Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

Gregorian chant v. folk music. A parish in Toronto. Fr. Z rants.

Pope Benedict has proposed what I have called his “Marshall Plan” to renew Catholic identity.  This must involve a reading of the Second Vatican Council in continuity with all the other Councils, not as a point of rupture.  That goes … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Fr. Z KUDOS, Just Too Cool, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The Last Acceptable Prejudice, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , ,
59 Comments

D. Springfield: revival of the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer

I received a very interesting note from a reader in my email today.   On the blog of Fr. Daren Zehnle called Servant and Steward I learn that His Excellency Most Rev. Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield has authorized for … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Just Too Cool, Mail from priests, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices | Tagged , ,
33 Comments

Card. Burke on women covering their heads in church

The great Canonical Defender, Dr. Ed Peters has an interesting note on the use… here we go again… about women wearing head coverings in church. He has something from Cardinal Burke in the topic. But first, in a nutshell here … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Lighter fare, Linking Back | Tagged , , , , ,
116 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can we attend non-Catholic weddings?

From a reader: Is it wrong if not in fact sinful to attend the weddings and funerals of non-Catholics? For as Pope Pius XI stated in his encyclical treating on Christian unity, Catholics are never to participate in schismatic or … Read More

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

THE list again: Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession (and Fr. Z rants)

You and I are going to die someday.  We don’t know when. When we die we will be judged. Scripture teaches, and Christ’s own words and actions make clear, that there are some sins bad enough to kill the life … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Linking Back, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , , ,
34 Comments

QUAERITUR: Using the new, corrected translation before Advent in private concelebration.

From a priest: Dear Fr. Z, I’d be interested in your thoughts on this: The new translation of the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal (Ordinary Form) becomes the official text for Mass in the United States on the first … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box |
12 Comments

QUAERITUR: Eucharistic Prayer for Masses with Kiddies

From a reader: Masses at our local Catholic grade school use Eucharistic Prayer II for Masses with Children, in which many congregational responses are added, even during the Institution Narrative! Please tell us these are going away with the new … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The future and our choices |
14 Comments

Confessions during the Triduum

Each year one sees confusion about the Sacrament of Penance during the Triduum. Some priests, liturgical experts, and even diocesan liturgy offices wrongly claim the rubrics of the Missal or “Sacramentary” forbid the sacrament of Penance. However, this claim is … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick | Tagged , ,
19 Comments

QUAERITUR: Holy Thursday altar of repose in the basement where coffee is usually taken

From a reader: Is there any guidance about where the Altar of Repose on Holy Thursday should be located? For many years at my parish, it was located at one of the side altars in the Church (we have five … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
11 Comments

Cradle Catholic – 30 years old – first confession

From a reader: Due to your blog you singlehandedly managed to get me to my first confession ever (just before this lent, actually); my first, while I’m 30 years old and a cradle catholic. Obviously, that was quite a bit … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes | Tagged , ,
23 Comments