TLM for in Bend, OR for Bp. Vasa’s 8th annivesary of consecration

14 Responses to TLM for in Bend, OR for Bp. Vasa’s 8th annivesary of consecration

1. Arieh says:

   24 January 2008 at 2:42 PM

   Amazing! Bishop Vasa stated on “Catholic Answers Live” immediately after Summorum Pontificum was promulgated that the freedom of the Latin Mass was not for younger folks, that it was only for those attached to the former rite. He said that the only way to be attached to the older rite was to celebrated it while it was the normative Roman liturgy.

   http://www.catholic.com/audio/2007/MP3/ca070718a.mp3
2. Arieh says:

   24 January 2008 at 3:08 PM

   Oh, I guess if I were to actually read the post I would discover that Bishop Vasa isn’t going to be the celebrant.
3. Nick says:

   24 January 2008 at 7:06 PM

   Arieh is correct, I heard the episode on Catholic Answers Live for myself and I was stunned the way he said how the TLM was not reverent and stuff like that, he wasnt explicit but it was clear he did not like the TLM.

   Most people might think what is the big deal if a Bishop doesnt like the TLM…in the case of Bp Vasa, he is overall a very conservative Bishop and does crack down on liturgical abuse…THAT is why I was stunned at his views on the TLM.
4. Nick says:

   24 January 2008 at 7:08 PM

   Arieh is correct, I heard the episode on Catholic Answers Live for myself and I was stunned the way he said how the TLM was not reverent and stuff like that, he wasnt explicit but it was clear he did not like the TLM.

   Most people might think what is the big deal if a Bishop doesnt like the TLM…in the case of Bp Vasa, he is overall a very conservative Bishop and does crack down on liturgical abuse…THAT is why I was stunned at his views on the TLM.
5. Annie says:

   24 January 2008 at 8:01 PM

   I don’t know him well, but have had a few occasions to speak with Bishop Vasa, in particular regarding the sex-ed programs (“Safe Environment Training”) the USCCB tried to force on Catholic families and children. Bishop Vasa was one of the few in the country who refused to go along with these secular programs, and actually investigated how they can in fact be harmful. He also requires adherence to orthodoxy from not only his priests, but laypeople in responsible parish positions (choir leader, religion teachers, EMOE’s, etc). He seems courageous and clear-headed. But consider his youth, he must have been a young child during Vatican II, and perhaps simply has been influenced against the “old” Mass like so many of his generation, and if he gets some experience of it, will realize what a treasure it is.
6. Jeremy says:

   25 January 2008 at 5:04 AM

   Bishop Vasa has assisted the important work of the Catholic Medical Association.
7. st daggett says:

   25 January 2008 at 11:22 AM

   Mr. Daggett, listed as the contact, and I have spoken with the Bishop several times about this topic. He is in a real rock and a hard place and needs all of our prayers. He is currently learning how to say the EF of the Mass. He is a good bishop who will, I firmly believe, do the right thing when all is said and done. Please pray for him.
   PAX
8. Arieh says:

   25 January 2008 at 3:46 PM

   Yes, I know that Bishop Vasa is a great man. When I lived in Portland I used to look forward to reading his columns in the Sentinel, they were always very orthodox and courageous. That is why I was shocked to hear his comments on Catholic Answers Live, they seemed so out of character.
9. st daggett says:

   27 January 2008 at 7:19 PM

   The Mass went very well! Thanks to all who prayed for us! With just about 48 hours notice, we were able to get over 50 people there. There was small schola and organist. It was wonderful. For the first time in 38 years, Mass was celebrated ad orientem at the high altar! Deo gratias.
   Please continue to pray for us here in the Diocese of Baker. A reporter for the Bend Bulletin was there (not Catholic) and was very moved by the experience and is doing a write up on the Trad Mass that will be favorable. Also pray for him… what he is doing is counter culture.
   PAX
10. Ian says:

    28 January 2008 at 1:41 AM

    My wife and I drive to St. Birgitta’s in Portland nearly every week and have also heard Mass at the SSPX chapel, also in Portland. When we read the notice in the local paper that the TLM would be celebrated on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of Bishop Vasa’s episcopal ordination, we were excited beyond words. My wife, children and I would not be obliged to brave the wintry roads between Central Oregon and Portland to attend Holy Mass. We heard Bishop Vasa’s interview on Catholic News several months ago and were disappointed that he believes in all sincerity that the TLM is reserved only for those older Catholics “nostalgic” (quotes mine) for a relic of their youth and seems to suggest that the Latin Mass is potentially divisive. We noted that the Bishop wasn’t present at this Mass. Had he been there he would have noted that there were people of various ages, including young couples with children. I just clicked on the link provided by Arieh and listened once again to the Bishop’s comments concerning the TLM. I will believe in his good will to the Holy Father’s MP when I see the TLM offered on a regular basis and said by the local parish priest as prescribed in Summorum Pontificum. If he is unable to celebrate the TLM it is the responsibility of the local bishop to provide a priest who is able. The document is VERY clear on this point. The priest who celebrated apparently is not the pastor of St. Francis and I am given to understand that no further TLMs are scheduled at this time. We are therefore obliged to continue making the weekly trek to Portland, but hope that in the very near future we can attend the TLM in our own diocese. We are hopeful that the Pope’s clarification letter will make the provisions of Summorum Pontificum crystal clear to all.
11. st daggett says:

    28 January 2008 at 12:31 PM

    Ian, the bishop was elsewhere in the diocese on some business. It would have been nice for him to be there. I think when the “clarification” comes out, things will get easier for us.
    PAX
12. Ian says:

    28 January 2008 at 2:48 PM

    Thanks for the clarification, st daggett. I know we’re all waiting to see how bishops who at present are not honoring SP will do so after the clarification letter is published. I have no doubt that Bishop Vasa is a good bishop and fine man. I hope that any lingering ambiguities and questions will be answered definitively and that archbishops and bishops (Washington DC and Pennsylvania, for instance) will understand that it is their responsibility to “facilitate, not interpret” SP. Of course we will continue to pray for the Holy Father, Bishop Vasa and Summorum Pontificum.
13. Jesse Daggett says:

    28 January 2008 at 4:07 PM

    I would be surprised if the Bishop or local pastor were to find a priest able to celebrate the TLM for us. There are, of course, at least a couple priests willing to celebrate the TLM but the multiplicity of masses is causing some problems. I know of one priest, specifically, who has expressed his willingness to learn and celebrate the TLM but is unable to do so because the Bishop currently does not see the requests from the faithful as constituting a genuine pastoral necessity (see Canon 905.2 on bination/trination) I believe Bishop Vasa will not impede the weekly TLM if we find a priest will and able to do so in keeping with “his” MP implementation guidelines. Of course finding a priest to exclusively celebrate the TLM weekly means the faithful who attend will have to foot the bill…according to the guidelines any collection must go to the church in which the TlM celebrated.

    We have plenty of hurdles to jump here so please keep Central Oregon in your prayers.

    Ian, if you wish to have a copy of these guidelines feel free to contact me. http://www.unavoceco.org/contactus.html

    Thanks,
    Jesse
14. Ian says:

    30 January 2008 at 1:44 AM

    Jesse, I’m not sure I follow when you write “of course finding a priest to exclusively celebrate the TLM weekly means the faithful who attend will have to foot the bill..according to the guidelines any collection must go to the church in which the TLM is celebrated.” Whose guidelines, Bishop Vasa’s? If this is the case, it is patently incorrect because SP states that the local pastor must provide the TLM when requested. If he is unable to celebrate this form, he must ask his bishop for help. If the bishop is unable to help, there is always Una Voce America and Ecclesia Dei who would assist the local bishop in providing the TLM. Furthermore, it seems odd that the faithful would be required to pay a priest to offer Mass in either form. Then to require that money collected during the TLM “go to the church in which the TLM is celebrated” after paying the priest to say Mass sounds more than a little insulting. I hope I misunderstood your words, but if I haven’t you have a responsibility to report these “guidelines” to Ecclesia Dei. They are inconsistent with the Holy Father’s wish that both forms of the Mass are to be made available.

    Sincerely,
    Ian & Kathy

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