AmericanPapist Comments
I would say...very fashionable, Thomas. I wish more people our age would dress that way for Mass. I was at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica for Midnight Mass and was astonished at what seems to have become appropriate. I know it should not bother me since I'm not there for a fashion show, but none the less...
Well, I went to an early evening Mass before the Midnight Mass at Assumption Grotto, but the earlier Mass was at one of my former parishes. The pastor there is a good man and he made many positive changes when he first got there (restored traditional statues, brought back stations of the Cross which had been removed, had periodic adoration, etc). But, I think he has taken the people as far as he can. For whatever reason, it just seems to have stalled, but the man is headed into retirement and it would be a great place for a young orthodox priest to continue in the reform.
These kinds of things I discuss would never be seen in a parish like Grotto unless outsiders were visiting, yet they are so common at many of the former parishes I attended.
Target 1: Women's Dress
I lost count of the number of women with short dresses on and cleavage showing. It looked like a prom, not Mass. One woman's two young daughters (perhaps around 10, give or take two years) sported very large Playboy Bunny pendants against their black velvet dresses. I wasn't sure so I asked my brother who had noticed as well. He was still shocked so it wasn't my imagination.
Target 2: Mens Dress
The skull & crossbones shirts have got to go, as do other demonic looking figures that I see so frequently on t-shirts in this and other churches. I've actually witnessed satanic symbols on shirts of teenage boys and being around the whole family much of my life did not take the family to be a bunch of satanists.
Target 3: Noise Factor
Anyone coming from such "St. Suburbia" parishes as the ones I'm describing may already be immune to the noise level before and after Mass, as well as during the mid-mass social called "the rite of peace".
People visiting Assumption Grotto for the first time - if they themselves are not talking - will find a silent atmosphere, as it should be. Such silence in church is the greatest manifestation of awareness of, and respect for, the Blessed Sacrament. When in Church - especially where there is a visible Tabernacle - why would anyone - that is anyone who truly understands the Real Presence - want to talk to anyone else, but to God Himself? Being in Church, and especially at holy Mass is a mere glimpse of heaven on earth for those who truly, in their heart of hearts, seek not the face of man - not even the priest - but the face of God in their worship.
When this happens God gives us the graces to properly give to others the time that is truly meant for them. The rest is just superficial when it is happens during Mass. Without a solid relationship with God in our worship, we simply cannot comprehend what true freindship and brotherhood means.
well, at least I now know I wasn't the only young guy in American who wore a real suit for Christ-Mass.
BTW, how come you are looking down in those photos? Are you afraid your brilliant mind would show through and wash out the image?
Beautiful Christmas decorations, too. Question--who was the lucky person that got to spend Christmas eve decorating the church?
A good question for your poll, Thomas: whether your parish was already decorated for Christmas at the 4th Sunday of Advent Mass, or whether the parish waited to decorate after the early Sunday Mass and before the Christmas Eve one.
Hey, Thomas, just wondering-- were you asleep in these photos? It was after one a.m. . . .
BTW, what was the real color of your suit?
Lauren,
I can tell you that Assumption Grotto was not decorated until the Wednesday or Thursday before Christmas. And, it was done by Saturday. Father does not permit anything resembling a Christmas decoration until days before Christmas. And, "Christmas parties" or anything resembling such a party are forbidden. In fact, I think the priests at Grotto go out of their way with so many Advent spiritual events they succeed in keeping us out of the mall and away from the parties.
We are blessed with a parishioner who just loves to decorate and she was in the thick of things. She sets up the entire gym with decorations for various functions and is just very gifted artistically. From what I hear, my pastor rolled up his sleeves, as well. I mean, I labor over one Christmas tree in my living room, and this was like cutting butter for her. Of course, there were volunteers. I wanted to help, but my mother has not been well, and I am usually taking care of things for her in the days before Christmas.
It's a grey suit, and my grandfather's. I'll update my profile with a full face shot soon. :)
Not everybody can afford nice clothes. You can still dress modestly with poor clothes.
Don't tell me that a person of modest income can't dress decently in a suit. Go to Value World and there are racks of three piece suits for little money. St. Vincent de Paul and Good Will and Purple Heart probably have lots also. In fact for less money than a pair of NEW blue jeans.
A vagrant is perhaps unable to dress decently, but then he has some big problem. (I have brothers who are alomst vagrants, so I know something about such problems.)
When I first moved to Metro Detroit, there was a lovely woman about my mother's age (late 60s) who was always beautifully dressed at Mass (and had a great singing voice but never sang in the choir). I complimented her on how great she always looked. Later one of the older parishioners explained that she blushed because, on her limited income, she got all her outerwear from St. Vincent de Paul's and then did all her own alterations. But she was of the mindset that one always dresses "for church".
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