Letters

Liturgy: what next?

Franklin J. Wood

Contents - Apr 2007 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Benedict XVI's document on the Eucharist - Michael Gilchrist Book Launch: B.A. Santamaria and Australian Catholicism: Cardinal Pell's tribute - Cardinal George Pell News: The Church Around the World 'Equal opportunity' legislation threatens Christian teachings - Babette Francis Catholicism and secularism in Britain: a test of strength on same-sex adoption - Joanna Bogle History: How much do Catholics know about ecumenical councils? - Frank Mobbs Vocations: New survey of successful US dioceses: lessons for Australia - Michael Gilchrist Rockhampton Lenten program: 'whatever that might mean' - AD2000 Report St Faustina: The Divine Mercy apostolate: a spirituality to transform the world - Eva Kimnes Belief: Christian-Muslim dialogue: major stumbling blocks - Fr Richard Umbers Letters: Liturgy: what next? - Franklin J. Wood Letters: Church leadership - P.W. English Letters: Money talks - Richard Stokes Letters: Saints needed - Arthur N. Ballingall National Church Life Survey clarification - Bob Dixon Letters: Catholic schools Letters: Catholic atmosphere - Stuart Paterson Letters: Free and fair markets and the Church's social doctrine - Chris Hilder Letters: Capital punishment - John Gallagher Letters: Scourge of the West - Kevin McManus Letters: African prisoners seek correspondents - Len Clark Letters: Contraception - Tim Coyle Books: The Way of Love: Reflections on Deus Caritas Est, Livio Melina and Carl Anderson - Tim Cannon (reviewer) Books: Catholic Thought Since the Enlightenment, by Aidan Nichols OP - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Aspects of Authentic Church Teaching, by Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) DOES YOUR PARISH STOCK AD2000? Books: Books available from AD2000 and Freedom Publishing Reflection: Benedict XVI on the transforming power of the Resurrection - Pope Benedict XVI

In November 2006, I attended a Saturday night Mass at St Mary's Church, South Brisbane - or at least I had assumed it was to be a Mass.

Before this 'Mass' commenced, an individual spent ten minutes reading from a book that seemed to have nothing to do with the Catholic Faith. After that the Opening Prayer was said, followed by 15 minutes of silent meditation - with the Kyrie, Gloria, First and Second Readings and Responsorial Psalm all omitted.

At the end of the silent meditation, a lay person read the Gospel and gave a homily. Then someone put on a stole and led the Eucharistic Prayer which sounded like a feminist variant. The Communion Rite concluded with the playing of a recording of John Lennon's anti-Christian song 'Imagine'.

The South Brisbane parish, while being passionately committed to its understanding of social justice, has long-established reputation for presenting do-it-yourself liturgies.

Despite, or because of this, when some Catholic high schools in rural or regional Queensland organise religion excursions to Brisbane, they make a point of sending their students to South Brisbane for Sunday worship.

The time is long overdue for Brisbane's Archbishop to bring this parish into line liturgically with the rest of the Church - or encourage it to go its separate way.

FRANKLIN J. WOOD
North Rockhampton, Qld

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 20 No 3 (April 2007), p. 14