Friday, June 30, 2006

MASS OF THE HEAVENLY HOSTS

In the wake of the new translation, I am writing a rough draft music setting to what I have of the new ICEL translation. Yes, I understand that there are amendments aplenty and we still don't know what Rome will approve and reject. When that time comes, I will rework as required. For that reason for now, I'm writing only a melody and basic accompaniment at this time. However, after approvals and all necessary reworks, I will then provide choir and instrument parts.

I want to be as close to ready as humanly possible. God only knows the big three publishers and their composers will be ready with their heavy artillery. But I also want it to be good. I have no intention on rushing. I will either submit to CanticaNOVA or go on my own at the proper time.

I'm working on the Gloria as I write this. Title: Mass of the Heavenly Hosts.

Peace,
BMP

NOVUS ORDO, and ECUMENICAL RELATIONS
with the ORTHODOX and the LUTHERANS

Hat tip to Gerald.

Full story at Renew America.

Two of my favorite locals, once again, get featured - Fr. Thomas Kocik (St. Thomas More Church, Somerset, MA, and author of The Reform of the Reform?), and Fr. Joseph Santos (current pastor of my favorite parish of all those that I am a former employee of, Holy Name of Jesus in Providence, RI).

The Novus Ordo didn't hit it off to well with the Orthodox OR the Lutherans.

Enjoy.
BMP

Thursday, June 29, 2006

VOCATIONS CRISIS? WHAT VOCATIONS CRISIS?

The Crescat has the living proof why the largest Archdiocese in the U.S.A. (Los Ahn-ghe-leeze) only ordained four priests this year, while Newark NJ, the ninth largest, ordained 17. (This is good!)

Enjoy!

Peace,
BMP

CATHOLIC EDUCATION and the GREAT OUTDOORS

Hat tip to New Advent.

This is the whereabouts of the brand spankin' new Wyoming Catholic College.

Imagine the addition of a basilica-sized chapel on this campus? Would be sweet!



Here is what Kevin Knight at New Advent says:

It's going to be really Catholic. With Benedictine spiritual formation, Confession and moral formation, Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotion and "a culture of daily Mass attendance."

The curriculum is Great Books.

Most intriguingly, outdoor education will be a mandatory part of the experience. Freshman orientation consists of a three-week backpacking trip in the nearby mountains. (And yes, they realize that most incoming freshmen will be Twinkie-weaned city mice. Guides will teach them everything they need to know while they're out there.)

But here's what the college's liturgical choir will be singing, according to the college's website:
The choir will sing both contemporary and longstanding traditional sacred music including Gregorian chant.
(emphasis mine)

The fact that they've remembered to include those two styles I emphasized above is a great plus. In terms of contemporary, however, will that be the folk/pop styles, or just contemporary in age (a la Peloquin, Proulx, Rutter, etc.)? I'd be curious. I'd have no problem with the latter.

Here's the present church. According to the college website, the temporary site for WCC is located the Catholic parish of Holy Rosary Church on the southern edge of Lander, Wyoming.

Again, emphasis mine. Hmmmmm! Lots of nice basilica-style-ediface-friendly space. Doesn't have to be now. After all, the college is just starting out. But in later years, maybe?

Looks like they're heading in the right direction anyways.

Peace,
BMP

LIMITED EDITION FOR SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

IN HONOR OF THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL:

Peter Paul is introducing the Special Limited Patron Saint Edition for Dioceses whose Cathedrals are named after both Saint Peter and Saint Paul (simultaneously - or as I heard one guy once say on Hollywood Squares, "simultaneously, and at the same time").



This would include Providence, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis (so far). Any others, please let me know.

Peace,
BMP

CARDINAL GEORGE: LA in LA

Hat tip to Shawn.

Cardinal George: LA in LA (Liturgiam Authenticam in Los Angeles)
(link is to the whole story)

(I will print snips here in italics, with my own commentary, snarky or otherwise, in regular type)

At the center of the bishops’ concerns during our meeting was the approval of a partial translation of the latest edition of the Roman Missal. The Roman Missal was revised after the Council and published under the authority of Pope Paul VI. That first edition of the Pauline Missal was translated into English and is still being used. Since the late 1960s, however, the Holy See has published a second edition of the post-Vatican II Missal and then, a couple of years ago, a third edition. The third edition has several more canons and prefaces and a number of new feast days to mark the celebrations of saints recently canonized. Because there is a new edition of the Missal in Latin, there has to be a new translation in the vernacular languages of the Catholic world. Some people have asked why we are bothering with new translations of the Mass. The reason is because we’re still using the first edition of the revised Roman Missal when we should be using the third edition.

Wow - we've really slacked here. So, we never even saw a second edition. OOF! The big question... WHY?

Let's scroll down to the explanation of And with Your Spirit.

A case in point is the much-discussed translation of “et cum spiritu tuo” as “and with your spirit” rather than the current “and also with you.” Our current translation might seem more personal and friendly, but that’s the problem. The spirit referred to in the Latin is the spirit of Christ that comes to a priest when he is ordained, as St. Paul explained to St. Timothy. In other words, the people are saying in their response that Christ as head of the Church is the head of the liturgical assembly, no matter who the particular priest celebrant might be. That is a statement of faith, a statement distorted by transforming it into an exchange of personal greetings.

Distorted to the point where many celebrants still begin Mass with those two dreaded words: Good morning, and the people reply with those dreaded three words: Good morning, Father. This exchange should take place in the narthex.

The texts of the Order of Mass approved by the U.S. bishops last week are both beautiful and interesting. It will take some time and personal investment to pray them well. The full Missal will not be in use for two or three years, and this will give us time to become more instructed in the matter.

Cool. Now, as we await Rome to give the green light, let's compose some settings shall we? I should get to work on these. Then if anything changes, I can do a rework of some sort. ;)

Peace,
BMP

Cathedral Renovations



The top picture is a photograph of the current Cathedral layout. As part of the renovations and repainting, the Bishop is moving the tabernacle back to the apse, and moving the cathedra to its former location (which is where the tabernacle is located in this photograph.)


The bottom photograph is an architectural rendering of the apse after the tabernacle is moved, the ornamentation in arches is added (well, restored, actually), the frieze of the four Evangelists is painted, and columns at the edge of the apse are painted to look like marble. (The altar is not being moved, but is omitted in the rendering to show the tabernacle more clearly.)

A New Parody!!!

Went to visit theMoratorium site to look for anything new, and I ran across this new parody! Enjoy...

~nb

------------------------

Ashtrays (after Tom Conry, Ashes)

We gather round the ashtray and smoke our fine cigars,
And sip from strong libations we created at the bar.
If all the world is ashes, then we probably got nuked,
But since that hasn't happened, come join our little group.

We'll offer you our brandy, and afterwards a mint.
I'd love to smoke one with you, but I gave them up for Lent.
So the ashtray I'll be cleaning, and restock the humidor,
For that glorious Easter morning, when I'll smoke cigars once more.

They come from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Ecuador,
But we can't get them from Cuba 'til Castro's in the morgue.
From luxurious, dark maduros to a candela's lighter hue,
And my awful-looking ashtray are waiting there for you.

Thanks be to Columbus, who brought us the cigar,
And thanks be for the Cubans I had smuggled in my car,
And thanks be for the websites where we can all afford to buy
An off'ring for my ashtray, and an offering for you.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

THE GOOD NCR PLUGGED US

NCR as in "National Catholic REGISTER", that is. Sure as heck not the "National Catholic Distorter" now. They'd be the last, unless they write that we cheesed them off.

Anyhoo, we got into today's blog watch at the Register for this post. Didn't know until I read the comment from Domini Sumus. BTW, Domini Sumus, come to find out, is a neighboring organist and music director in the Fall River area. So, hi neighbor, and thanks for the tip! ;)

Peace,
BMP

DISCO MASS AT THE TAJ MAHONY

Hat tip to Gerald, who got it from Paul Nichols. BTW, where's the dude with the afro? (ha ha ha)

Peace,
BMP

OFF-TOPIC: BIRD FLU (Not the "Eagle's Wings" Bird Flu this time)

HEALTH ALERT!!!

One Way for Bird Flu to enter the country is on international flights. Don't get on an airplane that looks like this.

Peace,
BMP

(Note: got this from Nick via e-mail; had to figure out the best way to post this. -BMP)

"Me Ben.....you.....Chunk!"


Sent to me by a fraternity brother, here is the first "official" picture of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger after his accident. It remains to be seen if The Truffle Shuffle will make its way into the Steelers play book for next season.

Rocky Road, anyone?

~nb

POPE BENEDICT XVI: NO SACRO-POP

From The Age (Australia) (link is to the whole story):

POPE Benedict wants only "authentic" sacred music in church services, which includes traditional choirs and Gregorian chant but not guitars or folk/popular-style choruses.

Speaking after a concert in his honour in the Sistine Chapel at the weekend, the Pope said sacred music must take into account the tradition of the church, especially "sacred polyphony".

Leading Melbourne Catholic singer and songwriter Juliette Hughes sympathised with the Pope. "There's lots of dreadful guitar music that is a stumbling block to people who want to come back to church — that dreadful 'I want to have a beer with Jesus' music," she said.

I like that description. I'll have to remember that next time I get a call for sacro-pop. "So, would you like to have a beer with Jesus today?" Kinda like the Crescat's post about "Christ our Buddy" (still funny to this day).

Hat tip to Ignatius Insight Scoop, who gives us the above, as well as this from Zenit:

"Sacred polyphony," the Holy Father said Saturday after a concert held in his honor by the Domenico Bartolucci Foundation, "especially the so-called 'Roman school,' is a legacy that must be carefully conserved, maintained alive and made known." (emphasis mine)

Peace,
BMP

MEANWHILE, IN NCR LAND...

This lovely dissentive editorial by the folks at the National Catholic Distorter:

Finally, we suspect that the way forward will also include accommodating those who simply refuse to go along and will stand in place and continue to use the same language they’ve been using for decades. Our suspicion is that God will not be terribly upset by a little show of resistance.

This doesn't surprise me. These are among the folk that whine about undoing the last thirty-some years but won't think twice about undoing several centuries of Church tradition.

Hat tip to the Curt Jester.

Peace,
BMP

AUSTRALIA FOLLOWS SUIT

This from Catholic News Agency (link is to whole story):

Following a similar decision by U.S. Bishops, the Bishops of Australia have voted, in principle, to accept a new English translation of the Roman Catholic Mass, which the Vatican favors as being more faithful to the original Latin text, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

Bishops in England and Wales have also voted to accept the new English translation, drafted as a result of a Vatican directive issued in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. On June 15, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops also conditionally approved the changes by a mail-in ballot. It is a process that the whole English-speaking Catholic world is undertaking.

Most of the changes to the Mass are minor and generally look similar to the translations approved in the U.S. and U.K.

Hat tip to Gerald.

Peace,
BMP

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

IF THIS ISN'T A LINE OF BS, WHAT IS?

Hat tip to Gerald.

Cardinal Carlo Furno, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, said it was “better to have guitars on the altar and rock and roll Masses than empty churches”. The use of modern music was a “sign of the vitality of the faith”.

I'll go to that empty church and invite all my friends to come fill it up rather than go to a "rock and roll Mass". Thank God, the Anchoress is on the side of Catholicism - prefacing Cdl. Furno by writing, Meanwhile, some in this article have their noses out of joint. I'll "afterword" him by saying, To h-e-double-hockey-sticks with this "grand master of the Equestrian Order" and the horse he rode on!

Here's the entire Anchoress article. Speaking of which, The Anchoress has made it to the Definitive Christus Vincit Blogosphere, as has the New Advent blog.

Peace,
BMP

More Housecleaning in Saginaw

Gerald reports that the Bishop of Saginaw has abrogated the so-called "Saginaw Blessing", written by late-Bishop Ken Untener, in which feminine pronouns are used for God. He posts a link to the complete story (GIRM regulations for the Saginaw Diocese) and hat-tips Amy Welborn.

Read on........

~nb

This Just In....

A Change of Tune in the Vatican

An article from Chiesa about the new direction of music in the church, beginning with the firing of Msgr. Bartolucci in 1997, and the subsequent corrections under the current papacy.

~nb

A LETTER FROM GIA

In light of the new forthcoming translation of the Order of Mass, GIA has issued this letter to its hymnal users. Current parishes using a GIA hymnal will get a supplement with the new translation once the new translation is ready to take place.

For the users of Worship III, that leaves only one concern - what about musical settings of the Ordinary? The hymns, which on the most part are very good (except for the crappy inclusive language binge they went on), would stay intact.

In the meantime, they should get going on a Worship IV. Use the best of Worship I, II, and III, add the better pieces from RitualSong, lose the inclusive language, (for once and for all) lose that A Living Faith ditty and bring back the real Faith of Our Fathers, and include the new Mass translation (along with the parallel Latin). Keep the Grail/Gelineau Psalm settings, too (though a good chunk of the Guimont collection isn't bad either). Though the Psalm translations may change too, as the ICEL, BCL, and USCCB still have to bash heads on the Proper of the Mass, now that the Ordinary is done and awaits approval from Rome.

Peace,
BMP

OT 14 at the Cathedral

Prelude: Matins -- Healey Willan

Entrance: God Has Spoken by His Prophets / RUSTINGTON

Gloria: Andrews

Psalm: Respond and Acclaim

Celtic Alleluia

Offertory: God, Whose Purpose is to Kindle / HYMN TO JOY

Sanctus, etc: Creation

Agnus Dei: Isele in D

Communion: Psalm 34 - "Taste and See" - Guimont

Recessional: Go to the World / SINE NOMINE

Postlude: Prelude in E Minor (Eight Little)


We are learning the hymntune RUSTINGTON this summer, as the text "God Has Spoken by His Prophets" is very appropriate for the next several weeks in a row. This tune is also paired with the text "God Whose Giving Knows No Ending". RUSTINGTON is by C. Hubert H. Parry, and will be a lovely addition to the Cathedral's repertoire.

OT 13 at the Cathedral

Organ Prelude: Prelude (from ORGAN BOOK) -- Jean Langlais

Entrance: Now Thank We All Our God / NUN DANKET

Gloria: Andrews

Psalm: Michel Guimont

Celtic Alleluia

Offertory: You Are Mine

Sanctus, etc.: Creation

Agnus Dei: Isele in D

Communion: At That First Eucharist / UNDE ET MEMORES

Recessional: Faith of Our Fathers / ST. CATHERINE

Postlude: Nun danket alle Gott -- Sigfrid Karg-Elert

Monday, June 26, 2006

CHRISTUS VINCIT PODCASTING 35



You can listen below, or save the file by clicking here. (47:20/21.6 MB)
Warning - you will hear some more humming, due to the A/C. I'm still working on how to eliminate it.


Today we'll be exploring the options available for funeral Masses, and why the "request line" is not always a good thing. Here's my request list.

Intro done by Chris Vincent, and Ordinary Time
Music List: Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Music:
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (tune: Ellacombe); Our Blessing Cup (written by moi);
Joy, performed by Charlie Crowe (by popular demand), courtesy Podsafe

Christus Vincit Sports: Shamus crowns the BISHOPS IN SPORTS (NBA/NHL) playoff champions. Blogs mentioned: Argent by the Tiber and The Crescat

Commercials:
Catholic Mormon Podcast, iPadre (he's got a new show up - check it out!)
Disciples with Microphones

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: "I Am with You" Edition, brought to you by the Sea Priestess Women's Ordination Cruise.
Closing notes, and Canis the Catholic Watchdog (pictured above) boards the Women's Ordination Sea Cruise to do some damage.

Vote at Podcast Alley / Message Board / Subscribe at iTunes

ZUHLSDORF on REESE

Remember this AP news clip?
“My big concern is people are going to feel like they’re being jerked around. They finally got used to the English translation and now they have to get used to another translation,” said Rev. Thomas Reese, a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University and a Jesuit priest. “It’s going to cause chaos and real problems and the people who are going to be at the brunt end of it are the poor priests in the parishes who don’t need any more problems.”

Fr. Zuhlsdorf rightfully sums that up in one word: COWARD!

The good Father Zuhlsdorf continues:
Will this be hard? Of course! Will priests face some people who are irritated or confused? When don’t they? Are priests are going to bear the main burden of this challenge in a parish. When have they not? And if that isn’t enough, when did the role of the Catholic lay faithful in the Church become easy? Catholics trying to live their lives well in this world as it is today are often faced with challenges that would make most priests curl up in a ball and suck their thumbs. Do parents of children simply flop down and whine about how hard it is going to be to educate their children, feed them, shelter them, see to their needs? "sniff… It’s soooooo harrrrrrrrrd!" I am tempted to put this in terms more suited to Tony Soprano, but “Boo hoo!” You want a real challenge? How about the state of life of a mother in a military family with several children and her Marine husband in Iraq? Can we please get some perspective here?

We could start making our jobs easier by telling people “Hey, this is going to be GREAT!” rather than constantly sniveling about hard it is going to be. When you want junior to eat those Brussels sprouts does it strike you as particularly bright to introduce them with the phrase, “You’re gonna hate these!"

You know what's funny? I used to hear the same sort of flack from people who were used to throwaway missalettes and music issues picking up their first Worship hymnal - in a couple of different parishes. Oh, these books are heavy. That's good! Means that they're chocked full of good music. They get over it, and realize that the material in these hymnals were well worth the weight they carry and it wasn't such a bad cross after all.

Same goes with the new translation. It's the translation we probably should have had nearly forty years ago, but was agenda-driven and rushed. So now we've gone back to try to do it right. The dissidents will (as one of the Rhode Island Lottery's latest scratch tickets is titled) get over it!

Peace,
BMP

SACRED MUSIC IS NEXT

Hat tip to Whispers in the Loggia.

In its most recent Newsletter, the USCCB Committee for the Liturgy announced that a 9 October consultation is to be held in Chicago to seek "the advice of organizations and groups dealing with questions of music and the liturgy."

I hope they're selective as to which "organizations and groups" these guys will be seeking advice from than certain agenda-driven organizations themselves or the big publishers they support.

Within five years of Liturgiam authenticam, the document stipulated that each episcopal conference was to prepare an official Directory "or repertory of texts intended for liturgical singing" within its jurisdiction. The USCCB will likely be the first conference to vote on a proposed Directory at its November meeting, to be held this year in Baltimore.

This needs a 2/3 majority vote, just as the Ordinary of the Mass needed, btw. Its intent was to build a "common repertoire" for parishes in the United States.

The Chicago consultation will be held with an eye toward "discuss[ing] the revision" of Music and Catholic Worship and Liturgical Music Today, which are viewed as the "two foundational documents on the subject of the music and the sacred liturgy."

It needs it. I found both of these documents to be agenda-driven at the time they came out.

Peace,
BMP

Sunday, June 25, 2006

MORE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION FOUND

More weapons of Mass destruction found in IRAQ and disclosed to our Holy Father.

For further detail, you MUST check out this Curt Jester exclusive!

Peace,
BMP

MUSIC for SUNDAY XIII at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

JULY 2, 2006 - SUNDAY XIII
Sat. 4:30 / Sun. 7:30, 9, 10:30

Introit: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (Music Issue, 741/Hyfrydol)
Penitential Rite: parrot Father
Gloria: Mass of the Bells (Peloquin)
Psalm: I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me (Gelineau/Carroll)
Alleluia: Mode VI (verse sung to tone 6F)
Offertory: Faith of our fathers, living still (Music Issue, 484/St. Catherine)
Eucharist: People's/Danish combo and English chanted Lord's Prayer (see Corpus Christi list)
Communion: The Lord is Kind and Merciful (Peloquin/Songs of Israel II)
Recessional: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Missalette, 25/Lobe den Herren)

Peace,
BMP

OH NO! MORE PONCHO LADIES!

Hat tip to the Curt Jester!

The Poncho Ladies are at it again. Read Jeff's post here.

Here are two opinions within my family:
Brittany, my eight year old daughter
Princess, the family cat

And Jeff reiterated what I had mentioned here that they also check for lice as part of the "ordination" process.

Let me call my friend over!
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALPH!

Peace,
BMP

Saturday, June 24, 2006

PASTOR'S CORNER 6/25/06

Thanks to Fr. Jay Finelli (my pastor) for his kind permission to post his Pastor's Corner column for this weekend. A little over a month ago, our bishop, the Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin wrote of liturgical changes in his bi-weekly column, Without a Doubt, which appears in the Providence Visitor.

Our own Nick asked me via comment in the Bp. Tobin post:
Nice article. If Fr. Finelli shares the letter Bp. Tobin sent to the pastors, please give us the highlights as well.

I never did get anything from Fr. Finelli on the Bp. Tobin take, but the iPadre has a take of his own, which I now share with you, our readers. In my opinion, this article is excellent, and resembles a similar catechesis used when Father gave the good people of Holy Ghost Church their first tastes of Latin (some for the first time ever, some for the first time since Vatican II). He pointed out the documents just as they are, just as he does here. Nothing gets hosed down for the sake of political correctness.

"The Latin liturgical texts of the Roman Rite, while drawing on centuries of Ecclesial experience in transmitting the faith of the Church received from the Fathers, are themselves the fruit of the liturgical renewal, just recently brought forth. In order that such a rich patrimony may be preserved and passed on through the centuries, it is to be kept in mind from the beginning that the translation of the liturgical texts of the Roman Liturgy is not so much a work of creative innovation as it is of rendering the original texts faithfully and accurately into the vernacular language. While it is permissible to arrange the wording, the syntax and the style in such a way as to prepare a flowing vernacular text suitable to the rythym of popular prayer, the original text, insofar as possible, must be translated integrally and in the most exact manner, without omissions or additions in terms of their content, and without paraphrases or glosses. Any adaptation to the characteristics or the nature of the various Vernacular languages is to be sober and discreet." (Liturgiam Authenticam, #20)

By now, I am sure that you have heard that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has approved the new translation of the Roman Missal. That is the official book of prayers and responses for the celebration of Mass in the English language. The Bishops voted overwhelmingly, 173-29, to approve the changes. The new Sacramentary will now go to Rome for final approval and modifications.

Since the Bishops' approval of the new translation on June 15th, various new agencies have been putting a spin on this story. Some have quoted one Bishop as saying that this will be a very difficult transition since we have been using the current translation almost 30 years. However, this is a very minor update to the prayers we use for the celebration of Holy Mass. Just think back to the years after Vatican II. We changed from Latin to vernacular and the Roman Missal, which was used for some 1500 years, was changed from the ground up. That was a major change!

Indeed, any change is difficult, but as good Roman Catholic Christians, I am sure we will all be more than willing to accept and conform to any change called for by the Holy Father. When the new ritual is approved, we will have time to explain the changes and prepare to celebrate the Mass with the new translation. Until that time, let us open our hearts to the workings of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

God love you,
Fr. Finelli

Father Finelli has many other great Pastor's Corner articles here. Thank you again, Father, for letting me share this with our readers at Christus Vincit.

+In Christ,
BMP

Friday, June 23, 2006

PLAY US A TUNE; YOU'RE THE ORGANIST

Matthew Meloche's really cool song parody, set to the tune of Billy Joel's Piano Man. He doesn't have comments open on his post. Hopefully some here will encourage him! :)

It's nine o'clock on a Sunday,
Regular crowd shuffles in,
there's an old man, sitting in the pew
looking at the hymn number board.

He says, "son, can you play me a Haugen tune?
I'm not really sure how it goes.
But its sad and its sweet and I knew it complete,
before we sang all of this chant."

La la la, de de da
La la, de de da da da
Play us a tune you're the organist!
Play us a tune this morn'.
We're all in the mood for some hymnody,
and you've got us singin' alright.

Father John at the front is a friend of mine,
he signs all the cheques for me.
and he's quick with a joke, but the incense doesn't smoke,
so there's someplace that he'd rather be.

He says "Matt, I believe this is silly,"
as the smile ran away from his face."
Well I know I could do solemn liturgy,
If I could get out of this place."

Oh, la la la, de de da
La la, de de da da da

Now Youth Minister Jill is a liberal,
who doesn't know much about the faith.
And she's talking with the Pastoral Associate,
who wants me to play more of Haas.

And the ushers are counting the cash-flow,
as the EMs quickly charge forth,
they're going to pretend to be little-priests,
As I start my Cesar Franck song.

Play us a tune you're the organist!
Play us a tune this morn'.
We're all in the mood for some hymnody,
and you've got us singin' alright.

It's a pretty good crowd for the early Mass,
and the Pastor gives me a smile.
'Cause he knows it's the Lord they've been comin' to see,
and not singin' 'bout themselves anymore.

And the organ sounds like a pipe organ,
Even though Rodgers is it's name.
And they sit in the pews and put cash in the basket,
and say, "And with your spirit" here.

Oh, la la la, de de da
La la, de de da da da
Play us a tune you're the organist!
Play us a tune this morn'.
We're all in the mood for some hymnody,
and you've got us singin' alright.

Peace,
BMP

YOU'LL NEVER HAVE TO WALK ALONE AGAIN

INTRODUCING:

All your best hymnals have companions (Hymnal 1982, Hymnal 1940, and even Worship III). Now the CHRISTUS VINCIT BLOG has one! The Alpha Index is up right now, but soon there will be indices by category, and author, and a few other cute little things. It'll be like a library catalog created by BALCO! You can go back to the very beginning of our little blog and catch EVERY post. Won't take long to find your favorites.

Never surf alone! ;)

Peace,
BMP

Prayers for Ordinations

We ask special prayers for

JOSHUA RYAN BROMMER

and

JAMES EDWIN LEASE,

who will be ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ in a Solemn Mass this evening at 7 pm. The Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades is the Principal Celebrant and Ordaining Prelate. Both of these young men are also fine organists, and bring a thrust for orthodoxy to their ministries. It brings me hope (as does my ministry bring them hope) for the future of music and liturgy in the Catholic Church.

Prelude: Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist -- Dieterich Buxtehude

Entrance: Iubilate Deo -- Jean Lecot/arr. Joshua Brommer

Act of Penitence Form B

Kyrie Orbis Factor

Gloria: Community Mass

Isaiah 12: Owen Alstott

Salisbury Alleluia

Litany of the Saints: chant

Investiture and Kiss of Peace: chant

Offertory: Love is His Word / JULINORMA

Sanctus, etc: Community Mass

Communion Chant: "One of the soldiers..." -- By Flowing Waters

Recessional: To Christ the Prince of Peace / SWABIA

Postlude: Final Variation from "Choral Varie sur le Veni Creator" -- Maurice Durufle

SACRED HEART

May the Heart of Jesus
in the Most Blessed Sacrament
be praised, adored, and loved,
with grateful affection, at every moment,
in all the Tabernacles of the world,
even until the end of time.
Amen.


Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.

+In Christ,
BMP

Score Another One for ORTHODOXY!

A few days ago, Gerald reported the story of a transitional deacon in the Diocese of Linz (Austria) who was publicly dissenting from Holy Mother Church on multiple issues, notably the ordination of women. Well it seems that the Bishop and Rome got wind of it, and this young man's priestly ordination has been postponed indefinately.

Read on...

~nb

Thursday, June 22, 2006

CHRISTUS VINCIT SPORTS: NBA Playoff Champions



HERE IS YOUR NBA CHAMPION BISHOP!

Congrats to Archbishop John C. Favalora, Archbishop of Miami and the Miami Heat, NBA Champions for the 2005-2006 season. The Heat beat Bishop Grahmann's Dallas Mavericks 4 games to 2, winning four straight after dropping the first two. Here are the scores:

Dallas 90, Miami 80
Dallas 99, Miami 85
Miami 98, Dallas 96
Miami 98, Dallas 74
Miami 101, Dallas 100, OT
Miami 95, Dallas 92

Peace,
BMP

christusvincit.net IS BACK UP

UPDATE 6/22/06: Subdomains are now working! That means you can access the following by its individual subdomains, as well as via the master page at www.christusvincit.net:
Christus Vincit Music - cvmusic.christusvincit.net
Holy Ghost Music Ministry - hgmusmin.christusvincit.net
Christus Vincit Podcasting - podcast.christusvincit.net
Christus Vincit Home Companion - companion.christusvincit.net

A front page is now up for the Home Companion. The Home Companion is a cool indexing feature that I'm working on for all 550-plus posts on this here blog, so you can find your favorite posts and get p***ed off at me, laugh, cry, re-inform yourself of certain items of note, etc. It's a cute little feature that will either hit or miss. I don't care, but it's there. You might like it when it's done!

Everything above in this post supercedes this paragraph below from yesterday:
We are now up at christusvincit.net on a new server. I have two pages to go and it's complete. I've added this cool play button on the new look podcast pages. I'm skipping the subdomain bit. So simply access the master www.christusvincit.net page and you can access from that index Christus Vincit Music, Holy Ghost Music Ministry, Christus Vincit Podcasting, and there's even a link to this here blog. I'm also adding a new companion page. Explanations later! That will be up in about a week or so if I have my way.

More as this develops. In the meantime, check it out. Kick the tires. Rev the motor a bit. Put down a few holeshots. Enjoy yourself.

Oh, here's that play button I was talking about. Go ahead. Press it!





Peace,
BMP

CARTOON OF THE DAY

This from the Roman Catholic Blog!


This is, of course, the typical double standard that "Mean Tod Brown" likes to employ. But don't take my word. Read for yourself!

Peace,
BMP

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Another Trip into Hymns

Thanks again to The Cyber Hymnal.

Find below the original text of The Church's One Foundation. There are some marked alterations from what we are normally familiar with. Just food for thought...

~nb

------------------------

The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.

She is from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end:
Though there be those who hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against or foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.

Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed:
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song!

’Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won,
With all her sons and daughters
Who, by the Master’s hand
Led through the deathly waters,
Repose in Eden land.

O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee:
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales the Bride
With Thee by living fountains
Forever shall abide!

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

WHEREVER YOU GO

I heard this from someone the other day:

Wherever you go, I shall go
This song, on occasion, gets requested - often for funerals, sometimes even for weddings. But I ask this question - What if you're going to hell? Do I go too? ;)

Peace,
BMP

FUNERAL RECESSIONAL HAIKU

In Paradisum,
Funeral recessional,
Not How Great Thou Art

Alternate version:

In Paradisum,
Funeral recessional,
Not On Eagle's Wings

Peace,
BMP

ZUHLSDORF, CHAPUT, and PAGE on TRAUTMAN

Bishop Donald Trautman, often referred to in inclusive language (which Bp. Trautman is a big fan of) as "Fish Person" doesn't like a precious chalice.
"To me, ‘precious chalice’ says something gold with diamonds all around it," Bishop Trautman said. "Jesus used a drinking cup at the last supper, not a precious chalice."
Now to me, the precious chalice is named such because it is the Precious Blood of our Lord that makes it precious.

After his election to the chair of the BCL, Bishop Trautman argued in various fora against the norms in LA and suggested resisting them.
Something he would have gotten away with back in the '60's and '70's. But not anymore - thank God!

Archbishop Chaput knows where it's at!
Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver said he agrees that Vatican II trumps any document that derives from it. “But I would also say the Holy See has a much clearer perspective on how to interpret Vatican II than any individual bishop or any bishops’ conference,” he said in an interview. “We shouldn’t confuse our own reading of the council with its accurate interpretation. That work belongs to the Holy See.”

Can you say that the Fish Person might just be trying to conveniently misinterpet these documents to his individual liking? Oui oui, mon frere!

Check out the Fr. Zuhlsdorf take. He knows where it's at too!

Peace,
BMP

CHRISTUS VINCIT SPORTS: Stanley Cup Champions

HERE ARE YOUR STANLEY CUP CHAMPION BISHOPS!

Congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes, a hockey team in the Diocese of Raleigh, winners of the Stanley Cup for 2006. Why two bishops in the picture? Oh, that's because Bishop Gossman will be retiring, and Bishop Burbidge will be taking the reins as of August 4, 2006. Now, boys, play nicely and share your Stanley Cup while you still can. ;)

Oh, the Hurricanes defeated the Archbishop Collins (Edmonton) Oilers 4 games to 3. Here are the scores:

1. Carolina 5, Edmonton 4
2. Carolina 5, Edmonton 0
3. Edmonton 2, Carolina 1
4. Carolina 2, Edmonton 1
5. Edmonton 4, Carolina 3
6. Edmonton 4, Carolina 0
7. Carolina 3, Edmonton 1

HERE IS YOUR CALDER CUP CHAMPION BISHOP!

UPDATED upon seeing Nick's comment: Yes folks, it's Bishop Rhoades, of Nick's diocese, Harrisburg. The Hershey Bears of the same diocese are the Calder Cup Champs, beating out the Archbishop Dolan Milwaukee Admirals 4 games to 2!

Peace,
BMP

Monday, June 19, 2006

AD ORIENTEM versus VERSUS POPULUM

Shawn Tribe's post at NLM can make you think on certain terminologies. "...They can either re-enforce truth or they can potentially distort it." That is, of course, dependent on which point of view you're looking at things.

Same thing goes for the terms ad Orientem and versus populum. Of course, ad Orientem (to the East) on one front means facing the Lord with everybody else, while the other front tries to downplay it by saying "the priest has his back to the people". A similar situation with versus populum (facing the people). One front will take it as a positive: the priest's dialog face-to-face with the people, while the other front will say "the altar has become a stage". In the case of the latter, I've known many a priest over my quarter-century as an organist who have done just that - turn the altar into a stage.

Read on. It's an excellent read. Also, check out Diane's Te Deum Laudamus blog. You can usually find a good share of photos of Mass at Assumption Grotto in Detroit - Novus Ordo Missa done ad Orientem, with class!

Peace,
BMP

Sunday, June 18, 2006

MUSIC for SUNDAY XII at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

Back to the numbered Sundays of Ordinary Time, which I simply designate as, in the case of this Sunday coming, Sunday XII.

so...
SUNDAY XII - JUNE 25, 2006 / 4:30 (Sat); 7:30, 9, 10:30 (Sun)

Introit: Praise, my soul, the King of heaven (565/Lauda Anima)
Penitential Rite: parrot the celebrant
Gloria: Mass of the Bells (Peloquin)
Psalm: Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting (Tone 8G)
Alleluia: Mode VI (verse sung to tone 6F)
Offertory: I heard the voice of Jesus say (470/Kingsfold)
Eucharist:
- Sanctus/Anamnesis/Amen/Agnus from Jubilate Deo
- Lord's Prayer: chanted, English
Communion: Our blessing cup (Page)
Recessional: I sing the mighty pow'r of God (438/Ellacombe)

Here's something cool - during our Corpus Christi Procession this morning, one of the neighbors standing by with her dog waiting for us to cross stood and joined in singing with us. I find it way cool that the bystanding neighbors have great respect for the Blessed Sacrament like that.

Peace,
BMP

CORPUS CHRISTI at Fatima, Lafayette


Ordinary: Missa VIII
Prelude: Meditation sur "ubi caritas" et "Iesu Dulcis", Jean Langlais
Procession: Let All Mortal Flesh
Entree sur "asperges me", Jean Langlais
Gradual: Psalm du jour (Basilica Psalter)
Sequence: Ecce panis angelorum
Alleluia versicle: caro mea
Offertory: O Lord with Wondrous Mystery
Schmuecke Dich, J.S. Bach (Leipzig)
Communion: Ave Verum, Marcel Dupre
Shepherd of Souls (St. Agnes)
Recessional: Acclamations Carolingiennes, "Christus Vincit", Jean Langlais


TWO VOTES TO CAST

First, the American Papist has a poll out: Are you in favor of the new translation of the Mass?

You can probably guess how I voted. But here's the score at the time I am typing this post:
Of 433 votes, 90.1% say YEA, 5.8% are undecided, and 4.2% say NAY.

Second, for you podcast listeners out there, don't forget to make that trip to Podcast Alley if you haven't this month and cast your vote for CHRISTUS VINCIT over there. You can cast it via Podcast Alley or on the sidebar of the podcast site there's a direct link. You will have to confirm an e-mail addy, but rest assured its sole purpose is so that no vote gets cast more than once in a given month. So, please? Pretty please?

Peace,
BMP

Saturday, June 17, 2006

FINALLY A NOT-SO-NEGATIVE ARTICLE
ABOUT THE NEW TRANSLATION

Kale at Un-Muted Ramblings posted a link to an article on the new Mass translation - this article from the Catholic News Agency, and quoting Bishop Roche. Finally a fresh positive take, as opposed to those takes I've read from the secular media.

Peace,
BMP

Friday, June 16, 2006

NEW TRANSLATION IS A "YEA" IN THE USA

MASS TRANSLATION EDITION


Well, folks, here's some real BISHOPS IN SPORTS for ya! In the game of Vote to approve the new Mass translation, the "yeas" smoked the "nays" by a score of 173-29. I'm still dying to see the whole thing. I'm sure it's not perfect. It will never be perfect, but it has to be better than what we have now, I'm sure. I wouldn't mind seeing it anyways, because I've been dying to re-write the four Mass settings I had written from 1991-2000 and lost in the notorious Pawtucket Mill Fire of 2003, which destroyed many neighboring homes.

Why did I blow off re-writing since getting organized again in January 2004? Because I had heard that a new translation of Holy Mass was in the works, and I didn't want to go through the efforts again only to find out soon that it's now obsolete. My four settings were:

1. Mass in Honor of the Precious Blood (Originally written as "Mass for a New Congregation"; Agnus Dei in 1984; Alleluia, Lenten Gospel Acclamation, Christ Has Died, Amen in 1987; rest in 1991)
2. Providence Mass (1996-1997)
3. Acclamations for Advent (Adapted from CREATOR ALME SIDERUM, Mode IV; No Gloria; Alleluia and Dying You Destroyed Our Death in 1991; Sanctus, Amen, and Agnus Dei in 1997; Penitential Rite and Lord's Prayer in 1999)
4. Missa Christus Vincit (Adapted from a setting of CHRISTUS VINCIT that I wrote in 1999; the Mass was written in 2000)

We await one last thing now: approval from the Vatican! Some say it may take years. Others say that the Vatican will make a push. We'll soon see. Watch and pray.

In the meantime, check out this nasty Associated Press take on it. OUCH! But par for the course in secular media. Hat tip to Gerald.

Peace,
BMP

Thursday, June 15, 2006

SOME SERVER CHANGES

For those who have been wondering where the title page is, it will be back soon. I'm changing hosts, from Yahoo/GeoCities to GoDaddy.com. The transfer of all that is under christusvincit.net, including the title page and a few select pictures, should be complete within the next week.
For those who have been going to podcast.christusvincit.net for the podcast, you may still access it at cvpodcasting.blogspot.com at any time.
Things will be back to normal soon. Please bear with me. Until then, we can still blog here at least.

Peace,
BMP

CHATEAU DE VOSKEAU DINNER CHAPEL

Hat tip to Gerald

This is a church??? What do they have? Extraordinary waiters of Holy Communion bringing Jesus from his table to yours???

Pathetic. Typical Vosko, but Pathetic.

Peace,
BMP


PS: Please do not leave monetary tip.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

THE RIGHT WAY TO RECYCLE YOUR BEER BOTTLES

Hat tip to The Curt Jester.

Here is a concept from the early 1800's - the Beer Bottle Organ! This way-cool organ has a flute-like or maybe a bourdon- or stopped diapason-like sound to it.

Go to this site and you'll find a link you can click and it will play Eleanor Rigby for you.

Even better, go to this page and you'll find a slew of way-cool oddball instruments, just waiting to be played at a progressive parish near you.

Peace,
BMP

OUTSING, OUTPRAY, OUTWORSHIP

Eight Catholics…

Two teams…

One Island…

Ten days of dubious liturgy…

But there can be only one survivor of Liturgy Island!


Watch the opening episode, in color on the OX FILES Network!

Peace,
BMP

THE CHRISTUS VINCIT HAIKU (Got Notable)

NOTABLE in the "Blatant but Cute Self-Promotion Category" at Ironic Catholic




Christus Vincit team,
Brian, Nick, and Jason, three
wild and snarky guys!

I feel SO honored! (LOL)

The rest of my contributions got this button:


Peace,
BMP

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE: A GOOD CHURCH ARCHITECT

Hat tip to Argent.

Meet Duncan G. Stroik. He builds good looking Catholic churches. They look Catholic. They look sacred. I'm awestruck! Check these out!

This is All Saints Church, just near Covington, Kentucky. This exterior is kind of reminiscent to me of, let's say, Old Saint Joseph's in Boston. Wait! You think that looks nice, get a load of this...












WOW! Already looks like it might be a historic church that just got restored to its full original beauty. You can click on these, btw, for the BIG picture.

Now, let's look the other way...








This is another impressive view, this time from the Baldacchino. Hey, did I just say Baldacchino??? Hey, yeah, like, I did! What's really cool about this Baldacchino is the dove at the top. That tells me that the Holy Spirit is watching and guiding. Oh, and is that a choir loft I see??? And organ pipes??? OOH! BRIAN LIKES!!!

Check out the rest of the Duncan Stroik portfolio. You'll love it! Forget Vosko. Stroik knows where it's at when it comes to building real churches and not just "worship spaces".

Peace,
BMP

The Space Mountain Church, Part II



Argent tells us that this design on the top was passed up in favor of what's below.











Gerald reports that this is Bishop Vigneron's doing, and that this Cathedral is inspired by the Liverpool Cathedral (what Brian has below as the Space Mountain Church.)

Pax Domini,
~nb

COUNTDOWN TO THE BIG MEETING

In just two days, our U.S. Bishops will be meeting in good old Los Ahn-ga-lese, California, home of the Taj-Mahony (Gerald's famous description of the cathedral that I describe to look like a subsidized housing project). Part of this big meeting: to vote on the new translation for the celebration of Holy Mass.

This translation, far better than what we have today, not 100% perfect, but still a big improvement, has already cleared England and Australia. However, a certain fish-person who heads the BCL will do his darnedest to hold things up. He and other dissenting bishops already tried to pull a fast one on Rome by saying that Oh, the people have been used to what we have now for nearly four decades, with absolutely no regard for the many centuries that they had already thrown away. However, Francis Cardinal Arinze, prefect for the Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments knew better and responded No go! I want a translation that conforms to the confines of Liturgiam Authenticam. Plain and simple.

Trautman and pals best watch out. Why? Let me remind you of this clause in Liturgiam Authenticam:
104. For the good of the faithful, the Holy See reserves to itself the right to prepare translations in any language, and to approve them for liturgical use.

So what that means is that if these guys can't come to grips and get a proper translation, Rome can (and will if need be) come up with one.

I'm sure there will be quite a bit of news like this throughout much of the Catholic blogosphere.

UPDATE 6/13/06 1:30 PM: According to a report by the Tablet, Scotland's episcopal conference just voted to approve the new ICEL translation of the Mass. More pressure on the USCCB? Hopefully! (hat tip to Rocco)

Peace,
BMP

SURVEY: IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS A CHURCH...

...what would you have thought this is?

(Hat tip to Gerald)

Real answer: the Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool, England, birthplace of the Beatles (and I am a big fan of the Beatles, don't get me wrong).






Gerald and some others via comments on his post say spaceship. I was thinking some big time factory or nuclear power plant (or for the phonetically challenged: nucular power plant). The first time I saw this picture I looked really quick at confused those banners-on-poles with smokestacks. The top of this cathedral reminds me of a grease factory (cooking grease, etc.) not far from me. So, generically, one could say "industrial cathedral", perhaps?

What say ye?

Peace,
BMP

TWO GREAT PODCASTS

Today I got to hear Fr. Jay Finelli's iPadre podcast. As I mentioned before, he and 25 parishioners from Holy Ghost Church had the wonderful experience of going to Medugorje. In his most recent episode, #23, Fr. Finelli takes you on a lovely "sound-seeing" tour of Medugorje. At the end of the show, the Holy Ghost troupe prays the rosary while climbing Apparition Hill. Some may also remember from hymn lists past the Croatian Ave Maria/As I Kneel before You. You'll hear the refrain of this sung by the group in the last seconds of this show. It's a big hit at Holy Ghost.

Very shortly, I'll be listening to Fr. Seraphim Beshoner's Catholic: Under the Hood podcast episode #49, called Lessons from the Shamrock. He'll be exploring the hopefully-forthcoming changes in the Liturgy as we know it here in these USA States. Fr. Beshoner, btw, is a Third Order Franciscan.

Both podcasts get two thumbs up. And if I could raise my big toes, I'd raise them too. ;)

Peace,
BMP

Monday, June 12, 2006

NEW JINGLE FOR PODCAST

I just uploaded a new jingle for the Christus Vincit Podcast, using the customary "Vote for us at Podcast Alley" theme. Listen here!

Here's the lyric:
Cast your vote for our podcast,
Christus Vincit, by name.
Some may insist that this show's on crack,
But, poor Shamus is totally wacked!
So please get thee to Podcast Alley,
If we don't win, that's ok.
For it's one procedure a month!
Vote for us today!


And the last ending:
For it's one, two, three steps, you're done!
Vote for us today!

Peace,
BMP

SINGING FOR SUPPER OR SACRIFICE?

CanticaNOVA posts this article by Lucy Carroll, originally published in the Adoremus Bulletin (11/2002). Excellent reading!

Peace,
BMP
PS: I particularly like the "bargain counter lines" description, typical of Lucy Carroll's style. Not a bad thing, mind you. ;)

Sunday, June 11, 2006

MUSIC for CORPUS CHRISTI at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

JUNE 18, 2006 - CORPUS CHRISTI (The Body and Blood of Christ)

Saturday 4:30 / Sunday 7:30, 9, 10:30
Procession concludes 10:30 Mass

Introit: You satisfy the hungry heart (Music Issue, #337/Bicentennial)
Penitential Rite: parrot the celebrant
Gloria: Mass of the Bells (Peloquin)
Psalm: I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord (Page)
Alleluia: Mode VI (verse sung to tone 6F)
Offertory:
- (except 10:30) Panis Angelicus (Music Issue, #354, in Latin/Sacris Solemniis)
- (10:30 only) Panis Angelicus (Franck)
Eucharist: Peoples/Danish combo (People's Sanctus/Agnus; Danish Anamnesis/Amen)
Lord's Prayer: chant, English
Communion:
- (except 10:30) Eat this Bread (Music Issue, #346/Batastini/Berthier)
- (10:30 only) Ave Verum Corpus (Mozart)
Recessional Hymn (except 10:30): Songs of thankfulness and praise (Missalette, #23/Salzburg)
Corpus Christi Procession (10:30 Mass):
- Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All (Sweet Sacrament)
- O Sacrament Most Holy (Non Dignus)
BENEDICTION:
- O Salutaris Hostia (Werner)
- Tantum Ergo Sacramentum (Mode III)
- Holy God, we praise thy name (Missalette, #34/Grosser Gott)

Choir will go on vaca until September following this Mass. Thanks all for a great year!
Peace,
BMP

Terrible Truth Exposed

Hat tip to CPT Tom at Corning Curmudgeon who is carrying this story. He in turn hat tips Mary of Against All Heresies who posted the letter/story.

Representative Ted Harvey, Colorado State Legislature, sickened by the fact that one of the last resolutions in the legistature's session, carried by the House Majority Leader Alice Madden, would be honoring the 90th anniversary of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Representative Harvey was disgusted:

As a strong pro-life legislator I was disgusted by the idea that we would pass a resolution honoring this 90 year legacy of genocide. I drove home that night wondering what I could say that might pierce the darkness during the debate on this heinous resolution.


What he found was Gianna Jessen, an abortion survivor:


She then began to give her testimony. When her biological mother was 17 years old and 7 ½ months pregnant she went to a Planned Parenthood clinic to have an abortion. As God would have it, the abortion failed and a beautiful two-pound baby girl was brought into the world. Unfortunately, she was born with cerebral palsy and the doctors thought that she would never survive. The doctors were wrong. Imagine the timing! A survivor of a Planned Parenthood abortion arrived in town just days before the Colorado House of Representatives was to celebrate Planned Parenthood's "wonderful" work.


He arranged for Gianna to talk at the Legistature, not letting anyone know she was there to talk about her "experience" with Planned Parenthood, but rather on her work as a Cerebral Palsy activist. Then, he sprung the trap during his speach on the floor.

This is a great article and a great moment in the fight against the anti-life movement. Go read it....

THE TERRIBLE TRUTH EXPOSED

Saturday, June 10, 2006

FIGURES THE ENGLISH MASS GETS THE SHORT END,
EVEN IN MEDUGORJE

I'm happy to report that Father Finelli (the iPadre) and the 25 parishioners that accompanied him to Medugorje arrived back home safely last night! The experience was wonderful, according to Father and two of the guys that went.

On a liturgical note, Father did let me in on something:
The German Mass, he said, was beautiful, as was the Croatian Mass. The English Mass, on the other hand, musically at least, was horrible, as I'm told. What is it with the English Mass where it seems to get the short end of the stick worldwide???

Peace,
BMP

ANOTHER RARE GEM - THE GOOD LOOKING NEW CHURCH!

I haven't posted a good looking new church in a long time, so, here's some Florida sunshine for the beholder.

Thanks to Deacon Jeffrey BeBeau, a commentor on this post from The New Liturgical Movement, we see this beautiful new church under construction.




This is Saint Paul Church in Pensacola, Florida. Quite nice! Let's take a look inside, shall we?

So far, this looks good. Really good. Now, of course, the disclaimer on the web page says, Please remember these are conceptual drawings, and the actual building will appear differently as design continues to develop. As long as St. Paul Parish and diocesan officials keep Vosko and the like out of the picture, the end result, I'm sure, will be very good.



Click on the picture above and get a really cool look at the starred ceiling. It's reminiscent of the church that is pictured below:

Go over to Shawn's post and try to identify this church. Again, note the blue ceiling with white stars. Some thought Notre Dame in Montreal. I say no, only because the arches are pointed at the top (at Montreal, that is), like most Gothic-style churches.

This church, btw, I think, is drop-dead gorgeous!

Peace,
BMP

HOMESCHOOLING COULD BE ILLEGAL

Full story here.

Apparently some activist judges are interpreting this so-called "customary international law" to fit their agenda against homeschooling. Figures. Why, because a public school brainwashes better to their liking? Puh-leese!

I have homeschooling parents in the choir - they're great parents who have brought up great kids. Is that what society is afraid of? Making good kids? Making good Catholics out of kids?

Under Article 14, children are guaranteed "freedom of thought, conscience and religion," which suggests they have a legal right to object to all religious training. Further, under Article 15, the child has a right to "freedom of association."

"If this measure were to be taken seriously, parents could be prevented from forbidding their child to associate with people deemed to be objectionable companions," the HSLDA report explained.


So, if my kid has a friend who's a known bad influence, I have no right as a parent to keep this bad influence away??? BULL $&!^!

Farris argues, according to LifeSiteNews, that "by the same reasoning, parents would be denied the ability to homeschool their children unless the government first talked with their children and the government decided what was best. This committee would even have the right to determine what religious teaching, if any, served the child's best interest."

WHAT??? Since when does the government decide what religious teaching a child is to get? Why do think our forefathers came to this country? So we could choose our religion for ourselves and for our children. This is known as freedom OF religion. That was one of THE basic principles in our country. What these activist judges and other similar types that creep me out are trying to push is freedom FROM religion. That's two different things. What next? Abolish Catholic schools, too?

As for the homeschooling parents I work with as choir members, and their children, and all Catholic homeschooling families, keep up your great work! I'll be praying for you.

Peace,
BMP

Friday, June 9, 2006

YOU WANT A LATIN HAIKU? YOU GOT IT!

A couple of commentors on the Rhapsody blog suggested we pull off some Latin Haikus. Here's my attempt!

Ite, Missa Est
(That's the "hymn of sending forth")
Deo gratias! (OOPS! Thank you Chris!)
Wait, that's only two-thirds Latin. Let's try this again.

What are the hymns we sing? Not necessarily in order now...
Offertorium,
et Cantus Introitus,
et Communio.

Inspired by this Sunday's Introit Verse (not the antiphon):
Admirabile
in universa terra
nomen tuum est!
(Admirable in all the earth is your name!)

Best I can do for now!

Peace,
BMP

MEET "SIX-EYES"

Got my first ever pair of bi-focals today. Now my wife and I are calling each other "six-eyes". She's had bi-focals for a few years now, so she's giving me all the primers. ;)

Now, anyone dare me to hop on a crane, while not used to bi-focals yet? Don't answer that! (LMAO)

Peace,
BMP

Corpus Christi at the Cathedral

(Choir's last Sunday before summer hiatus.)


Prelude: Le Banquet Celeste -- Olivier Messiaen

Entrance: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus / HYFRYDOL

Gloria: Melodic Gloria (Peter Jones at 9:30)

Psalm 116: Michel Guimont

Salisbury Alleluia

Offertory: Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All / SWEET SACRAMENT

Anthem (9:30): Thee We Adore -- T. Frederick H. Candlyn

Sanctus, etc: Community Mass

Agnus Dei: Proulx in F

Communion: Take and Eat

Anthem (9:30): Ave Verum Corpus -- W. A. Mozart

Recessional: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name / GROSSER GOTT

Postlude: tba

All things bright and...hairy???

THIS IS NOT NEWS!!!!!!!!

Here endeth the rant.


~nb

"Strangers with Candy" Clip

HERE is a clip from the cult TV show "Strangers with Candy".

Enjoy!

Thursday, June 8, 2006

SAINT TARCISIUS

I've never really brushed up on the study of saints like I should - mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Thanks to Shawn Tribe at the New Liturgical Movement, a curiosity of mine was satisfied.

Just a few months ago, Holy Ghost Church, where I am music director, started a new group dedicated to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - The Saint Tarcisius Adoration Society. I had never heard of Saint Tarcisius. The illustration in the poster (pictured left) for the Adoration Society led me to believe he was a kid.











Tarcisius was a boy of third-century Rome. His virtue and devotion were so strong that the clergy trusted him to bring the Blessed Sacrament to the sick. Once, while carrying a pyx, he was recognized and set upon by a pagan mob. They flung themselves upon him, trying to pry the pyx from his hands. They wanted more than anything to profane the Sacrament. Tarcisius’ biographer, the fourth-century Pope Damasus, compared them to a pack of rabid dogs. Tarcisius “preferred to give up his life rather than yield up the Body of Christ.”

Even at such an early age, Tarcisius was aware of the stakes. Jesus had died for love of Tarcisius. Tarcisius did not hesitate to die for love of Jesus.

A young man very devoted to Christ!

Passage in italics from Youth When the Church Was Young, from The Way of the Fathers. Photo courtesy of Holy Ghost Church.

Peace,
BMP

Wednesday, June 7, 2006

CATHOLIC HAIKU CONTEST

The Ironic Catholic announced an Ironic Catholic Haiku Contest. For anyone who doesn't know what a "haiku" is, it's a short verse, three lines, poetic meter 5-7-5 - that is five syllables, seven syllables, five syllables. Doesn't have to rhyme. Rythym needs not be consistant either.

"Trapped in Brooklyn", via comment to Ironic Catholic wrote this one that I thought was funny:
Haugen Joncas Haas
When I think of their music
I always pass gas

Here are three of my own:
1. Trautman can't endure
an "authentic liturgy",
Mahony neither.

2. LA Cathedral:
In my eyes it passes for
Subsidized housing.

3. Hootenanny Mass:
I will walk out of this church
if I see guitars.

Those are my submissions to the Ironic Catholic, via comment. ;)

Someone who really can write a killer haiku is Jack Bennett at Idle Mendacity. Check his blog out!

Peace,
BMP

SENDING FORTH???

Sequel to my rant on the so-called "Gathering Rite".

Here we have the so-called "sending forth song" or sometimes simply called the "sending hymn". Many confuse this for the recessional hymn, which is not part of the Mass but many of us sing it anyways. I can't say there is no such thing as a "sending rite". There is. It's actually called the "Dismissal rite". But here are the choices given for the REAL sending forth song (Celebrant's part in regular print, people's part in bold):

This is the simple Latin Ite, Missa Est, used in most Latin Novus Ordo Masses. Other settings, much more complex than the one above, can be found in the Kyriale.

Here is the chant setting in English, as found in the English version of the Roman Missal, often called the Sacramentary, a title that Rome has asked the USCCB several times NOT to use.

Finally, the Easter setting, in both Latin and English. This is the setting that is sung at the Easter Vigil, Easter Day, and through the Octave (Second/Low/Divine Mercy Sunday). It also appears in Mass I of the Kyriale.

So, there you have it, folks. These ARE the OFFICIAL "sending forth" songs. This is the OFFICIAL end of Holy Mass. Don't let the "music issues" dope slap you on the way out the door (ha ha ha).

Peace,
BMP

CHURCH BUILDING BLOCKS, PART DEUX

Now, if you remember this Maltese church that COULD become a reality (but isn't yet), how about this (scroll to next picture please):










This ugly concept IS reality. Fritz Wotruba, an athiest, built this stone-age style compound back in the 70's in Vienna, Austria, just blocks from Gerald's boyhood stomping grounds (Gerald gets the hat tip on this, btw).

To me, this building is very reminscent of those cartoon scenes where a solid building would blow up, then the pieces of it would fall from the sky and form a structure, just like this one. Is it really sturdy? I'd be afraid to go in. However, it has stood up for over 30 years.

This could also be something from the Monty Python and the Holy Grail days. Nee! Nee!

Peace,
BMP

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!

Check out this article over at Gerald's place, about the latest cave-in because Muslims might be offended by something...

~nb

Trinity Sunday at the Cathedral

Prelude: Two settings of Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr -- Zachau, Vetter

Entrance: Holy, Holy, Holy / NICAEA

Kyrie: chant

Gloria: Melodic Gloria (Peter Jones at 9:30)

Psalm 33: Gelineau

Salisbury Alleluia

Offertory: Come, Now, Almighty King / ITALIAN HYMN

Anthem: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence -- Holst

Sanctus, etc.: Community Mass

Agnus Dei: Proulx in F

Communion: Lord, You Give the Great Commission / HYFRYDOL

Recessional: O God, Almighty Father / GOTT VATER, SEI GEPRIESEN

Postlude: Menuet-gothique (SUITE GOTHIQUE) -- Boellmann

ALARMING STATISTICS!!!!!!!!

Doctors:

1. The number of doctors in the U.S. is 700,000.
2. Accidental deaths caused by physicians per year number 120,000.
3. Accidental deaths per physician is 17.14%.

(Statistics courtesy of the U.S. Dept. of Health &
Human Services)


Guns:

1. The number of gun owners in the US is 80,000,000(yes that's 80 million).
2. The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.
3. The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is 0.001875%.

(Statistics courtesy of the FBI)

So statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.

Remember, guns don't kill people, doctors do.

FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERY ONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR.

Please alert your friends to this alarming threat. We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!!! Out of concern for the public at large, I have withheld statistics on lawyers for fear the shock would cause people to panic and seek medical attention!

IF YOU CAN'T PROVIDE A MASS TRANSLATION,
WE WILL PROVIDE ONE FOR YOU

It could come to that point, not that it necessarily will. Rocco at Whispers in the Loggia has the story. (Hat tip to Argent)

Rocco writes:
Arguably, it is the most important vote the US bishops have ever taken as a conference. And in light of that, you may be asking "Where are we at?" Or, more accurately, "Where are they at?"

Well, if they can't get far enough, there's always the "Imposition Right" (not "rite" in this case). For paragraph 104 of Liturgiam Authenticam, the document given by the Vatican as THE guideline to use for translating the Mass, says:
"For the good of the faithful, the Holy See reserves to itself the right to prepare translations in any language, and to approve them for liturgical use."

So Rome is saying "if you can't, we will!" That means Bishop Trautman and his ilk is being endured by Rome no longer. The USCCB already got their lovely letter from the Good Cardinal (Arinze, that is, oh, and Gerald at the Closed Cafeteria has it custom framed just for you).

The US Bishops will try to adapt Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again, as one of its Memorial Acclamations. The Latin options do not include Christ has died... Its first choice is roughly Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life; Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Anyhoo, here's some of it, as provided by Rocco:

The Confiteor:
Priest: Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins,
that we may be ready to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
(Silence)
All: I confess to almighty God,
and to you my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned greatly
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and what I have failed to do,
(striking their breast, they say)
through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.
(Then they continue)
Therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us
and lead us, with our sins forgiven,
into eternal life.

The Gloria:
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God almighty Father.

Lord, Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Nicene Creed:
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only-begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
(At the following words, up to and including and became man, all bow.)
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

Crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
And one holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

A snip from the Roman Canon, in the original:
Look with favor on these offerings
and accept them as once you accepted the gifts of your servant Abel,
the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
and the bread and wine offered by your priest Melchizedek.

The revised text says:
Be pleased to look upon them with a serene and kindly gaze
and to accept them, as you were pleased to accept the gifts of your just servant Abel,
the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek,
a holy sacrifice, a spotless victim.

And, of course:
Celebrant: Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are they who have been called to the banquet of the Lamb.

ALL: Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof,
but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

Mark your calendars - June 15-17, 2006! The days of voting are coming soon!

Peace,
BMP