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Monthly Archives: November 2015
The War On The War On Christmas
I have a facebook friend who thinks the War on Christmas is largely a fake these days. In the past, some conservatives took it upon themselves to make a personal fight in the season. But now, it’s mainly the liberals … Continue reading
Laudato Si 170: Costs Passed to the Poor
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. 170. Some strategies for lowering pollutant gas emissions call for the internationalization of environmental costs, which would risk imposing on countries with fewer resources burdensome commitments to reducing … Continue reading
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Laudato Si 169: Delays On Climate Change
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. Climate change remains a locus of delay and obfuscation: 169. As far as the protection of biodiversity and issues related to desertification are concerned, progress has been far … Continue reading
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On Long-Winded Prayers
This ongoing discussion at PrayTell illustrates the value of public intercessions at liturgy being non-specific. The bishops of England and Wales have a problem with the 2008 TLM rewrite of Good Friday, as translated: Let us also pray for the … Continue reading
Laudato Si 168: Conventions
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. 168. Among positive experiences in this regard, we might mention, for example, the Basel Convention on hazardous wastes, with its system of reporting, standards and controls. There is … Continue reading
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Reconciliation Lectionary: Psalm 27: 1, 4, 7-10, 13-14
If there is an “unsung” psalm in the Bible, it might be the 27th. It is one of the common psalms for ordinary time. It appears in the Sunday Lectionary three times in the three-year cycle–once in Easter, once in … Continue reading
Laudato Si 167: Rio in 1992
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. Pope Francis mentions the gathering on his native continent: 167. The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro is worth mentioning. It proclaimed that “human beings are at … Continue reading
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Simple Gifts
Two artists of impeccable musicianship and sensitivity, plus sheer love of music render a classic American tune that strikes me as always appropriate for today’s US observance. My parish sang this contemporary song with gusto at the close of the … Continue reading
Posted in Music
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Laudato Si 166: Popular Movements
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. Praise for many environmental organizations: 166. Worldwide, the ecological movement has made significant advances, thanks also to the efforts of many organizations of civil society. It is impossible … Continue reading
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Apple or Pumpkin?
Local sports talk radio was debating the choice yesterday. Growing up, my mom loved to bake and we loved to eat. As I remember it, she made five pies many Thanksgivings: one mincemeat, my dad’s favorite; two pumpkins, and the two … Continue reading
Posted in Food
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Songleader to Choir
When I arrived in my new parish, we had a few highly-attended funerals. For the daughter of my retired predecessor, most of the choir sang. I was asked about reviving the funeral choir. Since it wasn’t my initiative, I acceded … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music, Ministry
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Laudato Si 165: Fossil Fuels
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. 165. We know that technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels – especially coal, but also oil and, to a lesser degree, gas – needs … Continue reading
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The Warm-Up
Paul Inwood writes up nine “healthy” pre-liturgy practices he has noticed. I’d like to peel out number 2, the warm-up. Three minutes before the starting time, the cantor does a brief (one-minute) warm-up, preparing the assembly to celebrate, followed by … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music
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Laudato Si 164: International Dialogue
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. How should the conversation beyond single nations take place? Sections 164-175 cover “Dialogue On The Environment In The International Community.” 164. Beginning in the middle of the last century and … Continue reading
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Acclamation or Call/Response?
After three months of assessing my new parish’s musical repertoire–mostly once through each song or hymn to see how people sing–we’re implementing new music, a Mass setting. My predecessor had a plan to implement the Lopezes’ Misa Santa Cecilia. But … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music, Parish Life
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Catholic Sensibility 