Ah, it's good to be back from the beach (not).
But in any event, I stumbled upon a post by The Reverend Father, Daren J. Zehnle, who is Parochial Vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Illinois.
Apparently, he's recently given a homily whereby he touched upon attire at Mass. He posts a few of the responses in the comment box. It's funny to read some of the reasons for being "laid back" in the attire department. I'm sure we've all seen and heard these reasons before.
Father Zehnle handles it well, it appears, and with good humor, and looks to gently guide his flock in the proper direction. Best of luck to him!
http://dzehnle.blogspot.com/2009/08/writers-block-unblocked.html
And for more, check out Denise Hunnell's column in the DC-Area Examiner:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-9452-DC-Catholic-Living-Examiner~y2009m8d11-Catholic-Living-101-What-should-you-wear-to-Mass
Posts
15 comments:
I love it! This one made me laugh out loud. By your leave, I'm going to borrow this one (with proper credit and link, of course).
Oh, sure, Anita. Feel free!
You want to know something sad? I actually visited a perpetual adoration chapel in eastern Idaho that was furnished with recliners. (Fortunately, I have heard that since then, the pastor straightened the situation up.)
Sad, but somehow, not surprising.
This really did strike a chord with me. I used this cartoon to illustrate my examiner.com column on proper Mass attire.
Hey, thanks alot, Denise! I appreciate it!
Paul, at least the priest in your cartoon disapproves of the La-Z-Boy!
Very true, Anita. That's how you know he's not at a flaky parish. Otherwise, I'd probably have them in one of them double-recliners with the cup-holder in between! :oD
The reason this is such a hot topic relates directly to the priests and nuns themselves. When attending Catholic grammar school priests and nuns were never without their full attire. Now I see priests and nuns walking around in street clothes all the time. Attended mass for a baptism and was able snap a shot of the priests black sneakers.
Taking it a step further, ask 10 parish priests what they want to see at Sunday mass and you're sure to get 10 different opinions.
Unless there is some form of general consensus on both sides, this will continue to go no where.
Unless there is some form of general consensus on both sides, this will continue to go no where.
With all due respect, no. Consensus is the absence of leadership. What is needed is leadership, plus catechesis.
Unless there is some form of general consensus on both sides, this will continue to go no where.
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I'm wondering about what you mean here. Where does consesus have to come from?
Unfortunately, the Church opened the windows to the world back in the 60's, and all the pigeons flew away. The Church lost control of the farm back then. She's tried to get it back, but once you allow your kids to run wild, it's tough to convince them to mind you.
The Consensus part was that all priests and nuns agree and move forward. But to be perfectly honest I think there are much bigger problems facing our church today that need our attention. Plus when I think well dressed people in suits I think lawyers, politicians and car salesmen. Not exactly the leaders of our community.
What I wouldn't give to see the Catholic Bishops start showing public figures the door. Pelosi and Kerry would be the first to go.
Plus when I think well dressed people in suits I think lawyers, politicians and car salesmen.
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Okay, but we don't need well dressed, we need appropriately dressed.
And yes, a couple of high-profile boots would get some attention.
But I'm still wondering what consensus priests and nuns have to come up with? The priests and nuns are not equals. The priests are to lead. The rest will, in fact, follow.
Consensus on dress/attire. Are priests going to dress in their traditional attire all the time like they use to or not? Will nuns follow suit? Then are all priests going to want the same acceptable attire for mass? If it's not the same across the board then it won't matter.
To prove my point, I along with a medical student was turned away at an ultra concervative church and told to go home and get dressed. He had just come off a shift in the hospital and was going back on in less then 2hrs. I was going to work (local supermarket deli) right after mass. At the time I was in college (EE) and working part time. Sometimes you would get the late Sat shift and then early Sunday which would wipe out all potential masses except for one. But to make it I had to show up in deli whites. I would even park close to the exit so I wouldn't be late for work. Sometimes I was though.
So the Ultra conservative, wouldn't let either of us in. But my pastor welcomed us with open arms because he knew the stress that college and working put on us. He got to know us and called us by name. He just kept telling us, do your best to get here, God understands.
That's what I mean. All parties on the same page. Setting the bar too high only leads to people leaving. For me, if you are covered, no tank tops, ripped anything, low cut anything, short skirts, no skin tight anything etc etc, you should be fine. the rest should come down to common sense and knowing the situation of that person.
Hope that clears it up.
Setting the bar too high only leads to people leaving.
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Taking your assessment at face value, let's run with it:
In the last 40 years, everything has been relaxed to the point that practically nothing keeps a person from coming to mass. And yet, the more things have been relaxed, more and more people opt to just stay home.
Now, in your particular situation, sometimes that might seem a bit harsh, but it seems that you were fitting mass into your day, rather than scheduling your day around getting to mass. Don't take me wrong, I'm not casting aspersions on you, because I understand that things happen, especially when we're younger.
But think about it - a God, and along with that, a Church that demands something from us will get more out of us than a smiley-faced God or Church that constantly tells you that God loves you just the way you are.
If you set the bar low, you'll get the results you invite.
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