Wondering Wednesdays (Vol. V)

So I think we need to get back into the normal swing of things... so here is another installment of:

WONDERING WEDNESDAYS

1. How can we expect our children to love the faith, if they don't fully understand it? I was at Mass on Sunday, and saw a boy of about 8 or 9 that looked as if he was being tortured, simply by being at Mass. I then looked to my left, and saw similar aged children, friends of ours, that may not have been overflowing with excitement, but in the very least were attentive, praying, and participating. They were using "hand missal type books" that their father has made for them, so I am sure that helps. It just made me wonder how parents don't get it. I know it is hard in our churches nowadays to explain that it isn't "entertainment," with the Sanctuaries looking like a stage and all. But still, don't parents realize that they need to explain the Mass to their children? They can't just expect their 8yo to drop the controller to the PS3 and jump and down in excitement to go "Stand, kneel, and sit" in Church? Oh wait... that is what CCD is for.

2. How do you thank someone for doing something, that if you thank them would make it seem as if you are surprised that they did such a thing, and therefore come off as condescending? I don't know how to explain this better, and maybe it is an internal thing. I mean, if sincere, is a Thank You ever inappropriate?

3. I wonder if anyone in Alaska or Michigan would like to hire me?

BONUS!!

I posted earlier in the week about church architecture: It should make us think of Heaven. At the end of that post I posed a question:

Q: "What do we do if our parish church does have a Sanctuary that looks like a stage?"

Well, I received a comment from Fr. Acervo that deserves a little more light of day than the comment section of that post. Here is how Fr. Acervo answered that question:

Good question! The problem is that if your church was built in the last forty years, the sanctuary more than likely looks more like a stage. I guess instead of complaining about the problem (like I do), we should be asking questions like yours: what do we do?


Unfortunately, without an altar rail and a high altar, it will be very difficult. Those two things alone do so much to define the sanctuary as a sacred place. I had the privilege of concelebrating Mass at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Alabama (a.k.a. Mother Angelica’s shrine). To sit in that sanctuary was like sitting in Heaven! Of course, parishes don’t have the same resources, so you need a mind that is both creative and docile to the Church’s tradition.


Things like banners have to go. Things like fern plants that make the sanctuary look like someone’s living room have to go. The chairs in the sanctuary, especially the one for the celebrant, should be dignified. Assuming that your tabernacle is where it should be in the center of the sanctuary, adding candles and statues that draw attention to the tabernacle would be nice. I particularly love statues of the holy angels. Liquid “candles” have to go. They look artificial (which of course they are).


I’m certainly no expert, but I think that these are some simple things that can be done to help. In the end, you just have to do the best with what you have.


Thanks for all of your good work and prayers!

Well... there you have it, another installment of WW's, complete with BONUS ANSWERS!

Please visit the ORIGINAL Wondering Wednesdays at:
From the Heart - Wondering Wednesdays