tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post114452623926016980..comments2024-03-29T08:14:32.748-04:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: Preparing for Holy WeekFr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1144619330325039762006-04-09T17:48:00.000-04:002006-04-09T17:48:00.000-04:00Mark Anthony,No where did I say you didn't have a ...Mark Anthony,<BR/><BR/>No where did I say you didn't have a 'right' to voice your opinion (although from the last paragraph - it could seem that you may not like my opinion.) Nor do I disagree that there is a difference between Dogma and Discipline. Yes - in matters of discipline - the Church (Pope) can choose to change it. And in fact, I think they blow it periodically. <BR/><BR/>But you said it yourself - that parishes and priests "should not alter liturgical rules' because it 'is fraught with danger'. But then you say 'But the answer cannot be to simply do everything as told...' So how does one decide? <BR/><BR/>If the rule or direction was immoral - go murder - clearly we don't obey. But something like only washing men's feet on Holy Thursday - isn't a that sort of rule. So - we obey. <BR/><BR/>Does that mean we don't discuss, question, ask, even disagree. No -Go for it! with love and charity -but since it's a discipline - we obey. Maybe it will change - maybe not. But until then - we obey. Obedience doesn't have to be blind - but can and ought be a choice.<BR/><BR/>Have a Blessed Holy Week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1144608477565104112006-04-09T14:47:00.000-04:002006-04-09T14:47:00.000-04:00Mark:Thanks for all your comments.About the foot-w...Mark:<BR/><BR/>Thanks for all your comments.<BR/><BR/>About the foot-washing.<BR/><BR/>You may not be surprised to hear that I gave that a lot of thought. Here's the "back story" . . . <BR/><BR/>This parish has had a lot of changes the last few years; several pastors, some period of vacancy and uncertainty, and each pastor has had his own way of doing things.<BR/><BR/>In addition, this will be the last Triduum we have as a parish with its own pastor; next year, I'll be pastor of two parishes, and we'll be doing the Triduum together. What that will look like I don't know yet.<BR/><BR/>So . . . I wanted to avoid any precedents or too much change.<BR/><BR/>Last year, the parish did something involving folks washing each other's hands or feet (I wasn't here, I'm not sure); in prior years, it was foot-washing of men.<BR/><BR/>So the question for me was, what is most consistent both with the liturgy and with the local custom?<BR/><BR/>That's how I arrived at what we're doing.<BR/><BR/>In addition, whatever I think of the rule, and realizing it is widely not applied, I think someone above me ought to blaze that trail. <BR/><BR/>I feel more strongly about the priest doing the washing, than I do about the sex of the feet being washed. I think it's important the people see their priest get on his knees before them, just as our Lord did.<BR/><BR/>About the incense; I haven't heard many complaints; our church is so designed that it accommodates incense well.Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1144594165710981612006-04-09T10:49:00.000-04:002006-04-09T10:49:00.000-04:00Dear Mark Anthony,I completely agree with you that...Dear Mark Anthony,<BR/><BR/>I completely agree with you that St. Boniface is blessed to have Fr. Martin as its pastor - a real man who takes seriously his following Christ as a priest - in His Church - Our Mother. <BR/><BR/>I would like to point that the Church is not just an earthly organization with rules - but the Mystical Body of Christ, instituted by Christ to be the visible means by which we are to know Christ, be drawn to Him, to know Him and to be saved by Him through the grace of the Sacraments. (Yes, I know - you can get to heaven and not be a card carrying member - but this is the 'ordinary' way.)<BR/><BR/>So - when you mention presumption in connection with your interpretation of what Christ meant when He washed the feet of the Apostles and that you disagree with the Church's understanding and teaching and her 'rules' - I must say - I find that a rather humorous (and sad) juxtaposition.<BR/><BR/>I hope you have a Blessed Holy Week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com