Superior TelegramIron River: The 2011 Lion’s Blueberry Festival Polka Mass begins at 10 a.m. with Bishop Peter F. Christensen of the Diocese of Superior, at Moon Lake Park, County Highway H, one mile south of U.S. Highway 2. Music provided by the “Singing Slovenes,” a popular group of musicians from Gary-New Duluth well known for their Polka Mass” and ethnic music. The group will also perform after the Mass for the enjoyment of the visitors at the Blueberry Festival.
Bp Christensen celebrating a "Polka Mass" in 2008
His Excellency has celebrated the "Polka Mass" at Iron River for the past three years. As a recent commenter from the north woods said:
Diocese of Superior is definitely a liturgical back-water. Please pray for us.Let's all stop for a moment and say a prayer for the liturgical renewal for our brothers and sisters to the north.
You may remember that I posted on this quite a bit last year. Along with "worshiping more vigorously" I would say the Polka Mass profanes what is sacred. The fact that it is done outdoors on a ridiculous looking stage with a polka band standing right next to the altar isn't the worst part. Sacred music is an integral part to normal Catholic worship. We need appropriate music to worship our God. The Polka Mass cannot provide what we need. Even when done in a church it is totally inappropriate. Apparently when someone is thirsty in a desert and asks for a glass of water, they are given a glass of sand instead of something to quench their thirst.
BTW for you new readers, The Polka Mass fiasco inspired the somewhat regular tradition of Polka Fridays on the Badger Catholic.