Low Sunday / Quasimodo Sunday / Divine Mercy Sunday
Second Sunday of Easter / Octave Day of Easter / May Day
May 1, 2011 - Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI
Masses:
Saturday at 5 PM / Sunday at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM
This will be almost a repeat of Easter Sunday.
ELLACOMBE: The day of Resurrection
E. Connor: Gloria - Mass in Honor of Pope Paul VI
O. Alstott: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good - Respond and Acclaim
B.M. Page (arranged from O Filii et Filiae and Psalm Tone 2D): Alleluia for Easter Day and the Octave
- (using verse 2)
PUER NOBIS: That Easter Day with joy was bright
L. Picchi: Sanctus and Agnus Dei - Messa 'Christo Riscuciti'
R. Remondi: O Sacrum Convivium
Mode VI: Regina Caeli, Laetare (in English and Latin)
EASTER HYMN: Jesus Christ is ris'n today
Peace,
BMP
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
WHEN YOU HAVE TO BITE BULLETS
Ah, yes! The periodically mandatory funeral request line rant!
Had a funeral this morning. Won't say where, but had to bite the usual bullets:
Be not afraid
Here me is, Lawd
Schubert Ave
Phone conversation with the secretary the other day:
Secretary: Oh, and "The Ave Maria"
iSNARK!: Which one?
Secretary: The original one.
iSNARK!: You know the original "Ave Maria" is Gregorian Chant, right?
(Now of course I should have just said "OK" and gone ahead and done the Mode I, right? No! I had to open my big flappin' yap! So, here come the consequences!)
Secretary: Oh, I should have said, "the most popular one."
iSNARK!: Ah, I thought so!
Of course anything like "the most popular one" and "the one you hear a lot on TV" (think Dixie Carter in a "Designing Women" episode I once saw back in the 1980's) will lead to the Schubert. I don't mind it so much, just that it's overdone. I've played it in a fistful of keys (F, G, A-flat, B-flat, and even C) to accompany singers from all ranges. When I'm singing from the console, I play it in G (after all, I'm a bass). But now, what if "the most popular one" on TV is Schubert, but the most popular Ave in your parish is really the Arcadelt? or the Victoria? or one haphazardly written by the deceased or by the soloist herself, Aunt Mabel?
A few people over the years have once told me I should assume the Schubert by default, but I don't. There are so many Ave Maria settings out there, and a good number of them ARE high quality (read "dignified for use in Catholic worship"). While, again, I'm not saying that the Schubert is bad, it certainly isn't the original (that was about six centuries before Schubert's), and many times I have gotten compliments after a funeral Mass on another Ave - again, usually the Arcadelt or Victoria. (I know, the Victoria's really meant to be sung SATB a capella, but I've successfully reduced it to a very lightly accompanied baritone solo!) :-)
We can call my conversation with that particular secretary a "pastoral" moment - not because I gave them the Schubert Ave, but because I just gave that secretary a lesson on what the REAL original Ave Maria is. Remember that "pastor" is Latin for "shepherd" (read "teacher", "leader"), not "a yes man".
Oh - and another bullet to be bitten: Recessional: Let There Be Peas and Carrots on Earth! (BLECH!) Of all things! And I've heard someone actually call it a Christmas song. Yeah? Since when?! It's not a Christmas song (just because Vince Gill recorded his rendition with some kids for his own Christmas album), and it sure as hell isn't a funeral song!
The Missal has a recessional already prescribed for Funeral Masses. In fact, the Funeral Mass is the ONLY Mass to this day that has a set recessional. It's "In Paradisum". However, the intelligence seems to be to end with a metrical hymn of some sort. After all, in most places in these parts, the priest will usually SAY the first half of the "In Paradisum" in English just before he announces "In peace, let us take our sister Henrietta to her place of rest."
The rest of the Mass was left up to me. So, what does the iSNARK! decide upon? To put at least SOME dignity in the Mass, of course! Here's the rest of my lineup:
Psalm: My Shepherd is the Lord (Gelineau)
Alleluia from O Filii et Filiae with the "I am the resurrection and the life..." verse sung to tone 2D
Sanctus XVIII (which doubles as "pro Defunctis")
Memorial Acclamation: Christ Has Died (Sacramentary chant - it's in Worship)
Amen: adapted from the first line of Sanctus VIII (de Angelis)
Agnus Dei XVIII
Final Commendation: Saints of God (Proulx)
I was between the Proulx "Saints of God" and the Peloquin "I Believe that My Redeemer Lives", but I just didn't have it in me to try the high F on the last stanza. Maybe another time. :)
At least if the funeral were to be Extraordinary Form, I wouldn't have to worry so much about options. Everything's set in place for you!
Peace,
BMP
Had a funeral this morning. Won't say where, but had to bite the usual bullets:
Be not afraid
Here me is, Lawd
Schubert Ave
Phone conversation with the secretary the other day:
Secretary: Oh, and "The Ave Maria"
iSNARK!: Which one?
Secretary: The original one.
iSNARK!: You know the original "Ave Maria" is Gregorian Chant, right?
(Now of course I should have just said "OK" and gone ahead and done the Mode I, right? No! I had to open my big flappin' yap! So, here come the consequences!)
Secretary: Oh, I should have said, "the most popular one."
iSNARK!: Ah, I thought so!
Of course anything like "the most popular one" and "the one you hear a lot on TV" (think Dixie Carter in a "Designing Women" episode I once saw back in the 1980's) will lead to the Schubert. I don't mind it so much, just that it's overdone. I've played it in a fistful of keys (F, G, A-flat, B-flat, and even C) to accompany singers from all ranges. When I'm singing from the console, I play it in G (after all, I'm a bass). But now, what if "the most popular one" on TV is Schubert, but the most popular Ave in your parish is really the Arcadelt? or the Victoria? or one haphazardly written by the deceased or by the soloist herself, Aunt Mabel?
A few people over the years have once told me I should assume the Schubert by default, but I don't. There are so many Ave Maria settings out there, and a good number of them ARE high quality (read "dignified for use in Catholic worship"). While, again, I'm not saying that the Schubert is bad, it certainly isn't the original (that was about six centuries before Schubert's), and many times I have gotten compliments after a funeral Mass on another Ave - again, usually the Arcadelt or Victoria. (I know, the Victoria's really meant to be sung SATB a capella, but I've successfully reduced it to a very lightly accompanied baritone solo!) :-)
We can call my conversation with that particular secretary a "pastoral" moment - not because I gave them the Schubert Ave, but because I just gave that secretary a lesson on what the REAL original Ave Maria is. Remember that "pastor" is Latin for "shepherd" (read "teacher", "leader"), not "a yes man".
Oh - and another bullet to be bitten: Recessional: Let There Be Peas and Carrots on Earth! (BLECH!) Of all things! And I've heard someone actually call it a Christmas song. Yeah? Since when?! It's not a Christmas song (just because Vince Gill recorded his rendition with some kids for his own Christmas album), and it sure as hell isn't a funeral song!
The Missal has a recessional already prescribed for Funeral Masses. In fact, the Funeral Mass is the ONLY Mass to this day that has a set recessional. It's "In Paradisum". However, the intelligence seems to be to end with a metrical hymn of some sort. After all, in most places in these parts, the priest will usually SAY the first half of the "In Paradisum" in English just before he announces "In peace, let us take our sister Henrietta to her place of rest."
The rest of the Mass was left up to me. So, what does the iSNARK! decide upon? To put at least SOME dignity in the Mass, of course! Here's the rest of my lineup:
Psalm: My Shepherd is the Lord (Gelineau)
Alleluia from O Filii et Filiae with the "I am the resurrection and the life..." verse sung to tone 2D
Sanctus XVIII (which doubles as "pro Defunctis")
Memorial Acclamation: Christ Has Died (Sacramentary chant - it's in Worship)
Amen: adapted from the first line of Sanctus VIII (de Angelis)
Agnus Dei XVIII
Final Commendation: Saints of God (Proulx)
I was between the Proulx "Saints of God" and the Peloquin "I Believe that My Redeemer Lives", but I just didn't have it in me to try the high F on the last stanza. Maybe another time. :)
At least if the funeral were to be Extraordinary Form, I wouldn't have to worry so much about options. Everything's set in place for you!
Peace,
BMP
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
HOLY ANGELS MASS
is COMPLETE!
Check it out at
Rehearse it now, but do not use until 11/27/11. :)
Peace,
BMP
Check it out at
Rehearse it now, but do not use until 11/27/11. :)
Peace,
BMP
Monday, April 25, 2011
SEE WHAT BAD MUSIC CAN DO TO A PARISH?
Every now and then I like to read some of the new reviews of Masses and services given by mystery worshippers. I should let you know that these mystery worshippers come from all faiths. We Catholics aren't alone on this site. Most of the reviews I read are either positive, or at least pretty positive, or at least in the "par for the course" motif (the case of most Catholic Mass reviews).
This morning, I read this one! And although you can easily click the words "this one" in my last sentence to read the full review, I can't help but to offer these snippets that may seem typical in a number of parishes. This review was on a Palm Sunday Mass (yes, this year) in a Catholic church. (Snippets from the page are in italics. The stuff in normal print is me being my snarky self.
How full was the building?
Simply heaving with humanity, and it's not exactly a small church! We arrived 10 minutes early and it was a struggle to squeeze into a pew, We were packed in the pew like the subway at rush hour. Lucky to get seats, though, as it was standing room only shortly after we arrived. I counted 60 or so in the side aisles, back of the church and vestibule. I would estimate the total attendance was above 400, a feat made even more impressive given this was the third mass of the day.
Now, since I've never attended Mass anywhere in Brooklyn, NY, I can't really judge whether this is the regular attendance every week, or if it's just the APEX Catholic coming out to do what they do best, that is, act like APEX Catholics. And if they're meeting family or friends there for the first time in five years, they won't keep their holes shut for five seconds, let alone five minutes!
Did anyone welcome you personally?
A warm and hearty hello it wasn’t. There was a lady distributing giant handfuls of palm fronds out of a plastic bucket of water to the eager hoards gathered at the entrance to the nave. She handed my friend a bundle. Then, when she saw me, she stopped and looked incredulously at me and said, "Really?" That, in Brooklynese, is an understatement for "You've gotta be kidding!" I answered back with my own "Really" and she handed some over, punctuated with an eye roll. Later, I realized that the custom was to give out one helping of palms per family, and she must have thought that my friend and I were being a very greedy couple.
"Really?" I should have used that on the "extraordinary" minister of Holy Communion that once told me that she could only give Jesus in the hand. In this case, the person saying "Really?" was of the greeter variety (or in some parishes, the new term is "hospitality minister" - everyone's a "minister" now - sheesh!).
Was your pew comfortable?
It would have been more comfortable with perhaps two fewer people in it, but, as far as wooden pews with a kneeler go, it was fine.
OK.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
Bustling, loud and crowded. It was well nigh impossible to get into a pious mood beforehand, although a few valiant souls tried. As with any crowd trying to squeeze into a space all at once, it had crying babies, people talking, folks jostling for position, and a number of people complaining about the logjam at the center aisle where the palms were being distributed. (I'm not sure, but I'm willing to bet that the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem didn't fight over who would get to wave the palm branches.) There were a few people kneeling at prayer, and I saw one lady interrupted mid Hail Mary, having to stop and stand to let more people into the pew. With a crowd this big, a few ushers would have been useful. Communion was a total free-for-all.
I won't even DARE to ask on that last sentence. My guess: it was either "Back off! It's MY Jesus!" or "Get out of my way so I can receive and get the hell out of here!"
What were the exact opening words of the service?
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Well, that's good, at least! But now, here's the liturgy that these people packed in like sardines to witness...
What musical instruments were played?
A small pipe organ. There was also a choir and a soprano soloist who was decidedly past her Use By date.
Anything like the geriatric glee club I once had to endure at a local parish one fine Divine Mercy Sunday?
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
Middle-of-the-road novus ordo, which I find neither happy clappy or stiff upper anything. The whole palm liturgy was really confusing for me. The palms had apparently been blessed at an earlier service, as the priest merely read the first lesson at the door, then walked forward asperging left and right while we sang the processional hymn – or rather, some of us did, and I think it was a hymn (I'll have more to say about the music in a moment). At the mass itself, there was no incense and no chanting, nothing really solemn at all. Not even the bell at communion, which I found a little sad. It was all very unsophisticated, bland, a little sterile, and nothing whatsoever to plug it into the past. Some of the music was on the happy clappy side, at least I think it was. Sometimes it was difficult to tell exactly what was being played. There was what I'm guessing to be a five-year-old boy sitting several rows ahead of me just bored out of his gourd and letting everyone around him know it, but he provided me with a memorable impression that I'll save for the end.
LOL - I THINK it was a hymn. (Not so sure, eh?) And what's this "asperging left and right"? Liturgical prance?
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
Catholics don't sing, do they? And who can blame them when what is on offer is truly, truly ear-splittingly bad. Something was sung that sounded like the K-mart jingle circa 1980. Another number, which I thought was going to be a doo-wop song, turned out to be a 1970s tuneless abomination. The choir and organist only made matters worse. The organist must have been a beginner, as it wasn't a case of a few misplaced notes, but rather whole misplaced passages! During the offertory, one half of the choir seemed to begin another hymn in a different key and tempo, while the other half continued on with what they had been singing. And I don't think it was meant to be contrapuntal. The old soprano punctuated everything with random impromptu solos. Is it any wonder that the congregation took the choir coming on as their cue to talk to one another? Everyone that I could see, save for one, completely disengaged when the singing started.
WOW! Very much like the geriatric glee club I linked a couple of questions ago!
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
The only time the bored five-year-old was still was when the choir was singing. I was surprised at how attentively he listened, frowning and making faces throughout, but really listening. During one particularly bad moment where the choir managed to sing off-key in tandem with a string of wrong notes, he reacted by screwing his face into the worst mug, and it was all I could do not to burst out laughing. From the mouths of babes, so to speak.
This five-year-old could just be a future "mystery worshipper".
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
2 – Perhaps if stricken deaf.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Yes. This was perhaps the perfect place to hear the Passion read, since so much is about "the crowd," the nature of bodies and community.
I don't know if this last remark was sarcasm or a good point made "tongue in cheek", but this seems like a very angry place. Of course, I'd be angry too if I had to endure this.
Peace,
BMP
This morning, I read this one! And although you can easily click the words "this one" in my last sentence to read the full review, I can't help but to offer these snippets that may seem typical in a number of parishes. This review was on a Palm Sunday Mass (yes, this year) in a Catholic church. (Snippets from the page are in italics. The stuff in normal print is me being my snarky self.
How full was the building?
Simply heaving with humanity, and it's not exactly a small church! We arrived 10 minutes early and it was a struggle to squeeze into a pew, We were packed in the pew like the subway at rush hour. Lucky to get seats, though, as it was standing room only shortly after we arrived. I counted 60 or so in the side aisles, back of the church and vestibule. I would estimate the total attendance was above 400, a feat made even more impressive given this was the third mass of the day.
Now, since I've never attended Mass anywhere in Brooklyn, NY, I can't really judge whether this is the regular attendance every week, or if it's just the APEX Catholic coming out to do what they do best, that is, act like APEX Catholics. And if they're meeting family or friends there for the first time in five years, they won't keep their holes shut for five seconds, let alone five minutes!
Did anyone welcome you personally?
A warm and hearty hello it wasn’t. There was a lady distributing giant handfuls of palm fronds out of a plastic bucket of water to the eager hoards gathered at the entrance to the nave. She handed my friend a bundle. Then, when she saw me, she stopped and looked incredulously at me and said, "Really?" That, in Brooklynese, is an understatement for "You've gotta be kidding!" I answered back with my own "Really" and she handed some over, punctuated with an eye roll. Later, I realized that the custom was to give out one helping of palms per family, and she must have thought that my friend and I were being a very greedy couple.
"Really?" I should have used that on the "extraordinary" minister of Holy Communion that once told me that she could only give Jesus in the hand. In this case, the person saying "Really?" was of the greeter variety (or in some parishes, the new term is "hospitality minister" - everyone's a "minister" now - sheesh!).
Was your pew comfortable?
It would have been more comfortable with perhaps two fewer people in it, but, as far as wooden pews with a kneeler go, it was fine.
OK.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
Bustling, loud and crowded. It was well nigh impossible to get into a pious mood beforehand, although a few valiant souls tried. As with any crowd trying to squeeze into a space all at once, it had crying babies, people talking, folks jostling for position, and a number of people complaining about the logjam at the center aisle where the palms were being distributed. (I'm not sure, but I'm willing to bet that the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem didn't fight over who would get to wave the palm branches.) There were a few people kneeling at prayer, and I saw one lady interrupted mid Hail Mary, having to stop and stand to let more people into the pew. With a crowd this big, a few ushers would have been useful. Communion was a total free-for-all.
I won't even DARE to ask on that last sentence. My guess: it was either "Back off! It's MY Jesus!" or "Get out of my way so I can receive and get the hell out of here!"
What were the exact opening words of the service?
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Well, that's good, at least! But now, here's the liturgy that these people packed in like sardines to witness...
What musical instruments were played?
A small pipe organ. There was also a choir and a soprano soloist who was decidedly past her Use By date.
Anything like the geriatric glee club I once had to endure at a local parish one fine Divine Mercy Sunday?
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
Middle-of-the-road novus ordo, which I find neither happy clappy or stiff upper anything. The whole palm liturgy was really confusing for me. The palms had apparently been blessed at an earlier service, as the priest merely read the first lesson at the door, then walked forward asperging left and right while we sang the processional hymn – or rather, some of us did, and I think it was a hymn (I'll have more to say about the music in a moment). At the mass itself, there was no incense and no chanting, nothing really solemn at all. Not even the bell at communion, which I found a little sad. It was all very unsophisticated, bland, a little sterile, and nothing whatsoever to plug it into the past. Some of the music was on the happy clappy side, at least I think it was. Sometimes it was difficult to tell exactly what was being played. There was what I'm guessing to be a five-year-old boy sitting several rows ahead of me just bored out of his gourd and letting everyone around him know it, but he provided me with a memorable impression that I'll save for the end.
LOL - I THINK it was a hymn. (Not so sure, eh?) And what's this "asperging left and right"? Liturgical prance?
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
Catholics don't sing, do they? And who can blame them when what is on offer is truly, truly ear-splittingly bad. Something was sung that sounded like the K-mart jingle circa 1980. Another number, which I thought was going to be a doo-wop song, turned out to be a 1970s tuneless abomination. The choir and organist only made matters worse. The organist must have been a beginner, as it wasn't a case of a few misplaced notes, but rather whole misplaced passages! During the offertory, one half of the choir seemed to begin another hymn in a different key and tempo, while the other half continued on with what they had been singing. And I don't think it was meant to be contrapuntal. The old soprano punctuated everything with random impromptu solos. Is it any wonder that the congregation took the choir coming on as their cue to talk to one another? Everyone that I could see, save for one, completely disengaged when the singing started.
WOW! Very much like the geriatric glee club I linked a couple of questions ago!
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
The only time the bored five-year-old was still was when the choir was singing. I was surprised at how attentively he listened, frowning and making faces throughout, but really listening. During one particularly bad moment where the choir managed to sing off-key in tandem with a string of wrong notes, he reacted by screwing his face into the worst mug, and it was all I could do not to burst out laughing. From the mouths of babes, so to speak.
This five-year-old could just be a future "mystery worshipper".
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
2 – Perhaps if stricken deaf.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Yes. This was perhaps the perfect place to hear the Passion read, since so much is about "the crowd," the nature of bodies and community.
I don't know if this last remark was sarcasm or a good point made "tongue in cheek", but this seems like a very angry place. Of course, I'd be angry too if I had to endure this.
Peace,
BMP
Sunday, April 24, 2011
HAVING A BLAST!
I have to tell you, I'm having a blast at Sacred Heart! The entire Holy Week/Easter festivities went over nicely. I've gotten a number of compliments from a number of parishioners and from Father Bucci.
Thank you! --- I want to thank the brass trio (George on trumpet, Chris on flugelhorn, and Jerry on French horn) and the small choir (soprano Elaine, alto Kate, and baritone Chris) for making our music festive and beautiful. I also want to thank my wife Ann (xoxoxoxo) and an elderly parishioner whose name I haven't gotten yet for helping me insert pew cards for the Picchi Mass before the Vigil last night.
Picchi Mass? --- One of the things I had the pleasure of learning is the "Messa 'Christo Riscuciti" by Luigi Picchi (pronounced "PEE-kee"). As noted in an earlier combox, Luigi Picchi was best known for arranging the melody of St. Alphonsus Liguori of a favorite Christmas carol of Italians everywhere, "Tu Scendi della Stelle". Anyhoo, the "Christo Riscuciti" Mass is based mainly on the tune known in Latin as "Surgit in Haec Dies" or in German as "Christ Ist Erstanden", depending on which hymnal you're skimming through. We are doing the Sanctus and Agnus Dei from that Mass throughout the Easter Season. It's not a hard Mass for people to pick up at all. There are people that sing it (and mind you - it's in LATIN!). Father B. belts it out! My predecessor Dave introduced me to this Mass about a year ago. I'm fixing to learn the Gloria soon, as I will very likely program it for Easter 2012.
One of the funniest moments in my 30 years as an organist happened this very morning before the 9:00 Mass. Before the 9:00 and 11:15 Masses, the brass trio did their own prelude on "Thine Be the Glory" (melody from Handel's Judas Maccabeus). Immediately following their rendition of "Thine Be the Glory", not to be outdone, the carillon bellowed out - guess what! - "Thine Be the Glory", in the SAME KEY that the brass trio used (key of E-flat). None of us in the gallery could keep a straight face. It was just too damn funny!
My wishes to all readers for a happy and blessed Easter Season.
ALLELUIA! CHRISTUS RESURREXIT!
Peace,
BMP
Thank you! --- I want to thank the brass trio (George on trumpet, Chris on flugelhorn, and Jerry on French horn) and the small choir (soprano Elaine, alto Kate, and baritone Chris) for making our music festive and beautiful. I also want to thank my wife Ann (xoxoxoxo) and an elderly parishioner whose name I haven't gotten yet for helping me insert pew cards for the Picchi Mass before the Vigil last night.
Picchi Mass? --- One of the things I had the pleasure of learning is the "Messa 'Christo Riscuciti" by Luigi Picchi (pronounced "PEE-kee"). As noted in an earlier combox, Luigi Picchi was best known for arranging the melody of St. Alphonsus Liguori of a favorite Christmas carol of Italians everywhere, "Tu Scendi della Stelle". Anyhoo, the "Christo Riscuciti" Mass is based mainly on the tune known in Latin as "Surgit in Haec Dies" or in German as "Christ Ist Erstanden", depending on which hymnal you're skimming through. We are doing the Sanctus and Agnus Dei from that Mass throughout the Easter Season. It's not a hard Mass for people to pick up at all. There are people that sing it (and mind you - it's in LATIN!). Father B. belts it out! My predecessor Dave introduced me to this Mass about a year ago. I'm fixing to learn the Gloria soon, as I will very likely program it for Easter 2012.
One of the funniest moments in my 30 years as an organist happened this very morning before the 9:00 Mass. Before the 9:00 and 11:15 Masses, the brass trio did their own prelude on "Thine Be the Glory" (melody from Handel's Judas Maccabeus). Immediately following their rendition of "Thine Be the Glory", not to be outdone, the carillon bellowed out - guess what! - "Thine Be the Glory", in the SAME KEY that the brass trio used (key of E-flat). None of us in the gallery could keep a straight face. It was just too damn funny!
My wishes to all readers for a happy and blessed Easter Season.
ALLELUIA! CHRISTUS RESURREXIT!
Peace,
BMP
Sunday, April 17, 2011
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS (and this past weekend's high)
Easter and the Vigil (April 23/24, 2011)
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI
I have to say my first weekend at Sacred Heart ended on the highest of highs since my days at Holy Name. I've gotten the most positive feedback from a priest and his flock since Fr. Fisette and the Holy Name parishioners. In June, 1999, I can remember Frank McGeharty saying to me after Mass, "I feel like I just jumped out of a Model-T Ford and into a Cadillac!" I've gotten similar comments from parishioners and from Fr. Bucci. First thing after 5:00 Mass last night, Fr. said to me, "Brian, the music was EXCELLENT!" and shook my hand.
Speaking of handshakes, I got to shake hands with our local TV weatherman before the 11:15 Mass. Yes, I had the HONOR of meeting Channel 12's Tony Petrarca this morning. Very down-to-earth man, that Tony! He really is genuine. On TV, he's the master weatherman. At Sacred Heart Church, he's just another man, just like me. Celebrities like that are a rare breed, and I wish there were more!
Oh, I discovered the Rodgers I'm playing isn't an Insignia (I originally thought it might have been - I had one at Holy Ghost, and the console was actually similar to the Insignia that's at Holy Cross in Providence, where I've covered a few times), but a Trillium (I believe the 807 - looks a lot like the current Masterpiece 234).
OK - now for next weekend's music.
Let's start with the Vigil, shall we...
the usual Lumen Christi and Exsultet
Psalms corresponding to Readings 1, 2, and 3 from Respond and Acclaim
Gloria from Mass of the Shepherds by Pietro Yon
Alleluia from Respond and Acclaim
Vidi Aquam / Mode VIII
The day of Resurrection / "Ellacombe"
Sanctus and Agnus from Messa Christo Riscusiti by Luigi Picchi (pronounced PEE-kee)
Adoro Te, O Panis Caelice / melody from Louvain
O Sacrum Convivium / Remondi
Regina Caeli / Mode VI
Jesus Christ Is ris'n today / "Easter Hymn"
Now, Easter Sunday...
The day of Resurrection / "Ellacombe"
Gloria from Mass in Honor of Pope Paul VI by Edward Connor (7:30 0nly)
Gloria from Mass of the Shepherds by Pietro Yon (9:00 and 11:15)
This is the day (Psalm 118) from Respond and Acclaim
Christians, to the Paschal Victim (sequence in English) / chant from Roman Missal
Vidi Aquam / Mode VIII
That Easter Day with joy was bright / "Puer Nobis"
Remainder same as Vigil
Peace,
BMP
Speaking of handshakes, I got to shake hands with our local TV weatherman before the 11:15 Mass. Yes, I had the HONOR of meeting Channel 12's Tony Petrarca this morning. Very down-to-earth man, that Tony! He really is genuine. On TV, he's the master weatherman. At Sacred Heart Church, he's just another man, just like me. Celebrities like that are a rare breed, and I wish there were more!
Oh, I discovered the Rodgers I'm playing isn't an Insignia (I originally thought it might have been - I had one at Holy Ghost, and the console was actually similar to the Insignia that's at Holy Cross in Providence, where I've covered a few times), but a Trillium (I believe the 807 - looks a lot like the current Masterpiece 234).
OK - now for next weekend's music.
Let's start with the Vigil, shall we...
the usual Lumen Christi and Exsultet
Psalms corresponding to Readings 1, 2, and 3 from Respond and Acclaim
Gloria from Mass of the Shepherds by Pietro Yon
Alleluia from Respond and Acclaim
Vidi Aquam / Mode VIII
The day of Resurrection / "Ellacombe"
Sanctus and Agnus from Messa Christo Riscusiti by Luigi Picchi (pronounced PEE-kee)
Adoro Te, O Panis Caelice / melody from Louvain
O Sacrum Convivium / Remondi
Regina Caeli / Mode VI
Jesus Christ Is ris'n today / "Easter Hymn"
Now, Easter Sunday...
The day of Resurrection / "Ellacombe"
Gloria from Mass in Honor of Pope Paul VI by Edward Connor (7:30 0nly)
Gloria from Mass of the Shepherds by Pietro Yon (9:00 and 11:15)
This is the day (Psalm 118) from Respond and Acclaim
Christians, to the Paschal Victim (sequence in English) / chant from Roman Missal
Vidi Aquam / Mode VIII
That Easter Day with joy was bright / "Puer Nobis"
Remainder same as Vigil
Peace,
BMP
Saturday, April 16, 2011
HOLY MASS AND THE SECULAR MEDIA
...do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT go hand-in-hand!
Thanks to a couple of blogger friends via Facebook, I stumbled onto a couple of reports (one via a Milwaukee TV channel, the other via Time Magazine) that will turn the stomach of any Catholic in his/her right mind.
First, the Milwaukee TV channel (RSCT to Aristotle). This reporter is just clueless. Though it seems positive, there are a lot of things he just didn't get right.
Then there is the Time Ragazine article (RSCT to Fr. Keyes) which is more of an arrogant, spiteful op-ed piece than anything that resembles reporting. The piece doesn't say whether it's a report or opinion.
You be the judge!
Peace,
BMP
First, the Milwaukee TV channel (RSCT to Aristotle). This reporter is just clueless. Though it seems positive, there are a lot of things he just didn't get right.
Then there is the Time Ragazine article (RSCT to Fr. Keyes) which is more of an arrogant, spiteful op-ed piece than anything that resembles reporting. The piece doesn't say whether it's a report or opinion.
You be the judge!
Peace,
BMP
Friday, April 15, 2011
SACRO-POP = LITURGICAL KARAOKE
Never heard it that way till I read this report yesterday.
RSCT to Aristotle (via Facebook).
Let us join in singing our gathering song, "All Are Welcome".
Just follow the bouncing ball above the table altar.
Peace,
BMP
RSCT to Aristotle (via Facebook).
Let us join in singing our gathering song, "All Are Welcome".
Just follow the bouncing ball above the table altar.
Peace,
BMP
Thursday, April 14, 2011
WEDDING MUSIC
Q: What does a polygamist sing at his wedding?
A: The Anne Murray classic, of course: Can I have this dance with the rest of my wives?
Now, now, did I say this discussion was going to be serious?????!!!!!
Peace,
BMP
A: The Anne Murray classic, of course: Can I have this dance with the rest of my wives?
Now, now, did I say this discussion was going to be serious?????!!!!!
Peace,
BMP
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
GOOD CREATIVITY / BAD CREATIVITY
I'm taking the liberty of stealing this material from one of the message boards that I frequent. I won't mention the poster's name here. While some of the "bad creativity" points listed here may be an exaggeration in a good number of parishes, some of it, sadly, is accurate. There is a small number of parishes that have exercised the "good creativity" points as well - some occasionally (high feasts), some regularly (even Sundays of Ordinary Time).
Here goes... (with snarky remarks in blue)
Holy Mother Church gives us all we need to do the music at Mass.
She gives us a book of Gospels for the Deacon to chant from.
She gives us a Missal for the Priest to chant from.
She gives us the Graduale Romanum for the choir to chant from.
She gives us the Kyriale for the congregation to chant from.
If we all just chanted our parts, we'd be doing so well.
But then we need to get creative.
Good Creativity:
Oh I see CHANT X is the proper for the Offertory this weekend. I think I shall use the setting by Byrd rather than the setting from the Graduale at MASS X, since we have such a competent choir at MASS X. The chant from the Graduale will be used at MASSES Y, Z and A since there is no choir.
Bad Creativity:
I don't know what a Graduale Romanum is, or I just don't care about propers. I think we'll do a song about how we're all bread and we all eat each other during the Offertory this weekend.
(While we don't need cannibalism at Mass, we certainly don't need Hawaiian nose-humming songs, e.g., "Song of the Body of Christ" and similar ilk, either. The proper chants can be sung to a simpler form if need be - maybe a Psalm Tone for starters, work your way up to the Tozer or Koch and Green books as a primer - then wean in some Graduale stuff.)
Good Creativity:
During the Veneration of the Cross, we'll chant the proper Improperia, but then we'll have more time, so we'll do a motet by Palestrina - because after all, Sacrosanctum Concilium tells us we should use polyphony.
(Adoramus Te, Christe, et benedicimus Tibi, quia per Sanctam Crucem Tuam redemisti mundum - sounds really nice. Let's do it! Oh, many readers of CV I'm sure know this, but for those who don't, the "Improperia", or "Reproaches", begins with the words "My people, what have I done to you? Or in what have I offended you? Answer me!")
Bad Creativity:
The Improperia are anti-Semitic. Instead, we're going to sing a song about crosses to the tune of Gilligan's Island. After that, we'll get out our steel drum and sing O Sacred Head Surrounded with bongos.
(Bongos???!!! Arrrrrgh!!! An effect similar to this thrashing of the Exsultet???)
Good Creativity:
Why would we need to have anything sung or played during the Passion? We're already doing the ideal and chanting the Passion, so there's nothing else musical that needs to be done.
Bad Creativity:
The Passion is long and boring. If I don't ring bells or sing hymns during it, the congregation will likely fall asleep. Especially since Father SoandSo is such a boring reader. We could never sing the Passion because that would make it too long. And boring. Now where are those butterflies...?
Good Creativity:
We've been chanting the same "Thanks be to God" / "Deo gratias" response to "Christ our Light," / "Lumen Christi" for years and everyone knows it. Let's add an organum in the choir singing down a 5th to add some spice to the chant.
Bad Creativity:
Chant is boring. We should sing Farrell's Christ Be our Light instead of the chant. In fact, we should just use Farrell's Christ Be Our Light instead of the Exsultet. It's in the Missalette. And everyone knows everything in the Missalette is good and holy and the best option available.
(Oh yes. Why is all this missalette material good? Because GIA, OCP, and NaPalM all say so, and they hold pride of place over Holy Mother Church! Oh, and never mind "Christ Be Our Light" either. Let's do the bongo-laden, Survivor-motifed Exsultet instead - the one I mentioned earlier!)
Good Creativity:
Let's elongate the Offertory proper at the Offertory during the Easter Vigil by having an organ toccata on its melody first. This way Father will have plenty of time to incense the altar and gifts.
(I'm actually partial to full-organ fanfare after the singing. I'm a sucker for plein jeu during incensing!)
Bad Creativity:
Incense makes people cough. We shouldn't use it and instead we'll have dancing girls in the aisles.
(But they carry bowls of smoke too. Have you ever seen those Masses at the Los Angaleez Sacreligious Mis-Edu-ma-cation Congress? Truthfully I'd rather cough incense from the priest's thurible than barf over liturgical prancing?)
Good Creativity:
Of course we're singing the Sequence to the traditional chant mode. We'll be adding in some organum chant to add some variety.
(Click here for a top-notch example of what the poster means!)
Bad Creativity:
Sequences are long and boring. Instead we're just going to sing the Celtic Alleluia many, many times.
(Grab ye beer mugs and rock ye barstools and raise your bloody drunken voices in song!)
Peace,
BMP
Here goes... (with snarky remarks in blue)
Holy Mother Church gives us all we need to do the music at Mass.
She gives us a book of Gospels for the Deacon to chant from.
She gives us a Missal for the Priest to chant from.
She gives us the Graduale Romanum for the choir to chant from.
She gives us the Kyriale for the congregation to chant from.
If we all just chanted our parts, we'd be doing so well.
But then we need to get creative.
Good Creativity:
Oh I see CHANT X is the proper for the Offertory this weekend. I think I shall use the setting by Byrd rather than the setting from the Graduale at MASS X, since we have such a competent choir at MASS X. The chant from the Graduale will be used at MASSES Y, Z and A since there is no choir.
Bad Creativity:
I don't know what a Graduale Romanum is, or I just don't care about propers. I think we'll do a song about how we're all bread and we all eat each other during the Offertory this weekend.
(While we don't need cannibalism at Mass, we certainly don't need Hawaiian nose-humming songs, e.g., "Song of the Body of Christ" and similar ilk, either. The proper chants can be sung to a simpler form if need be - maybe a Psalm Tone for starters, work your way up to the Tozer or Koch and Green books as a primer - then wean in some Graduale stuff.)
Good Creativity:
During the Veneration of the Cross, we'll chant the proper Improperia, but then we'll have more time, so we'll do a motet by Palestrina - because after all, Sacrosanctum Concilium tells us we should use polyphony.
(Adoramus Te, Christe, et benedicimus Tibi, quia per Sanctam Crucem Tuam redemisti mundum - sounds really nice. Let's do it! Oh, many readers of CV I'm sure know this, but for those who don't, the "Improperia", or "Reproaches", begins with the words "My people, what have I done to you? Or in what have I offended you? Answer me!")
Bad Creativity:
The Improperia are anti-Semitic. Instead, we're going to sing a song about crosses to the tune of Gilligan's Island. After that, we'll get out our steel drum and sing O Sacred Head Surrounded with bongos.
(Bongos???!!! Arrrrrgh!!! An effect similar to this thrashing of the Exsultet???)
Good Creativity:
Why would we need to have anything sung or played during the Passion? We're already doing the ideal and chanting the Passion, so there's nothing else musical that needs to be done.
Bad Creativity:
The Passion is long and boring. If I don't ring bells or sing hymns during it, the congregation will likely fall asleep. Especially since Father SoandSo is such a boring reader. We could never sing the Passion because that would make it too long. And boring. Now where are those butterflies...?
Good Creativity:
We've been chanting the same "Thanks be to God" / "Deo gratias" response to "Christ our Light," / "Lumen Christi" for years and everyone knows it. Let's add an organum in the choir singing down a 5th to add some spice to the chant.
Bad Creativity:
Chant is boring. We should sing Farrell's Christ Be our Light instead of the chant. In fact, we should just use Farrell's Christ Be Our Light instead of the Exsultet. It's in the Missalette. And everyone knows everything in the Missalette is good and holy and the best option available.
(Oh yes. Why is all this missalette material good? Because GIA, OCP, and NaPalM all say so, and they hold pride of place over Holy Mother Church! Oh, and never mind "Christ Be Our Light" either. Let's do the bongo-laden, Survivor-motifed Exsultet instead - the one I mentioned earlier!)
Good Creativity:
Let's elongate the Offertory proper at the Offertory during the Easter Vigil by having an organ toccata on its melody first. This way Father will have plenty of time to incense the altar and gifts.
(I'm actually partial to full-organ fanfare after the singing. I'm a sucker for plein jeu during incensing!)
Bad Creativity:
Incense makes people cough. We shouldn't use it and instead we'll have dancing girls in the aisles.
(But they carry bowls of smoke too. Have you ever seen those Masses at the Los Angaleez Sacreligious Mis-Edu-ma-cation Congress? Truthfully I'd rather cough incense from the priest's thurible than barf over liturgical prancing?)
Good Creativity:
Of course we're singing the Sequence to the traditional chant mode. We'll be adding in some organum chant to add some variety.
(Click here for a top-notch example of what the poster means!)
Bad Creativity:
Sequences are long and boring. Instead we're just going to sing the Celtic Alleluia many, many times.
(Grab ye beer mugs and rock ye barstools and raise your bloody drunken voices in song!)
Peace,
BMP
Sunday, April 10, 2011
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS (Round 3)
OK - not exactly Mass this time...
Good Friday - Commemoration of the Lord's Passion and Death
7 PM - Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, Rhode Island
Father, I put my life in your hands / Alstott
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ / Alstott
Adoramus Te, Christe / Dubois
Parce, Domine / Rossini
Jesu, Salvator noster / Rossini
O sacred Head / "Passion Chorale"
Tantum Ergo / Rossini
Ave Verum / L. Perosi
Panis Angelicus / Lambillotte
Abide with me / "Eventide"
Peace,
BMP
Good Friday - Commemoration of the Lord's Passion and Death
7 PM - Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, Rhode Island
Father, I put my life in your hands / Alstott
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ / Alstott
Adoramus Te, Christe / Dubois
Parce, Domine / Rossini
Jesu, Salvator noster / Rossini
O sacred Head / "Passion Chorale"
Tantum Ergo / Rossini
Ave Verum / L. Perosi
Panis Angelicus / Lambillotte
Abide with me / "Eventide"
Peace,
BMP
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
Holy Thursday
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, Rhode Island
Mass at 7 PM
Lift high the Cross / "Crucifer"
Kyrie from "Messa Laus Tibi Christe" / F. Caudana
Gloria from "Mass in Honor of Pope Paul VI" / Connor
Our blessing cup / Alstott
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ / Alstott
At that first Eucharist / "Unde et Memores"
Mass XVIII
Ecce Panis Angelorum / XVIIth c., arr. Rossini
Pange lingua / C. Rossini
Peace,
BMP
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, Rhode Island
Mass at 7 PM
Lift high the Cross / "Crucifer"
Kyrie from "Messa Laus Tibi Christe" / F. Caudana
Gloria from "Mass in Honor of Pope Paul VI" / Connor
Our blessing cup / Alstott
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ / Alstott
At that first Eucharist / "Unde et Memores"
Mass XVIII
Ecce Panis Angelorum / XVIIth c., arr. Rossini
Pange lingua / C. Rossini
Peace,
BMP
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
Palm Sunday
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI
Masses at 5 PM on Saturday / 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM on Sunday
Pueri Hebraeorum / Schubert
All glory, laud, and honor / "St. Theodulph"
My God, my God / Alstott
Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ / Alstott
Adoramus Te, Christe / Dubois
O sacred Head / "Passion Chorale"
Mass XVIII
The Palms / Faure
To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign King / "Ich Glaub an Gott"
Peace,
BMP
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI
Masses at 5 PM on Saturday / 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM on Sunday
Pueri Hebraeorum / Schubert
All glory, laud, and honor / "St. Theodulph"
My God, my God / Alstott
Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ / Alstott
Adoramus Te, Christe / Dubois
O sacred Head / "Passion Chorale"
Mass XVIII
The Palms / Faure
To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign King / "Ich Glaub an Gott"
Peace,
BMP
AT LONG LAST!!!!!
ANNUNTIO VOBIS GAUDIUM MAGNUM:
HABEO POSITUM!!!!!
For those who haven't gotten their Latin intact yet, that's:
I ANNOUNCE TO YOU A GREAT JOY: I HAVE A JOB!!!!!
And to boot, it's a steady PARISH position!
HABEO POSITUM!!!!!
For those who haven't gotten their Latin intact yet, that's:
I ANNOUNCE TO YOU A GREAT JOY: I HAVE A JOB!!!!!
And to boot, it's a steady PARISH position!
Yes, at long last, I have been offered my first steady parish position in nearly 3-1/2 years, and I accepted. I am the new organist/choirmaster of Sacred Heart Church in West Warwick, Rhode Island, effective this coming Saturday, April 16, 2011.
You may scratch your head thinking, "Why would you start right with Holy Week?" Let's just say that Dave Sylvester, my good friend and now also predecessor, and I have worked on this transition for a couple of months. I purposely waited till today to announce this out of respect for Dave. After all, he has served Sacred Heart for ten years and has been an organist overall for 41 years, and has felt it was his time to retire. For that reason, I felt the need to wait until the official announcement was made from the parish.
Here is said announcement, by the pastor, Fr. Richard Bucci, in today's parish bulletin:
Farewell & Welcome
This weekend will be the last for our organist, David Sylvester. As you already know, David came to Sacred Heart as I did ten years ago and was previously with me at SS. Peter and Paul (on the other side of the mountain).
I thank him for his commitment to the musical heritage and tradition of the Church which allows the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to be celebrated with proper dignity and solemnity.
I also welcome Brian Page as a fitting replacement. Brian was formerly the organist at Holy Name Parish in Providence and also has a commitment to the musical traditions of Christ's Church.
While we are sorry to lose David, we are blessed in having Brian replace him.
As for music selections: the pastor picks the hymns (trust me, he keeps it traditional!) for the Entrance, Offertory, Meditation (after Communion), and Recessional. I get to pick the anthem/motet during Communion, and the Mass (Psalms/Ordinary, etc.) with feedback from the pastor. Again, you may scratch your head, "why would you want to let someone else pick the hymns?" Again, Father keeps it traditional. He is very much into restoration of the sacred. You can be guaranteed NOT to hear City of God or Massive Cremation or Gather Us In, or similar ilk. I trust his judgement, thus, I have no problem with this situation.
Choir right now is a duet (trio when my bass voice is added). I will be looking to build on that.
So, special thanks to Dave Sylvester and Fr. Bucci for helping restore the sacred at Sacred Heart Parish, and for offering me the chance to keep it going. It should be known that when Dave gave his retirement notice to Fr. Bucci, he gave Father my name as a possible replacement. The interview that week was the easiest interview I had since my interview with Holy Name twelve years ago.
Holy Week music will be posted shortly. Thank you all for your prayers past, present, and future!
Peace,
BMP
You may scratch your head thinking, "Why would you start right with Holy Week?" Let's just say that Dave Sylvester, my good friend and now also predecessor, and I have worked on this transition for a couple of months. I purposely waited till today to announce this out of respect for Dave. After all, he has served Sacred Heart for ten years and has been an organist overall for 41 years, and has felt it was his time to retire. For that reason, I felt the need to wait until the official announcement was made from the parish.
Here is said announcement, by the pastor, Fr. Richard Bucci, in today's parish bulletin:
Farewell & Welcome
This weekend will be the last for our organist, David Sylvester. As you already know, David came to Sacred Heart as I did ten years ago and was previously with me at SS. Peter and Paul (on the other side of the mountain).
I thank him for his commitment to the musical heritage and tradition of the Church which allows the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to be celebrated with proper dignity and solemnity.
I also welcome Brian Page as a fitting replacement. Brian was formerly the organist at Holy Name Parish in Providence and also has a commitment to the musical traditions of Christ's Church.
While we are sorry to lose David, we are blessed in having Brian replace him.
As for music selections: the pastor picks the hymns (trust me, he keeps it traditional!) for the Entrance, Offertory, Meditation (after Communion), and Recessional. I get to pick the anthem/motet during Communion, and the Mass (Psalms/Ordinary, etc.) with feedback from the pastor. Again, you may scratch your head, "why would you want to let someone else pick the hymns?" Again, Father keeps it traditional. He is very much into restoration of the sacred. You can be guaranteed NOT to hear City of God or Massive Cremation or Gather Us In, or similar ilk. I trust his judgement, thus, I have no problem with this situation.
Choir right now is a duet (trio when my bass voice is added). I will be looking to build on that.
So, special thanks to Dave Sylvester and Fr. Bucci for helping restore the sacred at Sacred Heart Parish, and for offering me the chance to keep it going. It should be known that when Dave gave his retirement notice to Fr. Bucci, he gave Father my name as a possible replacement. The interview that week was the easiest interview I had since my interview with Holy Name twelve years ago.
Holy Week music will be posted shortly. Thank you all for your prayers past, present, and future!
Peace,
BMP
Saturday, April 2, 2011
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS (and an 18th birthday)
First Friday (using votive Sacred Heart Mass) - Extraordinary Form
April 1, 2011
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI
April 1, 2011
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI
Music by Schola Viri Duorum ("Two Guys Schola" - Dave Sylvester at the organ, and yours truly)
We did pretty damn good for very little rehearsal time, I gotta tell ya!
Mass propers were from "The Proper of the Mass" by A. Edmonds Tozer
Entrance procession: O sacred heart, O love divine
Kyrie from "Missa Laus Tibi Christe" by Federico Caudana
Offertory (after the proper): Parce Domine by Carlo Rossini
Sanctus and Agnus XVIII (in Ferii Adventi et Quadragesimae)
Communion: Panis Angelicus (Lambillotte, slightly altered) (followed by proper)
Recessional: To Jesus' Heart all-burning
The pastor's homily was a teaching on shifting the focus on Mass toward the Lord instead of toward ourselves. It was great to hear a priest defend AGAINST the Dan Schutte ditty known as "City of God". After all, we don't "build the city of God". GOD builds his city.
Once I got home, I got to watch my son Brian get tattooed (yesterday was his 18th birthday - trust me, we don't allow tattoos on the kids till their 18), then enjoy some cake with him and his buddies (plus my wife and daughter). The tattoo was a memorial of my late father-in-law (1932-1999), so at least it was a thoughtful gesture on his part.
Happy bithday Brian!
Now that marks three-quarters of our offspring reaching the age of "adulthood". Ann and I are suddenly becoming old farts (growing old together, the way we're supposed to)!
Peace,
BMP
We did pretty damn good for very little rehearsal time, I gotta tell ya!
Mass propers were from "The Proper of the Mass" by A. Edmonds Tozer
Entrance procession: O sacred heart, O love divine
Kyrie from "Missa Laus Tibi Christe" by Federico Caudana
Offertory (after the proper): Parce Domine by Carlo Rossini
Sanctus and Agnus XVIII (in Ferii Adventi et Quadragesimae)
Communion: Panis Angelicus (Lambillotte, slightly altered) (followed by proper)
Recessional: To Jesus' Heart all-burning
The pastor's homily was a teaching on shifting the focus on Mass toward the Lord instead of toward ourselves. It was great to hear a priest defend AGAINST the Dan Schutte ditty known as "City of God". After all, we don't "build the city of God". GOD builds his city.
Once I got home, I got to watch my son Brian get tattooed (yesterday was his 18th birthday - trust me, we don't allow tattoos on the kids till their 18), then enjoy some cake with him and his buddies (plus my wife and daughter). The tattoo was a memorial of my late father-in-law (1932-1999), so at least it was a thoughtful gesture on his part.
Happy bithday Brian!
Now that marks three-quarters of our offspring reaching the age of "adulthood". Ann and I are suddenly becoming old farts (growing old together, the way we're supposed to)!
Peace,
BMP
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