Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

QUAERITUR: Priest returns to his ad libs during Mass.

From a reader: After almost four weeks of doing his best to “say the black and do the red,” our pastor has started to revert to ad libbing at Mass. At our Christmas Masses, he began by welcoming the congregation … Read More

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28 Comments

Of book burning and burial

The new translation of the Roman Missal has been implemented in most places.  Priests have to decide what to do with those old copies of the Sacramentary. Clearly some need to be kept in the library or archive: for let … Read More

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QUAERITUR: No record of First Communion in Baptism records! What to do?

From a reader: We belonged to Parish #1 for several years, and that’s where three of our children were baptized. We moved to Parish#2 in time for our oldest to receive religious education and First Holy Communion. It is now time for our … Read More

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QUAERITUR: What to do about altars with huge Nativity scenes in front of them?

From a priest: As I prepare to take some time away from the during Christmastide, it occurs to me that all of the altars in my home town will have large, practically immovable, Nativity scenes in front of them. I … Read More

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6 Comments

HuffPo is having a spittle-flecked nutty about Card. George of Chicago.

HuffPo‘s spittle-flecked nutty about Card. George of Chicago. His Eminence made an on-camera remark about the homosexual-activist movement possibly morphing into something like the KKK. Cardinal George: Chicago Gay Pride Parade, LGBT Movement Could ‘Morph Into Ku Klux Klan’ Cardinal … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Biased Media Coverage, Fr. Z KUDOS, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice, Throwing a Nutty | Tagged , , , , ,
24 Comments

QUAERITUR: Long confession lines, having only venial sins, and blocking someone else’s chance to confess

From a reader: Last week I was in line for a long time, and finally entered the confessional around 3:25. As I was leaving, the sacristan came in behind me to tell Father it was time to prepare for Mass. There were still … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , , ,
47 Comments

A suggestion before Christmas: fast and abstain and perform works of mercy

It is a Christian custom that we fast before our feasts. Our friends at Rorate remind us that before 1965, 23 and 24 December were days of fasting and abstinence. May I suggest to you good readers that you do … Read More

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iPhone app for Le Barroux

I sometimes listen the podcasts of the Benedictine monks at Norcia, in Italy.  They record and post on demand recordings of their hours and Mass.  Alas, they tend to go flat, a problem many groups have when singing psalms and … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Just Too Cool, PODCAzT, PRAYERCAzT: What Does The (Latin) Prayer Really Sound L | Tagged , , , ,
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QUAERITUR: Can a priest act as a deacon in the Novus Ordo? Wherein Fr. Z confesses (and rants).

From a reader: Does the [Novus Ordo] preclude the possibility of a priest serving as a deacon and not concelebrating? From the Caeremoniale Episcoporum: “22. Presbyteri, qui celebrationes episcopales participant, id solum quod ad presbyteros spectat agant; (SC n. 28) … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , ,
25 Comments

Facebook question, “like” it or not.

I have a Facebook page HERE.  I don’t do much with Facebook, however. Is that bad? I have a question for you knowledgeable readers and veteran Facebook users. I have usually between 4900 and 5000 “friends” on Facebook.  I have … Read More

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