Vacation Reading

I'm finally getting to read my wonderful Christmas present from Mia - The Life of Robert Southwell Poet and Martyr by Christopher Devlin. It was published in England in 1956 and is so well-written that it's frustrating, because I can't parse all its historical and cultural references. For example:

It was well known that [Queen] Elizabeth never forgot her old friends, and this was soon proved in Thomas [Copley]'s case; for being affianced in youth to a sister of the elderly Lord Chamberlain, Howard of Effingham, he met a girl more of his own age, Catherine Luttrell, who 'liked him better for her beauty', and he jilted the Chamberlain's sister. The enmity of so powerful a person might well have proved fatal (and later did); but the Queen smiled on his new marriage, and stood godmother to the eldest son, Henry, who was born in 1560.

Feel free to explain that to one me, Elizabethans-for-Dummies. Thankfully, there is much that isn't sailing above my head, though it's so rich that the reading is slow. The book cites this unpublished Southwell poem as a pathos-laden expression of love for his own mother within Our Lady's 'lament for the loss of her Child in the Temple':

And art thou slain, sweet Lord, with cruel death
Through wretched spite and bloody tyrant's hand?
Or dost thou live, dear child, and draw thy breath
Yet haply hid in unacquainted land?
If thou be dead, then farewell life for me,
And if thou live, why live I not with thee?

And if thou live, how couldst thou leave in woe
Thy mother dear that brought thee first to light?
How couldst thou leave thy mournful parent so,
That for thy weale takes care both day and night?
How couldst thou go some other where to dwell,
And make no stay to bid her once farewell?

I first read Southwell in a collection of Advent & Christmas meditations by Rev. Benedict Groeschel, Behold He Comes. Fr. Groeschel included this poem in an appendix of beautiful Advent & Christmas prose, poetry, & lyrics (tip luminarium.org).

FROM St. Peter's Complaint, 1595

THE BURNING BABE.
By Robert Southwell

As I in hoary winter's night stood shivering in the snow,
Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow;
And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near,
A pretty babe all burning bright did in the air appear;
Who, scorchëd with excessive heat, such floods of tears did shed
As though his floods should quench his flames which with his tears were fed.
Alas, quoth he, but newly born in fiery heats I fry,
Yet none approach to warm their hearts or feel my fire but I!
My faultless breast the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns,
Love is the fire, and sighs the smoke, the ashes shame and scorns;
The fuel justice layeth on, and mercy blows the coals,
The metal in this furnace wrought are men's defilëd souls,
For which, as now on fire I am to work them to their good,
So will I melt into a bath to wash them in my blood.
With this he vanished out of sight and swiftly shrunk away,
And straight I callëd unto mind that it was Christmas day.

Source:Poetry of the English Renaissance 1509-1660.
J. William Hebel and Hoyt H. Hudson, Eds.New York: F. S. Crofts & Co, 1941. 238.

Wish You Were Here...

This is the view from the beach-front home we're visiting in Naples, FL this week:

Sometimes, it's hard to be me...

UPDATE - More vacation pictures and kids blogging at our new family web page:

Benedict XVI & Music

Beautiful (and apparently spontaneous) words about choral singing from the Holy Father:

"Training in singing, in singing in choir, is not only an exercise of the
external hearing and voice; it is also an education of interior hearing, the
hearing of the heart, an exercise and a education in life and peace," the Holy
Father said in his improvised remarks."Singing together in choir and with other
choirs together, demands attention to the other, attention to the composer,
attention to the conductor, attention to this totality that we call music and
culture. And," he added, "in this way singing in choir is a training in life, a
training in peace, a walking together." (Zenit News Agency, HT NPM listserv)

The Pope has taken a lot of flak from the same NPM user-group that called my attention to this article. It's nice to see that some positive opinions are out there, too.

Heading for vacation

Thanks be to God, my wife, and my employers for enabling me to vacation with our wonderful family from 7/29-8/9. Besides enjoying Ft. Myers and Naples, FL, I hope and resolve to improve my prayer routine (especially Lauds & Vespers), and to do more original blogging. For the most part since I began this blog, all I've been doing is linking to what I've been reading on the web...hopefully, I can develop a few original thoughts and insights of my own, and contribute something to the great conversations happening in our churches and world.
Please feed the fish for me, somebody...anybody...Bueller?

Bulletin Blurb #3

for St. Jude's July 29 bulletin

How Can I Keep from Singing?
The song during the Preparation of the Gifts this weekend was written by Robert Wadsworth Lowry (1826-1899). Lowry was a 19th Century Baptist preacher who ministered at churches in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and served as chancellor of the University of Lewisburg (now Bucknell University).
He wrote hundreds of Gospel hymns, including “How Can I Keep from Singing” and “Shall We Gather at the River”. Ironically, he’s still renowned today for his music, though he would have preferred to be remembered as a preacher, having once said, “Music, with me has been a side issue... I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative audience than write a hymn. I have always looked upon myself as a preacher and felt a sort of depreciation when I began to be known more as a composer."

Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wadsworth_Lowry

Church of England Bishops Keeping Secrets?

I haven't linked to an Anglican-update in a while, but if this commentary from CMR is any indicator, it doesn't look like Bishop Gene Robinson wants any sort of communion with views and agendas contrary to his own.

Church Sign Apologetics

(HT Amy Welborn)
It seems as if talking church signs can figure out "Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church", that it shouldn't be too difficult for the rest of us.

Preaching the Message of the Motu

Fr. Martin Fox, from his homily this weekend:

This is why we aren’t supposed to be too “creative” with the liturgy. We believe the Holy Spirit governs the Church. But people are hard to work with—it takes time. Centuries—even thousands of years. Tradition is the accumulated effect of the Holy Spirit teaching us, sorted through all our human frailties. With great humility, we embrace our Tradition, rather than casting it aside because it’s “old,” or, “we don’t understand it.”

Whether you agree or disagree, you'll be enlightened if you read it all.

"Catholics recovering their heritage will make a huge difference in the world."

Great closing to a great article about the impact of Summorum Pontificum that goes a little deeper than trads v. rads or reform2 v. progressives (HT: RealClearPolitics). Read the whole thing. I don't know who David Warren is, but he seems interesting.

The Wrong Guy Sighting

It was awesome to see Bob Kurzhals with his lovely bride in church this weekend. We happened to pass the tabernacle at the same time, and both genuflected. May I never complain should my physical condition ever make such piety a challenge. See his thewrong guy page for details on his inspiring struggle, and send the Kurzhals family all the love and prayers you can.

My name is Greg & I'm a recovering NPM member...

I didn't miss the NPM National Convention in Indianapolis last week...I guess I'm showing my age. I had intended to go to a Choir Director's Institute to try and develop some choral leading and conducting skills, but it was canceled, so now there's really no excuse for getting all the filing and clean-up done this summer.
Amy Welborn cites 2 bloggers whose observations about the NPM convention resonate with me like a classic 'Before' and 'After' study.
Before: 'Overall the convention was great. I got to personally meet and talk to David Haas, Fr. John Foley, SJ, Fr. Roc O'Connor, SJ, Fr. Bob Dufford, SJ, Steve Angrisano, and Tom Booth! Totally awesome to get to discuss liturgy and music with the guys that are composing our church's music...Yes I know... I am Ben Story and I'm a Catholic music junkie.' Ben...you're not alone.
'As for the sessions themselves, they were generally good although most of mine turned into marketing seminars of sorts for the artists involved.' Methinks young Ben is on to something here.
After: 'Steven Warner’s opening address. Ok, much of it was good, but at one point he glorified the guitar Mass (enh...), talked about how we need a full implementation of Vatican II (yes...), and then turned and stated, “We do not need a reform of the reform!” (Applause ensued.) Whoa there, Wilbur! Many of us were feeling a mite uncomfortable, even unwelcome, after that - and this at a convention whose theme ostensibly was, “that all may be one”...Ricky Manalo’s plenum, all about multicultural issues, failed to mention even once the single most unifying element of our liturgy: the Latin language.' The Steven Warner remark about reform is a little scary, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the lack of context. In case you're unsure, I'd recommend you to what the Holy Father has written on the subject, or to what the servant of God John Paul II had to say about the same.

UPDATE - Here's the missing context (and it does soften the statement a bit) with a link to the entire Warner address (that also has some other provocative observations), courtesy of Todd Flowerday.

Bulletin Blurb #2

This week's music background from the St. Jude Bulletin:

‘BICENTENNIAL’ Hymn
The Communion song this weekend is ‘You Satisfy the Hungry Heart’ (Gather #815). This song, which is notable for its quirky, uneven rhythms, is also known by the tune name BICENTENNIAL. The music was composed by Robert Kreutz (1922-1996), and the text was penned by Omer Westendorf (1916-1997).
The name of the tune comes from the year of its composition, 1976. This hymn was the winning entry of a hymn competition the Archdiocese of Philadelphia sponsored in connection with the 41st International Eucharistic Congress. Cincinnati native Omer Westendorf founded the World Library of Sacred Music, which published the first English language collection of Catholic liturgical hymns and texts, the People’s Mass Book. For years, Omer was the choir director and organist at St. Bonaventure in South Fairmount.

Biographical information adapted from http://www.canticanova.com/articles/liturgy/art9x2.htm

Bulletin Blurbs

I usually submit several different paragraphs for our parish bulletin each week. Often, I'll take some of the music we're singing and provide background, history, and/or context that might help parishioners understand why we sing what we sing. I'm going to start cross-posting these articles here, both for anyone who's interested, and for anyone who can add additional information or necessary corrections. This week's article was intended to help people understand what the General Instruction says about Gregorian chant, and to encourage parishioners to sing our communion chant in the spirit of Church teaching.

‘Taste and See’ plainchant
During Communion this weekend, we’re singing a Gregorian chant setting of Psalm 34. The simple antiphon (‘Taste and see the goodness of the Lord’) is repeated by the congregation in between chanted psalm verses. Singing Gregorian chant often begs the question, ‘Why?’, especially in cases where we know (and perhaps even prefer) other versions of ‘Taste and See’, like the setting by James Moore at Gather #814; or the refrain from ‘All Who Hunger’ (#820), which we sang last weekend.

Here are some reasons the Church gives for singing Gregorian chant, especially during the Communion procession (from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal):
“All other things being equal , Gregorian chant holds pride of place because it is proper to the Roman Liturgy.” (¶ 41)
“While the priest is receiving the Sacrament, the Communion chant is begun. Its purpose is to express the communicants' union in spirit by means of the unity of their voices, to show joy of heart, and to highlight more clearly the ‘communitarian’ nature of the procession to receive Communion.” (¶ 86)
“In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the Communion chant: (1) the antiphon from the Roman Missal or the Psalm from the Roman Gradual…; (2) the seasonal antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of psalms and antiphons…; (4) a suitable liturgical song…” (¶ 87)

It’s worth noting that, consistent with the ‘pride of place’ mentioned in paragraph 41, the 1st option the General Instruction provides for singing during Communion is the chant from the Roman Missal or Gradual. If you still find yourself resisting plainchant, consider participating (by praying, listening, and singing) in the spirit of the General Instruction, and see if that participation may unite our spirits and voices, and express the joy in your heart.

Est Verus

It's official - many a blogger will be looking for something else to fill his free time now that B16 has issued the Motu Proprio approving more widespread use of the 1962 Missal. I'm sure I'm echoing many when I remind you not to believe what is reported about this...read the Holy Father's letter yourself. I can't add much light to the conversation, but if you want to read what my favorite blogs are saying about it, see Jimmy Akin, Fr. Martin Fox, Patrick Archbold's straight summary, Patrick Archbold channelling C.S. Lewis, and Catholic World News' coverage.

Happy Independence Day

Fireworks at home tonight...we'll see a larger display at a friend's beautiful home in Lawrenceburg tomorrow night. For the 4th, I offer an Independence Day prayer from St. Martin's bulletin (via today's Catholic Telegraph E-pistle):

God our Creator, your gifts are countless and your goodness infinite. As we celebrate Independence Day, we come before you with hearts filled with gratitude. We thank you in particular for the gifts of liberty and independence and a country that is filled with natural beauty.
We pray that the boundaries of nations will not set limits to our love and the challenge of the gospel to respond to the needs of our suffering sisters and brothers. Give us the courage to continue to build a nation that deeply respects the gift of life and the dignity of all people. Help us to play our part in the life of our country that its thoughts may be directed toward peace, justice, and the loving service of all God's people.
Amen.

If you prefer something more 'old school', enjoy this prayer by Archbishop Carroll from 1791.

Motu Mania

Yes, Virginia, there IS a motu proprio...(HT Jimmy Akin).
Fr. Martin Fox summarizes and puts in 'real-parish' context here.
Creative Minority Report laughs about it here, and takes care of the folk-Mass hangover, too.

Welcome Rev. Eric Bowman

This weekend, St. Jude welcomed only its 4th Pastor in its 50+ year history. Rev. Eric Bowman prayed his first Mass for our parish at 8:30 am, Saturday, June 30. He's everything I heard about him (which has been all good), and more. Mass attendance increased noticeably (another thought about this in a moment). Also of note to me were several things I heard during his Sunday Mass homily that probably hadn't been heard from the pulpit recently:

• I am excited to be here...


• I will make mistakes...


• Who-dey!


• I usually preach 6-10 minutes...


• I will love you with every ounce of my being...and that's a lot of ounces...

Laughter and applause marked all 3 Masses. At both meetings I've attended with Fr. Bowman (staff and worship commission), he's stressed the need for clergy and staff to earn and maintain the people's trust by being faithful to Church teaching and above scandal. I hope people continue to appreciate and respect Fr. Bowman if and when he preaches that which we don't want (but need) to hear.

I'm using the occasion to pray for vocations and priests, especially those changing parishes, like Fr. Rick and Rev. Paul Ruwe who is the new Pastor at Rich Leonardi's parish; and especially for Fr. Bowman's ordination classmates Rev. Edward Burns, Rev. Geoffrey Drew, Rev. Peter Helmlinger, Rev. Joseph Kindel, Rev. James Reutter, Rev. Kyle Schnippel, and Rev. Jamie Weber. What an incredible seminary class...may all our prayers for vocations result in more enthusiastic, holy priests like these men.

I mentioned Mass attendance in the 1st paragraph. I'm grateful to see more people in our pews. St. Jude, like most other parishes, has seen its 'October count' steadily decline in recent years, though the population is increasing within our parish boundaries. I have a lot of respect and gratitude for our former Pastor, Fr. Rick Dressman. I don't intend any of my praise for Fr. Eric to demean Fr. Rick. They're totally different people and priests. Fr. Rick is insightful, challenging, generous, kind, tolerant, patient, and (believe it or not) funny. I think it's a shame that a noticeable number of people couldn't see these qualities beyond the perception they had of Fr. Rick - a perception he wouldn't/couldn't do anything to change. Beyond that, I have a renewed appreciation for all who continued giving and sacrificing to contribute to parish life at St. Jude. May this kind of loyalty and selflessness inspire us all to holier lives.