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Saturday, July 31, 2010

I'M BACK!

What a joy to be back, you can see it on my face!

Well, I'm back. I haven't had use of a computer since July 4th! I recommend quitting the computer and blogs cold turkey. It can be very healthy. But now it's back to reality. I had a great visit to London and Ireland. I'll blog on that later when I can post some pictures. A highlight of the visit was my visit to the Kilns, the home of C. S. Lewis. More on that later.

England is getting ready for the Pope's visit. I visited Westminster Cathedral, a beautiful Byzantine structure, but still unfinished. The pope's visit will not be without controversy. Pray for the pope as he enters hostile territory in September.

I noticed that the Vatican has a stricter dress code for visitors now. I'll blog on that later. What's wrong with Daisy Duke shorts, tank tops and flip flops anyway? And why are we discriminating against naturalists. Shouldn't they feel welcomed in God's house?

Well, it's the first Sunday of the month. On Sunday I'm celebrating the Ordinary Form of the Sung Mass at 12:10 PM and the Extraordinary Form of the High Mass at 2:00 PM, neither of which I have a homily prepared. I know the readings for the OF Mass but not for the EF Mass. So I have to go to work on my homilies now! More later on a whole host of topics dear to my heart.

Finally, I read a "progressive" liturgical blog that I enjoy greatly, but whose principle contributor just can't stand the fact that the Church has changed in the last three years with the more liberal allowance of the EF Mass. He just can't see that it is an enrichment of our liturgical life as Catholics and gives us options for celebrations of the Mass that expand what we can now do to honor the Lord and be nourished in the faith. It really is sad and narrow to be so opposed to this gift of faith. Don't be narrow minded! God bless you.

19 comments:

St Ann's Parish said...

Welcome back ! I'm sorry you missed out on afternoon tea in Banstead ! , we are a short distance from London....next time, and you would be most welcome.

Paul M. Young said...

Welcome back, Father! I've missed your blogging. :-)

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

Thanks Fr. Beatty and Paul. God bless you! Fr. AJM

Gene said...

Welcome back and God Bless You!
Now that you are back, maybe you can shed some light on Bishop Boland's participation in that Episcopalian ordination service for women. I saw it on Vortex. What gives...has everyone completely lost their mind?

-Brian said...

Welcome Home!

carl said...

It's nice to have you back, Father. Would it be ok for you to tell us the 'progressive' liturgical blog? I'm exclusively exposed to EF/rotr blogs that it might be good for me to hear the other side.

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

Carl, the blog is Praytell http://www.praytellblog.com/ They usually post some very good things and it is meant to be a liturgy blog. But sometimes the posts are on things that none of us have power over other than to accept, so there is a bit a whining to the point of neurosis about authority and its exercise in the Church. This is especially true of the new translation. I think they favor liturgical diversity except when it comes to the EF Mass and seem to care less about offering advise on how to help people participate in this form of the Mass and that's a pity for a liturgical blog! But I do like hearing other voices although the comments sometimes get nasty and those of the more traditional persuasion are usually the ones called on the carpet despite the negativity of so many of the more progressive elite. Fr. AJM

Sr Elizabeth said...

Good to have you back. Let the blog posts begin...as soon as the homilies are done!

Vianney1100 said...

I just found your blog through Fr. Z's blog after following your comments on Pray Tell. I have also been taken to task there for being slightly pointed and had one comment removed for being too pointed. Besides being completely biased in his handling of commenters, the author is a hypocrite in that his own comments are disrespectful of our Holy Father. I also find it extremely distasteful that he keeps using the abuse crisis as an excuse for his diatribes against Church authority. He didn't like my comment about cleaning up his own house (St. John's monastery) before pointing out how other houses are dirty. For an idea of what I am referring to take a gander at a local news story that will give you an idea of what is going on in his house.
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/investigators-saint-johns-monks-restricted-really-july-28-2010

Gene said...

Support for the EF has become symbolic of those who follow Pope Benedict's lead with regard to returning to a more traditional Catholic identity and to correcting (or eliminating) some of the excesses of those who interpreted Vat II as a leap into Protestantism and phony ecumenicism. I don't even dialogue with "progressives" anymore if I can avoid it. I am certainly not going to waste my time reading and listening to their drivel...priests or not. He who is not with us is against us.

:o) mg said...

Very glad to have you back blogging, as this is the only way I can feel like we are still in touch.
Unfortunately I know all too well the way some folks dig in their heels and do not want to hear about changes. sigh
Consider posting your homilies. Those of us in spiritual deserts would surely benefit.
ps- highlight of my week: got to hug Sr Bernadette's neck yesterday.

:o) mg said...

oh yeah, forgot to say that I am just finishing "Surprised by Joy" in honor of your trip.

Laura said...

Glad to have you back! Welcome home!

Seeker said...

Welcome back Fr. Mac. Fire away!

Tony_Lyons said...

Welcome back Father! I too missed your blogs.

Pater Ignotus said...

Pin- the ordination service for the new Episcopalian Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, for which Bishop Boland was present, was for Bishop Scott Benhase, a man.

Gene said...

So, what was he doing there, giving credence to the Episcopalian abominations? I think it was bad judgement...I'm just sayin'...

Pater Ignotus said...

Pin - If you want to know - REALLY want to know - why Bishop Boland attended the ordination of the Episcopalian Bishop of Georgia, ask him.

If you simply want to take potshots at your bishop - "giving credence to Episcopalian abominations" - don't ask him.

Gene said...

It wasn't really a potshot. A potshot would be like, "Oh, there's Ignotus again with another of his smug little chirps." I was merely disappointed, that's all. Of course, Vortex can be a bit over the top at times, too.