Father Frechette of Baltimore

I will begin my discussion of the liturgical revolution in the Diocese of Baltimore. This diocese has an official newspaper entitled The Catholic Review. Its 20 February 1981 edition contained an interesting report on the methods used by a certain Father Frechette to make the celebration of Mass more lively for his parishioners. Two puppets named Noah and Norah were married during Mass, and afterwards a reception was held for them in the parish hall. On Palm Sunday, a man on a donkey rode down the aisle; at Christmas, in deference no doubt to the concept of equal opportunities, a lady was given star billing, and did the same thing mounted on a pony. Father Frechette's dog sits in the sanctuary and, I quote, "gives his paw during the exchange of peace before Communion." On another occasion the congregation watched with bated breath while a large trunk was carried into the sanctuary and left before the altar. What did Father Frechette have in store for them this time? He had developed their critical faculties to the extent that they expected only the highest standard of entertainment. Their mentor fulfilled their expectations. The lid of the trunk flew open and out leapt a visiting priest, vested and ready to celebrate the Mass, if, indeed, what was to take place could be described as a Mass.