Mar 14, 2010

Desecration in Arch. of Wash. DC Church (My Journey)


Desecration is taking a consecrated item and not using it for God.  A church is a sacred space, specially the sanctuary.  Correct me if I am wrong, but to use it for a regular musical concert that is not part of any liturgical or para-liturgical service is desecration.  This is what I accidentally discovered tonight, but it may not be an accident.  Here's why.

We went to NJ for my mother-in-law's birthday yesterday.  After loading the van with luggages, all 4 kids and my lovely wife, I felt a strong urge to bring the camera - like something was going to happen.  So, I went back to the house for it.  I even told my wife, I have this strange urge to get the camera.  I hope there's not going to be an accident.  

Today, I took the kids to Mass but left my wife with her siblings for a serious a family caucus.  I told her that she has to be done by 2 pm, so that she can catch the last Mass in our parish.  But they took an hour longer.  So, when I reached the DC area I noted that we cannot reach our parish in time.  I did recall a church in the vicinity, so I took a chance and went there instead.  My lot was full so I dropped my wife off and took the kids in the playground.  After a few minutes, my wife came out and said, "There's no Mass.  It's a concert."  That's where the pictures came from.

Perhaps the Lord wanted me to see and show these because, he wants his churches to be a place of prayer and not a musical auditorium - like this is his way of complaining.  In case, you want to follow up, you may contact the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.  They'll recognize the church as soon as they see the pictures.  

Office for Worship Promotes liturgical formation and celebration in parish communities; provides formation for liturgical ministers, Christian initiation coordinators, catechists, sponsors and team members.
Director: Rev. Mark Knestout, 301-853-4594    mknestout@adw.org

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

So for apparently serious reasons, your family did not make its original Mass plan, and had no back up plan(even though Mass times are online). Maybe the issue is the need to blame someone else for the lack of planning? Concerts in churches occur regularly - the Church has always supported the arts. Pope John Paul the Great reportedly attended church concerts at a place called St. Ignatio and in DC the basilica holds concerts regularly, as do other churches. Their Christmas concert raises money for many good causes.

Rick said...

This is a purely secular concert if you see the program unlike the Pope's concerts. Furthermore, the Pope's appearance at the others had a pastoral not financial purpose. And I did go to Mass earlier that day, but that's besides the point; it's argumentum ad hominem and even rash judging.

Anonymous said...

Hello Rick,
Do you wear your clericals at home with the wife and kids?
Sincerely,
Just a layman who doesn't feel the need to play dress up.

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