It is insanely difficult to type with a wrist brace on. Well not difficult, it just doesn't feel right considering I can't move my wrist or have my wrist angled like it normally would be.
I do find it amusing that the pressure point to stop my middle and ring finger and wrist to stop hurting (I think it's carpal tunnel) is the middle of my palm, exactly where traditional pictures or images of Christ being crucified have His hand being nailed into place. Of course my right shoulder started hurting this morning too, so I could just be falling apart. ;)
Considering I was out with my niece and nephew this evening for a bike ride for them a walk/run for me and I'm still moving and alive it's all good, and I've finally got my motivation to actually start running again. ;)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
A person is a person no matter how small.
So I went to see Horton Hears a Who tonight, and it was one the best movies I've seen recently. The tickets were free thanks to optimum rewards and clearview, so that helped a little.
Horton Hears A Who was hysterical, the comedy was great and well the story itself is just a great story. There's been some debate over the pro-life movement using the line "A person is a person no matter how small." I don't understand why there's a debate over this, the pro-life movement was started because we/they believe that an unborn child has a right to live, just like any human being. I know that you can read what you want into the movie, but it's hard not to say that Horton has a pro-life theme. The line "a person is a person no matter how small" was said three times, and Mrs. Kangaroo goes off on a rant about if you can't hear, see, or feel it, it can't be real. It took some control from me to not shout out "OK Planned Parenthood" at her, but at least in the end she comes around to understand that a person's a person no matter how small, too bad she had to hear the whos to believe that the existed.
Go see the movie it will help you relive your childhood, and it's damn funny. I'm not normally a Jim Carrey fan, but he was great, as were Steve Carell and Carol Burnett. I know I killed the spelling of their names but I don't care.
Horton Hears A Who was hysterical, the comedy was great and well the story itself is just a great story. There's been some debate over the pro-life movement using the line "A person is a person no matter how small." I don't understand why there's a debate over this, the pro-life movement was started because we/they believe that an unborn child has a right to live, just like any human being. I know that you can read what you want into the movie, but it's hard not to say that Horton has a pro-life theme. The line "a person is a person no matter how small" was said three times, and Mrs. Kangaroo goes off on a rant about if you can't hear, see, or feel it, it can't be real. It took some control from me to not shout out "OK Planned Parenthood" at her, but at least in the end she comes around to understand that a person's a person no matter how small, too bad she had to hear the whos to believe that the existed.
Go see the movie it will help you relive your childhood, and it's damn funny. I'm not normally a Jim Carrey fan, but he was great, as were Steve Carell and Carol Burnett. I know I killed the spelling of their names but I don't care.
Monday, March 24, 2008
He is Risen... Indeed He is Risen.
I find it strange that Fr. George's homily that I heard twice has yet to really sit with me compared to Fr. Brian's from Holy Thursday or Bishop Rodimer's from Good Friday. I remember thinking, please let me take one thing from this homily, and I remember "be the light" meaning we are called to be the Light of Christ to others. I also remember Fr. George talking about not being afraid. He spoke of the women in the Gospel being "half joyful and half fearful" and that, that is how most of us go through life. I heard the homily twice and the same points came to mind both times looking back on it.
Fr. George being pastor has full reign of being main celebrant at the Triduum services, he usually splits it with the vicar, currently Fr. Brian. Since Fr. Brian had Holy Thursday and Bishop had Good Friday, Fr. George had Holy Saturday, he also by chance took the "gym Mass" which threw me because I am used to the vicar having that Mass, so I was disappointed to not hear Fr. Brian's homily, but apparently I needed to hear Fr. George's twice. Maybe it needed to sink in so I could take something away from it. The first time I listened to it, it didn't seem to stay with me. The second time however, and me thinking I should try to remember one thing from the homily, might have helped for it to stick a bit more.
Anyway, back to the Easter Vigil. It has been a few years since I have been excited to attend a vigil. I love the Vigil simply for the RCIA sacraments. I love watching people come into the Church. Having been a sponsor in the RCIA process at Seton Hall, it brings back great memories for the most part. Let's just say that last year with RCIA was where my defense of the Catholic faith started to appear. I just couldn't stand up there with my candidate and say she was ready when I didn't think she was. Thankfully, Fr. Bill was there to assure me I was doing the right thing. Oh well back to the Vigil. The Easter Vigil is one of the most beautiful services because so much actually happens at it.
Watching the church go from complete darkness to being full of the Light of Christ is awesome, and Fr. George could have used that in his homily, seeing as the Christ candle is what lights the rest of the candles in the church, the servers light their candles and then pass the Light of Christ along. It's quite awesome considering what's happening, Christ is going to every single person in the Church and setting them on fire, or lighting a fire under their ass. There's lots of signing and music and all that jazz. Surprisingly there were not too many issues with the Mass for me. I would rather have all the readings read, and not have the Genesis reading have signing in the middle of it, and have the congregation realize that Fr. George intones the Gloria and the Alleluia before we join in. It would have been nice to actually get more than the words "Praise to you" out of my mouth before the organ was playing the double Alleluia, and I understand that it was done quickly so that people didn't sit down, but if people actually followed along or paid attention from year to year we always do the double Alleluia at the Vigil.
The Vigil was truly a wonderful celebration, the Sacraments were awesome. I did find it amusing that a piece of the Paschal candle fell into the font and Fr. Brian had to fix it, I think very few people actually noticed it, but I always notice the silly stuff, like people not standing when Fr. George was blessing the fire outside and lighting the Paschal candle. Deacon Jerry nailed the chanting he had to do that night, the Christ be our light and the Mass has ended Alleluia Alleluia were done the best I've heard in the past few years.
I think part of me didn't take Fr. George's homily in because I wanted to get to the sacraments and have the new Catholics officially in the Church. I remember thinking to myself during the homily, ok you can end it, I want the Sacraments now. The homily after hearing it twice did have an impact on me, but no different than any other Sunday. I thought during the homily that he did have a great point in telling us that we need to bring the Light of Christ to others. Both times I heard the homily the idea of be not afraid sat with me. Fr. George spoke about being have afraid and have joyful with our lives and that is quite true. I know that I am afraid of hearing no to most of my ideas for the Church and other things so I stay quiet. I'm afraid of what might happen if I say yes to what God places on my heart, though I am joyful and excited to follow God and do what He wants. So I am totally one of the women walking to the tomb. I've bowed before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, I've been excited to follow Him, I'm still excited to follow Him, but I'm scared and worried about what it might bring.
I have for a while wanted to create a business card marketing myself as a Catholic speaker, I've had a desire to write, but I've never been good at writing papers, though I would assume a book is totally different. I've been told I'm good at giving talks and whatnot, so I'd love to do something with that. Maybe that's why Fr. George's homily didn't sit with me right away, I didn't want to apply it to my life. I could be called to write a Catechism/Bible Study on Mary called "Who's Your Mommy?" or editing a book telling the stories of the local guys who became priests, or who knows what I'm called to do.
Oh well, with the joy of Easter in my heart, maybe I won't be as afraid to do what God wants.
Fr. George being pastor has full reign of being main celebrant at the Triduum services, he usually splits it with the vicar, currently Fr. Brian. Since Fr. Brian had Holy Thursday and Bishop had Good Friday, Fr. George had Holy Saturday, he also by chance took the "gym Mass" which threw me because I am used to the vicar having that Mass, so I was disappointed to not hear Fr. Brian's homily, but apparently I needed to hear Fr. George's twice. Maybe it needed to sink in so I could take something away from it. The first time I listened to it, it didn't seem to stay with me. The second time however, and me thinking I should try to remember one thing from the homily, might have helped for it to stick a bit more.
Anyway, back to the Easter Vigil. It has been a few years since I have been excited to attend a vigil. I love the Vigil simply for the RCIA sacraments. I love watching people come into the Church. Having been a sponsor in the RCIA process at Seton Hall, it brings back great memories for the most part. Let's just say that last year with RCIA was where my defense of the Catholic faith started to appear. I just couldn't stand up there with my candidate and say she was ready when I didn't think she was. Thankfully, Fr. Bill was there to assure me I was doing the right thing. Oh well back to the Vigil. The Easter Vigil is one of the most beautiful services because so much actually happens at it.
Watching the church go from complete darkness to being full of the Light of Christ is awesome, and Fr. George could have used that in his homily, seeing as the Christ candle is what lights the rest of the candles in the church, the servers light their candles and then pass the Light of Christ along. It's quite awesome considering what's happening, Christ is going to every single person in the Church and setting them on fire, or lighting a fire under their ass. There's lots of signing and music and all that jazz. Surprisingly there were not too many issues with the Mass for me. I would rather have all the readings read, and not have the Genesis reading have signing in the middle of it, and have the congregation realize that Fr. George intones the Gloria and the Alleluia before we join in. It would have been nice to actually get more than the words "Praise to you" out of my mouth before the organ was playing the double Alleluia, and I understand that it was done quickly so that people didn't sit down, but if people actually followed along or paid attention from year to year we always do the double Alleluia at the Vigil.
The Vigil was truly a wonderful celebration, the Sacraments were awesome. I did find it amusing that a piece of the Paschal candle fell into the font and Fr. Brian had to fix it, I think very few people actually noticed it, but I always notice the silly stuff, like people not standing when Fr. George was blessing the fire outside and lighting the Paschal candle. Deacon Jerry nailed the chanting he had to do that night, the Christ be our light and the Mass has ended Alleluia Alleluia were done the best I've heard in the past few years.
I think part of me didn't take Fr. George's homily in because I wanted to get to the sacraments and have the new Catholics officially in the Church. I remember thinking to myself during the homily, ok you can end it, I want the Sacraments now. The homily after hearing it twice did have an impact on me, but no different than any other Sunday. I thought during the homily that he did have a great point in telling us that we need to bring the Light of Christ to others. Both times I heard the homily the idea of be not afraid sat with me. Fr. George spoke about being have afraid and have joyful with our lives and that is quite true. I know that I am afraid of hearing no to most of my ideas for the Church and other things so I stay quiet. I'm afraid of what might happen if I say yes to what God places on my heart, though I am joyful and excited to follow God and do what He wants. So I am totally one of the women walking to the tomb. I've bowed before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, I've been excited to follow Him, I'm still excited to follow Him, but I'm scared and worried about what it might bring.
I have for a while wanted to create a business card marketing myself as a Catholic speaker, I've had a desire to write, but I've never been good at writing papers, though I would assume a book is totally different. I've been told I'm good at giving talks and whatnot, so I'd love to do something with that. Maybe that's why Fr. George's homily didn't sit with me right away, I didn't want to apply it to my life. I could be called to write a Catechism/Bible Study on Mary called "Who's Your Mommy?" or editing a book telling the stories of the local guys who became priests, or who knows what I'm called to do.
Oh well, with the joy of Easter in my heart, maybe I won't be as afraid to do what God wants.
Prayer for Vocations
Something prompted me to type up the prayer for vocations that Bishop Serratelli wrote for the Diocese of Paterson, feel free to change the words "local Church of Paterson" to whatever Diocese you may belong to, or just pay for vocations to my local Church of Paterson.
Father, in the fullness of time,
you sent your Son, born of the Virgin Mary,
to be our Savior.
He preached the good new of our salvation,
healed the sick and cast out evil.
Now as crucified and risen Lord,
he pours out on us the Hoy Spirit of adoption,
making us your sons and daughters.
Through the church,
he calls us to accept the gospel
and to share in your own divine life.
Jesus is the Way, The Truth, an the Life for all people.
In Your mercy, you do not abandon us.
In every age,
you raise up men and women
to ofter their lives for the sake of the gospel
and the work of the Church.
We beg you, therefore,
grant to this local Church of Paterson
an increase of vocations
to the priesthood and religious life.
Give us courageous and faith men
to serve as worthy priests.
Bless us with generous and zealous
men and women willing seek holiness
in consecrated life.
Maye we rejoice in an abundance
of vocations from our families so that we
may yield a rich harvest of good works
for your honor and glory.
We ask this in the mane of Jesus who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.
+Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D.,S.S.L.,D.D
Bishop of Paterson
Conversations from the Sacristy
I must start off with my comments on the use of incense. "Damn Brian... Holy incense" I was walking into the church with the vessels from the Gym Mass. Fr. Brian used incense at the beginning of the 12pm Mass and it was close to 1:15/1:20 when I walked in, and for the incense to be strong enough for me to notice it, it must have been strong.
Yesterday I was privileged to have the "chore" of cleaning the "dishes" aka the holy vessels from Mass, and because I was doing this by myself I was in the sacristy for awhile and got to hear some funny conversations.
The first one being Deacon George walking in and saying "I hate when my wife is right" however all I heard was "I HATE MY WIFE" I turned to him and said all I heard was I hate my wife, and the 3 of us in the sacristy, including Deacon George just burst out laughing. I know George and his wife quite well, as their son and I were in youth group together.
The next conversation I was part of involved Fr. George, myself, Fr. Brian, Deacon George, and Rich. I guess Fr. George just needed to talk/vent about the Mass in the gym. This conversation is definitely funnier if you were there and know the kids from the gym Mass, but I wanted to write it down for my own enjoyment.
Fr. George: "I had two noisy kids in front of me"
Me:"Fr. Brian it was the same one from Christmas, that kept trying to bum rush Baby Jesus"
Fr. George goes on the explain that there are times when he thinks I gave up being a father and there are times when God reminds you why you are what you are
Me:"I like the fact that you picked up the toy for them during your homily"
Fr. George:"Yeah, that was good, all in one fell swoop, picking up the toy that was thrown at me (Fr. quickly added that it wasn't actually thrown at him)"
Yeah I don't like his homily- Me and Fr. George
Yesterday I was privileged to have the "chore" of cleaning the "dishes" aka the holy vessels from Mass, and because I was doing this by myself I was in the sacristy for awhile and got to hear some funny conversations.
The first one being Deacon George walking in and saying "I hate when my wife is right" however all I heard was "I HATE MY WIFE" I turned to him and said all I heard was I hate my wife, and the 3 of us in the sacristy, including Deacon George just burst out laughing. I know George and his wife quite well, as their son and I were in youth group together.
The next conversation I was part of involved Fr. George, myself, Fr. Brian, Deacon George, and Rich. I guess Fr. George just needed to talk/vent about the Mass in the gym. This conversation is definitely funnier if you were there and know the kids from the gym Mass, but I wanted to write it down for my own enjoyment.
Fr. George: "I had two noisy kids in front of me"
Me:"Fr. Brian it was the same one from Christmas, that kept trying to bum rush Baby Jesus"
Fr. George goes on the explain that there are times when he thinks I gave up being a father and there are times when God reminds you why you are what you are
Me:"I like the fact that you picked up the toy for them during your homily"
Fr. George:"Yeah, that was good, all in one fell swoop, picking up the toy that was thrown at me (Fr. quickly added that it wasn't actually thrown at him)"
Yeah I don't like his homily- Me and Fr. George
Friday, March 21, 2008
"does anybody see that... He died upon a tree."
So typical of Good Friday, the day was spent mainly in church with Stations at 12, the Liturgy of the Passion and Death of the Lord at 3pm, and the Tenebrae Service at 7:30pm. I believe that technically the Tenebrae Service is supposed to be on Wednesday, but we have it on Friday with Veneration of the Cross, so that people who can't make the 3pm service have something to go to at night. It's nice of us isn't it.
So Stations went as Stations do, with my mother looking at me as if I am nuts when I say I'm not using the kneeler. I didn't and don't, I feel to constricted when I have to use the kneeler and I am capable of not using it so while I can I will.
The afternoon service was interesting because we had to do it "old school" meaning since Bishop Rodimer was the main celebrant that we went back to using the "traditional" Good Friday petitions. That was nice, thanks Bishop. I really don't like when we change it and have it sung, having Bishop in attendance also meant that the Passion was actually read in parts, not read by parish staff members and having us stop every so often to sing some stupid ass refrain of "We Remember We celebrate, we believe" Really can we tell I'm a traditionalist. I would love to one day be in Rome for the Triduum, just to see how the Pope does it, or even be insane enough to partake in the Latin Mass version.
Bishop Rodimer can be hit or miss in his homilies with me, and I just prayed to remember one thing. He spoke of the differences in the versions of the Passion that we hear, and that how in John's the version we hear every Good Friday, shows Jesus being in charge, in a pretty much don't mess with me type thing, he spoke of how in Mark's Gospel how the Apostles abandon Jesus, case in point the young man running off naked and away from Jesus, he spoke of I think Luke's Gospel, but I don't remember his point about it, so I will take as being I wasn't meant to remember it. Bishop spoke more about John's Gospel and how the reading for the Triduum don't change from year to year like the rest of the readings, I actually didn't know that, I assumed that, but never really paid attention to it. Bishop mentioned how in John's Passion that the Royalty of Christ is proclaimed in 3 languages (Hebrew, Greek and Latin) and how Jesus was in charge, saying to Pilate that you have no power except what has been given to you from above. Bishop also mentioned how there is no Garden scene in John's Passion. He spoke of how this is really a celebration of the victory over death, hence why it's called Good Friday, as I added instead of crappy or shitty (yeah I know I was sitting in Church, but God will forgive me) Friday.
I've always looked at Good Friday as being the day to do nothing but pray and whatnot, it's what's been ingrained in me, and apparently the Church as well, because according to Bishop Rodimer the early Church did nothing on this day, they didn't celebrate Mass or anything, which is still true today, Mass is not celebrated today, which is ironic considering that Mass is the re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Calvary, but the Church realized that it needed to bring it's people together to celebrate the event of the day. Without Good Friday there is no Easter Sunday. Guess I remembered more than one thing from his homily, that's impressive for me.
I am fully aware that Easter is technically the more important holy day, but I have equally enjoyed and celebrated Christmas and Easter, because without Easter there is no Christmas, and well without Christmas there is no Easter. They are tied into each other.
Since we tend to get to Church early for the simple reason of wanting a seat, I tend to watch how people act on Good Friday. It amuses me to no end how many people just genuflect to an obviously empty church. For goodness sake, the sanctuary candle isn't even in Church, the tabernacles are wide open, He's not there. Even last night my mom Blessed herself as we drove past the Church, and I said mom, what did you do that for, Jesus isn't in the Church anymore. "I'm blessing myself in front of my church." Me"Mom, you are aware that by blessing yourself in front of a Catholic church that you are acknowledging the Blessed Sacrament." Mom, "That's not what I was taught." So I made of the point of saying ok if you're just blessing yourself in front of a church, the next time you pass by Pastor Eric's church bless yourself. Her response was I don't want their blessing, and no I won't do that, I said yeah because Jesus isn't physically present in that church. I pointed out that it was she who taught me my faith, and some how the conversation ended.
It really does surprise me how many people forget that what makes us Catholic and a Catholic Church is the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Many people that I would expect to know better genuflected to the empty tabernacle, and I thought ok we need an educational series on the Triduum. Maybe it's just the fact that for 28 years (ok maybe not all of them, but I remember being at the Vigil and other services for a good many of them) I have had the pleasure of partaking in the Sacred Triduum, and take for granted that I know what to do. I don't need a book, or "worship aid", I've been given a grace to know what happens.
I guess this puts a new spin on Good Friday for me, I will still focus on the Death of Christ, considering that it was my sins that put Christ on the Cross. Oh, Bishop Rodimer mentioned that we shouldn't feel guilty for putting Christ on the Cross, because Jesus went willingly, and without regret. I can't remember his exact words, it might have been unreluctantly, but the point was that Jesus knew what He was doing, and there was no way we could stop Him. He did this purely out of love for us. A love we will not fully understand until we are with Him and the angels and saints in Heaven.
Tomorrow night brings one of the best Masses, well ending of the Mass that was started on Thursday, seriously a Mass that's 3 days longs, and you receive Communion 3 times, it's strange. Anyway, the Vigil is one the most beautiful celebrations, and I can't wait for it.
So Stations went as Stations do, with my mother looking at me as if I am nuts when I say I'm not using the kneeler. I didn't and don't, I feel to constricted when I have to use the kneeler and I am capable of not using it so while I can I will.
The afternoon service was interesting because we had to do it "old school" meaning since Bishop Rodimer was the main celebrant that we went back to using the "traditional" Good Friday petitions. That was nice, thanks Bishop. I really don't like when we change it and have it sung, having Bishop in attendance also meant that the Passion was actually read in parts, not read by parish staff members and having us stop every so often to sing some stupid ass refrain of "We Remember We celebrate, we believe" Really can we tell I'm a traditionalist. I would love to one day be in Rome for the Triduum, just to see how the Pope does it, or even be insane enough to partake in the Latin Mass version.
Bishop Rodimer can be hit or miss in his homilies with me, and I just prayed to remember one thing. He spoke of the differences in the versions of the Passion that we hear, and that how in John's the version we hear every Good Friday, shows Jesus being in charge, in a pretty much don't mess with me type thing, he spoke of how in Mark's Gospel how the Apostles abandon Jesus, case in point the young man running off naked and away from Jesus, he spoke of I think Luke's Gospel, but I don't remember his point about it, so I will take as being I wasn't meant to remember it. Bishop spoke more about John's Gospel and how the reading for the Triduum don't change from year to year like the rest of the readings, I actually didn't know that, I assumed that, but never really paid attention to it. Bishop mentioned how in John's Passion that the Royalty of Christ is proclaimed in 3 languages (Hebrew, Greek and Latin) and how Jesus was in charge, saying to Pilate that you have no power except what has been given to you from above. Bishop also mentioned how there is no Garden scene in John's Passion. He spoke of how this is really a celebration of the victory over death, hence why it's called Good Friday, as I added instead of crappy or shitty (yeah I know I was sitting in Church, but God will forgive me) Friday.
I've always looked at Good Friday as being the day to do nothing but pray and whatnot, it's what's been ingrained in me, and apparently the Church as well, because according to Bishop Rodimer the early Church did nothing on this day, they didn't celebrate Mass or anything, which is still true today, Mass is not celebrated today, which is ironic considering that Mass is the re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Calvary, but the Church realized that it needed to bring it's people together to celebrate the event of the day. Without Good Friday there is no Easter Sunday. Guess I remembered more than one thing from his homily, that's impressive for me.
I am fully aware that Easter is technically the more important holy day, but I have equally enjoyed and celebrated Christmas and Easter, because without Easter there is no Christmas, and well without Christmas there is no Easter. They are tied into each other.
Since we tend to get to Church early for the simple reason of wanting a seat, I tend to watch how people act on Good Friday. It amuses me to no end how many people just genuflect to an obviously empty church. For goodness sake, the sanctuary candle isn't even in Church, the tabernacles are wide open, He's not there. Even last night my mom Blessed herself as we drove past the Church, and I said mom, what did you do that for, Jesus isn't in the Church anymore. "I'm blessing myself in front of my church." Me"Mom, you are aware that by blessing yourself in front of a Catholic church that you are acknowledging the Blessed Sacrament." Mom, "That's not what I was taught." So I made of the point of saying ok if you're just blessing yourself in front of a church, the next time you pass by Pastor Eric's church bless yourself. Her response was I don't want their blessing, and no I won't do that, I said yeah because Jesus isn't physically present in that church. I pointed out that it was she who taught me my faith, and some how the conversation ended.
It really does surprise me how many people forget that what makes us Catholic and a Catholic Church is the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Many people that I would expect to know better genuflected to the empty tabernacle, and I thought ok we need an educational series on the Triduum. Maybe it's just the fact that for 28 years (ok maybe not all of them, but I remember being at the Vigil and other services for a good many of them) I have had the pleasure of partaking in the Sacred Triduum, and take for granted that I know what to do. I don't need a book, or "worship aid", I've been given a grace to know what happens.
I guess this puts a new spin on Good Friday for me, I will still focus on the Death of Christ, considering that it was my sins that put Christ on the Cross. Oh, Bishop Rodimer mentioned that we shouldn't feel guilty for putting Christ on the Cross, because Jesus went willingly, and without regret. I can't remember his exact words, it might have been unreluctantly, but the point was that Jesus knew what He was doing, and there was no way we could stop Him. He did this purely out of love for us. A love we will not fully understand until we are with Him and the angels and saints in Heaven.
Tomorrow night brings one of the best Masses, well ending of the Mass that was started on Thursday, seriously a Mass that's 3 days longs, and you receive Communion 3 times, it's strange. Anyway, the Vigil is one the most beautiful celebrations, and I can't wait for it.
and with that the Holiest of Seasons begins
So tonight begins, well last night technically, as it is past midnight, therefore making it Good Friday, the holiest of seasons, the Easter Triduum. Hearing the Gloria for the first time in 40 days and having happier music made me smile from ear to ear. Fr. Brian gave a wicked homily, and I wish I had a tape recorder so I could listen to it again. He went right with the Rubrics aka the rule book for Mass and spoke about the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the Priesthood/holy orders, and charity/brotherhood of Jesus. Told ya he took it right from the Rubrics, he told us himself.
Fr. Brian spoke of Fr. Cantalamessa aka the preacher to the Papal household, as Fr. Brian said, that's something I want on my business card, not that where I am now isn't important, but really preacher to the Papal household. Having read Fr. Cantalamessa's Mary: Mirror of the Church and used in in my senior thesis, I knew the comment would be good. Alas, the comment I am thinking of didn't come from Fr. Cantalamessa, I can't remember the comment from him and that sucks for me, I think it had something to do with the priesthood, but alas I do not remember. It was a good comment I just don't remember it.
The comment I am thinking of came from some theologian from Notre Dame, I probably remember it because I thought "oh man Notre Dame, hope it's correct." I am fully aware that is the wrong way to think, but I did, so forgive me, it's what Jesus would/will do. Anyway, the comment was about the Sacred Triduum being about mystery not history. Mainly because the historical events of the Triduum can not take place again. Again my brain went to, "ummm yeah it does, every Mass is the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Calvary, so therefore it takes place again, albeit the un-bloody version of the sacrifice. It being said makes sense, but I tend to be literal in the Triduum, in the whole idea that Jesus isn't in the Church even though He's just hiding out in a different spot instead of the tabernacle. To me every Good Friday Jesus dies again, He goes down to Hell and on Easter Saturday night at the vigil He rises. I agree that we can never be in the Garden, on the Cross or in the Tomb with Jesus again, we are celebrating the mystery and that is what makes the Sacred Season so awesome.
Fr. Brian spoke about the institution of the Eucharist, and how we as Catholics are taught to believe that it is Christ's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist. He mentioned that is also a mystery and that we can receive Communion until we are "blue in the face" but until we accept the mystery into our lives and try to live it out, it's almost pointless. He of course went right in the the institution of the Priesthood/holy orders. Fr. Brian mention that behind him the ordained ministers of Deacons and Priest had over 90 years combined of service to the church. He spoke about each man, Deacon Jerry with his 9 years, Deacons George and Tony with their 13 years and our "Archdeacon" Dick with 22 years of service and of Msgr. George with is 27 years of service. Each man does a different ministry, each an important ministry, feeding the poor via the social services ministry, hospility and burying the dead, and comforting the sorrowfull, teaching CCD and pre-cana, Baptismal prep, and well just about everything under the sun that a priest could do, Msgr. has done it. Fr. Brian decided that his not even 5 years of service couldn't compare to his fellow priest and deacons.
I beg to differ in the 6 months that I have known Fr. Brian, I keep thinking, as much I loved Fr. Kevin, I love Fr. Brian and he reminds me of well me, and to some that is strange, but I know that Fr. Brian will not mess with the Rubrics, is very pro-life and very much wants to get something started. He's also a fan of youth and young adult ministry. Like I said he reminds me of me, and it does me good to have a man like him at my parish. Fr. Brian mentioned that through charity we are all called to partake in Christ's priesthood, we are all called to the things these men and their wives have been doing for the past 20 years.
Very rarely do I remember more than one aspect of the homily, so I took the opportunity to blog about it.
Mass itself was beautiful as usually, I would expect no less from a man who won't veer from the Rubrics. There are nit-picky issues that I have, which would be women having their feet washed, I've never agreed with that, as the Gospel reading once you get past Judas being the betrayer being read for at least the third time this week, speaks of Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles, and last time I checked those were 12 guys. I think if Jesus washed His mother's feet that one of the Gospel writers would have written that down. Alas I can really overlook that and move on until next year.
This year as in the past when the priest is processing around the Church with the Blessed Sacrament to move Jesus to the "garden" liturgical ministers are invited to partake in the procession. I never partake because I'd just rather kneel as Jesus passes me by instead of walking around church, the focus is supposed to be on Jesus not those of us behind Him. I partook this year, mainly because our Pastoral Associate, was sitting next to my parents and wouldn't let me sit or kneel. The whole time we walked around the Church, I kept thinking I want to do this on my knees, and for some reason my right knee, the knee on which my ACL was repaired, was sore as hell throughout the walk, I couldn't wait to get back to my seat. As I made my way back to my seat, the usual screwing up of the verses happened. Without fail the choir and the cantor sing a different verse of Pange Lingua/Tantum Ergo. My understanding is that as soon as the Blessed Sacrament hits the altar steps, which means the altar servers, that we start Tantum Ergo, which is what our cantor did. I laughed because I thought, every year this happens, have you not figured it out yet. Again something I eventually get over until the next time it happens.
What bugged me this year was the forcing me to partake in the procession around Church, it's just not me. In the long run it's not that big of a deal, but it just erks me that some people force on you what they think should be done.
What I love about Holy Thursday night is our version of Adoration, Jesus is hanging out in the "garden" put simply He is moved to a tabernacle that is surrounded by flowers thereby making it the Garden in which Jesus has asked his Apostles to pray and where He is betrayed. Normally I stay from the end of Mass say 9pm until the end at 11:45pm, this year I helped out with the decorating of the gym for our overflow Mass at 12:15pm for Easter Sunday, which was funny because this will be my 6th Mass in the gym so you would think I know where things go, but alas I don't always know everything, it worked out in the long run.
So I came home for about 10 mintues just long enough to eat some toaster strudels so I wasn't starving on my day of fast on Good Friday. I tend to not eat, expect for one big meal, much to the disliking of my mother. I went back to Church for some time with Jesus. Fr. aka Msgr. George had a new cd for Adoration, but it must have stopped at some point because it wasn't on when I went into church. I took that as the ok to turn my iPod on in one ear (the ear away from my mother) so I could listen to some of Matt Maher's songs like his Litany, I Love You Lord, and Adoration, all quite appropriate for Adoration. Once those were over I put the iPod away and proceeded to try and meditate or least get myself into a one on one conversation with God. It's hard to do with all the different noises around, but it works for the most part.
While sitting at Adoration, I kept thinking of a book I just read about how 12 guys became priests, and I thought, how cool would it be to know the stories of 12 priests who have touched my life and how they became priests. I thought at first oh 12's a lot, well I had 7 within seconds. Fr. Brian, Fr. George, Fr. Kevin, Fr. Geno, Fr. Bill, my other Fr. Brian, then I added Bishop Serratelli, Fr. Devin (a priest from my youth), Fr. Jim from SHU's campus ministry, Fr. Deneheny, (I totally got the spelling wrong, but oh well), that's 10 right there, Fr. Brando makes 11, and I can't think of whom I thought of in church, but Fr. Jim from Montclair's campus ministry is coming to mind since I just read his homily blog. So that's 12 right there, I'm thinking that would a great vocations tool, to have the story of 12 ordinary guys and their vocations. I don't care if they are just men, really anyone's story of a vocation will influence one discerning a vocation. St. A's tried something like that before, but I don't know if it worked to well, might be worth looking into.
The idea of writing/editing a book has long been on my mind, but I never really didn't anything about it. Maybe now is the time to do so. Maybe that's my vocation, to foster vocations. I've always said, I'd gladly give all of my sons to the priesthood, should God grace me with marriage and children.
Fr. Brian spoke of Fr. Cantalamessa aka the preacher to the Papal household, as Fr. Brian said, that's something I want on my business card, not that where I am now isn't important, but really preacher to the Papal household. Having read Fr. Cantalamessa's Mary: Mirror of the Church and used in in my senior thesis, I knew the comment would be good. Alas, the comment I am thinking of didn't come from Fr. Cantalamessa, I can't remember the comment from him and that sucks for me, I think it had something to do with the priesthood, but alas I do not remember. It was a good comment I just don't remember it.
The comment I am thinking of came from some theologian from Notre Dame, I probably remember it because I thought "oh man Notre Dame, hope it's correct." I am fully aware that is the wrong way to think, but I did, so forgive me, it's what Jesus would/will do. Anyway, the comment was about the Sacred Triduum being about mystery not history. Mainly because the historical events of the Triduum can not take place again. Again my brain went to, "ummm yeah it does, every Mass is the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Calvary, so therefore it takes place again, albeit the un-bloody version of the sacrifice. It being said makes sense, but I tend to be literal in the Triduum, in the whole idea that Jesus isn't in the Church even though He's just hiding out in a different spot instead of the tabernacle. To me every Good Friday Jesus dies again, He goes down to Hell and on Easter Saturday night at the vigil He rises. I agree that we can never be in the Garden, on the Cross or in the Tomb with Jesus again, we are celebrating the mystery and that is what makes the Sacred Season so awesome.
Fr. Brian spoke about the institution of the Eucharist, and how we as Catholics are taught to believe that it is Christ's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist. He mentioned that is also a mystery and that we can receive Communion until we are "blue in the face" but until we accept the mystery into our lives and try to live it out, it's almost pointless. He of course went right in the the institution of the Priesthood/holy orders. Fr. Brian mention that behind him the ordained ministers of Deacons and Priest had over 90 years combined of service to the church. He spoke about each man, Deacon Jerry with his 9 years, Deacons George and Tony with their 13 years and our "Archdeacon" Dick with 22 years of service and of Msgr. George with is 27 years of service. Each man does a different ministry, each an important ministry, feeding the poor via the social services ministry, hospility and burying the dead, and comforting the sorrowfull, teaching CCD and pre-cana, Baptismal prep, and well just about everything under the sun that a priest could do, Msgr. has done it. Fr. Brian decided that his not even 5 years of service couldn't compare to his fellow priest and deacons.
I beg to differ in the 6 months that I have known Fr. Brian, I keep thinking, as much I loved Fr. Kevin, I love Fr. Brian and he reminds me of well me, and to some that is strange, but I know that Fr. Brian will not mess with the Rubrics, is very pro-life and very much wants to get something started. He's also a fan of youth and young adult ministry. Like I said he reminds me of me, and it does me good to have a man like him at my parish. Fr. Brian mentioned that through charity we are all called to partake in Christ's priesthood, we are all called to the things these men and their wives have been doing for the past 20 years.
Very rarely do I remember more than one aspect of the homily, so I took the opportunity to blog about it.
Mass itself was beautiful as usually, I would expect no less from a man who won't veer from the Rubrics. There are nit-picky issues that I have, which would be women having their feet washed, I've never agreed with that, as the Gospel reading once you get past Judas being the betrayer being read for at least the third time this week, speaks of Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles, and last time I checked those were 12 guys. I think if Jesus washed His mother's feet that one of the Gospel writers would have written that down. Alas I can really overlook that and move on until next year.
This year as in the past when the priest is processing around the Church with the Blessed Sacrament to move Jesus to the "garden" liturgical ministers are invited to partake in the procession. I never partake because I'd just rather kneel as Jesus passes me by instead of walking around church, the focus is supposed to be on Jesus not those of us behind Him. I partook this year, mainly because our Pastoral Associate, was sitting next to my parents and wouldn't let me sit or kneel. The whole time we walked around the Church, I kept thinking I want to do this on my knees, and for some reason my right knee, the knee on which my ACL was repaired, was sore as hell throughout the walk, I couldn't wait to get back to my seat. As I made my way back to my seat, the usual screwing up of the verses happened. Without fail the choir and the cantor sing a different verse of Pange Lingua/Tantum Ergo. My understanding is that as soon as the Blessed Sacrament hits the altar steps, which means the altar servers, that we start Tantum Ergo, which is what our cantor did. I laughed because I thought, every year this happens, have you not figured it out yet. Again something I eventually get over until the next time it happens.
What bugged me this year was the forcing me to partake in the procession around Church, it's just not me. In the long run it's not that big of a deal, but it just erks me that some people force on you what they think should be done.
What I love about Holy Thursday night is our version of Adoration, Jesus is hanging out in the "garden" put simply He is moved to a tabernacle that is surrounded by flowers thereby making it the Garden in which Jesus has asked his Apostles to pray and where He is betrayed. Normally I stay from the end of Mass say 9pm until the end at 11:45pm, this year I helped out with the decorating of the gym for our overflow Mass at 12:15pm for Easter Sunday, which was funny because this will be my 6th Mass in the gym so you would think I know where things go, but alas I don't always know everything, it worked out in the long run.
So I came home for about 10 mintues just long enough to eat some toaster strudels so I wasn't starving on my day of fast on Good Friday. I tend to not eat, expect for one big meal, much to the disliking of my mother. I went back to Church for some time with Jesus. Fr. aka Msgr. George had a new cd for Adoration, but it must have stopped at some point because it wasn't on when I went into church. I took that as the ok to turn my iPod on in one ear (the ear away from my mother) so I could listen to some of Matt Maher's songs like his Litany, I Love You Lord, and Adoration, all quite appropriate for Adoration. Once those were over I put the iPod away and proceeded to try and meditate or least get myself into a one on one conversation with God. It's hard to do with all the different noises around, but it works for the most part.
While sitting at Adoration, I kept thinking of a book I just read about how 12 guys became priests, and I thought, how cool would it be to know the stories of 12 priests who have touched my life and how they became priests. I thought at first oh 12's a lot, well I had 7 within seconds. Fr. Brian, Fr. George, Fr. Kevin, Fr. Geno, Fr. Bill, my other Fr. Brian, then I added Bishop Serratelli, Fr. Devin (a priest from my youth), Fr. Jim from SHU's campus ministry, Fr. Deneheny, (I totally got the spelling wrong, but oh well), that's 10 right there, Fr. Brando makes 11, and I can't think of whom I thought of in church, but Fr. Jim from Montclair's campus ministry is coming to mind since I just read his homily blog. So that's 12 right there, I'm thinking that would a great vocations tool, to have the story of 12 ordinary guys and their vocations. I don't care if they are just men, really anyone's story of a vocation will influence one discerning a vocation. St. A's tried something like that before, but I don't know if it worked to well, might be worth looking into.
The idea of writing/editing a book has long been on my mind, but I never really didn't anything about it. Maybe now is the time to do so. Maybe that's my vocation, to foster vocations. I've always said, I'd gladly give all of my sons to the priesthood, should God grace me with marriage and children.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Crocheting
So I've decided to start crocheting, too bad trying to figure out the stitch is driving me nuts, mainly because I lack patience and I make the loops to tight. Otherwise it's lots of fun, and I'm excited to start something new. I found a pattern for coin purses, which I think I'm going to turn into Rosary purses. It would be something cute to make for the First Communion kids or to give as a gift.
Once I get some things started and actually finished I'll post some pictures!
Once I get some things started and actually finished I'll post some pictures!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Did you give up yet?
So it's officially Lent '08, and it started in the typical fashion; me along with many others getting ashes put on our foreheads. Typical of myself I went to Mass tonight, and was amazed with how many people were at Mass and second Fr. George's request to see Mass this full "the whole way through." Mass was an interesting experience for me because I wasn't on the EM schedule and wasn't expecting to serve, even though I had a feeling I would be needed. Now I chose to sit literally in the middle of the pew because I wasn't on, so I had 3 old ladies on one side of me, and what I assume is a mother and 2 young daughters on the other side, so hopping out to serve wouldn't have been easy.
Typical of myself I counted the EMs as they walked up, and said oh they need one, and saw someone go up, I kept counting but for some reason I kept thinking they were covered, and I thought Fr. Brian might have been hiding in the back, alas he wasn't and they were actually still short. So I couldn't just run the people over who were sitting next to me, and Fr. George had a plan; he was the only one distributing Communion in the front and the Deacons covered the back. So I went up to receive and asked Fr. George if he wanted me to take the other ciborium that was sitting on the altar, he said. "if you could," so that's what I did and I distributed to the front with Fr. George. Now that I think about it, we were still short 1 EM, because all 4 chalices were out via 3 EMs and 1 ordinary (priest or deacon) so that left one deacon in the back and Fr. George in the front. What really should have been done was give all four ciboria (my Latin and spelling skills are failing me right now) out and let the chalices just sit there (covered of course), but what was done was done.
So Lent for me began with me doing something that I don't really like to do which is distribute the hosts aka the "Body of Christ." I don't know if I've gotten used to it from being the choir minister, but it didn't bother me tonight. My usual comment is, "eww, Communion someone is going to lick me." It's silly, but true. I've gotten over it, but I still people watch while distributing Communion, especially when I am standing there with a chalice watching people walk back. It's interesting to watch how people receive, how people don't respond or just give you a look. I hold the Host up to the person's eyes (or down if it's a child) and sort of force them to look at what they are receiving, if there's no response, I tend to hold the Host a little longer than I normally would. Maybe one of these days I'll be brave enough to wait longer than a nanosecond with that one.
Tonight's Mass while typical for me, meaning I end up serving as EM because someone didn't show up, yet it was atypical, probably because of the circumstances in which I ended up serving, but i was all good. I don't remember much of Fr. George's homily, actually I remember what he said of Fr. Brian's homily, that Lent is a wake up call for us spirituality. I guess I remember that comment more because that's how I look at Lent, as a time for me to re-start something that I've done before or to try something new. Of course the topic of fasting, almsgiving and praying came up as the 3 principal ways to do something for Lent. Typically Catholics will ask, "So what did you give up for Lent?" For the past few years I have tried not to give up something but to add something in to my spiritual life. This year I plan to give up laziness, especially in terms of exercise. I have yet to actually start my "running" program, but that will change in the coming weeks.
My plans for Lent are to add Daily Mass when I can, which means St. A's at 7:30am or 12:05pm when I'm not babysitting at those times, or a 5:30 or 7:30pm Mass at a local parish on the days I am babysitting. I could bring the 2 year old I babysit to church, but as his mom said, "Michael in church is well, you know," typical of a 2 year old not knowing how loud their voice actually is. I have also decided that if my Lent is not perfect, it's not that big of a deal. Usually I'm disappointed because I haven't said Morning, Evening, or Night prayer everyday, or something like that or done all that I wanted to do. Maybe I should want to do so much but it just works out that way. If I make it to daily Mass I make it, if not I can say a Rosary or extra Chaplet or Stations or something. My hope to do a Rosary Run on Good Friday, so we'll see how well the whole running thing goes.
So the bulleted version of what I am doing for Lent:
Typical of myself I counted the EMs as they walked up, and said oh they need one, and saw someone go up, I kept counting but for some reason I kept thinking they were covered, and I thought Fr. Brian might have been hiding in the back, alas he wasn't and they were actually still short. So I couldn't just run the people over who were sitting next to me, and Fr. George had a plan; he was the only one distributing Communion in the front and the Deacons covered the back. So I went up to receive and asked Fr. George if he wanted me to take the other ciborium that was sitting on the altar, he said. "if you could," so that's what I did and I distributed to the front with Fr. George. Now that I think about it, we were still short 1 EM, because all 4 chalices were out via 3 EMs and 1 ordinary (priest or deacon) so that left one deacon in the back and Fr. George in the front. What really should have been done was give all four ciboria (my Latin and spelling skills are failing me right now) out and let the chalices just sit there (covered of course), but what was done was done.
So Lent for me began with me doing something that I don't really like to do which is distribute the hosts aka the "Body of Christ." I don't know if I've gotten used to it from being the choir minister, but it didn't bother me tonight. My usual comment is, "eww, Communion someone is going to lick me." It's silly, but true. I've gotten over it, but I still people watch while distributing Communion, especially when I am standing there with a chalice watching people walk back. It's interesting to watch how people receive, how people don't respond or just give you a look. I hold the Host up to the person's eyes (or down if it's a child) and sort of force them to look at what they are receiving, if there's no response, I tend to hold the Host a little longer than I normally would. Maybe one of these days I'll be brave enough to wait longer than a nanosecond with that one.
Tonight's Mass while typical for me, meaning I end up serving as EM because someone didn't show up, yet it was atypical, probably because of the circumstances in which I ended up serving, but i was all good. I don't remember much of Fr. George's homily, actually I remember what he said of Fr. Brian's homily, that Lent is a wake up call for us spirituality. I guess I remember that comment more because that's how I look at Lent, as a time for me to re-start something that I've done before or to try something new. Of course the topic of fasting, almsgiving and praying came up as the 3 principal ways to do something for Lent. Typically Catholics will ask, "So what did you give up for Lent?" For the past few years I have tried not to give up something but to add something in to my spiritual life. This year I plan to give up laziness, especially in terms of exercise. I have yet to actually start my "running" program, but that will change in the coming weeks.
My plans for Lent are to add Daily Mass when I can, which means St. A's at 7:30am or 12:05pm when I'm not babysitting at those times, or a 5:30 or 7:30pm Mass at a local parish on the days I am babysitting. I could bring the 2 year old I babysit to church, but as his mom said, "Michael in church is well, you know," typical of a 2 year old not knowing how loud their voice actually is. I have also decided that if my Lent is not perfect, it's not that big of a deal. Usually I'm disappointed because I haven't said Morning, Evening, or Night prayer everyday, or something like that or done all that I wanted to do. Maybe I should want to do so much but it just works out that way. If I make it to daily Mass I make it, if not I can say a Rosary or extra Chaplet or Stations or something. My hope to do a Rosary Run on Good Friday, so we'll see how well the whole running thing goes.
So the bulleted version of what I am doing for Lent:
- Daily Mass
- pray more
- give up/fast from laziness
- running/walking program
- eat healthier
Monday, February 4, 2008
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