Wednesday, November 21st, 2012
Daily Archive
21 November 2012
Posted by catholicsensibility under
ecumenism,
Liturgy Leave a Comment
Reading with some lament the abandonment of shared Sunday worship at Holy Apostles in Virginia Beach. The description of two separate altars, one each for Catholics and Anglicans strikes me as somewhat cringe-worthy. But it’s been a liturgical practice there for thirty-four years and hasn’t yet emptied the pews.
It reminds me of the situation my late brother found himself in many years ago. In California, he was a “high-church” Lutheran, and once found himself at a Catholic wake of a friend. The priest didn’t show up to lead the rosary, and my sister-in-law reported that after a brief check-in among those present, my brother drew upon his experience and offered his leadership services to the gathered Catholics.
A bishop is morally and theologically obligated to work for Christian unity. If indeed the time has come to end the Holy Apostles Sunday experiment, it is incumbent upon the bishops involved to forward other substantive ideas.
21 November 2012
Posted by catholicsensibility under
My Family Leave a Comment
My wife uncovered this ten-year-old image of naptime. The young miss at age five, I believe. Splinter, our last white cat. Must have been a rough day at the parish, at pre-K, and in the rat race.
21 November 2012
Process, not project:
§ 175 § The construction or renovation of a church building is a complex task that demands prayer and reflection, technical expertise and study. A building or renovation project is not the work of the pastor alone, nor is it that of a building committee. Rather, it is an act of faith that belongs to and engages the entire community. To be successful, a building project must be rooted in a proper understanding of the Church and of worship that becomes the point of reference for all future decision making. Creating and articulating this shared vision is a key element of the process.
Naturally, the entire faith community must be prepared to offer substantive input and reflection on the process. It might be suggested this is a required matter, that a community is not ready to build until it is prepared to engage in an act of faith.
§ 176 § Deepening a sense of ownership for the project involves taking the time to educate the parish, to listen to the people’s concerns, and to discuss the vision and values at stake in such a project. The time devoted to communication and education will help make the later stages of the process move more smoothly and will ensure that the relationships among parish members are strengthened rather than strained by the project.
Teamwork implies welcoming people from outside the community:
§ 177 § Since no single pastor or parish possesses the totality of expertise or vision required to execute a project of such great scope, the congregation and clergy will need to recognize the areas of their own competence, the role of the diocesan bishop and diocesan personnel, and their limits beyond which the assistance of experts will be required. Respect and appreciation for the competence of others in their respective fields is essential for good teamwork.
All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
21 November 2012
Posted by catholicsensibility under
film,
The Blogosphere 1 Comment
My wife was feeling unwell most of yesterday, so while I was online in the living room she was catching the History channel’s Secret Access: The Vatican. I was wondering if we would see one of the players in the Vatileaks scandal. I noticed chefs, that Msgr Georg dude, cars, and documents in calligraphy. But no butler. The narration seemed rather hyped to me: information with a somewhat sexy subcurrent. But no background shots of people filching parchment off the Holy Father’s desk.
I perked up when internet commentator and filming consultant David Gibson appeared the first time.
I really perked up with Brother Guy Consolmagno and the Vatican Observatory.
They also mentioned the Borgia popes. I see there’s a reform2 movement afoot for the infamous family. Is that like trying to suggest that once in a while, one of them went to confession, then said Mass, and it was a very good day, in contrast? No doubt the stained reputation of scandal takes on its own life after the centuries and a pay-tv miniseries. Like the Tudors, and many others. What draws us to such viewing? That we will see a public slip? Hence the popularity of unscripted programming, be it game shows or so-called reality tv.
I suppose my consolation prize for semi-distracted tv viewing was not Paolo Gabriele but the Orange Fanta on the pope’s dinner table. I would have thought him a juice man.
