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Monthly Archives: December 2008
Frozen Embryo Adoption
Still up in the air from Rome, but leaning toward an entirely negative judgment, so they say. A New Hampshire couple wonders why. So do I. Timothy and Dawn Smith wonder if adoptive couples have been consulted. Given the milquetoast example … Continue reading
Posted in Adoption, Church News
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Synod Prop 8: Word of Reconciliation and Conversion
This issue didn’t get as much notice as it deserved. One paragraph in the proposition, two sentences: The importance of the Word of God in the sacraments of healing (Penance and Anointing) must be underlined. The Church must be the community that, … Continue reading
Catherine of Siena … Stalker?
An interesting convergence of an opinion piece and a news quote on the America blog the past day. Michael Sean Winters posts one of the many millions of New Year’s prediction pieces. In it he suggests that the US bishops will … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Ministry
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Synod Prop 7: Unity Between Word and Eucharist
Just before Christmas I noticed all propositions from the bishops’ October synod are up on the Zenit website. If you want to find them yourselves, scroll to the bottom of the main page and browse through the list of documents. … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Scripture
3 Comments
Managing Obligations
Good conversation below on holy days. Liam’s point on three obligatory Marian feasts for Americans is worth considering. I would think that if December 12th can make any headway, it will be either well-earned or the work of the Holy Spirit. … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Parish Life
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Divinum Mysterium
I first heard an arrangement of this plainsong hymn about twenty-five years ago. It remains a favorite, though I’ve yet to muster the nerve to introduce a new congregational piece during the Christmas season. Of the Father’s love begotten, Ere … Continue reading
Posted in Music
4 Comments
Secrecy Above All
dotCommonweal notes this story on no phone-in or internet confessions for Coptic Christians. I noted the given reason in the press: Confessions over the telephone are forbidden, because there is a chance the telephones are monitored and the confessions will … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Liturgy
3 Comments
Psalm 97
Often lost in the psalmody of the season is the 97th psalm, assigned for the Mass at Dawn. I can attest that dawn in most Christian families is devoted to the ritual of jumping up and down on the parents’ … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Scripture
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Catholic Culture, Quo Vadis?
My friend Lee asks a basic question that has occupied my pastoral ministry for the past ten years or more. I’m convinced that Catholic culture can be revived on the family and parish fronts, but it will take lots of … Continue reading
Posted in Ministry
6 Comments
The Armchair Liturgist: Christmas, Mary and/or Peace
In my early Catholic days, I noticed the parish missalette contained a set of readings and prayers for a January 1 Mass for the World Day of Peace. I see the pope posts an annual message for the observance. I … Continue reading
Posted in The Armchair Liturgist
8 Comments
I Wonder As I Wander
No wonder the posting has been light these past few days; the family and I are still wandering on our brief Christmas vacation. A great contemporary Christmas song: I’ll have to record and post the guitar adaptation inspired by Anne … Continue reading
Night, Midnight, Early Morning
Reuters image above from the pope’s 11PM “Midnight Mass” last year. The pope is moving back to midnight this year. Zenit’s liturgy column addresses the question of many Catholics: When can you have a Midnight Mass? In practice, the leeway … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy
13 Comments
O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, ruler and lawgiver, desire of the nations, savior of all people: Come and set us free, Lord our God. (The angel presents the crown)
Posted in Art, Parish Life, spirituality
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Catholic Sensibility 
Where’s the Bucket?
All I know is that when my wife and I were approved for a mortgage loan on our new Iowa house, we had to state in writing our intentions on our house in Kansas City. I’m guessing they could figure … Continue reading →