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Every Mass a teenage rock'n'roll Mass . . . ?

I weep when I think how the American Catholic church (or at least large parts of it) jettisoned its musical tradition for a mess of tasteless pop pottage. I mean, the Episcopalians may be a bunch of screaming heretics, but at least they have good taste. Usually. There are some awful 'folk Masses' in ECUSA . . . but usually kept under wraps. In our former ECUSA parish, the 'HI Spirits' were the folk group, consisting of people who couldn't audition in to the regular parish choir . . . they were relegated to the children's 9 AM service . . . once a month.

I hope that the main offenders in the Catholic Church are the hippie idiots of the 60s and 70s who will soon be retiring and leave the rest of us alone.

I’ve always said that English services aren’t the problem. Irreverent services are the problem. Just because the service isn’t in Latin doesn’t make it disrespectful. Just look at the 1928 BCP or the Orthodox Church in America.

I’ve seen quite a few “folk masses” in ECUSA. They’re usually pulled off by aging hipsters who want to have a 60’s era drum circle and accoustic guitar jam in the context of the Eucharist. The one place, and likely the only place, such a thing is appropriate would be during a high school youth retreat at some camp where everything is informal (think of Happening weekends).

" I weep when I think how the American Catholic church (or at least large parts of it) jettisoned its musical tradition for a mess of tasteless pop pottage. I mean, the Episcopalians may be a bunch of screaming heretics, but at least they have good taste. Usually. There are some awful 'folk Masses' in ECUSA . . . but usually kept under wraps. In our former ECUSA parish, the 'HI Spirits' were the folk group, consisting of people who couldn't audition in to the regular parish choir . . . they were relegated to the children's 9 AM service . . . once a month. I hope that the main offenders in the Catholic Church are the hippie idiots of the 60s and 70s who will soon be retiring and leave the rest of us alone."

Totally agree with you, AnAmerican Mother. Being ex-"whiskeypagan" as well, I recall that parts of the old ECUSA still had good music, but parts had stuff that would make a body drink Ripple mixed with root beer! While my own home parish does pretty well music-wise, some of the places I've endured when I've traveled were enough to make you want to unscrew your years and throw them away ("I'll do anything, just stop that bloody-awful schlock"). Eastern Rite parishes excepted; every Eastern parish I've visited has been just plain wonderful. Gorgeous chant and not a hootenany in sight.

I hope that the main offenders in the Catholic Church are the hippie idiots of the 60s and 70s who will soon be retiring and leave the rest of us alone.

Unfortunately, the unindicted co-conspirators at the Oregon Catholic Press (OCP) and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) continue to recruit and train new schlockmeisters.