Hitler Liked Progressive Liturgy

It's a fact.

"We Have a New Priestess"

So did an email in my inbox start off. Evidently, the infallible master's degrees of St. Bernard's have enabled yet another lady to become a "pastoral minister." Seriously, if a degree from St. Bernard's is your Imprimatur to start a Renaissance of unwanted reform, you have some issues.

You can see the bulletin and read the news for yourself here.

I can't wait till the installation Mass. Funny, I don't recall an installation Mass for any priests taking over parishes . . .

Then again, when a diocesan priest says, "We (priests) know that if one of us and 'Julie' get into a fight, the bishop will choose 'Julie.' So much for the priesthood being the greatest fraternal society in the world," you can't expect anything else from our unpleasant reality.

Pray for the bishop. Pray for the new administrator. They will both have to bear an unbelievable burden. It's somewhat vague what her duties may entail, but when a lay woman (yes, I know, redundant) gets involved with a relatively stable parish, little good can come of it. Of course, patterns may change, but look at the DoR track record.


(Folks, get your cameras ready. I can only pray that this "minister" will act with humility and liturgical correctness in her new assignment. It is possible, you know. Anyways, as I said, have your cameras ready.)

St. Andrew's on Portland Avenue -- Church Architecture

This video, using Rochester's Saint Andrew Church on Portland Avenue, gives a basic overview of church architecture. The video shows basic parts of a church (in cruciform style). It describes what an apse, transepts, nave, clerestory are. This parish had Msgr. George Eckl as its pastor. He died at 100 (he was pastor emeritus then). The special effects in the video can be distracting.

Welcome to Blogdom

Well, it looks as if yet another Rochester seminarian has joined the blogging community. Peter Mottola has created a very well-written blog at http://declinapaulisper.blogspot.com/. I highly suggest that you give it a read and become a subscriber. These young people need all the help they can get.

"We three bloggers come from afar, bearing words more radiant than stars."

Weak metaphor. I know. Deal with it.

Solution: 16 hidden Bible book names

The letters in bold reveal the solution to the paragraph with 16 Bible book names hidden in it.

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible (merely by a fluke). It kept people looking so hard for the facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the name of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now. There really are sixteen names of books in this story.

"Gimme two to go."

Thus were the words of a man who presented a pyx to a priest this morning.

The priest's words: "We need to talk after Mass."

It was a great inspiration to see a priest willing to say "no" to a lay person. So many of the problems we encounter today stem from the weakened role of the priest in our "worship communities," which stems, in turn, from an unwillingness to exert traditional influence.

Note, the laity didn't feel "oppressed" by the Mass until liberal liturgists, and I'm being generous, calling them "liturgists," said to the laity, "You see, the priest has turned his back on you."

Um, no. The priest faces God, not the people whom he has made. In the courts of Europe, one used to face the king or queen, even when leaving a room. Therefore, the person had to back up, still in a bowing posture, until the king or queen was out of sight. You don't talk to a subject of the crown when the monarch himself is in the room. And who can deny that Our Lord is the chiefest monarch? A friend told me recently, "the devil came up with some very creative lines that weakened the 'ad orientem Church.' And our liturgists were often his mouthpieces." How true this is.

A little brain teaser

Can you find sixteen (16) books of the Bible in this paragraph?

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible (merely by a fluke). It kept people looking so hard for the facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the name of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now. There really are sixteen names of books in this story.

Sunday Organ Recessional

Some of you go to churches with little or no architectural pizazz, and most often these churches don't have really good organs. So I thought you would enjoy looking at magnificent architecture and some top-notch organ music on Sunday. The piece is the Grand Choeur Dialogue by Eugene Gigout. This piece was the processional played at Archbishop Dolan's installation in St. Patricks in NYC. The cathedral in the video is in Cologne, Germany.

The Beautiful Past

Thanks to Choir Loft for providing these beautiful photos.

Our Lady of Victory

I know many people who read this blog attend Our Lady of Victory. Here are a few pictures from yesteryear. The rectory seems to have more lawn today than then. Who ever does the gardening at OLV has done a really beautiful job. The garden is easy on the eyes. The picture that shows St. Joseph's Church is looking east from Our Lady of Victory. It must have been a somewhat residential area back when.

Still Looking For Musical Recruits

I was thinking that after the glorious organ music of Widor, some people might be emboldened to volunteer for a "Cleansing Fire Musical production." No, it's not "Pope Joan: The Musical." The name and content will only be revealed when the recording is done.

Really, I need volunteers for this venture. I only have 1 volunteer at present. My goal is for four+. You wouldn't want to let me down, now, would you? I'd be so hurt.

Here is a hint for the finished piece(s): The hills are alive.

You gotta keep your eyes closed for this one and pretend it's a Catholic Church.

You have to overlook a few things in this video. One it is from St. Paul's Cathedral in London. It's an Anglican cathedral, neo-Classical design by Sir Christopher Wren, but no matter how beautiful it looks (and it does) it still lack the true presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. That's why my Dad a convert to Catholicism referred to the Anglican/Episcopalian Church as the "Church of the Real Absence".

We also have to overlook the Royal Family and pretend something way more Catholic coming down the central nave. Also, in the music, there is the "Vivat Regina" part, which we could probably ignore too.

Nobody can do ceremony like the British. Absolutely NO one.

New Processional Hymn

This would be the best song to use for liturgical dancing. It even has religious words and themes in it They have words like "judgment day", "Lord", "hallelujah", "Promised Land", they even sing about "washing sins away". Just imagine Thomas Warfield standing in for Judy Garland and we could get some ushers or usherettes to fill in as dancers. on the other hand, instead of Warfield, would get have Sister Joan and the dancers could be some priests of the diocese that like her. Too bad Jerome Robbins has died, he could have choreographed it for the diocese.

Seriously this would get everybody in a happy mood and the celebration would get kicked-off with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. The possibilities are endless of where this could go. We could send liturgy into another galaxy of stars.

School Sisters of Notre Dame

The School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND)have been in the Rochester diocese for over 150 years. Actually their incorporated name is the "Poor School Sisters of Notre Dame" but years ago they dropped the "Poor" because it was thought their teaching might have been worth somewhat less because of the word "Poor". Official documents still use the "Poor".

In 1833, Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger founded the order.

Mother Theresa Gerhardinger brought five School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) from Bavaria to America in 1847 to educate German immigrant children.

The SSNDs originally taught only in parishes with German congregation. In Rochester that would have been Holy Redeemer, Holy Family, St. Michael's, St. Joseph's, St. Boniface, SS Peter and Paul (my church as a boy. I was taught by SSNDs), Holy Ghost in Coldwater and Sacred Heart in Perkinsville (this was a short lived assignment).

They were absolutely the best teachers. Each day, school began with Mass
at 8 a.m. Then after walking (single-file) over to school we hung our coats up in the "cloak room", we began our daily studies with one hour of religion. They knew it was their mission to get souls to heaven. I was lucky because I was an altar boy so I got a chance to serve funeral (Requiem) Masses every so often.

In later years, they opened Bishop Kearney High School and went to both St. Margaret Mary's and St. Philip Neri to teach grade school. Today I think there is one nun left at Bishop Kearney and some tutor at the Notre Dame Learning Center on the west-side of Rochester. There are a few in parishes within the Rochester area.

Until about 1957, all the Rochester SSNDs were under the Balitmore Province. In 1957, the order had grown so large that the powers-to-be decided to split the province in two. Baltimore would still be its own province and the new province would be in Wilton, Ct. The nuns were given the option to stay with Baltimore or join Wilton. The new motherhouse opened in the very early 60s, right before the Second Vatican Council.

They wore a very traditional habit until 1963 when they went to a modified habit, which isn't bad considering how few nuns (except the newer orders) wear habits. Today they are very, very left of center.

I'm sure there were some nuns who were too strict. That happens and it's wrong. But all the nuns I had were just fine, holy and devoted woman. I never had a problem with them, then again I wasn't a trouble maker (I just asked too many questions). That was brought up to my parents when the nuns had a twice a year open house for the parents. "Your son is very inquisitive and asks many good questions. Does he do this at home?", asked Sister Meinulpha. "Oh, yes", my parents replied in unison.

Guess which nun that is standing in the photo above is going to be principal this year? Rich Leonardi from Ten Reasons wrote an excellent story that mention the SSND when Rich's Dad went to Saint Peter and Paul's. It's on Catholic Exchange. If I knew how to put a link in here, I would have. Sorry. The nuns didn't teach me anything about computers or links. hahaha

Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa, OK. --Catholic Eye Candy

The other day the Catholic wires had a story about Bishop James Slattery of Tulsa Oklahoma. He will be saying the Mass "ad orientum" at the Cathedral. This cathedral has undergone a very through restoration (not wreckovation) like our Sacred Heart Cathedral. Look what a coat of paint can do, properly apply and the right color scheme. The colors and interior design are from the Augustus Welby Pugin style.

Organ Recessional after the Tridentine Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday - 2009

Rochester's original Cathedral -Saint Patrick's --NEW PICTURES

This was Rochester's first cathedral. It was at the corner of Frank Street (now called North Plymouth Avenue) and Platt Street. It was sold to Kodak in September of 1937. The other picture is of the Cathedral in ruins. The Cathedral sat about 1,200 and the Lady Chapel about 700. The Cathedral was only used on Sundays and major feasts. The Lady Chapel was used for day-to-day services.
The main altar in the Cathedral found a home at St. Francis Xavier on Bay Street.

"Sanctus" For Bishop

I like the idea.

I've designed a t-shirt for this new initiative. I hope you derive some pleasure from it.



make custom gifts at Zazzle

Holy Redeemer Church

The story of Holy Redeemer Church on Hudson Avenue begins in 1861. The parishioners of St. Joseph's Church organized an orphan asylum to support the congregation's orphans.

A large parcel of land was purchased along Hudson Avenue for the orphanage, but because of conflicting diocesan laws, it was decided to erect a church-school building on the land.

The first church structure was dedicated in 1867. The present church, at the northeast corner of Hudson and Clifford Avenues was dedicated in October of 1877.

Oscar Knebel, a native of West Germany, designed Holy Redeemer in the Italian Lombard style, but with an unusual addition of a pair of Bavarian, onion-domed towers, very characteristic of the Austrian Tyrol area and Switzerland. The tower is 196 feet high.

The sumptuous stained glass windows, depicting saints and other religious events, were made in the Franz Meyer studio in Munich, Germany.

The last church organ, installed in 1947,was in the residence of the late Andrew W. Mellon, a longtime Secretary of the Treasury.

The founding priest was Rev. Fidelis Oberholzer. He served for 33 years until 1902.

One of the assistant priest, Father Francis Xavier Kunz, founded the Order of Martha in 1911. This was not an order of nuns, but of housewives. They met once a week to sew for the young priests who were doing missionary work in the sparsely settled regions of the West and Southwest. These priests had no means of purchasing the necessary altar linens and vestments required for the celebration of Mass. So, the Order of Martha worked diligently to make, in their first year, 456 piece of altar linens. In addition to sewing, they raised money by having small card parties and social events held at the members' homes.

In July of 1922, Father Kunz was transferred to St. Francis Xavier Church on Bay Street, where he was named pastor. The Order of Martha followed him. Father Kunz died in May of 1936. While the Order of Martha keenly felt the loss of their organizer and spiritual director, they resolved to carry on for his sake. With this in mind, their crowning achievement was realized in late 1937 with the dedication of St. Francis Xavier Church in Eden, Montana. This church was built and completely furnished through the contributions and work of the local Order of Martha as a fitting memorial to Father Francis Xavier Kunz, their founder.

Musings From "Sanctus"

Here's your latest dose of "Sanctus."

"When they changed the way the altars were, so they weren't facing the right way, people just lost their minds."
"I went to Mass yesterday, and she (yes, you know who) was there. And she was wearing these skimpy little shorts! Okay, fine, you can stop the habits, but shorts? And at Mass? This is worse than when Frank showed up to Mass wearing a t-shirt with a bathing beauty on it. I saw him come into church with that thing on and I said, 'What the hell do you think you're doing, Frank?' He looked down at the gal on his shirt and said, 'enjoying myself.' Well, father saw the shirt and nearly refused him communion. Oh, and Frank's daughter was so embarrassed. I mean, really, if there's a choice between cartooned perfection on a t-shirt and elderly flab up close and personal, I'll take the shirt."
"I really liked the Latin. It's something that the Protestant churches just don't get. It was so majestic."
"That Sr. Barbara (Ms. Barbara Swiecki) always plays around with the Mass. She gets all the kids in a circle and has a talk. Geeze, you'd think the priest would smack her for that."
"When I worked at Kodak, I used to tell the guys, 'Don't talk about religion. You can have your opinions, but keep 'em to yourselves. I'm Catholic. That ain't changing.' So then they just shut up real quick. I guess they knew I had 'em licked."
"This Asian pastor and his wife live next to me, and they tried to convert me when they moved in. Well, they could have gotten a lot farther if they didn't have chickens and hens running around their property. For cripe's sake, that's not too sanitary. I don't know what they are (denomination) but they're just out-there. I told them, 'I'm Catholic. I like my Church. Keep yours to yourself.' Well, they just gave up. Guess they didn't like that I didn't convert."