In honor of her feast:
"...no greater dignity exists in this life. They are My anointed ones, and I call them My Christs, because I have given them the office of administering Me to you, and have placed them like fragrant flowers in the mystical body of the holy Church. The angel himself has no such dignity, for I have given it to those men whom I have chosen for My ministers, and whom I have appointed as earthly angels in this life. " ~ Dialogue
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
In case you were wondering
what should be the center of a marriage, see below:
This was one of the best couples I have worked with in prepping for Marriage, and they are expecting their first child soon, prayers for a safe delivery would be appreciated, I think.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Exercise this Delicate and Demanding Ministry
Join host Brian Patrick and me this Wednesday at 8:40 AM on 740 AM Sacred Heart Radio in Cincinnati for our continued discussion on the Letters to Priests by Pope John Paul II. We have arrived at 2001. A snippet:
12. The priest who fully experiences the joy of sacramental reconciliation will find it altogether normal to repeat to his brothers and sisters the words of Paul: "So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor 5:20).
The crisis of the Sacrament of Reconciliation which I mentioned earlier is due to many factors from the diminished sense of sin to an inadequate realization of the sacramental economy of God's salvation. But perhaps we should also recognize that another factor sometimes working against the Sacrament has been a certain dwindling of our own enthusiasm and availability for the exercise of this delicate and demanding ministry.
Conversely, now more than ever the People of God must be helped to rediscover the Sacrament. We need to declare with firmness and conviction that the Sacrament of Penance is the ordinary means of obtaining pardon and the remission of grave sins committed after Baptism. We ought to celebrate the Sacrament in the best possible way, according to the forms laid down by liturgical law, so that it may lose none of its character as the celebration of God's mercy.
12. The priest who fully experiences the joy of sacramental reconciliation will find it altogether normal to repeat to his brothers and sisters the words of Paul: "So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor 5:20).
The crisis of the Sacrament of Reconciliation which I mentioned earlier is due to many factors from the diminished sense of sin to an inadequate realization of the sacramental economy of God's salvation. But perhaps we should also recognize that another factor sometimes working against the Sacrament has been a certain dwindling of our own enthusiasm and availability for the exercise of this delicate and demanding ministry.
Conversely, now more than ever the People of God must be helped to rediscover the Sacrament. We need to declare with firmness and conviction that the Sacrament of Penance is the ordinary means of obtaining pardon and the remission of grave sins committed after Baptism. We ought to celebrate the Sacrament in the best possible way, according to the forms laid down by liturgical law, so that it may lose none of its character as the celebration of God's mercy.
BXVI: Priests, Practice Asceticism!
The Vatican Information Services blog posts a report on Pope Benedict's Sunday Angelus Address for yesterday's 'Good Shepherd Sunday.' A snippet:
The Holy Father continued: "On this day of special prayer for vocations, I particularly encourage ordained ministers, stimulated by the Year for Priests, to feel a commitment 'to interior renewal for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in today's world'; to remember that the priest 'continues the work of redemption on earth'; to pause 'frequently before the tabernacle'; to remain 'completely faithful to their vocation and mission through the practice of an austere asceticism': to make themselves available for listening and forgiveness; to undertake the Christian formation of the people entrusted to their care; and to cultivate 'priestly fraternity'".
I'll do it, do I have to like it, too?
The Holy Father continued: "On this day of special prayer for vocations, I particularly encourage ordained ministers, stimulated by the Year for Priests, to feel a commitment 'to interior renewal for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in today's world'; to remember that the priest 'continues the work of redemption on earth'; to pause 'frequently before the tabernacle'; to remain 'completely faithful to their vocation and mission through the practice of an austere asceticism': to make themselves available for listening and forgiveness; to undertake the Christian formation of the people entrusted to their care; and to cultivate 'priestly fraternity'".
I'll do it, do I have to like it, too?
Prayer Bleg
Another priest classmate friend lost his father over the weekend. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
Edward Schulte Churches in Cincinnati
On April 17th, Dennis McNamara of Creative Minority Report fame, keynoted a lecture of Church architect Edward Schulte and his work in Cincinnati. The above video was presented at the conference, which I was sadly unable to attend.
I've celebrated Mass at several of these parishes, and the scale that he presents is usually epic, but I may be thinking almost exclusively of the Cathedral. To stand at the High Altar and celebrate Mass is to preside at something other-worldly. To go from that sanctuary to other Churches, in which the furthest pew from the altar is still closer than the nearest in the Cathedral, takes some adjustment!
As a side note, one of my classmates is pastor at St. Cecilia's, and he has worked to bring in some of the traditional elements back to the sanctuary and the Church. Another priest friend is at St. Bernard's, a truly marvelous little gem of a parish at the intersection of I-74 and I-275 on Cinci's westside.
Anyway, read the comments at CMR, too, as DMac weighs in on the 'Devolution of Church Architecture.' Anyone interested in a further discuession on the topic would be wise to pick up a copy of his book, too.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Andrew Dinner Report
Last night, we held our 6th Andrew Dinner in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
We are averaging over 20 young men attending per dinner.
One current seminarian attended the initial Andrew Dinner last spring and began the application process a few weeks later.
5 of the men currently in application for college seminary this fall (some of whom are already accepted) have attended Andrew Dinners either this spring or last fall.
Last night, at the conclusion of our dinner in West Milton, north of Dayton, one of the attendees approached and said the words every vocation director wants to hear: 'What do I have to do to enter this fall?'
I will call him today!
Thanks for all the prayers, please keep them coming!
(He puts us at a progected 39 seminarians for this fall, one more.......)
UPDATE: One more puts us at 40, my target for this year. Anything over is Gravy.
Oh, they are renovating more rooms at Mount St. Mary's to bring the total student rooms to 65. I really want to have to send guys elsewhere (or come up with alternative housing)....
We are averaging over 20 young men attending per dinner.
One current seminarian attended the initial Andrew Dinner last spring and began the application process a few weeks later.
5 of the men currently in application for college seminary this fall (some of whom are already accepted) have attended Andrew Dinners either this spring or last fall.
Last night, at the conclusion of our dinner in West Milton, north of Dayton, one of the attendees approached and said the words every vocation director wants to hear: 'What do I have to do to enter this fall?'
I will call him today!
Thanks for all the prayers, please keep them coming!
(He puts us at a progected 39 seminarians for this fall, one more.......)
UPDATE: One more puts us at 40, my target for this year. Anything over is Gravy.
Oh, they are renovating more rooms at Mount St. Mary's to bring the total student rooms to 65. I really want to have to send guys elsewhere (or come up with alternative housing)....
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Chant Tones and Solemnity
A reader asks:
Does the fact that the chant tones will be provided indicate that we will be expected to use them, or will they just kind of be "there"?
Well, I am not an expert, but I think the general feeling is that they should be used regularly, and that they will provide a good basis for increased solemnity, but much of it will depend on the facility of the preist with chant. (My point: even the most tone deaf man can learn to carry one note, if not just two simple notes.)
Increased Solemnity would be that the 'higher' the feast, the more musical notation and chant should be included. Therefore, Easter Sunday Mass could be sung, in its entirety, start to finish. And because Easter is our highest feast day, there should be a marked increase to singing on that day, with a joyful noise unto the Lord. Lent should be sung, but in more minor tones to reflect the tenor of the season, etc.
However, let's say it is Wednesday, July 28, and there is nothing, nothing, on the calendar. While the Mass parts should be chanted, and the '4 Hymn Sandwich' and/or introits and antiphons should be chanted, to chant the Eucharistic Prayer just because I can, well, that doesn't necessarily reflect 'increased solemnity.'
Then again, I work in the Vocation Office, not the Worship Office. I know Fr. Geoff Drew lurks here every once in a while, he might offer a clarification or comment....
Does the fact that the chant tones will be provided indicate that we will be expected to use them, or will they just kind of be "there"?
Well, I am not an expert, but I think the general feeling is that they should be used regularly, and that they will provide a good basis for increased solemnity, but much of it will depend on the facility of the preist with chant. (My point: even the most tone deaf man can learn to carry one note, if not just two simple notes.)
Increased Solemnity would be that the 'higher' the feast, the more musical notation and chant should be included. Therefore, Easter Sunday Mass could be sung, in its entirety, start to finish. And because Easter is our highest feast day, there should be a marked increase to singing on that day, with a joyful noise unto the Lord. Lent should be sung, but in more minor tones to reflect the tenor of the season, etc.
However, let's say it is Wednesday, July 28, and there is nothing, nothing, on the calendar. While the Mass parts should be chanted, and the '4 Hymn Sandwich' and/or introits and antiphons should be chanted, to chant the Eucharistic Prayer just because I can, well, that doesn't necessarily reflect 'increased solemnity.'
Then again, I work in the Vocation Office, not the Worship Office. I know Fr. Geoff Drew lurks here every once in a while, he might offer a clarification or comment....
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Review of the Roman Missal Workshop
Last Thursday and Friday, Cincinnati hosted the first of 22 planned workshops on the implementation of the translations of the Third Typical Edition of the Roman Missal. Staffed by the USCCB Committee on Divine Worship and Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Committees, there is always some hesitancy in attending these workshops: what is the slant of the presenters? is there anything new? and of course, the main question: WHEN?????
(If you look at my Twitter Feed you will find some of the links, posted below. This one was my favorite.)
I have to admit that I was plesantly surprised and enjoyed the workshop, as Msgr. Schirman (I think is how he spells his name, exec director of BCDW) lead most of the sessions.
By Session:
#1: A History Lesson. When working with teens, if you do something three times, 'We've ALWAYS done it this way!!!' Well, when it comes to the Mass, we haven't. It is important to stress that the Mass that we pray is found, originally, in Latin, not English. In the development of vernacular texts, primarily in non-IndoEuropean families and smaller language family sets, there was difficulty in finding translators from Latin into whatever language. Instead, they used the English translation. Well, let's just say that didn't work out so well. Every translation is to obscure the text, and to take it two or three steps from the original..... Ever play the Telephone Game around a campfire? This was a good session giving the background and helped concretize the importance of a good translation.
#2: Overview of the Revised Roman Missal. Monsignor walked us through the process of how and why certain translations were chosen, given us a quick, down and dirty, lesson in Latin along the way. Also noting that the guiding principals for translation were changed, now the Latin syntax takes a priority over the vernacular syntax, so we get sometimes awkward phrasing in English which will take some time to truly understand. Another guiding point: everything (as much as possible) that is in the Latin should be present in the vernacular. Admittedly, (especially if you read Fr. Z's blog) the current English prayers are weak (not universally), and the updates should be good.
#3: Music in the New Missal: simply, chant tones will be throughout, including settings for the readings and Gospel, all the dialogues, etc. Two basic tones will be included: Simple and Solemn. I know this will come back to bite me, but the Solemn Tone seems simpler than the Simple Tone, huh? (It's based on the Latin settings.) Again, the Latin priority comes across, as the tones in English will have a similar feel and tone to the Latin tones, think, for example, of the Latin Agnus Dei chant and how easy it is to switch that over to the English setting. This is something that I, in particular, am looking forward to. To have an English and Latin setting of all the Mass parts that people should readily know will be very advantageous, I think.
#4: Leading change. This was admittedly the weakest session of the workshop, and we had quite a game of Buzz Word Bingo going on. Ok, yes, be positive, ok, yes, it is a 'transition', ok, yes, how we lead our people through this will have a great impact, I get it. 45 minutes on this: too much.
#5: Roman Missal Implementation: this was perhaps the most useful of sessions, for the resources given out were of particular importance to help guide this whole process. 'They' have asked for a year after the recognitio from Rome, and there is a suggested schedule starting this whole shebang at least a year out, so again, Advent 2011 looks like the most likely date of implementation, but don't quote me on that, just yet.
Ok, resources:
Roman Missal page from the USCCB
Become One Body, One Spirit in Christ out of Leeds, UK
FDLC has a 'Parish Kit' for sale
Monsignor read extensively from LTP's 'Understanding the Revised Mass Texts'
I just received in the mail a copy of Jeff Pinyan's 'Praying the Mass; The Prayers of the People' which looks like it explains some of the reasons behind the changes (and with your spirit) I'm gonna delve into this the next few days.
I think that's all, and remember: If you think it is going to be hard on the laity, it's going to be worse on the preists!
(If you look at my Twitter Feed you will find some of the links, posted below. This one was my favorite.)
I have to admit that I was plesantly surprised and enjoyed the workshop, as Msgr. Schirman (I think is how he spells his name, exec director of BCDW) lead most of the sessions.
By Session:
#1: A History Lesson. When working with teens, if you do something three times, 'We've ALWAYS done it this way!!!' Well, when it comes to the Mass, we haven't. It is important to stress that the Mass that we pray is found, originally, in Latin, not English. In the development of vernacular texts, primarily in non-IndoEuropean families and smaller language family sets, there was difficulty in finding translators from Latin into whatever language. Instead, they used the English translation. Well, let's just say that didn't work out so well. Every translation is to obscure the text, and to take it two or three steps from the original..... Ever play the Telephone Game around a campfire? This was a good session giving the background and helped concretize the importance of a good translation.
#2: Overview of the Revised Roman Missal. Monsignor walked us through the process of how and why certain translations were chosen, given us a quick, down and dirty, lesson in Latin along the way. Also noting that the guiding principals for translation were changed, now the Latin syntax takes a priority over the vernacular syntax, so we get sometimes awkward phrasing in English which will take some time to truly understand. Another guiding point: everything (as much as possible) that is in the Latin should be present in the vernacular. Admittedly, (especially if you read Fr. Z's blog) the current English prayers are weak (not universally), and the updates should be good.
#3: Music in the New Missal: simply, chant tones will be throughout, including settings for the readings and Gospel, all the dialogues, etc. Two basic tones will be included: Simple and Solemn. I know this will come back to bite me, but the Solemn Tone seems simpler than the Simple Tone, huh? (It's based on the Latin settings.) Again, the Latin priority comes across, as the tones in English will have a similar feel and tone to the Latin tones, think, for example, of the Latin Agnus Dei chant and how easy it is to switch that over to the English setting. This is something that I, in particular, am looking forward to. To have an English and Latin setting of all the Mass parts that people should readily know will be very advantageous, I think.
#4: Leading change. This was admittedly the weakest session of the workshop, and we had quite a game of Buzz Word Bingo going on. Ok, yes, be positive, ok, yes, it is a 'transition', ok, yes, how we lead our people through this will have a great impact, I get it. 45 minutes on this: too much.
#5: Roman Missal Implementation: this was perhaps the most useful of sessions, for the resources given out were of particular importance to help guide this whole process. 'They' have asked for a year after the recognitio from Rome, and there is a suggested schedule starting this whole shebang at least a year out, so again, Advent 2011 looks like the most likely date of implementation, but don't quote me on that, just yet.
Ok, resources:
Roman Missal page from the USCCB
Become One Body, One Spirit in Christ out of Leeds, UK
FDLC has a 'Parish Kit' for sale
Monsignor read extensively from LTP's 'Understanding the Revised Mass Texts'
I just received in the mail a copy of Jeff Pinyan's 'Praying the Mass; The Prayers of the People' which looks like it explains some of the reasons behind the changes (and with your spirit) I'm gonna delve into this the next few days.
I think that's all, and remember: If you think it is going to be hard on the laity, it's going to be worse on the preists!
For Your Vocation
The Bishop's Office on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, is relaunching their website as an aid for discerners this coming weekend, as a celebration of World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The press release follows:
BISHOPS LAUNCH NATIONAL WEBSITE TO PROMOTE VOCATIONS TO PRIESTHOOD AND CONSECRATED LIFE
'ForYourVocation.org' offers resources for people in discernment
Includes info for parents, teachers, catechists, vocation directors
Efforts respond to Pope Benedict XVI's call to use social media
WASHINGTON-The U.S. Bishops' Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations is initiating a new website on April 25 to be a resource for both laity and clergy in the promotion of vocations. The launch date is both the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Good Shepherd Sunday.
The site has two goals:
To help individuals hear and respond to the call by God to the priesthood or consecrated life, and
To educate all Catholics on the importance of encouraging others through prayer and activities to promote vocations.
The Vocations Website can be found at www.ForYourVocation.org. A Spanish-language site will be available this fall at www.PorTuVocación.org.
Site elements include discernment resources for men and women, respectively, aids for promoting a vocation culture within the home, and a range of tools for educators, youth leaders and vocation directors including prayers, videos, best practices, lesson plans and vocation awareness programs.
In response to Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 Theme for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Witness Awakens Vocations, the site also hosts videos of priests and religious men and women giving witness to their vocations, as well as testimonies from family members.
ForYourVocation.org exemplifies the Vatican's embrace of new communications media. In his message for the 44th World Day of Communications, Pope Benedict XVI challenges clergy to employ the "latest generation of audiovisual resources (images, videos, animated features, blogs, websites)" to put the media "ever more effectively at the service of the Word."
The launch of the site will be promoted through social media forums. Facebook users can become "eVangelizers" for the cause. By becoming an eVangelizer, one can connect others to the Website's blog posts.
Dioceses and organizations may link to ForYourVocation.org by following the instructions at http://foryourvocation.org/web-resources.cfm.
Father David L. Toups, S.T.D.
Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
BISHOPS LAUNCH NATIONAL WEBSITE TO PROMOTE VOCATIONS TO PRIESTHOOD AND CONSECRATED LIFE
'ForYourVocation.org' offers resources for people in discernment
Includes info for parents, teachers, catechists, vocation directors
Efforts respond to Pope Benedict XVI's call to use social media
WASHINGTON-The U.S. Bishops' Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations is initiating a new website on April 25 to be a resource for both laity and clergy in the promotion of vocations. The launch date is both the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Good Shepherd Sunday.
The site has two goals:
To help individuals hear and respond to the call by God to the priesthood or consecrated life, and
To educate all Catholics on the importance of encouraging others through prayer and activities to promote vocations.
The Vocations Website can be found at www.ForYourVocation.org. A Spanish-language site will be available this fall at www.PorTuVocación.org.
Site elements include discernment resources for men and women, respectively, aids for promoting a vocation culture within the home, and a range of tools for educators, youth leaders and vocation directors including prayers, videos, best practices, lesson plans and vocation awareness programs.
In response to Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 Theme for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Witness Awakens Vocations, the site also hosts videos of priests and religious men and women giving witness to their vocations, as well as testimonies from family members.
ForYourVocation.org exemplifies the Vatican's embrace of new communications media. In his message for the 44th World Day of Communications, Pope Benedict XVI challenges clergy to employ the "latest generation of audiovisual resources (images, videos, animated features, blogs, websites)" to put the media "ever more effectively at the service of the Word."
The launch of the site will be promoted through social media forums. Facebook users can become "eVangelizers" for the cause. By becoming an eVangelizer, one can connect others to the Website's blog posts.
Dioceses and organizations may link to ForYourVocation.org by following the instructions at http://foryourvocation.org/web-resources.cfm.
Father David L. Toups, S.T.D.
Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Music in the New Missal
For a 20 page pdf that explains the musical rational included in the New Missal, look here.
Thanks to that ever stylish David Alexander for passing it along.
UPDATE: Forgot to add, I'll add more links and write up some more reflections later today from the two day workshop on the new Missal, for now, if you haven't, check the twitter feed on the right for some other useful links and info.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tune-Up Needed
My home computer, upon which I type this very blog, is very much in need of a tune-up.
Dell Inspiron E1505
Intel Centrino Duo
Windows Vista OS
Office 2007 Suite
Internet via Google Chrome
Any ideas?
ICEL Tones for the New Translation
ICEL has published some tentative new tones for use by priests in the new translation.
Simple, easy, yet added solemnity.
Simple, easy, yet added solemnity.
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