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Monthly Archives: April 2020
Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 80
The CDWDS has approved a “Mass in Time of Pandemic.” Possible readings include a Mass “in any need.” (Cf. Lectionary for Mass, vol. IV, nos. 938-942) There are also special readings, and here is one of two possible Psalms. The … Continue reading
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
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OCM 77-78: Concluding A Nuptial Mass
More rubrics. Let’s get to them: 77. At the end of Mass, the Priest, with hands extended over the bride and bridegroom, prays the Solemn Blessing. A priest friend of mine once objected to this second blessing. It seemed to … Continue reading
Posted in Rite of Marriage
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Querida Amazonia 111: Mother of the Amazon Region
Pope Francis’ post-synodal exhortation wraps up with a Conclusion addressing the Mother Of The Amazon Region. Let’s read: 111. After sharing a few of my dreams, I encourage everyone to advance along concrete paths that can allow the reality of … Continue reading
Posted in Querida Amazonia
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Evangelization and Mission
Looking to the next project, my plan is to devote the next months to the topic of evangelization. More than ever, the Catholic church faces an opportunity to address parallel crises in hope, faith, belief, and the basic question for … Continue reading
OCM 74-76: The Nuptial Blessing, And What Follows
The rubric for the blessing mentions the priest’s bodily action: 74. Then the Priest, with hands extended over the bride and bridegroom, continues: O God, who by your mighty power … The same three options are given as in the … Continue reading
Posted in Rite of Marriage
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Querida Amazonia 109-110: A Litany Of Unity
Pope Francis’ post-synodal exhortation looks at Christians together. What can Catholics profess in common with non-Catholics? 109. All of us, as Christians, are united by faith in God, the Father who gives us life and loves us so greatly. We … Continue reading
Posted in Querida Amazonia
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If So
We’ve all heard it: If anyone was offended by what I did or said, I apologize. In our deeply litigious culture, this kind of statement is common. Especially from people in the public eye. Maybe they don’t want to get … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Parish Life
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Querida Amazonia 106-108: Ecumenical and Interreligious Coexistence
In his post-synodal exhortation Pope Francis turns to one final topic, ecumenical and interreligious coexistence. Catholics were first to South America more than five centuries ago. But now other subdivisions and religions old and new share the region. 106. In … Continue reading
Posted in Querida Amazonia
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OCM 72-73: Invitation to The Nuptial Blessing
The Wedding Mass continues through the Liturgy of the Eucharist: the Eucharistic Prayer and its acclamations, and the Lord’s Prayer. Now we have an insertion that nudges aside some of the usual orations: 72. After the Our Father, the prayer … Continue reading
Posted in Rite of Marriage
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On Spiritual Communion
Deacon Fritz Bauerschmidt has an excellent piece on the merits of the Act of Spiritual Communion, a prayer authored by Saint Alphonsus Liguori and used in my parish, archdiocese, and many places during this time of pandemic. I appreciated his … Continue reading
Querida Amazonia 104-105: Expanding Horizons Beyond Conflicts
Pope Francis’ post-synodal exhortation looks at a new topic. We can cover expanding horizons beyond conflicts in just one post. So let’s get to it: 104. It often happens that in particular places pastoral workers envisage very different solutions to the … Continue reading
Posted in Querida Amazonia
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Two Were Bound For Emmaus
I’ve been an admirer of Bob Hurd for almost forty years. I’d like to meet the guy someday and talk theological shop. I had a dream two mornings ago that I was playing “Two Were Bound For Emmaus.” I was … Continue reading
Picky
One of my musicians shared a few of his picks with me a few years ago. As we guitarists get older, it can be a handful to hold on to them while playing. In this time of pandemic, my fingertips … Continue reading
Posted in Music
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Psalm 118: Alleluia, Your Mercy
One side benefit to having streaming and recorded liturgy at my parish is that I can get certain things peeled off the long feed if I like them. My friend Brian shared Psalm 118 with me last weekend, and we … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgical Music, Todd's music
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Catholic Sensibility 
Big Changes Ahead, We’re Not Ready
In case more people than Liam are regular visitors here, it’s time for another taking stock. What’s there to write about? We are deep in pandemic time, and the gradual release may be closer than the beginning of stay-at-home. However, … Continue reading →