Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff.
Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Mass of obligation for this Easter Sunday?
Tell us about attendance especially for the Traditional Latin Mass.
Any local changes or (hopefully good) news?
A taste of what I offered at 1 Peter 5 this week:
The pastoral edge of the text is impossible to ignore in any age, and present circumstances make it all the more urgent. When public and manifest grave sinners present themselves within the Eucharistic assembly, and when shepherds refuse to address the scandal, the damage extends beyond the individual. Scandal instructs. It de-catechizes by example. It tells others that what is plainly contrary to the Gospel and the law of God may safely coexist with sacramental communion. Paul will have none of it. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.” He is speaking of those inside the Church. The community has duties toward its own members. This is not contrary to charity. It is one of charity’s hard forms. It serves the sinner’s good and protects the Church from contagion.
Our asst pastor preached on the text Haec dies, quam fecit Dominus.
Because Christ rose from the dead, we have an obligation to be happy.
Because our Lenten penances are at an end, we have an obligation to be happy, and partying, even perhaps to excess, is now warranted, so long as it’s not sinfully so.
He reminded us that the women arrived first, which is why Mary Magdalene is called the Apostle to the Apostles, and that different kinds of holiness are presented by Peter, John and the women.
Additionally, he reminded us that our penances — the ones to which we are bound under pain of sin — are paltry when compared to that of our forebears in the faith.
He managed all this and had most of the congregation (a packed chapel for at least the 5th time in Holy Week) smiling and appreciating his almost cheeky sense of humor.
I should have added that we have (and always do have) a robust mix of ages, and a fluid balance of men and women. Furthermore, we hear all 12 prophecies last night.
Our Deacon gave the sermon on the Sunday Mass of the Day, and frankly the less said of it the better.
I continue for my health to be unable to attend a Vigil Mass, most sadly.
But the number of people at the Mass of the Day was astonishing, the church was absolutely packed — very much a surprise, as habitually the greater number would attend the Vigil instead. Particularly in light of there being two Vigil Masses at our Parish, a 6PM one for families with children, and the Midnight Mass.
My guess is — direct positive outcome from the Pope’s Extraordinary Apostolic Visitation here. Which has been extremely well-received locally. It was BTW quite fitting that one of the Lay Readers at the Mass in the Prince Louis II stadium was the devoutly Catholic Guillaume Warmuz, a former professional player for the AS Monaco football team. Daghe Munegu !!
God Bless Pope Leo.
Christ is Risen.
9 a.m. Sunday Mass packed as usual on an Easter Sunday. Where are the rest of the year?!
Our new pastor is such a delight. Strong teaching on the unity of our desire for salvation with the knowing, waiting of the Blessed Mother for her son to be risen.
It’s also such a great thing, he’s a younger priest, and we are getting incense every Sunday, and we get the Eucharistic Prayer I every week. Such a blessing in our rural area. Things are looking up after many years of Eucharistic Prayer II and stagnation.