In a previous post, I noted that the Creed is often omitted during Holy Mass in certain parishes throughout the Worcester Diocese. One of these parishes where the Creed was recently omitted is Saint Joseph's Parish in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
Evidently my post struck a nerve. I received a couple of hateful comments, one of them calling me an idiot and suggesting that the celebrant that day, Father Richard Trainor, simply forgot to include the Creed. The problem with this theory is that Father Trainor concelebrated the Mass with a visiting La Salette priest that day and there were two deacons also present - Deacon Jim Couture and retired Deacon Bob Leger. Surely with two priests and two deacons present, somebody could have remembered the Creed.
There is a point when the lying and the excuses have to stop. We are told in Ephesians that, "Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ....Therefore, putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." (Eph 4: 15, 25).
The anonymous person who called me an idiot then asserted that I am "unmanly" because I didn't approach Father Trainor with my concerns. Two things: First, Father Trainor should understand his role in the liturgy without my holding his hand. Secondly, when I approached the pastoral leaders at Saint Joseph's in the past with suggestions, I was treated with outright hatred and hostility. I was also excluded from participation in the life of the parish. I really do not care to subject myself to more of their abuse.
But here's the thing folks. Sacrosanctum Concilium of the Second Vatican Council states clearly in No. 22 that:
"1. Regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the bishop.
2. In virtue of power conceded by the law, the regulation of the liturgy within certain defined limits belongs also to various kinds of competent territorial bodies of bishops legitimately established.
3. Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority."
Canon 846 of the Code of Canon Law states clearly that:
"The liturgical books, approved by the competent authority, are to be faithfully followed in the celebration of the sacraments. Accordingly, no one may on a personal initiative add to or omit or alter anything in those books."
And I'm an idiot for expecting the two priests and the two deacons present to abide by the Church's teaching and Canon Law?
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