Monthly Archives: January 2013

On My Bookshelf: Mariette in Ecstasy

Posted on 31 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

I think I’m a few decades late to Ron Hansen’s coming-out party. And it’s likely most of my Catholic readers have already read this book. So you’re likely not going to need my recommendation. I’m going to touch on some … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf | Tagged | 4 Comments

Reconciliation Lectionary: Luke 7:36-50

Posted on 31 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

One of the longer passages in the Reconciliation Lectionary is Jesus’ encounter with the sinful woman during the Pharisee’s dinner party. You know the story, and the parable (41-43) Jesus uses to illustrate his point. Instead of studying the entire … Continue reading →

Posted in Rite of Penance, Scripture | Leave a comment

The Armchair Liturgist Plans Ash Wednesday

Posted on 31 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

Ash Wednesday will be something of a scramble in temporary worship conditions in my parish. Ordinarily, our church is conveniently located across the street from campus–the student union in fact. And we get droves of people for four Masses–one at … Continue reading →

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Beware the “Little” Prayer

Posted on 30 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

Our student small group coordinator booked me for an in-service to the small group leaders this week. They have two meetings to catch our twenty-five leaders, and they wanted me to speak on prayer, especially on the skill of leading … Continue reading →

Posted in Parish Life, spirituality | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Who, Us?

Posted on 30 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

Back in the days when she rescued rabbits, my wife and I used to joke that we had a Prey Floor (where we lived with the cats and dog) and the Predator Floor (where the bunnies lived on their way through … Continue reading →

Posted in Pets, Science | 1 Comment

Sampling Some Bitterness

Posted on 29 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

I see the Chant Cafe commentariat is excited about a new sheriff bishop riding into Portland. There’s a good bit about which to comment about this move. Careerism, first. I remember feeling hopeful about Pope Benedict’s early episcopal appointments in … Continue reading →

Posted in bishops, Commentary, Liturgical Music, Liturgy, Ministry, The Blogosphere | 6 Comments

Catholics Schools Week

Posted on 28 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

It’s been five years since I was in a parish with a school. So I feel far-removed from the concerns and culture of Catholic schools. Indeed, not all Catholics are convinced of their value. To many hard-core conservatives, parish and … Continue reading →

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Teaching and/or Responding to Atheism

Posted on 28 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

To some, it seems to make sense that a Jesuit college would teach a course on atheism. More accurately, the offering is entitled, “Responding to 21st-Century Atheism.” Which is somewhat different in most (but not all) circles from actually teaching … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Who Patrons Impasses?

Posted on 27 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

Bishop Finn invoked Saint Francis de Sales. He’d like to be rid of the NCRep. Kansas City’s conservative Catholics are, understandably, upset with a situation of ecclesiastical impotence: I have received letters and other complaints about NCR from the beginning … Continue reading →

Posted in bishops, Politics, The Blogosphere | 7 Comments

Reconciliation Lectionary: Luke 18:9-14

Posted on 23 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

October 26/27th is a long way off (when this Scripture next appears in the Sunday Lectionary) but this challenging and delightful reading is a possibility for the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance anytime: Jesus addressed this parable to those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Rite of Penance, Scripture | 1 Comment

Los Angeles Evasion

Posted on 22 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

Is it about time LA’s ex-archbishop gets an expose in the LA Times? A few of my liturgical colleagues still give a nod or two when passing his shrine, but I’ve always counted myself as a skeptic where the Frequently … Continue reading →

Posted in bishops, sex abuse | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

She or We, Caesar or Serf?

Posted on 22 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

One of my pet peeves is listening to an individual refer to herself or himself in the third person. Example, when LeBron James announced on tv he was ditching Cleveland for Miami: I wanted to do what was best, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy, spirituality, The Blogosphere | 1 Comment

Auxiliary Worship

Posted on 21 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

Some of you may have had this experience … having an auxiliary room associated with the main worship space. In our temporary Sunday worship, we have chairs and a video/audio feed set up in the lobby outside of the auditorium. … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy, Parish Life | 4 Comments

Burdens

Posted on 19 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

From Peter van Breemen, SJ: We are all wounded people. Therefore, we are all a burden to ourselves and to others. … There is no getting around this. We simply must accept it. We must let ourselves be healed by … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy, spirituality | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Skipping The Bishop Step, The Pastor’s Too

Posted on 18 January 2013 by catholicsensibility

Msgr Eamon Martin has skipped the perfunctory step of being an “ordinary” bishop and appears ready to leap right into an archbishopric when Cardinal Sean Brady’s retirement puts an end to a scandal-scarred ministry. Irish Times reporter interpreted Msgr Martin’s … Continue reading →

Posted in bishops | 3 Comments