Thursday, March 10, 2005

Holy Thursday

Washing of the Feet.
"It has become customary in many places [in the United States] to invite both men and women to be participants in this rite in recognition of the service that should be given by all the faithful to the church and to the world. " (The US Bishops' Liturgy Committee, February 16, 1987)
Vs.
"The washing of the feet of chosen men (viri selecti) which, according to tradition, is performed on this day (Holy Thursday), represents the service and charity of Christ, who came 'not to be served, but to serve.' This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained." (Congregation for Divine Worship, "Preparing and Celebrating the Paschal Feasts," January 16, 1988).

Anyone want to take bets on if our new priest will include women in our celebration of the Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday? Doing so has been a long-standing tradition at Holy Spirit Parish for MANY YEARS...


Note: Any Comments submitted to this posting will appear below... Please click the "Comments" button to review. Also, if you would like to contribute a posting or a comment to this site, please send it to kanickers@aol.com, with a notation of "Holy Spirit" in your title line. You may also e-mail this article to a friend, simply by clicking on the little envelope below!

3 comments:

Kanickers said...

The pastor seems to have a problem with women, so I doubt that he will include any in his washing. Look at the people that he has criticized and limited the most,… all women.

But that is just one of the pastor's personal problems. You can bet that the 'viri selecti' that he chooses for this symbolism will be toadies one and all. Shame to these toadies who fawn over the pastor, simply to feel good.

From one who has tried to converse with the pastor about urgent issues concerning Holy Spirit Parish on numerous occasions, I see that he only pays attention to praise of him and is not listening to anything else. I am beginning to doubt that he could ever be an adequate pastor. If the bishop cared about his flock, he would move this reverend to a job where he has no pastoral duties, such as the basilica.

But I also am beginning to doubt that the bishop gives a hoot, either. Sad that a parishioner could feel this way, but sadder still if that parishioner would remain silent, which I will not! Jesus did not remain silent.
A Parishioner

Kanickers said...

Dear Reflections of the Spirit:
I think that your last commenter hit the nail on the head! Our new pastor doesn’t have a clue as to what is going on in his parish. In the first place, he is only a “part time” priest. He has spent more time “away” from Holy Spirit parish, than he has spent there!

In addition, he has not even bothered to find out what kinds of programs were in place when he got there. That is a shame, because they were all excellent. The Peace and Justice Commission is an excellent example. Another has been that wonderful “liturgy of the word” program that his little nun friend had for our kids during mass. What a joke! I keep asking myself, how can one guy be so totally blind? LORD HELP US!
From another disgruntled parishioner.

Kanickers said...

Don't normally comment, but my two kids went to that litergy of the word provided by Ft. Louie's nun friend. Now neither wants to go again for fear they will be kept in "church jail" during mass. Your disgruntled parishioner was correct.
Things have always been so organized at Holy Spirit, why would anyone want to change anything?
And yes, it will be interesting to see if our new pastor will have any women in the washing of the feet.
Thanks for the opportunity to vent!
Another parishioner.