Changes in the church

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 36, 18 February 1986, Page 12

Changes in the church

A Catholic priest now for over a quarter century, I've been reflecting on my own life and journey; from the days of Latin and birettas and Mass with my back to the people, to English and no hats and Mass facing you. When you stop and look at it, we really have come a long way since J960. From Catholics having to seek permission to attend a non-Catholic funeral to the free attendance at such in one another's churches — and, let's face it — others are affected by our practice of our faith, Catholic or whoever. We seek and find friendship and hospitality with one another at church, as on many other levels, including "round town."From"mixed" marriages in the out-of-the-

way sacristy to the privilege of the sanctuary. A spirit of trust among us now, rather than bigotry. Without compromising on principles or the natural law, more tolerance now. The separated, the divorced, even those who have remarried "outside the church" are no longer rejected, but welcomed and encouraged to come and belong as much as their situation allows them. If you are disillusioned or scandalised by "the changes," whatever your church, take a look into your own heart. I have always, from my earliest days, taken for granted one of our greated common values — progress, and the readiness to update and move on. Finally, why is regular Sunday worship together still so important for Catholics?

These days, we've three broad alternatives. First, we can live in'awe and love of life, humbly and prayerfully acknowledging the mystery of human greatness and human weakness. That is good. Few of us, however, are strong enough to do that alone. We need a structure, just as maths class is a necessary structure. So our second choice is as above, but with the help of others, with whom we can gather to worship and pray together, and learn to grow as persons and disciples of Jesus, if that's what a Christian is. The third possibility is to live a wordly, selfish lifestyle, with no thought or time for God and what we owe him. May the Lord save us from that. God bless your 1986. Fr. Bernie Vella S.M.