Local progress of EF Mass, ever ancient, ever new

Tridentine Community News (July 5, 2009):

Welcome Fr. Ross Bartley, Fr. John Johnson, & Fr. Robert Marczewski

Windsor and metro Detroit have gained three additional priest supporters of the Extraordinary Form Mass. First, the Diocese of London has assigned Fr. Ross Bartley [pictured left] to be the Assistant Pastor of Windsor’s Assumption Church, effective June 30. This assignment was made in part to support Assumption’s merger with Holy Name of Mary Parish. Ordinary Form Masses will continue at Holy Name of Mary Church, which is now officially a worship site of Assumption Parish.

Second, Fr. John Johnson has been appointed pastor of the new cluster of St. Teresa and St. Vincent de Paul Churches in Windsor.

Frs. Bartley and Johnson were previously assigned to the northern part of the diocese, near Stratford. Both are friends of Extraordinary Form advocate Fr. Paul Nicholson and have attended training on the Mass. We hope that their presence and schedules will permit additional Tridentine Masses, and more frequent Solemn High Masses, in both Windsor and Detroit. Lest there be any misconception, however, Fr. Peter Hrytsyk remains the chaplain and principal celebrant for the Tridentine Mass at Assumption Church.

On the other side of the river, Fr. Robert Marczewski, formerly of the Philadelphia area, has moved to our region to join the faculty of Orchard Lake’s Ss. Cyril & Methodius Seminary. Fr. Marczewski is currently learning the Extraordinary Form of Holy Mass and hopes to join St. Josaphat’s roster of celebrants starting in September.

We are always looking for additional priests and deacons who are interested in learning the Extraordinary Form. They do not need to commit to helping out at our churches, though they are welcome to do so if they wish. If you know of any who may be curious, please e-mail the address at the bottom of this page, and we will arrange training.

St. Albertus Church Schedules Additional Tridentine Masses

Besides the obvious appeal of holding Holy Mass in this beautiful church, these Masses will provide the option of attending the Tridentine Mass at noon for those who may find that time convenient. On months with a St. Albertus Mass, you will have the option of noon Tridentine Masses twice per month, once at St. Joseph and once at St. Albertus. Masses at St. Albertus will not be held on the Fourth Sunday of the month, so as not to conflict with St. Joseph’s Tridentine Mass.

EWTN Uses Assumption-Windsor’s Chant Sheets

On Wednesday, July 1, EWTN broadcast a Pontifical Solemn Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the Feast of the Most Precious Blood, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry of Chicago. As one could see in one of the EWTN screen shots, Michel Ozorak’s Chant Sheets were used by the subdeacon and deacon to chant the Epistle and Gospel, respectively. This is quite an honor, and indicative of the uniqueness of his work. Michel is considering publishing a book of these sheets once more of the liturgical year has been completed.

Incidentally, it is a sign of the times that the newsworthy item here is not that a Tridentine Mass was broadcast on EWTN, or even that it was the first time that it was celebrated by a bishop. In that regard, the extraordinary has truly become ordinary.

Upcoming Special Sung Masses

St. Josaphat continues to hold Tridentine High Masses (Missa Cantata) on many of the First and Second Class Feast Days which specify a Gloria and Credo. Below is the schedule through the end of 2009, excluding Christmas Eve and Day. Unless otherwise specified, all Masses are at 7:00 PM.

Thursday, August 6: Transfiguration
Saturday, August 15 (9:30 AM): Assumption (Holy Day)
Saturday, August 22 (9:30 AM): Immaculate Heart
Thursday, September 8: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
Monday, September 14: Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Tuesday, September 15: Seven Sorrows of the BVM
Monday, September 21: St. Matthew the Apostle
Tuesday, September 29: Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel
Wednesday, October 28: Ss. Simon & Jude
Monday, November 2: All Souls
Monday, November 9: Dedication of Archbasilica of Our Savior
Monday, November 30: St. Andrew the Apostle
Tuesday, December 8: Immaculate Conception (Holy Day)
Monday, December 21: St. Thomas the Apostle
Monday, December 28: Holy Innocents

A 7:00 PM High Mass is also planned for the Friday visit of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima to Sweetest Heart of Mary Church this fall. Low Masses will be held for its visits to St. Josaphat and St. Joseph. Details will be announced later.

We thank those who have been attending the special weekday sung Masses thus far, as it is your support that is encouraging the continuation of this program.

[Comments? Please e-mail tridnews@stjosaphatchurch.org. Previous columns are available at www.stjosaphatchurch.org. This edition of Tridentine Community News, with minor editions, is from the St. Josaphat bulletin insert for July 5, 2009. Hat tip to A.B.]