Sacred Art at Holy Cross Parish

Greetings,

Holy Cross Parish is very beautiful. Our rerdos(back altar) is great. Our stained glass windows are stunning. One of the pieces art that is very important in our parish is the Icon of “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” on the wall of the church.

This piece of art is a copy of a Byzantine Icon originally painted in the 13th Century. It is particular appropriate for our parish because it was originally known as “Our Lady of the Passion”.

                                         

                                                                   

                                                       

On the left is the Archangel Michael who is carrying the lance and the sponge of the crucifixion of Jesus. On the right is the Archangel Gabriel carrying the cross and the nails.

    

Look at the image of Jesus. Notice that he NOT looking at Mary. He is NOT looking at us. He is staring at the Angel carrying the cross and the nails. He is holding tightly to Mary his mother. Notice that his shoe fell off. This implies that he ran to his mother and leapt into her arms when he was confronted with his future death on the cross presented to him by the angels. He ran to the arms is his mother because he knew that someday he would suffer and die on the cross.

Now look at the image of Mary. She dominates the picture because she is looking straight at YOU(the viewer). She is not looking at Jesus, or at heaven, or at the angels. She is looking at you as if to say: Here is something VERY important. She looks as if to say: My son ran to me for refuge, so can you. There is a star on Mary’s forehead: She is the star that leads to Jesus. She is pointing at her son, Jesus Christ. Both Mary and Jesus are wearing clothes of royalty. The Greek initials on top read: Mother of God, Michael Archangel, Gabriel Archangel, and Jesus Christ.

Mary knows there are many things in our lives that are dangerous and terrifying, and that we need someone to turn to in times of suffering and dread. She offers us the same comfort and love she gave to Jesus. She tells us to run to her as fast as Jesus did, so fast that we don’t even think about what we wear or how we go, just so we get there. Then Mary will point to Jesus, our lord and savior.

I hope you are able to spend some time in prayer meditating on this beautiful icon, and being drawn in the love Mary had for her Son, and in that way you can love Jesus as well. Beautiful art should raise our hearts and minds to God.

peace

Go to Mass, WHY????

Greetings,

The Mass has many different effects on a Christian.  The Catechism lists them all.  The Eucharist is the source and the summit of all Christian life.   There is one specific effect of receiving the Eucharist which I would like to emphasize today.

The Eucharist commits us to the poor!

Number 1397 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

 "The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren:  'You have tasted the Blood of the Lord, yet you do not recognize your brother,. . . . You dishonor this table when you do not judge worthy of sharing your food someone judged worthy to take part in this meal. . . . God freed you from all your sins and invited you here, but you have not become more merciful.'"

When we are at Mass we receive the body of Christ, and in that we become the body of Christ(The Church).  As the body of Christ we recognize Christ in all those we meet, especially the poorest.   There is a direct link between the divine liturgy and social justice.

Over the past 40 years people often divided themselves into two camps in the Church: 1.  The Liturgy Crowd, and the 2. Social Justice crowd.   One group would be at Church and focus on Mass.  The other group was out in the world serving  the poor.  The Church teaches that this separation is not only should NOT happen, every Christian should be both a Liturgy person and a social justice person.

When we go to Mass, we are transformed and grow in holiness so that when we go into our lives we will think like Jesus as we encounter the people in our family, at work, at school, and even on the street.

This past week our parish hosted the Fox Valley Warming Shelter.  We had up to 30 guests stay with us each night.  These people had no other place to stay and they were very grateful that we opened our doors.  Every month we gather food in bags to stock up our Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.  There are many places we can serve the poor in our parish, our city and our county.  Come  to Mass, Worship God, and Serve the Poor.

Also, if you are curious about the Catechism of the Catholic Church, here is the Link:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

peace

Controversy Continued: More on Music

Choosing music for mass is very controversial because many people look at what type of music they like rather than the type of music  the Church calls for.   If someone likes Rock Music, then they may want Contemporary Christian Rock at Mass.  My musical preference is instrumental Jazz.

Our Church has very specific criteria for choosing music at Mass.  It should not be a matter of tastes, but on what the church teaches.  Again, I would like to emphasize that when we have a question on Mass, we should always turn to the "General Instruction of the Roman Missal" (Girm).  It can be found at:

http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

Here is what the Girm says about the Entrance song:   Girm #48. "......In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the Entrance Chant: (1) the antiphon from the Roman Missal or the Psalm from the Roman Gradual as set to music there or in another musical setting; (2) the seasonal antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of psalms and antiphons, approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop, including psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) a suitable liturgical song similarly approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop."

Did you notice it did NOT say 'Opening Song' or 'Hymn', rather it refers to the Entrance Chant.  It implies that the chant is Normal.  Notice that there are 4 options for the Entrance Chant.   The first choice is the Roman Gradual.

The Roman Gradual is a book with all the Gregorian Chants for the Mass.  Every Sunday has the music already assigned.  There is no need to 'choose' music for the Mass.   We know that each Sunday has specific prayers found in the Sacramentary.  We know that each Sunday has specific readings found in the Lectionary.  However, we do not know that each Sunday has specific music found in the Roman Gradual.  Traditionally the Sunday is known by the first words of the Entrance Chant.   Example:   The Second Sunday of Easter is Quasimodo Sunday because Quasimodo is the first words of the chant.  This is how the main character of Hunchback of Notre Dame got his name.  He was found on Quasimodo Sunday.

As we saw in the previous post Gregorian Chant has pride of Place in music, and the chants are given for each mass, and it is the FIRST choice given for the entrance chant.  Yet, if you go to the normal Catholic Parish I would bet that the official chants have not been heard in 50 years.

The second choice of music for the Entrance Chant is the Simple Gradual.  This is Gregorian Chant that is very easy to sing.  The Church recognizes that volunteer choirs might not have the skill to use the Roman Gradual.

The third choice of the entrance chant is singing the Psalms.  Any Psalms approved by the bishop's conference would be good.  Christians have been singing the Psalms since its beginning.

The fourth and last choice for the Entrnace Chant is a liturgical song approved by the bishop's conference.  Here is the rub:   Our Bishop's Conference has never approved any songs.  Individual bishops have approved hymnals which are printed in their diocese.  Even though this is the last choice it has become the only source of music in most Catholic parishes.  Good and beautiful hymns are great for praising and worshipping God, and they are a legitimate option.  Hymns have become an important part of our musical tradition in the past 50 years.

This is the official teaching of how to choose music for mass.  However, it is not often done in our parishes.  I think it would be good if parishes would at least provide one mass with the music which the Church calls for at least one time each weekend, or even once a month.  The people have a right to pray as the Church asks us to pray.

Peace

A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE!! Choosing Music For Mass.

Music at Mass, why would that ever be considered controversial?

When people discuss music at Mass they talk about what they like rather than what the church teaches.  Since everyone likes something different, there will be disagreement about what should be sung or played.   As I have said on this blog a couple of times:  It is not a matter of what I like, but rather we should look at what the church teaches and why.

Where do we go for the answer to the question about music?  Our book on how to do liturgy is called the "General Instruction of the Roman Missal", normally referred to as:  Girm.  In our diocese we have been using the Girm since the year 2005.  This is not some old outdated document, but the newest document we are given by the Church.

If you would like to read the Girm, follow the link:

http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

 Each paragraph has a Number and that is how I will refer to the document.   The importance of song is Girm #39.

In choosing music here is the first odd thing:   Girm #40  "In the choosing of the parts actually to be sung, however, preference should be given to those that are of greater importance and especially to those to be sung by the priest or the deacon or the lector, with the people responding, or by the priest and people together."

Did you catch that, the most important thing to be sung as Mass are the priest parts and the dialogues between the priest and the people.   The goal is not to sing at Mass, but it is to sing the Mass.  We actually sing the prayers, and dialogues:  we sing THE MASS, NOT just AT MASS.

Girm 41 is really a surprise in our current musical environment:  "All other things being equal, Gregorian chant holds pride of place because it is proper to the Roman Liturgy. Other types of sacred music, in particular polyphony, are in no way excluded, provided that they correspond to the spirit of the liturgical action and that they foster the participation of all the faithful.
Since faithful from different countries come together ever more frequently, it is fitting that they know how to sing together at least some parts of the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, especially the Creed and the Lord's Prayer, set to the simpler melodies."

The most important music because it was written specifically for the Mass is GREGORIAN Chant.  This does NOT mean we cannot do other music, but the most important music for Church is Gregorian Chant.   We have many great hymns in different styles, and we can and should have them in our church, but we should give center stage to Chant.   See, this could be seen as controversial to some, but it is also what our church teaches.

It also teachs that we need to know the responses and prayers at Mass in Latin as well.   When people hear this they get nervous.   This nervousness comes from not knowing or understanding.  We have not had Latin or Chant in our church for over 40 years.  However, our Church teaches that it has pride and place.

This post is long enough:  In the future I will look at what the Girm says about the Opening Song.

peace

Friday: A Special Day of Penance!

Greetings,

Every Friday we are to remember the passion of Jesus Christ and we should abstain from meat or make another symbolic sacrifice.  However, Friday, January 22 is a Special day of Penance.  The Bishops of the United States have called all American Catholics to do penance and to fast for the violations to the dignity of the human person committed through the acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the Right of Life.   If you go to daily Mass your priest should be wearing purple vestments as a sign of penance.

There are 3,700 children who are aborted every day in the United States alone.   That is 3,700 lives that have been ended.  They will not be buried, and they will not even receive the dignity of a name.  Please join this day of penance, fast and prayer.

peace

Think Like a Catholic!!!

Greetings

Our culture focuses on the person as they see themselves. Everything is seen and understood through the prism of my relationship to the object. That means that any external reality is only important as it affects me. That means I am able to give meaning to all external reality. It also means that any real meaning ends up being how something psychologically affects me.


In Religion and faith this has very dire ramifications. I become the one who creates and determines truth. Rather than looking at the world and finding truth, I am the one who assigns truth ‘For ME’. Worship becomes ‘What do I get out of it?’ Doctrine and Dogma became nasty words because we are the ones who determine truth. And following rules of faith become anathema because it seems to go against our warped view of freedom.

As Christians we must set aside the self, and look first at external things: GOD, GRACE, and the INCARNATION. We should meditate on God and who he is. We should meditate on the incarnation and God becoming Human. We should immerse ourselves in salvation history so that we can think with a biblical imagination. We should enter into worship with the thought of worshiping God, interceding for other, and offering ourselves in spiritual sacrifice rather than looking for a psychological tingling. We should think like a Christian. We should search for the truth rather than try to make up the truth.

The most important thing necessary to think like a Christian is to pray. Without prayer Christianity will end. It is more important to Pray to God than to think about God: Why? Because it is in prayer that we love God, and God is love. We know God through love. Every Christian should strive to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. This happens in prayer. Every Christian should strive to be a contemplative. Christianity is a life of prayer and union of God lived out in our world. This is very clear in the Second Vatican Council’s call to universal holiness. As Leon Bloy said: “There is only one sadness; it is not to be a saint.”

Peace

BOOK SUGGESTION

Greetings,

Every Catholic should strive to learn more about their faith.  I would like to make regular suggestions for books which should enrich your faith.  One of the most important part of a Christian's life is prayer.  However, catechesis in prayer is very rare.  Here is a very good book to help beginners learn how to pray.  It is NOT a list of prayers to say, rather it teaches how to pray:  vocal prayer, meditation, contemplation.  It teaches liturgical pray, and family prayer.  It is very practical and would be useful for every prayer novice.  It would be great preparation for Lent.

http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Primer-Igniting-Fire-Within/dp/1569553394/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263606675&sr=8-1#noop

This book is not only useful.  It is very easy to read.   If you do read it please let me know your opinion.

peace

Father, Whats in the Choir loft?

Greetings,

Someone recently asked me why I always look at the choir loft when I am praying.  Unsure what they meant, I questioned a little further.  I realized that they were refering to the Eucharistic Prayer.  As I pray I am looking over the heads of the congregation, and apparently it looks like I am staring at the choir loft.  The person was wondering why I wasn't making eye contact with the congregation.  They reminded me that good speakers make eye contact.

I thought this was an excellent conversation because it helps to shed light on what is really happening at the Liturgy.  During the Eucharistic Prayer I am not speaking to the congregation.  During the Eucharistic prayer the priest is speaking to God.  The priest should not be making eye contact with the congregation because he is not speaking to them and should not pretend to be speaking to them.  In fact the entire prayer is directed TO the Father, THROUGH the Son, and IN the Holy Spirit.  God is central, not the priest, and not the congregation.

Before the Second Vatican Council the priest and the congregation both faced in the same direction in prayer, so the congregation was very aware that the priest was not speaking to them, but rather to God.  After the Second Vatican Council many of the bishops thought that it was very important for the congregation to see the bread and the wine on the altar and then see the consecration of the elements.  This put the priest on the other side of the altar facing the people.  So where should the priest be looking?  Some people think that a small free standing crucifix should be placed on the altar, and as the priest prays he can face the crucifix to keep focused on God.   Others think that simply looking up is good enough(which leads to questions about the choir loft).   The one thing the priest shouldn't be doing is making eye contact with the people.

As far as where they priest is looking?  -- It is still up for discussion.  By the way, to answer your question, there is an organ in the choir loft.

peace

Learn from the Children

Greetings,

As the procession was leaving church I noticed that all the little kids in the parish were at the ends of the pews intently watching the altar servers as they walked pass with the Processional Cross and the Candles.  They knew that there was something special in the procession.  This was something the adults were not doing.   The adults were either looking at their hymnal and singing, or they were just looking forward.  I didn't see any adults watch the procession.

Participation in the liturgy is not just listening to readings and singing songs.  It is being aware of all the liturgical actions and what is happening.  It is watching the processions, standing, kneeling, looking at the altar, it is being aware with all your senses to the presence of God in prayer.

A HELPFUL DEVOTION:  As the procession pass by turn towards the CROSS as it goes past and make a head bow recognizing that we are saved by the Cross of Jesus Christ.  This is a long standing Catholic devotion, and since we belong to Holy Cross Parish, recognizing the cross of Christ is very important.

The children watch the procession, so should we.   I will be watching to see if anyone makes a head bow to the cross.

peace

A Good Catholic Calendar and the Spiritual life!

Greetings,

After Mass a couple of weeks ago I announced that we had Catholic calendars free at all the entrances.  I then mentioned why a good Catholic calendar is very important for our spiritual life.  Someone asked me to repeat my reasons:

1.  All Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation are in RED on the Calendar.  You will never miss a holy day if you have a Catholic Calendar.   Did you ever wonder why important days were called:  "Red Letter Dates"?  It is because of Catholic calendars have always had holy days and Sundays in Red.

2.  Violet is a penitential color.  All Fridays, the number of the date is written in violet.  This is because Jesus Christ offered himself in Sacrifice on the Cross for our salvation on a Friday.  Every Friday should be a day of penance.   Every Friday All Catholics should Abstain from meat OR do some other act of penance to remember what Christ did for us on this day.

This is part of the Catholic rhythme of life:   Every Friday we commemorate the crucifixion, and every Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection.  The paschal mystery is celebrated every week in time(Death and Resurrection).  Every Friday is a little 'Good Friday', and every Sunday is a little Easter.

3.  A good Catholic Calendar tells us which Liturgical Season we are in:  Advent, Christmas, Lent, Triidum, Easter, or Ordinary Time.  It even says what week we are in each season.  Our spiritual life should be different in Advent than in Christmas.  The seasons should effect our prayer and our devotions.

4.  A good Catholic Calendar tells us about Fast and Abstinance days.  There are certain days that Catholics are REQUIRED to fast or abstain from meat.  Days of abstinence are normally marked with a picture of an outline of a fish on the calendar.  Actually this does NOT mean that we must eat fish, but rather that we cannot eat meat.  Fast days have a solid fish so that you know when you are required to fast.  Fast and abstinence are very important parts of Catholic Spirituality.

5.  Catholic Calendars also mark 'First Fridays'.   Many people go to Mass on First Fridays of the month in addition to Sundays.  This is a spiritual practice connected to the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Part of the devotion is to go to mass for 9 First Fridays in a row and receive communion.

6.  Catholic Calendars also mark the saint day.  Many days of the Catholic Calendar are dedicated to specific saints.   We celebrate saints in order to celebrate what the POWER of God's grace is able to acheive in a human being.  God's grace is so powerful that it can change us.   We also know the saints so they can be examples of holiness and heroic virtue.  We look to the saints as examples.   We can also ask saints to pray for us.  If they are in heaven, then they can pray for us and our needs.

I would encourage families to get a good book of saints.   Every night at supper read either the saint of the day OR the gospel of the day from daily Mass.  This is a great addition to family prayer.

7.  Other celebration of Christians mysteries.  There are days that celebrate things such as "The presentation of the Lord in the Temple", or the "Transfiguration".  Through these celebrations we enter more deeply into the mysteries of Jesus Christ.  After a while you will notice patterns.    For example:  The annunciation(when Mary is told that she will bear a child) is March 25, which is exactly 9 months before Christmas.

8.  Most Catholic Calendars also have beautful Catholic Art.  I think All Christian homes should have a crucifix and other Catholic Art in the home.  This is an easy way to at least have some art in the home.

9.  Lastly, it has Mass times for Church.  You will never forget what time Mass is:  Just look at your calendar.

Catholics have what is called:  Liturgical Time.   We live in time in a very specific way.   Catholic Calendars re-inforce this and help us to think and live as Catholics.

Peace

SCANDAL OF THE CROSS!!!!

Greetings,

Being from Holy Cross Parish we should often reflect on the Holy Cross of Jesus.  I will begin with the most famous quote from scripture about the Cross of Jesus:

1 Corinthians 1:22-24 "For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

Crucifixion was the worst punishment for the worst crimes.  To be crucified was a horrible scandal.  To Jewish people anyone who hung on a Tree was considered cursed by God.  Jesus is very important to Muslims, but they say that Jesus did NOT go to the cross.  Muslims believe that Jesus' death was just an illusion and God saved Jesus from the cross.

What did the ancient Romans think?  Lets look at art.  The oldest picture of the crucifixion of Jesus known is a piece of graffiti.  It is from a Roman citizen mocking Christians.   They showed Jesus being crucified with the head of a donkey, and a man with his arms outstretched in prayer with a cation saying:  "Alexamenos worships his God."  Here is the picture:

The Roman gentiles thought the idea of God going to the cross pure foolishness.  This picture reminds of us that scandal of the time.  Christians saw beyond the scandal.  Christians saw beyond the horrors of torture in the cross.   Christians saw the revelation that:   GOD IS LOVE.    In recognizing the theological reality of God's love in the cross, Christians could see the BEAUTY of the CROSS.  To Christians the cross reveals the power and wisdom of God.

PS:   When Mel Gibson's movie came out "The Passion of the Christ" many Christians said that it would bring the conversion of many.  I disagreed.   To a Christian it was a powerful movie that revealed the TOTAL and AWESOME love of God.   To atheists or non-Christians, they may see the movie as just the torture of a human being and a horrible film.

But for Christians, "in hoc signo vincet".

Peace

Pick and Choose Catholicism: Faith OR ideology?

Greetings,

Here is the way faith works.  As Catholics we pray the scriptures, we pray privately, and go to Mass.  Through our relationship with Christ within the Church, we are transformed to Love as Christ loves.  If there is a Church teaching we disagree with, it is our moral responsibility to study that issue from the Church's point to view.  Our goal is to think as the Church.  In doing this throughout my life, I have found that the Church is very wise, and that I was not as bright as I thought I was.

There is a problem when we disagree with the Church, and then run with our own ideas.  It means that ideology will trump Church teaching.  Our politics and our sinfulness will lead us rather than the Scriptures and the teaching of Christ.

Here are two examples:  First, Abortion:.   Here is an article showning Catholics politicians and abortion.  They have forgotten what their faith teaches and they are letting Ideology come before Faith.  Abortion is taking innocent human life:

http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7449&Itemid=48

The Second is issue where ideology is more important than faith:  Torture.   Torture is a moral evil and our church teaches that torture is wrong.   Still, in the following polls Catholic support torture more than the general public.   We need to learn what our faith teaches and live it.   Faith should always come before ideology.

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/god-and-country/2009/04/30/poll-most-evangelicals-and-catholics-condone-torture-in-some-instances.html

I began this blog so that Catholics can learn to be Catholic.   Let us seriously study our faith.  Let us pray.  Let Christ transform your life in love.

peace

Do you REALLY believe in God: A Test

Greetings,

Here is a test whether you really believe in God.   Do you genuflect in Church when there is NOBODY around to see?

I didn't say it was a profound or exciting test, but it makes you think a little.  Do I genuflect in Church because it is expected of me and I want other people to see it, OR do I genuflect in Church because I am in the AWESOME presence of God, and I want fall on my knees in the divine presence?   If it is out of expectation, then we may not do it if others don't see.  However, if it is for God, then we will always genuflect whether there are people or not.

RELATED TO THIS:   In my last parish, there were angels carved on the inside of the tabernacle.  Upon seeing this a server asked:    Why would you decorate the INSIDE of a tabernacle, nobody ever sees it?

That leads me to ask:   Do we decorate the Church only for us to see it, or for us to learn from it, or do we decorate Church for God, and God deserves our best.   We decorate the inside of a tabernacle because we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and we use art to show how much we really care about someone or something.

If beauty in Church were only for us then decorating the inside of the tabernacle does not make sense.  If God is our goal in worship, then the inside of the tabernacle would be one of the most beautiful places in Church.    This leaves us with the question:   Is church about us or about God?

peace

Question: Eucharistic Adoration

Question:    I know we can pray to God anywhere, but praying before the Blessed Sacrament puts us in Our Lord's physical presence so in a way that is better. I can understand that, but why do a lot of people consider it even better/more powerful to pray during Adoration when the Eucharist is exposed? Why is that "better" than having Jesus in the tabernacle, please?

Response:  This goes to the heart of viewing the world as a Catholic.  Catholics perceive the world:  SACRAMENTALLY.   Through our senses we experience God's creation, and in knowing the creation we know the creator.  This is a general principle that applies to all things.  Catholics perceive the world Sacramentally.

This means that the 5 senses that God has given to us are important.   They are very important when it comes to worship.  That is why we use bells, incense, beautiful architecture, beautiful music, and can tastes and touch the eucharist.  God knows we perceive through the senses, and that is important for worship.

Yes, theologically worshipping in the presence of Christ in the tabernacle, and worshipping in the presence of Christ exposed in the Monstrance are the same:   Jesus is present in a substantial way in both cases.  However, when exposed in the monstrance we can SEE and adore Christ in a visual way.  Our prayer is NOT just in our mind and on our lips, but also in our eyes.  Also, remember that Eucharistic Adoration is to enhance our experience of Mass, so that in the end it will even be experience in our taste.

When you worship(adoration, Mass, praying alone, any time) be aware of all that is around your.  Be aware of the processions, of the cross carried by the server, the incense at the altar, the sounds of the choir, use all your senses in prayer.   That is how catholics worship.

Thank you for the question.

peace

Homily Comment from Epiphany

Greetings,

In my homily I suggested getting groups together to study Catholic Social Teaching, and then joining local political parties to bring a Catholic voice to politics.  Someone asked me for a resource to learn Catholic Social Teaching.   I have the perfect tool

"The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church" written by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

The Vatican has taken all the principles of Catholic Social teaching from the last 100 years and put into one book.  It is excellent:  It speaks of the Church's understanding of the human being and human rights.  It then discusses the general principles of social dotrine.   Next it touches on specific topics of 1. Family life.  2.  Human work, 3. Economic Life  4.  Political life and systems of government  5.  International relations  6.  Promotion of peace, and 7.  Safeguarding the Environment.

http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrine-Pontifical-Council-Justice/dp/1574556924/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262567014&sr=8-1

Get it and read it on your own, or get a group together to discuss it.

peace

NAME THAT PRAYER!!!!!!

Greetings,

Our prayers are named using an ANCIENT Latin Tradition.   Most people don't even know they are using a Latin Tradition.  In our Church Prayer, and Church Documents are named after the first words of the prayer or document.

We call the prayer that Jesus taught us the "Our Father".   Other groups will call it the "Lord's Prayer", but Catholics us the tradition of naming our prayers after the first words of the prayer.

Think about it:  We pray the "Hail Mary", the "Glory be".

I know some of you are already thinking of other prayers.   What about the prayer we say at 6:00 am, Noon, and 6:00 pm, the "Angelus".  Actually, the Word Angelus is the first word of that prayer in Latin.  In english begins:  "The angel of the Lord declared unto Marry."

Other famous prayers are the Magificat, and the Benedictus used in Morning prayer and Evening prayer.  Both of those words are the first words of the prayer in Latin, even though most people will say them in english.

The next time you invite someone to say the "Our Father", the "Hail Mary", or the "Glory be", know that you are naming your prayers in a very long tradition of the Church.

PS:  All Church Documents are also named after their first words in the document in Latin.

peace

Happy Mothers Day: Catholic Style!!!!

Greetings,

Today is the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God.   It is the day we celebrate Mary's Maternity!!!   Mary was called by God to a special vocation, and that vocation was motherhood.

In our world today we forget that Motherhood is a CALL FROM GOD!!!!    Motherhood is a very important vocation and should be approached with the highest regard.  Mothers have the role of raising their children to be loving, God fearing members of our society.   It is important for mothers to remember that the word:   Discipline, and the word:  Disciple came from the same root.    If they understand that they are discipling their children, it is a different understanding of being a parent.   Have a goal for your family, a mission statement, and live that mission as a family.

As we celebrate the Motherhood of Mary, lets pray for all mothers.   They need our prayers.

peace