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Monthly Archives: November 2019
Christus Vivit 219-220: Integrating Youth Into Communities
We return to the Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation (which can be found on this link at the Vatican site). Today, a quote from the final document from the youth synod: 219. “Friendship and discussion, often within more or less … Continue reading
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Happier Holidays
I saw this proposal to expand holidays from work time, and I would naturally agree. Before capitalism, we had feudalism. And in feudal Christian Europe, there were multiple feast days–remember that the original dozen or so holy days of obligation … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
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Choir Road Trip
My singers like to hit the road for musical events. The archdiocesan NPM chapter hosted parishes at a Seattle parish last week. Our two pieces are here. Hopefully the social media link is working. One of my people pointed out … Continue reading
Ang Katawan Ni Kristo
Thanksgiving programming is often fun for a music director. One trap missalette publishers and the USCCB fall into is their same set of readings year after year. Over a decade ago, I promoted cycling through a different set of readings … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Music
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The Boston Seminary Report
I don’t know why I clicked this link nor why I carried on to read about two-thirds of the report on the investigation of St John’s Seminary in Massachusetts. On the whole it convinces me that seminaries are not the … Continue reading
Christus Vivit 218: Meeting Places For Youth
Pope Francis’ document can be found on this link at the Vatican site. We’re in the middle of it, and getting deeper into a long chapter on youth ministry. Picking up on the theme of a meeting place, we read: … Continue reading
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Christus Vivit 217: Creating A Home
As we continue to look at Youth Ministry remember to check this link at the Vatican site for all of Pope Francis’ document. In today’s paragraph, he discusses a sense of home: 217. In a word, to create a “home” … Continue reading
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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Mark 4:35-41
A believer, feeling alone in the struggle with illness or death often cries out to others, “Don’t you care about me?!” The question may well be addressed to God. That may make some inexperienced caregivers or ministers nervous. But God … Continue reading
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
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Christus Vivit 216: Suitable Environments For Youth Ministry
Pope Francis has thoughts on “Suitable environments” for youth ministry. 216. We need to make all our institutions better equipped to be more welcoming to young people, since so many have a real sense of being orphaned. Here I am … Continue reading
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Christus Vivit 213-215: Kerygma And Community
In these paragraphs Pope Francis identifies two paths for fruitful “Youth Ministry.” His Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation (which can be found on this link at the Vatican site) first looks at the proclamation of Christ. Don’t be concerned about that word kerygma. … Continue reading
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Christus Vivit 212: Good Follow-Ups
We continue looking at “Youth Ministry in one of the longest chapters of the Holy Father’s Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation (which can be found on this link at the Vatican site). 212. As for growth, I would make one important point. … Continue reading
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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Mark 2:1-12
“Tell me a story.” Have you ever wondered how often some children ask this? This post offers one easy to visualize in our mind’s eye. We might get lost in any number of details: the huge crowds, the audacity of … Continue reading
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
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Christus Vivit 211: Using Language
When we think about “Youth Ministry,” we can ask how we communicate with young people. 211. In this outreach, we need to use above all the language of closeness, the language of generous, relational and existential love that touches the … Continue reading
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On Acronyms
I recall planning a visit to a midwestern friend in 1983. She was in law school, and I had just quit a dead-end job and had enough money to make a pilgrimage through the spare rooms of family and friends … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, RCIA
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Catholic Sensibility 
New Year, New Color
Casual visitors will note it looks different here. The season of violet tinged with rose (December 15th) and white (the 8th and 12th) has arrived. And maybe there’s a bit of blue. Vestments have required colors, but I’ll decorate as … Continue reading →