Audio

Adobe Flash Player is needed to listen to the audio. Click here to download it.

A Note from Father David Grondz, Parochial Vicar

Sunday, 23 November 2008

Dear Friend,

Many changes have taken place in the Catholic Church following the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), especially in the celebration of the Mass. Today, due to the influence of Pope Benedict XVI, it is again possible to have a regular celebration of the Mass following the ceremonial of the Liturgical Books issued in 1962, that is, immediately preceding the Ecumenical Council.

Here at St. Mary this type of Celebration is not a 'museum-piece'. Rather, by following the desire of the Holy Father, this Form of the Mass may become a familiar part of Catholic life and culture. Over time, this will re-create a sense of continuity in our Liturgical heritage and tradition. This parish celebrates both forms of the Mass, that of the Second Vatican Council's Reform in English and that of the older usage, commonly called the 'Tridentine' or 'Latin' Mass.

It has been my desire as a musician and now as a priest, to reclaim our Catholic tradition of music from the concert hall and return it to its intended use: the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy of the Church. The Mass that we celebrate this afternoon is just such an attempt; the first, I might add, of its' kind at St. Mary and quite possibly in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. You will hear Mozart's setting of the Mass in a different way, along with Gregorian Chant and all of the complexity and mystery of the Mass celebrated in Latin. Please remember that this is not a performance, but a Sacred Action. Applause is not appropriate. Although Mozart might have found it amusing, please turn off your cellular telephone or switch it to the 'vibrate' setting.

I have included here some basic directions and translations of the texts used throughout the Mass, so that you may follow along and participate in the celebration more fully. It is not important that you understand every word or gesture. The experience of the Liturgy, which gives us a glimpse into Eternity, engages all of our human senses and not just our ability to understand the written or spoken word.

If you have ever been to the opera, it is a similar experience; at some point you put down the program and follow the story, perhaps imperfectly, but the gestures and costumes of the actors or the beauty of the music convey something to you as well. In the celebration of the Mass, what is communicated to you is the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, not as a symbol or a story, but in reality! Christ, raised from the dead, is made present on the Altar and given as food to His people for the journey towards Eternal Life.

I would encourage you to put down the program and enter into the great beauty and mystery of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

-Fr. David Grondz
 Parochial Vicar