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Grand Rapids, Michigan
I drove first to Kalamazoo, MI - gotta love that name – isn’t there a Big Band era song that mentions Kalamazoo? – with a friend who came in from Rome. We were hosted by the gents at the new Oratory being formed in Kzoo.
On Saturday evening I addressed a group which had met for a workshop on Gregorian chant with Jeffrey Tucker of our friends over at New Liturgical Movement.
On Sunday morning I was celebrant for a Solemn Mass at St. Mary’s. The Mass was strictly according to the 1962 Missale Romanum. Thus the priest sat for the singing of the Epistle, there was no extra Confiteor before Communion and a couple other little changes. I don’t think I have ever been celebrant for a Solemn Mass strictly according to the 1962 rubrics.
However, as you know by now, there were terrible storms in the region and KZoo was also hit. Power lines went down in our area, thus leaving our house without electricity. Therefore I couldn’t get on line.
So, we made the decision that we would come up to Grand Rapids a day or so early. We are to participate here in GR at the annual meeting of the Acton University sponsored by the Acton Institute. Some 400 people will be here for the conference from, I am told, several dozen countries around the world.
Acton Institute is a very interesting organization. I got to know it in Rome, where there in an office. Acton sponsored a series of conferences in Rome a couple years ago focused on Centessimus annus of Pope John Paul II. I attended almost all of them and each one was gem. I’ll give you reports about this year’s Acton U. It might be something you might be interested in participating in some year, especially if you are interested in the Church’s voice in public square about human freedom and economics.
Since the AC doesn’t start until tonight, my Italian friend and I, Fabrizio… famous staffer of the Catholic Online Forum and long time friend, went across the street from our hotel to visit the President Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Here it is as viewed from my room:
In the entrance to the building you see some words from President Ford’s speech when he assumed office. Truly a tough job in difficult times.
Tough times indeed.
The Museum has interesting objects. Here are some of the very tools used during the break in of the Democrate Committee Headquaters at the Wategate Hotel.
Modern Presidential Libraries/Museum’s have replicas of the Oval Office as it was in the time of that President.
Fabrizio and I were both favorably impressed with the number of pipes President Ford had. They are everywhere around the office.
One of the most controversial things Pres. Ford did was pardon former Pres. Nixon.
Some of the issues they faced back then… well… it all sounds very familiar.
It was a very interesting morning.
Now I just got a call from the offices of The Wanderer, to which you should subscribe, telling me that I have to get my article in early so that they can get the paper in the mail a day early this week. You can subscribe, by the way, to an online edition that gives you the full paper in a very good graphic form: cut down your time in getting it in the mail, save The Wanderer the postal expense which is becoming crushing.
I understand that some big publications pushed the US Postal Service to raise rates on small publications. Hmmm….
Father Z.,
Welcome to Grand Rapids, you’ll have a great time at Acton University.
Across the freeway from your hotel is “the West Side”. That’s were the mostly Catholic furniture workers and craftsmen from Germany, (St. Mary’s) Poland (St. Adalbert’s, Sacred Heart), Lithuanians (Sts. Peter and Paul) joined the already resident Irish (St. James). The most beautiful of these are St. Mary’s, almost directly across the freeway from you, although it’s a little shabby, and the Minor Basilica of St. Adalbert. You may have noticed I have not mentioned the Cathedral, St. Andrews, better not to see what happened to it.
Perhaps you could remember in your prayers while you’re here the soul of Bishop Breitenbeck, who did much to dismantle traditional practice in this diocese in the aftermath of Vatican II. We’re still recovering, but with hope; there are a lot of good things bubbling below the surface here.
Comment by Michael B. — 10 June 2008 @ 12:06 pmThe only song I know of that mentions “Kalamazoo” is from Credence Clearwater Revival in their song “Down on the Corner”.
Comment by Nick — 10 June 2008 @ 12:14 pmYou are thinking of Glenn Miller’s “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo” from 1942. I spend too much of my time swing dancing and listening to music of that era. That means that any reference to Kalamazoo starts the song in my head.
It’s very much of it’s era just having fun with the sound of the word Kalamazoo (kind of like ‘Chattanooga Choo-Choo’). Here are the first two verses…
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H
I got a gal in Kalamazoo
Don’t want to boast but I know shes the toast of Kalamazoo
(Zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo)
Years have gone by, my my how she grew
Comment by mary martha — 10 June 2008 @ 12:38 pmI liked her looks when I carried her books in Kalamazoo
(Zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo)
“I’ve got a gal in Kalamazoo
Don’t want to boast, but I know she’s the toast of Kalamazoo
zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo.”
The song is from the musical “Orchestra Wives” (1942) starring Ann Rutherford and George Montgomery.
It was played by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, and sung by the Modernaires.
You can see a complete clip of the Glen Miller song on You Tube.
Comment by Peter H Wright — 10 June 2008 @ 12:44 pmNB: my post here:
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2008/06/on-the-move/
Comment by RBrown — 10 June 2008 @ 12:51 pmI used to live in Michigan. Weren’t some priests trying to start an oratory in Kalamazoo a few years back? I’m familiar with the Toronto, Pittsburgh, and London Oratories as oases of orthodoxy. Is it the same in Kalamazoo?
Comment by Boko — 10 June 2008 @ 1:45 pmGlad to see you’re back online. I’m checking into “The Wanderer.” Thanks for the info. I hope your trip back is much less eventful. :)
Comment by Mary Rose — 10 June 2008 @ 1:51 pmA, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,
I offered Mass in Kalamazoo
With minimal hubris,
We followed the rubrics of
nine-TEEN sixty-two
(two, two, two, two, two)
Solemn High Mass, in Kalamazoo,
A manipled deacon,
In Latin was speakin’,
A “Jube” or two
(two, two, two, two, two)
Then the storm came sailin’
Wind and rain and hailin’
cutting the wires,
Just as they were falling,
I could hear Him calling,
“Hiya Fr. Zuhlsdorf!
Everything’s O K-A-L-A-M-A-Z-O…”
Oh what a Mass! A real How-de-do
Incense and satin, precision and Latin,
and joy in the pews
I went to Michigan to offer Solemn Mass in Kalamazoo.
(Zoo, zoo)
Comment by Tim Ferguson — 10 June 2008 @ 1:59 pm(Zoo, zoo, zoo, Kalamazoo)
K (K)
A (A)
L-A-M-A-Z-O
(Oh, oh, oh, oh what a Mass, from pulpit to pew)
(We’re goin’ to Michigan to offer Solemn Mass in Kalamazoo)
(Zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo)
(Kalamazoo!!)
I think Ford was a good man—an unassuming, humble fellow who became president even though it wasn’t a position he really pined for (he was also a football player at my alma mater—Go Blue!)
Comment by malta — 10 June 2008 @ 2:08 pmActually Gerry Ford was a very smart guy. He was 3rd in his class at Yale Law School. Unfortunately he was a Republican, and in
Comment by TJM — 10 June 2008 @ 2:26 pmthe mainstream media world, by definition, a Republican is dumb, whereas a Democrat, even ones like John Kerry who had a poorer academic
record than George Bush, is BRILLIANT. Anyway, I hope Father Z has a nice time in the Grand Rapids area. Tom
Sorry, I went right by your mention of the oratory in the first paragraph. Is it a full offical Oratory now?
Comment by Boko — 10 June 2008 @ 2:42 pmFather Z,
Is this the Jeffrey Tucker that is associated with the Mises Institute in Auburn?
Comment by Todd — 10 June 2008 @ 2:54 pmFather Z,
Is this the Jeffrey Tucker associated with the Mises Institute in Auburn?
Comment by Todd — 10 June 2008 @ 2:56 pmThere really was a girl from Kalamazoo. Her name was Sarah Woolley. Her picture is here..http://www.kpl.gov/collections/localhistory/allabout/general/Gal.aspx
Comment by michigancatholic — 10 June 2008 @ 5:52 pmMass strictly according to 1962! So…
No ringing of the bells during Domine non sum dignus?
Comment by Carlos Antonio Palad — 10 June 2008 @ 7:50 pmNo censing the celebrant after the Gospel?
Boko, I don’t think so. Kalamazoo is not listed as an Oratory on the Oratorians’ website, and the Kalamazoo house’s webpage says not yet….
Comment by michigancatholic — 10 June 2008 @ 8:26 pmBeing born in Kalamazoo, I know all the above references, and here’s a little rhyme we learned as children (not sure where it came from or just a local thing):
From Timbuktu to Kalamazoo it’s a long, long, long way down the track.
Comment by Ann — 10 June 2008 @ 8:39 pmAnd from Kalamazoo to Timbuktu it’s a long, long, long way back.
“No ringing of the bells during Domine non sum dignus?”
Yes, there is.
“No censing the celebrant after the Gospel?”
For the Solemn High Mass, yes.
Comment by David L Alexander — 10 June 2008 @ 8:46 pmActon Institute?
The right-wing think-tank that seeks to blend religion with economics? That denies global warming?
Oh brother.
Enjoy the Kool-Aid.
And while you’re there, say hello to ExxonMobil.
Comment by Will — 10 June 2008 @ 10:11 pmI did Acton University last summer – you’ll have a great experience, Fr. Z. It’s always an interesting mix of people.
Comment by Richard — 11 June 2008 @ 3:44 amPipe smoking is a great gift from God. Long live Gerald Ford!
Comment by Greg Hessel in Arlington Diocese — 11 June 2008 @ 8:00 amWill:
The Earth is entering a warming trend, coming out of an unusual cold spell, so you could say it’s going back to where it should be.
You can educate yourself by checking out a BBC program called The Great Clobal Warming Swindle….I repeat, BBC!
Pull out your Kool-Aid I.V.
Semper Fi!
Comment by jarhead462 — 11 June 2008 @ 8:44 amWill:
The Earth is entering a warming trend, coming out of an unusual cold spell, so you could say it’s going back to where it should be.
You can educate yourself by checking out a BBC program called “The Great Global Warming Swindle”....I repeat, BBC!
Pull out your Kool-Aid I.V.
Semper Fi!
Comment by jarhead462 — 11 June 2008 @ 8:45 amIt’s common for oratories to be established under diocesan jurisdiction and only gain an affiliation with the Congregation of the Oratory later, if at all.
Comment by RC — 11 June 2008 @ 9:20 amWhether Global Warming/Climate Change are natural or man-made the results are for sure. Added to economic recesion, oil crisis, food shortage and unending Wars I really wonder if we are living through a material chastisement.
Comment by Habemus Papam — 11 June 2008 @ 10:02 amEnjoy the Kool-Aid.
Will. We “global warming deniers” drink cabernet.
http://www.discovery.org/v/30
http://www.oism.org/pproject/
P.S. When collectivists engage in agitprop to try and scare you into growing government, it is always wise to be skeptical, brother.
Comment by I am not Spartacus — 11 June 2008 @ 3:53 pmAnd while you’re there, say hello to ExxonMobil.
Rather, say “Thank you,” ExxonMobil. Thanks for finding, gathering, and refining oil for our benefit.
Now, if the US Dept of Energy, (in existence since the epic presidency of the estimable Mr. James Carter) ever produces one watt of electricity, I will thank them.
As it is, since 1977, the Dept of Energy (giggle) has realised a tax windfall of scores of billions of dollars (taken, under threat of imprisonment if you don’t pay your taxes) and, other than an electric windmill, the DOE has yet to produce anything of value.
It is they, not “big oil” that ought be investigated and its various collectivist criminals frog-walked out of its doors and into the nearest slammer.
Comment by I am not Spartacus — 11 June 2008 @ 4:10 pmWhether Global Warming/Climate Change are natural or man-made the results are for