LITURGY WRITINGS of POPE BENEDICT XVI

Our good friend Aristotle Esguerra, the Recovering Choir Director, has links up the wazoo of liturgy and music articles (or reviews thereof) by Pope Benedict XVI, while he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. This list gets updated as more are found, so keep checking.

Click here to access that list, and enjoy!
BMP

MUSIC for the SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTERat HOLY GHOST CHURCH

May 1, 2005
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Music at Holy Ghost Church, Tiverton, RI

Sat. 4:30 and Sun. 7:30 - me, myself, and I
Sun. 9:00 - Junior Choir
Sun. 10:30 - Senior Choir

Introit (9 and 10:30): Psalm Tone 8G
Speak out with a voice of joy; let it be heard to the ends of the earth: The Lord has set his people free. Alleluia.
VS. (10:30 only, add) Jubilate Deo omnis terra: psalmum dicite nomini ejus, date gloriam laudi ejus.
Processional hymn: OLD HUNDREDTH - All people that on earth do dwell (#303)
Psalm: Grail/Gelineau/Peloquin - Let all the earth cry out to God with joy, alleluia (if you have a Worship II kicking around, it's #692)
Alleluia: from "O Filii et Filiae"
Offertory hymn: ABBOT'S LEIGH - Lord, you give the great commission (#362) (new hymn for this parish)
Sanctus, Mysterium (Dying you destroyed), and Per Ipsum (Amen): Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Lord's Prayer: chanted (in English)
Agnus Dei: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion hymn: ST. COLUMBA - O breathe on me, O breath of God (#646)
Communion proper (9 and 10:30): Psalm Tone 8G
I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you again, alleluia; and your heart will rejoice, alleluia, alleluia.
(10:30 only, add) Non vos relinquam orphanos: veniam ad vos iterum, alleluia: et gaudebit cor vestrum, alleluia, alleluia.
Marian meditation: Ave Maria (with verse 1: As I kneel before you - composer unknown)
Recessional hymn: HYFRYDOL - Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (#740)

+ In Christ,
BMP

MUSIC LIST - Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI

Monday, April 25, 2005 at 7 PM
Holy Ghost Church, Tiverton, RI

Processional hymn: OLD HUNDREDTH - All people that on earth do dwell (#303)
Psalm: Gelineau - My shepherd is the Lord (#749)
Alleluia: from "O Filii et Filiae" / versicle (TBA) to Tone 2
Offertory hymn: ST. AGNES - Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless (#348)
Sanctus XVIII (Latin)
Mysterium: Peloquin - Dying you destroyed our death (Mass of the Bells)
Amen: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Lord's Prayer: Chant (in English)
Agnus Dei XVIII (Latin)
Communion anthem: Franck - Panis Angelicus
Recessional hymn: NUN DANKET - Now thank we all our God (#100)

In choosing the processional, Psalm, and offertory, I had the theme of "Shepherd" in mind. In the processional, I also added on the need to "come ye before him and rejoice".
I really wanted to pull off the Veni Creator Spiritus, but since I just got word of this Mass tonight, and I have to inform the choir tomorrow, and Mass in two days from now, there's no way the choir will pull this off on short notice. I highly doubt most of them know it. At least there will be a good three rehearsals before Pentecost (5/15) and Confirmation (5/18), so at least it will be ready then.
I went with the suggestion list from the OCP site in choosing the Communion anthem. They listed "Panis Angelicus" among the Communion listings. Though the numbers provided all reference to the Lambillotte tune, which is nice. But I'll admit - I'm partial to the Cesar Franck setting, and my choir knows it, so Franck it is.
The recessional is self explanatory, I think. :-)

The Gloria will be omitted. I gave the pastor the option of Latin or English for the Sanctus and Agnus. Being for Pope Benedict, and knowing his views on liturgy, I fully agree with Father's preference for the Latin.

VIVA IL PAPA
BMP

LINK TO AN ARTICLE THAT CAN TURN THE STOMACH OF A REAL CATHOLIC

Read here

The above link is an editorial written in the Providence Journal by a sociology professor named David Carlin. Mr. Carlin is Catholic, is openly pro-life (as he mentioned in an interview with Dan York on WPRO-AM 630 radio), and wrote this column, not based on his thinking, but on what liberals are thinking.

First of all, for one to wish death on a Pope, or anyone for that matter, is by no means Catholic. In fact, no religion in their right mind, Islam included (I'm talking true Islam, not the terrorists' version of Islam), would even think of promoting death wishes. Surely no Christian religion, Catholic or Protestant, would promote such a thing. All Christian faiths are familiar with the commandment "Thou shalt not kill".

Abortion rights is something that will never be accepted by ANY Pope. Sorry - not going to happen. Neither will married priests, nor women priests. This is not an attempt to cast out women from the Church. There are many things women can do, including give out Holy Communion (by being an "Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion"), serve at the altar, read the readings, sing in the choir. In fact, if you ever notice, speaking of choir, most (not all) choirs have twice as many women as men. They can join the sisterhood - don't expect a guy to dress in drag and become a nun; that wouldn't look too good. But the Catholic Church dictates that priests are unmarried men.

Let me add that many Catholic musicians here in North America are unhappy about our new Pope. Why is that? Because these musicians perform music mainly contemporary in nature. Some out of ignorance, some by force, some out of being misguided by those NPM/OCP/GIA personalities that veer to the left (not all of them veer to the left, but those that do are a very vocal force with absolutely no regard for, or misinterpret to their liking, official liturgy documents). Pope Benedict XVI opposes much of the contemporary styles of music, and has pointed that out clearly in his writings.

Benedict XVI was John Paul II's enforcer, as Mr. Carlin pointed out, and as many know.

Jason Pennington, an Internet friend of mine who is a music director and organist in Louisiana, makes two very good points out.
1. "Being pastoral is not giving people what they WANT. It's giving them what they NEED".
2. "There's a name for those who don't agree with Catholic teachings. Why, they're called Protestants, and they come in many different flavors too - Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Anglican, etc."

In closing, the Pope has the great responsibility of upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church, not to bend them or water them down to the desires of special interest groups. It was most likely for this reason that Benedict XVI was chosen by the Cardinals, by way of the Holy Spirit's guidance. It is definitely for this reason that I rejoice in the selection, as do many true Catholics. Every religion has its belief and teachings. The Roman Catholic Church is no exception.

If you say you're Catholic, let's BE Catholic.

+In Christ,
BMP

HABEMUS PAPAM

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - Now POPE BENEDICT XVI
(Photo courtesy of the Holy Ghost Parish Website)

The Catholic Church has reason to rejoice. At about 12:45 PM EDT yesterday, Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez appeared at the balcony, called out in several languages, "Dear brothers and sisters", and made the announcment: HABEMUS PAPAM (Latin for "We have a Pope"). As I sat on my couch waiting to hear the name, fingers crossed, he announced the name of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI.

When I heard the name Ratzinger, a name that a few friends on an invite-only listserve and I share were rooting for, I shouted out "YES!" like I was rooting on the Red Sox to smoke the Yankees (yes, I am an avid Red Sox fan). My wife didn't know what to make of it, as she was in the kitchen, and I was in the parlor. Then I told her of the great news - that the defender of the faith was chosen to be our new Shepherd, the new successor to Saint Peter.

He is not only the renowned defender of the Catholic faith, as he had shown in being the Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Catholic Faith, the right hand man of his longtime and great predecessor, Pope John Paul II. He is also a defender of orthodoxy in the Sacred Liturgy as well, and is a defender of sacred music at Holy Mass. I had downloaded his 1985 document "Liturgy and Church Music", but I'm trying to find a way to upload it to this blog, or at least try to remember the source I downloaded the dang thing from. So as soon as I get the answer I want, I'll present it here.

Pope John Paul II made many statements on liturgy and music as well. Pope Benedict XVI may just be the one to be the "enforcer". Let's hope.

Anyways, there are reasons the Holy Spirit selected the man he selected to take the Throne of Peter. Those reasons are known only by the Holy Spirit himself. But personally, I am rejoicing greatly that we now have Pope Benedict XVI. In fact, at the senior choir rehearsal I ran last night, the entire choir was rejoicing, and all fans of our new Pontiff.

VIVA IL PAPA!!!
(Italian: "Long live the Pope")

BMP

BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES - Not just for Christmas anymore

Antiphon:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; the Lord God is our light.
Versicle:
This is the work of the Lord; it is a marvel in our eyes.

What you have here is the Gradual for Christmas, Mass at Dawn, taken from Psalm 118 (117): 26, 27, and 23. This setting I wrote contains a unison antiphon with a motet-style choral versicle, which leads back to the antiphon. Though the Proper for the Mass at Dawn on Christmas Day, this could also be used as a motet during the Season of Easter, or even on Palm Sunday.

The unison antiphon is accompanied (not too loudly) by the organ. The versicle is completely a capella.

PRICING:
E-mail me

HOW TO ORDER:
E-mail me with the following (DO NOT use the comments link to do this):
1. Catalog number as listed above, with description
2. Parish name, with full address (include zip or postal code please), and contact name and title
3. E-mail address for parish contact
4. Your preference of sending your music by e-mail (.pdf attachment) or snail mail.
You will receive instructions on the amount to send, and the address to send it to. Once payment is received, your music will be e-mailed or shipped to you IMMEDIATELY.

Unfortunately, I'm not geared to take plastic yet. Sorry for the inconvenience. So payment must be by check or money order. These WILL be verified before accepting.

+Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini!
BMP

AVE MARIA - a motet that even congregations can sing

One of my first sacred pieces written was a setting of the AVE MARIA. I wrote it in the summer of 1985, originally as a hymn, but written with the intention that it could also be sung as a motet. It may have been picked up by McLaughlin and Reilly, had it been written 10-20 years before my own birth. It's a style that's missing in many Roman Catholic hymnals in the English-speaking world today.

AVE MARIA is available in five formats. There is the basic hymn for the congregation, accompanied. There is also a solo in two keys (Low for alto/baritone, same key as the hymn; High for soprano/tenor). There is also an SATB setting in the same two keys. The solo and SATB settings also come with individual parts for string quartet.

PRICING:
E-mail me!

HOW TO ORDER:
E-mail me with the following (DO NOT use the comments link to do this):
1. Catalog number as listed above, with description
2. Parish name, with full address (include zip or postal code please), and contact name and title
3. E-mail address for parish contact
4. Your preference of sending your music by e-mail (.pdf attachment) or snail mail.
You will receive instructions on the amount to send, and the address to send it to. Once payment is received, your music will be e-mailed or shipped to you IMMEDIATELY.

Unfortunately, I'm not geared to take plastic yet. Sorry for the inconvenience. So payment must be by check or money order. These WILL be verified before accepting.

+In Christ, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
BMP

PROVIDENCE IS GETTING A NEW BISHOP,and a SONG for the COAT OF ARMS

(This article was originally written on April 1, 2005, and is updated on April 11, 2005)

Effective May 31, 2005, Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has accepted the resignation of the Most Rev. Robert E. Mulvee, Bishop of Providence. Our new bishop will be the Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, who has served the past ten years as Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio.

Click here for more information on Bishop Tobin.

Incidentally, it has been a custom here somehow that at least one person from this Diocese has had the pleasure of writing a hymn or song in honor of the Bishop's coat of arms. Alexander Peloquin did a splendid job with "Rejoice in Hope", which was written for Bishop Louis E. Gelineau, who served the Providence Diocese from 1972-1997. Another setting I recall was one written by the late Rev. Mr. John Russell, who was not only a permanant deacon, but organist at Sacred Heart Church in Woonsocket, who I had succeeded upon his retirement. Dr. Peloquin's successor at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, the Rev. Anthony Mancini, successfully penned "As One Who Serves" for Bishop Mulvee. I, too, had written a hymn text by the same title, and set it to the tune KREMSER, which is commonly sung with the hymn "We Gather Together".

I now present to Bishop Tobin, and to the people of the Diocese of Providence, and to all who read my blog, "God Gave to Us, Not a Spirit of Fear". The refrain is taken from Bishop Tobin's coat of arms, "Strong, Loving, Wise" - God gave to us, not a spirit of fear, but a spirit strong, loving, wise. This is cited from the St. Paul's second letter to St. Timothy (2 Timothy 1:7). The verses come from a hymn text written by the late John Walker (1769-1833). The musical setting I chose to write is a meditative one, yet mystical. Some dissonant moments appear, mainly at the end of each line of the verses, reminiscent of much of Dr. Peloquin's styles.
At the moment, it is being submitted to a publisher, whose name I will make public if it should be accepted. At the same time, I have recently sent it to the Diocesan Worship Office in hopes to promote it at least at that level.

In the meantime, "God Gave to Us, Not a Spirit of Fear" is available through my own publishing outlet, Christus Vincit Music. Two versions are available - a basic responsory edition for congregation and cantor, and a choral edition that utilizes melody/descant for the antiphon and SATB voicing for the verses. Recommended accompaniment is (of course) the organ.

PRICING: E-mail me for pricing.

HOW TO ORDER:
E-mail me with the following (DO NOT use the comments link to do this):
1. Catalog number as listed above, with description
2. Parish name, with full address (include zip or postal code please), and contact name and title
3. E-mail address for parish contact
4. Your preference of sending your music by e-mail (.pdf attachment) or snail mail.
You will receive instructions on the amount to send, and the address to send it to. Once payment is received, your music will be e-mailed or shipped to you IMMEDIATELY.

Unfortunately, I'm not geared to take plastic yet. Sorry for the inconvenience. So payment must be by check or money order. These WILL be verified before accepting.

God gave to us, not a spirit of fear, but a spirit strong, loving, wise.

+In Christ,
BMP

DECODING MY HYMN LISTS - a primer for the non-musician

This is not so much for the musician. The average church musician already knows what I'm writing below. This is for the "Average Joe" in the pew who knows nothing of this sort, except (hopefully) to sing with the congregation.

Introit:
This is the short ditty I let the choir sing just before Mass begins. By right, it should be done at the entrance procession of the celebrant and ministers, but since American Catholic culture has a thing for using hymns at this place, instead of the Proper for Mass, I let the choir do it here. I don't do it at Masses where I'm by myself.

Hymns:
First is the place where the hymn is sung (Processional, Offertory, Communion, Recessional). Next is one of two things - either the TUNE NAME (deliberately printed in caps) that the tune is sung to or the composer name (printed in lower case) that wrote the music. Then it's the first line or common title of the hymn text (lyric), followed by the number in the missalette or music issue, where applicable.
In the case of some tunes which are chant, you may see, in place of the TUNE or composer name, a Mode - e.g., Mode V, Mode I, Mode VII, etc. That means the chant tune was written in one of eight Modes commonly used in Gregorian chant. This has to do far more with what the "tonic" or "first" note of the scale used in a particular piece than it does the melody itself.

Mass settings (Ordinary/Proper):
These be the Introit (see above), the Kyrie (Lord have mercy), Gloria (Glory to God), Psalm (following the First Reading), Alleluia (before the Gospel), Sanctus (Holy), Mysterium (or "Memorial Acclamation"), Per Ipsum (Amen), Lord's Prayer, Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), and Communion Proper (like the Introit, it's only sung at choir Masses, after Father's done purifying the Chalice). The composer name is listed, as is the Mass setting (e.g. Peloquin - Mass of the Bells). In the case of some of the listings, you may see "Tone 8" or "Tone 2", etc. This means one of the eight Gregorian Psalm tones, in simple form, is being sung.
A Mass setting marked with a Roman Numeral is one of the Latin Chant Masses from the Kyriale. Chances are, the Sanctus and Agnus Dei settings in Latin at Holy Ghost will be from Mass XVIII, which has a couple of names - "Missa Pro Defunctis" (Mass for the Dead) or "Missa Pro Feriae Adventi et Quadragesimae" (Mass for Weekdays of Advent and Lent). These two commonly used, yet very simple, chant settings are also compiled in a 1974 collection by the Vatican, called "Jubilate Deo" (Be Joyful to God), a collection of the simplest chant Mass ordinaries that could be easily sung by the average congregation, and not just the choir.

This post, hopefully, will be of help particularly to any parishioners of Holy Ghost who may be interested in knowing in advance what will be sung on a given Sunday, so that they may understand these listings better.

+In Christ,
BMP

MUSIC FOR THE NEXT TWO SUNDAYS at Holy Ghost Church

Here we'll cover the last two Sundays of April (17th and 24th) 2005. All numbers refer to the Music Issue (OCP) except where noted.

Both Sundays:
4:30 (Saturday) and 7:30 (Sunday): me, myself, and I
9:00: Junior Choir / 10:30: Senior Choir

APRIL 17, 2005 - The Fourth Sunday of Easter (Pastor Bonus)
Introit at 9:00 and 10:30: Sung to Tone 8G
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord, alleluia.
By the word of the Lord, the heavens were established, alleluia, alleluia.
(at 10:30 add): Exsultate justi in Domino: rectos decet collaudatio.
Processional Hymn: IN BABILONE - There's a wideness in God's mercy (#422)
Psalm: Gelineau - My shepherd is the Lord (#749)
Alleluia: Mode II - from "O Filii et Filiae" / Tone 2 versicle
Offertory Hymn: ST. AGNES - Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless (#348)
Sanctus: Vermulst - People's Mass
Mysterium: Peloquin - Dying you destroyed our death (from "Mass of the Bells")
Per Ipsum: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Agnus Dei: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion Hymn: BICENTENNIAL - You satisfy the hungry heart (#342)
Communion Proper at 9:00 and 10:30: Sung to Tone 8G
I am the good shepherd, alleluia; I know my sheep and mine know me, alleluia, alleluia.
(at 10:30 add): Ego sum pastor bonus, alleluia; et cognosco oves meas, et cognoscunt me meae, alleluia, alleluia.
Recessional Hymn: HYFRYDOL - Alleluia! sing to Jesus! (#740)

APRIL 24, 2005 - The Fifth Sunday of Easter (Cantate Domino)
Introit at 9:00 and 10:30: Sung to Tone 8G
Sing to the Lord a new song, alleluia: for the Lord has done wondrous deeds, alleluia.
He has revealed his justice to the Gentiles, alleluia, alleluia.
(at 10:30 add): Salvavit sibi dextera ejus: et brachium sanctum ejus.
Processional Hymn: FESTIVAL CANTICLE - This is the feast of victory (#598)
Psalm: Grail/Gelineau (vss.)/Proulx (ant.) - Lord, let your mercy be on us...
Alleluia: Mode II - from "O Filii et Filiae" / Tone 2 versicle
Offertory Hymn: OLD HUNDREDTH - All people that on earth do dwell (#303)
Sanctus: Mass XVIII
Mysterium: Peloquin - Dying you destroyed our death (from "Mass of the Bells")
Per Ipsum: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Agnus Dei: Mass XVIII
Communion Hymn: THE CALL - Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life (#389)
Communion Proper at 9:00 and 10:30: Sung to Tone 8G
Have I been with you so long, and you still not know me? Philip, who sees me, sees the Father, alleluia.
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? Alleluia, alleluia.
(at 10:30 add): Tanto tempore vobiscum sum, et non cognovistis me? Philippe, qui videt me, videt et Patrem, Alleluia.
Non credis quia ego in Patre, et Pater in me est? Alleluia, alleluia.
Recessional Hymn: NUN DANKET - Now thank we all our God (#100 in Missalette)

+In Christ,
BMP

A FEW TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

This afternoon, I have no clue what had happened, but I could not open a bleeding thing on my computer - not even the "My Computer" folder or my Start Menu (I run XP, btw). My guess is that something tried to download itself and eat at some system files - the work of the devil in the form of some hacker.
I couldn't get to my System Restore, which forced me to the last option, the System Recovery. As a result, all my available written music was lost, as well as the software that I use to compose with. Tomorrow I am switching from Capella to Music Time, and the re-writing process will begin. My printers (both the regular printer and the PDF printer driver I have) are both re-installed. I deleted my promo articles on much of the music for now until the works are re-completed. The only one I left up is the one for my own tune for use with the hymn text "Around the Throne, a Glorious Band", as that piece is readily available from CanticaNOVA Publications.
Bear with me as I re-write, and the pieces (and promos thereof) will be back as soon as possible.

+In Christ,
BMP

SOME GREAT PAPAL ARTICLES ON MUSIC

Gary Penkala and CanticaNOVA Publications does tremendous work, not only in CNP's own articles, but researching some of the best articles on liturgy and music from those outside of CNP.

This is the latest addition to CNP's site - all articles on music from Pope John Paul II. After you finish the first of his articles, there is a link to six more at the bottom of the page.

Keep up the great work Gary!

+In Christ,
BMP

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (Jubilate Deo Sunday) at Holy Ghost

Saturday Mass at 4:30
Sunday Masses at 7:30, 9:00 (Junior Choir), and 10:30 (Senior Choir)

Introit at 9 and 10:30: Shout with joy to God, all the earth (Tone 8G)
- note: 10:30 Mass, add Latin versicle "Dicite Deo, quam terribilia sunt opera tua, Domine"
Processional: OLD 100TH - All people that on earth do dwell (#303)
Psalm: Alstott - Lord, you will show us the path of life (p. 91/92 in missalette)
Alleluia: Mode II - O Filii et Filiae
Offertory: ADORO TE DEVOTE - Godhead here in hiding (#483, in English)
Sanctus: Vermulst - People's Mass
Mysterium, Per Ipsum, and Agnus Dei: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion:
- 9:00 Peloquin - Jesus, Shepherd of our souls
- All other Masses - ST. AGNES - Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless (#348)
Communion Proper:
- 9:00 The Lord has risen and has appeared to Peter, Alleluia.
- 10:30 Surrexit Dominus, et apparuit Petro, Alleluia.
Recessional: HYFRYDOL - Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! (#740)

+With joyful shouts to God,
BMP

MEMORIAL MASS FOR OUR HOLY FATHER at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

This Friday (April 8), we will be having a Memorial Mass for the Late Pope John Paul II at 7:00 PM. This music list below is tentative.

Introit: Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord (Tone 8G)
Processional: PALESTRINA - The strife is o'er, the battle done (#596)
Psalm: Gelineau - My Shepherd is the Lord (#749)
Alleluia: from "O Filii et Filiae" (versicle sung to tone 2: I am the Resurrection and the life...)
Offertory: SERDECZNA MATKO - Stainless the Maiden (Polish Marian Hymn, tr. by Willard Jabusch)
Sanctus: Vermulst - People's Mass
Mysterium: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells (Dying you destroyed our death)
Amen: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Agnus Dei: Vermulst - People's Mass
Communion: Franck - Panis Angelicus
Proper: Lux aeterna (Tone 8G)
Recessional: OLD 100TH - Come to his aid, O Saints of God (#845)

+In Christ, and in Prayer for Our Holy Father,
BMP

ONE CRAZY WEEKEND

Greetings Readers.
This really has been one busy weekend on a bunch of fronts. Thursday, I went to Miriam Hospital in Providence with nasty stomach pains. It was a few hours later that I found out that my gall bladder had to be removed. I went home that day, and called the surgeon's office Friday to set up my consent signing. As I went home Thursday, I called my pastor, Fr. Finelli, who had informed me that our new Bishop, the Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, will begin his duties as the Eighth Bishop of Providence on May 31, 2005.

Well, here I was thinking I could last till Tuesday, the day I was supposed to sign the consent forms for my gall bladder surgery, when I had a relapse Friday night. It was that night when it was decided by the doctors (and reluctantly agreed on by me) that it should come out right away. It was just as I was getting ready to be transported to the operating room when I had learned of the passing of our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.

I'm finally home - as of noon today - resting up. This Friday we're having a Memorial Mass for Our Holy Father at 7 PM. By then I know I'll have my strength back. Pray for my speedy recovery. My prayers for all of you, and for Pope John Paul II, and Bishops Mulvee and Tobin.

+In His Divine Mercy,
BMP

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY POST TO MY SON

Happy Birthday to my son, Brian Robert Page, who turns the "dirty dozen" today. Yup, he's hit the big 12! If you look at him size-wise, you'd think he's 15 (16-year-old girls tried to make passes at him last year while we were camping). But nope, he's 12. He's the third of four children. His brother will hit 20 in late June, and his sisters will be 18 and 8 in August.

Brian's an avid fisherman. When we're camping and he's out all day, my wife and I know where he is! :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN!

Love,
Dad