Next Saturday, September 12, there will be a sung Tridentine Latin Mass at Holy Spirit Church at 8 a.m. (yes, 8 a.m.!). Mass will be celebrated by Father Gerard McMahon. Holy Spirit is at 1355 Hatch Road in Webster, at the corner of Plank Road. Any questions, leave them in the combox and I will answer them.
Oremus pro invicem.
Tags: Latin Mass, News and Media
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Will this be Saturday of 14th week after Pentecost, or the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary?
I am a native of the diocese of Rochester (under Bishops Kearney and Sheen). I returned to the Finger Lakes this summer with my family for a visit. I couldn't believe the state of the Church in Geneva. Glorious, gothic St. Stephens' seems a dusty museum relic and the St. Francis church now meets mostly in the former kindergarten annex of the old school.
What a devastated vineyard!
In my opinion this is due, in part, to: 1. the failure to preach passionately and consistently that artificial contraception is a mortal sin and 2. an anything goes Novus Ordo and 3. Local hierarchical resistance to a revival of the Tridentine Mass.
Once back home here in the northwestern U.S., I wrote Bishop Clark and cited some of the issues that concerned me as well as his future in eternity based on his behavior now while he is still bishop.
Not to put too strong a point on my own letter (although God is infinite in power and mercy and uses us to work His will), could this Sept. 12 Tridentine Mass, to be held at a decent hour and an accessible location, be a possible sign that Bishop Clark is becoming more generous toward the Tridentine Mass and a harbinger of better things to come in his last days as ordinary?
Best wishes,
Michael
Michael — Thanks for writing. St. Stephen's in Geneva is one of the finest examples of monastic Gothic architecture in the diocese. I would suggest all readers go to see it. You will NOT be disappointed.
Did you ever get a reply from Bishop Clark? I'd be curious how he (or his assistant) replied to you.
The bishop is no friend of the Tridentine Latin Mass. He was mandated to have it. Our first Tridentine Latin mass was in June of 1993 at beautiful St. Stanislaus Church in Rochester. We are still there. Mass is at 1:30, a not so convenient time.
In a more direct answer to your comments about the Sept 12 TLM. Bishop Clark has nothing to do with allowing it.
The Moto Proprio, Summorum Pontificum allows the Tridentine Latin Mass( or the Extraordinary Form to use the words in the moto proprio) to be said without the bishop's permission. Pope Benedict knew he needed to remove the bishops' approval for the TLM because he (the Pope) knew many bishops would still not allow it, despite the Pope's full approval.
Which diocese to you live in, Michael? Do you have the Tridentine Latin Mass in your diocese?
Keep in touch and God Bless!
Anon — I don't have the Tridentine Ordo with me, so I don't know. I suspect it might be the Most HOly Name of Mary only because Saturday is the day of the week dedicated to the honor of the Blessed Mother. I hope this helps and if I get my hands on the ordo, I'll check. Hope you can make it.
Has there been any thought to expanding the number of Latin Masses at Holy Spirit, perhaps even to Sunday liturgies? Holy Spirit is a very traditional parish, I think it would be well received.
Rob, Not that I'm aware of. Father McMahon would be the one to ask, or Father Helfrich, the pastor. Let them know that you have an interest in the Tridentine Mass. If I can be of any help, let me know and I'll sure be glad to help you.