Comments for Deacon Paul

Comment on A Personal Blog by Mike Cowie

Mike Cowie — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:47:28 +0000

Reading the notes on the recent General Meeting is somewhat disquieting: that some people, apparently, don’t feel a need for silent (reverent) preparation before Mass………..the comment that the parish has a relatively poor record on attending and supporting activities other than weekly mass…………I would be more worried if it was the other way round……it might be worth looking at St. Mary’s, West Croydon which has huge congregations at all Masses and seems very well supported on the social side……….I get the impression that the youth were not at this meeting in large numbers………..as the Parish pulls out so many stops to include this group what do they feel is still not there for them? It is particularly sad when, especially on Sundays, there are no servers………..just a few thoughts!

Comment on A Personal Blog by Mike Cowie

Mike Cowie — Sun, 27 May 2012 09:41:06 +0000

Many thanks Paul. I am sure we will get there in the end. When one thinks of the goings on at Mass Saint Paul took his flock to task about……….I forget which Epistle it was………..

Comment on A touch of Latin Pedantry by Deacon Paul

Deacon Paul — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:16:05 +0000

I’ve been away from my blog for some time but intend to develop it as a significant part of my own apostolate as a deacon. As such I plan to write a specific post on the new translation 9 months on. However it would be fair to say that many priests still have difficulty with some of the phrases and sentence structures which they have to read aloud and express meaningfully. I think the congregation is now reasonably familiar with and comfortable proclaiming the changes to their parts.

Comment on A Personal Blog by Deacon Paul

Deacon Paul — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:50:28 +0000

Firstly, your post has been noticed, so you’ve achieved something. I share you’re concern that often after mass we have little less than a fish-market (to use a different analogy) in the church. What really upsets me is that the noisy groups are often people who really ought to know better! Irrespective of opinions as to whether any mundane conversation should take place in church, I grew up with the idea of church as sacred space – so even if I feel the need to speak to someone I would naturally behave as if I was in a library, not on a railway station. As you are probably aware I don’t mind speaking my mind when I think it’s important so I will make some remarks during the notices when I next have a chance.
The second opportunity I intend to take up is the upcoming year of faith. One of the practices we are being encouraged to promote is more widespread use of Eucharistic Adoration with a particular emphasis on silent contemplation. I think we have a major societal challenge in that the world is hooked on noise and silence actually makes people uncomfortable so we have a significant challenge getting our congregations to think and act with a recognition of the presence of God in silence.
God Bless
Deacon Paul

Comment on A Personal Blog by Mike Cowie

Mike Cowie — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:23:27 +0000

I wasn’t sure where to post this or even if it would achieve anything if I did. While I take the point that, for some, Sunday may be their only contact with other folk in the week, what I do find very distressing are the increasingly very audible and protracted conversations that now take place, rendering quiet prayer and contemplation well nigh impossible. I don’t think it is exaggerating (well not too much) to say that the buzz of chatter in the church before Sunday Mass is more appropriate to the bar of the local than the House of God. With respect it is going to take more than one small paragraph in the newsletter to recall the chatterers to the fact that the church is primarily a house of prayer. It is sad that, in our modern, so-called ‘inclusive’ ‘enlightened’ Church there is displayed, almost, a contempt for those who seek the oasis of peace in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

Comment on A touch of Latin Pedantry by Mike Cowie

Mike Cowie — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:55:10 +0000

I think that there can be no fears or misgivings re. the ‘new’ translation. As it has been, in my opinion, well and positively prepared for then only a refusal to take it on board could negate its effectiveness in raising us out of the rut of the everyday into the beautiful realm of God.

Comment on New Words for the Mass – why Latin? by Mike Cowie

Mike Cowie — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:40:33 +0000

My first few years were accompanied by what we now term the ‘Extraordinary Form’. I had my Missal and was able to follow / participate in the Mass. My parents and teachers explained things to me and I don’t recall having problems or feeling disconnected from things. When the original vernacular translation came out I dutifully stuck the leaflet into my Missal and carried on. I think that what really rang alarm bells as time went on and caused me to miss the previous form was the way in which the rubrics seemed to become progressively more elastic in some cases; one wondered just what the ends of the Mass were; emphasis could be seen to be becoming a matter of personal ‘feeling’, a ‘what do we get out of it…..? I am convinced that, had things not been so ‘tinkered with’ then many more would have persevered with the vernacular; people would, perhaps, not been driven to take refuge in the Extraordinary form. With the demise of Latin that audible sign of unity was gone, to say nothing of the need to have a collection of books in various languages instead of all having their Latin/Vernacular missals and so being able to follow things more easily wherever they were. Even now the fragmentation is brought painfully home at international gatherings in places such as Lourdes; everyone prays their prayers in their own language then, as the token Latin Mystery of the Rosary makes its appearance there is suddenly a re-appearance of the oneness of the Church, a great surge of united prayer.

Comment on New Words for the Mass – why Latin? by Richard Harries

Richard Harries — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:11:10 +0000

Thanks Deacon Paul. I found this an interesting and helpful summary.