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Catholicism’s Cultural Glass: Half Empty or Half Full?
During the celebration of Holy Mass on Easter Sunday morning, as a torrential rain pummeled St. Peter’s Square, Benedict XVI looked out at the sea of umbrellas and soaking pilgrims and urged the people not to let the wet weather dampen their spirits, but rather to consider how much good the rainfall would do for the earth.
The pope’s resolutely positive interpretation of the deluge reminded me of the different ways people can see the same quantity of water and of the old question that is supposed to reveal how someone sees the world: is the glass half empty or half full? (In this case, of course, seeing St. Peter’s Square as half full of water would have been the negative view – accurate but negative.)
And now, on the eve of the pope’s trip to the United States, it is easy to imagine that, just as he gazed out at the rain-drenched Square, the pope must also be looking out upon the world and, more specifically in these days, the United States. What does he see? Is the glass half empty or half full?
On one hand, the recent study by the Pew Forum tells us that a third of those who are born Catholic in the U.S. eventually leave the Church. As a result, it is estimated that the current U.S. population is about 10 percent ex-Catholic. Naturally, it is difficult to know whether those who have left the Church had merely been baptized or had received a serious Catholic education, but the numbers are certainly not encouraging.
On the other hand, the RCIA (ie., the Roman Catholic Initiation for Adults program) welcomed more than 150,000 new Catholics this year – as it has every year for as long as I can remember. And, while a baptized Catholic may be, in some sense, a Catholic in name only, an adult who goes through the RCIA program is clearly making a free choice after a long period of education.
Looking beyond the U.S. and descending to particulars, we note that, among those recently received into the Church have been Britain’s former prime minister Tony Blair and the Egyptian-Muslim journalist Magdi Allam, a major figure in Italian journalism. Both of these conversions have raised questions: Blair’s because it is not clear how his newly-professed faith squares with his un-Catholic policy decisions, Allam’s because his baptism by the pope during the Easter vigil was deemed by some (though not, I think, by anyone living under 24-hour police protection for fear of assassination) to be an unnecessary afront to Islamic fundamentalists. At the end of the day, however, the fact remains: in the last year, a British prime minister and a prominent Muslim journalist have asked to enter the Roman Catholic Church. In the U.S., three Episcopalian bishops became Catholics last year, and thousands of Episcopalians are knocking on the door.
Returning to our cultural glass, we see, on one hand, that the number of Christians in Europe is declining. In traditionally Catholic countries like Italy and Spain, Catholics are not replacing themselves. The number of Muslims in England’s mosques on Friday is about equal to the number of Anglicans attending church services on Sunday.
On the other hand, the Christianity of the Old World is becoming more Catholic. Before the imposition of Communism, among the Christians of Eastern Germany, the Protestants outnumbered the Catholics by a ratio of about 80 to 1. The ratio today is closer to 3 to 1. England too is now, once again, in practice, a Catholic country. More generally, while it is true that Christians are not replacing themselves, neither are secularists. In fact, the secularists are having even fewer children than the Christians. We frequently hear about the decline of European Christianity, but we will soon be hearing more about the suicide of modern European secularism.
On one hand, we have seen an absurd, anti-Christian novel, The Da Vinci Code, sell over 40 million copies. That the book was taken seriously by anyone is an embarrassment to educators everywhere. On the other hand, Christianity seems to have survived, and we have seen the extraordinary success of Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ, and the similar enthusiasm that greeted the film version of Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings and the first cinematic installment of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia (two of the most popular literary works of the last century, both by ardent Christian intellectuals). At the same time, the atheistic propaganda of Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass turned out to be fool’s gold at the box office.
In the last year, at least three major books were published attacking God. Yet, as many have observed, in the broader scheme of things, these books – mostly regurgitations of hoary arguments from the 1700s Рare little more than atheistic hissy fits, written by authors who didn’t get what they wanted: the decline and fall of the belief in God. The books have swayed few readers. At the risk of offending the authors, it must be admitted that these books are preaching to the converted at its worst.
On the moral front, after 35 years, abortion is still legal in the United States. This is a undoubtedly a tragedy. And yet, the issue has not faded away. Legal abortion has not become part of the woodwork. Even in a Hollywood culture that is neither pro-life nor Christian, there are signs of growing unease with abortion. Within the last year, we have seen three popular films (two of them written by women) about difficult pregnancies in which mothers decide to keep their babies: Juno, Waitress, and Knocked Up. None of these films is an “orthodox” pro-life movie, like Bella, but none of them – with their insistent portrayals (at least in the latter two) of the developing child in the womb Рsupport the phony it’s-just-a-blob-of-tissue line of the abortion lobby. In every one of these films, there is no question that a human life, a baby, is at stake. Even the remake of Dr. Suess’s Horton Hears a Who Рwith its famous message: a person is a person no matter how small! Рcan hardly give comfort to the abortion lobby. The legal status of abortion remains in the hands of the Supreme Court, and one can’t help but notice that 5 of the 9 justices Рa far greater percentage than in the population as a whole Рare Roman Catholics.
On one hand, the pope has stirred up protests, because of his speech at Regensburg, his invitation to speak at the Sapienza University in Rome, and his baptism of Magdi Allam. He has been threatened by Osama bin Laden. These are, perhaps, unfortunate incidents and evidence of a lack of respect for the Holy Father. On the other hand, they are not the kind of things that happen to people whose words and ideas do not matter. A century ago, the papacy may have seemed a vestige of medieval times, marked for extinction in the modern world. This week, the pope of Rome will celebrate his 81st birthday by visiting the White House, and as he stands next to President Bush, there is little question who will be perceived as the man of greater stature. A few days later, in New York City, he will address the general assembly of the United Nations.
So, as the pope looks at the world today and prepares to address its representatives, does he see a glass that is half empty or half full? The answer is what it has always been: “yes.” The glass is both half empty and half full. But how much does it matter? As Christians, we cannot place our hope in such analyses. Nor can we be discouraged by them. The things that seem good can get worse. The things that seem bad can improve. The “sinners” can be converted. The “virtuous” can sin. Everyone must always decide anew. Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins may yet follow the footsteps of Tony Blair and Magdi Allam.
In the end, the glass that we contemplate as we look at the world calls us not so much to an analysis of a static situation (the supposed “pluses” and “minuses” mentioned above), but, above all, to personal conversion, prayer, apostolate and our daily work. Whether things are going well or poorly depends on us.
In the section of his encyclical letter Spe Salvi entitled “The True Shape of Christian Hope”, the pope notes that in the realm of ethics and moral decisions – that is, in the affairs of free human beings – there is no such thing as the kind of incremental progress one observes in the material sciences and technology “for the simple fact that a human being’s freedom is always new and one must always take one’s decisions anew.” Despite all that has happened, we are always, in some sense, beginners.
When he was elected pope, in one of his first Masses, Benedict XVI looked out at the huge crowds and said – and for anyone who was there, the words rang absolutely true – “The Church is alive. The Church is young.” That has always been true, and in many ways it is even truer of that part of the Church that Benedict is about to visit: with all its evident problems and defects, the Church in the U.S. is alive, and it is young.
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Good evening Father Wauck…
glad you are back..
Will you be travelling with the Pope to the USA?
Great post… enjoyed reading it..
And according to the chief statistician of the Vatican, Muslims now outnumber Catholics worldwide. However, Christendom’s 33 percent of world population looms over Islam’s 19 percent overall. But here in Canada I know many families who are courageous and are having large families. Most of my friends have more than 8 children.
I am not able to get down to the USA to see the Holy Father but I am working on going to see him when he hopefully comes to Mexico in 2009. My 15 year old is in Boca Raton and will fly back on Wednesday so I was teasing her that she will fly over the Holy Father. But I have EWTN and our Canadian Station Salt and Light TV and they both will have full coverage so I will have a good seat. I am looking forward to hearing his UN speach. Whatever he says to the Americans is probably meant for us here too.
I watched a lovely panel discusion preparing for his visit, led by Carl Anderson head of the Knights of Columbus last night on Salt and Light TV. What a wonderful man Mr. Anderson is and what an uplifting discussion they had! I am so excited that the Holy Father will be so near to us here. We are praying for his visit.
On Wednesday evening some of my friends and I are getting together to watch a movie made of the Prelate of Opus Dei’s visit to Canada last year. We are all bringing German Food to celebrate the Holy Father’s birthday. We are celebrating his wonderful gift to us of being our good Shepherd.
We do start new each day. Today, I saw the love outpoured for a priest who has given 50 years of love/mortification/pain/happiness in his vocation.
Not one day was the same for him nor will the next be. I simply pray there are many more of those days.
“A good man is hard to find”.
The excitement about Holy Father’s coming is palpable. It’s in the air.
Even if that air gave us blustery winds, and last night, a fast and quick flurry of snow that did not stick.
I am sure heaven is bombarded with prayers for Holy Father’s safe arrival ect., because I got a “all lines are busy now, your call is very important to us, please hold” when I tried mine. j/k
(good thing that is not the case!)
I just wondered all this from another angle. I only have a vauge idea of how Canada views America. I think I have a better idea of how Europe feels about America. Without getting political, I do have to ask..
Could it be, that in a place we least suspect growth in Christ, to be just where the “world” thinks it is absent?
Okay, its a long shot. But, I think its a reasonable thought. Right now, I get the impression that Jesus would be most likely to come to the Samaritan woman than anyone else.
And, that woman proved to be a very good witness did she not?
As beautiful a Mass as it was, there were no alar boys, only girls. And, we finally got to see the deacons step up when it was not Easter Sunday or Christmas… or when our Bishop would be coming by,,,, which is not very often, and sadly not even for this Mass.
Its no wonder that there is a lack of vocations.
The woman I spoke of on the other topic regarding America, who is also attending protestant services, is an Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and I insist on that title, as she insists on “Eucharistic Minister” which drives me wild with consternation! The PRIEST is the ONLY Eucharistic Minister! How dumb can one be and how silly our bulletins, and MANY other Catholic Churches here I have been to ABUSE the title!
I don’t know how many papal documents have to be printed before they “get it” and even if they do, when will anyone care if they do use it correctly???
Apparently not our Bishop who was too busy to attend.
Its not easy trying to soak up all the theology and dogma of the Catholic Church when you have examples like this to follow.
Thanks be to God for priests like mine, and Father Wauck, and the countless others who are striving to show God to the world who is trying to do their very best but led by a bunch of shmucks who dont give a hoot.
PS not implying Father is led by any Smuck, but there is that saying by HOOK or by CROOK for a reason, and the hook is the shepard’s (Bishops’s) wand with a curly Q.
Father mentioned the movie Bella above– here’s something interesting. That bastion of liberal secularism, the Toronto Star (paper with the largest circulation in Canada), loved the movie:
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/413462
The Globe and Mail and the National Post (the most conservative paper) didn’t like it so much– I think there’s a bit of a snob factor here.
My husband heard a very positive review on CBC radio, which he found surprising.
Bella was liked by many here, a shame it did not run longer than it did. Hopefully, it is doing well in DVD sales.
A trenchant analysis, Father John, and a welcome one. It puts me in mind of the classic comment by an engineer when posed with the “half-empty, half-full” question: “It’s neither. Clearly, the problem is an over-sufficient quantity of glass to begin with.” But I think you’re right: what matters most is the quality of the water, not the quantity. God can raise up children of the Kingdom from the stones…the real issue is how we are living our lives as God’s sons and daughters.
Listening to NPR here in Michigan today, I was struck by the reductionism of most of the commentary: the Pope as world leader, the Pope as ecclesiastical politician or policeman, the Pope as interfering nag, etc. What they seem to miss is the role he fulfills as Witness. Ah me: time to break out my old copy of Whittaker Chambers, I guess.
Jerry
“Ah me: time to break out my old copy of Whittaker Chambers”
Both for the prosecution and the defence…alternativly
Oh Jerry,
Which one… the one *before* or *after* he turned traitor.. again,and again??
Now HE would make a great “Witness”..
Jerry,
It looks like your blog honeymoon may be over. You’re now “fully in.”
Jerry– The Pope had no connection with the “pumpkin papers” you silly. he didn’t even come from a communist country, like the former Pope. What are you trying to suggest here?
I think that the connection is word association (football… for those who recall the Monty Python sketch), but does anyone remember the part of Witness about God’s existence and the ear of Whittaker Chambers’ daughter? Speaking of interesting connections…
Yes I do.. ‚ÄúWhere‚Äôs the Rest of Me?‚Äù Pesident Reagan’s Autobiography..
>”Mr. Reagan had cited ‚Äúthe tragic and lonely Whittaker Chambers‚Äù as an inspiration. He has often referred to Mr. Chambers‚Äôs account of turning from communism and finding a belief in God the day he pondered the intricacies of nature represented by ‚Äúthe sight of his infant daughter‚Äôs ear.‚Äù
By the Way,Father Wauck….It is now (according to Mr.Allen on *CNN*)allmost official;-
..
“The Pope wears *Prada* ”
I will be watching his arrival on CNN and / or RAI uno today…
Related to Jerry’s comment above, and also giving you a little “Canadian content”– here’s a quote from the Salt and Light Television blog on Benedict’s visit:
“This evening I sat in my hotel room along with fellow producer Kris Dmytrenko and our cameraman Wally Tello watching the local TV coverage of the Pope‚Äôs immanent arrival. The news reporters were to be commended for their excitement and attention given to the Pope‚Äôs trip (Indeed, the entire half hour newscast was dedicated to the arrival and itinerary of Pope Benedict). However, they failed to once mention the words CHRIST, HOPE, FAITH, REVIVAL, INSPIRATION‚Ķand these are the words that truly describe what a papal visit should mean for Catholics.”
Here’s the link to the whole thing:
http://www.saltandlighttv.org/blog/
And live stream from USCCB of papal visit, for those of us who don’t have cable/satellite tv:
http://www.uspapalvisit.org/
Corriera della Sera…
¬´Una vergogna profonda¬ª. Cos?¨ Papa Benedetto XVI ha affrontato la vicenda degli abusi sessuali che hanno scosso la Chiesa Cattolica negli Stati Uniti, e si ?® impegnato a fare tutto il possibile per evitare che simili scandali si ripetano in futuro. ¬´I pedofili saranno completamente esclusi dal sacerdozio¬ª, ha detto ai giornalisti a bordo dell’aereo che lo sta portando a Washington per la sua prima visita da pontefice negli Stati Uniti. ¬´Ci vergogniamo profondamente e faremo tutto il possibile affinch?© questo non si ripeta¬ª.
>
I have coppied the original just in case I make a mistake in the translation into english..
>
It is the first visit by a Pope since 2002 when the scandalous series of s*xual abuse started to emerge,costing the US Dioceses more than 2**milliarden**= 2 billion Dollars in compentiation and legal-fees>
Spokespersons representing,some victoms,of such abuse, are asking for the UN to investigate, the *involement* of the Vatican in a *cover-up* ???? That would surely distract from “the other” issue (Anulments rate in the USA)
My opinion is, that Pope Benedikt will handle these issues,with *his very own air of authority*,calm and decisive..
Never-the-less,I wish Him,and all Catholics and non Catholics,in the USA,that the outcome of this visit be a memorable and satisfying one..
ooops I left out the first part in english and second in italian in sorry …here it is..
Said Pope Benedikt XVI on the s*x abuse scandal which confronted the Catholic Church in the USA and that he is intent on doing his best in making sure s similar scandal will never hapen in future>
Everything possible will be done to prevent such a profound disgrace ever being repeted,he told journalists on board the plane taking him to Washington on his first visit as Pope to the USA.
Second part in italian;–
E’ la prima volta che un papa visita gli Usa dopo il 2002, anno in cui hanno cominciato ad emergere una serie di abusi sessuali costati alle diocesi pi?? di 2 miliardi di dollari di risarcimenti legali.
Sorry about the *mixup*
What happend to my printing colour???
Nice to be “fully in,” you all. Tony, many thanks for your efforts on my regard; I’ve heard from one of the locals (Dan) and will be chatting with him on Friday: ora pro me.
Sandra: before, I think. After he left CPUSA, before he became Quaker. What a tormented soul; and yet “A Letter to my Children” is one piece of his writing that will endure, I think, until time gets rolled up like a scroll.
ARN: it’s true. I’m silly. No pumpkins associated with Papa Benedetto, that’s for sure.
Fr. John: Correct: football. And silly walks. And knights who say …
Love to all,
Jerry
“NI”
What’s ‘e gonna do? Nibble on…
Time to go to bed here in Rome. The pope must be just arriving at Fort Andrews.
I have a feeling that the papal visit is going to surprise many people. For some reason, the popular response to the pope always seems to take the media commentators off guard. You’d think that, after all those years with JPII, they’d have learned, but they really didn’t. Reporters were surprised here at the funeral for John Paul II. And now the crowds at St. Peter’s for Benedict XVI (three years after his election, so it’s not just “carry over” from JPII) continue to surprise.
I wonder if it’ll be as big as when JPII came to NYC in ’78-79. Somehow i doubt it as there seems to be less buzz, or maybe it just seems so b/c I’m no longer working and so out of the loop. Back then our office scheduled a conference at the same time as the papal visit-dismal timing- and it was all we could do to get a block of hotel rooms for the attendees. Everything was sold out.
Dunno. Probably not…. but still I suspect that Benedict is being under-estimated or, rather, the interpretation of Catholicism by the major media, which naturally enough focuses on “problem issues,” is not a good gauge of general Joe-Catholic sentiment. In other words, there is a Catholic world that often seems to fly under the conventional media’s radar.
Since the post deals with conversions, I can’t resist quoting this note just sent to me by a good friend from Scotland:
An interview with President Bush ahead of the Popes visit to the US.
Do you think he will convert? He is certainly more Catholic than Blair!
http://ewtn.edgeboss.net/wmedia/ewtn/multicast/video/windowsmedia/bush_wo_411_300k.wvx
Bush?? Nah…. He’s more of the John-Hagee-Whore-of-Babylon persuasion.
The Pope’s just arrived in Andrews AF base. It’s good to know he’s spared normal air travel and dreary plastic airport restaurants, going through security with his red Pradas in his hand. When he comes tho NYC it will be another series of gridlock days like it is when the president is in town. Roadblocks and motorcycle cops all over the place.
Bush and Catholicism, the WaPo’s take:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/11/AR2008041103327.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
ARN: Ni, icki icki icki (I wonder what our non-English-speaking friends will think of all this nonsense). Ah well: at least no one will shout “Bring … me … a … shrubbery!”
Or at least I hope not.
Heard the Pope’s arrival reported on the local Catholic radio, basically the audio feed from EWTN with Raymond Arroyo doing the narration. Glad the Holy Father arrived safely… even though I’ve not returned home (yet: I’m working on it), I did offer a Rosary for his safety, what with the whole Bin Laden death threat etc.
Fr. John: I suspect you’re right. The MSM seldom gets it right about matters religious or spiritual over here. They’re all infected, imho, with the need to dialectically reduce every issue to two opponents…most often “progressives” v. “traditionalists” or “conservatives” v. “liberals.” And I agree that they’re nowhere nearly ready enough to deal with a man whose thinking is subtle, integrated, culturally rich, and objective about truth. I’ll be especially interested to hear what he has to say at the U.N. later in the week.
Back to doing my taxes now.
Jerry
I have just heard Pope Benedikt’ (original sopund) respoonse given during his flight, to John Allen’ question regarding the issue that was mentioned in my above Citation from the Corriere della Sera..
As I had expected VERY calm and VERY convincing.. He expressed his disgust and personal deep shame about the *betrayal* by priests who’s duty it was to give help,comfort and *love* to their parishoners,especially children…
One sentence was most telling of his thoughts on this;-
>
This was said after stressing,that the semenaries are urged to make even more effort, to ensure that ONLY persons of a strong,rightzous chracter,and frame of mind are allowed go on to become priests.. It is also his earnest aim, to ensure that Tutors and Profesors at such seminaries are more thoroughly instructed / taught,as how to reach this goal..
ERGO!!Is the Catholicism’s Glass: Half Empty or Half Full??? I take it, He, would rather have the *glass*, *less full* but contain, more *good Catholics*..
Did you inform His Holyness regarding the *title* of your new Post Father Wauck..OR!! did you have pre-knowledge of HIS response to Mr. Allen?? jk.
For 82 he is still “a fine figure of a man”… “Ein echter *Mannsbild* “.. as they would say in Bayern.. *Bavaria*
Sandra, I think the HF turns 81 tomorrow… but hey, I’m just a fallen-away feeling his way back home, so my math is probably suspect.
Tschuss,
Gerhard
Why each time I write a commet some of it is missing… escapes me!!! lol
Any way The Sentane that I found so very impressive..is:-
******”it is better to have good priests than many priests”..*******
sorry I must change this keyboard…. SOON!!
Ach, quatsch! Es fehlt ein Umlaut! Tschuess, so meine Ich. Verzeihung!
Clearly, if I have enough time to make spelling errors in multiple languages, I have to focus more attention on finishing one thing at a time! How embarrassing!
You are right Gerhard…aka Jerry..81st birthday on the 16th (it is my grand-daughter’ 22nd) my finger must have slipped between 1 and 2 on the keyboard.. and the 2 stuck.. Thanks for correcting me..
BTW. Don’t fall too hard.. (far)
Ah! Jerry you are in (multiple) good company as far as typos and misspelling goes…
**und tsch?ºss** bis bald..
“Or at least I hope not.”
But if so, do get one that’s nice…and not *too* expensive!
Tsch?ºss = Cheerio… = Addio,addio…
Little anecdote… Claudio Villa (Italian singer) reached 9th place in the “Grand Prix de la Chanson”(1962) with the song “Addio,addio” … I had to *wiki* that, as I could not remember the name of the singer, nor the year.. I just recalled the title..
Jusqu’alors.. Addio,addio.= ’till later = bis bald…
ENOUGH!!! playing arround…back to the “real world”, of, trafic-jams and “Roadblocks and motorcycle cops all over the place”.
Have a nice evening all
“at least no one will shout ‚ÄúBring ‚Ķ me ‚Ķ a ‚Ķ shrubbery!‚Äù
—ah, but we may taunt yew….
Transcript of remarks aboard papal plane from John Allen:
http://ncrcafe.org/node/1736
Thanks for the transcript Michelle …my account was pretty sketchy..I was quoting from memmory should not have.. any way I will watch RAI for a few minutes more then off to bed
good night all
Sandra, thanks for translating Tschuess for us. Here’s one I’ve never understood the origins of: “servus.” Used to hear it regularly when I was a student at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, years and years ago.
Ah, Michelle … but will yew (groan/smile) send me away and require me to be taunted anozzer time? One can only hope.
Speaking of which, a nice turn of phrase by one of the commentators earlier today: “This visit isn’t about Benedict our Pope… it’s about Christ our Hope!”
Jerry
Thank you for the link Father. Bush is a Catholic, and does not even realize it yet.
It was nice to see Cardinal George greet Holy Father.
Many priests here were not able to get tickets, but some that did, spoke on TV tonight.
Jerry,
Glad to hear you and Dan connected. I look forward to hearing good news from your meeting, and to Dan bringing Timbits back to Minnesota when he returns.
By the way, I believe Dan’s a shrubber.
Well, Tony, since we’re not holding our meeting at Tim’s, but rather at a local coffeehouse, I’ll be sure to find out when he’s heading back to MN and purchase the Timbits in a more timely fashion. Nothing worse than stale Timbits, except nothing but Timbit crumbs, eh?
And I’ll be sure to query Dan on his shrubbery habits.
“Ni, Jerry.” I mean “No, Jerry.” Seriously, I don’t think he’ll have any idea about that sort of thing. Actually, his uncle, Roger the Shrubber, would be a good one to talk to about that. Roger’s the one who arranges, designs, and sells, shrubbery. Dan doesn’t do any of that stuff.
Don’t worry about the donuts. Dan’s on the case.
Ah yes… Roger’s the very one… and his brother Henry… the Shrubber’s Brother…
We *will* get donuts to you, one way or t’other. Count on it.
Just found that I actually have to pay taxes this year. That’s good news…means I’ve earned income!
Oh! Jerry….
“sevus”
I expect you can guess the meaning…
Depite,your, “multi-linguistical” typos,spelling-misshaps, you fool us not…
I reamain Sir, with repect,*your servant* = Ihr Diener.. = from the Latin *servare*
This form of greeting,was once, used only in the Sie form (for persons not intim friends, family), today it is used also in the Du form… personal friends family.. and / or strangers..
Gr?º?ü Gott is another form of greeting,used primarily in Bavaria and Austria..
No fear, I’ll not bore you all with that one …
In my last comment a *slilght* mistake,
I forgot to add “the Itaian serviere” before “the Latin servare (pre-serve.)”
Just listening to “The Lord’s Prayer” by Kathleen Battle… Beautifull!!!
Now I will hear the speeches by George Bush and Pope Benedickt….
Michelle,(or any other) can you post the Transcript of the Poe’s speech ,please…
Danke vielmals, Sandra,
I suspect I typed “servus” because I usually heard it either in Bayerisch oder Oesterreichesch… ohne R, aber, macht alles klar!
Gr?º?ü Gott is one greeting I heard what seemed to be millions of times a day (the Bavarians and Salzburgers were, to this American, at least, unfailingly polite). It still makes me smile every time I hear it, and puts me in mind of the little poem by Hillaire Belloc,
Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,
There’s always laughter and good red wine.
At least I’ve always found it so.
Benedicamus Domino!
Lots of Catholic sun in the south of Germany. If I could, once my doctorate’s signed off, I’d gladly move to Oberau or Passau or Melk, and live happily for the rest of my days.
A small pity that they chose Malotte’s version of the Lord’s Prayer: one of the most quintessentially Protestant pieces of music in America (of course, since I’m still fighting my way back home, I suppose I don’t really have any standing to whine about it).
Bis bald,
Jerry
Sandra , everyone– looks like you can get transcripts of the Holy Father’s words on the Vatican website as they become available– not all the links are yet active, probably they will gradually become so. In any case, these will be the official ones, so here’s the link:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/travels/2008/index_stati-uniti_en.htm
If this great Associated Press story is any indication of how the press is reacting to the pope’s visit, then I feel confirmed in what I was saying above about the pope’s popular appeal continuing to surprise.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-BMdyBE1OTgcAGkicARRoO_-kSQD9032JJG0
Jerry,
“A small pity that they chose Malotte‚Äôs version of the Lord‚Äôs Prayer: one of the most quintessentially Protestant pieces of music in America”
As Pope Benedickt himself is promoting *interfaith* discussion,that would seem quite appropriate.. IMHO.
Whichever way we look at it, *praising the Lord*, is allways good.
I am off to work..so with this, I wish you all a good day..
Well, here’s a good first indication of how Benedict’s visit compares with the one’s of JPII. Sounds familiar:
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 17, 2008
Filed at 9:58 a.m. ET
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Washington Nationals stadium on Thursday for his first public Mass in the United States, waving to the crowd as he stood in the back of a white popemobile.
Tens of thousands of people waved back as the German-born pope was driven through the grounds. A crowd of 46,000 was expected, and the demand for tickets doubled the supply, organizers said.
Barbara and Michael Loh of Williamsburg, Va., sat alone in the stands taking in the scene. They were among the first to arrive.
”I’ve been Catholic all my life and … my dream has always been to see the pope,” said Barbara Loh, tearing up.
At 5:45 a.m., more than four hours before the Mass, it was standing-room only on subways. …
For others, there was nothing more important than getting in, and many people without tickets stood outside the subway station with signs pleading for extras.
Fair points both, Sandra. I’m probably being professionally picayune. And the Pope’s ecumenical/interfaith mission **is** important, contextually, I agree. As is the deeper question of motive and love, as the Anglican divine (and metaphysical poet) George Herbert writes:
Teach me, my God and King,
In all things thee to see;
And what I do In anything,
To do it as for thee.
All may of thee partake;
Nothing can be so mean,
Which with this tincture, “for thy sake,”
Will not grow bright and clean.
A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine:
who sweeps a room, as for thy laws.
Makes that and the action fine.
This is the famous Stone
Which turneth all to gold;
For that which God doth touch and own
Cannot for less be told.
I just wish the music we make were of better quality overall. For that matter, I’d settle for the Sistine Choir singing Palestrina without vibrato and in tune. Okay, done venting now. Mea culpa, all.
Jerry
Jerry,sorry if you took my comment as a rebuke,it was not ment to be..
I wrote that as I was leaving for work.. It was not ment to have sounded, so “head mistress” like..
Mea culpa!!
Pope is meeting s*x abuse victims! Was this on his original agenda?
ARN– from what I’ve been reading, I think a lot of people are maybe not surprised– the whole issue seems to have been very much on his mind. I was reading John Allen earlier, he put the interview aboard the papal plane in context:
http://ncrcafe.org/node/1743
ARN, I expect it must have been.
I can not imagine that such a meeting could be aranged “off the cuff”.
The responsible security servics (American and Papal), would have to have been informed well in advance,as the victims attending (at least five) would surely have to be thouroghly *investigated* don’t you think?
Reading the views of most victims,it seems that their issue is more,with *what* disciplinary action, the Vatican is aiming to take towards the Bishops,who helped (by repearedly covering up) to enable those priests to continue in their abuse..
Anne Barrett Doyle co-director of Bishop Accountability “Rather than shifting attention to p*dophile priests, he needs to focus on the culpability of bishops,‚Äù she said. ‚ÄúThe crisis occurred because many U.S. bishops were willing to hide their priests‚Äô crimes from the police with lies.‚Äù..
So many of those Bishops,are still in their same *position*,despite it being shown,they should have acted more swiftly,in bringing those abusers to justice,by not doing so they *aided and a-beted*, resulting in even more suffering … that is indisputable.. even for those,who claim to have acted in the best interests of the victims,and their diocese.
Now Pope Benedikt HAS met victims “real-time”,remains to be seen what further steps (if any),the Pope takes..
In my opinion.. a conciderable step taken by BenediktXVI,and highly unpresidented..
“Hut ab” = I raise my hat.. I am,at least am impressed.
Mom is taping every spot she can on the Catholic Channel and on the main cable networks for me.. How odd. She also mailed to me a day ago, a ton of old Catholic books and a Catholic bilbe and some other things, some very interesting, that she has picked up at odd places. She was telling me she plans on listening very carefully to the tapes again, before mailing to me.
Its clear from what she sent, she has spent some time in this. She even has left bookmarks on pages she found of interest. I am stunned. She tells me that she is currently going through a Catholic Magazine she subscribed to in order to find out about First Holy Communion dresses for the child, (bit early though!)
She told me today she will attend her First Holy Communion!
All this, its overwhelming.
*correction*- bible- not bilbe… IS there such a thing as a bilbe?
Why not talk about the scandal? And the Bishops who turned away from their own?
Shakespeare:
Man, proud man
Dressed in a little brief authority,
Most ignorant of what he’s most assur’d,
His glossy essence, like an angry ape,
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As to make angels weep.
God Love Holy Father!
Are Timbits like Kripsy Cremes?
I think I would rather have a deep fried mars bar myself. Sandra?
Helen,Mars bar…ooooh soft spot hit…
I am very pleased for you,to hear about your mother’s sending you those items.I know how you feel about her religious *tendences*,it will maybe “build bridges” for you both.. That would be nice for your daughter..
The Shakespeere quote I liked.. thanks for posting it..
I must be off,the work place is calling…and around 70+ children to boot..
Do I hear a sigh of envy?? Well,some people have all the luck
“Bilbe” is there such a word? Well, there is now….
I *invent* new words with continuity,as you all know..
“I must be off,the work place is calling…and around 70+ children to boot..”
I thought you said you were against all forms of violence? That seems kind of harsh, don’t you think?
Helen, that’s terrific news about your mom and the eventual Holy Communion. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Timbits are essentially donut holes — smaller (and most of the time denser) than the typical KrispyKreme, although in my experience cooked in much less lard. And of course since they’re smaller, they must have fewer calories, no?
Tony, had a great first chat with Dan this morning. There are some remarkable parallels in our past experiences, and all for the good. I’m very encouraged and hopeful. Thanks for brokering the introduction, and for your prayers.
Spent much of the rest of the day working on the draft of a journal article about conducting. The “exciting” life of the professional musician isn’t nearly as romantic as the media paints it, I’m afraid. But the work went well, if slowly, and it’s about as good as I can make it for now (there are always revisions, always). Tomorrow is another rehearsal for the Faure: should be good fun for all concerned.
Jerry
thought of Father’s remarks about press coverage of Benedict’s visit– I had sent an email to my son with a link to the Boston Globe article about the Holy Father’s meeting with abuse victims. He sent back “I’ve actually been really impressed with the respect that the mainstream media in the States has given him, and how favourably people view him! ”
Also wrt to Father’s point about the average Catholic Joe flying under MSM radar– my oldest kids were really pleased when Benedict was elected Pope, and I think it is in large part because of the general impression they had formed of him independently– we really weren’t talking about individual candidates or comparing them in our house. They had heard his remarks about the abuse scandals, had read about him occasionally in the papers– maybe our old copy of “The Ratzinger Report” was kicking around ( though I haven’t seen it in awhile) and they read a bit of it. In any case, the young people in this house always thought well of him, and the son of a friend of mine actually phoned home when his election was announced at school, to make sure his mom heard the great news.
Helen– nice news about your mom. Prayers from here.
btw– wrt to krispy cremes and timbits– Krispy Kreme tried to make a go of it in these parts a few years ago. It didn’t succeed.
Tony,Tony…tut tut …Is your imagination running away with you??
Although I know (hope),you understood my comment,I will never the less explain in DETAIL
“to boot” means … GET it!
If I, as you (I hope jokingly) sujested would even think for one moment, of “booting” even one Child / person,that would not be “kind of harsh” …. it would be despicable
Michelle, yes I also have great respect for Pope Benedikt.
I must say though,that I had hoped he would have found “harsher” words for the leaders of the world, concerning Darfor,and Simbabwe,and many more humanitarian crisises. It wuold have been a good opertunity to appeal to their consiences,and human duties,while the whole world was listening.. not only the Catholic world.. But then,I supose he must be wary of his comments,as they have been “missrepresented” in the past.
His meeting with President Bush was private,and it had been agreed on that the content also remain so .
Perhaps he was able there,to,appeal at least to his conscience, with a positive result for the future..
State aproved abortions,for the flimsiest of reasons is despicable,while agreeing with this, some States, still uphold,the death-penalty,the murdering of inocent men women and children in State finaced wars..
In the eyes of Christians this sounds at the least paradox,if not down right hypocracy..IMHO.
Sorry Tony and all AGAIN part of my comment to Tony has not “gone through”
I will try again Father Wauck please delete the first..thankyou.
Tony;I wrote the following:-
.. Which means that there were 70+ children as well as the work place awaiting me. Was your imagination runing wild?
Violence against anyone is not a *little harsh* it is unforgivable..
Writing to boot means as well as …
I see that when a certain phrase is repeated it does not go through to the blog..
I am sorry for the mix-up.. please try to put my comments into context..
Sandra, I think that Tony was just teasing you.
Jerry, I seem to have missed out on something when I was AWOL for a while. What kind of composing do you do?
Wonderful to hear about your mother’s interest in the faith, Helen. I wil be praying for her.
I am not surprised by the relative absence of harsh words about war and the death penalty in the pope’s speeches. In the Church’s teaching, the morality of these things depends upon the circumstances (both war and capital punishment can, in some cases, be just). The morality of deliberately killing the innocent – murder or abortion – doesn’t depend upon any circumstances. It is simply wrong – always and everywhere. It can never be just. So it is much easier to speech loudly and clearly about it.
In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if – stretching a bit perhaps – some defenders of the current Iraq war were to point to the pope’s UN speech as justification for the US intervention… since the international commmunity clearly wasn’t doing its part in defending the dignity of Iraqi citizens under Saddam Hussein.
Father Wauck,I did think / hope Tony was “teasing” me .. but ,as Tony so rightly pointed out;- what we write here is probably read by others.. hence my reply.. (explaination)
Father,you write,
you would not be surprised if, “..some defenders of the current Iraq war were to point to the pope‚Äôs UN speech as justification for the US intervention‚Ķ since the international commmunity clearly wasn‚Äôt doing its part in defending the dignity of Iraqi citizens under Saddam Hussein.” I can not truely,totally agree with that… The Simbawean citezens are suffering just as much, and that,as far as I know, for a little longer.. Plus,despite the, YEARLY promise of help for Darfor,very little is REALY being done by the members of the UN countries…
If it were not for,volunteer charity workers,private initiatives, religious sponsored aid,even more poor people would be,dieing *un-necessarily* , minute for minute, day for day..
This,is a stain,on all our Gouvernment’s so loudly professed “white vest”, which they like,on such occasions,to flount in the face of “less democratic” countries…
Apart from that, the Pope has,in the past,condemned the (intervention)invasion of Iraq,or am I mistaken?
..Or..which I do not / can not believe… the Pope has changed his views on this?
The fact that the Pope,during the reception,in his honor at the White House,did not explicity mention the Iraq *intervention* by the US (and allies),was an act of courtesey towards the US president,and US citizens..
The UN,is completely,another matter.. IMHO..
I’m not suggesting that the pope was in favor of the invasion of Iraq. He wasn’t. I’m just saying that the logic of what he said at the UN could be used to justify it in retrospect. Again, I don’t think that this was what he meant to say, but the words themselves are open to such an interpretation.
And your (very true) comments about Darfur would actually be useful for such a justification. In other words, if the United Nations as a group does not uphold human dignity in some country, is that simply the end of the story? Or should individual nations take action by themselves?
Complicating matters, of course, is the fact that human dignity is being violated gravely and on a massive scale all over the place – not least of all in Europe and North America, where – among other things – legal abortion (sometimes state-funded) is racking up casualty numbers that make Darfur look like a pacificist picnic. Should nations concerned about the dignity of the unborn (Guatemala, the Philippines, some Islamic countries?) consider intervening in Europe and North America?
Father John: I primarily compose sacred choral music, along with creating new performing editions of Renaissance sacred and secular choral/vocal works. A few pieces for orchestra, but that’s not really my metier. About 60 or so in print at this point, with one recording done and a second due for release in July.
Jerry
Father Wauck,I sincerly hope,you did not realy mean the following..
The people who seek abortions do this mainly by CHOICE………What CHOICE do the peoples of Darfur have??
The UN is a body of Nations,suposedly, dedicated to upholding ,the *human rights* of all nations..
To *unitedly* take action against,repressors of such unquestionable, basic human requirements,as, sufficient food,for to be able to live. To be able to live peacefully.
To recieve a decent wage for their days work,which is one of the things asked / required of us (to ensure)in the Bible ..
By actions, I do not nescessarily mean “invasion”.. I mean,AID.. And not just *promises*.
The Rich Nations have *robed* the 3rd world countries for centuries,of their *natural resources* It is,
*pay back time*.
The African nations have been systematically, ivaded,robed,abused,and enslaved throughout history.. Not only were Christians, not opposed to this,far from it,they *partook* whole heartedly,and with the utmost brutality..
We should never forget the debt we owe them for that..
In those days there was no such thing as *United Nations*,now there is.. they should live up to that name, and stand *together* in combating the atrocities which are, all too obviously, still going on ..
We,as Christians,are obligated to demand such action…
Again my comment is partialy missing, due to repeating your writen words Father wauck,(I refered to your last reply to me)..in which I asked, if you really ment what you wrote…
I was refering to your comment on,Abortion causing more deaths than,the famin,and wars in Africa,Iraq usw..
It seems the “trip-wire” picks upon *repeats* within a comment now.
Ah well, must be more carefull in future..
Cardinal L??pez Trujillo, RIP. EWTN announced it during coverage of The Holy Father’s event at Dunwoodie Seminary.
Father, from your comment to Jerry: “I seem to have missed out on something when I was AWOL for a while,” it sounds like you may not have had a chance to play any catch-up on the blog goings-on done in your absence—all under “Despite Not Being Taught, Catholicism Hangs in There.”
You don’t know the half of it! We had a very meaty discussion which I think was very relevant to a point you made in your post, regarding the Catholic Church having sharper borders in terms of doctrine and practice than other “churches.”
It really would be great to hear your thoughts on the discussion. We were flying a little blind on a couple issues.
On another note, check out this article from CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/04/19/pope.youth.ap/
Here’s a quote from the article that you may find interesting – read closely the name of the institution conducting the research.
“Only 14 percent of Catholics between the ages of 20 and 40 attend Mass at least weekly, according to a study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostate at Georgetown University. Other polls find that Americans are switching religions more than ever or leaving faith altogether, with the Catholic church feeling those trends acutely.”
Oh yeah, props to Northridge in the article, too.
Good heavens. Applied Research in the Apostate! Now, who do you suppose that would be?
Yes, Sandra, legal abortion in the US alone has caused infinitely more deaths than the Iraq War or the famine/war in Darfur (more than the genocides in Armenia and Nazi Germany too). And those who die in abortion – just like those who die in Darfur – don’t choose to die either. I’m not suggesting that Guatemala invade the US, but I am suggesting that the logic of intervention on behalf of human dignity could – if applied in an even-handed way – cut in some pretty interesting directions.
Thanks for the explanation, Jerry. Very interesting.
Father Wauck,I agree that neither agree to die.. (being murdered)
I would be interested to know where the *statistics* can be found to uphold your comment. (real question, not, an accusation that this may not be true) …
Besides, I do not want to get into the *who wins* or,as in this case, who LOSES..in the war of statistics.. As far as I am concerned,ANY ONE life (innocent or not), deliberately taken,is one TOO many.. and anyone who partakes or condones this, is answerable to God.. and mankind.. *to boot*.
What ever hapened to, “Turn the other cheek?? . “Vengance is MINE,sayeth the LORD” “Thou shalt NOT kill” ? We can not pick and choose when confronted with the 10 Commandments,which of them we desire to adhere to…. or, even ascertain, as to who should,in our view die.. or can we?
While God alowed Satan to *try* Hiob,in every way possible,He made one very explicit condition,that he was to, *stop short* of taking his life…
Through the Ages,many men and women have given their lives,(and later become Saints)upholding those very Commandments.. In our efforts to become Saints (I refer here to your own Patron’s words),is this not a major requirement? I would like to think so.
I must be on my way,as my daughter is waiting for me to help her out in the restaurant.
I wish you all, a very peacefull and enjoyable Sunday.
Father, it looks like CARA has shifted its focus, eh? I’ll defer to the folks at Georgetown on this subject. After all, it is their “forum,” so to speak. (He he he).
There are just so many ways to go from just this one little typo, isn’t there? That’s rich.
Sandra, the statistics on legal abortion in the US are a matter of public record. These are the numbers published on the Alan Guttmacher website (a pro-abortion institute associated with Planned Parenthood, lest anyone think that I’m relying on pro-lifers for this data):
“In 2005, 1.21 million abortions were performed, down from 1.31 million in 2000. From 1973 through 2005, more than 45 million legal abortions occurred. (Jones RK et al., Abortion in the United States: incidence and access to services, 2005, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2008, 40(1):6‚Äì16.)”
Clearly, the number of legal abortions in the US dwarfs the number of casualties in Iraq, Darfur, Armenia and Nazi Germany – both annually and cumulatively; in fact, it is much more than all of them put together.
Let me repeat that I am not suggesting that we need more military interventions, and “vengeance” has absolutely nothing to do with the argument. The pope was talking about protecting human dignity not about punishing or avenging crimes. His point was that it is sometimes necessary to intervene in the affairs of other nations in order to protect human dignity. I am merely suggesting that, if taken seriously, that could have some surprising consequences.
This is not the point of what I was saying above, but – by the way – the text of the Bible is not a particularly good tool for making arguments against all forms of killing. The Old Testament commandment “Thou shalt not kill” only prohibits murder, not capital punishment or military killing. This is clear not only for linguistic reasons, but also because the Old Testament tells us that God actually commands both capital punishment and military killing.
Tony, Fr. Dr. John … the truth’s out at last: apostate. Dovetails perfectly with the typo (I hope!) in the bulletin at my workplace today: The Apostle’s Creed. Kind of makes one want to ask, “Which one? Peter? James? Paul? Some vague consensus, based on the majority position held by 7 out of 12?”
Father, for what it’s worth, most of the time I’m a choral conductor. Composing’s just my side job … and writing articles, columns, and chapters that end up in other people’s books. If you drop me an email I’ll be glad to send a few samples of the music; the second CD should be released in July if the folks at GIA Publications in Chicago can get the production issues resolved.
Jerry
“Father Wauck,I agree that neither agree to die.. (being murdered)
I would be interested to know where the *statistics* can be found to uphold your comment. ”
Sandra-The abortion numbers are very high as Fr Wauck says. Nobody denies that. They’d probably be even higher under the expanded definition of abortion-those that happen via the BC pill which at times works by flushing out fertilized ova before they implant in the uterus.
Well we can throw our hands up and say whatcha gonna do, given those numbers fighting to save Darfurian lives seems so much a drop in the bucket, so trivial. Unless you’re a Darfurian of course. This is where the two, abortion and the suffering and deaths of indisputably alive human beings, loses the moral equivalence the the pro-lifers insist on. The aborted fetus isn’t even aware of itself, not so a person gang-raped before being shot to death.
True, in Canon law, a life is a life. Consider this thought experiment though: If you had the means to save one Darfurian from death OR one fetus from abortion, but not both, which would you choose?
I’m not carrying any water for the pro-choice people, I hate it too. A lot has to change in this country to minimize the number of abortions (never will be zero) besides people’s hearts and minds. Businesses here, our economic life, is predicated on a disciplined work force which doesn’t present their employers with uncontrolled fertility and surprise pregnancies. Maybe conditions were more accomodating in the past. No more, let’s face it.
What I’m saying is that the abortion numbers shouldn’t appall you into *inertia*. Better to light a single candle than curse the darkness.
You folks may be interested to know that there is a bill in the works here in Canada, bill C 484, the Unborn Victims of Crime bill, that would essentially treat the murder of a pregnant woman as two murders. Pro -choice people are decrying it as the thin edge of the wedge, because it would give an unborn child formal recognition in Canadian law– currently there is no such recognition.
There is also a new website up, called Pro Woman Pro Life, that is similar to the US website Feminists for Life. It speaks about abortion as being inextricably tied to human rights– in that it does grave harm to those rights and to women by devaluing life and ultimately limiting choices for women.
here’s the link, I highly recommend it : http://www.prowomanprolife.org/?page_id=5
“The Apostle’s Creed.” (Jerry’s bulletin, above).
Jerry, maybe they’re actually subconsciously projecting. Although it wouldn’t be historically accurate, it would kind of fit with the Protestant notion of “to each his own.” This apostle believed this, this apostle believed that, etc. One misplaced apostrophe and, voila, further support for individual interpretation! Convenient device.
Father Wauck,I hope I am not appearing *argumentative* here,as I do not intend to..
BTW my origial comment was less to do with abortion,than the other things mentioned…
I read your reply(s) to my comments about “thou shallt not kill*,in which you state,that the OT *in some cases* commands both the death penalty and military intervention resulting in killing.
***(I use other wording to avoid my comment being repeatative,and therefore not going through)***
My reply is the following;
(from the New Testament,a significant guide for Christians.)
One of the big obstacles to loving our enemies is that we feel like justice is not done. But St.Paul says,
(Romans 12:17-21)
The Commandment says … but does not say “except when………”
AND AGIN What is wrong here!!!
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. (18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (19) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‚ÄúVengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.‚Äù (20) To the contrary, ‚Äúif your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.‚Äù (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
God’commandment does state that we should not kill,this is not followed by, “unless……”
Hello again everyone!
Better news!
Holy Father must have made an impact on Bush, as we know yesterday he was demanding that parochial schools must get more support from us…
No one mentioned that here yet, so even though its “old news” I thought to mention it. I think its rather important.
Mom bought today, a crucifix. She said, if she can try to look at it even for a minute a day, she may be able to step closer to Christ in prayer.
(pinch me)
And, that was the best birthday present I ever had.
She is a good mom.
(she always celbrated my birth the day before or after) so, for me- it was today. I will go with that, as I get to be younger doing it “her way” LOL
Dear Sandra,
And here we see the God of the Hebrew Scriptures, and the God of the New Testament- no conflict as they are one in the same God.
Unless…, we are going to go down that road together?
Forgot to mention, Jerry- I wish we had you at my parish.
I don’t know if prayers from a Chicagoan will help in this case, but you can count on mine!
Can you believe (I can though) that the music director played “this little light of mine” today at Holy Mass?
Well, my child knows that one by heart. And, when she heard it, she sang her heart out with her hands in the air swaying back and forth, (can’t blame her- its what she learned in VBS) clapping loudly, and with all the swaying to the beat…(proud as I was, I was uncomfortable with that)
the older couple directly in front of us turned around and told her she ought to be in the choir.
(this has happened before, when she has sung the Our Father)
I have no musical ability, nor my husband. I am not promoting such lyrics at Holy Mass, simply telling you that I am glad you are here, I often wonder if she could just as easily sing some others, if only I promoted it. She sings the Hail Mary also. Dont ask how she does the Rosary, its very unique. Part singing, up and with her hands in the air, part kneeling with her head bowed, and sometimes she just stops in the middle, and has a big smile, then nothing just silence. Very dramatic. I often wonder what she is thinking about when she pauses at some points and not on others so much, as it varies. She does love to sing.
Happy Birthday, Helen!
Cute story about your daughter. It reminds me of a comment Pope John Paul II made after listening to a children’s choir sing for him. He recalled that St. Augustine said that singing is like praying twice, and he (the Pope) added that he thinks children singing is like praying three times!
Helen, lots of prayers and best wishes for your birthday – whichever day it really was!
Helen, wonderful story about your daughter. Tony’s comment from John Paul the Great is exactly right. Reminds me, too, of the story of being home for holidays from my first undergraduate year in music school and going to Mass with my Dad, whose inability to match pitch was directly proportional to his volume. After wincing my way through most of it, just before Communion I turned to him and asked, “Why do you have to sing so loud?”
I’ll never forget his answer. With a twinkle in his eye, he said, “Son, this is the voice God gave me, so this is the voice He’s going to get back.”
Your prayers will certainly help, Helen, and I thank you for them, much! Encourage your daughter to sing, daily if possible. If the Apocalypse of St. John the Revelator is at all accurate (I’m willing to admit that much of it is written in metaphor, even though I believe that it’s all true), those who end up in Heaven are going to do a whole lot of singing; we may as well get used to it now!
There are more than enough horror stories of music unfit for consumption at Eucharist. One of my favorites was having to convince an earnest young bride, in my first job as a Catholic parish musician, that despite how sincere Elvis may have been, “Love Me Tender” was not appropriate for the Wedding Eucharist. Neither was her second favorite, Bob Dylan’s “Lay, Lady, Lay.” (No, I am not making this up.)
Test all things, says St. Paul. Hold fast that which is good. Easier said than done, especially when politics (feminist and ecclesiastical) raise their heads and agendae.
Jerry
Lest that last comment be somehow misconstrued, let me add that official teaching documents (Music in Catholic Worship in the US, Sacrosanctum Concilium of Vatican II) are fine, clear, and balanced (especially the latter).
What I’m referring to is the sort of petty gamesmanship indulged in by some parochial clergy, usually those at the curate (associate pastor) level … like the gent who chewed me out royally for programming “Alleluia, Sons of God Arise” and “Sing With All the Sons of Glory” on the same Sunday.
Apparently the aforementioned combination of hymns was far too exclusivist, much too hetero-sexist, and altogether too too… well, too male. When I pressed him about whether Christ was fully human, in every dimension, as well as fully Divine, he turned and walked away. I left the job about 3 months later.
Jerry
Oh Jerry, your posts make my heart sing! (the only “safe mode” of singing for me)
(and I *can* belive it;)
Thanks to all for the well wishes and prayers. I will start my homework re: musical choices for her to learn. And, I guess I will be singing more myself (with Jerry’s dad as my inspiration)
regarding abortion- please take a look it this is you have not already, and tell me if this is a war also.
http://www.youtube.com/frfrankpavone
I have forwarded this link to a lot of people and I do hope it will help even just one person, to see that we all have to help stop this.
Helen, a few practical thoughts for you and your daughter. First (to adapt the wisdom of a spiritual writer whose name my brain can’t recall at the moment), sing as you can, not as you can’t. Begin where you are; excellence, as Aristotle reminds us, is ultimately a matter of habit: what we practice is what we get good (or better) at. Second, fill your daughter’s ears and mind and heart with lots of kinds of good music (recordings, CDs, MP3s, whatever technology you have access to). Start with chant, playing in the background: it will seep into her soul (I used to play chant when my little ones were going to sleep). But then lots of different styles — classical, contemporary too (Morton Lauridsen and Gerald Custer are both safe choices in the modern realm): Byrd, Mozart, Palestrina, Handel (everyone should have the chance to listen to Messiah), Bach (start with the instrumental music of the Brandenburg Concertos and just watch your daughter dance!), collections of classic hymns, etc. Sing the songs you love most around her. And just make up singing games with her: every child loves to echo back silly songs improvised on the spot. Trust the Holy Spirit to inspire you when you launch out into this: if your motives are good (and I know that they are) and you’re willing to risk being a fool for Christ, all will be well.
Jerry
Dear Helen,Yes I have seen the various abortion methods,and find them all terrible..
I am afraid I have not much time at the moment to comment further as I have just arrived home and must be away very early tomorrow… Keep us in your thoughts.. tomorrow very important day…
Have a nice evening
PS.I can allmost hear the little one singing. Give her a cuddle from me..
Dear Moderator: Please feel free to delete my “comment awaiting moderation,” if you would. Many thanks.
Jerry
Jerry, I did I tell you I am glad you are here? Good. I will do my utmost.
Sandra, you are always (both) in my prayers and thoughts (and yes, esp tomorrow also) as well as hers/yours too.
I am planting Rosemary this season, with you in mind.
Helen, many thanks. I am glad to be here, too. Have fun with it all; my children are older now, and scattered now: the oldest son is working in Texas, the next one working in DC, the next attending art school here in Michigan but 2 hours away, the only daughter in her freshman year of college in Maryland, and the youngest son in his junior year of high school, living with his mom, in the Maryland suburbs of Washington. So I envy you, in the best spiritual meaning of the term, the opportunity you have.
Love knows no distance., as you know Jerry.
You are so blessed.
We sang together outside today, as I was doing a late spring cleanup. We made up our own words to our own songs, while outside today. Before bed, we did enjoy listening together to one of your suggestions. (a far cry from the one she just learned yesterday..
“I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee, won’t my mommy be so proud of me?….
(it does not have a happy ending IMHO)
We made our own paper today also, taking scraps and blending them up in the old blender, laying the glop on a screen, and added flower petals, and leaves. We put down fabric scraps for the backing. Its in drying mode now.
I like this new spell check feature Father. Thank you.
Taking a class, now called “We Believe”. So far, on the second chapter. Just got it.
Spell check feature?
Good morning!!
Tony,spell check….click twice on word, then right mouse click.. you get BEOLINGUS dictionary..
It is a feature on my *T-online* as well… but as you may have noted,I seldom use it..
Helen,as allways lovely to hear about your daughter’s antics.. *refreshing*..
Father Wauck,this is definately NOT topic related,but…………
What shall we do??? Our favorite wine …….. Brunello di Montalciano…….. is under *investigation*
Now!!! that is a glass I would rather see more than half full… What is the world coming to,when, Antinori, Banfi, Frescobaldi can not be trusted… Ivano is devastated..
BEOLINGUS dictionary?
Tony,Beolingus dictionary..
You click twice on a word .. then right mouse click… then you should get Windows Live Search..click there..
quite a few sites appear (mostly all dictionaries)..among them *Beolingus*.. You can chose which one suits you best.. OK?
I have just thought what a terrible egoist I really am.
Worring about wine, when, due to this *Global Food Crisis*, hundreds of thousands,don’t even have their *daily bread*,or Rice..or or or .. *One does not live from bread alone* .. but it sure does help KEEP alive..
These truely are *Apocalyptic* times…
What’s wrong with the Brunello, Sandra? Clearly, you are also worried about those without food – much less wine.
Must confess that I didn´t know about the spellcheck feature either!
Father Wauck… The Brunello can only claim to be *truely* Brunello di Montalcino if made exclusively from the Sangiovese grape.. It is now being investigated,if the Vincer I mentioned (and others), have blended another grape together with the original to make it more *palatable* for the American market.-
A *disgrace* for such great and well known *viticoltore* whom I have mentioned..
It will damage / impair their image conciderably… + will be very costly..
The wine is still very good quality, but, just NOT realy *Brunello*..
Ivano has checked his wine cellar.. as he has quite a few very good wines from Antinori (Marchese,larger Cantina) Solaia (1997), Tignanello (1997). Plus from the brother (smaller Cantina), among others, Ornellaia (1995). A few, Brunello,and Rosso di Montalcino from Banfi around 1994-1997… Ivano says, “I think we should keep those they may be the last *originals* from them”
I,on the other hand, would rather have a few (even half full) glasses instead…
Spell check… I do not know if that was what Helen ment, but I seldom use it any way..
I’m much too lazy.. and impatient…
“Spell check… I do not know if that was what Helen ment, but I seldom use it any way..
I’m much too lazy.. and impatient…”
Thanks, Sandra. I was actually asking Helen in the first place. Sorry to have gotten you involved in answering it, especially since you don’t use it.
By the way, I think you’re being hard on yourself. Your last post on the finer points of all things authentically Brunello di Montalcino, shows no lack of either industriousness or patience in getting your message out there. You’re not too lazy or impatient to use the spell checker— be kind to yourself.
Oh Tony,you flater me.. industrious,not really,
I did not have a message to get out any where ,but if I did,then I guess I would be, *just plain determined*
Father Wauck and I have *talked* about Brunello in a previous post quite some time ago.. (while discussing Toscana / Siena) I thought he may have heard of the *scandalo* regarding some of the most prestidious viticoltore of that region.. Something like, when Jerry and yourself, discuss *Timbits*,of which I had no idea what they were.. But we live and learn..
For wine (thank goodness), I do not need the “spellcheck”, as I have Ivano,who is quite an authority on wine..
so I’m off the hook on that at least..
By the way,just because I don’t use it does not mean you can’t…
Maybe I am the only one with the feature. Ha ha. What happens, is if you spell something wrong- it shows up red.
Those Assyrians! I mixed up Syrians with Assyrians. Here I thought I would ace this class.
Try it. I had no idea about the feature Sandra spoke of, but am always happy to get tips.
Must go to a wedding tomorrow and try to get one art product prepared by this Monday deadline for the student art display to be viewed after the 10:30 Mass next Sunday by those who show up to those things. Praying they will display hers.
I got one hundred percent on the first test, and missed one question on the second test.
This was the question that tripped me up:
In the following sets of names and descriptions, one is incorrect, namely:
A) Syrians-conquered northern kingdom in 721;
B) Isaac- son of Abraham;
C)Babylon- a place of exile for the Jews;
D)Herod the Great-ruler when Jesus was born;
E)Moses-led the Hebrews for forty years in the dessert.
Silly me, I chose C.
Hopefully, I will bounce back for the next chapter.
I can’t fail at this. I will have to teach the small fry and know my stuff.
Nuthing showing up in red, Helen.
I must be the only one then. I do like it, and even if Father did not enable it, the thanks still holds.
(It does not show up in red after submit, but does on the box prior to submit for me anyway)
Kinda like intstant absolution for spelling sins!
Kinda, because there is no need for a firm purpose of ammendment in this case.
Guess it does not work anymore. Instant was misspelled, and no red this time. Why did it leave me so soon?
Figured it out. It only works on Firefox browser.
here is a link for those who think 24 weeks is when the “cut off line” is.
http://www.local10.com/news/11053141/detail.html
‚ÄúInstant absolution.‚Äù That‚Äôs funny. I was thinking it sounds like a blog conscience. It lets you know if the thing you’re thinking of doing is right or wrong. You then choose to amend your ways accordingly or to take the easy way and just hit submit.
The Firefox Catechism.
What a loving mother that baby has. Very beautiful.
Check out the surgeon’s bizarre quote about the baby’s physical condition. I can’t imagine a baby ‘literally’ being a coke can under sterile drapes. I hope she’s better at performing surgery than she is at her word usements.
Well,apparently the surgeon *is* very good at her job…evidently,she relies more on her surgical skills, than her linguistical abilities… which was good for *little* Amillia, I also noted that Dr. Guillermo Lievano, gave God credit for those very skills.
A very great changlenge, for ALL concerned… What a great link Helen..
I wish you all a grat day.. I will now watch my favorite sport, Formel 1, today is the qualification for tomorrow’s race….
Please excuse many typos my keyboard seems to be on it’s *lat legs*… all the buttons are sticking again sorry.. I must get the new one connected…