|
Latin Mass Community to be charged $72,000 for Mass
By John Grasmeier
Angelqueen.org
April, 2008
Since the release of Summorum Pontificum - Pope Benedict's Motu Proprio
removing restrictions on celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass - many local
prelates and their diocesan hirelings have gone to great lengths to make life as
difficult as possible for Catholics seeking to take advantage of it. From
requiring priests to sit for formal Latin language examinations before offering
the TLM, to suffering difficult (and even unlawful) permission schemes,
traditionalist priests and lay persons have had to suffer all types of dubiously
devised obstacles laid out for them by hostile ecclesiastical chains of command.
Some who follow such matters may tend to think they've heard everything
regarding these shenanigans. Others, who know better, realize that when it comes
to suppressing of the immemorial rite, never think you've heard everything.
In a first (a first not only in anti-TLM hubris, but quite possibly a first
in the history of Holy Church) the TLM community in the diocese of Portland
Maine billed for their Mass. They are to be charged $72,000 per year, with an
initial $18,000 down payment being due on or before July 1st, only a little over
2 1/2 months from the time this is being written.
The 72-grand will go toward the priest's salary and benefits, office supplies
and, astoundingly, rental of the church. Should anyone think this a joke or
simply too
outrageous to be believed, the following is presented:
Dear Members of the Latin Mass Community:
Christ is Risen & Lives Forever!
As Msgr. Marc Caron, the chancellor of the Diocese, announced to you some
weeks past, Bishop Richard Malone has honored me with the newly created
position of Chaplain to the Latin Mass Community in south-central Maine
effective 1 July 2008. I look forward to serving and working with the
faithful who are attached to the extraordinary form of the Roman liturgy.
Initially, I will be celebrating Holy Mass in the extraordinary form every
Sunday at 8:00 AM at the Basilica of Ss Peter & Paul in Lewiston and at noon
at the Cathedral Chapel in Portland. Once the Chaplaincy is underway,
additional Masses will be scheduled at other locations as the need increases
and other priests are available. I also will be available to you for the
celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals, including funerals, as
needed.
I am happy to announce that the Bishop has accepted a request for a patron
for the Latin Mass Chaplaincy. We will now be known as the :
St. Gregory the Great Latin Mass Chaplaincy
As Bishop Malone announced, the Chaplaincy will be funded by those
benefiting from this ministry, and the Chaplaincy will continue only if
there is sufficient funding to meet its expenses. The initial annual budget
has been prepared, which I have approved and accepted. The budget for
the first year is $72,000.00 and includes salary, room & board, health
insurance and pension, travel expenses,
church rental, office expenses, and
other ministy (sic) expenses.
Prior to 1 July, and before the Chaplaincy will begin, we are required to
raise from contributions one-quarter of our annual budget, or $18,000.00.
This initial funding is necessary to ensure that we will be financially
independent and able to meet our weekly ongoing expenses as the Chaplaincy
begins and grows. We must begin our fundraising efforts immediately to
raise this initial amount. We have established an account at TD Banknorth
in Lewiston that will be used exclusively for the Chaplaincy. Contributions
to the Chaplaincy should be made by check payable to "St Gregory (the Great)
Latin Mass Chaplaincy" and sent to the following address: Latin Mass
Chaplaincy, Department of Ministerial Services, P.O. Box 11559, Portland,
Maine 04104. Please be as generous as your means allow.
After 1 July collections taken up at all the Masses of the Chaplaincy will
go totally to the support of the Chaplaincy. Also the faithful will be able
to register with the Chaplaincy and will have their own envelopes come the
New Year. I will also be making regular financial reports to the community.
I will be able to join you and address you after Mass on Sunday 20 April
2008 at the Cathedral to enlist your support for the many important tasks we
must undertake in order to build the Chaplaincy so that it will be a vital,
growing, and long-lasting ministry in the Diocese. I also hope to answer
any questions you may have. Unfortunately I may arrive during the Mass as I
must complete my duties in Sabattus first. I hope you will be able to stay
for a short reception after Mass so that we may become personally
acquainted.
I thank all the priests who have served and who will continue to serve you.
They have been a blessing from God. I look forward to meeting and serving
you. May God prosper the work of our hands.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
|
printer friendly
RSS feeds
