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Monthly Archives: January 2007
Unitatis Redintegratio 19
So now we come to Vatican II’s consideration of “Separated Churches and Ecclesial Communities in the West,” subheading II of Chapter III. First another brief history lesson: In the great upheaval which began in the West toward the end of … Continue reading
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Unitatis Redintegratio 18
Taking a break from our discussion on discernment, we read in UR 18 the council’s final thoughts on East-West ecumenism: After taking all these factors into consideration, this Sacred Council solemnly repeats the declaration of previous Councils and Roman Pontiffs, … Continue reading
Posted in Unitatis Redintegratio
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Discerning the Discerners
Tony brings up a point many parishioners might offer. People in a ministry of discernment (and lots of others, for their own respective fields) might hear: “My question is what qualifies you to supernaturally determine what gifts God has given … Continue reading
Posted in Ministry
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Ashes From Palms
Received a few days ago by e-mail. I’ll tell you what I’ve done, but I’ll also confess I’ve never quite been able to match the smudge quality of the church supply sources: This year our liturgy committee has decided to … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy
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Discernment and Trust
Since the topic of discernment seems to almost rival “Euro-pride” this week, let’s keep hitting on that theme. In continuing to follow the blogosphere’s ongoing tussles over Intentional Disciples, I’d like to offer a quick reflection on the quality of … Continue reading
Posted in Ministry
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My Little Speller
The school spelling bee was today. I knew most of the kids in it, including my own daughter. I’ll tell you it’s hard to sit on my hands and keep my mouth shut for it. I found myself rooting for … Continue reading
Posted in My Family
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Unitatis Redintegratio 17
Today’s theme: complementary, not conflicting: What has just been said about the lawful variety that can exist in the Church must also be taken to apply to the differences in theological expression of doctrine. In the study of revelation East … Continue reading
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Unitatis Redintegratio 16
We continue our 5-section examination of Eastern Christians, and the world’s Catholic bishops are quite direct in what they see as proper governance in the East: Already from the earliest times the Eastern Churches followed their own forms of ecclesiastical … Continue reading
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Discernment: Balancing the Virtues
As I was following various commentary on discernment in music ministry, I was struck by the extremes mentioned in the threads which apply beyond the Venn diagram circle of “music,” especially two: – Parish (music) ministry is about welcome and … Continue reading
Unitatis Redintegratio 15
Today’s section praises the liturgical traditions of the East, and reminds Catholics that their sacraments are entirely “true” and valid. Everyone also knows with what great love the Christians of the East celebrate the sacred liturgy, especially the eucharistic celebration, … Continue reading
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Unitatis Redintegratio 14
Subheading I covers the next five sections (14-18) and the “Special Consideration of the Eastern Churches” For many centuries the Church of the East and that of the West each followed their separate ways though linked in a (close) union of … Continue reading
Posted in Unitatis Redintegratio
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“Love is actually rather ordinary …”
(Neil, again.) Here, in the Sunday Times’ “Credo” column, Monsignor Roderick Strange writes about the second reading for this Sunday’s Mass (1 Cor 12:31-13:13): Familiarity does not always breed contempt, but it can dull awareness. Consider, for example, St Paul’s … Continue reading
Posted in Neil
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What is Discernment?
(This is Neil, Todd’s contributor, posting here.) I’ve been following some of the discussion regarding the Intentional Disciples blog with great interest, particularly the posts on discernment below. I am especially grateful for the response of the writers from the … Continue reading
Posted in Neil
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Organ and Chant: Cultural Euro-Pride?
Maybe it is. Maybe not. But there’s nothing theological in the Church’s reasoning in favor of organ and chant. The pipe organ (and note that the moniker “King of instruments” does not apply to electronic or other organs) does have … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music
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Unitatis Redintegratio 13
With this post, we begin the examination of Chapter III, treating “Churches And Ecclesial Communities Separated From The Roman Apostolic See.” We now turn our attention to the two chief types of division as they affect the seamless robe of … Continue reading
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Catholic Sensibility 