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18th Sunday After Pentecost

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Sunday is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost – although some parishes will mark the External Solemnity of the Holy Rosary (which is Wednesday October 7).  Dr. Mike Foley has a commentary on this weekend’s Collect: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2020/09/eighteenth-sunday-after-pentecost.html

Sunday Latin Masses in Charlotte

Since the local Church has opted to follow the state (a departure from sacred tradition), and the state has moved into “Phase 3 re-opening”, the parishes are finally opening up their seating capacity.  Holy Water is also returning. See details below:

11:30am – St. Thomas Aquinas parish – This will be the last weekend for signup Masses at St. Thomas Aquinas. For today, there are still seats available and there are also slots outside. All attendees will have the opportunity to receive Holy Communion. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0445a4af29a6f94-thefeast

12:30pm – St. Ann parish – St. Ann has expanded to 250 people inside the Church. There will still be some outside seating at St. Ann if necessary. Also immediately after today’s Latin Mass from 2-3pm will be the annual Life Chain to end abortion in front of the parish along Park Road. Please join if possible.

Mass changes this week

This week is usually the annual priests retreat for our diocese. If there are any Mass changes or cancellations, we will share an update.  

All Saints/Souls Novena at Sunday November 1 – Belmont Abbey Cemetery

All Saints day November 1 begins the 8-day novena for the poor souls in purgatory and Fr. Reid has graciously agreed to the annual prayers at the Belmont Abbey Cemetery after Sunday 12:30pm Mass on Sunday November 1. The novena consists of visiting a cemetery each day, praying for the dead. A plenary indulgence is offered each day under the usual conditions. More details to follow.

Latin Mass & Traditional News

  • Crisis Magazine – Was Vatican II a Mistake? Crisis, a conservative Catholic periodical has an interesting podcast on the debate on whether Vatican II is a mistake. It’s quite interesting that Crisis (not a traditional magazine) is now having these discussions and admitting Reform of the Reform has pretty much failed and the Latin Mass may be the path forward:
    https://www.crisismagazine.com/2020/was-vatican-ii-a-mistake-2
  • Cardinal analyzes why Netherlands lost Catholic faith in few short decades: Cardinal Eijk of The Netherlands has some interesting comments about how the faith collapsed in his country. One of which is that Catholicism basically became a check-box, cultural type Catholicism (a phenomenon which sadly still exists in many conservative parts of the U.S. Church today):
    https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/great-apostasy-cardinal-analyzes-why-netherlands-lost-catholic-faith-in-few-short-decades

    Even more interestingly is His Eminence’s optimistic comments that there will someday be a rapprochement with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX).  As you know we promote a novena each spring that includes a resolution of the SSPX status. The Cardinal’s comments is welcome news – especially since the SSPX operates a seminary in an adjacent diocese. Perhaps we can hope for the day when this diocese is flooded with traditional priests (religious and diocesan) and many Latin Mass-only parishes/chapels open up (1 per city would be a good start!).
  • Bell-Curve Catholicism: A few weeks ago we touched upon the differences between traditional vs. conservative (or naturalistic) formation and teaching. This week we share an insightful article by Fr. David Nix, a traditional priest in the Archdiocese of Denver, on the differences between traditional and conservative Catholics. While conservative Catholics share some common ground with us traditionalists, there is also a world of difference and Fr. Nix helps provide more clarity into the matter: https://padreperegrino.org/2020/10/curve/
  • Traditional parish life with the Institute of Christ the King: When we discuss traditional parish life, this video is a great snapshot into the life of a Latin Mass only parish, which is centered completely and wholly around the Traditional Latin Mass, and its traditions and customs. The Institute is another religious order of priests that offer the Latin Mass exclusively and has a parish in Milwaukee:
    https://www.institute-christ-king.org/milwaukee-home