Monthly Archives: May 2011

Another Experience of Loss

Posted on 31 May 2011 by

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 | 3 Comments

Which English Translation?

Posted on 31 May 2011 by

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 →

Posted in Liturgy | 1 Comment

Psalm 36

Posted on 31 May 2011 by

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 | 4 Comments

South African on Abuse and Scandal

Posted on 31 May 2011 by

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 | 1 Comment

Varietates Legitimae 31-32: The Responsibility of The Episcopal Conference

Posted on 31 May 2011 by

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 →

Posted in post-conciliar liturgy documents, Varietates Legitimae | Leave a comment

Incomprehension on B16′s Music

Posted on 30 May 2011 by

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 | Leave a comment

Varietates Legitimae 30: Calling Upon Competence

Posted on 30 May 2011 by

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 →

Posted in post-conciliar liturgy documents, Varietates Legitimae | Leave a comment

A Father-Mother Schism

Posted on 30 May 2011 by

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?

Posted on 29 May 2011 by

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 | Leave a comment

The Encounter With Loss

Posted on 29 May 2011 by

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 →

Posted in Commentary, My Family, spirituality | 5 Comments

To The Clouds

Posted on 27 May 2011 by

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 | Leave a comment

Underwear in a Planter

Posted on 27 May 2011 by

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 | 4 Comments

A Clear Hierarchical System for Catholics

Posted on 26 May 2011 by

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 | 1 Comment

Bishop Mails It In

Posted on 26 May 2011 by

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 | 11 Comments

More on My Brother

Posted on 24 May 2011 by

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