Monthly Archives: December 2012

Advent Music: “Legends of St Nicholas”

Posted on 15 December 2012 by

I suppose I could have posted this a week ago Thursday. But the observance of Saint Nicholas is entwined with Advent and Christmas both, so I’m sure it’s not that much of a problem to suggest giving Anonymous 4 a … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Music | 2 Comments

Built of Living Stones 228-233: Lighting the Place of Worship

Posted on 15 December 2012 by

As with sound, natural light is a good starting point. But a building of any size is going to require some enhancement, just by being an interior space: § 228 § Light is a powerful symbol for the followers of … Continue reading →

Posted in Built of Living Stones, USCCB documents | 1 Comment

The Armchair Liturgist Addresses Connecticut

Posted on 15 December 2012 by

The General Intercessions/Prayers of the Faithful/Prayer Petitions/Universal Prayer continue to be a liturgical locus where the universal and the personal and the places in between get a bit blurred as they stir and mix together. The relevant sections of the … Continue reading →

Posted in The Armchair Liturgist | 3 Comments

Built of Living Stones 226-227: The Placement of the Organ and Other Musical Instruments

Posted on 14 December 2012 by

Some parishes are still commissioning pipe organs, and pipe chests need to be accommodated: § 226 § Musical instruments, especially the pipe organ, have long added to the beauty and prayerfulness of Catholic worship.(SC 120) Planning sufficient space for the … Continue reading →

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Porta Fidei 15: Conclusion

Posted on 14 December 2012 by

The Holy Father wraps up his letter: 15. Having reached the end of his life, Saint Paul asks his disciple Timothy to “aim at faith” (2 Tim 2:22) with the same constancy as when he was a boy (cf. 2 … Continue reading →

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12-12-12? What About 2012, 2012, 2012?

Posted on 13 December 2012 by

I don’t really perceive the magnitude of the fuss of yesterday. Maybe it was a big deal for Jesus being found in the Temple. But probably not, eh? I lived through the 12:34:56 moment on 7-8-90. It was an okay … Continue reading →

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Lucy, Friendly Star

Posted on 13 December 2012 by

Lucy is the only (major, canonized) martyr of Advent. Her feast lands in the middle of the season, which may be a caution to us believers accustomed to quiet waiting and economic frivolity. At the heart of waiting and preparation is … Continue reading →

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Built of Living Stones 221-225: Sound in the Place of Worship

Posted on 13 December 2012 by

Acoustics–probably the very first physical concern for a church. § 221 § Silence is the ground of all prayer. From contemplative silence emerge the sung and spoken prayer of the entire assembly and the prayers and proclamations of the various … Continue reading →

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Porta Fidei 14: The Witness of Charity

Posted on 13 December 2012 by

In observing the Year of Faith, the pope urges believers to put their faith into action. 14. The Year of Faith will also be a good opportunity to intensify the witness of charity. As Saint Paul reminds us: “So faith, … Continue reading →

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Prayer Is Not A Bookend

Posted on 12 December 2012 by

We’ve been interviewing peer ministry candidates this week. We invite each candidate to lead prayer at the beginning. Catholics naturally open prayers with the sign of the cross. But lately, I’ve been declining to close it off with a similar … Continue reading →

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Built of Living Stones 219-220: Building Maintenance

Posted on 11 December 2012 by

Too often overlooked, especially in cash-strapped communities, a faith community has to look to the long term and not cut corners on basic maintenance. Liturgical items often overlooked: musical instruments, including pipe organs, and baptismal fonts. § 219 § The design … Continue reading →

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Porta Fidei 13: Retracing the history of faith

Posted on 11 December 2012 by

We stand on the shoulders of saints–women and men who have given the example that assists their little sisters and brothers in faith: 13. One thing that will be of decisive importance in this Year is retracing the history of our … Continue reading →

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Built of Living Stones 217-218: Change Orders and Modifications

Posted on 10 December 2012 by

If a change of direction is needed … § 217 § During the construction phase of the process, the pastor and building committee may find the need to modify the original plan. Because modifications involve additional costs, parishes will want … Continue reading →

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Porta Fidei 12: Institutional Guidance

Posted on 10 December 2012 by

The CDF assignment: 12. In this Year, then, the Catechism of the Catholic Church will serve as a tool providing real support for the faith, especially for those concerned with the formation of Christians, so crucial in our cultural context. … Continue reading →

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Advent Music: Alma Redemptoris Mater

Posted on 10 December 2012 by

Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti, Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti, Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere. Two versions. First, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Liturgical Music, Music | 3 Comments