Random things Part Unus - Used Church Goods Store

Last weekend, we visited a used-church-goods store outside Pittsburgh. I took these low-res pictures with my phone, but they're good enough for you to get an idea of what we saw there. Celestine also got some great pictures; she'll have to load those herself, as they're on the other computer.

We were initially shocked at the prices, but after comparing these items to brand-new, I see that the prices for these items were actually quite reasonable. The crucifix in the bottom picture (recently re-gilded) was $385.00 It's about 18-20 inches tall, including the stand.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 13, 2009

Processional: Take Up Your Cross (BB 729)
Offertory: O God Beyond All Praising (BB 546)
Communion: Humbly Lord, We Worship You (BB 210)
Recessional: God, We Praise You (BB 215)

Since we're supposed to do a Communion Antiphon, I'll continue to chant the Graduale Romanum antiphon (Qui Vult this week), without verses, before we sing the Communion hymn.

Beauty of Antiquity pt 2

All images from the tombs of one Ramesses or another (there were lots of those) except for image one, which is of unknown source.

Beauty of Antiquity, pt 1

Images: Nefertari's tomb, QV66, Valley of the Queens. Favorite queen of Ramesses the Great, 18 dynasty. NOT the same as Nefertiti--both names share the common root of nefer, meaning 'beautiful'.

The Best 20 Minutes You Can Spend Sitting at the Computer

At the height of the Great Depression, the showman of a renowned circus leads his troupe through the devastated American landscape, lifting the spirits of audiences along the way. During their travels they discover a man without limbs at a carnival sideshow, but after an intriguing encounter with the showman he becomes driven to hope against everything he has ever believed. Starring Eduardo Verástegui (Bella), Doug Jones (Pan's Labyrinth, Fantastic Four) and featuring the debut performance of Nick Vujicic.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

This is the last Sunday (until next Summer) for our Graduale Romanum antiphon. :-(

Processional: Now Thank We All Our God (BB 204)
Offertory: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (BB 479)
Communion: Vovete. Listen to the monks chant it here
Recessional: O God, Our Help in Ages Past (BB 448)

CHOIR DIRECTOR/ORGANIST ESCAPES ATHENS COUNTY! FILM AT 11!

I'm traveling to the Ohio Valley this weekend, assuming that my husband has returned from his extended (grrrr....) trip to Philly/New Jersey. Saturday morning, the older children and I will go to a used-church-goods warehouse, then on Sunday, the whole family hopes to travel to the St. Anthony Chapel, which houses the largest collection of relics outside the Vatican.

Consequently, the choir won't be officially singing this weekend, but for those of you who will be in town - PLEASE SING ANYWAY!

We'll have choir rehearsal next Thursday (Sept. 3) at 7:00 p.m., and Father will be there to practice the Preface with us. If you have friends/acquaintances/distant relatives that are new in the area, are Catholic (or becoming Catholic), and can SING WELL, bring 'em to practice.

A Sailor, Soldier and Marine walked into a bar....

The Meaning of "Secure a Building" in different branches of the military:

If you told Navy personnel to "secure a building", they would turn off the lights and lock the doors.

Army personnel would occupy the building so no one could enter.

Marines would assault the building, capture it, and defend it with suppressive fire and close combat.

Air Force personnel would take out a three-year lease with an option to buy.

(Celestine's note: ...can't...breathe...laughing...too...hard....)

Reality Star Chooses Life

Article courtesy of LifeSiteNews. I'd love for her to say she's pro-life, but perhaps that would turn off her target audience from the positive message. God bless her and her baby, and well as that fantastic doctor (see the last paragraph).

Reality TV Star Kourtney Kardashian Chooses Life
"I can't even tell you how many people just say, 'Oh, get an abortion.' Like it's not a big deal," says the star.

By Matthew Anderson

August 19, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Kourtney Kardashian, the famous socialite and model, told People magazine in a recent interview that she considered having her unborn child aborted but changed her mind after reading about the traumatizing effects of abortion online.

"I looked online, and I was sitting on the bed hysterically crying, reading these stories of people who felt so guilty from having an abortion," Kourtney told David Caplan of People.

Kardashian, who is most famous for her role in the reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E!, announced last week that she was pregnant.

Though Kardashian openly supports abortion as a legitimate choice in her interview, she says that she wrestled with the decision, something she thinks not many people do.

"I do think every woman should have the right to do what they want, but I don't think it's talked through enough."

However, after researching the emotionally and physically devastating effects of abortion on women, she said, "I was just sitting there crying, thinking, 'I can't do that.' "

"I felt in my body, this is meant to be. God does things for a reason, and I just felt like it was the right thing that was happening in my life."

Further, Kardashian says she recognized that her motives for aborting the baby would have been selfishly driven. Kardashian, who with her sisters Khloe and Kim owns the clothing boutique DASH, said, "For me, all the reasons why I wouldn't keep the baby were so selfish: It wasn't like I was raped, it's not like I'm 16. I'm 30 years old, I make my own money, I support myself, I can afford to have a baby."

Disturbingly, though, Kardashian said a number of people advised her to get an abortion without much thought to the gravity of the matter.

"I can't even tell you how many people just say, 'Oh, get an abortion.' Like it's not a big deal."

Luckily she was advised by a friend to see a doctor, and the doctor encouraged her to research abortion online. He also told her that she would never regret having the child, but she might very well regret aborting it.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 23, 2009

Processional: Go Make of All Disciples (BB 190)
Offertory: Where Charity and Love Prevail (BB 419)
Communion: De fructu....
Recessional: Holy, Holy, Holy (BB 211)

I'd like to learn the Ubi Caritas chant (BB 421), but it won't be done by this weekend. (The Benoit version of Where Charity and Love Prevail is an excellent substitute, though.) We'll work on the chant slowly, and we'll have a LOT of opportunities to use it.

Starting in September, we'll be singing the Preface at Mass. Exciting!!!

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 16, 2009

Processional: Alleluia! Alleluia! Let the Holy Anthem Rise (BB 185)
Offertory: The King of Love My Shepherd Is (BB 483)
Communion: Qui Manducat...
Recessional: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (BB 102)

Most of the summer choir will be in Buffalo this weekend to see/hear Fr. Corapi. I expect a full transcript when they get back.

Horrors

Fall Quarter starts in a month, so I'm officially depressed. The good news is that The Blogmistress is taking a choral conducting class, so maybe all that crazy hand waving I do in the loft will start to make sense.

I should request a class that teaches various wild-eyed head gestures so that I can effectively conduct while playing the organ. Somebody's gotta teach that stuff -- you know -- the stuff that really matters.

Please put your Feelings of Dread and Tales of Woe in the comments. And any Happy News too, if you insist.

This has been a Public Service Announcement.

(For the Naysayers: Yes - I'm very grateful to God Almighty for all the blessings and opportunities He has given me.)

Mensah Pictures!

OOH OOH OOH! I never post pictures, preferring to leave the job to the ever-talented Celestine, because the process strains my limited intellect. However, I'm making an exception today; I've dusted the cobwebs from my synapses, and well, here we go!

Blogger is throwing the pictures at the top; I don't seem to have control over where they appear. This will make individual captioning slightly challenging.

Top: Altar Boys (one of them belonging to your blogmistressness), Msgr. Gaughan, His Excellency Bishop Thomas Mensah, and Fr. Tuffuor.

Bottom: Fr. Tuffuor, Fr. Holler, Archishop Mensah, Msgr. Gaughan

Photos by John Halley

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 9, 2009

Processional: Crown Him With Many Crowns (BB 747)
Offertory: O Sanctissima (BB 701)
Communion: Panis..... (I'll send out the practice recordings via email.)
Recessional: All Creatures of Our God and King (BB 548)

First Rule for Altar Servers

DON'T show up for Holy Mass looking like you live under a bridge. Put on appropriate clean clothing and shoes, and wash/comb/brush your hair. PLEASE.

Feel free to add other rules in the comments.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 2, 2009 UPDATED

Was it not the coolest thing ever to have Archbishop Mensah with us last weekend? I wish that more parishioners had attended, though, if not for the beautiful Mass, then just to look at those awesome African vestments!

Processional: For the Beauty of the Earth (624)
Offertory: Panis Angelicus (364)
Communion: Graduale Romanum antiphon listen here
Recessional: Alleluia, Sing to Jesus (748)

Friendship and Honesty Part Duo

The awesome Heresy Hunter's comment on the previous post has prompted me to clarify things just a little.

This blog has a limited readership, consisting mainly of my small, young choir and my parents; the blog is hidden, and search engines supposedly can't find it. So there aren't too many people reading my hymn listings, and VERY occasional rant. And the rants only come when I'm feeling REALLY down. Despite this, I've never written anything that I regret.

I have a theory that since I'm usually cheery/happy (or whatever), that I'm not viewed as a real person with feelings. Does that make sense? But please, people; it is not respectful to treat others with disregard. Because believe me, we notice. Have I been guilty of this too? Probably.

Is this eating away at me? No. Just bugging me a little. So now I've vented. *Breathes Deeply* Okay. I'm good.

On Honesty and Friendship - probably continually updated

I've been reflecting on acquaintanceship, true friendship, and the like. I'm not a good writer, so I hope the reader will excuse my inadequacies in this regard. And since I'm not able to express myself in a philosophical manner, perhaps I'll start with an example.

A LONG time ago, I had a "friend" who leaned on me for emotional support; she phoned me at home and at work with her troubles, and we frequently lunched together. Her life was a disaster; between her husband (and ex-husband) troubles and irritable bowel syndrome, she never lacked burdensome incidents to tell me about. (Side note: NO ONE wants to hear about your irritable bowel syndrome.) But guess what? My life at the time was a shambles, too. When I attempted to bring up something bothering me, I was CUT OFF so that she could complain about something else. Eventually, I realized, with the help of my future husband, that this person was NOT a friend, and was just using me as a "life crutch". I just stopped returning her calls, and she eventually left me alone. Yay.

But hey, that was twenty-two years or so ago, and things have changed. OH WAIT! I'm not so sure. I've struggled with my friends misleading me, or outright lying to me. (I know they were lying because they admitted it to me later.) Or in other cases, I think I have a friend, but when I bring up anything remotely personal (and I mean REALLY remotely, like my personal feelings on a subject), the person ignores outright what I've said, and changes the subject. I don't know what to make of it. Perhaps these relationships are just for convenience, and will blow away like dandelion seeds when the "friends" are separated.

If you see yourself in the preceding paragraph, please know that dishonesty does not flatter you. The truth will come out eventually, you'll feel stupid and embarrassed, and....the 8th Commandment states "Thou shalt not bear false witness." And what else....hmmm......using others because it's convenient for you is not nice. So don't do it.

Enough ruminating for now. Perhaps I'll add more later.

And there's not a particular incident that led to this post. It's just a number of things that have happened in the last year, and it's had a cumulative effect on me.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 26, 2009 - UPDATED

Processional: To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King (BB 740)
Offertory: Ave Verum Corpus (BB 366) (choir only, gals then guys)
Communion: antiphon LISTEN HERE.
See Us Lord About Your Altar (BB 363)
Recessional: I Sing the Mighty Power of God (BB 416)

Archbishop Mensah from the Diocese of Kumasi, Ghana will be here this weekend with Fr. Louis Tuffuor.

UPDATE:
After looking at the antiphon, I've decided to sing it through once, then we'll move on to Ave Verum Corpus. This is the most difficult antiphon I've seen. Although I'm open to being convinced otherwise.

O Germany...

Claus Philipp Maria Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg
15 November 1907 – 21 July 1944

"I am committing high treason with all my might and means...."--Claus Von Stauffenberg, about the July 20 Plot to assassinate Hitler, to a fellow conspirator

Today, July 20, was the day on which Claus Von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate Hitler, culminating the now-famed Valkyrie plot. He and his fellow conspirators were executed by firing squadron just after 1 AM on July 21, 1944. Though buried with military honors, he was disinterred the next day by the SS, his medals torn off and his body cremated.

Rest in Peace.

The Unlikeliest Events of All...

...are frequently ones that make one feel better. Unless, of course, it's something like some dirtbag running into your bumper and crumpling part of your trunk (which also happened).
But this was an unlikely event (as in, the odds were 1 in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 etc.) that was absolutely wonderful. But what makes it unlikely and fantastic?

Anyone who's been around me and mentioned the armed forces is any way is aware that my favorite of all dead guys from the past 200 years would be Michael Monsoor*, who dove on a grenade in Ar-Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 29 2006 in order to save the lives of his comrades, when he could've easily escaped the blast himself (but others would have died). This unlikely event took place just outside of the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Mikey M. drove a corvette, but there his involvement seems to end. However, as we approached the entrance, there was a simple memorial bench, like the kind you see in cemeteries. And it read 'Michael A. Monsoor'.
At first I didn't comprehend it. Of course it's there, I thought. Makes perfect sense. The guy's a national hero, why wouldn't he be here?
Then it occurred to me--Oh. Right....
While I certainly would bring him up and put a memorial of him in any given place at any given time, most other people wouldn't. But sure enough, here it was. And we easily could have missed it if we had parked in the adjacent lot. (To make the matter more unbelievable, that bench was put in place on May 23....2009.)
But there he was. The heroic modern-day saint who died on his name day and my birthday.
God bless you, Mikey. We love you.

*and if you haven't noticed...where have you been?

We found him!

Johnnie Lewis Sr., who is the uncle of our dear MCK! He was, sure enough, in Barrancas National Cemetery.

Watch the ad rejected by CNN and NBC

Read about it here.

The Vacation Thus Far

More to be added soon.

Heroism II

Naval Medal of Honor

"For Conspicuous Gallantry above and beyond the call of Duty..."

(Pensacola Naval Air Base, Florida)

Heroism

Pensacola Naval Air Base, Barrancas National Cemetery, Florida

There is a tendency to call anyone who has done anything anywhere a 'hero'. If you've read any given news website in the past month, then you know exactly what I mean.

The picture above is a small part of the Annex of the 94.9 acres of the Barrancas National Cemetery. It is the resting place of many, many brave men and women who have fought for our country since the Civil War, including three medal of honor recipients. Many have been dead for years--and many have not.

These are the heroes of our society--and the ones that many Americans will never know about.

Do not forget them. They are quite possibly the only way that we are alive today--and quite possibly the ones who made us who we are, whether we know it or not.

Rest in peace.

See:

Michael Monsoor
Sarah Taylor
Ross McGinnis
Jason Dunham
Hugh Purvis
Medal of Honor Recipients

And for Contrast, see:

Benedict Arnold

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 18, 2009

Carissa will be guest organist this weekend.

Processional: Praise to the Lord (BB 203)
Offertory: The King of Love My Shepherd Is (BB 483)
Communion: O Jesus, How Our Spirits Sing (Jesu Dulcis Memoria) (BB 368)
Recessional: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (BB 202)

Outa Here.....

I'll be gone for the next two weeks (15th and 16th Sundays of Ordinary Time) for a vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Check back, though; I'm hoping to post some pictures.

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 4, 2009

Processional: I Sing the Mighty Power of God (BB 416)
Offertory: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (BB 479)
Communion: antiphon (Gustate)
Listen to the antiphon here. Click on "Gustate et videte".
Recessional: America the Beautiful (BB 647)

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 27, 2009

Processional: Praise to the Lord (BB 203)
Offertory: Hymn of the Year of Paul
Communion: antiphon
Recessional: Now Thank We All Our God (BB 204)

All right, people...: UPDATED: CORRECTION

...you're all under moral obligation to pray. Madame Drill Sergeant Ma'am has diverticulitis, which she is currently recovering from by use of antibiotics. That does not mean you are released from the (understood by all parties at the beginning of your Choirhood) obligation to pray (not just for choir director ma'am but for all ill members of said choir). So--keep it up.

Besides. We're supposed to pray always. So while you're having a stomachache or burning a pot roast...pray still. Besides, prayer transcends time. So pray for Claus von Stauffenberg that he succeeds. (or you could pray for something current. like Ma'am Choir Director's immediate recovery so that she can still attend the Sacred Music Colloquium).

UPDATE June 19 2009

Pray harder. Ma'am Choir Director Ma'am is detained at the hospital with unknown blood loss. That's not good.

CORRECTION JUNE 19 2009 OF 5:30 AM

Ma'am choir director ma'am's 'unknown blood loss' was in fact a goofed test, courtesy of medical professionals. She is now at home and in no danger.
Thank you.

--Celestine

In Honor of MCK's Recent Victory...

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Congratulations, MCK! No more typing--only petting!

Spring Quarter Finals Week - almost done!

...and if you don't think this is cute....

...I hereby excommunicate you from the Royal Imperial Army of her Imperial Majesty, R. H. Stockingfluff. (don't ask questions. Just watch the kitty.)

Corpus Christi - June 13-14, 2009

Processional: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (BB 748)
Offertory: Sing My Tongue the Savior's Glory (BB 23) p. 115
Communion: Godhead Here in Hiding [Adoro te devote] (BB 533)
Recessional: To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King (BB 740)

Our Humorous Bible

There are really funny passages in the Bible. Today's first reading tells of a marital spat:

At that time, my wife Anna worked for hire
at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do.
When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her.
Late in winter on the seventh of Dystrus,
she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners.
They paid her the full salary
and also gave her a young goat for the table.
On entering my house the goat began to bleat.

I called to my wife and said: "Where did this goat come from?
Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners;
we have no right to eat stolen food!"
She said to me, "It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages."
Yet I would not believe her,
and told her to give it back to its owners.
I became very angry with her over this.
So she retorted: "Where are your charitable deeds now?
Where are your virtuous acts?
See! Your true character is finally showing itself!"

Most Holy Trinity - June 6, 2009

Processional: Come Now Almighty King (BB 721)
Offertory: O God, Almighty Father (BB 724)
Communion: O Sacrament Most Holy (BB 320)
Recessional: Holy, Holy, Holy (BB 211)

Athens Catholics and Planned Parenthood

Let's play a fun little game, shall we? See how many Athens Catholics and Catholic-owned businesses you can spot on this Planned Parenthood donor list!

Chocolate & Champagne Affaire

The 21st annual Chocolate and Champagne Affaire was held February 21st at the newly-renovated Eclipse Company Town General Store. This year’s event proved the most successful yet, bringing in over $29,000 with 175 people in attendance.

All the artwork, elegant dinners, travel packages, jewelry and services in the live and silent auction by Pat and Wanda Sheridan, and the “choice” raffle were donated by local individuals and businesses. Local restaurants and individuals donated the decadent desserts and hors d’oeuvres. Bella Vino provided the wine and Champagne and Athens’ Own provided gourmet coffee.

All of the money raised at Chocolate and Champagne stays in Southeast Ohio to provide reproductive health services and education to our community. PPSEO is grateful to the many people in this community who came together to make this year’s Chocolate and Champagne most memorable.

Thanks to all who made this event so successful!

Sponsors
Liz Maule Realty
Jewelry for Choice
Bella Vino
The Athens News
Hocking Valley Bank
Eclipse Company Town
Sole-Wentworth, Inc.
Corrine Brown
Tanya Conrath and Matthew Sweeney
Peggy Lionberger and Douglas Cohn
Danny Moates

Food Donations
Casa Nueva
Moku
Purple Chopstix
Salaam
Stephen’s
Village Bakery
Zoe’s
Lauren Bartolozzi
Ken Brown
Beth Ferrier
Mary Anne Flournoy
Anne Jenson Holmes
Susan Hostetler
Margie Huber
Edie Luce
Michelle Lyle
Danny Moates
Lorraine Myers
Marlene Poches
Mary Lee Powell
Susan Quinn
Amy Robison
Shannon Slavin
Janne Wernet
Ellen Wiseman
Jane Woodrow
Katherine Furler

Donations
Diana Irwin
North Hill Massage Therapy
Jennifer Jones LMC
On the Path, Ltd.
Susan and David Hostetler
Cita Strauss
Jonathan Silbert
Mark Rothstein and Lynn Last
Michele Biddlestone
Max and Sheila Mark
Black Swamp Furniture
Roxanne Groff and Ed Fisher
Ken & Kit Brown
Claressa Page of the Village Bakery
Louise Fish
Bonnie Proudfoot
Susan Quinn
John Matz
Little Professor Book Center
Athens Wellness Cooperative
Mary Dewey
Shannon Slavin
Roger Wells
Three Treasures Health Center
Nature's Magic
Puhl Landscaping & Design
Ceramics By Brad Schwieger
Salaam Restaurant
Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium
Corrine Brown
Athens Center for Film and Video
John Sullivan
Garnish with Jewelry for Choice
Factory Street Studio
Eve with Jewelry for Choice
Freve Pace
Court Street Collections
Jewelry for Choice
Mollica, Gall, Sloan & Sillery
Art Werger Lithograph
Lamborn's Studio & Custom Framing
S. Nicole Conrath Family Dental Care
MaryAnne Erwin with Jewelry for Choice
Lucinda Moran
Janet Kelsey Werner
Casa Nueva
Hampton Inn
Wellworks
Sattler Photography & Framing
Cornwell Jewelers
Interior Concepts
Anne Holmes
The Columbus, a Renaissance Hotel
Columbus Museum of Art
The Lancaster Chorale
Attractions
Bali Karma
Bird Arena
Jackie O's
Milo's Whole World Gourmet
Beads & Things
Athens Own
Class "A" Sounds
Taylor Honda
S. Nicole Conrath Family Dental Care
White's Mill
Robin Webb with Jewelry for Choice
Fall Hill Bead and Gem
Scorchy's w/ Jewelry for Choice
Stuart's Opera House
Blue Moon Bottles
The Farmacy
O'Bleness Memorial Hospital
Sue Zano
Seth Teicher

Food for thought

From Bishop Vasa's most recent column:

It is a great time to travel through the diocese. This does not imply at all that other times are less attractive, but only that the possibility of icy roads and snow covered passes is greatly reduced. This affords a little more leisure in travel and a greater opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the countryside. When the weather is less cooperative I do tend to focus on arriving at the destination much more than the joy of the journey. This week was a time to focus just a bit more on the pleasantness of the country through which I am blessed to travel.

This is something that is perfectly legitimate to do when traveling across the diocese to a variety of locations but one needs to take a slightly different approach when considering this life as a journey. In cross-state travel there is little danger, at least for the time being, of getting so distracted by the country through which I travel that I forget both where I am going and how I plan to get there. Unfortunately, in terms of the spiritual life, it is quite easy to get so distracted by the “foreign land” we presently inhabit that we can quite literally forget who we are, where we are going and how we plan to get there. In the midst of the busyness of a typical day, we can forget that we are Catholic Christians, followers of Christ, pilgrims, lovers of the Gospel, sons and daughters of God, a resurrection-believing people. We can forget that our true citizenship is in heaven, that we are “strangers and aliens” here, that our true home still awaits us, that this world is passing, that our relationship with God surpasses all others. We can forget, usually because of being distracted by what we find along the way, that we are to leave ourselves behind, that he who seeks to save his life will lose it, that strict obedience to a moral code is essential, that Jesus is the way, that he gave us the Church to show us the way.

On one of my journeys, not this round, I needed to get to the cathedral and I started out, who knows why, going east out of Bend on US 20. Now it is possible to get to the Cathedral on that road but it is about 100 miles further than the US 26 route. I “woke up” to my error very early and so doubled back the two or three miles to reestablish a start on the right road. Prior to discovering my mistake I was making great time and I was enjoying the journey. However, there was a problem. I was on the wrong road. It wasn’t as wrong as being on US 97 South and not ever so bad as being on US 20 West but having temporarily lost sight of my destination and the proper road to get there my journey had the potential to be a great deal of fun but really quite ineffective in terms of my predetermined goal and destination.

We can never forget that our living is really a spiritual journey with a very important and baptismally predetermined destination. It is certainly good and proper to enjoy the journey but never at the expense of the destination.

Pentecost - May 30, 2009

I can't believe it's Pentecost already!

Processional: Come, Holy Ghost (BB 459)
Preparation: Veni Creator Spiritus (ladies only) (BB 196)
Communion: antiphon (men only)
Recessional: Creator Spirit, By Whose Aid (BB 194)

I was thinking of doing "The Spirit is A-Movin'" by Carey Landry. The words are really "touching". Maybe we'll do it after I get my Banjo Performance degree.

1. People are gatherin', the church is born; the Spirit is a blowin' on a world reborn.
2. Old ones are dreaming dreams, young men and women see the light.
3. Old walls are falling down and people all over are speaking with each other.
4. Filled with the Spirit, we are sent to serve. We are called out together, we are called to work.

Four weeks and counting....

Exactly four weeks until the Sacred Music Colloquium! I am really excited about going, but a little nervous about not knowing anyone there. Although I've never been to Chicago, my Better Half was there this past week, and he had nice things to say about it. I hope to not only sing some great music, but also learn a little about how to better direct a choir.

...well....

see more Lolcats and funny pictures



'Nuff said.

Ascension Thursday Sunday Vigil (7th Sunday of Easter)

Processional: Come, O Holy Spirit (BB 197)
Offertory: Immaculate Mary (BB 209)
Communion: antiphon
Recessional: Creator Spirit, By Whose Aid (BB 194)

6th Sunday of Easter - May 15, 2009 EDITED

Prelude: Salve, Regina (BB 702)
Processional: At the Lamb's High Feast (BB 180)
Offertory: Ye Sons and Daughters (BB 181)
Communion: antiphon
Recessional: Alleluia! Alleluia! (BB 174)

Bishop Vasa - "Giving Testimony to the Truth"

I referenced this document in another post. Bishop Vasa is a true shepherd. Pray for ALL our bishops.

GIVING TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH
A Pastoral Letter for Diocesan Lay Ministers
By the Most Reverend Robert Francis Vasa, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Baker
April 23, 2004

Anniversary of Fatima Apparitions

An email from the Basilica of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception:

Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Today, May 13, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Since 1917 Fatima, Portugal, has been one of the most famous Marian Shrines in the world due to the apparitions of Mary to three shepherd children six times, from May 13 to October 13, 1917. Having seen the figure of a Lady brighter than the sun and standing on a cloud on an evergreen tree, the children were asked to return to that same place on the 13th of each month. In spite of local incredulity, the children returned to witness the apparitions, each time joined by a larger crowd of spectators. Only the children could see the Lady; however, others reported that they noted movements on the evergreen tree and the arrival and departure of a cloud.

The Lady announced to the children that she was Our Lady of the Rosary and called for amendment in people's lives. On October 13, 1930, after a canonical process of inquiry, the Bishop of Leiria pronounced the visions of 1917 to be worthy of credence and authorized devotions to Our Lady of Fatima.


Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima

Most Holy Virgin
who hast deigned to come to Fatima,
to reveal the treasures of graces hidden in the recitation of the Rosary,
inspire our hearts with a sincere love of this devotion
that meditating on the Mysteries of our Redemption recalled therein,
we may obtain the conversion of sinners
and the favors we ask you now,
for the greater glory of God,
for your own honor,
and for the good of souls. Amen.

Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us!

We beg the Blessed Mother, especially during the Marian month of May, to intercede for our needs and intentions. You can still include names for prayers in the Mother's Day Novena of Masses which will end on Monday, May 18th. We also invite you to submit your prayer requests online, that we might join with you in lifting up our prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Lady of the Rosary, Mother of Our Lord. And please, forward this message to your friends. Thank you.

The clergy, religious, and staff of the Basilica wish you a blessed and holy Feast Day. For more information about our Mass and special events schedule please visit our web site at www.nationalshrine.com.

Diocese issues ‘Q & A’ to explain termination of dissenting catechist

Read all about it here.

CHOIR BOOT CAMP

There will be a Saturday Choir BOOT CAMP on Friday, May 15 at the Thomas Monastery from 5 p.m. until whenever. We will be working on Lux Aeterna by Andy Francis. The goal is to perform this piece on May 30.

Pretty Please do your very best to attend this BOOT CAMP. This is not an easy piece, and we all need to work on it together. (And when Andy is famous someday, you will all be able to brag that you premiered one of his choral works. I'm serious.)

Supper and snacks will be provided.

Let me know if you need a ride; most of our members have cars, and can provide transportation.

Visit Andy's music site at http://www.myspace.com/andyfrancismusic

5th Sunday of Easter - May 9, 2009

EDITED!

Processional: Christ the Lord is Risen Again (BB 184)
Preparation: Regina Caeli & Ave Maria (choir ladies only)
Communion: antiphon
Recessional: Christ, the Lord, is Risen Today (BB 177)

Requiem Aeternam

It should be noted by anyone who has ever read a story about saints that they live today--or that they died today. No decree has ever gone out stating that saints cannot exist past a certain point in time, and here is proof.
Proving as blatantly false the myth that courage and honor are dead is Michael Monsoor, a 25-year-old Navy SEAL who dove on a grenade in a split second decision to save his two comrades, when he had an open avenue of escape. A devout Maronite born to a social worker and a Marine, he overcame numerous physical difficulties as a child including asthma to become a sailor in the US Navy and thereafter a SEAL. He was deployed in spring of 2006 to Ramadi, Iraq.
In May of 2006 he ran into a street under constant gunfire to save a comrade who had been shot in the leg. He fought with one hand while pulling his friend with the other and was subsequently awarded the Silver Star for his actions. This injured SEAL had a dream months later in which he perceived Monsoor with the wings of an angel, and comissioned an artist to paint it.
He reportedly wore, at all times, a miraculous medal and a medal of his patron, St. Michael the Archangel. He died on September 29th 2006--the Feast of St. Michael and the other Archangels.
During the ceremony in which he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor the two comrades he saved were present, and the President broke down repeatedly throughout it.
At his funeral, nearly all of the SEALs on the West Coast were present. They removed, one by one, their golden tridents from their uniforms and slammed them into the sides and top of his wooden coffin. The procession took half an hour and by the time that they reached the gravesite the plain wood coffin was coated in gold.
In October of 2008 it was announced that the second ship in the Zumwalt class of destroyers would be named after the young SEAL.
If any doubt remains about the heroism embodied in Michael Anthony Monsoor, read this. This man was a hero in the truest sense of the word, and though his life may have been laid down, his valiance will shine forever.

Rest in peace, Michael Monsoor.

You will never be forgotten.

"...conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty..."

4th Sunday of Easter - May 2, 2009

Processional: At the Lamb's High Feast (BB 180)
Preparation: The King of Love My Shepherd Is (BB 483)
Communion: antiphon
Recessional: Alleluia! Alleluia! (BB 174)

Third Sunday of Easter - April 25, 2009

Processional- Jesus Christ is Risen Today (BB 172)
Offertory - Regina Caeli (BB 176), Ave Maria (BB 703)
Communion - antiphon
Recessional - Jesus is Risen (BB 186)

Ten Rules for Handling Disagreement Like a Christian

I came across a reference in Our Sunday Visitor to this column by Bishop Allen Vigneron. I would like everyone who visits this blog (this means you) to PLEASE READ these rules. We'll all be better Christians for reading and abiding by these.

10 rules for handling disagreement like a Christian

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

When I began my term as the rector of the major seminary in Detroit a little over 10 years ago, one of the problems I had to help my students deal with was the often-sharp differences of opinion that we find within the Church.

The seminarians looked to me as the pastor of that community to help them navigate through the contentious expression of differing viewpoints. To fulfill my responsibilities as the father of that seminary family I composed what I called “Ten Rules for Handling Disagreement Like a Christian.”

Whether or not the clash of opinions within the Catholic community in the U.S. has grown stronger or weakened over the last decade I couldn’t say; however, I do know that with some frequency we still find ourselves at odds over what we think and where we want to head.

With that in mind, I thought that I, now serving as pastor of the family of the Oakland Diocese, could profitably share these “Ten Rules” with all of you. So, here they are, along with my own brief commentary on each.

1. The Rule of Charity: “Charity is primary.”

This has to be the place to start whenever we disagree with one another: with love. St. Paul said: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1). No matter how wise my insights or astute my plans, they count for nothing if I do not offer them with love.

Now, that charity is the first and fundamental requirement for all authentic Christian speech does not mean that such speaking can only be weak, but it does mean that whatever is said ought always to be offered respectfully and for the genuine service of others, especially my hearers. In fact, all of St. Paul’s sage advice in the “Hymn to Charity” in 1 Cor. 13 spells out eloquently this “Rule.”

2. The Rule of Publicity: “Think with the mind of the Church.”

This rule is simply a translation of the Latin axiom “Sentire cum Ecclesia.” This means that, when we disagree, the final measure for judging what’s on target and what’s off the mark is what the Church thinks, not, ultimately, what you think or what I think – not private opinion, but what the Church has said to all to know.

This is the reason I call this the “The Rule of Publicity.” The criterion for our deciding our disagreements is not one’s own private opinions, but the mind of the People of God, what the Church thinks.

In order to apply this rule effectively, we need to use a corollary: “Measure everything against the authoritative documents of the Magisterium.”

The logical question to follow any call for us to “think with the mind of the Church” is: How do I know what that is?

The answer is: “Look in the places where the Church has expressed her mind with authority.” Look in the writings of the Councils and the popes, in the Church’s laws, and in the teachings of her Fathers and Doctors. Any survey or poll, no matter how extensive or accurate, if it contradicts the Magisterium, is not the Church’s mind.

3. The Rule of Legitimate Freedom: “What the Church allows is not to be disallowed.”

This rule means that in situations where the Church says that a variety of views or opinions is legitimate, I should not impose my option as a mandate on others. For example: we can receive Holy Communion in the hand or on the tongue. Either one is acceptable.

4. The Rule of Catholic Freedom: “There’s something for everybody, but not everything is for everybody.”

This fourth rule is an extension of the one above. It applies the same sort of respect for diversity to the wider spheres of our common life. This rule is based on the recognition that “It’s a big Church.” God has given gifts of grace in an almost dizzying variety. Some folks are attracted to the Carmelite Third Order, others gather for charismatic prayer. Nobody has to live the Christian life exactly the way I do.

Remember: “Think (and act) with the mind of the Church.” We need to respect every practice or approach that has a legitimate place in the life of the Church, and we cannot make our favorite practice or approach mandatory for others if the Church has not.

5. The Rule of Modesty: “Not all of my causes are God’s causes.”

Yes, it’s true that in many cases we invest our heart’s devotion because that’s what God commands for all his people. But that’s not necessarily so in every instance. Some of my agendas are mine. It’s right to embark on projects with a zealous desire to give God glory, but I have to remember that while it may be his will for me to take this on, there are cases when it’s not his will for everyone else to join me.

6. The Rule of Integrity: “To do evil in order to accomplish good is really to do evil.”

Breaking one of God’s commandments is not the way to advance his Kingdom, ever. If, in the service of Christ, I act in an un-Christian way, I become a highly effective ally of the very forces I set out to combat. (Among those who are big “Star War” fans, this rule is sometimes referred to as the “Darth Vader Axiom.”)

7. The Rule of Realism: “Remember that Satan is eager to corrupt my efforts to build up the Kingdom, and he’s smart enough to figure out a way to do it.

This rule is strong statement about the need for each of us in our disagreements to practice that form of realism, for which the more common name is “humility.” My cause may be right or my view may be true, but I have to watch that their goodness is not corrupted by my infidelity.

8. The Rule of Mystery: “Not all the habits and attitudes which belong to a society governed by a representative democracy are appropriate in the Church.”

In every age there is a tendency – often unconscious – to shape the life of the Church after the pattern of the secular order of the day. In the Middle Ages, the governance of the Church was often configured to the feudal system of the times, sometimes with very harmful consequences. For example, bishops and abbots were identified with the barons of the nobility.

In our own day, we could make a similar sort of mistake: thinking that the responsibility and authority of the Church’s pastors are of the same sort as that of our elected officials. In such mistaken identifications, what is at work is a forgetting that while the Church is, yes, a human reality, she is also a divine reality, a mystery, unlike any other community every known in the history of the world.

The Church is neither a democracy nor a monarchy. She is the Church, the Lord’s own creation, constituted according to his will and plan.

9. The Petrine Rule: “Nobody ever built up the Church by tearing down the pope.”

This rule follows quite logically from the one immediately above. The Holy Father’s leadership is part of the Church’s constitution from Christ. Because the pope is not the sort of democratic leader we are accustomed to in civil society, there is a tendency by some observers to characterize his office as a “throwback” to times that we have surpassed, a “burden” for the Catholic people that we would well be freed from. Not so.

The pastoral care we receive from the Holy Father is a great grace, St. Peter’s own service of his fellow disciples continuing to this very day. A great pope makes us a better Church.

10. The Eschatological Rule: “The victory is assured; my job is to run out the clock with style.”

Christ is risen – truly, body and soul risen and in glory at the Father’s right. He has conquered sin and death and all the forces that threaten us. Whatever is at stake in our trials or conflicts, the certainty of Christ’s victory is not in doubt.

And he promised he would be with us always, until the end of time (cf. Mat. 28:20). He will never leave his Church, and his victory will be ours as long as we abide with him in his Mystical Body.

This rule, of course, is not an excuse for giving less than our full effort to spread the Kingdom; that would be a kind of presumption. However, this rule is a call to remember that there is one Savior, and it’s not you or me. Our mission is to serve the Lord in fidelity and hope, and be ready for him to act, for he surely will.

Source: Bishop's Column, In His Light (September 19, 2005, VOL. 43, NO. 16, Oakland, CA)

Happy 82nd Birthday Pope Benedict!

I love the Holy Father so much! Viva il Papa!

Stephen Colbert defends Jesus against Atheist

Please watch the associated video!!

2nd Sunday of Easter! - April 19, 2009

Prelude - Be Joyful, Mary (BB 171) (Women only!)
Processional - Ye Sons and Daughters (BB 181)
Preparation - Regina Caeli (BB 176) (Men only!)
Communion - Antiphon
Recessional - Jesus is Risen (BB 186)

Christian will be serving Mass, and his 13th birthday is on Sunday. So if you would, please wish him a Happy Birthday!

He is Risen! Alleluia!

Invite a friend to Mass - but show them this first.

Good Friday

Is 52,13-15.53,1-12.

See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.

Even as many were amazed at him-- so marred was his look beyond that of man, and his appearance beyond that of mortals-- So shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; For those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it.

Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth;

There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, One of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem.

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, While we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.

We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the hearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth.

Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, Though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. (But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity.)

If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, Because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; And he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.

Litany of Repentance

LORD HAVE MERCY, Lord have mercy.
CHRIST HAVE MERCY, Christ have mercy.
LORD HAVE MERCY, Lord have mercy.
CHRIST HEAR US, Christ graciously hear us.
GOD, THE FATHER OF HEAVEN, Have mercy on us
GOD, THE SON, REDEEMER OF THE WORLD, Have mercy on us.
GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, Have mercy on us.

FOR ALL SINFUL THOUGHTS, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINFUL WORDS, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINFUL DEEDS, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINS AGAINST PURITY, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINS AGAINST MODESTY, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINS AGAINST THE SANCTITY OF LIFE, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINS AGAINST THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINS AGAINST THE HOLY EUCHARIST, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINS AGAINST THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINS AGAINST THE TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINS AGAINST OUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINS AGAINST OUR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES, My Jesus, Mercy.
FOR ALL SINS AND OFFENCES AGAINST GOD AND NEIGHBOR, My Jesus, Mercy.

FOR THOSE ADDICTED TO PORNOGRAPHY, Lord Jesus, turn their hearts.
FOR THOSE ADDICTED TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, Lord Jesus, turn their hearts.
FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT AND PERFORM ABORTION, Lord Jesus, turn their hearts.
FOR THOSE WHO DISTORT TRUE AND HOLY MARRIAGE, Lord Jesus, turn their hearts.
FOR THOSE WHO PERVERT THE MARITAL ACT, Lord Jesus, turn their hearts.
FOR THOSE WHO HATE AND PERSECUTE CHRISTIANITY, Lord Jesus, turn their hearts.
FOR THOSE WHO BRING SCANDAL TO OUR HOLY CHURCH, Lord Jesus, turn their hearts.
FOR THOSE WHO REBEL AGAINST OUR HOLY FATHER, Lord Jesus, turn their hearts.
FOR THOSE WHO WOULD DESTROY OUR NATION, Lord Jesus, turn their hearts.

LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD, Have mercy on us.
LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD, Have mercy on us.
LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD, Grant us peace.

Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with all our hearts we repent of our sins, and we offer to You our prayers of reparation for our brothers and sisters throughout the entire world. Satan has so blinded mankind to the Truth and Beauty of You, O Lord, and to the necessity of purity and holiness in our relationship with God and neighbor. May Michael the Archangel cast Satan into hell where he belongs, and may our Mother Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces, empower us to live holy and blameless lives to Your Honor and Glory. Our Jesus, MERCY. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Myron Law

Palm Sunday -April 4, 2009

Outside the church: Hosanna Filio David (Hosanna to the Son of David) - chant (p. 100)

Processional: All Glory, Laud, and Honor (BB 145)

Preparation: O Sacred Head, Surrounded (BB 153)

Communion: antiphon

Recessional: Stabat Mater Dolorosa (At the Cross Her Station Keeping) (BB 136)

What, Who, and Why - Why Pronouncing /hw/ is Superior Among Educated Peoples

The wine-whine merger in the United States.

The area marked in purple is where preservation of the contrast is strongest. In other areas the merger predominates, though sporadic instances of contrast preservation are found throughout the country. Based on www.ling.upenn.edu and the map at Labov, Ash, and Boberg (2006: 50).[1]

The wine-whine merger is a merger by which voiceless /hw/ is reduced to voiced /w/. It has occurred historically in the dialects of the great majority of English speakers. The resulting /w/ is generally pronounced [w], but sometimes [hw̥]; this may be hypercorrection.

The merger is essentially complete in England, Wales, the West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and is widespread in the United States and Canada. In accents with the merger, pairs like wine/whine, wet/whet, weather/whether, wail/whale, Wales/whales, wear/where, witch/which etc. are homophonous. The merger is not found in Scotland, Ireland (except in the popular speech of Dublin, although the merger is now spreading more widely), and parts of the U.S. and Canada. The merger is not usually stigmatized except occasionally by very speech-conscious people, and for humorous purposes (e.g. the TV show Family Guy has a recurring joke about non-merged speech]]).

According to Labov, Ash, and Boberg (2006: 49)[1], while there are regions of the U.S. (particularly in the Southeast) where speakers keeping the distinction are about as numerous as those having the merger, there are no regions where the preservation of the distinction is predominant (see map). Throughout the U.S. and Canada, about 83% of respondents in the survey had the merger completely, while about 17% preserved at least some trace of the distinction.

The wine-whine merger, although apparently present in the south of England as early as the 13th century,[2] did not become acceptable in educated speech until the late 18th century. While some RP speakers still use /hw/, most accents of England, Wales, West Indies and the southern hemisphere have only /w/.

Hillary Clinton leaves flowers for Our Lady of Guadalupe, asks ‘Who painted it?’

From Catholic News Agency:

Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 27, 2009 / 04:59 pm (CNA).- During her recent visit to Mexico, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made an unexpected stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and left a bouquet of white flowers “on behalf of the American people,” after asking who painted the famous image.

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted by Mary on the tilma, or cloak, of St. Juan Diego in 1531. The image has numerous unexplainable phenomena, such as the appearance on Mary’s eyes of those present in the room when the tilma was opened and the image’s lack of decay.

Mrs. Clinton was received on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. by the rector of the Basilica, Msgr. Diego Monroy.

Msgr. Monroy took Mrs. Clinton to the famous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which had been previously lowered from its usual altar for the occasion.

After observing it for a while, Mrs. Clinton asked “who painted it?” to which Msgr. Monroy responded “God!”

Clinton then told Msgr. Monroy that she had previously visited the old Basilica in 1979, when the new one was still under construction.

After placing a bouquet of white flowers by the image, Mrs. Clinton went to the quemador –the open air area at the Basilica where the faithful light candles- and lit a green candle.

Leaving the basilica half an hour later, Mrs. Clinton told some of the Mexicans gathered outside to greet her, “you have a marvelous virgin!”

This evening Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to receive the highest award given by Planned Parenthood Federation of America -- the Margaret Sanger Award, named for the organization's founder, a noted eugenicist. The award will be presented at a gala event in Houston, Texas.

Adoramus Te, for posterity

Here's the performance during one of our practices:

Adoramus Te, attributed to Palestrina

Thirty-year-old Mother Superior leads Australian 'John Paul II sisters'

I think this is totally cool.

Perth, Australia, March 24 (CNA).-After experiencing a deep conversion, a former lawyer who had a good job and "partied a lot" is now Mother Superior of a new religious order of "John Paul II sisters" in Australia.

With two other sisters, the 30-year-old Sister Bernadette founded the Missionaries of the Gospel (MGs) in June 2007 in hopes of helping men and women "encounter Christ and live the Gospel," their website says.

Sister Bernadette spoke to the West Australian about her background, her mission and her relations with her fellow sisters.

"I think I am experiencing the same anxiety any new mother goes through. We have completely different personalities and different cultures, so our community life presents great struggles and great joys as well," she told the paper.

"I was like many other young people. I had a good job, I drank and partied a lot, but at the end of the day I still felt an emptiness that no boyfriend and no number of Wild Turkeys could fill.

"I did a full 180. I really wanted to do law, I was dead set on being married, but once I started falling in love with the Lord I realized He was calling me to do something different."

The sisters, who were founded in 2007 under the direction of Perth's Archbishop Barry James Hickey, attend several classes a day as part of their formation. They do not have mobile phones, television or radios but have a computer and internet access to aid their training.

According to the West Australian, the sisters chose to wear a traditional habit and to take new names when they made their vows. Their vows of poverty require them to rely on donations of food, goods and money to meet their needs.

"God willing, in time, the community will consist of sisters (John Paul II Sisters), Brothers, Priests and lay men and women. The community is contemplative-active in nature and its members strive to follow Christ in the footsteps of John Paul II," the order says on its website.

"John Paul II taught us that God can not be known as an object is known, because he is a person and as a person, he can only be known in a reciprocal relation of self-giving. In order for this meeting and process of self-giving to take place for each of person on a deep level, the community hopes to overcome the obstacles in all our hearts that prevent us from experiencing God," the order's introductory statement continued.

One aspect of this "way of being," the MGs explain, is to present the Good News with words "that relate to the person's lived experience."

"The Holy Spirit is now slowly rising up a family of Consecrated and Lay men and women to strive to dedicate their lives to this special mission," their statement concludes. "Perhaps he is calling you too?"

The MGs web site is at http://www.mg.org.au

Fifth Sunday of Lent - March 28, 2009

Processional: Lift High the Cross (BB 730)
Offertory: O God, Beyond All Praising (BB 546)
Communion: antiphon
Recessional: O Sacred Head Surrounded (BB 153)

It'll be wonderful to have the choir back!

Fourteen Easy Ways to Improve the Liturgy

Can be found here.

While you're there, sign up for the Catholic Education Resource Center bi-weekly newsletter.

4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare) - March 21, 2009

Processional: Again We keep This Solemn Fast (BB 126)
Preparation: What Wondrous Love Is This (BB 431)
Communion: antiphon
Recessional: Lift High The Cross (BB 730)

A few weeks late, but still instructional and humorous

Have a look at the church signs at Kansas Catholic.

Ash Wednesday Mass Music

By popular demand:

Processional

Ash Distribution chants #1 and #2

Ash Distribution Chant #3

Psalm

Gospel Acclamation

Offertory

And at this point, the recorder batteries died a silent death.

Holy Smokes!

From the Musica Sacra forums:

Today happens to be the 218th anniversary of the Papal Encyclical Quod Aliquantum of Pius VI, to Cardinal Rochefoucauld and the bishops of the National Assembly of France, March 10, 1791, on the subject of the infamous Civil Constitution of the Clergy. The encyclical contains this nugget on sacred music:

The Gallican Church, in far distant times, had established a rite and maintained it carefully. This rite gave to ecclesiastics raised to the dignity of canons of honorable functions a means of nourishing piety, arousing the faithful's devotion and attracting them by means of chant and the splendor of ceremonies to fulfill their religious duties and thereby merit new graces. But the National Assembly, in a single decree, not without grave scandal has nullified, suppressed and abolished this rite. On this point, as in all other articles of the decree, it adopted the principles of the heretics, especially the senseless opinions of the Wycliffites and of the Centuriators of Magdeburg, who rose up in rage against the use of ecclesiastical chant and dared to deny its antiquity.

We can only advise the authors of that decree to read attentively the anathemas pronounced by the Council of Arras in 1025 against the adversaries of ecclesiastical chant, so that a healthy shame may make them stop and think. "Who can doubt," says the Holy Council, "that you are not possessed by the unclean spirit, seeing that you reject as superstition the use of psalmody established in the Church by the Holy Spirit? The clergy were not inspired by games and profane amusements to produce the tone and modulation of religious music, but by the Fathers of the Old and New Testament. Those who pretend that the chanting of psalms is foreign to divine worship, must be ejected from the bosom of the Church; such innovators agree perfectly with their head, the spirit of darkness, the source of every iniquity, who tries to denaturalize and corrupt the meaning of the Sacred Scripture by malignant interpretations."

Finally, if the glory of God's house, if the majesty of worship is degraded in the kingdom, the number of ecclesiastics will necessarily lessen...

-- cf. Hayburn, Papal Legislation on Sacred Music, p. 113. (For the decrees of the Council of Arras in Latin, see Mansi et al, Sacrorum Conciliorum, Vol. XIX, p. 452 (electronic page 295), Chapter 12.)

People used to talk like this waaaay before political correctness took hold.

3rd Sunday of Lent - March 14, 2009

Processional: Forty Day and Forty Nights (BB 141)
Offertory: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (BB 479)
Communion: Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord (BB 200)
Recessional: There's a Wideness in God's Mercy (BB 420)

We will have a guest organist and choir director this weekend -- Carissa!

2nd Sunday of Lent - March 6, 2009

Processional: From the Depths We Cry to Thee (BB 129)
Preparation: 'Tis Good, Lord, To Be Here (BB 138)
Communion: Ave Verum Corpus
Recessional: Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days (BB 140)

Rubrics indicate that the organ remain silent during Lent, except on Laetare Sunday or on other solemnities or festive days or at any time to accompany singing. Hence organ preludes and postludes should not be played (except on Laetare Sunday).

The Transfiguration event dominates today's liturgy. After last week's warning of the inevitable struggle with evil (the Temptation of Christ), the Church today asks us to meditate on the glories which are ours if we but persevere and remain faithful to God and his Christ. A touch of "glory" should invade our music today.

(from CanticaNova.com)

The Easiest Way to Learn Chant Notation...

is to read the Idiot's Guide to Square Notes. It's only 12 pages long.

Possible new song for Palm Sunday?

I think this would sound really great. Tell me what you think.

Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.

We can go over pronunciations at choir practice tonight.

Today's first reading

Sirach 2,1-11.

My son, when you come to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials.
Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity.
Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great.
Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient;
For in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation.
Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.
You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall.
You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost.
You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.
Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the
LORD and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his fear and been
forsaken? has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?
Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble.

1st Sunday of Lent - February 28, 2009

Processional: Forty Days and Forty Nights (BB 141)
Offertory: Attende Domine (BB 119)
Communion: Panis Angelicus (BB 364)
Recessional: Again We Keep This Solemn Fast (BB 126)

Ash Wednesday - February 25, 2009

Processional: Attende Domine (BB 119)
Imposition of Ashes: prescribed songs, but in Latin!
Preparation: Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days (BB 140)
Communion: Jesu Dulcis Memoria (BB 368)
Recessional: Again We Keep This Solemn Fast (BB 126)

The Sanctus, and Agnus Dei will be sung. IN LATIN, my people.

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 21, 2009

Processional: There's a Wideness in God's Mercy (BB 420)
Preparation: Where Charity and Love Prevail (BB 419)
Communion: Soul of My Savior (BB 216)
Recessional: Sent Forth By God's Blessing (BB 373)

I think this has happened once before -- on the music planning site that I use, there were NO hymns/songs that are in the Breaking Bread Blue Book. So I had to wing it. The theme is supposed to be along the lines of "Mercy". I hope this works.

Can I get some of that Stimulus money to buy more music and hymnals? Maybe a Parish Book of Chant, Graduale Romanum, and a Liber Usualis for EVERYBODY!!! WOOHOOOO!!!

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Feb 14, 2009

Processional: O God Beyond All Praising (BB 546)
Offertory: O Breathe on Me O Breath of God (BB 657)
Communion: O Sacrament Most Holy (BB 320)
Recessional: O Bless the Lord, My Soul (BB 547)

I'll give chocolate to the first person who tells me what all these hymns have in common.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 7, 2009

Processional: Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring (BB 532)
Offertory: Come My Way My Truth My Life
Communion: O Jesus, How Our Spirits Sing (BB 368)
Recessional: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (BB 202)

What the Sociopath Noticed That We Didn't

Serial Killer Ted Bundy's Warnings about Pornography Re-Aired on 20th Anniversary of Execution

By Kathleen Gilbert

COLORADO SPRINGS, January 27, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On the 20th anniversary of his execution, the final interview with notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, in which he warned of the deadly effects of pornography addiction, the primary factor that he says led to his notorious killing spree in the 1970s, was re-aired by Focus on the Family.

Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, also appeared on Fox News' “Glenn Beck” last Friday to discuss his historic final interview with Ted Bundy, one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. Last Friday marked the 20th anniversary of the Jan. 23, 1989 interview, which took place on the eve of Bundy’s execution in a Florida state prison, and was originally released as Focus on the Family's 1989 videotape, "Fatal Addiction."

“Pornography can reach out and snatch a kid out of any house today. It snatched me out of my home 20, 30 years ago,” Bundy told Dobson. “I’ll tell you, there are lots of other kids playing in streets around the country who are going to be dead tomorrow and the next day and the next day and next month, because other young people are reading the kinds of things and seeing the kinds of things that are available in the media today.”

Bundy permitted only Dr. Dobson to interview him in his final hours because, as Dobson noted, “Bundy wanted to talk about the role media violence and particularly violent, hard-core pornography had played in his years-long killing spree, and he knew the mainstream media wouldn’t report that story.”

Despite growing up in an almost idyllic Christian home, Bundy said that his moral values were subverted by the softcore pornography he discovered outside his home as a preteen. The addiction led him to view materials that were not only pornographic but also violent in nature. "The wedding of those two forces - as I know only too well - brings about behavior that is too terrible to describe," said Bundy.

"Those of us who have been so influenced by violence in the media, particularly pornographic violence, are not some kind of inherent monsters. We are your sons and husbands. We grew up in regular families," he said.

"There are those loose in their towns and communities, like me, whose dangerous impulses are being fueled, day in and day out, by violence in the media in its various forms - particularly sexualized violence. What scares me is when I see what’s on cable TV. Some of the violence in the movies that come into homes today is stuff they wouldn’t show in X-rated adult theatres 30 years ago.

"That is the most graphic violence on screen, especially when children are unattended or unaware that they could be a Ted Bundy; that they could have a predisposition to that kind of behavior," he said.

Bundy emphasized his full accountability for the murders, but made clear that his addiction to pornography ignited and fueled the crimes that otherwise would never have happened. He also insisted that, of others he met who had a similar tendency to violence, "without exception, every one of them was deeply involved in pornography."

“Sadly, Bundy was right,” Dobson said. “Pornography has been found in the possession of almost every killer where sex was the motivation."

Story from LifeSiteNews.

You know the Agnus Dei we're singing?........

it was shamelessly stolen from Allegri's Miserere Mei Deus (Have Mercy on Me O God). Here's an excellent YouTube video of most of this piece. Note that the treble lines are sung by boys!

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time - January 31, 2009

Prelude: (Probably) Agnus Dei
Processional: I Sing the Mighty Power of God (BB 416)
Preparation: At the Name of Jesus (BB 749)
Communion: Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord (BB 200)
Recessional: To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King (BB 740)

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul - January 24, 2009

Processional: Hymn for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (Ode to Joy tune)
Psalm: Go Out to All the World and Tell the Good News (Ostrowski)
Offertory: Hymn of the Year of Paul
Communion: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (BB 201)
Recessional: Go Make of All Disciples (BB 190)

2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time - January 17, 2009

Processional:Praise to the Lord
Offertory: Hymn of the Year of Paul
Communion: Taste and See psalm
Recessional:Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens, Adore Him

New Piece - Adoramus Te (Palestrina)

We'll start practicing this piece on Thursday evening. I know that the choir is capable of performing this piece, but I'm not sure I'm able to conduct it. We'll see how it goes.

Adoramus Te, Palestrina

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Christianity Music Kalmus Palestrina

Here's one recording of it:

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (vigil) - January 10, 2009

This is the last day of Christmas Season. Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Processional: The Great Forerunner of the Morn (BB 112)
Offertory: Christ, The Sun of Light,verses 1, 3, and 5 (BB 92)
Communion: antiphon
Recessional: Joy to the World (BB 79)

Happy Birthday, Ronnie!

Today is the Birthday of our dearest (or at least, my dearest) J.R.R. Tolkien! Happy 117th Birthday! (it really is too bad it wasn't his 111th...)

On January 3rd in 1892, a little boy was born to Arthur Reuel Tolkien and Mabel (nee Suffield) Tolkien, who they named John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, known mostly in his childhood as Ronald (hence the Ronnie of the title). Arthur Tolkien died when his son was three, leaving his family without an income. Mabel Tolkien took her sons and moved in with her parents, John and Edith Jane Suffield.

Mabel herself tutored her sons, and Ronald was taught very early the rudiments of Latin and could read by the age of four, and wrote fluently soon afterward. His favorite lessons, tellingly, were those concerning languages.

Mabel Tolkien was received into the Catholic Church, along with her sons, in 1900, despite protests from her Baptist family (who then ceased all financial support). Four years later she died of acute complications of diabetes, and left her sons in the care of a priest-friend.

J.R.R Tolkien fought in World War I, and lost many of his good friends in this same war. By 1918 all but one of his dearest friends had died. Weakened after a long fight, he was deemed unfit for service and returned to England, where his wife Edith had just born their first son, John Francis Reuel Tolkien.

Later he would become a Philologist at Merton College, Oxford, and the works we now know him best by were begun on one day when, upon finding a student's paper that was blank, he wrote simply, "In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit."

During his career, he learned Middle-English, Old English, Finnish, Gothic, Greek, Italian, Old Norse, Spanish, Welsh and Medieval Welsh, and reportedly knew Danish, Dutch, Lombardic, Norwegian, Russian, Swedish, Middle Dutch, Middle German (both high and low), Old High German, Old Slavonic and Lithuanian as well.

When exactly he began writing his fairy-stories, as he called them, is not precisely known, but it is imagined he was anywhere from seven to ten when he began.

Among his most beautiful quotes was this, written to his son.

"Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament... There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth, and more than that: Death. By the divine paradox, that which ends life, and demands the surrender of all, and yet by the taste -or foretaste- of which alone can what you seek in your earthly relationships (love, faithfulness, joy) be maintained, or take on that complexion of reality, of eternal endurance, which every man's heart desires."

A man of unbelievable eloquence, he was able to put into words the truths that, being seemingly more deceptive than lies, make and form the very foundation of our world. These truths, which he knew so well, he placed in everything he did; not so much as obvious facts, but more like a thread is woven all throughout a cloth. Perhaps it is not immediately obvious, yet it is there. Similarly, the very cloth of his worlds is woven all throughout with the truths that make our own world what it is, and these truths are more precious than anything else this world has to offer. Then, as he himself suggested, fairy-stories are indeed a reflection of the world in which we live, and from these many reflections in mirrors dark and clear, we may learn and take to heart the lessons contained therein.

Requiem Aeternam, J.R.R Tolkien.