Some Answers to Your Questions
Keep checking back as we will continue to post new questions as they come in!
Submit a question to an SMG priest, council member or parish administrator.
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Question: Why don't we see Fr. Chad at weekend Masses?
Answer: Fr. Chad Droessler is the master of ceremonies to the bishop and is with the bishop on weekends for Masses and confirmations. He is only at St. Maria Goretti Parish 50% of the time at most. (Tim Endres, Director of Administration)
Question: Why does the Bishop need another priest to travel with him when we could use him in other parishes? Why doesn't he take a seminarian with him?
Answer: Protocol for a bishop is to have a priest as a master of ceremonies to assist the bishop during liturgies and when administering sacraments. Also, seminarians are in school. (Tim Endres, Director of Administration)
Question: Given that the bishops are the successors to the Apostles and elected the man who followed Judas, when did Cardinals become the ones who elected Popes? And why?
Answer: The first pope was by appointment by Jesus. After that, it was usually an assembly of the Roman people and clergy. It slowly became more formalized. A history of political interference in future elections and consequently long vacancies between popes prompted the college of cardinals to begin electing the pope in the year 1059. (Tim Endres, Director of Administration)
Question: How does someone request a meeting with one of the priests, and what are the parameters around requesting a meeting?
Answer: One simply has to call the parish office at 271-7421 and talk with one of the secretaries and leave a message for one of the priests. (Tim Endres, Director of Administration)
Question: Why do we make the sign of the cross with our right hand instead of our left? Also, why do we go from the left shoulder to the right instead of right to left?
Answer: The sign of the cross is made according to Catholic tradition. (Tim Endres, Director of Administration)
Question: Is it OK to receive communion more than once in a day?
Answer: You are allowed to receive communion up to two times in a day, as long as you attend the entire service. (Tim Endres, Director of Administration)
Question: Why are Father Chad's vestments different than Father David's or Father Mike's?
Answer: The wearing of sacred vestments at the Mass are yet another reminder to us that when we step into the Divine Liturgy we are participating in something beyond our ordinary lives, rather, it is the extraordinary, it is a foretaste of the beauty we will encounter in a much fuller way in eternity with Jesus Christ. That is why the vestments we wear, the chalices and patens we use, the words in the prayers we say, are all centered around that common theme of beauty, as they help us visually see, hear, taste and even smell the radiant beauty of almighty God.
And throughout the very rich history of the Church, various expressions or styles in vestiture have tried to give form to that beauty. To no surprise, vestments, specifically chasubles (the vestment the priest wears at the Holy Mass) have evolved over the two millennia of our Church, some due to trends, others due to practicality, but nonetheless retaining their intent and purpose to be used in liturgy.
So today, we are left with a rich variety in styles of chasubles, to which I may remark are all legitimate forms of vestments to be used in the Church. I guess in the end it comes down to preference, as to what style a priest likes, or best fits him; as one teenage girl jokingly remarked, “it is like picking out a prom dress.” Well, not quite!
With that said I want to make clear that it is not my intent to advance some agenda by wearing vestments that some might incorrectly label as “pre-Vatican II.” My only intent is to wear vestments that give proper glory and praise to God at the Holy Mass, that help us more easily step into the divine, and consequently to help us to pray.
For a more extensive history please check out these articles:
http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2006/07/on-origins-and-development-of.html
http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2006/07/on-origin-and-development-of-vestments.html
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2008/02/styles-and-tradition-in-chasuble-of.html
If you have any further questions never hesitate to email me at: chad.droessler@stmariagoretti.org
God’s abundant blessings,
Fr. Chad Droessler
Question: I was in town recently for a family reunion and enjoyed attending Mass at SMG! I am just curious--How many families belong to your parish?
Answer: Our parish family now includes approximately 2,300 families and growing! Please come visit again!
Question: I was invited to a retreat at Holy Wisdom Monastery and noted their Sunday morning service is listed under "Ecumenical" in the newspaper, which confused me because I thought this was a Benedictine monastery. Will this Sunday service fulfill Sunday Mass obligation?
Answer: The short of the answer is no, a Catholic who attends the Ecumenical Service at Holy Wisdom Monastery is not fulfilling their Sunday obligation for the Holy Mass.
It stands that the women of Holy Wisdom are no longer Catholic. In 2005 the community of Holy Wisdom petitioned the Holy See to be relieved of their ecclesial vows, which was granted in 2005. As a result, the community is no longer able to have the Catholic Mass celebrated in their building, and the reposition of the Blessed Sacrament is prohibited. It is therefore preferred that Catholics refrain from worshiping at Holy Wisdom as the Ecumenical Service appears to simulate the Holy Mass, which can be a source of great confusion to the faithful.
Question: Will the new practice of having EMHC's to homebound come up before the altar after Communion to receive hosts from the celebrant apply on weekdays also, or only at Sunday Masses?
Answer: It will be the same during the week as on Sundays.