A DOUBLE STANDARD IN REPORTING?

There's a brief article from AP on the Georgia mega church (Baptist) pastor, Bishop Eddie Long who has been accused of sexual abuse by two men, now 20 and 21. They say they were abused when they were 17 and 18. You can read the brief story by pressing this sentence.

This morning as I exercised at the health club, watched CNN and prayed the Holy Rosary to myself (yes, I can multi-task)CNN did a segment on this developing story. The reporter went to great lengths to say that the men allege the abuse happened when they were 17 or 18, but that Georgia State Law says the age of sexual consent is 16! Have you ever heard a reporter declare what the age of sexual consent is in any state where a priest has been accused of similar crime?

More and more we are learning that when a person who has religious authority, such as a bishop, priest or minister,(Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Orthodox, Muslim, etc) abuses a child or a teenager by taking advantage of them sexually, that this type of abuse has even greater traumatic, psychological consequences for the one abused. One person characterizes this type of religious abuse as "slaying the soul!"

The age of consent issue raised by the CNN reporter does bring another dimension to these sordid scandals. I don't know if it is still true, but within my memory, meaning as a teenager, South Carolina State Law allowed 13 year old girls to marry (they also allowed 16 year olds to drive school buses well into the 1990's!). In fact when I was a teenager one of my supervisors at a fast food joint who at that time was in her late 40's told me she had married at 13 and had her first child at 13 years old. Her husband at the time was 21! Was that sexual abuse? She was pregnant before they married.

Oh, by the way, this pastor is a conservative black pastor opposed to gay marriage and many of the other hot button issues of the day. I wonder if there is any correlation? And shall we accord to him what is not accorded to Catholic priests with allegations of this sort: innocent until proven guilty?" Catholic priests are presumed guilty until proven innocent and even then the doubt lingers! Read about a Glenmary priest in my diocese who was cleared of allegations of sexual abuse in West Virgina. His story is hair raising on many levels, the least of which is how the media in general and SNAP in particular considered him guilty prior to any legal process and continue to make shrill statements after he was cleared. He has been reinstated in his parish in Claxton within our diocese. READ ABOUT HIM HERE.

THIS PRETTY MUCH SUMS IT UP!

Controversy and Schism in the Catholic Church

Throughout her history, the Church has always faced schisms, large and small. The two largest schisms were the Great Schism in 1054 between the east and west and the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The Great Schism preserved the Sacramental system of the separated Eastern Churches including their Sacrament of Holy Orders and thus the Order of Bishops. The Protestant Reformation dismantled the sacramental system of the various Protestant denominations. Most Protestant denominations only recognize Baptism and Holy Communion as sacraments. However, they have dismantled the traditional sacramental theology of Holy Orders held by the East and the West which has implications for the validity of their sacramental understanding of Holy Communion.

What possible schisms do Catholics have to avoid today? There are several and these come to us from the left and right, literally, politically and theologically.

As it concerns “far right wing Catholics” we have those groups that have gone into schism based upon their rejection of Vatican II’s theology especially as it concerns the Mass, the manner in which the other sacraments are celebrated, ecclesiology and ecumenism. There are groups that have been excommunicated from the Church, the most noteworthy group that was once headed by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. This group rejects Vatican II altogether although their exclusive embrace of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass symbolizes their schism. Pope Benedict lifted the excommunication of their bishops as an effort at internal reconciliation in the Church. Time will tell if this effort will prove fruitful.

As it concerns “far left-wing Catholics” we have those groups born of radical feminism who have actually “simulated” the celebration of the rite of ordination for various women. These individuals and groups who have done so have faced public excommunication. Their mock ordinations are completely invalid. Recently a priest in Arizona was automatically excommunicated for participating in one of these mock or simulated sacramental celebrations. These acts and the groups and individuals who participate in them are clearly schismatic.

In between, we all are buffeted by issues surrounding human sexuality based upon a secular and non Christian agenda. Many mainline Protestant denominations have already embraced parts of this agenda giving these movements supporters in the Christian world. The official teachings of the Catholic Church and the teachings of many Evangelical Protestants are at odds with the trends and fads of the day thus placing us on the fringe of current secular, sociological, political and psychological thought.

The most controversial issues of sexuality that potentially could lead some Catholics into schism or to join current Protestant denominations, such as the Episcopal Church, are issues surrounding artificial contraception, abortion, marriage, divorce, homosexuality, and women’s ordination and medical ethical issues.

Most of us have family members, friends and acquaintances who profess to be Catholic but nonetheless use artificial birth control, are pro-choice, live together outside of marriage, are divorced, are actively homosexual, advocate for women’s ordination and the redefining of marriage. Some of these Catholics believe that they can effect change in the Catholic Church on these issues. Others have joined schismatic groups practicing such change.

Someone was once asked where she stood on all these controversial issues. She responded, “I stand with the Pope, whoever the pope might be at any given time. Doing so keeps the Catholic Church together.” It should be of no irony that many Catholics now attack the pope, question his authority over the universal Church and carp at any perceived inaction as it concerns the discipline of the clergy in the area of sexual abuse. These groups would like nothing more than for a sitting pope to be deposed or to have his moral authority diminished in the eyes of the world in general and Catholics in particular.

Just study what happened to the Protestant Reformation. Initially it was a noble movement to reform some aberrant practices that had developed. But once these reformers rejected the leadership of the Pope and his God-given authority, it splintered and continues to splinter to this very day. A modern day example of this is the Episcopal Church which in so many ways resembles the Catholic Church, yet its liberalizing agenda for the last 35 years has caused it to splinter into further groups all because there is no one person, such as the pope, that can set boundaries.

The Pope and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church have the authority to declare what is in bounds and what is out of bounds. This authority has been handed onto to them by our Founder, Jesus Christ Himself. When we align ourselves with the pope, even though we might have our own differing opinions on orthodox Catholic teaching, we will always avoid schism. This means that we must humbly put aside our own opinions and inclinations and humbly accept the Pope and the Magisterium in the areas of faith and morals and even Church law.

Although it is a part of the “Deposit of Faith” that the Church cannot ordain women to the priesthood and thus an infallibly held belief, we could hypothesize that if the pope or the pope together with an ecumenical council decided that women could be ordained priests, to remain in union with the Church, those Catholics who personally oppose women’s ordination in humble faith would have to accept the Church’s authority in this area. Fidelity to the Holy Father and the Magisterium cuts both ways!

The above hypothesis will not happen but the converse has. Women’s ordination in the Catholic Church was ruled out definitively on May 22, 1994 (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis) by Pope John Paul II and he defined it in such a way that future popes or ecumenical councils could not reverse. Thus those who advocate for women priests and bishops in the Catholic Church must in humble faith place their personal desires or opinions aside.

What is the basis of schism? It is the basis of Adam and Eve’s original sin and all the actual sins that have been committed ever since. It is the sin of pride. This pride leads us to think that our way is better than what God has revealed to us through His Word in the Church’s Scripture, Tradition and Magisterium. Humble obedience to the Word of God in the areas of faith and morals is the antidote to the sin of pride. Let us humbly accept what our Church teaches in the areas of faith and morals as well as Church law even though accepting these will entail struggle and persevering prayer.

IS THE SECOND COMING NEAR?

The New York Times actually ran a very positive editorial on Pope Benedict on September 20th. It must mean that the Second Coming has arrived. Get thee to confession! You can read it BY PRESSING HERE for ROSS DOUTHAT'S EDITORIAL!

The editorial shows why so many in the liberal media and in liberal politics are opposed to Pope Benedict. He and his Church are the biggest stumbling block to the agenda to secularize the world through a godless new religion. These secularists are not opposed to religion that is private, quiet and non-influential in the area of politics, morals and ethics. Radical secularists want absolute control over setting policy and law. They'll do anything to neuter or discredit traditional religion, especially Catholicism.

We know what the secularists want to do. It's all about sex: artificial birth control, abortion, condoms, same sex marriage, and polygamy. But it is also about euthanasia, genetic engineering using aborted fetal tissue and it is about assisted suicide.

When the Catholic Church lobbies in a political way for our point of view and galvanizes the millions of Catholics in this country to vote according to a well formed Catholic conscience, this threatens the agenda of the on going secularization of our world. You can see why they hate us.

Pope Benedict gives us an example of how to face our critics and haters. It is the love of Christ and serenity in the face of yet another attempt in the 2000 year history of the Church to snuff out the message of Christ. In a calm but calculated manner the Holy Father faced the world in England and did not blink! That's the example His Holiness gives to us as Catholics!

EXCELLENT LINK FOR VIDEOS OF POPE BENEDICT'S PILGRIMAGE TO GREAT BRITAIN

Click this sentence to see marvelous video's of the Holy Father's Pilgrimage!

BACK FROM JACKSONVILLE AND RETREAT

St. Augustine Beach where I spent Thursday! Like Daytona Beach, you can drive your car for a price on the beach and park it there! It's quite nice. Although all I had to do was walk across a sand dune and I was there, that's how close the Condo was to the beach. I could live there! The surf was very rough due to the hurricanes out in the Atlantic, but the weather was great and only in the low 90's!

Condominiums and pool at St. Augustine Beach where I spent Thursday night! Just lovely and refreshing too!

The retreat was very, very refreshing and it was very refreshing not to post any blogs or to make any comments on any other blogs. I spent Thursday afternoon at the Condo of friends from Augusta who are visiting St. Augustine Beach. What a great spot, right on the ocean and a great condo pool as well. The weather was splendid as well. But now it's back to reality.

I did get glimpses of the Holy Father's visit to Great Britain. What courage it must take to do a pilgrimage such as this to hostile territory. God's grace supplies what is needed. Overall I think the English as well as the Anglicans did a wonderful job of welcoming the Holy Father.

I was watching the CBS Evening News on Friday. The only report on the Holy Father was mid way through the newscast. It was just a voice over report saying that six people had been arrested for suspicion of plotting against the Holy Father. Katy Courric then said briefly that as the pope entered Westminster Abby, he was greeted by a female priest of the Anglican Church, the first one he has ever met! Of all that happened yesterday as well as his remarks you would have thought CBS could do better, but they just can't.

DIOCESAN PRIEST RETREAT

I'm departing today (Monday) for our annual Diocesan Priests' retreat. It is held at the Marywood Retreat Center in Jacksonville, Florida. From Macon, that's about a five hour drive if not a bit more. Please pray for all of our priests who are traveling by automobile today and returning on Friday.

I won't have a computer at my beck and call so I won't be posting anything, unless of course I use one at the retreat center. But it is good to retreat from computers and blogs while on retreat. I recommend it highly.

Although I don't have my computer, my Blackberry allows me to post comments on my blog.

PRESS HERE FOR THE MARYWOOD RETREAT CENTER WEBSITE. IT SITS ON THE SAINT JOHN RIVER, WHICH I BELIEVE IS ONE OF ONLY TWO RIVERS IN THE WORLD THAT FLOWS NORTH! CAN YOU NAME THE OTHER?

VATICAN II: REFORM WITHIN CONTINUITY OR DISCONTINUITY WITH THE CHURCH'S PAST?

The bishops of the world at the altar of the Second Vatican Council during the Second Vatican Council!

Believe it or not, this is the Holy Mass of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated during the Second Vatican Council!

In February of 2009, America Magazine printed an article by Father Joseph Komonchak on Vatican II and Pope's Benedict's emphasis that the reform of Vatican II is "reform within continuity" rather than "discontinuity" with the Church prior to Vatican II. You can read this excellent article by pressing this entire paragraph.

My comments:

No one should be deceived by anyone. Vatican II did not change any dogmas of the Church or any doctrines that are a part of the Church's Ordinary Magisterium. This is a fact.

What Vatican II did do is to change in a major way the "theology" of expressing doctrine and dogma. The Council also recovered some aspects of theology that had been neglected in previous eras. It also changed the "hermeneutic" of how the Church was going to engage the world in general and those of other faiths or no faiths at all. There was a special outreach to the Easter Orthodox Churches and "Separated Christians" of the Protestants "communions" or denominations. This was in fact a new approach, but nothing new in terms of dogma or doctrine.

While Vatican I emphasized the role of the Magisterium in the Church, in particular the papacy, Vatican II also emphasized the role of the laity in the Church and the world. It did not change the doctrine of the hierarchical nature of the Church one iota. It simply taught that the laity are called to holiness. Their primary role is in the world, especially in their homes and in their secular endeavors. I would suggest that the vision or theology of Vatican II in this regard has not completely caught on with a good number of our Catholic politicians and others in the public arena, to be lamented for sure.

As for the Mass, the Council simply set forth some principles for the reform of the Tridentine Mass, but gave almost no specifics. "Noble simplicity" is often quoted, but there can be a wide range of opinions as to what this means. For example a "Low Mass" has a noble simplicity that a "Solemn High Mass" does not. Complicated concert music for the Mass has a complexity that the noble simplicity of Gregorian does not have. The Council called for active participation in the Liturgy. This was already being emphasized for most of the 20th century and certainly by the late 1950's it was taking hold in the Tridentine Mass. But active participation also means immersion into the spirituality of the Liturgy, not just mouthing words. A priest might not be totally engaged in what he is celebrating, although he's actively speaking for most of the Mass. There are spiritual and physical qualities that are necessary for active participation for the clergy and laity even when no sounds are being uttered.

So the theology that the Church employs certainly did change with Vatican II. Doctrine and dogmas did not change at all. Older teachings and doctrines that were neglected were recovered, especially the nature of the Church (ecclesiology) and a recovery of the fuller understanding and appreciation of the laity's call to holiness and active participation within the hierarchical nature of the Church.

Pope Benedict is not going backwards with his agenda of "Reform within Continuity." He is helping the Church to make a quantum leap forward in the correct interpretation of Vatican II. It is much appreciated and most needed today!

200th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHURCH OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA

Last night the Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Augusta celebrated its 200th anniversary. I found a disc of photos given me at my departure as pastor in 2004 and I share them with you. Archbishop Edwin O'Brien of Baltimore was the principle celebrant and homilist. He spoke of Most Holy Trinity's first pastor Fr. Brown as a renegade pastor who with the help of a cohort in Charleston tried to form an independent Catholic Church in Georgia and South Carolina. Trustee-ism was taking root in the new colony and was a threat to the authorities of the Church of this period. Most Holy Trinity was founded by Archbishop Carroll of Baltimore and a part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, then the newly created Charleston, SC diocese and then in 1850, the Diocese of Savannah. In no way did I attempt any sort of independent movement from the diocese or Rome in my time as pastor 1991-2004. What I did was small potatoes in comparison to Fr. Brown! Enjoy the photos



Most Holy Trinity in 1894

Two of Most Holy Trinity's finest ladies!

After Mass greetings (Polish visitors to Most Holy Trinity)

Some folks at Most Holy Trinity

Chilling out on the high seas!

Preaching at Mass in the home town of Joseph Stalin, Gori, Georgia (Mass in a home)

Preaching at Most Holy Trinity's sister parish in Tblisi, Republic of Georgia

Parish picnic at Most Holy Trinity

Christmas at Most Holy Trinity, we weren't always orthodox!

Senator Strom Thurmond attending a wedding at Most Holy Trinity

WILL IT HAPPEN OR WON'T IT?

It is amazing to me that a small town fundamentalist pastor with about 30 people in his congregation is making world news because he intended to burn Islam's holy book, the Qur'an. What he and his little tribe of people wanted to do is reprehensible. But I really wonder if he deserves all the publicity he has received and international notoriety. How did this happen? I guess it spread through the internet and thus worldwide.

Yesterday it appeared that a deal was reached where he would relent and not burn these books and thus insult all of Islam. But that deal seems to be crumbling and no telling what will happen tomorrow.

I have been pleased with the voices of reason within Christianity asking that this pastor not follow through on his plans to burn the books. Even the Rev. Pat Robinson seems to be on the side of reason on this one.

I haven't seen too much news coverage about the voices of reason in the Islamic world. If the pastor in Florida does do what he says he intended to do, will the leaders of Muslims ask for a reasoned response to this vile action? Will they ask for peace and calm? I hope the media does its job and reports what the voices of reason within the Islamic community are communicating to their people, because I haven't heard or read too much in this regard. It could be that the news media just simply has focused so much on a "crazy" pastor in Florida who has garnered world-wide attention that they have not had time to focus on the voices of reason within the Islamic community. We'll see what happens and hopefully hear from the voices of reason in the Islamic world. It's up to the news media to report it to us.

RCIA IS CONTINUING AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH!

Last week we began in a more formal way our Inquiry period of the RCIA. We have a very talented person who tapes the sessions and then places them on the internet. She sent me the links. I have two posted. One is an abbreviated session from last Thursday, our first night and another is a catechetical session some time in the last two or three years. I hate watching myself and my Italian mother is responsible for my hand motions! Yikes! I'm very grateful to Jerry Schmitt our RCIA coordinator and the hoards of people we have on our team. It is wonderful!


Of course when one sees oneself on video, one gets a dose of reality in terms of how others sees one, doesn't one? As for me, I see myself as I am, what I will look like in my glorified body in heaven, as I am now and yes the the Nile is not just a river in Egypt!

Absolutely no change in appearance from the mid 1980's until now; God is good!

THIS IS THE LAST STRAW; I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

What you are seeing is a stash of large "priest's" hosts that I had on the bottom shelf of a bookcase in my office. Yesterday, I noticed that there was an empty box in the plastic bag I had. I could have sworn that there were unconsecrated hosts in this box, tied in a smaller plastic bag. I didn't think anymore about it.

Then this morning, I noticed about five hosts protruding out from under the tiny opening of the book case as it sits on the floor. All of them had been munched on by our rectory rat, that elusive (explicative eliminated) rat that is haunting me and causing much psychological stress and trauma around here!

Well, I moved the bookcase away from against the wall and the rat had brought all of the hosts underneath the bookcase and was having a feast. He marked his food by putting his droppings all over them as you can see in the picture! It is truly disgusting and this bookcase is behind me as I sit at my desk in my office!

We have tried everything to get rid of this rat and he is so smart that he avoids everything that our professional has placed in the house to catch or kill him.

I know many have counseled against rat poison, but I'm at that point and it goes out tomorrow. We think it is only one rat out of five that remains. I kid you not about the stress that this causes, and that I sleep lightly thinking that the rat could come into my bedroom and I want to be awake when it does. I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy!

A BUDDING VOCATION STORY

A former parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church and now a parishioner of St. Patrick's in Kathleen, GA, Kay Duryea is a wonderful teenager who believes she has a calling from God for the religious life. She is now an aspirant for the Dominican Sisters of Mary, the Mother of the Eucharist. God bless you in your discernment!



From the Dominican Sisters website:

Hawkinsville, GA

“We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28). I have been discerning my religious vocation all of my life. What started out as a child’s play of a “Sister runs orphanage” with my siblings, eventually turned into a curious internet search for various religious orders by the age of twelve. I continued my inquiries with greater and greater interest, but when I turned fourteen, I made an effort to put the desire aside. I felt pressured by my peers. I pushed God away and forced myself to say that I was supposed to get married. I said that I wanted a husband, kids, and a house of my own, yet I still had a longing for something greater. Later that summer, I went to Mississippi to visit my Grandma and while I was at Mass, I looked across the church and I saw three sisters, in full habit, praying. My mom told me that I should go and talk to them, so after Mass I did. Talking to them again sparked my interest. When I got home, I started to seek out my vocation once more.

The following summer, I went back to Mississippi and went to the same church again. This time, I spoke with seven sisters. They were the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. As soon as I got home I looked at their website. It captured my attention. I got really excited when I saw that they allowed sixteen year olds to go on their retreats. The only problem was they were all the way in Michigan. I knew that my parents would be uncomfortable sending me on a plane, and it was definitely too far to drive. So, I pushed that idea out of my head and went back to wondering what God wanted me to do. I looked into all different kinds of occupations; nursing, the navy, and other medical careers. These things, however, did not fill my emptiness.

God is good! In November of 2009, Elizabeth Cavanaugh, a mom in our home school group, called the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and invited them to come and talk to our group. They agreed. Sr. Joshua Mary and Sr. Jude Andrew came down to Georgia. They were amazing! I was intrigued with the fact that they were young, energetic women that still wore the full habit. As I was leaving, Sr. Jude Andrew invited me to come to their retreat in February. I told my parents, and they both agreed that I should go.

When I arrived at the Motherhouse, the sisters were in Adoration. I prayed before the monstrance and I just knew immediately that I was home. Sr. Joseph Andrew agreed as well and gave me an application, despite being just shy of my seventeenth birthday. Since then, the time has flown, from finishing school at an accelerated rate, to getting physically and spiritually ready for my entrance on August 28th. It has been challenging, yet wonderful too, as I had the support of my family and friends. The people of my home parish of St. Patrick and our rector, Fr. Nicholas Mansell, have overwhelmed and humbled me by their support.

I thank God that the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist opened both their hearts and their doors for me. I know that with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Our Lady’s help, and the loving support of this community, I will be able to live out my vocation.

EMAIL OF A FIRST TIMER AT THE EF MASS!

From a first time, active participant EF Mass attender this past Sunday at 2:00 PM!

Wow! I have to admit I liked the EF High Mass! It felt awkward at some moments and I did get a little lost after the Credo...but eventually I got back.
I loved the singing of the Gospel, the silence and slow pace, the sound of the language.

I liked the homily. Do you always tie in the other readings?*
Lastly, receiving communion was intense. I could go for that always. It was very reverent and I felt vulnerable and submissive. Being fed and feeding oneself is very different. Moments like that helped me begin to understand the spirituality of the Mass.

These are my initial thoughts. I experienced it very deeply and found the role of the priest as guide and instrument more humble than I imagined.

I realize this is kind of selfish, but I would miss being the lector on occasion. I like proclaiming!

I think making the EF Mass available is good, but not all the time. I imagine you must be exhausted afterward; even if it is prayer and spiritually energizing it must take a lot of concentration and energy.

(*Editor's note: I don't have time to create two homilies when I celebrate the EF Mass which has a different lectionary than the OF Mass, but I was able to tie the Widow of Naim into my homily and then make reference to the Gospel reading of the OF Mass on which my homily was primarily based! Yes, I'm in favor of using the OF lectionary at the EF Mass for continuity sake and also the use of lay lectors! In this area, I think the OF could and should exert an influence on the EF Mass!)

THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE PRIEST AND THE CHOIR IN THE EXTRAORDINARY FORM HIGH MASS: IS IT NECESSARY?

One of the things that I felt unusual as I learned how to celebrate the EF High Mass is that in many places prior to Vatican II, the priest was required always to say all the parts of the Mass even though the choir was also singing them. For example, the Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, Creed, Offertory antiphon, Sanctus, Agnus Dei and Communion Antiphon were always said by the priest even though the choir was singing these also. If the choir parts were long, the priest would sit as well as the congregation while the choir completed their parts. But the priest had already said these! In the revival of the EF Mass, I find that some priests or congregations are still emulating this which I think truly does need reform. There is no reason why it must continue for the High Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

But there is a positive as well as the negative aspect to be considered. The positive aspect of this disconnect from the choir/congregation is that it emphasizes the role of the priest at Mass as precisely that "priest" or mediator between God and Man. Jesus is ultimately that Mediator or High Priest during the celebration of the Mass, the ordained priest only represents this realty in a sacramental way. So what the priest is doing even independent of the choir/congregation is important as it points to or reveals Jesus Christ who is the One Intercessor before our Heavenly Father. We cannot go directly to God the Father except through Jesus Christ! The sacramental priest standing between the laity and God the Father is a sign of Jesus' exclusive High Priesthood who represents us before God the Father.

The negative aspect is that it implies that the laity from whom the ordained priest is called, does not also have a priestly function during the celebration of the Mass, albeit priest and laity have different roles. The laity together with the clergy form the Body of Christ and His Bride. So for the priest to usurp the parts that the priest and laity have in common and use them exclusively as his own prayer seems to be a corruption of his function at the altar and a diminishment of the legitimate priestly function of the laity by virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation at any given Mass.

In fact the first revision of the Mass and its rubrics immediately following Vatican II in the 1965 missal instructs the priest to say or sing together with the congregation and or choir those parts of the Mass that belong to both clergy and laity. This was a most needed and important reform of the Tridentine Mass and there is no reason why it cannot continue with the 1962 missal although the rubrics are not explicit in it as in the 1965.

The only exception I would suggest would be to non-Gregorian chanted Mass which use Mass settings that are more choir or concert pieces. Of course, the use of this type of music would be very rare in any given parish except for some special occasion if the church choir could pull it off or a visiting choir wanted to perform a very difficult concert Mass. Then the priest could do as was commonly done and sit as the choir completed their lenghty pieces.

The other exception is for the Roman Canon after the Sanctus. I can see where it might be advantageous for the priest to say the Sanctus by himself and launch into the canon prior to the choir's completion of the Sanctus. The people in the EF Mass kneel at the Sanctus, not afterward. The canon is prayed silently, a symbolic way of entering the "holy of holies" like the Eastern Rites enter behind the Iconostasis of their sanctuaries. I'm not opposed to a silent canon if it is properly understood as a sign of reverence and the holiness of the Canon.

Your thoughts.

HOLLYWOOD DRAMA AND ACCURACY!

The movie clip below is exactly that--a movie. However, the producer and director were given permission to film an actual Mass for this part of the movie. The actor and actress, I am sure, filmed their part separately from the Mass and then it was edited into the Mass. It is well done for a movie's depiction of the normal Solemn High Mass of this period.

This clip of how the Solemn High Mass would have been celebrated as the normal form of the Mass in the 1940's captures what the clergy and laity's attitude and demeanor would have been during Mass. I can testify to that as an eyewitness. When I was a child in the late 1950's and early 1960's, I was fascinated by people's demeanor during Mass. Keep in mind back then parents did not bring their children to the altar railing when they received Holy Communion. We had to stay back in the pews. We thought we were grown-up if our parents left us alone while they went forward! So as they went, I was like a hawk watching them go and not losing sight of them. But I also watched everyone else as they went and returned to their pews.

What always fascinated me was the fact that people began to line up at the altar railing and in the aisle as the priest was receiving his Holy Communion or while the second Confiteor was being prayed prior to Holy Communion of the laity. As soon as the priest turned around to announce the "Ecce Agnus Dei" everyone in the aisle would fall to the hard floor kneeling on it and I mean everyone, even those for whom doing so was painful--it was a penance in their minds!

The other thing that sticks in my mind is how people looked when they returned from receiving Holy Communion. They would kneel and bury their faces in their hands for a long period of time. I would ask my dad why they were so sad looking and he would remind me that they're not sad but praying in thanksgiving for so great a Gift. Of course I took things literally back then and wondered what the "Gift" was since I didn't see any wrapping paper or bows strewn along the floor!

But any any rate, the first two minutes of this video does indeed capture the spirituality and devotion of the EF Mass. Did the reforms of Vatican II really intend to purge the Mass of this ethos, devotion and spirituality? Somehow I don't think the Council Fathers had in mind the more haughty and secular approach that so many people have today in our Churches and at Mass. We've lost something and Pope Benedict knows it. That's why he is allowing the EF Mass to be celebrated with very few restrictions. Viva il Papa!

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH E.F. HIGH MASS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH AT 2:00 PM, ST. JOSEPH CHURCH EXTRAORDINARY FORM LATIN HIGH MASS. DON'T MISS IT!




FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

INTROIT Ps. 85:1, 2-3
Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me. Save Your servant who trusts in You. Have pity on me, O Lord, for to You I call all the day.
Ps. 85:4. Gladden the soul of Your servant, for I have lifted up my soul to You, O Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Lord, let Your abiding mercy purify and defend the Church. Govern her always by Your care, for without Your assistance she cannot remain safe. Through our Lord . . .


EPISTLE Gal. 5:25-26; 6:1-10
Brethren: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be made desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, and if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens: and so you shall fulfill the law of Christ. For if any man think himself to be some thing, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every one prove his own work: and so he shall have glory in himself only and not in another. For every one shall bear his own burden. And let him that is instructed in the word communicate to him that instructeth him, in all good things. Be not deceived: God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit of the spirit shall reap life everlasting. And in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

GRADUAL Ps. 91:2-3
It is good to praise the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most high.
V. To proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth throughout the night.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 94:3
For the Lord is a great God, and a great king over all the earth. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 7:11-16
At that time, Jesus went into a city that is called Naim: and there went with him his disciples and a great multitude. And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother: and she was a widow. And a great multitude of the city was with her. Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved with mercy towards her, he said to her:"Weep not." And he came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it stood still. And he said: "Young man, I say to thee, arise." And he that was dead sat up and begun to speak. And he gave him to his mother. And there came a fear upon them all: and they glorified God saying: "A great prophet is risen up among us: and, God hath visited his people."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 39:2, 3, 4
I have waited and waited for the Lord, and He inclined toward me and heard my cry. And He out a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.

SECRET
O Lord, may Your Sacrament safeguard and defend us always against the attacks of the devil. through our Lord . . .


COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 6:52
The Bread that I will give is My flesh for the life of the world.

POSTCOMMUNION
Let the grace of your Heavenly gift rule our minds and bodies, O Lord, that we may overcome the unruly impulses of our nature. Through our Lord . . .

A GOOD HISTORY ON THE VERNACULAR IN THE LITURGY

At the end of his lengthy Adoremus Bulletin article on the new translation of the Mass, Father U. M. Lang writes the following:


From a historian’s perspective, it would seem obvious that the introduction of the vernacular, especially in the Liturgy of the Word, was a necessary step of liturgical reform.

However, I should also like to note that what the postconciliar development has gone far beyond the provisions of Sacrosanctum Concilium. Today we find ourselves in the situation that many Catholics can hardly sing the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin or pray the Pater noster together. It is ironic that this should be the case in an era characterized by globalization and unprecedented mobility. A common liturgical language provides a bond of unity between peoples and cultures. For that reason a relecture [re-reading, review] of the Conciliar documents is required according to the “hermeneutic of continuity”, which Pope Benedict XVI presented in his epochal discourse to the Roman Curia of 22 December 2005 and which he has since then put into practice in word and deed.

While every effort should be made to revive the unique spiritual and cultural heritage, which we have in the Latin liturgy, we must also work to develop a vernacular “sacred language” that is worthy of its name. The new English translation of the Missale Romanum of 2002 (2008) is a decisive step on this way. This new translation unlocks the treasury of the Latin liturgical tradition and priests should do everything they can to help the faithful entrusted to their pastoral care to become familiar with it and to appreciate its richness.

Adoremus good, but long article by Father U. M. Lang on the history of the vernacular in the liturgy and how the Church has now developed yet another translation of the English Mass is worth reading in its entirety. Read it by pressing this entire sentence!

ANOTHER VIEWPOINT ON THIS POPE'S TRIALS

This is from the Chiesa blog and is very good. You can read it by pressing these two sentences!

OUR 2010 STEWARDSHIP RENEWAL VIDEO!

Mr. Lovel Miguel is responsible for producing this video. He did the one for us last year also. We showed this at all of our Masses during the homily time this past Sunday. Parishioners have received our stewardship packet and are in the process of prayerfully filling out the "time, talent and treasure" portion of their commitment card. Thank you Lovel for this and God bless you and your family in your new life Houston, Texas!
2009 video:

Discipleship Through Stewardship 2009 from stjosephmacon on Vimeo.

2010 video

St Joseph Catholic Church Stewardship Video 2010 from stjosephmacon on Vimeo.

IRONIC COINCIDENCE

Pewsitter.com picked up Fr. Z's post of my post on the breaking of the large host which spews particles and crumbs all over the place. In fact, as I state on the post below on this one, I was amazed as I sat at my desk yesterday morning breaking these hosts which I had intended not to waste but use on Sunday for the laity. As I was breaking the large host over my lap with my black trousers, I was amazed at how much of the host became air borne in both large and small particles and traveled some distance. It really was amazing and shocking to me. I've decided not even to give the broken pieces as Holy Communion--all of the large hosts are properly disposed never be be used here again.

But on the pewsitter blog, where Fr. Z's post of my post is located, right below it is a picture of the Holy Father consecrating the very same type of large Host on a story of the Blessed Sacrament that was stolen from a Church in Austria! How odd! Most people really don't know how much spews off of these hosts when broken; I know I didn't.

UNINTENTIONAL SACRILEDGE OF THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST VIA LARGE CRUMBS!

Do you see the large fragment to the left of the large un-consecrated host--that's a crumb on my black trousers as I was breaking the large host! More about this below!

Another picture of crumbs or large fragments from large unconsecrated host I was breaking at the scored part of these hosts!


For the past 30 years I have used the large host in the photo above for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. But no more! I've become more conscious of the fact that when these are "broken" after the Consecration of the Mass, during the "Breaking of the Bread" that large fragments of the host fly all over the place, on clothes, corporal, floor and elsewhere.

I saw this happen this morning in my office as I sat at my desk chair with a Tupperware container. I was breaking the large breads and realized that against my black trousers and the florescent light, I could see large and small fragments flying everywhere! If I had filmed this in slow motion, it would look like these fragments would become like an aerosol spray or a sneeze from a person's mouth filmed in slow motion. One can't see this during Mass with the white altar cloth background and the lighting of the Church.

I have already made a decision no longer to use the large, whole wheat hosts because I would find large fragments on the corporal after the Breaking of the Bread. But I had no idea to what extent this was happening. On top of that, the broken hosts from the large one have a very jagged edge with large fragments easily falling as these are given to communicants.

I am not a scrupulous person, but I do believe what the Church teaches about transubstantiation and that every fragment of the host no matter how large or small is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Risen Lord. Accidents happen with small fragments and certainly our Risen Lord can take care of Himself. However, knowing now from what I have seen, I cannot in good conscience continue using these large hosts.

We are using the Cavanaugh hosts in white bleached wheat and the traditional smaller large host for the priest beginning this Sunday!

SINGING THE CREDO

Augusta's Church of the Most Holy Trinity Jardine Pipe Organ. It was built to be sent to Most Holy Trinity by the time of its consecration in 1863, but the northern blockade of the south prevented it from being shipped. It sat on the dock in New York until the Church could raise enough Federal dollars (not Confederate) to have it shipped to the church in 1868. The priest poet of the south, Father Abram Ryan who was the Associate Pastor of the Church of the Most Holy Trinity at the time, gave poetry recitals in Augusta to raise the Federal dollars needed to bring the organ down. It was completely and "historically" restored while I was pastor in the mid 1990's.In the 1980's an "Allen" electronic organ was placed in the choir loft, with its speakers in the Jardine case! YIKES! The now restored Jardine is a jewel of an instrument but somewhat difficult to play compared to today's modern pipe organs. READ MORE ABOUT IT BY PRESSING HERE!

Priest poet of the Confederacy, Father Abram Ryan, Associate Pastor of the Church of the Most Holy Trinity in 1868!


With a renewed emphasis on singing the Mass rather than singing at Mass, what about singing the Creed? What I love about our High Mass in the Extraordinary Form is that we sing everything, including the Credo. I've gotten pretty good at singing along with the schola and I hear many behind me in the congregation doing likewise.

However in the English Mass, we never sing the Creed. I take that back. When I was pastor of the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, the 9:30 AM "High English Mass" did feature the singing of the Creed and every Sunday!

Dr. Janet Hunt, our music director and organist, then a high Episcopalian, who through fate or God's providence led her to be the organist and music director of St. John major Seminary in Boston after I left, taught us to sing the Creed in a plain chant and on only one note. However, she would play the organ as we sang it this way, added all kinds of melodies and curly "Q's," etc. It was quite nice and quite easy. I suspect she brought this to her from her high Episcopal heritage. I don't know for sure.

She has since entered the full communion of the Catholic Church through her association with the seminary in Boston. She has a love for Gregorian Chant, but also would teach our choir at Most Holy Trinity to sing the responsorial psalm in Anglican Chant which I simply love. It's quite beautiful.

How many have experienced the Creed sung in English? What about doing it?

PRIESTS SINGING THEIR PARTS AT MASS AS WELL AS THE LAITY SINGING THEIRS! ARE WE DOING IT?

Saint Joseph's Ordinary Form Mass with everything sung, priest and congregation parts included!
St. Joseph's Easter Sunday Latin Sung High Mass in the Extraordinary Form. Every part of it was sung by the schola/congregation and by me the priest! And we did a darn good job at it!

Below is the formal presentation that Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth gave to the Southeastern Liturgical Music Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia, on the topic of "Towards the Future – Singing the Mass."

It took me about 20 years into my ordination, around 2000 to realize that the Mass I was celebrating was not the way the Mass, at least the Sung Mass, should be celebrated. Sure, all the congregational parts were sung and we had hymns for the procession, offertory, communion and recession. It was not until we began a Sung Latin Mass in the Ordinary Form, facing the congregation, at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Augusta, GA, that I realized that we were actually singing the Mass for the first time. Our organist and music director Dr. Janet Hunt, FAGO, formed a men's schola for this once a month Latin High Mass. It was sung in pure Gregorian Chant, including the Introit, offertory, and Communion antiphons. A Latin motet was sung at the offertory and another Latin motet at the Communion. I chanted all my parts, including the "Sign of the Cross, greetings, preface dialogue and preface and collects. I found the Gregorian Chant to be a marvelous experience of truly entering into the spiritual aspect of the Mass.

After I arrived in Macon in 2004, I missed the Latin Mass. Then in 2007 Pope Benedict allowed for the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. I charged our music director and organist, Ms. Nelda Chapman to form a men's schola to sing the Gregorian chant parts of this Mass. Once again, we're singing the Mass and I'm doing my part, but now with the EF Mass, I've learned the more archaic note delineation for the preface that is in the 1962 missal. We are singing the Mass, not just singing songs at the Mass.

Below, Msgr. Wadsworth said that in the typical pre-Vatican II parish, the Sung High Mass was not the norm but only celebrated for special events. Most Masses were low Masses, meaning none of the parts of the Mass were sung, but vernacular hymns only at the entrance, offertory, communion and recessional. This four hymn construct was carried over into the reformed Mass after Vatican II. However, I think that most parishes today sing the Mass, except for the official antiphons and the priest's parts. So I'm not sure I agree with him altogether.

I'm not sure I agree with him either that in pre-Vatican II parishes that only low Masses were offered. At least in the south, I think there was one high Mass every Sunday with choir that sang all the parts. I could be wrong and those of you out there who can remember please let me know. I know that as I child, my father took us to the 8:00 AM low Mass every Sunday. But I also remember that our parish, St. Joseph in Augusta, had a 10:00 AM High Mass every Sunday with choir, because I remember going to it occasionally.

Does anyone know what the practice was in their parish prior to Vatican II?

And what about singing the whole Mass, priest and congregation parts to include also the official introit, offertory, and Communion antiphon but with an English chant in the Ordinary Form? We do it here (minus the official introit and offertory) every Sunday at our 9:30 AM and 12:10 PM Masses. Fr. Justin and I sing our parts and all of them and I think somewhat well, without trying to be a braggart.
Towards the Future: Singing the Mass by Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth

MORE MUSINGS ON "THE ATTACK ON RATZINGER"

The Hermeneutic of Continuity Blog has this to say about comments concerning a new book on Pope Benedict's Papacy: (my take on it is below this)

Attacco a Ratzinger identifies three ingredients to the various PR crises that have faced Pope Benedict:

* The media taking particular quotations out of context and writing or broadcasting inflammatory copy
* Catholics (including priests and bishops) who are hostile to the Holy Father
* The weakness of the response of the media operation of the Holy See

In the case of Summorum Pontificum, Massimo Introvigne notes:

What is at stake, as the authors justly note [...] is not only the liturgy but the interpretation of the Ecumenical Council Vatican II. Those who oppose the motu proprio defend the hegemony of that interpretation of Vatican II, in terms of discontinuity and rupture with the whole of the preceding Tradition, which Benedict XVI has tried in many ways to correct and undermine.

Massimo Introvigne points out that the various secularist lobbies against Pope Benedict have enjoyed particular success because they have been able to enroll liberal progressive Catholics; as he explains:

Interviews with progressive Catholics allow the media to represent their secularist propaganda not as anti-Catholic, but as a support against the reactionary pope who wants to "abolish the council," who is challenging its alleged "spirit", since the text of the documents of the council is not even known by anti-Catholic journalists and is considered irrelevant by their "Adult Catholic" fellow travelers.

Both Massimo Introvigne and John Allen highlight the way in which Attacco a Ratzinger has placed a spotlight on the failure of those who should be assisting the Holy Father to respond adequately to the dramatic changes in communication of recent years. The development of the internet through a combination of social networking and handheld devices has reduced response times to minutes. The Holy Father himself seems to be more clued-up about this than many of his experts.

My comments:

For the past 2000 years, being a Catholic has been interesting. The governance of the Church has always intrigued the world. Today, however, because of the internet and instant communication, we have inside knowledge of the Church in a way that was not possible even ten years ago. The Book, Attacco a Ratzinger evidently hits the nail square on the head as it concerns Pope Benedict on three points:

#1 The liberal media and those in the world promoting a purely secularized world view hate this pope. Pope Benedict wants to "re-Christianize" Europe which has become the most secular of all continents. All of this has to do with sex: abortion, birth control, condoms, same sex marriage, women bishops, priests, deacons and shunting religion to the private sphere and out of the public and political square. To those who want all religion out of the world of politics, policy and law, the Catholic Church and perhaps Islam are the greatest threats. Catholicism with it moral power and Islam with its radical element of violence against those who oppose its ideologies. Thus you have the main stream liberal media bashing Pope Benedict every chance they get. The sex abuse crisis has given them what they think is the Church's Achilles heal and they have exploited it in a pit bull fashion.

#2 The progressive element of the Catholic Church, especially those in academia, hate Pope Benedict for what he did to them while he was the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He dared to called to accountability theologians promoting theologies at odds with Catholic doctrine. Oddly enough, these theologians, such as Kung and others, used their position as official theologians with a perceived Church authority, in a different characteristic of clericalism which comes in two forms, that of being a priest and an academic theoglogian, to lead people astray through theologies not approved by the Church or in fact opposed to the Tradition of the Church. Cardinal Ratzinger called them to accountability and exposed their abuses. There is a connection between this kind of priestly and academic "clericalism" and priests who use their status accorded them of power, respect and honor to abuse their parishioners. The unsuspecting put their trust in them because they are priests and the abusing priests take advantage of the carte blanche trust accorded to them in varying degrees of evil against children, teenagers and adults. In dissenting Catholic theologians, the abuse is much more academic and thrives in an atmosphere of little or no accountability. Cardinal Ratzinger turned the cart over on that clericalism as he has on sex abuse clericalism. Related to number one, the liberal media uses dissenting Catholics as pawns in their quest to neuter the Church in the public square and undermine her mission to evangelize the world.

Tied to this internal dissent in the Church is Pope Benedict's reform of the Church and understanding of Vatican II within the context of the hermeneutic of continuity within our tradition, not rupture from it. The pope's allowance of the more liberal celebration of the Mass as it was before it was reformed after Vatican II and the stricter control the Vatican has taken over the reform of the Mass reformed after Vatican II, such as new translations of the Roman Missal in English and other languages, has angered a significant element in the Church, mostly Catholics, both clergy and laity now aging in their 60's and older, those who spearheaded the dismantling of traditional Catholicism in the 1960's and 70's based upon the hermeneutic of discontinuity.

#3 Pope Benedict is not served well by those who serve him, especially high ranking cardinals and bishops but also the public relations office of the Vatican. Here, the administration of the Vatican seems out of touch with the internet, the instant nature of news today and assisting the Holy Father in using the new media to the Church's advantage especially during a crisis. In fact, there may be those in the administration of the Vatican who wish ill on Pope Benedict because of his mission to bring Vatican II and the Church's ongoing reform into the hermeneutic of continuity not rupture.

While the specifics of what I write in the three categories above are different, there really isn't much new under the sun as it concerns the Church or even Jesus Christ in his public ministry. There will always be hostility to the Church, to God, to Jesus Christ and even the "smoke of Satan" will filter into God's Holy Church. Why should the current pope be any different?

#1 Jesus had to contend with the world and Satan. The Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to liquidate Jesus because of His hermeneutic of truth, not too much different than the secularists of today.

#2. Jesus had to contend with those who followed Him, but misunderstood Him or found Him altogether too much for them. Some of the greatest opposition came from those who could not stomach Jesus' teaching on the nature of the Last Supper (the first Mass) and that in order to live eternally, one must eat and drink of the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ. There was dissent already amongst those who followed Jesus.

#3 Jesus was not well served by the very 12 men, His apostles, who were meant to support Him in is public ministry, his administration, so to speak. What was Jesus thinking when he chose fishermen who had little or no formal education, made Peter the head of the Apostles when he would eventually deny Jesus three times and selected Judas who would betray him and then commit suicide? I suspect if Jesus had to contend with the media as it is today, the media would have had a heyday with it all. On top of that, Jesus is so inept He gets crucified, dies and is buried. But we know the rest of the story, not only for Jesus, but for the Church and all of us who remain faithful despite the set backs. This is Pope Benedict's faith and hope also

Your thoughts?

STEWARDSHIP RENEWAL AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, MACON

This weekend we are showing during the homily time, our homemade video on stewardship. I will post it as soon as I can sometime this week. But enjoy last year's video. It is excellent and created by our parishioners, Lovell Miguel. He created this year's too and it is even better!

Discipleship Through Stewardship 2009 from stjosephmacon on Vimeo.

JUMPING JEHOSAPHAT, I MEAN RAT!

Well, this sad saga continues. Last night at about 11:00 my parochial vicar, Fr. Justin went to the kitchen to get a snack. He went into a walk-in pantry and was rooting about. After about a minute, he noticed something moving rather quickly on the third shelf, about five feet from the floor. He turned toward it, only to have one of our rats jump toward him to get to the floor and escape. He (the rat, not Fr. Justin) had opened a package of cereal or something and was storing some of it in the corner of this shelf. Fr. Justin threw a full bag of sugar at it, but it got away.

Never mind, that the night before I had put two small potato chips in the middle of the kitchen floor to see if the rat was still around and he ate them (the rat, not Fr. Justin, at least I don't think Fr. Justin ate them). So last night I put two potato chips in the same place, but on a sticky board for him to get stuck and die like a rat, (the rat, not Fr. Justin). But no, the rat does not take the bait! Traps galore, but he's too smart (the rat, not Fr. Justin).

We've named this rat "Ben" and if there is an accomplice, the other one "Sacrotees."

Fr. Justin now says he's afraid to go to the kitchen (Fr. Justin, not the rat). So am I! What to do; what to do????????

I don't think a cat will help with this, just a match!

ATTACK ON POPE BENEDICT, IS THE VATICAN ITS OWN WORST ENEMY?

National Catholic Reporter, John Allen, has a rather lengthy review of a book by two Italians on the various dramas of Pope Benedict's papacy. You might get angry at some of the stuff, but I'm afraid the Vatican is its own worst enemy in all of this. I've always thought that John Allen would make a good and credible Vatican spokesman, others would say it would be one more mistake in Pope Benedict's papacy.

The part of the article I like the most concerns Pope Benedict's controversial condom answer on his way to Africa and that condoms made the scourge of AIDS even worse. In a sense the book offers an good defense for the pope's remarks, if only the Holy Father had followed the advice.

FROM THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER AND JOHN ALLEN PRESS HERE TO READ!

THE HYMN: "GATHER US IN" IN LATIN!

How "Gather Us In" would look and sound in Latin:

"Gather Us In" is one of those trendy type of hymns we get every once in a while. Like "Be Not Afraid" it is very easy to sing, thus very popular. The Latin version is really cool. We'll sing it this Sunday this way!