"Boycott Mass in the Archdiocese of Boston on September 22, 2002"

Anonymous flyer (I’m being kind, here...it’s not all that "anonymous" anymore)

"That's a time for the lay community of that diocese to say `we are notÉgoing to go to Mass in this diocese.’"

Governor Frank Keating, Oklahoma

"Let’s fill the Cathedral on September 22, to show our support for Cardinal Law!"

Cardinal Law Supporter

"Yikes."

Kelly Clark

Mass Fan Clubs

(you wanna use the Mass for what?????)

by Kelly Clark: the lady in the pew

Late last month, my fellow Cathedral parishioners — and other archdiocesan Catholics — were understandably shocked by an anonymously written flyer making the rounds, urging Catholics to "boycott" Mass in Sunday, September 22 as a "message" to Cardinal Law. One of us hit upon the plan of counter-acting the insidious proposal by "filling the Cathedral" on that day. The various suggestions offered to bring this about made for lively coversation.

Now, I love, admire, respect, and support my pastor and Cardinal Archbishop. Why, then, did this discussion leave me vaguely uneasy?

Saint Paul’s complaints

During the first reading of the Mass on Wednesday, September 1 (Corinthians 3:1-9), I felt a virtual nudge in the ribs, almost hearing the words: "listen up: this is for you." So I listened, learning that Paul had some complaints with the early Church in Corinth. Nothing new there. When didn’t Paul have complaints? Inwardly sighing, I tried to get the gist of today’s problem.

Deep-sixing the earthly fan clubs

Seems that the folks in Corinth were divided into camps. Some jumped on the Paul bandwagon; others promoted Apollos, and still others were Peter-freaks. And Paul didn’t like it one bit. Why not?

I think maybe Paul was ticked off at the Corinthians’ earthly hero worship. While busily forming "fan clubs" for their pet preachers, the Church in Corinth seemed to forget that these guys were nothing more than servants. Servants of Jesus Christ! The sublime love of Jesus Christ, the One who suffered and died for the Corinthians (and us, by the way), the One who instituted the Church, was blurred — and perhaps even forgotten! — by the Corinthians’ groupie mentality.

You know, sometimes I can be a little thick, but this time the message got through.

Christ abuse

Christ instituted, along with His Church, the most amazing gift imaginable: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Using this gift to further any earthly agenda is more than horrificÉit’s crucifying Christ all over again. Governor Keating may well exercise his First Amendment right to urge Catholics to manipulate their leaders through selective Mass attendance. But here’s a news flash, folks:

Frank Keating didn’t die for your sins, or for mine.

Neither did the people urging the September 22 "boycott," nor the protestors outside my parish church, nor the people who want to "fill the Cathedral." Neither, by the way, did Cardinal Law. And I know I certainly didn’t!

"Lord, I am not worthy to receive You..."

If you want to "use" your Mass attendance to make a statement, consider making the only one appropriate to this Sacrifice. And try to remember something pretty important here: you and I aren’t worthy to participate in the Mass anywhereÉnot in this Archdiocese, your Aunt Fanny’s diocese, or the one in Timbuktu. Where in the hell did we get this absurd and insufferably arrogant notion that the Mass is our private property? To be used — or abused — in any way we see fit?

You and I ought to be on our knees in gratitude for this totally undeserved gift: the unbelievable opportunity to witness the greatest sacrifice in history, and to receive the body, blood, soul, and divinity of the Master of Sacrifice.

Boycott the Mass, and you’re boycotting Christ. Use it to "make a statement" and you’re abusing Jesus.

There’s really only one "fan club" worthwhile, friends. For your personal invitation, consult your nearest Crucifix. Better yet, run, don’t walk, to the nearest tabernacle.

Next: speaking o’ tabernacles...where’d they go?

Here’s the fine print:

Kelly Clark is your basic nobody. She serves on no parish councils, belongs to none of the myriad of designer-chic "Catholic" groups, or any Catholic group, for that matter, other than the Roman Catholic Church. Holding no theology degrees, she has no desire so see herself or any of her sex wearing a clerical collar. She figures Jesus knew what He was doing when He established His Church, and also figures that it’s His Church, not hers, and not yours. She’s an ordinary parishioner of Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston. Hit Kelly at