PARISH REPORT: Pastor Publishes ‘Trigger Warnings’ Prior To Mass

(AoftheANews) EAST LANSING – Starting this Sunday, parishioners and visitors at Sts. Amber & Pilsner will be receiving handouts prior to Mass indicating possible “trigger warnings” contained in the readings for the Liturgy of the Word.

“Our parish is responding to the fragile sensitivities of many of our college-age members,” Fr Pat Ronnyze, pastor of Sts Amber & Pilsner told AoftheA News. “We’re providing an environment consistent with what they experience in the classrooms and dorms on campus.”

The parish is located several blocks off the Michigan State University campus, and serves many of the university’s Catholic students and faculty.

“Rather than rewrite the readings – something we don’t have authority to do – the Worship Committee decided to provide handouts in the Gathering Space, listing possible trigger warnings,” Fr. Ronnyze said. “This way, the students – as well as any of the parishioners – will have time to mentally prepare, or leave the worship space until after the Gospel.”

AoftheA News received permission to reprint the trigger warning sheet prepared for November 8.

“First Reading: Kings 17:10-16. Elijah’s treatment of the widow may be viewed as patriarchal and misogynistic as he commands her to bring him water and make him bread before she feeds her son and herself.

“Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28. Mentions of ‘blood’, ‘sin’, ‘sacrifice’, and ‘judgment’. Also several uses of gender-specific pronouns.

“Gospel: Mark 12:38-44. Depiction of income disparity between very wealthy and the very poor.”

Fr. Rozzyne said the goal is to make the Mass more welcoming. “We’re cognizant of the students’ delicate psyches. I want these special snowflakes to think of our parish as a warm, hospitable, holy Safe Space.”

Image credit: Richie Graham [Creative Commons] via Flickr

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