Q: I’m wondering if your Q & A emails can be archived in some sort of topical form on your web page? I am not saving every email you send, but I would love to be able to access them as a given topic arises for me in pastoral ministry.
Many thanks for making your insights available to us all.
A: It would be labor intensive to index and add a keyword search to the blog. All posts are on the site – www.paulturner.org. Try the search button. it will help.
Q: Not a question Paul, just a word of appreciation for your sensitivity in handling so many of these questions and especially the question about baptizing a baby unlikely to survive birth. Your response was beautiful and very moving. You do the priesthood good. Pax.
A: Thanks. God bless your good work.
Q: Were women involved in the writing of the Revised Rite of Marriage? Were married couples involved?
Many thanks!
A: Yes, but microscopically. The revised Catholic marriage rite represents two different efforts:
Q: A liturgist near here says that the unity candle has been suppressed. I can’t find that in print. It isn’t in the new rite. If not a quick easy answer let me know and I’ll keep looking.
A: OCM 29 tolerates “local customs”. As I’ve explained in my book One Love, people will argue over what is “local” and what are “customs”. But there is no suppression of the unity candle.
Q: So much appreciate your blogs. This week’s reading from Acts (6:1-7) speaks to those of us who serve as liturgists and sacristans. And your answers to questions so thoughtfully combine rubric and liturgically appropriate/ common sense (the sweet spot).
Our parish needs to refresh/ replace its banners and liturgical-color wall hangings in the sanctuary. I’ve seen a variety of options at other parishes, including a wall tapestries and hangings on the ambo and altar. Which of your books can we use to give us some guidance on recommendations for showing the liturgical colors and for use of themed banners? Thanks again!
A: Thanks for your comments about my work. I included a few thoughts on art and environment in Sourcebook for Sundays and Seasons when I was the author from 2002 to 2005. You’ll also find a bulletin insert on banners in my collection http://www.ltp.org/
Q: At a past parish, we invited the HS Seniors to join together for a Parish Mass and Reception. The HS Seniors wore their caps and gowns or a nice outfit. They processed in, removed their caps and worshiped with the community. Some participated in the Mass as ministers. At a neighboring parish, the pastor will not allow caps/gowns or their specific recognition. In which document(s) could I find some reference? Are there any liturgical laws being “broken” with the seniors and their graduation celebration?
A: As far as I know, you’re not breaking any laws. I can’t think of any document forbidding it.
We had a graduates’ mass similar to what you describe at one of my former parishes. It was inspiring to see the kids there, and it gave the community a way to affirm their hard work and education.
Q: I have a question from our Vicar General that I am not confident in the answer. One of our parishes named for the Assumption is celebrating 125 years this year and they want to move the Mass to Sunday the 13th so the whole community can gather and celebrate. I am pretty sure they can move it, but the question is about the obligation to attend Mass on the 15th. Does that get abrogated in this case or must they still attend Mass on the 15th? I presume it’s the latter, but this is an area of lit law that I am not so clear on. I hate to bother you, but I thought you’d have some insight on this since we’re all puzzled here.
A: The Universal Norms for the Calendar 58 gives permission to transfer the solemnity to a Sunday in Ordinary Time, but is silent about your question, which is canonical, not liturgical, so I’m not the best one to answer. Canon 1247 requires attendance at mass on Sundays and holydays. It seems to me that if the parish observes the solemnity on Sunday, which it may do, then it does not repeat the solemnity on Tuesday and the obligation that day no longer pertains. Canon 1245 allows a pastor to dispense from the obligation under certain circumstances. But he may not need to invoke that. That’s what my liturgical bones feel, but a canonist should weigh in.
Q: I received a call this morning from a gentleman who said he and his wife had been told their in utero baby had been diagnosed with Turner’s Syndrome and that it was not expected to live to term. If the child is born alive, ought it be baptized (I would say “yes” if it brings comfort to the parents but “no” as a soteriological necessity)? If the child is stillborn should it be baptized (I would say definitely not)? Ought the child be given a funeral (I would “yes” and to the extent the parents wish)? Do you have any comment to make on this? Am I missing something?
A: God bless you for stepping in to offer pastoral care in this difficult situation. My heart breaks for these parents.
Q: Father, how many copies are there for the book “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” ? I am trying to get the latest copy of this rite for my personal use. Is the one that was published in 1988 still ok for liturgical use ? I asked my two pastors and they have no idea about this. They use the one which was published in 1988. Please clarify for me. Thanks.
A: The 1988 is the current book. The translation is being revised, but it will be a few years before the 1988 is replaced.