AmericanPapist Comments
I was at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center for class one night and there was an area in the dining room where employees were putting the tickets in envelopes and packing them up to be sent to the different parishes. I wondered briefly about what someone could've done with a quick sligh of hand.
This morning, as I met with the priest at my parish after the 7:00 Mass, the couple in front of me handed him an envelope and when I greeted the priest he showed me the envelope and asked me if I had tickets to the Papal Mass. Bottom line, if you want to go and could not get tickets, ask your parish pastor for returned ones.
Uhh, Mr Flapatap, I'm not sure that would work. If I remember correctly, when you requested the tickets you had to give your name/address/etc. The tickets will include your information and when you go to the Mass you will need to show ID to get in.
I remember one of my first exposures to "Dr. Laura" -- some caller was complaining about her unhappiness with her relationship with her boyfriend and Laura's response was, "I think he should dump you." Which was a terrific shock compared to all the hand-holding, the caller-is-always-the-victim response that one usually heard on relationship talk radio. Laura then went on to describe how the caller was the problem, not the boyfriend, because of certain moral failings.
So this guy in the Baynet story wants to get tickets to be able to propose to his theology student girlfriend? "Being able to propose to my potential future wife is more important than anything," he said, and he'll even compromise his own definition of "buy," as if an in-kind exchange is not the equivilent of money and is not, therefore, a sin.
More important than anything? More important than your soul? More important than Christ Himself? I have a feeling that if his theology-student girlfriend knew of his misguided priorities, then he is in for an unpleasant and negative response to his marriage proposal.
"Mass attendees seated on the field are also getting a poncho in case it rains, and a Pope Benedict prayer card. They also will receive a bottle of water and a snack because they will have limited access to concessions"
Does it bother anyone else that they're even considering having the "concession" stand open? Or that they're handing out snacks? I'm probably over-reacting here, and I'm sure the people will have to spend two hours or so in their seats prior to Mass but... Come on, it's still a Mass, not a baseball game or a picnic. I think folks can wait 3 hours without eating...
Also, @ Thomas above, It's my understanding that the tickets given to the pastors have barcodes, but no other distinguishing features to let a given pastor know WHO that barcoded ticket is assigned to. Thus, I don't think the ID check will be much more than a formality. As one article mentions, ticket exchange is possible as long as it's not for a fee...
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