After today's Mass I died inside

Lady Bug

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Well, to other people this may not be new but for me this is the first time I saw this happen:

- Drums being played in the Mass, and sometimes not that softly.
- The drums overpowered the piano and the vocalist.
- Because of that (well, probably), the church put a "flat screen tv" thing on the wall, next to their crucifix, for the congregation to look at the words of the song being sung, because otherwise, you could not hear the lead singer's voice (the songs were not in the Missals today).
- The drums were disturbing me from focusing on the Mass, to be honest. My opinion may not speak for the others there; I don't know.

Without the drums, the singer's voice is articulate enough such that you don't need to wonder what she's singing, but with the drums, you can't tell jack sheet. I can't believe what I heard today :| It's probably been going on longer than I was there, but when I walked into the church and saw that flat screen TV up beside the altar, I felt something was off. It appeared to be just installed.

I tried to sit in a pew in which I could get communion from the priest instead of the EMHC, but I ended up with the latter. It's not the end of the world but I like getting it from a priest.
 
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pdudgeon

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I agree, that's definitely strange, and I would say distracting as well.
If the musical accompaniment was amplified ( with microphones) then I would say that the sound itself needs to be adjusted, and the drummer spoken to, regarding the purpose of their playing.
But if for any reason that it either can't be done, or isn't done, then I would have a quiet word with the music director after mass, and explain your experience to them.
There is a great difference between secular music and sacred music, and how each is performed. Maybe the drummer isn't aware of that?
 
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Ayel Lee

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I have attended a Mass where they used karaoke because there were no available organists. But fortunately such things were outlawed when our conference of bishops made it a rule that only traditional instruments — the organ or the guitar — are to be used at Mass.
 
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pdudgeon

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I agree, that's definitely strange, and I would say distracting as well.
If the musical accompaniment was amplified ( with microphones) then I would say that the sound itself needs to be adjusted, and the drummer spoken to, regarding the purpose of their playing.
But if for any reason that it either can't be done, or isn't done, then I would have a quiet word with the music director after mass, and explain your experience to them.
There is a great difference between secular music and sacred music, and how each is performed. Maybe the drummer isn't aware of that?
And I would guess that the quiet word might just solve the problem.

In secular music, it's ok if the drummer stands out, but in sacred music, the drummer acts more like the beating of a heart: quiet, steady, and supportive.
 
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Lady Bug

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And I would guess that the quiet word might just solve the problem.

In secular music, it's ok if the drummer stands out, but in sacred music, the drummer acts more like the beating of a heart: quiet, steady, and supportive.
Ah, well your description of sacred music is not what I experienced yesterday. :sigh::sigh:
 
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chevyontheriver

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Well, to other people this may not be new but for me this is the first time I saw this happen:

- Drums being played in the Mass, and sometimes not that softly.
- The drums overpowered the piano and the vocalist.
- Because of that (well, probably), the church put a "flat screen tv" thing on the wall, next to their crucifix, for the congregation to look at the words of the song being sung, because otherwise, you could not hear the lead singer's voice (the songs were not in the Missals today).
- The drums were disturbing me from focusing on the Mass, to be honest. My opinion may not speak for the others there; I don't know.

Without the drums, the singer's voice is articulate enough such that you don't need to wonder what she's singing, but with the drums, you can't tell jack sheet. I can't believe what I heard today :| It's probably been going on longer than I was there, but when I walked into the church and saw that flat screen TV up beside the altar, I felt something was off. It appeared to be just installed.

I tried to sit in a pew in which I could get communion from the priest instead of the EMHC, but I ended up with the latter. It's not the end of the world but I like getting it from a priest.
I’m thinking drums are not approved liturgical instruments. Big flat screens like our mega church friends use should probably be verboten as well. I think your instincts are on target.

What options do you have?
 
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Gnarwhal

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Well, to other people this may not be new but for me this is the first time I saw this happen:

- Drums being played in the Mass, and sometimes not that softly.
- The drums overpowered the piano and the vocalist.
- Because of that (well, probably), the church put a "flat screen tv" thing on the wall, next to their crucifix, for the congregation to look at the words of the song being sung, because otherwise, you could not hear the lead singer's voice (the songs were not in the Missals today).
- The drums were disturbing me from focusing on the Mass, to be honest. My opinion may not speak for the others there; I don't know.

Without the drums, the singer's voice is articulate enough such that you don't need to wonder what she's singing, but with the drums, you can't tell jack sheet. I can't believe what I heard today :| It's probably been going on longer than I was there, but when I walked into the church and saw that flat screen TV up beside the altar, I felt something was off. It appeared to be just installed.

I tried to sit in a pew in which I could get communion from the priest instead of the EMHC, but I ended up with the latter. It's not the end of the world but I like getting it from a priest.

Dang that's rough. The TV might be the worst part to me. Any kind of screen - TV or projector - is just way too evangelical and it has no business in the front of a Catholic church in the same proximity as the tabernacle.

My wife's home parish on Long Island is kind of similar. Another old 60's parish. I'd go there with her when I would visit, and now that we're moving back up there for a while I guess that's where we'll be going again. The priest there offered our wedding Mass and is special to her, but her kids like the 5pm Mass there because—of course—they can't be bothered to get up earlier for a better one.

Anyway, this is the "youth Mass" and this guy leads a praise band sort of deal. They are absolutely atrocious, just like in your parish the drums are way too loud and overpowering it's the same problem here. Nobody has a good voice, especially the one lady on the team who apparently is supposed to carry everybody cause she sings the loudest, but she's horrendously off key. The leader/guitarist plays the same chord progression for literally everything just at different tempos. The whole experience feels like a dad band who could never get a gig playing at an old folks home.

It's just embarrassing. I'd probably laugh but I'm too busy crying at how utterly lame this is. To think they actually believe this is what youth like is so obscenely wrong.

If we can't have Latin Masses I wish Pope Francis would meet us halfway and ban praise bands too, I would mind novus ordos far less if we still got decent sacred music from choirs who put in some effort.
 
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WarriorAngel

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Well, to other people this may not be new but for me this is the first time I saw this happen:

- Drums being played in the Mass, and sometimes not that softly.
- The drums overpowered the piano and the vocalist.
- Because of that (well, probably), the church put a "flat screen tv" thing on the wall, next to their crucifix, for the congregation to look at the words of the song being sung, because otherwise, you could not hear the lead singer's voice (the songs were not in the Missals today).
- The drums were disturbing me from focusing on the Mass, to be honest. My opinion may not speak for the others there; I don't know.

Without the drums, the singer's voice is articulate enough such that you don't need to wonder what she's singing, but with the drums, you can't tell jack sheet. I can't believe what I heard today :| It's probably been going on longer than I was there, but when I walked into the church and saw that flat screen TV up beside the altar, I felt something was off. It appeared to be just installed.

I tried to sit in a pew in which I could get communion from the priest instead of the EMHC, but I ended up with the latter. It's not the end of the world but I like getting it from a priest.
I can remember back in the day when I was probably in 2nd grade, at Easter our Pastor had a band play with drums for the music.
It was def heart pumping and I do love drums...
My mother didn't like it, but I was a kid.

So why did they have them playing? Something going on at the Church?
Were they on tv?

Anyway, I am sorry it disturbed your peace.

I found out recently that the Church doesn't do Masses for charismatics anymore. [Tongues etc]
It's more something they may like...
 
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Lady Bug

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I’m thinking drums are not approved liturgical instruments. Big flat screens like our mega church friends use should probably be verboten as well. I think your instincts are on target.

What options do you have?
That wasn't my home parish, but I do go there if I'm too tired to drive further that day, or if I woke up too late to go to another one. I guess I won't make it my home parish. Besides I think the homilies are not that great. I felt like the pastor tells a long story before he gets to the "message" of the homily, and what he says is nothing I haven't heard before.
Was it one of those Life Teen Masses?
It might have been. The thought never occurred to me because I hadn't heard of such a Mass before. It was a Sunday 6 pm Mass, so you could be right.
Dang that's rough. The TV might be the worst part to me. Any kind of screen - TV or projector - is just way too evangelical and it has no business in the front of a Catholic church in the same proximity as the tabernacle.

I hate sounding prideful even though it's not my intent but it also screamed "evangelical" to me as well. It looks like it's a "fixture" there now. They also used the TV screen for us to follow along with the Gloria and Nicene Creed, but I think it's better to use an old-school Missal for those things.

My wife's home parish on Long Island is kind of similar. Another old 60's parish. I'd go there with her when I would visit, and now that we're moving back up there for a while I guess that's where we'll be going again. The priest there offered our wedding Mass and is special to her, but her kids like the 5pm Mass there because—of course—they can't be bothered to get up earlier for a better one.

I feel bad for you; I would dread going to the Mass you mention. Since I also don't like getting up early enough to go to the good Mass, I get "stuck" with a bad Mass - I guess I have to work on this, because I've grown impatient with these bad Masses, and patience is not a virtue of mine.

Anyway, this is the "youth Mass" and this guy leads a praise band sort of deal. They are absolutely atrocious, just like in your parish the drums are way too loud and overpowering it's the same problem here. Nobody has a good voice, especially the one lady on the team who apparently is supposed to carry everybody cause she sings the loudest, but she's horrendously off key. The leader/guitarist plays the same chord progression for literally everything just at different tempos. The whole experience feels like a dad band who could never get a gig playing at an old folks home.

Good grief. As disillusioned as I was with the 6 pm Mass I went to, at least the Music Ministry of this parish have trained musicians (with music degrees) and pretty good voices. However, the melodies are very un-creative. Very typical chord progressions you'd hear on a typical radio station. I also think that the songs make the love for Jesus sound too mushy or something. I don't like the "fall in love with Jesus" vibe.

It's just embarrassing. I'd probably laugh but I'm too busy crying at how utterly lame this is. To think they actually believe this is what youth like is so obscenely wrong.

It looks like they're trying to cater to the world. Heck, I feel kind of angry as I type this. I hate this garbage they're trying to do.

If we can't have Latin Masses I wish Pope Francis would meet us halfway and ban praise bands too, I would mind novus ordos far less if we still got decent sacred music from choirs who put in some effort.

Novus Ordo Masses can be very beautiful if you simply have a good schola (choir) and good hymns. I've seen them at my home parish. Sometimes I think my home parish is the only parish left if you want to see a NO Mass that resembles anything old-school.


"Check please!"
Not sure what you mean, lol.
 
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Petros2015

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Not sure what you mean, lol.

That's what you say (to the waiter) when you are out on a dinner date and your date convinces you unintentionally that you really really don't ever want to have another
 
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Michie

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That wasn't my home parish, but I do go there if I'm too tired to drive further that day, or if I woke up too late to go to another one. I guess I won't make it my home parish. Besides I think the homilies are not that great. I felt like the pastor tells a long story before he gets to the "message" of the homily, and what he says is nothing I haven't heard before.

It might have been. The thought never occurred to me because I hadn't heard of such a Mass before. It was a Sunday 6 pm Mass, so you could be right.



Not sure what you mean, lol.
At that time, I’d definitely say it was a Life Teen Mass. Especially with the music played.
 
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Lady Bug

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At that time, I’d definitely say it was a Life Teen Mass. Especially with the music played.
The previous week's 6 pm Mass wasn't like this. Well, now I know what went on yesterday evening. It must be a "punishment" for not going to a regular Mass ^_^
 
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Michie

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The previous week's 6 pm Mass wasn't like this. Well, now I know what went on yesterday evening. It must be a "punishment" for not going to a regular Mass ^_^
They may have it a couple weeks of the month. You’d have to call the office to ask or look at the weekly bulletins.
 
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dzheremi

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Was it one of those Life Teen Masses?

That was my first thought after reading the OP. I had the college version of that when I was living in Oregon, via the local Newman Center. It was so weird, because the younger of the two priests there was a relatively traditional guy (he would read to me from the poetry/prayers of St. Ephrem sometimes, for instance), but when I asked him why then we didn't have more traditional masses, he said that this was up to the senior priest, who apparently thought it would be a better idea to have a jazz band one time, or a Celtic harp another time. Because that's what young people were crazy about circa 2007: jazz and harp music. :doh:(Also, is it just me or is it kind of funny that the older of the two got to decide what the youth would want or not want?)

Anyway, Lord have mercy!
 
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