The president of the Barna Group, who is flogging a book he has written thinks it is significant that only 16% of young non-Christians think Christianity has anything good going for it.
Hmmmmm....
80 %of Americans think the government is hiding knowledge of the existence of extraterrestrial life forms
More than a third of Americans believe the U.S. government was likely to have been involved in 9/11.
45% of Americans think Saddam Hussein was behind 9/11.
87% of Americans believe wishes do come true, but 55% believe wishes won't come true if they tell somebody about it
And we all know people whose mothers believed they couldn't conceive "the first time."
But there is some good news.
Fortunately, the percentage of those who believe in vampires in in the single digits.
Universalis, your very own breviary in pixels...
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
A good sign
The August newsletter from Office of Worship of the see of our new cardinal advertises open fora for music directors at which Abp. DiNardo is a keynote speaker.
The purpose of these presentations by the Music Subcommittee of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission?
Teaching, and helping priests to chant the Mass.
How 'bout that?!??
A very good sign, indeed, of the liturgical priorities of the diocese, and hence, of its Shepherd, I should think. Well, hope, anyway.
The purpose of these presentations by the Music Subcommittee of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission?
Teaching, and helping priests to chant the Mass.
How 'bout that?!??
A very good sign, indeed, of the liturgical priorities of the diocese, and hence, of its Shepherd, I should think. Well, hope, anyway.
Also on Lion & Cardinal..
...( why does the name of his blog make me long for a nice ale or cidre?) check out the photo of Fr Kolinski.
Vincent Uhrer, if you google your name...
...and read this, could you put me on your list, so that I may read your blog?
I've linked to it for some time now, and was surprised not to be able to access it today.
If you'd prefer I didn't link, let me know.
I've linked to it for some time now, and was surprised not to be able to access it today.
If you'd prefer I didn't link, let me know.
Exquisite Art by Daniel Mitsui
You really must follow the link and gaze on his new drawing commemorating the Annunciation.
If I won the lottery, I would eschew box wine, (yes, I'm selfish,) commission Richard Einhorn to write a Mass, buy my parish glorious sets of rose and black vestments, and give Daniel Mitsui a grant so that he was free to do nothing but draw and design all the livelong day.
And if I were nice to him, perhaps he would draw something for me (I would love an illustrated complete Psalter, one of such drawings for each psalm.... oh, and since I've won the lottery, WTH, why shouldn't Mr Einhorn compose, oh I don't know, maybe a suite of the penitential psalms?)
If I won the lottery, I would eschew box wine, (yes, I'm selfish,) commission Richard Einhorn to write a Mass, buy my parish glorious sets of rose and black vestments, and give Daniel Mitsui a grant so that he was free to do nothing but draw and design all the livelong day.
And if I were nice to him, perhaps he would draw something for me (I would love an illustrated complete Psalter, one of such drawings for each psalm.... oh, and since I've won the lottery, WTH, why shouldn't Mr Einhorn compose, oh I don't know, maybe a suite of the penitential psalms?)
It's not just little old ladies who look darling in red hats
Our beloved Holy Father named a whole passel of new Princes of the Church.
Not among them, the Donald, nor the out-going papal MC.
I don't know as much as I ought about Abp. Foley or Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, but I shall remedy that.
Much being made of the fact that DiNardo is the first Archbishop from a southern see in the US, but he's a son of Steubenville, Oh-hee-oh.
Update: via Beliefnethttp://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2007/10/pope-names-23-new-cardinals.php
"There's been talk for years about a cardinal from the Sun Belt, but
everyone expected San Antonio or New Orleans, because those are
much older (archdioceses)," said the Rev. Thomas J. Reese of the
Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University. "I guess
the Vatican chose to go with population size."
Is it just me, or is that man a prat? You can practically hear him sniffing, "Hmmmph, instead of doing what I expected them to, the Vatican went with letting those people think they were important just because there were more of them...."
And obviously not EVERYONE expected what you expected, Fr R, Rocco, for one, is doing his best not to strut that he foresaw the possibility back in early '06.
And while San Antonio has been an Archdiocese longer, I believe (I am open to correction on this,) that Galveston was the very first diocese in Texas, considerably before San Antonio.
And the Abp of N.O isn't Latino, nor is the city, and you may be reluctant to mention it, (perhaps like Stephen Colbert, you don't see things like that,) but surely that was a factor?
Not among them, the Donald, nor the out-going papal MC.
I don't know as much as I ought about Abp. Foley or Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, but I shall remedy that.
Much being made of the fact that DiNardo is the first Archbishop from a southern see in the US, but he's a son of Steubenville, Oh-hee-oh.
Update: via Beliefnethttp://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2007/10/pope-names-23-new-cardinals.php
"There's been talk for years about a cardinal from the Sun Belt, but
everyone expected San Antonio or New Orleans, because those are
much older (archdioceses)," said the Rev. Thomas J. Reese of the
Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University. "I guess
the Vatican chose to go with population size."
Is it just me, or is that man a prat? You can practically hear him sniffing, "Hmmmph, instead of doing what I expected them to, the Vatican went with letting those people think they were important just because there were more of them...."
And obviously not EVERYONE expected what you expected, Fr R, Rocco, for one, is doing his best not to strut that he foresaw the possibility back in early '06.
And while San Antonio has been an Archdiocese longer, I believe (I am open to correction on this,) that Galveston was the very first diocese in Texas, considerably before San Antonio.
And the Abp of N.O isn't Latino, nor is the city, and you may be reluctant to mention it, (perhaps like Stephen Colbert, you don't see things like that,) but surely that was a factor?
Monday, 15 October 2007
I'm a 5?
I've never quite understood that anti-Enneagram .... fervor, that one encounters.
Does anyone hold is up as more than a "personality" test, or give it mystic powers?
I've taken such test/quizzes before, they always seem very on the mark. Oh well...
Image Icon results:
Take Free Enneagram Personality Test
Take Free Enneagram Personality Test
Does anyone hold is up as more than a "personality" test, or give it mystic powers?
I've taken such test/quizzes before, they always seem very on the mark. Oh well...
Image Icon results:
Main Type | Overall Self |
 |  |
Enneagram Test Results
Your variant is sexual |
Clapping Glorias and Other Nasties
Nearly woke Himself snorting with laughter at a few lines in both in Damian Thompson's Holy Smoke and the comments thread to this particular blog.
The topic straightforward enough: Will the Pope say old Mass in St Peter’s?
but then:
it will infuriate the trendy Tablet magazine, whose Rome correspondent Robert Mickens is in a terrible flap at the prospect.
Mickens is famous as the Catholic commentator who dissolved into tears of disappointment when Joseph Ratzinger’s name came booming over the loudspeakers after the conclave. These days he wanders around Rome with the pursed lips of a maiden aunt, pinching his nostrils to keep out the clouds of traditionalist incense that come billowing out of the Vatican.
“People who are interested in such things continue to speculate that Pope Benedict will soon celebrate the Tridentine Mass in St Peter’s Basilica,” he announces in his Tablet notebook this week. What a deliciously snooty turn of phrase. I hate to remind you, Robert, but the “people” in question include the Pope. Here, borrow my hanky.
And actually, Damien, the people in question seem to include the one doing the sniffing, Mr. Mickens.
Oh, he doesn't like it, but he obviously cares deeply.
And one of his readers has this to say:
I suspect 'liturgist' refers to someone who faffs about with rubrics.
HAR!
Another:
Presumably 'real' liturgists have certificates confirming as much as several days attendance at a workshop
(I omit the politically incorrect remainder of that line....)
The topic straightforward enough: Will the Pope say old Mass in St Peter’s?
but then:
it will infuriate the trendy Tablet magazine, whose Rome correspondent Robert Mickens is in a terrible flap at the prospect.
Mickens is famous as the Catholic commentator who dissolved into tears of disappointment when Joseph Ratzinger’s name came booming over the loudspeakers after the conclave. These days he wanders around Rome with the pursed lips of a maiden aunt, pinching his nostrils to keep out the clouds of traditionalist incense that come billowing out of the Vatican.
“People who are interested in such things continue to speculate that Pope Benedict will soon celebrate the Tridentine Mass in St Peter’s Basilica,” he announces in his Tablet notebook this week. What a deliciously snooty turn of phrase. I hate to remind you, Robert, but the “people” in question include the Pope. Here, borrow my hanky.
And actually, Damien, the people in question seem to include the one doing the sniffing, Mr. Mickens.
Oh, he doesn't like it, but he obviously cares deeply.
And one of his readers has this to say:
I suspect 'liturgist' refers to someone who faffs about with rubrics.
HAR!
Another:
Presumably 'real' liturgists have certificates confirming as much as several days attendance at a workshop
(I omit the politically incorrect remainder of that line....)
B16 on Sacred Music
Nothing new, (and I can't quite figure out the headline,) but as I am preparing notes ("talking points"? for the dread "LitCom" meeting,) I came across this.
Papa Ratz is surely one of the finest musicians to occupy the Chair of Peter? (Though not the only fine musicians, of course...)
I'll look elsewhere on line for a complete text of his remarks.
...........
Sacred music safeguards tradition of the Church and is of greater value than any other art, Pope says
Vatican City, Oct 15, 2007 / 09:36 am (CNA).- During a visit on Saturday to the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, Pope Benedict XVI called on the Church’s leaders to ensure that the “aggiornamiento [updating] of religious music is done in continuity with the living tradition of the Church.”
After greeting and thanking the benefactors of the Institute, including its Grand Chancellor, Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, the Holy Father praised the Institute as a place where “numerous students, who come here from all parts of the world to receive formation in the disciplines of sacred music, return from to provide formation in their respective local churches.”
The Pope underscored the importance that Vatican II gave to sacred music, calling it “a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy."
"Precisely for this reason," he added, "the ecclesial authorities must undertake to guide ... the development of such an important form of music, not by 'freezing' its heritage but by seeking to combine the legacy of the past with the worthwhile novelties of the present, so as to achieve a synthesis worthy of the exalted mission [sacred music] has in the service of God.
"I am certain, "Benedict XVI concluded, "that the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, in harmony with Congregation for Divine Worship, will not fail to contribute to an 'aggiornamento' ... of the precious traditions of which sacred music is so rich."
Papa Ratz is surely one of the finest musicians to occupy the Chair of Peter? (Though not the only fine musicians, of course...)
I'll look elsewhere on line for a complete text of his remarks.
...........
Sacred music safeguards tradition of the Church and is of greater value than any other art, Pope says
Vatican City, Oct 15, 2007 / 09:36 am (CNA).- During a visit on Saturday to the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, Pope Benedict XVI called on the Church’s leaders to ensure that the “aggiornamiento [updating] of religious music is done in continuity with the living tradition of the Church.”
After greeting and thanking the benefactors of the Institute, including its Grand Chancellor, Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, the Holy Father praised the Institute as a place where “numerous students, who come here from all parts of the world to receive formation in the disciplines of sacred music, return from to provide formation in their respective local churches.”
The Pope underscored the importance that Vatican II gave to sacred music, calling it “a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy."
"Precisely for this reason," he added, "the ecclesial authorities must undertake to guide ... the development of such an important form of music, not by 'freezing' its heritage but by seeking to combine the legacy of the past with the worthwhile novelties of the present, so as to achieve a synthesis worthy of the exalted mission [sacred music] has in the service of God.
"I am certain, "Benedict XVI concluded, "that the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, in harmony with Congregation for Divine Worship, will not fail to contribute to an 'aggiornamento' ... of the precious traditions of which sacred music is so rich."
Corn, The Evil Empire
While my sister, in corporate/financial America stuck in offices all day used to refer to Microsoft as the "Evil Empire," and Ol' Orange Hair used the term to describe the Soviet Union, and while my first thought on hearing the words was always due to the Star Wars mythos, hot on the first in recent years has been my second -- "Archer Daniels Midland!" for nigh on 16 years I have hisssssssssed whenever the name is announced as a sponsor on NPR, or PBS, no matter how I have enjoyed, been intrigued by, or even loved the program.
They, and all things Corn were the Enemy!
As a young, (and perpetually struggling,) actor always leaning toward "plain," barely one click off "homely", the eczema didn't just move me that last dreaded click, it had the power to topple me into "grotesque," even, once or twice, "monstrous."
Heck, even if my looks hadn't been a professional liability, I would have hated the corny aspects of big agribusiness.
I had discovered purely by accident that the culprit in the allergies to blame for my painful and sometimes debilitating skin condition, having first spent literally months trying to eliminate first one, then another item from my diet, to no avail -- wheat? no. milk? no. nuts? no. cured meats? no .
Finally at a social gathering someone was extolling the tastiness of Miller beers, and declared it was because they were made from corn, and a light bulb went off: perhaps I had NOT eliminated corn during the several week period when I was giving that a try, when I though I HAD removed corn and its syrup, its starch, its oil and high fructose solids, its gelatinized protein from my diet and pharmacy and cosmetics.
Not only was corn ubiquitous, it was often hidden.
But for the past few years I'm realizing that my itching, cracking, oozing, peeling, weeping, bleeding skin is a minor annoyance compared to some of that for which Corn is presumably responsible -- the diabetes and obesity "epidemic" for starts.
One might even say that my eczema has potentially saved me from diabetes (like sickle cell saved people, or at least their ancestors, from cholera? now there's a choice....)
They, and all things Corn were the Enemy!
As a young, (and perpetually struggling,) actor always leaning toward "plain," barely one click off "homely", the eczema didn't just move me that last dreaded click, it had the power to topple me into "grotesque," even, once or twice, "monstrous."
Heck, even if my looks hadn't been a professional liability, I would have hated the corny aspects of big agribusiness.
I had discovered purely by accident that the culprit in the allergies to blame for my painful and sometimes debilitating skin condition, having first spent literally months trying to eliminate first one, then another item from my diet, to no avail -- wheat? no. milk? no. nuts? no. cured meats? no .
Finally at a social gathering someone was extolling the tastiness of Miller beers, and declared it was because they were made from corn, and a light bulb went off: perhaps I had NOT eliminated corn during the several week period when I was giving that a try, when I though I HAD removed corn and its syrup, its starch, its oil and high fructose solids, its gelatinized protein from my diet and pharmacy and cosmetics.
Not only was corn ubiquitous, it was often hidden.
But for the past few years I'm realizing that my itching, cracking, oozing, peeling, weeping, bleeding skin is a minor annoyance compared to some of that for which Corn is presumably responsible -- the diabetes and obesity "epidemic" for starts.
One might even say that my eczema has potentially saved me from diabetes (like sickle cell saved people, or at least their ancestors, from cholera? now there's a choice....)
"Must See" Op-Ed
(Did I ever tell you about the knock-down drag-out DeathMatch2007 argument I had with a tipsy journalism major over the origin of the phrase "op-ed page?" I was at an advantage being mostly sober, and having grown up in the area where the newspaper that minted the phrase operated, and having actually read it the day of... Let's look it up, SHALLLLLL we? But I digress.)
Stephreen Coldowd's column is must see.... not must-read, because as a fan of SC's, I cannot advocate reading, whether of books or anything like them.
I shouldn't have read it -- I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what an Appalachian Catfish Wrestler is.
Anyway, Stephreen Coldowd had this to say:
I was in my office, writing a column on the injustice of relative marginal tax rates for hedge fund managers, when I saw Stephen Colbert on TV.
He was sneering that Times columns make good “kindling.” He was ranting that after you throw away the paper, “it takes over a hundred years for the lies to biodegrade.” He was observing, approvingly, that “Dick Cheney’s fondest pipe dream is driving a bulldozer into The New York Times while drinking crude oil out of Keith Olbermann’s skull.”
I called Colbert with a dare: if he thought it was so easy to be a Times Op-Ed pundit, he should try it. He came right over. In a moment of weakness, I had staged a coup d’moi. I just hope he leaves at some point. He’s typing and drinking and threatening to “shave Paul Krugman with a broken bottle.”
I Am an Op-Ed Columnist (And So Can You!)
By STEPHEN COLBERT
Surprised to see my byline here, aren’t you? I would be too, if I read The New York Times. But I don’t. So I’ll just have to take your word that this was published. Frankly, I prefer emoticons to the written word, and if you disagree :(
I’d like to thank Maureen Dowd for permitting/begging me to write her column today. As I type this, she’s watching from an overstuffed divan, petting her prize Abyssinian and sipping a Dirty Cosmotinijito. Which reminds me: Before I get started, I have to take care of one other bit of business:
Bad things are happening in countries you shouldn’t have to think about. It’s all George Bush’s fault, the vice president is Satan, and God is gay.
There. Now I’ve written Frank Rich’s column too.
So why I am writing Miss Dowd’s column today? Simple. Because I believe the 2008 election, unlike all previous elections, is important. And a lot of Americans feel confused about the current crop of presidential candidates.
For instance, Hillary Clinton. I can’t remember if I’m supposed to be scared of her so Democrats will think they should nominate her when she’s actually easy to beat, or if I’m supposed to be scared of her because she’s legitimately scary.
Or Rudy Giuliani. I can’t remember if I’m supposed to support him because he’s the one who can beat Hillary if she gets nominated, or if I’m supposed to support him because he’s legitimately scary.
And Fred Thompson. In my opinion “Law & Order” never sufficiently explained why the Manhattan D.A. had an accent like an Appalachian catfish wrestler.
Well, suddenly an option is looming on the horizon. And I don’t mean Al Gore (though he’s a world-class loomer). First of all, I don’t think Nobel Prizes should go to people I was seated next to at the Emmys. Second, winning the Nobel Prize does not automatically qualify you to be commander in chief. I think George Bush has proved definitively that to be president, you don’t need to care about science, literature or peace.
While my hat is not presently in the ring, I should also point out that it is not on my head. So where’s that hat? (Hint: John McCain was seen passing one at a gas station to fuel up the Straight Talk Express.)
Others point to my new bestseller, “I Am America (And So Can You!)” noting that many candidates test the waters with a book first. Just look at Barack Obama, John Edwards or O. J. Simpson.
Look at the moral guidance I offer. On faith: “After Jesus was born, the Old Testament basically became a way for Bible publishers to keep their word count up.” On gender: “The sooner we accept the basic differences between men and women, the sooner we can stop arguing about it and start having sex.” On race: “While skin and race are often synonymous, skin cleansing is good, race cleansing is bad.” On the elderly: “They look like lizards.”
Our nation is at a Fork in the Road. Some say we should go Left; some say go Right. I say, “Doesn’t this thing have a reverse gear?” Let’s back this country up to a time before there were forks in the road — or even roads. Or forks, for that matter. I want to return to a simpler America where we ate our meat off the end of a sharpened stick.
Let me regurgitate: I know why you want me to run, and I hear your clamor. I share Americans’ nostalgia for an era when you not only could tell a man by the cut of his jib, but the jib industry hadn’t yet fled to Guangdong. And I don’t intend to tease you for weeks the way Newt Gingrich did, saying that if his supporters raised $30 million, he would run for president. I would run for 15 million. Cash.
Nevertheless, I am not ready to announce yet — even though it’s clear that the voters are desperate for a white, male, middle-aged, Jesus-trumpeting alternative.
What do I offer? Hope for the common man. Because I am not the Anointed or the Inevitable. I am just an Average Joe like you — if you have a TV show.
Stephreen Coldowd's column is must see.... not must-read, because as a fan of SC's, I cannot advocate reading, whether of books or anything like them.
I shouldn't have read it -- I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what an Appalachian Catfish Wrestler is.
Anyway, Stephreen Coldowd had this to say:
I was in my office, writing a column on the injustice of relative marginal tax rates for hedge fund managers, when I saw Stephen Colbert on TV.
He was sneering that Times columns make good “kindling.” He was ranting that after you throw away the paper, “it takes over a hundred years for the lies to biodegrade.” He was observing, approvingly, that “Dick Cheney’s fondest pipe dream is driving a bulldozer into The New York Times while drinking crude oil out of Keith Olbermann’s skull.”
I called Colbert with a dare: if he thought it was so easy to be a Times Op-Ed pundit, he should try it. He came right over. In a moment of weakness, I had staged a coup d’moi. I just hope he leaves at some point. He’s typing and drinking and threatening to “shave Paul Krugman with a broken bottle.”
I Am an Op-Ed Columnist (And So Can You!)
By STEPHEN COLBERT
Surprised to see my byline here, aren’t you? I would be too, if I read The New York Times. But I don’t. So I’ll just have to take your word that this was published. Frankly, I prefer emoticons to the written word, and if you disagree :(
I’d like to thank Maureen Dowd for permitting/begging me to write her column today. As I type this, she’s watching from an overstuffed divan, petting her prize Abyssinian and sipping a Dirty Cosmotinijito. Which reminds me: Before I get started, I have to take care of one other bit of business:
Bad things are happening in countries you shouldn’t have to think about. It’s all George Bush’s fault, the vice president is Satan, and God is gay.
There. Now I’ve written Frank Rich’s column too.
So why I am writing Miss Dowd’s column today? Simple. Because I believe the 2008 election, unlike all previous elections, is important. And a lot of Americans feel confused about the current crop of presidential candidates.
For instance, Hillary Clinton. I can’t remember if I’m supposed to be scared of her so Democrats will think they should nominate her when she’s actually easy to beat, or if I’m supposed to be scared of her because she’s legitimately scary.
Or Rudy Giuliani. I can’t remember if I’m supposed to support him because he’s the one who can beat Hillary if she gets nominated, or if I’m supposed to support him because he’s legitimately scary.
And Fred Thompson. In my opinion “Law & Order” never sufficiently explained why the Manhattan D.A. had an accent like an Appalachian catfish wrestler.
Well, suddenly an option is looming on the horizon. And I don’t mean Al Gore (though he’s a world-class loomer). First of all, I don’t think Nobel Prizes should go to people I was seated next to at the Emmys. Second, winning the Nobel Prize does not automatically qualify you to be commander in chief. I think George Bush has proved definitively that to be president, you don’t need to care about science, literature or peace.
While my hat is not presently in the ring, I should also point out that it is not on my head. So where’s that hat? (Hint: John McCain was seen passing one at a gas station to fuel up the Straight Talk Express.)
Others point to my new bestseller, “I Am America (And So Can You!)” noting that many candidates test the waters with a book first. Just look at Barack Obama, John Edwards or O. J. Simpson.
Look at the moral guidance I offer. On faith: “After Jesus was born, the Old Testament basically became a way for Bible publishers to keep their word count up.” On gender: “The sooner we accept the basic differences between men and women, the sooner we can stop arguing about it and start having sex.” On race: “While skin and race are often synonymous, skin cleansing is good, race cleansing is bad.” On the elderly: “They look like lizards.”
Our nation is at a Fork in the Road. Some say we should go Left; some say go Right. I say, “Doesn’t this thing have a reverse gear?” Let’s back this country up to a time before there were forks in the road — or even roads. Or forks, for that matter. I want to return to a simpler America where we ate our meat off the end of a sharpened stick.
Let me regurgitate: I know why you want me to run, and I hear your clamor. I share Americans’ nostalgia for an era when you not only could tell a man by the cut of his jib, but the jib industry hadn’t yet fled to Guangdong. And I don’t intend to tease you for weeks the way Newt Gingrich did, saying that if his supporters raised $30 million, he would run for president. I would run for 15 million. Cash.
Nevertheless, I am not ready to announce yet — even though it’s clear that the voters are desperate for a white, male, middle-aged, Jesus-trumpeting alternative.
What do I offer? Hope for the common man. Because I am not the Anointed or the Inevitable. I am just an Average Joe like you — if you have a TV show.
Sunday, 14 October 2007
Happy Accidents
Because we were rehearsing across the street rather than in the loft this week, I didn't want to lug folders and books, not just the distance but up and down 4 flights of stairs, and planned accordingly. (We were also intending to be noshing, and I wished to avoid greasy thumbprints. or rings from glasses of red wine on permanent music.)
So, the Palestrina on the back of the Slovak Precious Blood hymn, the psalm arrangement I'd done of the Hunstiger on the back of an old (but new to them,) Ecce Panis Angelorum.... but I made a mistake.
Somehow I made copies of something called "O Jesu, Ege Te Amo."
Oh, well, no matter, might as well make use of them to hone our sight-reading skills.
Well, wonder of wonder, it practically reads itself, and it's really quite lovely, AND -- they all love it. (Yes, I KNOW... shocking, no, being furrin, and in Latin, and all.)
I'm kind of sorry, because we're not really in need of a new devotional anthem for choir, but WTH....
But in getting ready to do final copies, w/ a translation for them, what do I find out?
There's really an error, it ought to be O Deus, Ego Te Amo, there are some excellent English renderings of the poem/prayer (with very respectable histories,) which is originally probably the work of St Francis Xavier, the principal patron of the CPPS!
Which we are celebrating next week! (Well, all things Precious Blood, as it is Gaspar's Feast Day!)
And which we are now MORE than aptly prepared for.
That is Grace.
Unlooked-for, undeserved gifts...
So, the Palestrina on the back of the Slovak Precious Blood hymn, the psalm arrangement I'd done of the Hunstiger on the back of an old (but new to them,) Ecce Panis Angelorum.... but I made a mistake.
Somehow I made copies of something called "O Jesu, Ege Te Amo."
Oh, well, no matter, might as well make use of them to hone our sight-reading skills.
Well, wonder of wonder, it practically reads itself, and it's really quite lovely, AND -- they all love it. (Yes, I KNOW... shocking, no, being furrin, and in Latin, and all.)
I'm kind of sorry, because we're not really in need of a new devotional anthem for choir, but WTH....
But in getting ready to do final copies, w/ a translation for them, what do I find out?
There's really an error, it ought to be O Deus, Ego Te Amo, there are some excellent English renderings of the poem/prayer (with very respectable histories,) which is originally probably the work of St Francis Xavier, the principal patron of the CPPS!
Which we are celebrating next week! (Well, all things Precious Blood, as it is Gaspar's Feast Day!)
And which we are now MORE than aptly prepared for.
That is Grace.
Unlooked-for, undeserved gifts...
Sins and sinners
You'd think that the Paper of Record, even when relying on a news service, would get it right....
In a piece about an unnamed Monsignor who went on television and said that he didn't think his having sex with other men was a sin:
"Vatican teaching holds that homosexuality is a sin."
"Vatican teaching"? CHURCH teaching, Catholic teaching, not "Vatican" teaching, as if a bunch of old guys sitting around in modern day Italy made this up on their won.
And one more time, slowly, small words:
The Church says sex outside (that words two syllables, but you understand it, right?) marriage (another double whammy,) is wrong.
The ACTIVITY is a sin, NOT the orientation.
Get it?
In a piece about an unnamed Monsignor who went on television and said that he didn't think his having sex with other men was a sin:
"Vatican teaching holds that homosexuality is a sin."
"Vatican teaching"? CHURCH teaching, Catholic teaching, not "Vatican" teaching, as if a bunch of old guys sitting around in modern day Italy made this up on their won.
And one more time, slowly, small words:
The Church says sex outside (that words two syllables, but you understand it, right?) marriage (another double whammy,) is wrong.
The ACTIVITY is a sin, NOT the orientation.
Get it?
Saturday, 13 October 2007
That's a first...
We are currently using the Agnus Dei from the "Holy Cross Mass" by Isele.
A complete copy of it, with the words, "Lamb of God, You take...." is in the cantor's book, as is a short slip of paper, the "program," which lists what all the music for the Mass is, with the number in the hymnal or page in the missallette.
Between "Amen" and "Communion " it says "Agnus Dei: Isele, Holy Cross, #314.
(I should add that I never, but NEVER program "Mass" parts with words other than those of the Mass, no Bread of Life, no Tree of Life, no Basket of Goodies... nor have done for the four plus years I have been here.)
So at at Mass this evening, I play the intro and the cantor begins to croon, "Ho -o-o-ly Cross, you take away the sins...."
I mean, whuddyagonna do?
A complete copy of it, with the words, "Lamb of God, You take...." is in the cantor's book, as is a short slip of paper, the "program," which lists what all the music for the Mass is, with the number in the hymnal or page in the missallette.
Between "Amen" and "Communion " it says "Agnus Dei: Isele, Holy Cross, #314.
(I should add that I never, but NEVER program "Mass" parts with words other than those of the Mass, no Bread of Life, no Tree of Life, no Basket of Goodies... nor have done for the four plus years I have been here.)
So at at Mass this evening, I play the intro and the cantor begins to croon, "Ho -o-o-ly Cross, you take away the sins...."
I mean, whuddyagonna do?
Friday, 12 October 2007
OT 27
(Yes, I'm very late with this, I forgot...)
Choral Prelude:
Zdravas bud Maria
Veni Creator
Organ improv on Keep in Mind and ST COLUMBA
Entrance: The Works of the Lord (KREMSER)
Pen rite: spoken
Gloria: Lee
Psalm 95, If today you hear His, voice..., chanted to tone
Gospel Acc, Sanctus, Mem. Acc. and Amen: Land of Rest
Offertory: O Lord the Giver of All Life (ST COLUMBA)
Agnus Dei: Isele, Holy Cross Mass
Communion: Taste and See, Moore
Recessional : Come Holy Ghost (LAMBILOTTE)
Choral Postlude: Cantate Domino, Pitoni
At non-choir Masses, some very sweet little Guilmant thing, all I can remember is that is was in F :-P
Incidentally, I seem to be the only one I know of who found the second reading ("I remind you, to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. ....Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit") a rationale for hymns and canticles directed toward the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.
Choral Prelude:
Zdravas bud Maria
Veni Creator
Organ improv on Keep in Mind and ST COLUMBA
Entrance: The Works of the Lord (KREMSER)
Pen rite: spoken
Gloria: Lee
Psalm 95, If today you hear His, voice..., chanted to tone
Gospel Acc, Sanctus, Mem. Acc. and Amen: Land of Rest
Offertory: O Lord the Giver of All Life (ST COLUMBA)
Agnus Dei: Isele, Holy Cross Mass
Communion: Taste and See, Moore
Recessional : Come Holy Ghost (LAMBILOTTE)
Choral Postlude: Cantate Domino, Pitoni
At non-choir Masses, some very sweet little Guilmant thing, all I can remember is that is was in F :-P
Incidentally, I seem to be the only one I know of who found the second reading ("I remind you, to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. ....Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit") a rationale for hymns and canticles directed toward the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.
Sir Monocle's White List
It occurred to me that I didn't actually blog Sir Monocle's list, merely blogged of its existence.
The pieces I didn't already know that intrigue me the most are the Gardner (I conducted his "When Christ Was Born" with the Schola Scelati two years ago, and the children were FANTASTIC.... that and the Gregorian Puer natus garnered more praise than anything else they have ever sung -- they outdid themselves,) and the Bryars, which sounds gorgeous.
I have been a big fan of his since Sinking of the Titanic, but didn't know he had composed anything one might use liturgically.
Alas, the cost of his music is prohibitive, even on Sheet Music Plus (his publisher is Schott,) and to be honest, our repertoire is lacking in so many areas, I'm not sure I could justify the time and effort on another Marian piece ( there aren't enough Sundays in May and October for what we have now...:-P)
Anyway, her, the list:
Set me as a seal - K Lee Scott
Be with me, Lord - William Ferris
Szeroka Woda ( Broad Waters) H. Gorecki
For The Beauty Of The Earth - John Rutter
Ave Regina Gloriosa - Gavin Bryars
Mother and Child - John Tavener
Messe des Pauvres - Erik Satie
Agnus Dei - Urmas Sisak
I Lift My Eyes to the Hills - Paul Bouman
Ave Verum - Edward Elgar
Five Mystical Songs - Ralph Vaughan Williams
E'en So Lord Jesus, Quickly Come - Paul Manz
Fight the Good Fight - John Gardner
The pieces I didn't already know that intrigue me the most are the Gardner (I conducted his "When Christ Was Born" with the Schola Scelati two years ago, and the children were FANTASTIC.... that and the Gregorian Puer natus garnered more praise than anything else they have ever sung -- they outdid themselves,) and the Bryars, which sounds gorgeous.
I have been a big fan of his since Sinking of the Titanic, but didn't know he had composed anything one might use liturgically.
Alas, the cost of his music is prohibitive, even on Sheet Music Plus (his publisher is Schott,) and to be honest, our repertoire is lacking in so many areas, I'm not sure I could justify the time and effort on another Marian piece ( there aren't enough Sundays in May and October for what we have now...:-P)
Anyway, her, the list:
Set me as a seal - K Lee Scott
Be with me, Lord - William Ferris
Szeroka Woda ( Broad Waters) H. Gorecki
For The Beauty Of The Earth - John Rutter
Ave Regina Gloriosa - Gavin Bryars
Mother and Child - John Tavener
Messe des Pauvres - Erik Satie
Agnus Dei - Urmas Sisak
I Lift My Eyes to the Hills - Paul Bouman
Ave Verum - Edward Elgar
Five Mystical Songs - Ralph Vaughan Williams
E'en So Lord Jesus, Quickly Come - Paul Manz
Fight the Good Fight - John Gardner
A Kinda Sorta White List
This is courtesy of BMP at Christus Vincit, and it is actually "stuff" he actually programs or "wouldn't mind" programming.
Not exactly fulsome praise.
Also, not having a copy of his resource, Today's Missal, at hand, I am only taken an (un-)educated guess as to what is contemporary, and leaving off selections on his list that I know or believe to be of older origin.
And, need I add that this editorial content is presented as a public service and in no way reflects the opinion of management? (Not a criticism of anything on Brian's list, merely a reminder that I simply want to produce evidence that serious musicians are not dead-set against anything but "old stuff," neither endorse nor critique their choices -- I imagine there's plenty on his list I would not care for, and plenty on mine he doesn't feel would make the grade, be "Worthy of the Temple.")
(In fact I need to admit right now that, not being my own mistress, I CURRENTLY program "stuff" that I WOULD mind introducing in the future.)
35 Christ, Circle 'Round Us (The "O" Antiphons, set by Schutte to a metrical adaptation of Salve Regina - not bad at all)
106 Remember Your Love (Kreutz) /
29 Patience, People (a rare Foley gem)
74 O Christ, the Sun of Light and Grace?
103 Led by the Spirit of Our God
107 Behold, before Our Wondering Eyes (I'm normally not a big fan of Berberick, though she's a fellow RI'er, but this is by far her best piece - actually really good!)1
08 From the Depths We Cry to Thee
145 Bright as the Sun, Fair As the Moon
150 Dona Nobis Pacem [Scelata's question: is that the grade school round, or something else?
Not exactly fulsome praise.
Also, not having a copy of his resource, Today's Missal, at hand, I am only taken an (un-)educated guess as to what is contemporary, and leaving off selections on his list that I know or believe to be of older origin.
And, need I add that this editorial content is presented as a public service and in no way reflects the opinion of management? (Not a criticism of anything on Brian's list, merely a reminder that I simply want to produce evidence that serious musicians are not dead-set against anything but "old stuff," neither endorse nor critique their choices -- I imagine there's plenty on his list I would not care for, and plenty on mine he doesn't feel would make the grade, be "Worthy of the Temple.")
(In fact I need to admit right now that, not being my own mistress, I CURRENTLY program "stuff" that I WOULD mind introducing in the future.)
35 Christ, Circle 'Round Us (The "O" Antiphons, set by Schutte to a metrical adaptation of Salve Regina - not bad at all)
106 Remember Your Love (Kreutz) /
29 Patience, People (a rare Foley gem)
74 O Christ, the Sun of Light and Grace?
103 Led by the Spirit of Our God
107 Behold, before Our Wondering Eyes (I'm normally not a big fan of Berberick, though she's a fellow RI'er, but this is by far her best piece - actually really good!)1
08 From the Depths We Cry to Thee
145 Bright as the Sun, Fair As the Moon
150 Dona Nobis Pacem [Scelata's question: is that the grade school round, or something else?
Praying Twice's Congregational White List
Praying Twice over at Cantate Deo "was accused this summer in a personal correspondence of having a 'disdain' for contemporary music."
So here is a list of pieces that answer the question: "what piece or pieces currently in existence exemplify a 'model' for this music? Is there any piece out there (let's think congregational at this point) that has a quality melody, quality text, and just happens to be in the 'folk' style?
(Disclaimer: By no means do I believe all of the following to be beyond reproach; also, I left out anything I didn't feel was in the "folk" style):
[I am grateful, but I hope we can eventually compile lists that set the bar a little higher.]
*53 Ps. 25 (To You, O Lord--Haugen)
66 Ps. 33 (Let your mercy be on us--Haugen)
*69 Ps. 34 (The Cry of the Poor--Foley)
*70 Ps. 34 (Taste and See--Haugen)
*127 Ps 95 (If Today--Haas)
135 Ps. 98 (All the Ends of the Earth--Haas/Haugen)
152 Ps. 116 (The Name of God--Haas)
158 Ps. 118 (This is the Day--Haugen)
322, 323, 324 Sanctus/Mem. Accl./Amen (Mass of Creation--Haugen)
330, 331 Kyrie/Gloria (Mass of Light--Haas)
*341, 352 Kyrie/Lamb of God (Mass of Remembrance--Haugen)
*495 My Soul in Stillness Waits (Haugen)
516 Carol at the Manger (Haugen)
541 Tree of Life (Haugen)
555 Return to God (Haugen)
612 Send Us Your Spirit (Haas)
638 Canticle of the Sun (Haugen)
*697 Glory and Praise to Our God (Schutte)
*723 We Walk By Faith (Haugen)758 Eye Has Not Seen (Haugen)
All the Earth (Deiss)
So here is a list of pieces that answer the question: "what piece or pieces currently in existence exemplify a 'model' for this music? Is there any piece out there (let's think congregational at this point) that has a quality melody, quality text, and just happens to be in the 'folk' style?
(Disclaimer: By no means do I believe all of the following to be beyond reproach; also, I left out anything I didn't feel was in the "folk" style):
[I am grateful, but I hope we can eventually compile lists that set the bar a little higher.]
*53 Ps. 25 (To You, O Lord--Haugen)
66 Ps. 33 (Let your mercy be on us--Haugen)
*69 Ps. 34 (The Cry of the Poor--Foley)
*70 Ps. 34 (Taste and See--Haugen)
*127 Ps 95 (If Today--Haas)
135 Ps. 98 (All the Ends of the Earth--Haas/Haugen)
152 Ps. 116 (The Name of God--Haas)
158 Ps. 118 (This is the Day--Haugen)
322, 323, 324 Sanctus/Mem. Accl./Amen (Mass of Creation--Haugen)
330, 331 Kyrie/Gloria (Mass of Light--Haas)
*341, 352 Kyrie/Lamb of God (Mass of Remembrance--Haugen)
*495 My Soul in Stillness Waits (Haugen)
516 Carol at the Manger (Haugen)
541 Tree of Life (Haugen)
555 Return to God (Haugen)
612 Send Us Your Spirit (Haas)
638 Canticle of the Sun (Haugen)
*697 Glory and Praise to Our God (Schutte)
*723 We Walk By Faith (Haugen)758 Eye Has Not Seen (Haugen)
All the Earth (Deiss)
Point of grammar...
Is it true that their are dissident dioceses and heretical religious communities where all masculine pronouns have been banned, and that saying "he," "him" "himself" or "his" is the only sin left?
Bishop Trautman, gallantly swimming upstream, has apparently spawned THE definitive How-Can-I-Seem-To-Be-Obedient-But-Still-Get-My-Own-Way reactions to Summorum Pontificum, a document that will be well and thoroughly fisked throughout St Blogs, and defended by the delusional all's-for-the-best-in-this-best-of-all-possible-post-conciliar-Churches, who-cares-what-the-documents-really-said "Spirit of VCII" types, also to be found in dispiriting numbers.
What concerns me, in a Decree of Promulgation (yeah, I have to agree, that's pretty pretentious for a middle management memo,) which deals with, of all things, fluency in language is this sentence:
4.3 Any layperson assisting as an altar server at Masses and celebrations of the sacraments using the extraordinary form must be properly trained to recite the proper responses and to carry out their function according to the rubrics of the 1962 Missal (canon 230 §2). [emphases mine]
First, I don't care what sloppy current usage deems acceptable, the use of the plural pronoun to agree with a singular noun, in order to never, ever, ever, give offense to a person of the feminine gender who might have her feelings hurt by seeing masculine pronouns, and feeling herself excluded by same.
I don't care what linguistic contortions some might feel themselves constrained to in order to keep transgendered or ambigendered persons from feeling excluded.
Such ugly, infelicitous locutions are nonsense up with which I shall not put. (And I admit myself guilty of them from time to time, I hope I never am in any of my more formal utterances, on which I have spent some time, say.... my decrees of promulgation.)
All that is beside the point!
Because surely, in this one instance, of all such instances of legalese or Catholish, we can all agree that anyone, absolutely anyone to whom the pronoun in question might apply will, to be indelicate about it, have a penis? And that the "any layperson" in question can be said to have "HIS" function?
Not "their, but "HIS."
Any layperson assisting at the altar will be either a man or boy.
Right?
I stand open to correction on this, feel free ....
Bishop Trautman, gallantly swimming upstream, has apparently spawned THE definitive How-Can-I-Seem-To-Be-Obedient-But-Still-Get-My-Own-Way reactions to Summorum Pontificum, a document that will be well and thoroughly fisked throughout St Blogs, and defended by the delusional all's-for-the-best-in-this-best-of-all-possible-post-conciliar-Churches, who-cares-what-the-documents-really-said "Spirit of VCII" types, also to be found in dispiriting numbers.
What concerns me, in a Decree of Promulgation (yeah, I have to agree, that's pretty pretentious for a middle management memo,) which deals with, of all things, fluency in language is this sentence:
4.3 Any layperson assisting as an altar server at Masses and celebrations of the sacraments using the extraordinary form must be properly trained to recite the proper responses and to carry out their function according to the rubrics of the 1962 Missal (canon 230 §2). [emphases mine]
First, I don't care what sloppy current usage deems acceptable, the use of the plural pronoun to agree with a singular noun, in order to never, ever, ever, give offense to a person of the feminine gender who might have her feelings hurt by seeing masculine pronouns, and feeling herself excluded by same.
I don't care what linguistic contortions some might feel themselves constrained to in order to keep transgendered or ambigendered persons from feeling excluded.
Such ugly, infelicitous locutions are nonsense up with which I shall not put. (And I admit myself guilty of them from time to time, I hope I never am in any of my more formal utterances, on which I have spent some time, say.... my decrees of promulgation.)
All that is beside the point!
Because surely, in this one instance, of all such instances of legalese or Catholish, we can all agree that anyone, absolutely anyone to whom the pronoun in question might apply will, to be indelicate about it, have a penis? And that the "any layperson" in question can be said to have "HIS" function?
Not "their, but "HIS."
Any layperson assisting at the altar will be either a man or boy.
Right?
I stand open to correction on this, feel free ....
Starving to Death in the First World
Death Reveals Harsh Side of a ‘Model’ [welfare program] in Japan
KITAKYUSHU, Japan— In a thin notebook discovered along with a man’s partly mummified corpse this summer was a detailed account of his last days, recording his hunger pangs, his drop in weight and, above all, his dream of eating a rice ball, a snack sold for about $1 in convenience stores across the country.
“3 a.m. This human being hasn’t eaten in 10 days but is still alive,” he wrote. “I want to eat rice. I want to eat a rice ball.”
These were not the last words of a hiker lost in the wilderness, but those of a 52-year-old urban welfare recipient whose benefits had been cut off. And his case was not the first here.
One man has died in each of the last three years in this city in western Japan, apparently of starvation, after his welfare application was refused or his benefits cut off. Unable to buy food, all three men wasted away for months inside their homes, where their bodies were eventually found.
Only the most recent death drew nationwide attention, however, because of the diary, which has embarrassed city officials who initially defended their handling of the case and even described it as “model.”
In a way that the words of no living person could, the diary has shown the human costs of the economic transformation in Japan. As a widening income gap has pushed up welfare rolls in recent years, struggling cities like Kitakyushu have been under intense pressure to tighten eligibility.
The fallout from the most recent death has shown just how far the authorities in Kitakyushu went to achieve a flat welfare rate
Why, they could call the program, No Hungry Person Left Behind....
This caught my eye
With no religious tradition of charity, Japan has few soup kitchens or other places for the indigent. Those that exist — run frequently by Christian missionaries from South Korea or Japan’s tiny Christian population — cater mostly to the homeless.
Surely Christopher Hitchens can refute that... surely it's not organized religion, much less Christianity that has managed to do the most to lighten the load of humanity in all corners of the world, in all ages?
There must be some mistake...
KITAKYUSHU, Japan— In a thin notebook discovered along with a man’s partly mummified corpse this summer was a detailed account of his last days, recording his hunger pangs, his drop in weight and, above all, his dream of eating a rice ball, a snack sold for about $1 in convenience stores across the country.
“3 a.m. This human being hasn’t eaten in 10 days but is still alive,” he wrote. “I want to eat rice. I want to eat a rice ball.”
These were not the last words of a hiker lost in the wilderness, but those of a 52-year-old urban welfare recipient whose benefits had been cut off. And his case was not the first here.
One man has died in each of the last three years in this city in western Japan, apparently of starvation, after his welfare application was refused or his benefits cut off. Unable to buy food, all three men wasted away for months inside their homes, where their bodies were eventually found.
Only the most recent death drew nationwide attention, however, because of the diary, which has embarrassed city officials who initially defended their handling of the case and even described it as “model.”
In a way that the words of no living person could, the diary has shown the human costs of the economic transformation in Japan. As a widening income gap has pushed up welfare rolls in recent years, struggling cities like Kitakyushu have been under intense pressure to tighten eligibility.
The fallout from the most recent death has shown just how far the authorities in Kitakyushu went to achieve a flat welfare rate
Why, they could call the program, No Hungry Person Left Behind....
This caught my eye
With no religious tradition of charity, Japan has few soup kitchens or other places for the indigent. Those that exist — run frequently by Christian missionaries from South Korea or Japan’s tiny Christian population — cater mostly to the homeless.
Surely Christopher Hitchens can refute that... surely it's not organized religion, much less Christianity that has managed to do the most to lighten the load of humanity in all corners of the world, in all ages?
There must be some mistake...
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