Friday, December 30, 2011

NEW YEAR'S AT HEARTS

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - I-1-12
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI


Entrance: H-13.1 While shepherds watched their flocks by night / "Winchester Old"
Gloria: (7:30 AM) Mass VIII; (all others) Mass of the Shepherds / Yon
Psalm 67: May God bless us in his mercy / Alstott
Alleluia: Alleluia for Christmas Season / BMP, adapted from "Divinum Mysterium", Mode V
Offertory: H-30 The first Nowell / English
Sanctus and Agnus Dei:
-- (7:30 AM) Mass for Christian Unity / Vermulst; (all others) Mass of the Shepherds / Yon
Memorial: We proclaim your death / BMP, Holy Angels Mass
Amen: Dresden
Communion: W-374 Lo! how a rose e'er blooming / "Es ist ein ros' entsprungen"
Meditation: H-44 In the bleak midwinter / Holst
Recessional: H-42 Angels we have heard on high / "Gloria"

Peace,
BMP

Monday, December 26, 2011

A WEDDING...ON NEW YEAR'S EVE!

First one of its kind in about ten years!

Last time I had a New Year's Eve Wedding was at Holy Name (it was the daughter of a couple that sang in the gospel choir there). This time, it's at Sacred Heart.

Entrance: Prince of Denmark's March / Clarke
Psalm 128: O blessed are those who fear the Lord / Gelineau
Alleluia for Christmas Season / BMP, adapted from "Divinum Mysterium", Mode V
Offertory: Ave Maria / Schubert
Sanctus and Agnus: Mass for Christian Unity / Vermulst
Memorial: We proclaim your death, O Lord (Holy Angels Mass) / BMP
Dresden Amen
Communion: Panis Angelicus / Franck
Recessional: Trumpet Tune / Purcell

Peace,
BMP

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

TWO MORE FUNERALS

Wednesday and Thursday, both at 10, both at Sacred Heart!

Approaching Christmas Season is one of the worst, if not THE worst, times for a family to lose someone. Yet Advent and Christmas always seems to be the busiest when it comes to funerals. And as much as this is a living for me, my prayers are always with the souls and their families in their tough times.

Anyhoo, the music will be pretty much the usuals for both funerals.

Requiem Aeternam / Mode VI
Jesus, Lover of my soul / "Aberystwyth"
Psalm 25: To you, O Lord / Gelineau
Alleluia / BMP, adapt. from "Creator Alme"
Ave Maria / Victoria (Wed.); Bach/Gounod (Thurs.)
Sanctus XVIII
Mortem tuam annuntiamus, Domine / "Jubilate Deo"
Dresden Amen
Agnus XVIII
Lux Aeterna / Mode VIII
Jesus, Son of Mary / "Adoro Te"
I believe that my Redeemer lives / H. St. Louis
In Paradisum / Mode VII

Peace,
BMP

Monday, December 19, 2011

CHRISTMAS AT HEARTS!

The Masses of Christmas at Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI
Saturday XII-24-11 at 5 and 10:30 PM
Sunday XII-25-11 at 9 and 11:15 AM


Vocal quartet and brass trio at all Masses!

Choral/Brass Prelude (20 Minutes before each Mass)
1. Good Christian men, rejoice / "In Dulci Jubilo" (Brass)
2. O little town of Bethlehem / "Forest Green" (Quartet)
3. Tollite Hostias / Saint-Saƫns (Quartet)
4. In the bleak midwinter / Darke (Quartet)
5. Joseph dearest, Joseph mine / arr. Vaughan Williams (Quartet)
6. What Child is this / "Greensleeves" (Brass)

Mass
PSALMS:
(5:00) Psalm 89: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord / BMP
(10:30) Psalm 96: Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord / Proulx/Gelineau
(9:00/11:15) Psalm 98: All the ends of the earth have seen... / Rice
ALLELUIA: BMP, adapted from Divinum Mysterium, Mode V
ORDINARY:
Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei: Mass of the Shepherds / Yon
Memorial: We proclaim your death, O Lord / BMP
Amen: Dresden

HYMNS, etc.
Entrance: W-392 O come, all ye faithful / "Adeste Fideles"
- Verse 1 in Latin, then vv. 1-4 in English, arr. Willcocks
Offertory: W-387 Hark! the herald angels sing / "Mendelssohn", arr. Willcocks
Communion: O Holy Night / Adam
Meditation: W-379 Silent night, holy night / "Stille Nacht"
Recessional: W-399 Joy to the world! the Lord is come / "Antioch"

Postludes:
1. Angels we have heard on high / "Gloria" (Brass only)
2. Hallelujah! (from "Messiah") / Handel (organ)

Peace,
BMP

GAUDETE SUNDAY BULLETIN INSERT

In light of that moron that got elected Governor of Rhode Island last year despite only 35% of the vote and his "Holiday Tree" lighting at the State House on XII-6-11

This is the way of Governor (Grinch) Chafee and similar whack-jobs!

The Perennial Tree
This holiday tree can be left up ALL YEAR!

The New Years Tree - Hang empty champagne bottles on it with silly hats and toy horns
The George Washington Tree - Hang pictures of the first President on it (or chop it down and admit it)
The Martin Luther King Tree - Hang pictures of MiLK (editing mine) and have a recording of his wonderful I Have a Dream speech playing
The Valentine's Day Tree - Hang little hearts and candy
The Lincoln's Birthday Tree - Hang log cabins with beards on them
The St. Patrick's Day Tree - Have a corned beef and cabbage dinner and decorate the tree with shamrocks (iSNARK! side note: it's GREEN, just like a Christmas tree!)
The Labor Day Tree - Have employees come and occupy your living room
The Columbus Day Tree - Everyone go out and discover something you have never seen
The Halloween Tree - Hang pumpkins and masks from it and have children go beg it for candy
The Easter Tree - Hang colored hard-boiled eggs from it (but NOTHING with Jesus)
The Memorial Day Tree - Bring flowers, but DON'T pray
The Independence Day Tree - Parade around it and smoke lots of pot
The Thanksgiving Day Tree - Have a big turkey dinner there and hang pilgrims and Indians on it
The Christmas/Holiday Tree - Decorate with politically correct decorations, but no God talk or else!

Peace,
BMP

AN EXTRAORDINARY FORM HIGH MASS...

...at another one of my old stomping grounds!

Precious Blood Church in Woonsocket, RI is celebrating an Extraordinary Form High Mass on Thursday, December 29, at 7 PM (Concert of Christmas Music at 6:30 PM). Celebrant is Fr. Michael Wooley. Henri St. Louis will be conducting the Schola Cantorum Sanctae Caeciliae. The Sung Mass will be William Byrd's Mass for Four Voices.

Precious Blood Church is located at 94 Carrington Avenue (corner of Park Avenue) in Woonsocket. Parking available in the lot on Hamlet Avenue.

Some side notes:
Both the conductor and myself have served at Precious Blood at one point or another. I was at Precious Blood from 1989-1997. Henri St. Louis worked there for almost twelve years, two organists before me. He is a top notch musician. He also took care of any maintenance/repair work on the organ while I was there.
The organ is an Aeolian-Skinner, Opus 1099, three manuals, 26 ranks, built in 1947.
The celebrant, Fr. Michael Wooley, is the pastor at St. Joseph's Church in Woonsocket. Too bad he's not at Precious Blood! He was a summer seminarian at Precious Blood late in my stay there.

Peace,
BMP

Thursday, December 15, 2011

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Heavy Duty)

One of the most complex arrangements of The Twelve Days of Christmas that I've ever heard comes from a 1963 album that Firestone distributed called Firestone Presents Your Favorite Christmas Carols, Volume 2. (Yes, the album is a year older than I am!)

This is an album I grew up with as a wee one, and thanks to the owner of the Audio Archives blog, I was able to download an .mp3 of the entire album. In fact, the Audio Archives blog has numerous old albums on .mp3. I also downloaded Firestone's Volume 4, and an RCA Victor collection (RCA Victor Presents Music for the Twelve Days of Christmas).

The album in this discussion features Risƫ Stevens (mezzo), Brian Sullivan (tenor), the Columbus Boychoir (now the American Boychoir, since their 1980 move to Princeton, NJ), along with the Firestone Orchestra and Chorus.

There are twelve tracks on the album, songs done by each of the "stars" on the album. You can even sing along, as the lyrics are on the back of the album jacket. The album ends with The Twelve Days of Christmas, performed by (as appears in the credits) "Entire Company". Yup - everyone on the album! And to boot, each verse has its own arrangement, vocally and orchestrally - a different color to each verse, pretty much. Several key changes as well!

Verse 1: Key of E-flat, sung by Risƫ Stevens, backed by the Columbus Boychoir.
Verse 2: same
Verse 3: Key of A-flat, sung by Brian Sullivan.
Verse 4: same
Verse 5: Key of F, sung by Chorus.
Verse 6: Key of B-flat, sung by the Columbus Boychoir.
Verse 7: Key of E-flat, started by Risƫ Stevens, backed by the Columbus Boychoir. From this verse on, you'll see the switching off of artists for each line (6 geese, 5 rings, etc.).
Verse 8: Key of A-flat, started by Brian Sullivan.
Verse 9: Key of F, started by the men of the chorus.
Verse 10: Key of F, started by the Columbus Boychoir.
Verse 11: Key of F, started by Risƫ Stevens and Brian Sullivan.
Verse 12: Key of G, started by EVERYONE. (The only verse in a sharp key. While the other key changes are merely changes, this one is an actual modulation.)

Get the entire album here!

Peace,
BMP

THIS WEEKEND AT HEARTS

Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI

Funeral Mass - 9 AM Saturday XII-17-11

Requiem Aeternam / Mode VI
H-415.1 Jesus, lover of my soul / "Aberystwyth"
Psalm 25: To you, O Lord, I lift my soul / Thompson/Gelineau
Alleluia for Advent Season / BMP (adapt. from "Creator Alme Siderum", Mode IV)
Ave Maria / Victoria
Sanctus and Agnus XVIII
Mortem tuam annuntiamus, Domine / "Jubilate Deo"
Amen / Dresden
Lux aeterna / Mode VIII
H-223 Jesus, Son of Mary / "Adoro Te"
I believe that my Redeemer lives / H. St. Louis
In paradisum / Mode VII

Fourth Sunday of Advent - XII-18-11

W-373 The King shall come when morning dawns / "St. Stephen"
Psalm 89: For ever I will sing / BMP
Alleluia for Advent Season / BMP (adapt. from "Creator Alme Siderum", Mode IV)
W-357 O come, O come, Emmanuel / "Veni, Veni, Emmanuel"
Sanctus and Agnus / "Mass for Christian Unity"
We proclaim your death, O Lord / "Holy Angels Mass"; BMP
Amen / Dresden
Ave Maria / Arcadelt
W-364 Come, O long-expected Jesus / "Stuttgart"
W-367 O come, divine Messiah / "Veni, Divin Messie"

Peace,
BMP

Sunday, December 11, 2011

NOW, ON A POSITIVE NOTE:

My FAVORITE Christmas songs

Again, this isn't in any particular order, and this includes both sacred AND secular Christmas songs, as well as parodies (I've always said, if you're going to thrash a Christmas song, it needs to be funny!).

ANYTHING from the Beach Boys Christmas Album.
Sleigh Ride (instrumental/orchestral version only), particularly the Boston Pops, and a really cool organ rendition by Cameron Carpenter. The only vocal versions I like would be parodies.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, by Ringo Starr (I also appreciate Gene Autry's classic version)
White Christmas, Drifters version only
Blue Christmas, Elvis version only
ANYTHING from the Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Christmas Album.
ANYTHING from Straight No Chaser.
Caroling, Caroling, Tennessee Ernie Ford version only
All I Want for Christmas Is You, Mariah Carey version only (and WITHOUT Justine Bieber!)
I'm definitely a sucker for a really good parody. I highly recommend Tom's Townie Tunes (WROR-FM, Boston) and Bob Rivers Twisted Tunes (KJR-FM, Seattle). Side note: Bob Rivers used to work with WAAF-FM (Worcester/Boston) in the 1980's (anyone remember the Bob and Zip Show?) It was Rivers that wrote the renowned classic Twelve Pains of Christmas and Grandma Got Dismembered by a Chainsaw.
Holy $&!+, It's Christmas, by Red Peters
ANYTHING done with a good choir/organ/brass. I love a good Willcocks or Vaughan Williams arrangement just as much as any other organist in his/her right mind. :)
'Twas the Night Before Christmas, written by Ken Darby, arranged by Harry Simeone (sang this in high school chorus, very haunting)
ANYTHING by the Chipmunks
The Twelve Days of Christmas, the following versions: The Chipmunks, The Muppets, the Ralph Hunter Choir (RCA Presents Music for the Twelve Days of Christmas), Tennessee Ernie Ford (Sing We Now of Christmas, a 1960's album on Capitol), and one of the "heaviest" versions you'll ever find, the entire cast of the 1963 album Firestone Presents Your Favorite Christmas Carols, Volume 2, consisting of mezzo-soprano Risƫ Stevens, tenor Brian Sullivan, the Columbus Boychoir (now the American Boychoir, since moving to Princeton, NJ, in 1980), and the Firestone Orchestra and Chorus.
ANYTHING from the album The Glorious Sound of Christmas, by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, plus the Temple University Concert Choir, directed by Robert Page (my dad was Robert Page, but not THAT Robert Page).
Jingle Bombs, by Achmed the Dead Terrorist (via Jeff Dunham)
Finally, any parody my son Chris comes up with from out of the blue!

Entire album of RCA Presents Music for the Twelve Days of Christmas on one .mp3
Entire album of Firestone Presents Your Favorite Christmas Carols, Volume 2 on one .mp3
Source of both .mp3's - I grew up with those!

Peace,
BMP

THE iSNARK! and THE WANDERER

Red Sox Cap Tip to my pastor and direct supervisor, Fr. Bucci!

Last Wednesday, after the 6:00 Mass, my pastor said to me, "Brian, did you know your name's in the Wanderer?" My first instinct was "OK, what did I do this time?" (read: Who did I piss off this time?) Turns out it was a good thing. One, I wasn't the only one - mine was amongst a list of names. Two, it was an article by the CMAA's Jeffrey Tucker about new composers. And being up there, little old me, with the names I was listed with, makes me feel honored (and humbled).

Below is the article, in case it expires. Enjoy!
Peace,
BMP

(Source - The Wanderer, XI-17-11. Links added by yours truly.)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Revival Of Catholic Musical Creativity

By JEFFREY TUCKER

Years ago, I lamented that the end of the age of Catholic musical creativity seemed to be upon us. In the 1980s, we became aware of these vast treasures of polypho­ny thanks to the secular popularity of the great music of the Renaissance. On CDs, we listened to the amazing work of a thou­sand years and we wondered: What hap­pened? Where are Josquin, Palestrina, Vic­toria, Mozart, and Bruckner? What hap­pened to smash this tradition? The docu­ments of the Second Vatican Council talk about beauty, chant, and polyphony, but all we hear in our parishes is something else entirely.

Then chant became popular the same way. We listened in our cars, in our living rooms, on our iPods. Chant was every­where but in our parishes. Why did all mu­sical greatest seem to be in our past but nowhere in the present and highly unlike­ly in the future?

Thinking about this more, I began to un­derstand. The liturgy was unstable, and composers aren’t drawn to that. Choirs were being disparaged and put down. Ex­cellence in music was under attack in favor of an amateurism chic. The beautiful was unfashionable because it supposedly con­tradicted the real world in which we live our lives. Liturgy was supposed to be more like reality television than prayerful theater. No wonder the composers had lost interest. The musicians had all been chased away.

Well, that was all before this year. In 2011, we’ve seen an incredible outpouring of fantastic composition by excellent musi­cians, all of it structured for liturgical use using the musical and textual language of the liturgy itself. The books and collections are pouring out faster than even close ob­servers can follow, and this new material is completely unlike the usual fare we’ve been treated to over the last decades, which has been essential pop music with made­up, feel-good lyrics. The new approach to composition takes the liturgy and its tradi­tion seriously.

It is an astonishing turnaround, some­thing that could only be expected by a per­son of a mighty faith and optimism.

What has inspired all of this? There are many factors. The propers of the Mass have been rediscovered as source texts after decades of neglect. The proliferation of the Extraordinary Form of Mass has given hope that order can prevail over chaos. Papal lit­urgy has been seriously upgraded. Gregorian Chant is back as a living form of music.

More than anything else, the appearance of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal has provided incredible encouragement that the Church has once again begun to take its liturgy task seriously. The language is solemn, rhetorically high, and dignified. It is not pop language, so it strongly suggests in its own linguistic structure that draws from something. Pop music is not the ap­propriate approach. It calls for chanted music that comes from the liturgy itself.

This is the thing that has inspired so much creative energy.

Most serious musicians I know are very excited about the opportunity. They some­times wake in the morning with a melody in their heads and quickly write it out, just like in the movies. They fill in the other parts and, next thing you know, they have a Mass setting ready to go. There are many sites that are now posting these for free. Other composers have established their own commercial sites where you can buy the Mass for $ 75.00 and make as many copies as you want. Then, of course, there are the conventional sources for music.

Catholic musicians are increasingly tak­ing these resources for granted so it can be hard to fully appreciate the difference be­tween now and, say, five years ago. There was hardly any Catholic music online. Com­posers were not really doing the Catholic thing. There was little inspiration and plenty to inspire depression. The chant move­ment was in its infancy. The idea of the new missal had long been rumored but most people figured it was aeons away and there was not much hope for it at any point in the future.

And now suddenly, it is upon us. We are amazed to see a flurry of new names who are leading the way in new composition: Kevin Allen, Jeffrey Ostrowski, Adam Bar­tlett, Richard Rice, Arlene Oost- Zinner, Aristotle Esguerra, David Hughes, Fr. Sam­uel Weber, Brian Michael Page, Bruce Ford, Ian Williams, Kathy Pluth, David Friel, Chris Mueller, Richard Clark, Noel Jones, Jacob Bancks, and so many others. Many of these people never imagined that they would find themselves in the ranks of Cath­olic composers. They were reluctant to ac­cept the role, but they still answered the call. We are all privileged to be alive in these times of the revival of the highest of the sa­cred arts. This is the dream of so many people for so long. Back in the sixties, a generation of musicians saw an astonish­ing collapse take place before their very eyes. No matter what they did, they could not stem the tide. Not only did their worst predictions come true, those predictions were surpassed and then some. Even more shocking was the collapse lasted much longer than anyone could have expected. Forty- five years is a long time to wait. And forty years is a long time to live with a mis­sal text that was nowhere near being what it should be.

The sufferings of those generations should be kept in mind as we go forward. They worked, prayed, wrote, and did their best to keep beauty alive in times when it was not appreciated or encouraged. They knew that it would return someday, but most did not live to see this day. They are our benefactors and we should be grateful and pray for them. They kept the tradition alive, and now it is thriving again, being re­furbished so that it can be handed on to the next generation.

Friday, December 9, 2011

TOP TEN MOST HATED CHRISTMAS SONGS

...or muzak that gets passed as Christmas songs

Here goes, in almost no particular order:

1) Happy Christmas/War Is Over (by Lennon, OR ANYONE who covers it --- and I'm a Beatles fan) Sounds like a really bad 1970 folk Mass revival
2) Santa Baby (by ANYONE) Nothing like a Christmas wish list by some spoiled, greedy slut
3) Baby, It's Cold Outside (by ANYONE) Which really has nothing to do with Christmas
4) The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (by almost ANYONE)
5) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (especially the version by John Cougar Mellencamp)
6) Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (any version where the chorus screams SAAAAAAAAAAAAANTA Claus is comin' to town; SAAAAAAAAAAAAANTA Claus is comin' to town... / that goes for Bruce Springsteen, The Jackson 5, and similar styles. However, I LOVE the arrangement by the Beach Boys.)
7) Last Christmas (Wham!) Every time I hear that song, I think it's Boy George of Culture Club (BLECH!)
8) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (by Billy Gilman - his then-boy voice sounds way too girly, or that jerk who keeps crooning "Rudy" in place of "Rudolph") (However, I'll always appreciate the classic Gene Autry version and the Ringo Starr rendition as well)
9) It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (by almost ANYONE - parodies are OK)
10) Silver Bells (by ANYONE, especially Gloria Estefan) "This is Santa's big scene?" Was Jesus' big scene first!

Honorable mention on my ScheiƟe-Liste:
We Three Kings/God Rest Ye (by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan)
Little Drummer Boy (Bob Seger cover)
Let There Be Peace on Earth (Since when did THAT become a frickin' Christmas song?)
Merry Christmas, Darling (Carpenters - and I normally appreciate their music) "Christmasing"? Since when did "Christmas" become a VERB?
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (by ANYONE) "New old fashioned way" just never made sense to me, and probably never will
Silent Night (by Stevie Nicks) Can't stand her voice. Period.
ADDED XII-9-11:
Where Are You Christmas? - from the "Grinch" movie. Sorry, I like the cartoon much better. The movie seems to have a very morbid, depressing backdrop, like if Tim Burton had written it. As for the song... COME ON! Christmas comes once a year, December 25. Jesus hasn't failed yet! Be patient! Be ready, but patient! The music is depressing, too.
Grown-Up Christmas List - music sounds too much like "Where Are You Christmas". BLECH!
Anything sung by Annie Lennox. I can't stand her voice!
And what the hell is that goofy ditty that the kiddies sing over the Taco Bell Cannon indeed? BORING!!!

Peace on Earth,
BMP

GAUDETE SUNDAY

Third Sunday of Advent - XII-11-11
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI


Much will be the same today as Sunday II, as John the Baptist is in our Gospel reading again today. The only difference will be the Responsorial Psalm, the Alleluia verse, and the Communion anthem.

Entrance hymn: H-5.2 Lo, he comes with clouds descending / "Helmsley"
Responsorial: My soul rejoices in my God / R. Rice
Alleluia: Alleluia for Advent Season / BMP (adapt. from "Creator Alme Siderum", Mode IV)
Offertory hymn: H-10 On Jordan's bank the baptist's cry / "Winchester New"
Sanctus and Agnus: Mass for Christian Unity / Vermulst
We proclaim your death, O Lord: Holy Angels Mass / BMP
Amen / Dresden
Communion: Magnificat / Tone 8G/C. Grassi
Meditation hymn: H-7 Hark! the glad sound, the Savior comes / "Bristol"
Recessional hymn: H-9 Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding / "Merton"

Peace,
BMP

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

I'M SORRY, BUT...

Regretfully, we weren't able to make EITHER tree-lighting ceremony, the one at the State House, or the one at St. Patrick's, just blocks west of the State House. My front brakes were grinding to the point of fear, and we needed to get that addressed as soon as humanly possible (I wouldn't have had time any other day this week, due to holy day Masses and prior family commitments). Therefore, our top priority was to get our minivan safe (it's our only transportation).

Not to mention, my conscience was in a big debate with itself over the last couple of days. Do I go to the sure thing (St. Patrick's), or do I go to the State House (where our idiot governor decided to call the tree he's lighting a "holiday tree") to join WPRO-AM's John DePetro and his flash mob to sing "O Christmas Tree" and actually DEFEND Christmas? I mean, it's great that there is a place where our faith is guaranteed. But I feel that there are those times when one feels the need to try to get back those values of faith that are being taken away. Instead, the ultimate decision was to protect my family. I'll be doing plenty of driving the next few days (including work - three Masses for the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation).

At the same time, I make my prayer for those attending BOTH ceremonies. I hope they went well at both venues. As for the State House, I hope John DePetro and his flash mob was able to make a definitive statement to Governor Grinch (Chafee).

Peace,
BMP

JOLLY OLD ST. NICHOLAS

Jolly Old St. Nicholas
used his fisticuffs,
Punching out a heretic
by name of Arius. (need some help finishing this one)

Inspired by a story that Jeff Miller posted on Facebook. Never knew this factoid till today.

I managed to pull this off instead after reading Jeff's link (to which he sings, I saw Santa punching Arius):

Arius got b*tch-slapped by dear Santa
with a knuckle sandwich one fine eve.
Happened at the Council of Nicaea;
Now every Sunday, we pray "I believe".


Jay Anderson also has a cool Christmas ditty relating to this event:

You better not blaspheme. You better not lie.
Or you might wind up With a black eye.
Santa Claus is coming to town.


Finally, Rich of Catholic Light finishes the I Saw Mommy song (also via Facebook):
I saw Santa punching Arius,
in Nicaea where the council met last night;
the bishops were aghast, and the bruise is going to last:
he seized him with his left hand and then slapped him with the right;
Now the Emperor's pursuing Nicholas,
and wants to put him in a prison cell;
Probably neither will repent 'til their wrath is fully spent
and the heresy's condemned to hell.

Peace to you, my little snark-o-maniacs on this feast of Jolly Old St. Nicholas.
BMP

Sunday, December 4, 2011

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION AT SACRED HEART

Wednesday XII-7-11 at 6 PM / Thursday XII-8-11 at 9 AM and 7 PM
Sacred Heart Church, West Warwick, RI


Entrance: W-708 Immaculate Mary / "Lourdes Hymn"
Psalm 98: Sing to the Lord a new song / Gelineau book (1065)
Alleluia: Alleluia for Advent Season / BMP (adapt. from "Creator Alme Siderum", Mode IV)
Offertory: W-695 The angel Gabriel from Heaven came / "Gabriel's Message"
Sanctus and Agnus: Mass for Christian Unity / Vermulst
We proclaim your death, O Lord: Holy Angels Mass / BMP
Amen / Dresden
Communion: Ave Maria / Arcadelt or Victoria
Recessional: W-702 Hail, holy Queen enthroned above / "Salve Regina Caelitum"

Peace,
BMP

Friday, December 2, 2011

IN THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF iSNARK! MEDIA...

Three podcast episodes in a two-week span!


Pep talk just before the full implementation of the Roman Missal, Third Typical Edition!


Music special for the Last Week of Ordinary Time (Christ the King and Thanksgiving Day)


Do we really have to "gloat in song" about our actions?

You'll find these ONLY on


Liturgy, music, and fun, in a way only iSNARK! can provide!
Peace,
BMP