Grapevine: More Solemn High Masses at St. Ann's !!

Dear Readers,

The smell of incense has not yet fully left the sanctuary of St. Ann's in Charlotte after an awesomely beautiful Solemn High Mass offered by newly ordained priest, Fr. Jason Barone, when the Grapevine is all-a-buzz that the month of July will be another banner month for those who love the Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

I am hearing that preparations are underway for two more Solemn High Masses in July alone:

•  Saturday, July 7    -  VI Sunday after Pentecost (anticipated)
•  Thursday, July 26 -  Feast of St. Anne

It seems ever-so-fitting that the July 7th  Mass (if it becomes a "fact") will occur on the 5th Anniversary of the promulgation of Summorum Pontificum of our Holy Father, Benedict XVI (Long may he reign!) which liberated the Mass in the Extraordinary Form for all of us to enjoy.

Also, along this line, sources within the "Park Rd Curia" are saying that there could even be a Mass offered on Friday, Sept. 14 - Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross as a thanksgiving for the 5th anniversary of the implementation of Summorum Pontificum.

I know that there are many readers who are disappointed that in these last 5 years we have yet to achieve a regular, weekly MEF that would satisfy our Sunday obligation, myself included... but what I keep telling myself, and would encourage each of you, is continued patience.

As I look at the continued growth of the number of priests and seminarians in the Charlotte area that know how to offer the MEF; the number of servers who can serve the MEF; the continuing maturity of the St. Ann Schola and Choir in support of both Gregorian Propers & Ordinary as well as beautiful polyphony; the number of Novus Ordo Catholics newly "exposed" to the MEF...all of it is tracking in the right direction!

But in addition to patience, Gentle Readers, I think there is more that needs to be done by those of us that so love this Treasury of Holy Mother Church... we need to support all of this efforts with our time, talent, and treasure.

• Time:  Be sure to attend these Masses when they are offered and pray
• Talent: Volunteer to help train the servers, or usher at a Mass, or to sing in the Schola
• Treasure: Vestiments, whether priestly or server cassocks, Mass programs, and candles, etc... these all cost money, and your financial support can go a long way

But the best way as always to support is via prayer... please pray for all the Priests, clerics, servers, musicians, and laymen/women who make all this possible.. and for our Holy Father and Bishop.

"What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too..." 
                                                            -- Pope Benedict XVI