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Monthly Archives: December 2017
Aparecida 309-310: Small Ecclesial Communities, Part 2
Base communities are essential, but there is also a need for connections. The bishops describe a “full communion” with parishes and the diocese. That seems fair and wise. 309. If lively dynamic small communities are desired, a solid spirituality must … Continue reading
Aparecida 307-308: Small Ecclesial Communities, Part 1
The Aparecida bishops turn their attention to “Small ecclesial communities” for the numbered sections through 310. Think base communities, something more permanent and long-standing than the American phenomenon of small groups. 307. It is evident that in recent years the … Continue reading
Mood Music
Mode, tempo, instrumentation. They make the difference between a piece of music that breathes and has life and one that qualifies as a dirge. I was looking over my Advent/Christmas repertoire some months ago, thinking of some addition of plainchant–something … Continue reading
Aparecida 305-306: Parishes At Worship and Devoted To Mission
More on the importance of the parish community, Pope Benedict is quoted about Sunday Mass: 305. Hence, community formation must especially be cultivated in the parish. Through various celebrations and initiatives, primarily with the Sunday Eucharist, which is the “the … Continue reading
Aparecida 304: Formation in Parishes
Today, we begin a brief look (304-306) at the parish as a place of faith formation. A heads-up on those notes: my reference document for the Aparecida excludes a key for the abbreviations SD, EAm, and others. In other posts, … Continue reading
Scenes From Christmas Eve
So, there’s this warm-up in the rehearsal room before the first Mass yesterday. I want to see if my smallish choir can pull off an a cappella piece. We’re doing it for the Christmas Eve prelude, but it’s really suitable … Continue reading
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Blessed Christmas To All
Enable us, Lord, to celebrate this luminous feast in peace, forsaking all idle words, acting virtuously, shunning our sins, as you raise us above the darkness of this world. May we celebrate your birth, and the Father who sent … Continue reading
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Aparecida 301-303: The First School of Faith
With the fourth theme of Chapter Six we’ll discuss “Places of Formation for Missionary Disciples.” This will take us right to section 346, the end of the chapter. A brief intro: 301. We will now briefly consider some spaces of … Continue reading
On Scandal and a Funeral
Author and catechist Joe Paprocki had a facebook comment on Cardinal Law’s funeral: Our Church is quick to deny a funeral to someone in a gay marriage because of the “scandal” it would cause but then has a Vatican funeral … Continue reading
Aparecida 300: Catechesis and Popular Piety
Today, finishing up the topic of permanent catechesis. The Aparecida bishops recognized that formation must plug in to where people are. Ineffective catechesis happens when information is served whole, without regard to a person’s interests, practices, or needs. 300. An … Continue reading
Struggles With Vatican II
In the old days here, occasionally, we’d get a comment that I’d pull out for its own post. Most traditionalist-leaning Catholics have given up on this site. But every so often someone new stumbles in and finds something objectionable. On … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Vatican II
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VNO 26: For the Sanctification of Human Labor
Workers need prayers. Somehow, I don’t think the big-time colored Masses with bishops and white collar pros use these prayers and readings. But maybe I’m wrong. Looking at music first, just to mix things up: Entrance Antiphon Genesis 1:1, 27, … Continue reading
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Aparecida 299: Not Only Doctrine
The modern age prioritizes what can be known, verified, proven, argued well and to a finality. It’s not a coincidence that doctrine and catechesis are exalted a bit too highly among many Catholics. 299. Catechesis cannot be limited to merely … Continue reading
VNO 25: At the Beginning of the Civil Year
The 25th VNO Mass, for a celebration “at the beginning of the Civil Year” is an interesting piece. The Roman Missal gives this rubric: This Mass may not be used on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, … Continue reading
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Catholic Sensibility 
On Christmas Eve
I’ve remarked on social media my bemusement on the “obligation” that lies heavily on Catholics to come to two Masses this weekend. It’s not so much that my routine is five, and Christmas adds but three more and gives me … Continue reading →