I had a good week last week at Acton University, catching up with friends, hearing great presentations, being challenged to stretch and give my own talk, reading Mass in the traditional form, hearing some outstanding confessions, hanging out with really smart, highly motivated people from all over the world from different faiths and backgrounds. Afterward, I’ve spent a few days with priest friends at a great parish with some super people. Time to head home, after exploring the new Japanese garden here.
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“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z
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My niece, Miss S, was baptised on Saturday! It was done by a female Lutheran minister, but very properly. The parents are both fallen away Catholics and we feared that the baby wouldn’t be baptised at all, so we are glad she is now part of God’s family, even if she isn’t Catholic.
Bentornato a casa, Reverende Pater!
I have some REALLY good news for those in New England: Bishop Athanasius Schneider is coming to Holy Ghost Church in Tiverton, R.I. in just ONE WEEK!!!!!!!! When I was still living in NYC, my friends from Holy Innocents and I were blessed to be able to cross the East River and hear Bishop Schneider speak in Brooklyn some years ago so I know that my fellow Rhode Islanders are in for something really great!!!!! :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
For a couple of years our parochial vicar has been offering private Traditional Latin Masses at odd hours as his schedule permitted. These Masses had eventually ended up at an out-of-the-way church so as not to ruffle any feathers. (You know how that is)
In May he was named temporary parish administrator while the official parish administrator was out on sick leave.
We just heard that he will now step into the parish administrator position for real! (The priest who was out sick is returning to another parish.)
We are already seeing changes–the altar cross is back on the altar for OF Mass, we now use beeswax candles not oil fakes, holy hours are being scheduled and likely more I’m not aware of. We are truly blessed.
Good news and invitation from Los Angeles.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Kazakhastan will preside at a Pontifical Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form next Sunday June 26th at 7 pm.
If you live in Southern California do not miss this rare event at Saint Victor’s Catholic Church, 8634 Holloway Drive, West Holliwood, CA 90069. This FSSP weekly mass had a great choir and is only one block away from the famous Sunset Strip.
One remembers each Solemn Mass (3 priests). I attended 8, of which 2 were Pontifical and remember each one. Before Summorum Pontificum by Benedict XVI P.P. not a single one was offered in California and few in most of the world since the Vatican II Reformation.
Bishop Schneider will be here at my parish in one week. I can’t wait!
VexillaRegis, i also attended the baptism of my niece– also administered by a female Lutheran pastor (are we related??). First, the sermon was outstanding– I find Lutherans to be extraordinary preachers. Then the baptism itself was truly a celebration of this new life in Christ. it was a blessing to be part of such a joyful and meaningful event with my family.
Giving thanks for all those who await the arrival of Bishop Schneider and for the restoration of our sacred liturgies.
Thankful to have been able to get away to the annual Sacred Music Colloquium this week in St. Louis, my first year in attendance. Visited the beautiful St. Francis de Sales Oratory yesterday afternoon and heard a breathtaking concert by Pro-Arte Saint Louis in the evening.
I went to confession last weekend and my confessor was wonderful. He gave me a lot to think about and pray about. It was as if a heavy burden was lifted off me.
The new electric organ has just arrived to our church today. I was there for the delivery and tried if everything works. Looking forward to first choir practice on Friday and first Mass on Sunday with new organ!
The archdiocese is reassigning our beloved associate pastor after 15 years of service. (The good news is that we ARE receiving a new associate pastor!)
Our local chapter of the Knights of Columbus threw a HUGE going-away BBQ party for him! With over 300 people attending, this was the easily the biggest party we had ever hosted! Everybody ate their fill and swapped lots of wonderful stories and sentiments.
A great time was had by all!
The IRS acknowledged receipt of the tax exemption paperwork I filed for a new disaster relief/preparedness non-profit that some local Catholic leaders are launching.
My two oldest children asked to be able to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular and now wear it constantly.
AnnTherese, it would have been fun if we had been related, but the only other aunt there was an Indian Hindu lady, so I don’t think it was you! Also we live in Scandinavia.
You are right though about the high level of preaching by Lutheran clergy. This minister even spoke about how baptism washes away all sin and why the baby wears a long white gown. “Next time we see you in such a dress will be at your confirmation”, she told little Miss S :-).
BTW, my niece has three given names, all of them good old saints’ names.
My Mom continues to make progress in her recovery.
She and I had a clear cut, unanimous first choice for her next stage of rehab- and she got in!
I am a teacher for a school that, I figured out in about 10 minutes upon arrival, is not in fact Catholic school. Recently a batch of new students were sent to Christian Ministry training. Obstensibly, this course is about learning to teach religion. Because of this torture session, I found out who the real good Catholics were because apparently I am Catholic enough to pick out of a crowd (praise God) and they were smart enough to know that all Covenants are binary by their nature (don’t ask what they were teaching). So they came to me to ask advice about what they should do. I now have at least 2 Catholic friends. I had none before this event. I feel a lot less isolated. You see what the devil meant for evil God used for good.
P.S. I told them up front this was not a Catholic school, and not to worry to much about telling them whatever they wanted to hear. We all understood that we have to stick up for the Catholic faith, which they did. I seem to be more comfortable making lots of waves then a 6th year teacher. being a first year teacher I have less to lose I guess. Of course it might be interesting finding a new way to feed my wife and kids.
My son is one of 8 men joining the new Minor Seminary of St. Joseph in the Charlotte Diocese. He received his official notice. The Rector is a good, solid Diocesan Priest and Lay Dominican. As part of their duties, they assisted in Quo Vadis Days, a camp for 9th Graders through 20 year-olds that helps them to discern their vocation. This year they had over 100 young men join the camp, so many that they ran out of room and several of the seminarians had to crash at a nearby rectory.
This year, the Diocese is also starting a similar program for girls, Duc in Altum, so they too can discern a vocation. It is led by a Sister who is devoting her life to serving the seminarians.
It is good, solid discernment here in Charlotte, NC with solid results. Kudos to Bishop Peter J. Jugis and Father Jason Barone- vocations director.
On Saturday, 4 June 2016, in a historic ceremony sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Woodlawn Council 2161, the City of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, was solemnly consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The consecration was performed by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ukrainian Catholic pastors of the parishes located in Aliquippa, and the mayor.
The ceremonies began with a procession into St. George Byzantine Catholic Church with the icon of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, the praying of the Holy Rosary, and a Divine Liturgy in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was followed by the solemn consecration of the city.
The faithful then moved to nearby St. Titus Roman Catholic Church for a Solemn High Traditional Latin Mass offered in thanksgiving for the consecration. Canon Jean-Marie Moreau of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest offered the Votive Mass of Christ the King. The Bach Choir of Pittsburgh sang Mozart’s Coronation Mass.
Photos and a brief report can be viewed on the Knights of Columbus Woodlawn Council 2161 Latin Mass blog.
This past Sunday, I had the distinct privilege of serving as Master of Ceremonies (Ordinary Form) for His Eminence Orlando Beltrán Cardinal Quevedo, Archbishop of Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines, at Saint Columba Catholic Church, Oxon Hill, Maryland, where Father Gary Tamayo Villanueva is Pastor. At present, I can only provide a link to the image on Facebook, for those who can access it.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157008815790153
He was not my first cardinal, however.
http://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-almost-emcee-for-pope-moment.html