Religion: November 2003 Archives

Suprise!

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Someone at the Boston Globe actually gets something right!
Link via Summa Mammas

Racism

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This is not a topic I am fond of discussing. My #5 child used to joke (through the pain) that her 6th grade public school classmates thought she was stupid because she didn't speak Spanish. We lived in los barrios because that was where we could afford to buy a house large enough for out family - and I think it was a learning experience for the children to realize that being 'white' (we are actually a typical mixture at least on my side) did not mean being at the top of the racism pile. Anyhow, there have been many interesting posts over at the Sleepy Mommies, but I want to draw your attention to this long post by M'Lynn. I will close by posting the right words to the Tom Lehrer lyrics that I started to type in her comments boxes.

worth reading

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The whys of NFP. You may need to scroll down to the November 13 entry.

Credo

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This is the first in what I hope will be an occasional series of my personal musings on one of my favorite prayers of the Church, the Nicene Creed. Comments and questions welcome.
As a child, I remember reciting this creed at least weekly during the Holy Communion services at my Anglican parishes (All Saint's in San Diego CA, and Holy Nativity in Los Angeles CA). At the age of 7, I asked my grandmother why we spoke about the 'Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic church" when we weren't Catholic. She told me that were WERE catholic (with a small 'c') since the word means universal or wide ranging, but that we were not Roman catholic. I didn't find the answer particularly satisfying even then, but it was clear that she was not interested in explaining it further to an impertinent second grader.
What I plan to do with this series is to take the words of the creed in Latin, and ramble on about what they mean, and what they mean to me. I will start at the beginning, with the word from which the term creed comes, 'credo'.

missed opportunity

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Three weeks ago, I learned that the Called and Gifted workshop was coming to Concord NH, where I live. This workshop has gotten rave reviews from many in St. Blog's. I really would have liked to be able to attend. However - my work schedule is set considerably more in advance than 3 weeks! Usually it is more like 3 months, although I can sometimes tweak things with a little less notice. Since I was already booked to work today (11/15) I couldn't exactly sign up for the workshop scheduled for 11/14 and 11/15. I am so bummed. What made it even worse was an email I got yesterday AM from Richard Chonak of Catholic Light and St. Blog's.org to say that he would be up in Concord for the workshop and would I be there? I am so, so bummed.
Last night, our local cursillo group had its monthly ultreya meeting - only 1/3 of our regulars were there, the majority of the rest were off at the C&G workshop.
I think I need some Theology on Tap. Or maybe just the tap.

Who is your 'crew'?

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Ask the Summa Mammas.
My crew?
St. Mary Magdalene (my confirmation patron)
Blessed Father Damien (of Molokai)
Blessed Gianna Molina
St. Gerard Majella
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Addendum - how could I forget? Catherine of Siena!

Catholic Quiz!

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faith
Virtuous: Your answers show that you have
the virtue of faithfulness and steadfastness.


Virtuous or Vicious?
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Link via Flos Carmeli

Is it Catholic?

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I have seen references around the blogosphere to the Alpha course. Bill Cork has a nice little article: "Is the Alpha Course Catholic? That is a question I too have wondered. What triggered my musings on this topic was that, today, I saw a poster for the Alpha course on the door of a local Anglican church. St. Paul's Episcopal in Concord NH, to be specific.
I was raised Anglican. I am sorely grieved over what has befallen my ex-church. I know that it is only to be expected when a barque sails without a captain, still, I am saddened.
Anyhow, on Alpha - I went to their web page to see just what they have to say for themselves. I think they are a genuine attempt to reach out with what C.S. Lewis called "mere christianity". It might make a starting point for some one who is totally clueless about God and Christ - but there seem to be so many errors and omissions that I could not in conscience recommend the course.
As an alternative to a Catholic who is looking for an enrichment and more information on living and practing the faith, may I humbly suggest Cursillo? It is a short course in Christianity that includes all 7 Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the authority that comes with 2000 plus years of real christianity.
There is nothing "mere" about the real thing!

charity and niceness

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Over at Scattershot Direct. Worth reading.

Inclusive Language

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Has been a topic around the parish today. Over at the Sleepy Mommies Peony has this to day:
My personal perspective as a woman, a reader, a mother, and a Christian, is that I hate inclusive language.
Mr. Riddle posts The only question I keep bringing to the fore is "Why are we so afraid of God the Father, of Him who is?" Why do some feel the need to geld God in the name of inclusion.
Both these posts refer back to a post by Mr. Steven Bogner, in which he invites intelligent comment.
I blogged on this in my first few days of blogging - going back to re-read
what I wrote then I don't have too much to add - other than to say that I despise the Bowdlerization of the English language.
At choir rehearsal Monday night, I nearly choked when I realized that "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" had been edited to "Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring". They DON'T mean the same thing, and the PC version is NOT an accurate translation of the German!

NFP only doc in Dallas

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Keeping the faith - a great story!

tis the season

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Your Marching Orders to honor the proper liturgical season. It is still Ordinary time, followed soon by Advent and THEN Christmas.
I was astounded yesterday to hear that one of my colleagues has already completed her Christmas shopping. I don't even start for a few more weeks! There are 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany in which to exchange boxes with each other - what is the rush? Don't we have Thanksgiving and St Nicholas day in there somewhere?

Sacramental Marrriage

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Mr. Culbreath gives cogent advice in the form of a REALITY CHECK.
One thing I find wonderful about St.Blogs are all the men who truly love women - men who are not ashamed to be in love with their wives, who adore their daughters, who minister as priests to all God's children, male and female. And this love is not a wimpy infatuation that fades when age withers or physical beauty fades away, but love enduring even unto death.
I thank God that He found me a husband like these men - not that is has been easy, no way! But God did not promise us a life of ease, nor even happiness. He promised that he would provide us with the graces we need to get through each day, and that we will find joy in the end.

please pray

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for Crystal

The Globe does it again

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The cover story to today's Globe magazine, The Crusaders contains, among other verbiage, the telling quote, "In a sense, every Catholic builds his own cafeteria now."
The article is worth reading, if only to know what we are up against. Also, there are some good pictures. (The print edition also had a picture from the Bishop's meeting - it includes blogger Carol McKinley. But don't buy it just for the pix - get it out of the trash at Starbucks!)
I find it interesting that the writer found it necessary to pit Fr. McCloskey against Deal Hudson (both men I admire, BTW).
I do suggest that the strong of stomach read this, and prepare your letters to the editor.

Kelly does it again. If I ever make it down to Boston (beyond the airport, that is) she is someone I would love to meet.

All Saint's Day

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Mr. Riddle posts an All Saints hymn.
One of my favorite hymns is For All the Saints, sung to Ralph Vaughn William's tune Sine Nomine. I especially like the fact that it comes in on the second beat of the measure, after a wonderful intro that is best done on a full-throated pipe organ. I want that song sung at my funeral (unless of course I die during Lent - the alleluias!) and I want all the verses (eleven?) sung with vigor and feeling. Too many parishes relegate this hymn to All Saints day in leap years ending with a zero - and then they do it poorly, coming in too early or omitting the foot pedal on the organ (which, I do admit, can be done decently as octaves on the piano).
My grandmother taught First Grade at All Saint's Episcopal day school in San Diego for more than 30 years. I attended that school for second grade, I sent my oldest daughter there for 4th grade. I first learned to read music and sing in parts in All Saints' choir.
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Happy All Saints' day.

Which saint would you be?

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Bonaventure
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About this Archive

This page is a archive of entries in the Religion category from November 2003.

Religion: October 2003 is the previous archive.

Religion: December 2003 is the next archive.

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