tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post1450228337508182131..comments2024-03-05T14:07:28.062-08:00Comments on Ask Sister Mary Martha: Thy Will Be DoneSister Mary Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580244097177195453noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-52774553029733594142008-10-01T04:08:00.000-07:002008-10-01T04:08:00.000-07:00May I have permission to use the picture of the tw...May I have permission to use the picture of the two people dancing?xXincinerateXxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05907638712761730162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-89648477832427129282008-01-14T13:10:00.000-08:002008-01-14T13:10:00.000-08:00Anonymous, I never give a family struggling with l...Anonymous, <BR/>I never give a family struggling with little ones during Mass a dirty look. I raised 5 of my own. I know the ropes. I just don't need to deal with that anymore, so why would I subject myself to that distraction? I have a hard enough time keeping myself on task when it's quiet!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-12153994930335544262008-01-14T08:32:00.000-08:002008-01-14T08:32:00.000-08:00SMM, I'm happy to read that there is no shortage o...SMM, I'm happy to read that there is no shortage of opinions out there. What a great vehicle for sharing thoughts and information. I drop in anytime I'm looking for a catholic discussion group...<BR/>Have a great day, everyone!<BR/>Barbara from IndianaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-42202172169886856692008-01-14T06:24:00.000-08:002008-01-14T06:24:00.000-08:00Well I'll be honest and I won't whine about charit...Well I'll be honest and I won't whine about charity.. I go to the 5 PM vigil Mass because I am lazy. I hate getting up early and I don't dare go to the later in the day Masses because they are : the dreaded family Mass--screaming kids, flying cheerios and squished vienna sausages, the contemporary Mass-- an old goat on a guitar and goofy music, the Spanish Mass-- fine in a pinch and I find that they actually seem to be more serious about Mass than the white Americans.Dymphnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01469622835449220113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-83996542239227092862008-01-14T05:06:00.000-08:002008-01-14T05:06:00.000-08:00Sister, in your post you mention that the church h...Sister, in your post you mention that the church has not sent out letters about the Sign of peace, but that's not correct because in the recent Redemptionis Sacramentum it clearly states that "It is, however, appropriate that each person offer the sign of peace only those who are nearest and in a sober manner.” and later that the priest is instructed to remain in the sanctuary.<BR/><BR/>I think it boils down to don't leave your seat, cross the isle or jump pews to do, just those next to you, I don't have any axe to grind, if fact I once saw a sign of peace that was truly wonderful but that's another story. Just though I'd add my 2c to the debate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-77332718784479869012008-01-12T20:39:00.000-08:002008-01-12T20:39:00.000-08:00Sister, I am sorry to tell you that holding hands ...Sister, I am sorry to tell you that holding hands is, according to vatican documents that I can sow you, a liturgical abuse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-53549424462009907682008-01-12T15:41:00.000-08:002008-01-12T15:41:00.000-08:00Sorry Irish, the Vatican's own study showed that 8...Sorry Irish, the Vatican's own study showed that 81% of the "child abuse" cases were instances of homosexual predator priests seducing teen and pre-teen boys. <BR/><BR/>In the old days young men were promptly booted out of the Seminary if they were suspected of being homosexual. All this changed after Vatican II. In the 1970's and '80's, when it became evident that homosexual predator priests were on the prowl, the Liberal Bishops didn't want to get rid of them. <BR/><BR/>In restrospect the Boy Scouts showed much more wisdom than the Catholic Bishops in preventing the desecration of their organization by horny homosexuals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-45598388059127925202008-01-12T13:54:00.000-08:002008-01-12T13:54:00.000-08:00Here's what our family does. We implemented a hand...<A HREF="http://marthaandmary.blogspot.com/2007/11/call-me-old-fashioned.html" REL="nofollow">Here's</A> what our family does. We implemented a hands clasped together prayer posture (with fingers pointed to heaven!) years before joining a parish that holds hands during the Our Father. I appreciate your relaxed attitude, Sister, but I thought I'd mention that an advantage of keeping one's hands clasped in prayer is that the attention can then be on God, and not on how tightly your kid brother is squeezing your hand and other such shenanigans. Because others see us pray this way at every Mass, I seriously doubt anyone is offended that we don't hold hands with them. We try to keep this prayer posture throughout all the prayers of the Mass. It works for us and has given me much peace during the liturgy.<BR/>Sorry that I posted this under another comment section; I meant to post it here.Connie's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618367249874101769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-72098093209189051442008-01-12T10:28:00.000-08:002008-01-12T10:28:00.000-08:00Well, well what a little time away from here will ...Well, well what a little time away from here will cost me. I wrote on the Saturday night drinkers. Not everybody is there for that reason, but in a small town you can follow the procession of cars out of the church parking lot and right to the bars. My last church was in walking distance to the bars, many left the bar, walked to church then walked back to the bar!! No need for a DD.<BR/>Then Katy dear, you made my point when you said you choose a mass time for the purpose of avoiding children!!!! Annoyed, same thing, you choose a mass time to avoid noise, and noise and children go together!!!<BR/>Like the other anon. said children are the sounds of life and love.<BR/>Since you both have the need for quiet then we don't have to worry about you giving some hard working parents, trying to bring their children up in the Lord, any diry looks then do we?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-70966309934018845592008-01-12T06:26:00.000-08:002008-01-12T06:26:00.000-08:00In my parish, handholding has become a rubric (tho...In my parish, handholding has become a rubric (tho kneeling at the consecration is apparently not.) Standing together and praying OUR Father is the Church's profound sign of unity. Handholding is a relatively trite sign by comparison. But since the handholding has started, the profound sign has been all but forgotten and I have been accused more than once of not being "in community", to many the most unforgivable sin. I fold my hands in prayer but ocasionally someone will grab my hands or slap my arm (truly) to get my attention. I respond by taking their hand and even giving the little squeeze at the end. We don't have to loathe our brothers and sisters to love the instructions of our Mother the Church. TerentiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-20713456392924717662008-01-12T02:35:00.000-08:002008-01-12T02:35:00.000-08:00The Vatican has left the altar (folks, not the alt...The Vatican has left the altar (folks, not the alter) boys/girls decision up to the individual bishops. It is perfectly appropriate, depending on the diocese, to have altar girls.<BR/><BR/>For the poster who would not let his/her daughter serve as a server because she could not become a priest, would you also not permit her to bring up the gifts to the altar in the offertory? <BR/><BR/>Long gone are the days when the altar servers had "tonsure," or were considered "semi-clerics," or had some form of minor clerical status. They serve the community well in their service today, and people should be grateful that any youngsters are interested in this kind of service to the church, male or female.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-36928519641331171512008-01-11T19:39:00.000-08:002008-01-11T19:39:00.000-08:00I have an off-topic question. I'm in RCIA and I n...I have an off-topic question. I'm in RCIA and I need to choose a confirmation name soon. How do I choose? Can I only choose a saint? Do I need to have a special devotion to the saint, or can I just choose one whose life mirrors mine a bit? Or one who has a name that I like? I'm probably making this into a bigger deal than it is, but when else do you get to pick a name for yourself? And I'm just curious - what was your confirmation name?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-60343007128572820722008-01-11T18:04:00.000-08:002008-01-11T18:04:00.000-08:00I'm not one to hold hands during the our Father. ...I'm not one to hold hands during the our Father. GASP! I don't like it "for me" but that doesn't mean I loathe my brother or sister in Christ. I think it's rude of my bros and sisses in Christ to "loathe" me for not wanting to reach out and touch somebody's hand at Mass. Hey, I'm not Diana Ross, I'll admit it, but I do love my neighbor. I'm not going to raise a stink about it here or anywhere else, but I prefer to hold my own hands during the Our Father. I'll gladly help the poor and reach out to the needy without having to feel pressured to hold the little booger eather's hand next to me or be frowned at or looked at quizzically for being too "stuck up" to hold someone's hand. I'm not "too good" to hold that hand, just don't want to, that's all. Holding hands to me is a rather intimate gesture and I'm just not comfortable with doing it with strangers. Am I now a "bad Catholic?" Handholders, knock yerselves out and hold hands until the 2nd coming, but don't give me a scowl for NOT wanting to grab yer perty paws, Okey dokey? It's not so much germs for me as the plain distraction. That's what the sign of peace is for, isn't it? To 'reach out and shake the hand of one's bro or sis in Christ? Can we all just get along? Oh is it? Yes, I feel a Kumbaya growing ou there, yes...I feel a Kumbaya chorus and ain't it grand?Joyful Catholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16763631591924925063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-47919449000000412742008-01-11T13:56:00.000-08:002008-01-11T13:56:00.000-08:00WOW KATI.,Does the word Charity mean anything to y...WOW KATI.,<BR/>Does the word Charity mean anything to you?<BR/>I go to Saturday Mass because it is quieter and less crowded and more supportive of my prayer life. I dont drink either.<BR/>The "pedophile predators" were NOT homosexuals.<BR/>You in fact sound rather homophobic. You have issues with that? Get help.IRISHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03749434670937410613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-22472825842491928182008-01-11T13:09:00.000-08:002008-01-11T13:09:00.000-08:00It is my understanding that girls were allowed to ...It is my understanding that girls were allowed to alter serve since 1997. I have a daughter who does not alter serve because I don't think it serves a purpose since girls can never be priests. However, I am not judging those families who allow their girls to serve, nor the girl, nor the church for allowing it. I do see the logic in it just being a ministry for boys, though. <BR/><BR/>Be careful, Katy, you opened a can of worms. Let's educate Katy compassionately folks.<BR/><BR/>Ave Maria!Sarah - Kalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17877449375576975508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-82761239133619854932008-01-11T12:51:00.000-08:002008-01-11T12:51:00.000-08:00Anonymous,My Mass of preference is the Saturday ev...Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>My Mass of preference is the Saturday evening, and I don't drink. At all. This Mass is generally less crowded and is also quieter, allowing me to pray better and concentrate on the miracle taking place. I'm up for Mass five, sometimes six, other mornings every week, usually between 6 and 6:30. That's a.m. So how do I fit into your neatly defined categories? Am I lazy, drunk, or dead?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-37636494132068261862008-01-11T10:45:00.000-08:002008-01-11T10:45:00.000-08:00Oh, Katy! Ow! Please re-read your own very apt com...Oh, Katy! Ow! Please re-read your own very apt comments on charity! <BR/><BR/>Whatever views anyone has on priestly celibacy or the ordination of women, the way your last sentence is phrased is likely to cause unnecessary and unhelpful pain -partly because it seems as though you meant to hurt. Perhaps you didn't, but it comes across as a zinger.<BR/><BR/>I think girls serving at the altar are a bishop-by-bishop choice. Some bishops specifically allow for it & others specifically allow parishes to respond according to their pastoral judgment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-32953586379042804732008-01-11T10:17:00.000-08:002008-01-11T10:17:00.000-08:00Anonymous said..."My church has Saturday night Mas...Anonymous said..."My church has Saturday night Mass for those too lazy to get up Sunday and those who go drinking Saturday night. There is early Sunday Mass, otherwise known as dead man's Mass for those who like a quiet service." <BR/><BR/>Now that you have "found Jesus" I hope you will also find charity so you can stop judging the motives of others.<BR/><BR/>At my church there is a sound system way too powerful for the size of the church and if for some reason I have to attend 9:00 mass on Sunday morning I bring ear plugs to save my hearing from "the band" that performs there. They are not leading anybody in song; they are deafening.<BR/><BR/>The 11:00 mass is the one that parents bring the children whose hearing they hope to preserve. <BR/><BR/>I like the Saturday evening mass because it's at 5:00, when most children are eating their supper, and the singing is lead by a nice man with a guitar.<BR/><BR/>Sister, what is your objection to girl altar servers? If the church would allow married people (women and men) to be priests perhaps it wouldn't be a haven for homosexual pedophile predators.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-82726017006924563052008-01-11T09:40:00.000-08:002008-01-11T09:40:00.000-08:00Bring the little children! Thanks be to God for th...Bring the little children! Thanks be to God for their sounds of life and love!! And any opportunity to practice charity is to be welcomed in my book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-3990002792202914522008-01-11T09:37:00.000-08:002008-01-11T09:37:00.000-08:00You give me a good chuckle every day ! I honestly...You give me a good chuckle every day ! I honestly didn't know that girl altar servers were not allowed! My daughter was one for about 5 years, and my parish still uses them. Where is this information located? (The info about girl altar servers.)Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09776022408566572627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-3915928271432188652008-01-11T08:38:00.000-08:002008-01-11T08:38:00.000-08:00Anonymous 7:14; St Therese's childhood was bef...Anonymous 7:14;<BR/> St Therese's childhood was before the age of First Communion was lowered, wasn't it? You're implying that it's acceptable for a child to skip Mass until he's 7 and preparing for his First Communion. The same priests that are pushing the cry room and nursery here are the ones who lament that the children don't magically have the habit of attending Mass with their families when they enter CCD. <BR/><BR/>But yeah, I agree, if a kids' parents are saints, he'll probably be okay skipping Mass until he's 7.<BR/><BR/>(tongue removed from cheek)<BR/><BR/>and I definitely agree that parents shouldn't feel guilty about leaving a 18-30 month-old child at home occasionally, but it's very important to attend Sunday Mass together as a family right from the start, rather than switching off Masses, one staying home, etc. It's easier to maintain a habit than it is to start one, especially in these families like mine where there's always a baby or two that doesn't behave perfectly. I'll tell you if this policy doesn't work out well later on, but so far, child #1 of 8 wants to be a Navy chaplain, and none of the rest ever complain about going to Mass past the age of 4.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-67593619363209993302008-01-11T07:14:00.000-08:002008-01-11T07:14:00.000-08:00A reminder to any parent who feels stressed about ...A reminder to any parent who feels stressed about bringing cranky, unruly or simply just not-ready-for-mass children: it's not required. The age of reason - 7 - is the magic number. And the vast majority of children are quite able to sit quietly well before that age. But don't guilt yourself about this if you'd rather not bring the over-tired one, the toddler who hasn't yet outgrown his refusal to sit for more than 5 minutes or the colicky infant who you just know will scream his head off. <BR/><BR/>St. Therese writes about how she was not brought to mass as a young child - she was considered too young. And her parents are about to start their journey toward canonization, so it must mean something!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-42244713462763993732008-01-11T05:03:00.000-08:002008-01-11T05:03:00.000-08:00As someone who was raised Catholic but then spent ...As someone who was raised Catholic but then spent 30 years in the Protestant church, I would urge the Catholic Church to beware of these little "innovations" that get added to the liturgy or in prayer groups. I got so sick of all the profaning of sacred things, like for example, all the show business type worship, people bringing coffee and donuts into the liturgy, folks laughing and chattering in the communion line, etc. Things got so wacky that my Protestant-born and raised husband led our family (and me back to) the Catholic Church where we have been rejoicing ever since. Naturally, then, I pray that Holy Mother Church, in her wisdom and stability, will root out and rein in anything that detracts from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. <BR/><BR/>And I leave it up to the Holy Father and the bishops to keep things orthodox. I am glad for the rules.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-82387662059247934882008-01-10T19:53:00.000-08:002008-01-10T19:53:00.000-08:00Anonymous, Bless you! I can't count the number o...Anonymous, Bless you! I can't count the number of times I've gotten dirty looks or angry comments from other parishioners, for having unquiet children at Mass; a few years back, I got yelled at just before everyone headed out to the buses ready to take us all to the March for Life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-11908856961820118512008-01-10T18:14:00.000-08:002008-01-10T18:14:00.000-08:00My church has Saturday night Mass for those too la...My church has Saturday night Mass for those too lazy to get up Sunday and those who go drinking Saturday night. There is early Sunday Mass, otherwise known as dead man's Mass for those who like a quiet service. Then there is family Mass held late morning. This is my favorite as it is full of kids of all ages. It isn't quiet but it is always interesting!<BR/>Here is where I find Jesus. He is in the sleeping innocent faces. He is in the little arms hugging a parents neck. He is in the questioning eyes looking to the priest. He is in the patient parent whispering explainations to "whispered" questions. <BR/>Children are the life of the church. When they start screaming head out until they calm down. But chatter? How do we know a baby's chatter isn't him answering the angels?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com