MUSIC AT HOLY MASS

First Sunday of Advent - November 30, 2008

I was quite disappointed, as this church I attended this morning, St. Matthew's (now "Holy Spirit" as the result of a three-parish merge), had a long history of excellence in music - that is until one certain pastor screwed things up around 1990.

The present organist himself is rather good. However, he's had to bite many bullets. It's amazing he's lasted 17 years with the nutcases he's had for pastors. Until December 1988, pastors at St. Matthew's have supported excellent music, and the use of the 70-rank organ built mainly by Casavant Freres. Unfortunately, the last really supportive pastor died of heart failure on December 1988 at the young age of 55. The hymnal in the pews until 1990 was Worship II.

The replacement pastor ceased use of the four-manual gallery console (he had it disconnected completely) and purchased a refurbished three-manual console to play the gallery pipes.

Four pastors later, things aren't really any better. This morning's Mass was played entirely on the piano. Why one would want to resort to a piano during a penitential season is beyond me. It only leads to that "liberal agenda" that wants to take the "holy" out of "holy Mass". And just for proof, here's the music list:

Schoenbechler...Maranatha
Alstott...Lord, make us turn to you and Alleluia
- (Both of these are really good settings, but would have been served better on the organ. The Alleluia, written in a chant style, perhaps a cappella.)
Ridge...In the day of the Lord
- (Way too syncopated. Not only the anticipated ties, but the switching in time signatures from 4/4 to 6/8 back to 4/4 in just three bars. Obviously, no one sang!)
Proulx...Sanctus, Christ has died, Amen, and Agnus from Missa Emmanuel
- (Richard Proulx has written many good Mass settings. However, this is not one of them. It's simply overkill on Veni Emmanuel, and the Agnus tropes are not those prescribed by the Church. Lyn wrote a post on this matter on her Organ-ic Chemist blog and on Facebook. I commented on Facebook.)
Schutte...Holy Darkness
Crouch...Soon and Very Soon

Not ONE solid core Advent hymn to kick off the season. And even OCP prints them in their worship aids.

Sorry Peter. Had to.
Peace,
BMP

CHECK THIS ORGAN CONSOLE OUT!

Nice sound, but what a funky looking console! According to the poster's comment on YouTube, it's a four-manual, 65-rank Steinmeyer organ at St. Matthew's Church in Munich.

Still a nice sound, nice improv on the tune KINGSFOLD (as in "I heard the voice of Jesus say"), and well-executed by the organist in the video.

Peace,
BMP

HOW LOW CAN A MOB GO?

Low enough to trample down a Wal-mart worker to death.

Read'em and weep!

RSCT to "mannoman" on the message boards at Eric Carmen's web site.
Peace,
BMP

A MASS KIT FOR YOUNG BOYS WANTING TO BE PRIESTS

This is, yes, an actual product by Wee Believers. All the things a young boy needs to practice the priesthood (Roman Missal or GIRM not included, sadly).

The Curt Jester rightfully points out, however:
Though what about dissident little girls who want to be priestesses? Surely someone can come up with with a women's priest kit which would include poncho, stunningly ugly stole, chalice made out of earthenware, home made hosts made out of material surely to crumble, and a subscription to the National Catholic Reporter.

Let's not forget the cruise ship so that the "ordination" be held on water.

Coming soon: Wee Dissenters' Poncho Lady Kit!
Peace,
BMP

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL...

...or ya'll, depending on where you're from (LMAO!).

Our 2200th post!

While more and more radio stations will be playing all that trash that passes for "holiday favorites" (er, "Christmas muzak"), and those Thanksgiving Day parade floats seem to focus more on Christmas themes these days than Thanksgiving, I'll be singing (in my head, since I don't have a parish to play in) "Now Thank We All Our God", "We Gather Together", "For the Beauty of the Earth", "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come", and "For the Fruits of this Creation" - hymns more appropriate for the day.

Also, I have the pleasure of enjoying a four-day weekend after working 10-12 hour days for ten days straight (well, Saturday was probably about eight hours). Tomorrow, I'll be sitting back and relaxing, while praying for all those poor souls that are working in the retail sector, while laughing at those who are actually shopping in the Black Friday rush.

Finally, while on a Thanksgiving theme today, my wife's been playing the latest in goofy commercials for Oven Ready Turkey. These are actually hilarious.

Enjoy!
Peace,
BMP

MASS AT ST. CLEMENT'S EUCHARISTIC SHRINE

I got to hear my own Psalm setting on the shrine's website. Play the Mass for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, and you'll hear my setting of Psalm 46 which is now part of the Chabanel Psalm Project - well interpreted. Kudos to Elisabeth, Ryan, and pals at St. Clement's Eucharistic Shrine in Boston for their great work there.

Peace,
BMP

FROM THE MOUTH OF THE DEVIL HIMSELF...

Courtesy of Paul Nichols

Gospel reading for 1 Lent cites the above words spoken by none other than Satan, to none other than Jesus, who was fasting in the desert. Jesus didn't fall for it. Let's not either.

Peace,
BMP

CHRISTUS VINCIT SPORTS

MVP Edition

Congratulations to Dustin Pedroia, the first Red Sox player to win the American League Most Valuable Player award since 1995, and the first second baseman to win it since 1959! Well deserved!

Congratulations also to Albert Pujols of the Cardinals for winning the National League MVP for the second time!

Peace,
BMP

OUR NEW NATIONAL ANTHEM

Someone from the message boards at Eric Carmen's web site. Eric, of course, is best known for his work with Raspberries, as well as solo hits All by Myself, Never Gonna Fall in Love Again, and Hungry Eyes.

Very appropriate for this economy, eh?


On another economic note - my wife pointed me to this article from WJAR-TV (Providence) Channel 10's website where a lady was threatened with a lien over a bill for - get this - a PENNY!

The Associated Press
Published: November 18, 2008

ATTLEBORO, Mass.—A 74-year-old blind Attleboro woman was shocked when she got a letter from the city saying a lien would be placed on her home unless she pays an overdue water bill.

The amount? 1 cent.

Eileen Wilbur told The Sun Chronicle of Attleboro the letter sent her blood pressure soaring, and pointed out that the stamp to send the letter cost 42 cents.

City Collector Debora Marcoccio said the letter was among 2,000 sent out. She said a computer automatically prints letters for accounts with an overdue balance, and they were not reviewed by staff before being mailed.

The letter warned of a lien and a $48 penalty if the bill is not paid by Dec. 10.

Marcoccio insists the bill be paid.

Wilbur’s daughter, Rose Brederson, called the situation “ridiculous.”

Wednesday Note:
There is a follow-up to this story! After hearing about Wilbur’s story, a local man went to city hall and paid Eileen Wilbur’s bill.

How low can a city go? Over a lousy freakin' penny!

Peace,
BMP

A NEW HOLIDAY: TOSSMAS

Posted by Patrick Archbold (link is to his blog post which includes video footage), with an RSCT to Jeff Miller.

A few other Christmas rants and raves:

By the way, how will I be thanking my customers while in a Schwan's uniform as Christmas nears?
Thank you very much, and have a wonderful Christmas.
If the customer replies with "but I'm Jewish"...
Then have a wonderful Hanukkah.
If the customer replies with "but I'm an atheist"...
Then have a wonderful day anyways.

Kudos to Jo-Ann Fabrics for the huge banners (at their store's entrance) that say Let's Make Christmas Together! (albeit a bit early, but at least they're not afraid to say CHRISTMAS!)

I'm already boycotting three radio stations that are normally favorites of mine until Christmas is over: WWBB-FM (101.5 in Providence, aka "B-101"), WROR-FM (105.7 in Boston), and WODS-FM (103.3 in Boston, aka "Oldies 103.3"). These three have been playing non-stop "holiday favorites" (you know, that crap that passes for Christmas music these days) since freakin' All Saints Day. Again - I love Christmas, but when it's Christmas! If I want to listen to that crap non-stop, I'll go to a freakin' mall!

Finally, is it me or is the Salvation Army sending their bell ringers out a bit too early. Earlier this evening as my wife and I were exiting the nearby Shaw's supermarket, there was a bell ringer out there already doing her thing. Now I always throw in a buck or two here and there when I see them, especially as it gets closer to Christmas. Today I did rest this bell ringer assured that I will start throwing money in once it gets closer to Christmas. Thankfully she got her holidays straight and wished my wife and me a happy Thanksgiving (I know - our Canadian readers celebrated their Thanksgiving over a month ago, on our Columbus Day).

Oh, and here's the YouTube version of the Tossmas video. Big kudos to Stuart Shepherd!



Peace,
BMP