We have all grown accustomed to the Diocese of Rochester’s “touchy-feely” approach to liturgy, particularly through theme Masses, Masses with specific groups of people and Masses held in “unique” locations.

Well, evidently “farm” is now a suitable synonym for “church.” Bishop Clark has decided to say a Mass in Savannah during a cluster picnic. I can only hope that he will use a communion rail to keep the swine and the cattle out. After all, that’s what it’s meant for.

However, one positive thing is this: the bishop is reaching out to rural Catholics in the diocese, celebrating Mass for them during a hard time. However, let’s compare functions which the bishop has attended and those which he hasn’t.

Has not attended:

• Nocturnal Adoration Society social functions, as his three predecessors did.
• Closing Masses at dozens of parishes.
• Closing ceremonies for the schools the DoR has closed.
• Old Rite Confirmation at St. Stanislaus.
• Anniversary celebrations at OLV, St. Anne (before the fall) and the entire list of “sane” parishes.

Has attended:

• Sr. Joan Sobala’s “Installation Mass.”
• Nancy DeRycke’s “Installation Mass.”
• The labyrinth.
• Numerous occasions of non-Christian “ecumenism.”
• The “rainbow sash Mass.”
• High school graduations.
• The production of “The Video.”
• Need one continue?

So, yes, Bishop Clark will be saying Mass for a group of Catholics (Masons?) in the rural areas of the diocese. This begs one question:

Which Savannah parish is getting a new female lay administrator?

Tags: Bishop Clark, Joan, Keeping the Spirit Alive, Nancy, Thou Shalt Laugh

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 24th, 2009 at 12:21 PM . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.