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Monthly Archives: May 2011
Another Experience of Loss
Something different than last week’s experience: I’ve begun my summer project of losing fifty pounds. By the time the students return for Fall semester, my plan is to be back at my college weight. I’ve shared with a number of … Continue reading
Posted in Food
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Which English Translation?
A friend in Central America asked me about the best economic deal for a Honduran priest leanring English and presiding at Mass for a group of Indian Missionaries of Charity. But I was thinking the guy will have to get … Continue reading
Psalm 36
I thought I would share the music for the psalm setting I composed last week. My friends Dave and Cathy Moklebust did a super arrangement for organ and handbells. At the funeral I added hammer dulcimer. Note: the link to the … Continue reading
Posted in Todd's music
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South African on Abuse and Scandal
I began following The Southern Cross, the media organ of the Catholic Church in South Africa when they began implementing MR3 a few years ago. I return to that site regularly for sensible commentary. This week, editor Günther Simmermacher offers … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Ministry
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Varietates Legitimae 31-32: The Responsibility of The Episcopal Conference
National conferences of bishops have particular responsibilities, as we read in these two sections: 31. Since it is a question of local culture, it is understandable that the constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium assigned special responsibility in this matter to the “various … Continue reading
Incomprehension on B16’s Music
Jimmy Mac sent me this editorial piece by Sandro Magister suggesting the pope does not walk the talk on good liturgical music. Summing up: In other words, it remains incomprehensible why (Pope Benedict) should have decided to decline a few … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music
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Varietates Legitimae 30: Calling Upon Competence
Our consideration of Preliminary Conditions for Inculturation of the Liturgy wraps up here: 30. To prepare an inculturation of the liturgy, episcopal conferences should call upon people who are competent both in the liturgical tradition of the Roman rite and … Continue reading
A Father-Mother Schism
Priest-father, not real father. Real fathers would more likely align with mons and kids on this one. Until the Julie Hess letter was released last week, there wasn’t much St Blog’s action on the KC-SJ scandal. I searched through some … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Ministry, The Blogosphere
19 Comments
Reverence For What or Whom?
My wife proclaimed the second reading at Mass this morning, including this little portion that immediately struck my ears: Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it … Continue reading
Posted in Scripture, spirituality
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To The Clouds
Family has started to arrive in numbers, so I’m not planning to post again till late Sunday–if not Tuesday. Thanks for all the expressions of support and the promise of prayers by combox and e-mail. I was reading through the … Continue reading
Posted in My Family, Scripture
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Underwear in a Planter
The head of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Genoa Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco on sex abuse by clergy: a wicked emergency not yet overcome Nothing in the Zenit bit about bishops. More ugly revelations in the heartland, too: The principal of a … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Ministry
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A Clear Hierarchical System for Catholics
A recent disinvite reveals the new chain of command in Church governance. Throw away the wheels and circles. Erase the entries on those old triangles. There’s a new sheriff in town. And “he” writes lots of letters.
Posted in Church News, Politics
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Bishop Mails It In
Jimmy Mac forwarded me a letter from Angela Howarth of Liverpool to the Tablet editors: In our parish I am very fortunate to be part of a Conversation Group that meets once a week to share and reflect on the … Continue reading
Posted in Ministry
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More on My Brother
We will have visitation at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Webster City Friday night from five till seven. The funeral will be 3PM the next day at St Mark’s Episcopal Church in Fort Dodge. One recent story I’d like to … Continue reading
Posted in My Family
4 Comments
Catholic Sensibility 
The Encounter With Loss
I’ve much appreciated many expressions of sympathy and the promise of prayers this past week. The outpouring of support from my internet friends, as well as parishioners and my staff colleagues, has been very heartening. My brother was a champion swimmer … Continue reading →