Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

Should seminarians still keep their heads down about being, say, Catholic? Still?

In my US seminary days, we had to hide going certain places, such as parishes where the priests believed in One God, Creator of heaven and earth, etc.  One of my classmates was thrown out because he had a statue … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity, SESSIUNCULA |
45 Comments

Internal forum/confession and reporting crimes to the state

My friend Fr. Ray Blake, parish priest in Brighton at St. Mary Magdalen has a very good entry on his blog.  To a degree it represents also some of my own reflections in the last few days. Let’s have a … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Clerical Sexual Abuse, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices | Tagged , ,
31 Comments

What the Holy See does when a cleric is accused of sexual abuse of a minor

In the future, when we are discussing the present controversies with people, we must be well-informed, ready to explain. From the gentlemanly Sandro Magister comes this: After an Accusation, Here is What Happens at the Vatican The guidelines of the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Clerical Sexual Abuse, SESSIUNCULA, The Drill | Tagged ,
18 Comments

Request to readers: good hashtags for Twitter about recent controversies

To readers who use Twitter: If some of you are paying attention to Twitter feeds about the topic of how the media is handling the recent round of controversies, or the topic of the controversies themselves, could you post some … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Biased Media Coverage, Clerical Sexual Abuse, Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged ,
2 Comments

QUAERITUR: putting collection under the altar during offertory

A reader queries: Our diocesan liturgist claims that it is ok with Canon law to put the monetary offers under (literally in my parish, there’s an opening under the altar stone, between the supports of the table part) the altar.   … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, SESSIUNCULA |
21 Comments

QUAERITUR: “low” Mass of the bishop in the Ordinary Form

From a reader: I recently had the opportunity to dine at my [bishop]’s Residence and we were invited into his private chapel after dinner to offer a prayer. A friend of mine and I then wondered if he celebrated Mass … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes |
14 Comments

QUAERITUR: how the Ceremonial of Bishops guides Novus Ordo worship

Let’s get some discussion going about this point concerning the Ordinary Form – Novus Ordo liturgy. From a reader via email: Is it proper for a priest to use the rubrics and prayers for priests contained in the Ceremonial of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged
6 Comments

The perfect pew… or how to avoid the sign of peace

At Holy Innocents in Manhattan there are a few instances of the perfect pew for those who are especially disinclined to a group hug at the "sign of peace".

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes |
35 Comments

QUAERITUR: communal recitation of office in parishes during Triduum

From a reader:   In preparation for Holy Week I (for the first time ever) read PASCHALES SOLEMNITATIS and noted that in paragraph 40 it states that "It is recommended that there be a communal celebration of the Office of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged
21 Comments

QUAERITUR: What if the congregation is having none of it?

From a reader: Dear Father, I am a little exasperated at this point and wondered what you would have to say about certain matters. I know, you know, and readers of your blog will know, that we need to return … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, SESSIUNCULA |
85 Comments