Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

First comment on the Pope’s new Apostolic Exhortation

The new Apostolic Exhortation is out: Evangelii gaudium.  In English it is some 51000 words.  It is a slog. It is not an encyclical.  It is not an apostolic letter.  It is only an apostolic exhortation. I caution all of you (and … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, The Drill | Tagged , ,
63 Comments

ACTION ITEM! Is the “Vatican survey” being hijacked? Fr. Z says, “¡Vaya lío!”

You know that there is a survey out there, at the Vatican’s behest, in anticipation of the upcoming Synod of Bishops which will discuss the family. While surveying people ahead of time is not new, when I heard about this … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Be The Maquis, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Our Catholic Identity, POLLS, Semper Paratus | Tagged ,
38 Comments

“Don’t take offence if they have to decline your invitation.”

There is a great post over at my friend Fr. Finigan’s blog, The Hermeneutic of Continuity about lay people and their weddings and inviting priests… and concelebration. Remember, I think concelebration should be safe, legal and rare. Fr. Finigan seems to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged ,
3 Comments

“Stir Up Sunday” 2013! – UPDATES

The Collect from Holy Mass today in the traditional Roman Rite is: Excita, quaesumus. Dómine, tuórum fidélium voluntátes: ut, divíni óperis fructum propénsius exsequéntes; pietátis tuæ remédia maióra percípiant. Or… Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Fr. Z's Kitchen, Lighter fare | Tagged ,
31 Comments

GUEST POST: TLM 1st experience: Extraordinary Form is easier than the Novus Ordo

From a reader: I just read the post in which you shared a reader’s observation about the pastoral nature of the TLM. I experienced something similar. I went to my first TLM on Nov. 2 for All Souls. A few … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, HONORED GUESTS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , , ,
24 Comments

A lesson from Our Lady in our use of social media.

My good friend, the Dean of Bexley, the PP of Blackfen, His Hermeneuticalness, Fr Timothy Finigan, has a good post useful for our reflection: The book of meditations which I am using at the moment looks at the person of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Blogs You Might Consider, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
6 Comments

Bp. Paprocki performs exorcism after Illinois governor signs same-sex “marriage” bill

First, Fr. Z kudos to Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield in Illinois. Bishop Paprocki reacted to the evil decision in Illinois in the way that a Catholic bishop can and ought to react: he prayed.  He fought back against the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Biased Media Coverage, Fr. Z KUDOS, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
15 Comments

Wherein composer James MacMillan writes about aging hippies and Church music.

I would like James MacMillan to set to music Hopkins’ The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo and also Wilbur’s The Christmas Hymn. In the meantime, from The Telegraph, I picked this up. Too much Catholic church music caters to … Read More

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35 Comments

Pope Francis on our having lost the “sense of worship”. Fr. Z rants and suggests.

From Vatican Insider: “A Temple is a place where we gather to worship God, not celebrate a rite” At this morning’s mass in St. Martha’s House the Pope said Christians have lost sight of the meaning of worship: “We go … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The Drill | Tagged , , , , , ,
6 Comments

The “knockout game” and YOU!

Did you hear about the case in Lansing, MI? A teen, who admitted he had done the “knockout game” think several other times, wound up getting shot twice by a man who defended himself with his legally concealed carry weapon. … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, The Drill | Tagged ,
34 Comments