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Monthly Archives: November 2006
Praying for Our Enemies
The Orthodoxy Today website has an interesting commentary by the Orthodox priest Fr Stylianos Muksuris. He reminds us of something that might seem obvious but is too easily forgotten: “The Christians at prayer in Rome, North Africa, and Byzantium experienced … Continue reading
Posted in Neil
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Sacrosanctum Concilium 77
Vatican II did have something to say about the wedding liturgy: The marriage rite now found in the Roman Ritual is to be revised and enriched in such a way that the grace of the sacrament is more clearly signified … Continue reading
Posted in Sacrosanctum Concilium
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Casting a Shadow
This could be Kansas City, but it’s not. Cassini catches some Saturnian clouds and the shadows they cast on lower cloud levels on the planet. Snow day for the area children today, as yesterday’s freezing rain made driving dangerous. In … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Liturgy, My Family
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Pope Thomas John Paul
Right here from my very own diocese, a boy who has serious ecclesiastical aspirations. But portraying Jesus preaching to his disciples and the people is his favorite pastime, she said. His favorite story about Jesus, which she said he will … Continue reading
Posted in Church News
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More Than About Where To Live
From the NCR, via the Catholic News Hub, a tale of a priest who left Roman Catholicism for schism, then found his bishop ready to reconcile: (A)t age 52, (Father Ray McHenry) found himself in a failed relationship, with no … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Ministry
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Sacrosanctum Concilium 76
Vatican II treats the liturgical details of ordination: Both the ceremonies and texts of the ordination rites are to be revised. The address given by the bishop at the beginning of each ordination or consecration may be in the mother … Continue reading
Posted in Sacrosanctum Concilium
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Sacrosanctum Concilium 75
Continuing with Vatican II on anointing of the sick: The number of the anointings is to be adapted to the occasion, and the prayers which belong to the rite of anointing are to be revised so as to correspond with … Continue reading
Posted in Sacrosanctum Concilium
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Dorothy’s Liturgical Plea To Priests
Were I younger and living several decades ago, it would have been an experience to work alongside Dorothy Day. I had a friend back in Rochester who did just that, in the late 30’s. She had stories. I recently discovered … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, spirituality
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They Could Try The Blogosphere
One is tempted to say that progressive Catholicism is dead, but it’s not my temptation. Is print dead? Without diocesan subsidies, I suspect many diocesan organs would be going the way of Toronto’s Catholic New Times. Their last issue was … Continue reading
Posted in Church News
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Sacrosanctum Concilium 74
Yet the council did not ignore the need for a deathbed ritual: In addition to the separate rites for anointing of the sick and for viaticum, a continuous rite shall be prepared according to which the sick (person) is anointed … Continue reading
Posted in Sacrosanctum Concilium
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Divertimento: The Organ of Assisi
My friend Steve sent the Assisi edition of his travelogue a few days back. For those late to this party, he was a pilgrim on Bishop Finn’s recent trip to Rome and Assisi. He and his wife provided music in … Continue reading
Posted in Music, Other Places
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The Kiss of Peace
From this edge of the Anatolian peninsula, a natural bridge between continents, let us implore peace and reconciliation, above all for those dwelling in the Land called “Holy” and considered as such by Christians, Jews and Muslims alike: it is … Continue reading
Posted in Neil
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Sacrosanctum Concilium 73
This is one aspect of Vatican II I remember parishes hammering away at during the 70’s and 80’s: “Extreme unction,” which may also and more fittingly be called “anointing of the sick,” is not a sacrament for those only who … Continue reading
Posted in Sacrosanctum Concilium
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To the Moon
NASA announces a press conference next Monday that will describe the plans for lunar exploration. If they want to listen, I have an initial suggestion: The Marius Hills, imaged here. This was considered during the Apollo program, but they decided … Continue reading
Catholic Sensibility 
Reactions, Once Removed
I’m a bit surprised at the tone taken at open book. I do think that anybody can stake a position against recent editorials criticizing the bishops for their stands on sexuality. In turn, there is nothing wrong with poking holes … Continue reading →