utter its name, and he added that he prays that no one there had read the book or would go to see the movie. He concluded his talk saying the "Da Vinci" code movement's attempt to deny the Resurrection among other truths is purely satanic.

This of course lead to the rejection of Satan in the renewal of our Baptismal promises.

I wish you all a Happy and Blessed Easter season.

[Fr Martin Fox]

I had the 7 am Mass this morning, which is always "no incense," and usually, no music. I arranged for accompaniment for this morning, above all for the Sequence. We sung almost everything. I think we had "Jesus Christ is Risen today" and "Alleluia, Alleluia, Let the Holy Anthem Rise"; "O Sons and Daughters" was in there somewhere, I can't recall just where.

Homily here Comments are always helpful.

[Elaine]

Our church was packed this morning and we were lucky to find a seat. Our choir sang beautifully although not all the traditional songs. I was delighted to see lots of babies including twins. Their father brought them up for a blessing while he received Holy Communion. All in all it was a great service.

[Andrew S.]

My priest blasted the evil da Vinci code. He explained that the book doubts the Resurrection of Jesus. I've not read it, but I trust him. Today was a good day to do that because it's Easter, and everyone is supposed to go. Then he commented how the Christian faith would be nothing without Resurrection. We had 'Jesus Christ is Risen Today' as well, and he chanted at the end, but then some little kids sang the wretched 'Lord of the Dance'. Oh well, but things are looking up. Have a wonderful Easter.

[Little Gidding]

Some more about the poll regarding belief in the resurrection of the body is on the Touchstone website, along with comments.

[Patricia Gonzalez]

Church was SRO this AM, even more so than Christmas! Congregation's behaviour zoo-like -- lots of talking, socializing across pews. Pre-Mass run-through of the Psalm with the soloist hard to hear because of chatter in the choir. Soloist butchered the Psalm, injecting pseudo-pop intonations -- he normally sings well, but this AM was dreck. No sequence, no renewal of baptismal promises. Homily started with "don't worry, I won't be too long." Also mentioned DVC, only misnamed the author as "Dave" Brown, drawing chortles... Reading through the other posts, I realize how blessed music-wise some parishes are. We sing the same things every year, and after 15+ yrs. I (organist) am getting bored. Nevertheless, the church was beautifully decorated. Music: "Alleluia, Give Thanks to the Risen Lord" (dirge-like); Mozart Alleluja for the acclamation, also Mozart Sanctus; Offertory: "That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright" (with "inclusive" words -- ick); Commuunion: "Bread of Life" (rather nice contemporary song, but words a bit too "Protestant"; Closing: "Jesus Christ Is Ris'n Today" -- finally got to let 'er rip on the organ. Our choir directors like things soft and sloooowwww, even the joyful hymns. Sigh ... However, the overall mood was joyful -- how could it not be on Easter???? Amy, a very joyful Easter Season to you and the family. God bless!

[RP Burke]

When I have time later today I will detail all three Triduum liturgies (or the one liturgy, as some have it). But after last night's vigil at our home parish, and with no musical or other liturgical assignments for Sunday, we slept in. That was our Easter Sunday, tho we did watch a few minutes of the Mass from Notre Dame on TV. (No, I have NO interest in watching the Angelicaists, whose channel has just appeared on our cable system.)

[Little Gidding]

Also--went with my Episcopal family members last night to vigil service. Judged purely in terms of liturgical form, the renewal of the baptismal vows part was done better than in my Catholic church this morning. The Episcopal prayer book has the priest asking questions in the form of "Do you believe in God?" Then the congregation answers, "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth." Then the priest asks, "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" to which the congregation replies, "I believe in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord ..." etc. all the way through, with the congregation really punching out the whole thing. At my Catholic church this morning, the priest was the one who essentially repeated most of the whole Creed, breaking it into a series of questions, at the end of each of which, the congregation simply answered, "I do," "I do," "I do," etc. Not anywhere near as good, I think. If Vatican 2 reform was supposed to encourage congregational participation, then what happened here, where we now only say "I do"?

But I will say this, however, for my Catholic Mass over the Episcopal Eucharist Service. The Episcopal Service, although it had some features that I wish we had--like an altar rail and kneeling for communion--was done rather distractedly and without much feeling. I do think it was clear that neither the congregation nor the celebrants had any deep sense, even at the consecration (is it called that in the Episcopal church?) that there was anything more going on than a simple remembrance ceremony.

It was quite a different feeling, however, at the Mass I attended this morning. And this is why I am Catholic.

[Bill White]

It is, after all, "hard to dance with the debbil on your back". <gloom> Small rural parish, diocese of Peoria. I sometimes feel guilty at having such a forceful reaction against the !@#$ we're given in place of music.

That was the "gift giving song", which isn't even music compared to today's real offertory, Terra tremuit. And the music guy cut out the middle of the sequence. Did I say <gloom>? Ah, yes, I did.

[Peg]

Church of the Risen Christ, Denver, CO

7:30 a.m. Mass. Packed to overflowing and three more scheduled Masses to follow, with two scheduled concurrently in the Parish Center.

What I noticed was how quiet and respectful people were listening to Father Ken's homily and just generally you could hear a pin drop at other times. Impressive for such a large group.

He said the other religious leaders were dead (Buddha, Muhammad, Joseph Smith), but Jesus was alive and at one point held up a host for us to get the picture.

[Glenn Juday]

St. Therese Chapel in House of Prayer, Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, Latin Mass community, Fairbanks, Alaska.

Beautiful sunny day (15hrs daylength), but temperature at freezing and windy. Individuals brought Easter lilies. Rosary before Mass.

First time since V2 for full sung Latin High Mass in Alaska - all the ordinaries; propers in Gregorian chant. Attendance was 40+, about 8 had practiced chant for the previous 5 weeks. Just folks, no musicians. Accompanied by electronic keyboard.

Congregation restless in anticipation.

Priest gave relatively brief homily, but powerful. Priest is old and in poor health (pain) but voice clear, firm. Spoke with no notes, not a single hesitation, gaze was clear, maybe even far-off. Recounted major turning points in history – Thermopylae, Pius V and Lepanto, Spanish Armada etc. All could have gone either way with big consequences for everybody present. All were turning points, but only for some people, cultures, and eventually for some limit in time. But Christ’s Resurrection was a turning point for all people for all time. Imagine being in prison, condemned to death, midnight comes, sounds of guard’s footsteps echo down the hall. Guard opens cell and says “You are free.” But what about the crime, the trial, the sentence? The Governor volunteered to be executed in your place. Absurd! No, it was a mistake. The President volunteered to be executed in your place. Even more unbelievable. No, God volunteered to be executed in your place and the place of all, including those who hate Him now and do everything they can to avoid Him, or frustrate His will. As you go about your daily life, just try to keep the sense of the magnitude of the debt, and act accordingly.

Even the teens joined in singing the ordinaries (Missa de Angelis), now after 10 or so High Masses in last 2 years. Congregation sang Victimae Paschale particularly well. Closing hymn was Jesus Christ is Risen today. Whole congregation sang all four verses, nobody moved at first after done (except 1-year-old). Would have sung more.

Congregation adjourned to an Easter feast in the kitchen/dining room of the little building. First serious deserts and candy in 40 days. All very happy.

[Mitchell Hadley]

Church of the Holy Childhood, St. Paul, MN
10:00 Mass
Fr. Jim Wolnik, Celebrant and Homilist

The church was nearly full, and it was all smells and bells, as it usually is at the 10:00, with flowers all around the altar.

Ordinary of the Mass: Messe Solennelle de Paques by Samuel Rousseau, accompanied by choir and orchestra.

Prelude: Meditation by Rousseau.

Opening Processional: The Strife is O'er by Palestrina.

Psalm: Chanted.

Sequence: Victimae Paschali by Gounod.

Sprinkling Rite following Renewal of Baptismal Vows: Vidi Aquam, chanted.

Fr. Wolnik's homily focused on Easter Sunday as Act 3 of a three-part drama, Act 1 being Holy Thursday and Act 2 Good Friday. We see Jesus in Act 1 instituting the Eucharist and commissioning the apostles to service. We see Him in Act 2 as He dies on the Cross for our sins. But all we see in Act 3 is the empty tomb. No, Jesus may not personally appear in the Easter Gospel, but He is present in the Pascal Candle, as Light of the World. He is present on the Altar, in His act of salvation. And He is present in the Eucharist. It is all of us, the members of His Church, who must become present in Act 3, as we accept His saving grace, and through our baptismal vows accept Him into our lives. If we do that, we will make sure He is present, on Easter Sunday and all days.

Communion Hymn: Regina Caeli by Rousseau.

Recessional: Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Lyra Davidica) by Beck. Sung with great gusto by the choir and congregation, and played with vigor by the orchestra and organ. I'm sure anyone driving by the church at that moment must have been able to hear us!

Postlude: Marche Romaine by Gounod. The musical program for the Mass was very French, and very satisfying.

[Clare Krishan]

Ever consider 'what you didn't hear'?

Today is the feast of St. Bernadette Soubirous's eternal entry into heaven, three days after Easter 4-13, 1879, which fell that year (as in 2004) on the same day for both Orthodox and Roman Catholics (and also 1916 when the angel first appeared to the children at Fatima).

Her 17th and penultimate apparition happened on the same third day after Easter at the Grotto in 1858 [follow in her steps at www.catholicpilgrims.com/lourdes/bd_lourdes_apparitions.htm] Good Friday that year fell on April 2nd.

Why not take a moment this week to pray that His Peace reigns in the Body of Christ united, as our Eastern brothers and sisters prepare to celebrate these same glorious mysteries under vulnerable and precarious circumstances in Biblical Lands?

[Fr. Philip N. Powell, OP]

We had two outstanding Masses this morning at Church of the Incarnation, University of Dallas. Record attendance at both (9am: 550, 11am: almost 700).

The choir lifted the roof--trumpets, cello, violins, piano, flute, clarinet, about 15 singers at both Masses. Just fantastic.

I used incense at both. My only regret: I didn't use the bells! Next year, next year.

My homily rec'd a good response: Catholic content, Protestant delivery. You'll have to check out my blog link below and tell me what you think. Fr. Fox' homily is excellent!

I agree with Little Gidding, btw, about the Renewal of Baptism Vows. The ECUSA does it better.

Happy easter!

Fr. Philip, OP

[Tim Young]

Tulsa Okla, Holy Family Cathedral
The Bishop was with us. The Sequence and the Vidi Aquam were in latin ( chanted by us guys in the choir ). At the Vigil, we were surprised ( and pleased ) to see that the Tabernacle had been moved from a side alter to the HIgh Alter!

[Lulu]

St. Mary's Parish, Lake Forest, 12:00

Great service. Church was completely full, and the priest (our pastor) chanted EVERYTHING (kewlness). The music was a little too loud, but then again it always is. Also a good homily about spreading the good news and running the marathon of faith like a choir of angels. Pretty intense.

The only disappointing thing was how few people actually seemed to be singing the hymns and actually doing the responses. I was like, hello, live with the spirit of Vatican II, peeps. You wanted participation, you got it, now participate! Wha! Oh well.

[Tina]

Small suburban parish, Diocese of Jackson, MS

I went to the Easter vigil mass on Saturday. The Mass was lovely, up until the homily. The pastor began by welcoming the catechumens who were to be confirmed that night, saying what an inspiration they were to him, etc. Then things took an abrupt turn for the worse. He talked about "The Sound of Music" and the song "Climb Every Mountain." He used that subject to start talking about how Catholicism was a "path" they chose and how it was "not a better path, but a different one." Um, what? What about, you know, the Catholic Church having the fullness of truth and the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist? And that's just "something different"?

Needless to say I was very disturbed. I will never look at this priest the same way again. There was so much he could have preached on, and he talked about "The Sound of Music" and watered down the truths of our faith. Sad.

[Tina]

Whoops. Should have posted the above in the Easter Vigil post. *blushes* Shame on me for being in such a hurry to vent!

[St. Elizabeth of Cayce]

9 AM Mass, Newman Center Parish

For a Mass that may have 35-40 worshippers some Sundays in the summer (70-80 during the school year), we were amazed to have >200 in the small Chapel at 9 AM. SRO in the back & sides. Altar servers ended up on the Sanctuary steps, and families filled the empty choir seats. There were 4 of us singing at 9 AM, so our sound was amplified by the additional 16 or so bodies sitting behind us.

This was my 6th liturgy this week (and that's nothing compared to our Priest and Assoc. Campus Minister!), and I had hopes for a great culmination of Holy Week. I was not disappointed.

A significant part of the crowd included our Padre's extended family, as his niece was making her 1st Communion today. She was adorable in her dress and veil and gloves and clear attempts to remember to behave when distracted by her younger brother.

Entrance to Jesus Christ is Risen Today. The >50% increase in singing parishioners from a "full Sunday" made this hymn extra special.

Water of Life during the Rite of Sprinkling--we went through all 4 verses this time.

Psalm 118: This is the Day, got lots of smiles and, again, lots of singing along.

Our Assoc Campus Minister & I chanted the Victimae Paschali Laudes. In the midle section, he sang "Dic nobis Maria...?" and I responded with Mary's description of what she saw and the tomb and heard from the angels.

Similar homily to the Vigil, since most folks in this Parish don't attend both liturgies.

Offertory: Now the Green Blade Rises (twice through to get through everyone.)

Sung Eucharistic Prayer, as during the Vigil.

Communion: Song for the Body of Christ (2x)

Closing: Sing to the Mountains.

Long, long lines to get out--noisy and happy families, a strong feeling of community, and a great ending for Lent.

Lesson? Prepare lots more music next year....

[Fr. Totton]

Immaculate Conception, Rural Missouri

choir sang 2 pieces before Mass began - suitably beautiful for Easter, but not familiar Catholic music.

All candles in the sancutary lit (including the obstinate tall candles on the high altar)

Full complement of servers (Incense, Cross, Candles)

Procession: Jesus Christ is Risen Today

Gloria (and all subsequent Mass parts): Mass of the Angels and Saints (Janco)

Easter Sequence: Praises to the Paschal Victim (english) - choir singing refrain, with individual choristers taking various verses. There was a bit of confusion as the congregation stood when the choir began singing (of course they thought it was the Alleluia - next year, I should make an announcement or something) After a verse or two, they sat down.

Renaissance Alleluia

Several unfamiliar pieces by choir.

2nd Communion hymn: Alleluia, Sing to Jesus

Solemn Easter Dismissal

After Mass, one girl (she is a server) asked about "the hat" (biretta) - I explained the Trinitarian significance of the triple points

[Fr. Totton]

Oh, I forgot to mention, during the sprinkling rite, the choir did a nice job with "I saw water flowing" based on the latin chant "Vidi Aquam" - in fact, the choir director began by intoning, in Latin, "Vidi Aquam." Methinks there is room for development there!

[PeteS]

A suburban parish, Dublin, Ireland.

I would appreciate any advice anyone can give on the appropriateness of the following. I was the godfather at an Easter Sunday baptism. The first half of the baptism ceremony took place before Mass, and the remainder during Mass. Two slightly creepy women introduced them as the baptism team, and they also introduced the priest who gave the impression of being their assistant rather than the other way around. When the priest traced the sign of the cross on the baby's forehead, he invited the parent and godparents to do so also (which I checked later is normal for the sacrament) and then he invited the "baptism team" to do the same (which is not normal as far as I can tell).

My main gripe was the renewal of baptismal promises during Mass. They were read by one of the baptismal team women, not the priest. They didn't sound recognisably like anything I had heard before. There was no mention whatsoever of Satan and his empty promises. Unfortunately we weren't give a copy of what was being read, so there was no way to confirm it later. It felt like being asked to sign a contract you weren't allowed to read. At one point myself and the godmother looked at each other to check if we had heard one of the questions right -- it sounded like "do you believe in God who loves our humanity and our weakness", although we agreed later it might have been "in our humanity and our weakness". In any case, it was uncomfortable to be presented with something that you had to listen hard to because you weren't sure if you could say "I do".

I checked the Roman Missal later, and saw that below the baptismal promises it says the priest may use "these or another formula". Can someone tell me if that gives him (or his creepy sidekicks) a license to say anything they like?

[midwestmom]

At the sprinkling rite, the priest opened up his bottle of holy water, put some on his fingers and walked around 'flicking' water on the congregation.

[Fr. Totton]

PeteS

For baptism within Mass, the welcoming rite (what name do you give to this child...signing on the forehead) is usually done at the beginning of Mass and then the actual baptism follows the homily, so that seems okay - though I personally prefer not to baptise during Mass (except for the Easter Vigil).

As far as the creepy "baptism team" - sounds like another misguided attempt to involve full time "lay ecclesial ministers" in the actual rite of ordination. The priest should have administered the renewal of promises himself. It was a mistake to remove any reference to the Evil One - you know: Satan, Beelzebul, Lucifer, the Father of lies and prince of darkness! How sad - if not for Satan and all his empty pomps, why even bother with baptism?

As for Midwestmom and the priest "flicking water on the congregation" all I can say is that is goofy and sad!

[Dave]

Diocese of Winona, Minnesota
Parish church, rural community

Sequence omitted
Homily given before the Gospel
EP II (the short one)

[chris K]

Our homily was about how nice it would be if everyone present had their own personal resurrection and attended weekly mass as they should and not just visit on Easter. JUST KIDDING!

Our priest, though, who loves to reverently ad lib A LOT at certain given and expected now, points of all masses, asked for all college students visiting home to please stand. After a few moments a couple reluctantly stood. Then he asked - a packed church btw - for all those visitors to stand and be welcomed by the parish. Again, only 3 or 4 stood. With that large a crowd I would have thought there would have been about a third of the congregation standing...because if they weren't from out of town at least they were visiting a mass!

We got the traditonal dousing and, again this priest always has the children come up before the final blessing, and for this special day there was a large Easter basket full of plastic eggs to give to each (they had the egg hunt on Palm Sunday as usual), speaking of various colored Easter chickens who lay the various colored eggs. As usual about a fourth of the congregation leaves before the final blessing because of this little delay.

[Anthony]

Sunday we attended Mass at a Parish down the street from our in-laws home in Ocean City, NJ. It was, of course, standing room only with an ambient temperature of about 90 degrees.

I ended up standing in the "gathering space" for most of the mass with our 19 month old daughter, along with other parents who had small children. I wasn't able to hear the homily, (no PA to speak of), but it was beautiful to see the fascination on my daughters face as she went up and touched the figures of a life size replica of the Pieta or when she "helped" me light some offertory candles for friends deployed overseas.

It reminded me of when I was young and how my interest in my faith began. It began with the majesty, the colors, the smells, the sounds, all of those things of interest to children, and later moved into the mystery, a mystery that still fascinates me today. I hope that I am able to share and see that with my daughter as she grows.

[louise]

11am Mass Easter Sunday
London, UK

Usual Easter Music etc. The homily was about different ways people express the 'Easter joy'. So, for the offetory hymn, the choir decided to add African drumming and tamborine. It was so much fun. We also had a trumpet part for 'Thine be the glory'. One of my confirmation candidates said he really enjoyed the Mass.

[Fr. Bryan]

St. Joseph Parish
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Easter Sunday
8:00am & 10:30am Masses

Main points:

8:00 am Mass: Church about 2/3 full, usually 1/3 or less on other Sundays. Trumpet and organ music. No choir since they had sung at the Vigil. Good singing none the less. Sprinkling and renewal of baptismal vows using Option A. (Each time I use Option B all I can think of is the baptism scene in "The Godfather" with Michael Corlene promising to reject Satan while his henchmen are murdering his enemies. Not what I want going through my head at Easter Sunday Mass). Incense for the Gospel reading and preparation of the gifts. EP I with all the saints' names used.

10:30am Mass: Church nearly standing room only. No choir (see above). Organ and flute for instrumental music. Good congregational singning. Sequence sung by cantor. Incense at the proper times. Six altar servers (four is the usual number). Sprinkling and renewal of baptismal vows using Option A, and EP I (see above).

Focus of the homily:

Christianity either rises to glory or falls flat on its face with the Truth of the Resurrection. While not naming names, I said that has become fashionable for some to talk of a "spiritual" resurrection of Jesus instead of a physical one. Worse, there are those today who maintain that either Jesus did not actual die on the Cross but lost conscious to be revived later in the tomb, or that He did actual die and was buried and stayed that way. If either is the case, then Christianity is the biggest con job in history and celebrating Easter, and Christianity itself, is a fraud.

But the original witnesses of the first Easter risked, and most forfited, their lives on the Truth of a physical resurrection of Jesus. We would not die for a fraud and neither would they.

The Resurrection is the ultimate triumph of God's Love over sin and death. We are embraced by this Love in the Eucharist from one Sunday to the next until Jesus returns. Thus, each Sunday is a "little Easter".

Other points:

While walking down the asile to bless the people with holy water, several persons stood out for me. The first were several new born infants who mark their first Easter with us. The other was a parishioner with terminal cancer. This time next year he will be celebrating the Resurrection in a new way.

I made a point of welcoming home for Easter those Catholics who rarely practice their faith. We want to welcome them home for good. On Thursday of Holy Week we start a six week program to do just that. At least three people after Mass said that they would attend. The seeds are planted. Please pray for a fruitful harvest.

All in all, a beatiful Easter Sunday with liturgies that can make us proud to be Catholic.

Christus ressurexit! - Christ is Risen!

[KH]

All three days were some of the most beautiful services I've ever experienced. (St. John the Evangelist, Stamford, CT) This particular church loves pomp and reverent ceremony, plus they have all the "stuff" to do it with. My son served on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter vigil and, according to him, had the coolest job - he was the "umbrella man." An umbrellino, I believe the pastor told him it was called - had to be carried over the priest whenever he moved the monstrance from the alter to under the canopy or vice versa. All told, this red and gold brocade umbrella was opened for a total of maybe 90 seconds. And still they keep it all year just for that.

All of the altar boys had to show up two hours early for practices for each mass. They each spent about 13 hours in church for those three days. And there were 25 of them. They were almost perfect. Almost, until the very end. The boy who had the honor of carrying the huge processional cross out of the church had bumped it in the doorway at the end of the aisle during practice. So, at the end of mass, he remembered to lower it as he passed underneath it. Except he raised it up again too soon and *CRASH!*...smashed one of the chandelier lights right by the front door. (So maybe 3 hours of practice next year?...;-)

[Julia]

Bishop Braxton picked Easter Sunday to visit our parish. Everyone was wondering how it would turn out. Turns out, all went very well. After Mass lots of folks stood in line to meet him and he was unfailingly gracious and I'm thinking he's a bit more reserved than some people like, but it seems natural to him.

Before Mass, there was a Diane Bish Tocatta on an Easter theme. The Sequence was recited. The music was appropriate with Manuel's Alleluia, Psalm 150 and the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah. We marched out to "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" with a lot of participation.

The bishop's homily began with a story about a dramatic radio program he had heard consisting of news interviews after the Resurrection: with the guards, Annanias, Pilate, and even Tiberius Caesar who said we all just thought he was one of those itinerant rabbis, who knew? Then he said, but none of this is really in the Book. He proceeded to talk about what is actually in each Gospel about the Resurrection. No eyewitness accounts, only an empty tomb and scared and unbelieving disciples. He talked about the significance of the various Gospel commentaries and we had an honest to goodness catechesis! He said we should read that Book now and then and think about what it says. Cool. No Oprah and Dr Phil speeches; no psychobabble or jokes.
The choir director with a PhD in theology from Louvain (same as Braxton) who had not been too sure about the bishop considering what we have all been reading about him, went out of his way to tell the bishop it was the best homily he had ever heard delivered at our parish. Judging from my conversation with the bishop, he may put some emphasis on having his priests learn how to put sermons together. He said that most priests don't know how to do that and/or don't want to put in the time to create a worthwhile homily.

We had bells, incense, flowers galore; it was great.

[Claude Muncey]

My wife and I were at the prison chapel we volunteer at for Easter services. We were able to start around 1:30 in the afternoon and ran until after 3, and had to turn away a few inmates. (Security and safety requirements mandate the maximum number of chairs in the chapel, and that every person has to have a chair -- including the celebrant. These requirements are strictly enforced by the corrections officers.) Before that were the regularly scheduled Legion of Mary and Catechism sessions that my wife and I conduct. While we held down the fort, the chaplain was able to get to some inmates that would not be able to come to the chapel for security or medical reasons, including taking them Communion.

The inmate chapel staff had found flowers or borrowed potted plants and did a super job of decorating the place. We had incense as well, which was special as they do get nervous about fire and matches, even candles, in prison. Lots of singing (one of the good things is that inmates sing, not well, but enthusiastically), and the visiting priest gave a rather good homily on the reality of the resurrection in both English and Spanish. By the time we got out, we had been on without breaks, full tilt, for over five hours and were limp when we got home. A very good Easter, but a tiring one.