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Monthly Archives: December 2006
The Mathematics of Invisibility
A mathematics prof at my alma mater contributes to the scientific effort to cloak objects. This effect struck me as inconvenient: Their analysis also revealed another surprise: a person trying to look out of the cloak would effectively be faced … Continue reading
Posted in Science
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Saturn in Crescent
Almost like a finernail clipping. But a very large one (70,000 miles)
Posted in Astronomy
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St Peter’s From Space
And they thought the Great Wall of China was the only human-made object that could be discerned from space. More images here. Space Imaging’s IKONOS satellite collected this one-meter resolution satellite image on May 5, 2003. The image shows a … Continue reading
Posted in Other Places
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Sacrosanctum Concilium 127
There is a certain parallel with music, namely a “special” relationship with artists, and the cultivation of the “spirit” of art and of liturgy. Bishops should have a special concern for artists, so as to imbue them with the spirit … Continue reading
Posted in Sacrosanctum Concilium
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Sacrosanctum Concilium 126
Bishops are to consult experts in art, so Vatican II says: When passing judgment on works of art, local ordinaries shall give a hearing to the diocesan commission on sacred art and, if needed, also to others who are especially … Continue reading
Posted in Sacrosanctum Concilium
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Deacon, Protomartyr, Witness … Seminarians?
Our diocese has a tradition. My parish hosts the Serra Club’s annual seminarian appreciation Mass and dinner on the evening of December 26th. It has been so, I am told, since our prior bishop instituted the practice while the clergy-in-training were … Continue reading
Posted in Ministry
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Christmas Cheer and Gratitude
I had a marvelous time this past weekend, despite being a little fatigued from the flu. I feel so much better today. Perhaps it was Adventitis. Originally, we were looking at thirteen Masses in 45 hours. Which seems rather extreme. … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Parish Life
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The Armchair Liturgist: Christmas Proclamation
A number of years ago, LTP began to promote this suggestion for parishes: The twenty-fifth day of December. In the five thousand one hundred and ninety-ninth year of the creation of the world from the time when God in the … Continue reading
Posted in The Armchair Liturgist
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The Armchair Liturgist: Church Creche
Brigid had asked for an armchair liturgist spot on Advent wreath. I thought I had done that last year. But as it turns out, I didn’t. This feature isn’t quite a year old, only going back to January 2006. So … Continue reading
Posted in The Armchair Liturgist
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Don’t Breathe This Gas
Scientists find a ring of gas around a white dwarf in the constellation Virgo. Don’t go thinking it’s an opportunity for explorers to get high or anything; this ring contains iron and other metals in gaseous state. Pretty hot. And … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy
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The Slippery Slope of Popularity
The wordpress Catholic Sensibility reached a new high of 589 visits a week ago today. But I see you readers have given us six consecutive days of reduced views. Good for you. You show yourself to be people of moderation … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary
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Sacrosanctum Concilium 125
This is a bit that has gotten some accused of iconoclasm: The practice of placing sacred images in churches so that they may be venerated by the faithful is to be maintained. Nevertheless their number should be moderate and their … Continue reading
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Sacrosanctum Concilium 124
Ordinaries, by the encouragement and favor they show to art which is truly sacred, should strive after noble beauty rather than mere sumptuous display. This principle is to apply also in the matter of sacred vestments and ornaments. Nobility versus … Continue reading
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Sacrosanctum Concilium 123
There is no equivalent of Gregorian chant in the realm of art: The Church has not adopted any particular style of art as her very own; she has admitted styles from every period according to the natural talents and circumstances … Continue reading
Posted in Sacrosanctum Concilium
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Catholic Sensibility 
Thinking of Seminarians
The seminarian events and Serra Club events always get me thinking, putting little bits together from varied sources. I think it was among the dotCommonweal commentariat that I heard from someone who posited that smaller dioceses, regardless of the neo-orthodox … Continue reading →