From a bulletin article by Fr. Gary Tyman, with added commentary:
“So far however, we have had only one opportunity for a joint celebration of Mass — that was at Sr. Joan’s installation as pastoral administrator in September of 2008. [This Mass was at Our Lady of Lourdes. And I doubt the people of St. Anne view these Masses at OLOL as an “opportunity.”] So that we will have a chance to join together in a cluster Mass, we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day together. For Thanksgiving we will have one Mass only. Everyone is invited to Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 9AM on Thanksgiving morning. Although this year the Mass is at OLOL, it is a cluster Mass (not a Lourdes Mass to which St. Anne people are invited). [Oh good, so only half of the music will be terrible contemporary Christian pop] The altar servers, hospitality ministers, Eucharistic ministers [Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion] and lectors will be drawn from both parishes. Members of both choirs have been invited to join together. The Saint Anne banner will be included in the procession and placed in the sanctuary. [What a gesture… Their church will soon be swallowed up by Lourdes and all they get is the chance to carry a piece of felt] Please join us in giving thanks for all that God is doing for us.”
First- There does not exist any need for these two parishes to have to give up their own Masses in order to have one big cluster Mass. As far as I am aware, they are still separate parishes. To have these joint Masses suggests that closure is approaching, and the leaders want to- a) gauge the success of having both communities worship at one church (namely Lourdes), and b) begin to desensitize the people of St. Anne by bombarding them with the Lourdes progressive culture.
Second– For those keeping score at home, there will have been two joint community Masses at Our Lady of Lourdes, and zero at St. Anne. What message does this send?
The writing is on the wall for St. Anne, as it has been for some time. Instead of supporting this Thanksgiving Mass at Lourdes, I encourage all parishioners of St. Anne to boycott this Mass and instead head over to Mass at Our Lady of Victory or some other traditional parish for Thanksgiving. Send a message to the leaders, and send it loud and clear. If the people of St. Anne have a good turn out at this joint liturgy, I promise you that in the following bulletin you will see one of the leaders boasting about the success of the community Mass. This will accelerate the closure of St. Anne.
Tags: Joan, Progressive Drivel
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As the church lady say's Isn't that special. Let's jusT cut back on church and we will have more time to party and glorify Sister Joan's name. OK annoy. Come get me.
Will the Mass be followed by a Thanksgiving luncheon in sister's honor?
I think you are mistaken. If no one from St Anne's shows up it will still be boasted as a successful "community" Mass.
That's probably correct. Even if 5 people show up it will be considered a success.
~Dr. K
I think St Anne folks should return to St Anne with a dish to pass . and have their own dinner.
I would go and give them directions to OLV.
From what I have observed, along with many former parishioners who have emailed me concerning the parish, as "strategically placed" people left the parish and vacancies were created in various councils, committees etc. the "remanant" who still felt bad about the situation seized it with glee, for now they had the ability to be the "important ones."
Nod of the miter: John B., former parishioner of "Our Lady of Lourdes + Saint Anne."
Did anyone catch the following from the same bulletin (page 1).
They are asking for parishoners to contribute $1K so that they could by a banner. What is it with all these cute banners popping up around parishes. Now there are colorful banners, signs in the parking lots as if one is entering an RIT campus. Church straight ahead, rectory to the left, clothing drop off to the right….I mean come on already. Is it really hard to see the church?
Also it goes on to stated that the Thanksgiving mass parishoners will see one banner and then hopefully in 8 weeks see another banner. But the kicker is that eventually, and I quote, 'In year to come, when our two parishes become one parish with two worship sites, the use of these two banners will remind us of our rich history and carry it with the future'
I am not aware of the details in this cluster, but it sure sounds like a 'cluster'. Sounds like a precursor, or a warning from Fr. Joan, that one parish will close in the next year. Then people will be forced to attend the one that stays open. Though they could also choose to go find a new parish, which is orthodox, although they are hard to come by nowadays in the DOR.
I know the perfect saying to put on a sign in the parking lot next to a little red car.
Oh never mind Gen will remove my suggestion.
Does anyone know where I can purchase a Cleansing Fire banner?
Anonymous – certain things I will not remove. What I imagine you are envisioning most definitely gets my metaphorical imprimatur.
Just remember: security cameras now face the parking lot. lol