Sunday, January 31, 2010

FATHER HENRY MAIR, SA (1935-2010)

Fr. Henry Mair, SA (Franciscan Friars of the Atonement), a priest at the Chapel of Our Savior in Brockton, Massachusetts, died last Thursday evening. At this time, I offer my prayers for the repose of Fr. Henry's soul.

Since I'm on call for the next three weeks, I'll be playing his funeral Mass this Wednesday evening at 7 PM at the Chapel of Our Savior. I do have the music list here, pending the OK from the chapel director. Now, if I had my way, there would be more chant, etc., but per request from the chapel director, I had to stick with stuff that people pretty much know. Although I did go as far as using I am the bread of life at the offertory, I did manage to avoid the "funeral hits" (Be not afraid, Eagle's wings, How great thou art, etc.), so far.

Here's the tentative list:

Sing with all the saints in glory ("Hymn to Joy")
The Lord is my shepherd (Alstott)
Alleluia (Mode VI)
I am the bread of life (Toolan)
Heritage Mass: Sanctus and Agnus Dei (Alstott)
Danish: Christ Has Died and Amen
Keep in mind (Deiss) (as a Communion hymn, NOT a memorial acclamation, rest assured!)
Panis Angelicus (Franck) (time permitting)
Commendation: Song of Farewell (Sands)
For all the saints ("Sine Nomine")

To Father Henry: In paradisum deducant te angeli, in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem. Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere, aeternam habeas requiem.

Peace,
BMP

Thursday, January 21, 2010

TAKING "EQUAL RIGHTS" WAY TOO FAR

Some nutcases in the British Parliament are trying to do exactly that! They want to see Poncho Ladies infesting REAL Catholic parishes.

Source: Rhode Island Catholic

Incredible is the only way to describe a so-called Equality Bill currently under consideration in the British Parliament.

The bill, which claims to eliminate discrimination in the workplace, would regulate churches including the Catholic Church as employers. It would make it unlawful to require a Catholic priest to be male, unmarried or not in a civil marriage, since no priest would be able to clearly demonstrate that their time was wholly spent leading prayer, liturgy or worship and promoting and explaining doctrine. The Bishops of England and Wales have protested the bill and its immensely serious consequences for over two years.

The British Government’s clash with religion is led by the Equality Minister Harriet Harman and they have consistently denied such a damaging impact on the Church. However, religious liberty experts have suggested that while the law could not compel the Catholic Church to ordain women but would certainly limit the Church’s ability to ensure priests live a celibate lifestyle. Neil Addison, the director of the Thomas More Legal Centre, suggested that the bill was seriously flawed because it treated religious ministers as employees rather than office holders. He further suggested that: “The supporters of this bill don’t understand why the churches don’t have women priests and gay clergy. The supporters of this bill are very ideological. They want transsexuals to sue to remain priests.”

Catholic Bishops reject claims by the government that as long as priests spend 51 percent of their time leading worship and preaching the Gospel they would be spared any hostile legal action. They suggest that priestly ministry is so diverse and includes pastoral work, private prayer and study, administration and building maintenance that it would be impossible to guarantee that such a condition could be met. The rejection of the government’s claims includes the objection by Catholic Bishops that the government would now effectively define what work a priest must perform. Last month an amendment to protect the liberty of churches was rejected by the House of Commons and as a result the bill will likely become law next year.

It appears that all people and institutions are not in fact treated equally in the British Isles. Those people and institutions that espouse religious values will not be treated fairly or with any tolerance by this horrible law even if government bureaucrats with charming titles like Minister of Equality suggest otherwise to church leaders. While this situation might appear as seemingly incredible to those who respect religious liberty and promote tolerance among peoples, it is frighteningly clear that the British Government has no such respect or tolerance for churches and other religious institutions.

In his novel 1984, the British writer George Orwell described a totalitarian regime that sought to exert mind control and removed all those who opposed “Big Brother.” Such a “Big Brother” is the British Minister of Equality, Harriet Harman, who has disguised intolerance for religion and disrespect of faith communities as a law about equality. Her promotion of a bill that strips churches of religious liberty and redefines fundamental religious teachings in the name of tolerance and equality seems eerily similar to the world described by Orwell. Incredible as it may seem, it is just the beginning for a civilization that has become a champion of the individual as they blindly follow the dictatorship of moral relativism. We hope and pray that such incredible ideas never reach the colonies but we are not optimistic they aren’t already being advanced by government bureaucrats and political ideologues across the nation.

This Harriet Harman --- does she even know what the sam hell "equality" is? Apparently not!
I'll have to see if Damian has anything on this.
Peace,
BMP

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

PLEASE PRAY FOR STEVE O

Got this e-mail from CV's own SteveO:

Hi, everyone. I've got a prayer request or two for you.

Saturday evening past I was admitted to the hospital - congestive heart failure (very, very early stage). A surprise came Sunday evening, though, with an added diagnosis: Kidney problems. Although I'm not in renal failure, the kidneys are not behaving themselves.

I've got an excellent cardiologist, and we are trying to get the kidneys to shape up so that we can take care of the cardiac problems. It seems that I will probably have to have another catheterization to see how the ticker is progressing.

Your prayers are requested - but mostly for Katie, as this is extremely stressful for her.

Thanks to all of you.
God's blessings,
Steve

Any and all prayers for Steve and his wife Katie would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much.
Peace,
BMP

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

YEAH BABY!

Scott Brown wins the Senate seat held for too long by the late Ted Kennedy - 52%-47% over Martha Coakley.

I'm happy as a pig in poopoo. What else is there to say, besides congratulations, Senator Brown.
Peace,
BMP

HOW TO GET YOUR WHOLE FAMILY DELETED

from a Facebook friends list



Simply put up a positive statement on your wall endorsing the candidate of your choice (in my case, Scott Brown), and just watch the fan get splattered with doo-doo, ca-ca, poo-poo, and good old number two.

I put up a positive statement on my wall simply stating that a vote for Scott Brown would be some hope for our country as we know it. Then, a "family friend" (on my wife's side) chimed in with the "sorry, Brian, I voted for Martha", and gave her "reasons" for doing so. I then stated what Coakley had said about doctors who don't believe in abortion shouldn't be in the medical profession, and politely asked her, "Can we afford to have any more sickos like that running our country?"

This woman then started flying off the handle at me and my old friend from high school, who also chimed in (politely, mind you) on behalf of Brown, even as far as getting into my personal affairs (remember, she's friends with my in-laws). She even went as far as posting on her wall about how she's going through a lot of "grief" over her political choices. She created her own grief by flying off the handle on, not her wall, but my wall. Needless to say, in the end, she deleted me (no loss), my wife (who said hardly anything), and my two younger kids (who were in school, so they never got a chance to say anything). If she's going to be childish over a lousy political opinion, then so be it. With over 220 friends on my Facebook profile, one isn't going to make a freakin' difference.

I'll tell you what --- if you're on my friends list, go ahead and read my wall. The proof is there that when one supports a nutcase's case, they act out of desperation. I thought my friends, my wife, and myself were quite rational.

Peace,
BMP

NOEL GOEMANNE (1926-2010)

Noel Goemanne, a noted Catholic Church musician and composer of many pieces of music and Masses performed by choirs and organists throughout the world, died Jan. 12 in Dallas from complications of colon cancer. He was 83.

Read the whole thing here.
Peace,
BMP

Monday, January 18, 2010

THE LAST GAME SHOW I REMEMBER...

...to use ORGAN MUSIC regularly during the game:

Concentration, hosted for eons by Hugh Downs, then for the last couple of years by Bob Clayton.



Peace,
BMP (somewhat of a classic game show enthusiast)

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ordinary Form) / January 24, 2010
Holy Cross Church, Providence, Rhode Island


This coming weekend, I'll be filling in for three Masses at Holy Cross in Providence. Ron Almeida, a good friend of the snark population, is music director. Anyhoo, the list is as follows (his picks)...

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound ("New Britain")
Your words, O Lord (Guimont)
Alleluia (Murray)
Lord, when you came to the seashore ("Pescador de Hombres")
Massive Cremation (except Agnus) (Haugen)
Agnus from Holy Cross Mass (Isele)
You satisfy the hungry heart ("Bicentennial")
Seek ye first the kingdom of God (Lafferty)

On the three Saturdays following, I'll be working once again for the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at the Chapel of Our Savior in Brockton, MA. Music lists coming soon.

Peace,
BMP

ONE MORE REASON MARTHA COAKLEY MUST LOSE

That reason is Ed Schultz of MSNBC.



"I tell you what, if I lived in Massachusetts I'd try to vote 10 times. I don't know if they'd let me or not, but I'd try to. Yeah, that's right. I'd cheat to keep these bastards out. I would. 'Cause that's exactly what they are." - Ed Schultz

From the Washington Times, which I followed via a post on the message boards at Eric Carmen's web site.

Peace,
BMP

Sunday, January 17, 2010

COAKLEY BLUNDERS AGAIN

A Christus Vincit Sports special flash!

This time, she called Curt Schilling a Yankee fan. That's like saying Poncho Ladies are real Catholic priests!



RSCT to the food chain: The Catholic Caveman, who linked Curt Schilling, who linked Michelle Malkin.

I'm Brian Michael Page, and I approve this message on behalf of Scott Brown! GO SCOTT!
Peace,
BMP

Friday, January 15, 2010

DOUBLE YOUR WTF FUN FOR JANUARY 2010

We're handing out TWO WTF AWARDS for this month...

1) Pat "I blame the people of Haiti for their earthquake because they signed a pact with the devil" Robertson. Who the sam hell gave this yahoo a doctorate???

AND

2) Martha "I don't think certain people should be doctors because they don't want to perform abortions" Coakley. I hope Scott Brown smokes her sorry ass for the dead Kennedy's senate seat. Electing her would be a death wish, not only for Massachusetts, but for this great nation, even worse than electing Barack Saddam Hussein Obama Bin Laden (which was bad enough!). It's too bad I don't live in Massachusetts (just the state next door).

Peace,
BMP

Thursday, January 14, 2010

ON THE NEXT iSNARK!


It's a known fact that I'm not a big fan of Shall We Gather at the River - well, at least not as a hymn. But, because it's in the public domain, I figured I'd put the tune Hanson Place to better use - as a jingle for König Ludwig Weissbier (introduced by our good snark buddy Jason) the official beer of Christus Vincit Media. Listen below.


Peace,
BMP

DEFENDING THE NEW MASS TRANSLATION

An excellent article by Fr. Peter Stravinskas (RSCT Jeffrey Tucker at NLM).

In his essay, Father (Michael) Ryan argues that not enough consultation has taken place, and that “we should just say, “Wait’” before implementing the new translations. I disagree. As a Web site set up to defend the new translation proclaims, “We've waited long enough!”

BTW, I signed it a while back. If you like the new translation, go sign it. ;)

It appears that Fr. Ryan is just another of a handful of people who think that the average congregant is too stupid to be handed down such "big words" as incarnate, and consubstantial. And even if many don't know such words (which doesn't necessarily constitute stupidity, folks - I think you all know what I'm getting at), it might be best to let it remain to them a "mystery". (Mystery was a big word at one time, too!)

Peace,
BMP

Sunday, January 10, 2010

AH YES, THE INFAMOUS DIVERSITY COUNCIL

All in the name of "diversity"... Paul Nichols gives quite the fair assessment:



You want REAL diversity in your parish Mass schedule? Let St. John Cantius in Chicago be your guide:
Saturday (Anticipated) 5 PM in English
Sunday:
7:30 Tridentine Low Mass
9:00 English (BTW, the folks at Cantius don't screw around - the bulletin lists the hymns for 9:00 Mass. They use WLP's Seasonal Missalette and use only quality hymns. The Mass chants are generally Mass XVIII for this Mass.)
11:00 Latin (Ordinary Form)
12:30 Tridentine High Mass

Peace,
BMP

EIGHT MYTHS ABOUT CHURCH MUSIC...

...revealed by Fr. Christopher Smith. RSCT to Arlene Oost-Zinner at The New Liturgical Movement.

Here are the myths. Click on Fr. Smith's name above for "the rest of the story". I will, however, try to insert some of my own snarkentary below...

1. When it comes to music, there's no debating taste.
- So true. Everyone that knows me very well knows that I'm a big fan of Raspberries and Eric Carmen. But do I use their styles in church? Hell, no!
2. Music at Mass is just a nice addition; it's not like it's necessary or anything.
- Reminiscent of the priest that Thomas Day depicts in his book Why Catholics Can't Sing as barking out, "The Mass doesn't NEED music!" Guess what... on Sundays it does!
3. Choirs are only there to support congregational singing.
- Oh, I know someone on the RPInet board who will have a shit fit if she reads the article and find that the real FCAP doesn't mean that the congregation has to sing everything that the choir sings!
4. We are supposed to sing four hymns at Mass.
- You don't have to. You can if you wish. But, the Propers are preferred. If I had my way, I'd use them too!
5. Vatican II abolished Latin in the Mass.
- Let's see: what words do I use to describe this myth... "hogwash" is one; "balderdash" might be another; "baloney", yes; "bullshit", after the famous card game, absolutely.
6. The church does not have her own hymnal.
- Yes it does - Graduale Romanum. Before that, Liber Usualis.
7. Chant is too hard for people today to sing.
- Have you even tried it?
8. Music is supposed to make me feel good at Mass.
- I suppose your faith is supposed ot make you feel good too. Not always.

Again, read Fr. Smith's article for better explanations.
Peace,
BMP

SOME OF MY FAVORITE 4th AND 5th GRADE MEMORIES...

One of my old classmates in grade school got me into Baseball Super Freaks. These were some of the most hifreakinlarious stickers, some even funnier than Wacky Packages, that my childhood allowance could buy.

Thanks to David W. at Quasi-Intersting Paraphernalia Inc. (a blog), one can get a glimpse of THE ultimate collection that I couldn't stop LMAO over!

Here are a few of my favorites. Go see David W. for the rest. BTW, I saved my absolute favorite for last!








Peace,
BMP

Thursday, January 7, 2010

WHAT IS THE LITURGICAL PRESS THINKING???

I got the Spring 2010 catalog from The Liturgical Press in my mailbox yesterday and the front cover is featuring a book called Uncommon Gratitude, written by - get this - Rowan Williams (Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury) and Joan Chittister (Benedictine Nun and borderline Poncho Lady of National Catholic Distorter and other infamies).

This doesn't sound like the direction that LitPress would normally follow, but you'll never know, I guess.

Peace,
BMP

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

THE PSALMS FOR SUNDAYS IV-V-VI

My own settings of the Psalms for the rest of winter Ordinary Time 2010 is up at Chabanel:

1) Sunday IV - I Will Sing of Your Salvation (Psalm 71 / verses written in a Gelineau style)
2) Sunday V - In the Sight of the Angels (Psalm 138 / verses written in a chant style)
3) Sunday VI - Blessed Are They Who Hope (Psalm 1 / Psalm tone same as tone for Psalm 138)

Enjoy!
Peace,
BMP

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

I Feel Crabby, I Feel Crabby, So Crabby and . . .

J. S. Bach the great had every reason to feel crabby. First, he had been totally led astray by the teachings of the heretic Martin Luther and felt consigned to minister in the church (I use that term very loosely) of the re formation group. To make matters worse, since pastors in the heretic sects didn't hold sway as do the clergy of the True Church, JSB had to fulfill the wishes and desires of people (all men, of course, because God-only knows that even heretics at least knew the sex of ordinands and leadership)called the consistory - yeah, the same title used for those who led the great inquisition (perhaps we should have one today; bring forth Abp. Mahoneybaloney up for the first inquiry).... The consistory was concerned with making sure they got every drop of blood from the kappelmeisters and that das organisten played not too fast, not too slowly, not too loudly, not too softly, not to embellishingly...you get the drift.

So it stands to reason that Johann the Great composed a little piece named after the crab. A single line, played frontward and backward then both ways simultaneously.

For your enjoyment, here's a video from youtube. Watch the bouncing ball, and watch the Mobius strip flex and turn. Don't worry about the comments below the screen - as usual, there are some incredibly dopey remarks about whether this is a good composition, etc. Those people forget that JSB was the pinnacle of the Baroque period of music; his work was the epitome of it all, and the standard to which all other composers of the period were held. Kind of like Mother Church. As with the works of JSB, all others fall short of the glory - especially those who have fallen so far from the tree.

Enjoy! Be ye therefore not crabby and keepeth not thy head in the sand, nor other places where it might be oh, so dark. Sprout thine head back upon thy shoulder and raiseth thine eyes and enjoy the beauty and dignity of the truth. Tho helpeth you God.

God's blessings.
SteveO



If the link doesn't show up, blame Brian for thinking I could do this. If it does show up, then blame Brian for having a modicum of faith that the old man could really do it. (PSST: Brian put the video up) ;)

PELOSI'S CATHOLIC GPA

RSCT to Argent

Elizabeth Lev on Nancy Pelosi, probably the biggest nutcase to be given a gavel and podium:

Pelosi has long been in need of remedial CCD -- religious education -- classes...
...With an F in theology and an incomplete in history, Pelosi's Catholic GPA seems to be at an all-time low...

Pelosi's Catholic GPA gets lower every time she opens her freakin' yap. A good Catholic Nancy Pelosi does not make. However, she'd be a good fit as a Poncho Lady (so might our own Patrick Kennedy, for that matter).

Peace,
BMP

PONCHO LADY DOES CINCINNATI

RSCT to Fr. Loren, who gave his post the right title ("This Womyn Should Be Contained in a Padded Room") and the right category ("pathetic drivel").

Women priests will no longer be contained By Janice Sevre-Duszynska • January 4, 2010

Several months ago, former Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk barred Sister Louise Akers from teaching in archdiocesean schools because she supported the ordination of women. Recently, when a reporter asked him why he did this, the archbishop said: “The formal teaching of the church is women cannot be ordained to the priesthood. I am bound by that … She was representing the church. You can’t represent the church and teach things that the church doesn’t teach. I believe I was forced to take some action.” (The Enquirer, Dec 21, 2009) (Is this the Cincinnati Enquirer or the National Enquirer? Must be the Cincinnati Enquirer, since the Archbishop is absolutely right.)

There are numerous publications by theologians which attest to the history and tradition of women’s leadership in early Christianity and up until the 12th century – as deacons, priests and bishops. See, for example, the calendars of archaeologist/theologian Dorothy Irvin and books by scholars Gary Macy, Karen Jo Torjesen, John Wijngaards, Lavinia Byrne, Ida Raming, Ute Eisen, Joan Morris, Kevin Madigan and Carolyn Osiek. (Never heard of any of these people. Have you?)

Catholics must search for the above information by themselves because male priests do not mention the words “women’s ordination” from the pulpit at Sunday Masses. Those who follow their conscience and have spoken out for women’s justice within our church and world community have been severely reprimanded by the Vatican. One such person is Father Roy Bourgeois, Maryknoll priest of 38 years and founder of the School of the Americas Watch. He and SOAWatch have been nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. (Oh, yes, bring on the social justice bit as an excuse to bend the rules! Oh, and nothing like nominating an excommunicated priest for a Nobel Prize! And just when I thought nominating the pro-abortion President Barack Saddam Hussein Obama Bin Laden for last year's Prize was bad enough!)

Theologian Dorothy Irvin, who has a pontifical doctorate in Catholic studies from the University of Tübingen, Germany, with specialization in Bible, ancient Near-Eastern studies and archaeology, has found archaeological evidence that women were priests.

I traveled with her to Rome, Naples and North Africa. We visited catacombs and churches. We studied frescoes, mosaics and tombstones. I have seen firsthand frescoes of a woman at the altar celebrating Mass and women celebrating Eucharist. I have seen the Roman mosaic of four women ministers, including a woman bishop, which attests to a continuous succession in church office from Mary through Praxedis and Pudentiana to Theodora.

Above her head is her title, “Episcopa,” with the feminine ending, meaning a bishop who is a woman. (I'll bet these women weren't Catholic.)

Jesus treated women and men as equals and partners in ministry. Among his disciples were many women. Mary Magdalene, the first to encounter the risen Christ, was commissioned by Christ to be the “Apostle to the Apostles.” St. Paul called Junia “an outstanding apostle.” In 1976, the Pontifical Biblical Commission concluded that there is no biblical reason to prohibit women’s ordination. (The Bible never considered any of the women to be disciples, as close to Jesus as they may have been.)

This past July former President Jimmy Carter severed his ties with the Southern Baptist Convention because he believes that “we are all equal in the eyes of God – as confirmed in the Holy Scriptures.” (And he still isn't Catholic.)

His July 12, 2009, statement entitled “The Words of God Do Not Justify Cruelty to Women” was published in the Sunday Observer in the United Kingdom. (See CommonDreams.org) In this powerful essay, he challenges male religious authorities saying that “discrimination and abuse wrongly backed by doctrine are damaging society. This discrimination, unjustifiably attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse for the deprivation of women’s equal rights across the world for centuries.” (Again with the twisted definition of "social justice")

In polls conducted by the National Catholic Reporter (Distorter), the sensus fidelium – the voices of the faithful – believe that women are called to the servant priesthood.

Many Catholics have left the Church because they consider it unbalanced without women on the altar to interpret the Gospels from their feminine living and dying.

The Holy Spirit moves in grace and truth among the grassroots and cannot be deterred – even by the Vatican. In recent years, women have reclaimed their ancient heritage within the Church. Today there are about 100 women ordained as Roman Catholic Womenpriests. (Oh, sure! Throw the Holy Spirit under the bus!)

Your farewell article on Archbishop Pilarczyk contained a chart indicating that there are 482 Roman Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. That is an error you may want to correct for the incoming archbishop, Dennis Schnurr.

As an ordained Roman Catholic Womanpriest (Poncho Lady), I make the total 483. (482)

Quit playing pretend, lady! Why do you think these "ordinations" take place in non-Catholic institutions and cruise ships? It's because they know it's not Catholic to begin with.

Again, kudos to Fr. Loren for his proper title and tag.
Peace,
BMP

Monday, January 4, 2010

NOW AVAILABLE...

...at NO COST to you at all...

At the Chabanel Psalms website:
Two added Psalm settings by yours truly:

1) Proclaim His Marvelous Deeds (Psalm 96) for Sunday II (Year C)

2) Your Words, Lord, Are Spirit and Life (Psalm 19) for Sunday III (Year C) and the Sunday XV (Year C, second option)

The second appears to be in the form of a straightforward chant style. The first has a metrical refrain (6/8 time, with a descant), with chant-style verses that end with a hint of Peloquin influence in the organ accompaniment. In fact, those who might have used my own Today Is Born Our Savior (which comes with antiphon parts for two trumpets in B-flat, handbells, and timpani, as well as descant) might recognize the Psalm tone. (Like Joseph Gelineau did with his Psalms in the '50s and '60s, I keep the Psalm tone the same for the Psalm verses, regardless of its antiphon.)

Enjoy!
Peace,
BMP

Saturday, January 2, 2010

BRIAN MICHAEL PAGE IS NOW AVAILABLE...

...to play and/or sing at WEEKDAY Masses as well as weekend Masses (funerals/weddings included) within the Diocese of Providence, and within a reasonable distance in the Archdiocese of Boston, and the Dioceses of Fall River, Worcester, and Norwich.

I'll even be glad to become your parish's music director, if you so wish.

28-1/2 years experience
primarily traditional
will play pipe or electronic organ

Combox or e-mail at bpage69(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Don't leave your parish music program in the dark. HIRE A SNARK!

Peace,
BMP

Friday, January 1, 2010

WANT A GOOD FUNNY YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO SUBSCRIBE TO?

I just subscribed to the Catholic Caveman's own YouTube channel - carolinapadresfan.

After watching his 2010 Predictions on the CC blog, I couldn't resist going to his YouTube site to watch his 12 Days of Caveman Christmas. It is freakin' funny, or as The Crescat would rightly say, it's hifreakinlarious! (He does have some good serious stuff too!)

Here's the 2010 Predictions by the Caveman:


Now, the 12 Days:


Now, GO SUBSCRIBE!
Peace,
BMP

Nope...Not drunk..... drugs, well????

Okay, folks. I just read this last post - even though it had been proofed (still found a speller...).

Delete the Immaculate Conception lines and insert Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The Immaculate Conception still figures very highly on this day.

So what made me do this - commit this atrocious liturgical/theological snaffu? Drugs. Plain and simple. Drugs.

For several long hours after midnight, my lovely wife and I were at the local ER. My right foot was ... well, it hurt like heck. . . more than heck. Turns out that it was GOUT. Not in the usual places, but spread all over the foot. So I got an injection of toradol then had some naproxen about half hour before posting.

It all made such good sense when I was proofing it!

If you find other errors, please please please snark em out!!!!!! It will let me know that you were not bleary-eyed and could read the print which I could not!!!!!

Next week: maybe I'll start a heresy of the week club. Any takers?

God blessh'all

SteveO
WHO WAS FIRED FROM HIS POSITION IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, BECAUSE THE PRIEST DISCOVERED THIS EXCELLENT BLOG. Wonder who would win a court case on that line alone? Of course, he had every right to fire me, because (as much as I love the state) TX is a right to fire state. And because I can snark with the best and worst of them. And toleration of the intolerant and unrealistic is not my game.

My new motto for 2010:
IS IT DARK IN THERE WHERE YOUR HEAD IS????

The Old Year

Following a rather tumultuous year, I am a bit saddened at not having had the blessing of playing for Masses at the beginning of this new year.

I recall, vaguely, that Johann the Great (Bach, of course) around the year 1705, composed his organ prelude on a well known chorale, The Old Year Now Has Passed Away. The piece is not something which is considered very uplifting for the new year, by modern accounts. It's sad, ponderous. But why?

Consider that Germany had not yet fully recovered from the Thirty Year's War. There was still pestilence and plague. There was still much fighting over religion, even though Martin Luther had committed his sin of disobedience nearly 150 years earlier. The chorale itself need not be sung like a real dirge, but certainly text and tune call for some modicum of insightful vocal interpretation. After all, the people had barely survived the previous year, and... well next year might be just as bad. But we made it through, by God's good Grace.

I wonder how I would have explained that to my congregation, called together by the Church to celebrate the Immaculate Conception.

Certainly the joy of Mary's pregnancy should be highly celebrated. But maybe today we need to become a bit more introspective - maybe even all year long.

Mary's pregnancy was filled with hazards. She could have been stoned. She could have just been turned out from the circle of family and friends. How dare she do this?????

Certainly, too, life at Nazareth wasn't like living in a penthouse suite. Maybe no suicide bombers, but there were marauding Roman soldiers here and there. They really didn't care that much about Nazareth because it wasn't advantageous as a political and military stronghold. The sewage system wasn't up and running. Nor was the Verizon wireless network. The lifespan then was perhaps 30 years or so less than ours today. Old people in their 70's and 80's were a rarity. Old was 50 honey. Which means that by their standards, I'm ancient.

In our time we have political upheaval and unrest. Politicians on the take, and manipulating the lives of millions so that they can keep their power. A power given them by God. The level of moral turpetude grows exponentially each year. Every good invention is beseiged by those plotting to find ways to use it for evil.

Maybe, as we consider the Immaculate Conception, we need something soulfull and insightful as we prepare to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice. Something other than "Hey, how the hell are you all on the brand new day of the brand new year. I'm Fr. Turkeybone, the pastor here at Veil of Veronica community, and along with my trusty assistant, Fr. Numbknutts and our Deacon, the Rev. Iknowmorethanyoupoorslobsinthepews, and we wish you a quiet liturgy with quiet organ music because, well, God knows, I've got a headache jut like you have - maybe worse."

Lord, you were sent to call sinner.
Kyrie eleison.

God's blessings.
SteveO

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Ordinary Form) St. Joseph Church, Cumberland, RI - 10:30 AM - 1/1/10

The historic Church of St. Joseph, established in 1872, present church built in 1888, present organ (W.K. Adams and Son of Providence, RI, two manuals, nine ranks, mechanical) built in 1889 and still in very good shape.

I spent six years here as an assistant organist (1983-89) to the late Bob Dube (1938-2000). This is my first stomping grounds as an actual organist of any kind.

I came here for the 10:30 Mass this morning with my mother. Still quite the nice looking church, and the organ's still very playable. The hymns were a bit different from what one would normally expect for New Year's Day, but on the most part wasn't bad. There was some stuff I definitely could have done without.

Entrance: On this day, the first of days ("Gott sei Dank")
- I have not heard this hymn in eons! Was actually good to hear again.
Psalm: refrain from the missalette (David Kraehenbuehl - anyone remember his old book Service Music for the Mass? Blue book?) / verses were recited by the lector
Alleluia: Janco (Mass of the Angels and Saints?)
Offertory: Make me a channel of your peace (Temple)
Eucharist: Massive Cremation (blech!)
Communion: Sing of Mary, pure and lowly ("Pleading Savior")
Recessional: Let there be peas and carrots on earth (blech!)

Although the Mass was that of Mary, Mother of God, I think the organist tried to combine the votive "World Day of Prayer for Peace" in her hymn selections.

I would have done something like this (in the typical parish that insists on hymns):
In: Hark! the herald angels sing (I combined the Mary and the Peace motifs in this one Christmas carol - "Offspring of the Virgin's womb", and "Peace on earth and mercy mild". BAM!)
Psalm: Alstott setting from Respond and Acclaim (I like the chant motif on this one, and would have sung this a cappella.)
$: an Ave Maria of some sort, or (since this parish uses We Celebrate), Stainless the Maiden (which uses the Polish tune "Serdeczna Matko")
+: What child is this (the Babe, the Son of Mary)
Out: Lo! how a rose e'er blooming (easier for your typical congregation to sing than it looks, though if the congregation is too chicken, or the pastor is too chicken, Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly is good, too!)

BTW, after 20 years away from St. Joseph's, I can still remember the stoplist on this organ:

SWELL:
Bourdon 16' / Stopped Diapason 8' / Harmonic Flute 4' / Bassoon 8' / Oboe 8'
(The bassoon is the bottom octave, the oboe is the rest of the rank)

GREAT:
Open Diapason 8' / Dulciana 8' / Melodia 8' / Octave 4' / Flautino 2'

PEDAL: Bourdon 16' (borrowed from Swell)

Fr. Hunt made a mention in his sermon of "hero worshipping". Michael Jackson (who's death I did NOT mourn, btw - after all, he got away with a hell of a lot, IMHO) was his example on how false worshipping can lead to bad things. I almost wanted to do the Pentecostal thing and yell out "AMEN, FATHER!"

Peace,
BMP