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Monthly Archives: June 2012
Two Weeks of Worthy Women: Thea Bowman
As the USCCB’s Fortnight for Freedom continues, we take an alternative track here. I’ve been promising more voices, and today, guest blogger Fran Rossi Szpylczyn contributes a stirring testimony for a stirring woman of our times. You can find more of … Continue reading
RDCA IV, 12-14: Minister and Choice of Day
The third portion of the altar dedication inttroduction addresses three issues (nos. 12-16) and on outline of the dedication Mass (17-23). Let’s begin with the rite’s insistence on a bishop, unless “altogether special circumstances” suggest a priest: 12. Since the … Continue reading
Two Weeks of Worthy Women: Jeanne d’Arc
As the Fortnight for Freedom, continues, let’s keep with our examination of worthy women, many of whom were hassled, persecuted, or even martyred by their own Church. The legend of the 15th century peasant girl, Jeanne, is well-known to practically every … Continue reading
Posted in Saints, Two Weeks of Worthy Women
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RDCA IV, 9-11: Substance And Saints
Let’s take a quick look at the physical material of an altar: 9. In accordance with received custom in the Church and the biblical symbolism connected with an altar, the table of a fixed altar should be of stone, indeed of natural … Continue reading
Free Fr Frank?
RNS linked the Amarillo press on Fr Frank Pavone’s ongoing tussle with his bishop. The Priests For Life celeb hit up the Congregation of Clergy, and while Priests for Life and other anti-abortion folks are generally in rejoice mode on … Continue reading
Posted in Miscellaneous
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ACA
A few quick things about the SCOTUS ruling. Some, but not all opponents of health care insurance have had a field day with innuendo, caricature, and outright lies, I’m going to suspend my opposition to ACA (for being too conservative … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
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Two Weeks of Worthy Women: Juana Inés de la Cruz
As a response to the US Bishops’ Fortnight for Freedom, I’ve invited a few friends to supply appropriate essays on women who have exemplified the faith in the face of persecution, even at the hands of religious authorities. Today, my … Continue reading
Posted in Guest Writers, John Donaghy, Saints, Two Weeks of Worthy Women
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RDCA IV, 6-8: Erecting an Altar
Sections 6 through 11 of this chapter address how an altar is built and presented in a church. 6. It is desirable that in every church there be a fixed altar and that in other places set apart for sacred … Continue reading
Ellie
Our dog passed away today. She was one of the best dogs: rarely barked, always protective, even of the cats. My wife and I had been monitoring her growths closely. She hasn’t been quite as enthusiastic about being outside the … Continue reading
Posted in My Family
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Funeral Vestments for Madison
I noted the discussion on PrayTell about funeral vestment colors in southern Wisconsin. That territory is well-traveled on this blog. My own sense is that the monochromatic vestments seen in too many parishes do not do justice to the Mass. … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Order of Christian Funerals
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Archbishop Thrown Under The Bus?
Reform2 archbishop Gus De Noia gets a position with the Ecclesia Dei commission. Word comes the same day the SSPX middle finger is leaked from the schismatic group. According to the SSPX secretary general, the pope was prepared to accept … Continue reading
Posted in Church News
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Two Weeks of Worthy Women: Hildegard of Bingen
Paralleling the USCCB Fortnight for Freedom, today’s worthy woman alternative is the doctor-to-be, Hildegard of Bingen. Her apostolate as a musician and composer is the most interesting aspect of her life … to me anyway. Others admire her as a mystic, … Continue reading
Posted in Saints, Two Weeks of Worthy Women
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RDCA IV, 5: The Altar Honors Martyrs
Not only is the altar a sign of Christ and a locus for the Paschal meal, but the altar is, in a very real way, a memorial for martyrs to the faith. Read this section: 5. All the dignity of … Continue reading
Reconciliation and the New Evangelization
Part b of the 98th section of the instrumentum laboris for the New Evangelization synod struck me: Many responses gave particular attention to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which has almost disappeared from the lives of many Christians, and focused on the very … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, spirituality
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Catholic Sensibility 
Pope Benedict, Stalker?
I like the UCANews site for its coverage of Catholic matters across the continent of Asia. Their commentary is often thoughtful and occasionally tart, like this essay by Fr William Grimm, who suggests that schismatic Catholics aren’t the only ones … Continue reading →