(a.k.a. Likable Art.)
Pretty darn cool to see other young artists engaging the culture and presenting their art in faith.
Saints from Cory Heimann on Vimeo.
..all for the glory of God.
[via The Curt Jester, via Domenico Bettinelli]
Recently in Church & Faith Category
Today the Church universal celebrates the feast day of St. Thomas. This is special to us, of course, as Thomas Xavier is the name we gave our first-born son. Here's a picture of him, yesterday at the Zoo, showing me how the one-legged bird stands on one leg.Most people think of the Thomas of the Gospel as "Doubting Thomas", but it was a homily by Father Michael Doody at SLU 10 PM Mass at St. Francis Xavier College Church that changed our minds on that. Father Doody reminded us that while the rest of the Apostles had locked themselves in the upper room for fear of the Jews, Thomas was the one brave enough to already be facing the world. We heard that homily and drove home talking about how "Thomas" would be a great name for a son.
According to tradition, this great man went on to preach the Gospel as far as India. I think Father Doody was right... he's not "Doubting Thomas." He's "Faithful Thomas." Even if he ever was "doubting", it's his eventual faith that we should most remember him by.
Here's what St. Gregory the Great had to say about Thomas (my emphasis added):
In a marvelous way God's mercy arranged that the disbelieving disciple, in touching the wounds of his master's body, should heal our own wounds of disbelief. The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples. As he touches Christ and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aside and our faith is strengthened. So the disciple who doubted, then felt Christ's wounds, becomes a witness to the reality of the Resurrection.
Two years ago, we bought Thomas his first guitar in a shop in Nashville, TN (we were on our last "3 person family trip" there before Matthew was born.) He still has it and plays it almost every day. On the side, we inscribed "Thomas Xavier - Opryland Nashville - Feast of St. Thomas - July 3, 2007 - Love, Mom & Dad." I still smile every time I look at that.
This year, he and his brother are living it up at grandma and grandpa's, and feasting on pizza this evening at their house. I'll make him a big feast day treat when he gets home tonight.
Happy feast day, son!
Pope Benedict XVI's general intention for July 2009 is: "That the Christians of the Middle East may live their faith in full freedom and be an instrument of peace and reconciliation."
His missionary intention is: "That the Church may be the seed and nucleus of a humanity reconciled and reunited in God's one and only family, thanks to the testimony of all the faithful in every country of the world."
Via American Papist...
U2's Bono told Rolling Stone, in a recent interview, that the song Magnificent, from the band's new album "No Line on the Horizon" is inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary, specifically the Magnificat (the famous Song of Mary in the Gospel of Luke)...
"All music for me is worship of one kind or another," says Bono. "Magnificent was inspired by the Magnificat, a passage from the Gospel of Luke in the voice of the Virgin Mary that was previously set to music by Bach... There's this theme running through the album of surrender and devotion and all the things I find really difficult."
Check out the music video:
I've been so busy prepping for vacation this week that I haven't posted a thing... but I will post some stuff the next few days. The first, but not least of which, was very cool to see: a photo of our departing Bishop George Lucas, who is now Archbishop-designate of Omaha, receiving the Pallium from Pope Benedict XVI in Rome this week. Very. Cool. And a great man. Thanks for all you've done in our diocese, (Arch)bishop Lucas... and Godspeed to you!
In the diocese of Worcester, MA last week, Bishop McManus ordained seven men as permanent deacons, including the youngest yet in the diocese, Colin M. J. Novick, who at age 35 is the youngest a man can be ordained a permanent deacon. At ordination, he had two daughters, ages 3 and 7.
At Mass at St. Paul Cathedral Bishop McManus ordained the seven husbands and fathers: John N. Barton, Michael T. Chase, William M. Griffin, Colin M. J. Novick, Paul F. Pizzarella, Court J. Shields and Anthony J. Xatse. The bishop offered special thanks to their wives and families.
Permanent deacons are clergy who are ordained to the ministry of service, not the ministerial priesthood, the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults says. They may baptize, proclaim the Gospel, preach, preside at funerals, assist at and bless marriages and assist the bishop or priest in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Congrats, Deacons! Read the whole article.
The Gospel from today's Mass readings is from Matthew 8, and is one of my favorites - it includes Matthew 8:8, which is the line when Christ, who was asked the the centurion to come to his home to heal his paralyzed servant, comes to the home and is exhorted by the centurion: "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed."
On a related notw, Father Martin Fox wrote a fantastic blog entry on the forthcoming updates to the English translation of the Missal, including a summary of a talk that was given last year by Bishop Arthur Serratelli, chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Divine Worship. I shared it with the Ensemble this week, and I share it with you here.
Some might recognize that as what is currently translated in the Mass in the English-speaking world as "Lord, I am not worth to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
For the last several years, I've been repeatedly and particularly drawn to this section of Matthew... I love the book of Matthew...
In his blog entry, Father Fox points out one of the many adjustments:
The words we speak together currently as the priest shows us the Eucharist before communion are a weak translation of Matthew 8:8, which will be restored as follows: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word..."
Check out the whole thing... Enjoy!
Singing the Psalm this weekend, and hearing the Gospel, were interesting to me, as the story from both readings - and a particular line in the Gospel - brought back vivid memories of a day on the Chesapeake last summer with coworkers.The Gospel
This week's Gospel (Mark 4: 35-41) was about a time, at sea, when a storm arose and challenged the disciples in the boat. Frightened, they found Jesus asleep in the stern, awoke him, and he calmed the sea. The line in the Gospel that stuck out to me was "A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat."
The Squall
Last August, I made a trip to Herndon, VA (where my office and many coworkers are) for a few days of company meetings. Thursday of that week, our group had an outing - starting with a morning on the Schooner Woodwind, departing Annapolis, Maryland, past the U.S. Naval Academy, out into Chesapeake Bay.
We were about 20 minutes into our cruise when the captain said similar words: "It looks like we're going to run through a little rain squall."
The "little rain squall" actually ended up being a nearly 45-minute storm with wind that left the boat rocking while turning in and out of the wind to stay on course. We would alternate leaning one way or the other, and with no real protection between us (on deck) and the bay except how we were holding on and a thin rope along the edge of the boat, it got a bit frightening.
It was a great day, though. We were all drenched before we made it back to shore, but still in good spirits. After all, we had survived quite a storm together "at sea."
So the imagery of the Gospel hit home for me quite strongly this week.
The Reflection
For me, the natural result of the experience with the proclamation of the Word this week was asking myself a question for reflection: How good am I at trusting, in the squalls of life, that the Lord really is still there. Sure, he might be sleeping in the stern, but that doesn't mean he isn't present and aware of my challenges or fears. In fact, it should be a comfort that my fears might not be as warranted as I think. Or my challenges as insurmountable.
Christ's mere, ongoing, presence - if I only ask for it - is enough for me.
This is the view of the stained glass over the choir loft and vestibule at Holy Family Church (our parish church here in Granite City.) It was built in 1958 as Sacred Heart Church (dedicated on October 5, 1958.) This beautiful work of art was imported from Dublin, Ireland, and this picture is the view I have from the keyboard at every Mass.
"The term 'Sacred Heart of Jesus' denotes the entire mystery of Christ, the totality of his being, and his person... Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a wonderful historical expression of the Church's piety for Christ...it calls for a fundamental attitude of conversion and reparation, of love and gratitude, apostolic commitment and dedication to Christ and his saving work."
"The Sacred Heart of Jesus... 'is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that... love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings' without exception."
Happy Feast Day... and, appropriately, happy start of the "Year of Priests" to our priest friends and fathers.
All comments count toward the June giveaway of the $25 Borders gift card. Remember... through the month of June, every WORD in every comment you make on a post here on BreadAlive.com will earn one entry into a drawing - to be held July 1 - for a $25 Borders gift card.
Via Ignatius Press:
Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., president of Gonzaga, is stepping down on July 15th after eleven years of serving in the role.
As the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports:
Spitzer, 55, will return to study, teaching and writing in the ethics field. He is a prominent scholar-critic of the movement to legalize assisted suicide, and a leading Catholic spokesman on the right to life.
Spitzer, who is legally blind, has overseen a turnaround on the Spokane campus since taking over Gonzaga's presidency in 1998. Enrollments at the Jesuit university have risen from 4,500 to 6,900, and a higher volume of applications has allowed Gonzaga wider leeway in who it accepts.
I absolutely LOVE his book The Spirit of Leadership: Optimizing Creativity and Change in Organizations, and it still holds pride of place on the top bookshelf in my office. I've also loved catching him from time to time on EWTN and EWTN Radio. I hope we'll be able to see more of him there with his new roles and ministries.
With my best to Father Spitzer on his future endeavors, which I'm sure will continue to represent our faith well to the world and help turn souls toward our good God.
All comments count toward the June giveaway of the $25 Borders gift card. Remember... through the month of June, every WORD in every comment you make on a post here on BreadAlive.com will earn one entry into a drawing - to be held July 1 - for a $25 Borders gift card.
The Vatican has released the letter from the Pope introducing the year.
This coincides with the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, who is the patron saint of priests.
The Holy Father has also made available a Special Indulgence for the Year for Priests...
APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY DECREE
Special Indulgence for the Year for Priests
As has been announced, the Holy Father Benedict XVI has decided to establish a special Year for Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Mary Vianney, the holy Curé d'Ars, a shining model of a Pastor totally dedicated to the service of the people of God.
During the Year for Priests which will begin on 19 June 2009 and will end on 19 June 2010, the gift of special Indulgences is granted as described in the Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary, published on 12 May.
Shortly the day will come on which will be commemorated the 150th anniversary of the pious departure to Heaven of St John Mary Vianney, the Curé d'Ars. This Saint was a wonderful model here on earth of a true Pastor at the service of Christ's flock.
Since his example is used to encourage the faithful, and especially priests, to imitate his virtues, the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI has established that for this occasion a special Year for Priests will be celebrated, from 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010, in which all priests may be increasingly strengthened in fidelity to Christ with devout meditation, spiritual exercises and other appropriate actions.
This holy period will begin with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a day of priestly sanctification on which the Supreme Pontiff will celebrate Vespers in the presence of the holy relics of St John Mary Vianney, brought to Rome by the Bishop of Belley-Ars, France.
The Most Holy Father will likewise preside at the conclusion of the Year for Priests in St Peter's Square, in the presence of priests from across the world who will renew their fidelity to Christ and the bond of brotherhood.
May priests commit themselves, with prayer and good works, to obtaining from Christ the Eternal High Priest, the grace to shine with Faith, Hope, Charity and the other virtues, and show by their way of life, but also with their external conduct, that they are dedicated without reserve to the spiritual good of the people something that the Church has always had at heart.
The gift of Sacred Indulgences which the Apostolic Penitentiary, with this Decree issued in conformity with the wishes of the August Pontiff, graciously grants during the Year for Priests will be of great help in achieving the desired purpose in the best possible way.
Click here for the whole document, including the conditions for receiving the indulgences.
Here's to all of the priests the world over - our spiritual fathers. Have a great year!
All comments count toward the June giveaway of the $25 Borders gift card. Remember... through the month of June, every WORD in every comment you make on a post here on BreadAlive.com will earn one entry into a drawing - to be held July 1 - for a $25 Borders gift card.
[Photo: Moroney's Religious Art]
A fascinating little piece that I ran across over at The Deacon's Bench... from The Tidings, the archdiocesan paper for Los Angeles:
(Emphasis added by me.)
If you have driven north on highway 101 anytime during the past five years, you have certainly noticed the proliferation of vineyards - and winemakers - that line the highway in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Wine has become a lucrative industry and a pastime for many.
If you have been to church, you may also have noticed that sacramental (Communion) wine is more available (the recent H1N1 virus scare notwithstanding). That shouldn't be a surprise, says Steve Riboli, vice president of San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles, one of the largest producers of sacramental wines in the country.
"When things are really tough, the majority of us as Catholics go back to our faith and our roots for strength and comfort," says the parishioner of Holy Angels Church in Arcadia. "Going to Mass and receiving Communion increases our comfort level."
San Antonio's sacramental wine sales grew eight percent in the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The winery produces about 80,000 cases of sacramental wine per year, about 15 percent of its business. "It represents an important component for us," Riboli says.
Riboli attributes the uptick in sales of sacramental wine to the need for Catholics to receive Communion, especially when their lives are in crisis or transition. He has noticed over the past 35 to 40 years that in difficult economic or social periods --- such as following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks --- business increases for both sacramental wines and varietals.
Other recent posts on Bread Alive:
- Tummy Thumping - feeling the new baby thumping inside mommy's belly (6/12)
- Blooms #2 - some current snapshots from the garden (6/11)
- June 7. Ordinations. Clear Creek Monastery - some great photos
- What would you ask a married couple?
- Expanding the Arch Grounds into Illinois?
Seeing pictures like these make us even more proud to have, in the past, been supporters of Clear Creek Monastery. And makes us eager to get the next letter in the mail to give a bit more support. With our prayers for them, and hoping that perhaps you'll be so inclined to support them as well.
It's a big day today in the city just across the river (also known as the "Gateway to the West" and "Rome of the West.")
Archbishop-elect Robert J. Carlson today becomes Archbishop Carlson.
The St. Louis archdiocese has a ton of great info on their website, the St. Louis Review is covering the events minute by minute, Thomas Peters of American Papist is in town and covering the events, and those of us local can watch the installation Mass on local news stations at 2:00 Central (those not in the area can catch it on EWTN via cable or satellite. If you're out and about, you can follow the archdiocese on Twitter and subscribe to SMS updates to stay up-to-date on the happenings.
Archbishop-elect Robert J. Carlson today becomes Archbishop Carlson.
The St. Louis archdiocese has a ton of great info on their website, the St. Louis Review is covering the events minute by minute, Thomas Peters of American Papist is in town and covering the events, and those of us local can watch the installation Mass on local news stations at 2:00 Central (those not in the area can catch it on EWTN via cable or satellite. If you're out and about, you can follow the archdiocese on Twitter and subscribe to SMS updates to stay up-to-date on the happenings.
It wouldn't be the first of the month without the Pope's suggested prayer intentions for the month. And we have some good ones this month...
Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for June is: That international attention towards the poorer countries may give rise to more concrete help, in particular to relieve them of the crushing burden of foreign debt.
His missionary intention is: That the particular Churches operating in regions marked by violence may be sustained by the love and concrete closeness of all the Catholics in the world.
Today, from our parish church, Mr. George Yevin was carried to his final resting place. He passed away last week at 95. His life was celebrated and his soul prayed for at a funeral Mass... I was unable to attend due to my work schedule, but wish I could have.I met Mr. & Mrs. Yevin because of Suzanne's work as a minister of Communion to the homebound. Every few weeks, she is assigned a list of people who are shut in to their homes, usually elderly, to take Communion to them after Mass and visit with them.
One time last summer, she took them Communion when a water main had ruptured in Granite, leaving us under a boil order. Noting that they didn't have any water stored up, she made it a point that we picked up several gallon jugs of water and take them by their house before we left town for our family brunch. For good measure, we took them a couple coolers full of extra meat from barbecuing the night before and other assorted leftovers we thought they might enjoy.
Several months ago, she was with them and talking about our family, and they inquired whether I could come by later that afternoon to look at a few things around their house.
Mr. Yevin's eyesight had slowly gone, and he was nearly blind, and they simply needed a new under-cabinet tube light fixture installed in their kitchen to help them see - the old one had gone out.
And so I found myself, on a Sunday afternoon, helping the Yevins at their house and spending some wonderful time visiting with a wonderful couple. I came to learn that several mutual friends from church also stopped by and helped them from time to time.
In that afternoon, and in subsequent visits - they would call from time to time, designating me their official "on call maintenance man" - I learned the value and meaning of community. I saw the reality of Christian love and care and compassion played out in the stories of those in our church who had helped them on moments' notice when they needed things.
They also told me how Jerry Roderick - of Jerry's Cafeteria (for which I did a glowing Yelp review a few years back) saw to it that every week, one of his drivers would drop off a week's worth of food for them to enjoy. Yet another example of love and community.
And they had stories. Great stories. Mrs. Yevin was a home economics teacher at Granite City High School in an era when there was always a full-time "home economist" in every home. Mr. Yevin had served in the military - a World War II Army Air Corps veteran - and worked at the Nestle plant in Granite City as head of maintenance.
Sometimes I would feel a bit guilty leaving their house, looking at the clock, realizing how long I had sat and listened, amazed at their tales of times gone by, gazing at the oil on canvas paintings of their children, now grown professionals, looking just like children of today on their living room wall.
I admired how they chose to stay there in their home, growing old together, bravely facing the challenges that life alone at that age can bring.
From what I had heard - second or third hand - the last time some of the family members came into town in the last several weeks (none of the family lived here anymore), they decided it was time to put Mr. and Mrs. Yevin into a nursing home.
In fact, we only found out two Sundays ago when they were on Suzanne's list to take Communion to again. When she showed up and knocked at their door, there was no answer, and the woman across the street told her that they had just been moved into assisted living.
Suzanne and I talked about what a shame that was. Last weekend, when his name was announced at Mass in the prayers for those who had passed away, Suzanne wept. We talked - and smiled - about how he might not have been able to bear the nursing home after all of those years of Mrs. Yevin's good home cooking and Jerry's delivered to the door.
Later that day, sitting in my office. I wept. I remembered a good man that I had the fortune to meet and get to know a bit about. A man I will always remember, look up to, and assimilate into the kind of man I want to continue to grow into being.
This Friday, Mr. & Mrs. Yevin would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. If anything speaks volumes about the kind of man I want to be, it is this dedication to his covenant with his wife and God.
Thank goodness our Why Catholic? small group meets at the church. If we met in our house in San Diego, we could be in for some trouble.
A pastor and his wife in San Diego County, CA "were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold bible studies in their home."
The county claims that the small bible study (average attendance: 15) was in violation of county regulations and sent the couple a written warning that listed "unlawful use of land" and requested that they stop assembling or apply for a major use permit.
The couple is fighting it. They intend to dispute the county's orders this week and will consider a lawsuit in federal court if San Diego County refuses to allow the couple to continue gathering in their home without a permit.
Mrs. Jones explains: "There are thousands and thousands of bible studies that are held all across the country. What we're interested in is setting a precedent here -- before it goes any further -- and that we have it settled for the future."
I'm going to love this one! St. James, my taken/chosen (Confirmation) name and the middle name of my second son, is about to be celebrated in a year long feast!
Spain celebrates fourteen "Years of James" per century. Every time the feast of St. James falls on a Sunday, they kick off a year-long celebration.
That means another starts this year on July 25. Just a few weeks to go until my year-long fest. Rock on! Now to convince Suzanne that we need to go out for my choice of restaurant once a week for the next year...
Just ran across this in Google Reader... Kris Allen singing God of this City. I had never heard it before... craziness... but now I'm going to learn it for our ensemble's Music for MARTHA benefit concert this summer.
This Sunday the Church worldwide celebrates World Communications Day, the only worldwide celebration called for by the Second Vatican Council.
The Holy Father's message for World Communications Day is traditionally published in conjunction with the Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers (January 24), to allow bishops' conferences and diocesan offices sufficient time to prepare audiovisual and other materials for national and local celebrations.
The day is celebrated in most countries, on the recommendation of the bishops of the world, on the Sunday before Pentecost (yep, that's this Sunday.)
The announcement of the theme is made on September 29, the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, who has been designated as the patron of those who work in radio. This year's theme is "New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship."
At the end of this week's Wednesday General Audience, Pope Benedict made the following appeal - notably in English, not the typical Italian:
This coming Sunday, the Church celebrates World Communications Day. In my message this year, I am inviting all those who make use of the new technologies of communication, especially the young, to utilize them in a positive way and to realize the great potential of these means to build up bonds of friendship and solidarity that can contribute to a better world.
The new technologies have brought about fundamental shifts in the ways in which news and information are disseminated and in how people communicate and relate to each other. I wish to encourage all those who access cyberspace to be careful to maintain and promote a culture of respect, dialogue and authentic friendship where the values of truth, harmony and understanding can flourish.
Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world! Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of God's infinite love for all people, will resound in new ways across our increasingly technological world!
It's wonderful to hear the call to the young to "utilize [the new technologies of communication] in a positive way... and to bear witness to [our] faith through the digital world... to make the Gospel known... in new ways across our increasingly technological world."
