Musical Finds on YouTube

This Sister looks very happy and content at what she is doing. It's also a pretty good rendition of Widor's 5th Symphony Toccata.



This fellow is a rather talented musician living in Canada.

Priestly Role-Models

The following comes from Pope Benedict, regarding April's World Day of Prayer for Vocations. My comments are in red and italics.

“The fruitfulness of our efforts to promote vocations depends primarily on God’s free action, yet, as pastoral experience confirms, it is also helped by the quality and depth of the personal and communal witness of those who have already answered the Lord’s call to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life, for their witness is then able to awaken in others a desire to respond generously to Christ’s call.” *(The validity of this statement is undeniably true. Simply look around at all the various parishes in the diocese. Vocations are coming from those churches where there is a priest in charge, and where his role is unique and set apart from lay ministry. The young people perceive it to be "something special.")
… “[I]f young people see priests who appear distant and sad, they will hardly feel encouraged to follow their example. They will remain hesitant if they are led to think that this is the life of a priest. Instead, they need to see the example of a communion of life which can reveal to them the beauty of being a priest.” (How can the youth of Rochester learn from priests' examples when many scoff at Tradition, wear casual clothes, not clericals, and act more as a "friend" rather than a "father?" What a massive difference between going up to the doors of various rectories in Rochester. When I went to a certain church downtown, I was greeted warmly by a priest in a house cassock. However, in a different area of the city, I was greeted by a priest (a very holy priest, mind you) who was wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. Which encounter do you think spoke more to me? I can only imagine the impact such things would have on a youth.)
“It can be said that priestly vocations are born of contact with priests, as a sort of precious legacy handed down by word, example and a whole way of life.”
… “Every priest, every consecrated person, faithful to his or her vocation, radiates the joy of serving Christ and draws all Christians to respond to the universal call to holiness. (How can our young people see joy in our priests if the priests are pushed aside in sanctuaries, at the word of the bishop, to make way for lay ministry? What possible joy can there be in that?) Consequently, in order to foster vocations to the ministerial priesthood and the consecrated life, and to be more effective in promoting the discernment of vocations, we cannot do without the example of those who have already said “yes” to God and to his plan for the life of each individual. Personal witness, in the form of concrete existential choices, will encourage young people for their part to make demanding decisions affecting their future.” (If priests are truly "in persona Christi," they should not be afraid to act with that authority. Priests have authority - and it's an authority that can trump any lay administrator. Dear priests, stand up for yourselves. Do not be shackled by the emasculated culture in Rochester.) (VIS)

St. John Vianney, pray for us.

God bless Pope Benedict. 

It May be Mardi Gras . . .

 . . . but that's no reason to act like a debauched pig.

If I get word of just one Mardi Gras theme Mass, with super-soaker or not, I will declare a Crusade.

Try me. I dare you.

Can you name the person at :35 in this video?

Excerpt from SACRED, BEAUTIFUL, & UNIVERSAL from Corpus Christi Watershed on Vimeo.

He is the altar server holding the paten.

Loose Lips Sink Ships

 was browsing some propaganda posters from the Second World War - you would be amazed at the themes that they expressed and the metaphors which we can draw from them. If some of the subject matter regarding this conflict (i.e. stereotypes etc . . . ) bothers you, please don't feel obligated to make your disdain known.

 

In the world today, the boot of Nazism has been replaced by the sandal of liberalism. 

 

The words could easily read,  

"Don't let the shadow of heresy touch them. Say your rosary." 

Of course, the shadow could represent a multitude of things for us: liberalism, relativism, heterodoxy, liturgical abuse.

 I think we all know who's watching us.

 

Instead of our towns being ravaged by falling bombs or artillery bombardment, our towns are ravaged by church closings and "shifting demographics." The poster could easily say, 

"It can happen here . . . unless we keep 'em going through seminary. Pray for vocations."

 

This is the enemy. Although, now instead of Nazi's plundering sacred scripture and holy Tradition, we have our own doing it for us. Please pray for our priests, bishops, nuns, monks, cardinals, and lay people, that they stop assailing Holy Truth for their own political agendas.

 

 

Loose lips sink ships, yes. Sort of similar to how loose lips give the orthodox the true picture of what's going in the diocese, a metaphorical sinking ship if I ever saw one. Rumors are detriments to our efforts, but facts - oh, facts can bring about great things. 

FYI - High Mass - Venite Adoremus

There will another High Mass at St. Stanislaus Church this Sunday at 1:30.

It's free and open to the public; however, receiving Holy Communion is restricted to practicing Catholics in the state of grace. Never a bad seat in the "Domus Dei". Accomplished choir and schola too. Vocal music is Renaissance and Gregorian chant. Incense galore. Solemnity. Majesty and grandeur all available at no charge. The only official approved Tridentine Mass in the Rochester diocese. German stained-glass windows. Wood altar rail with padded kneelers. Comfortable temperature. Where else will you see Roman-styled vestments in use in the DoR.

Families and all children welcomed. Restrooms available. A rather large narthex. Handicapped elevator. Security onsite. On-street and off-street parking. Latin-English missals provided. A very well stocked Catholic book table. You won't find "Forward in Hope" at this table folks.

Due to the start of Lent, the organ music will be cutback in keeping with the more solemn nature of the Lenten season; and no Gloria. Confessions will be heard after Mass. Stay around afterward and watch our new crew of crackerjack altar boys learn how to serve the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

C'mon you know you have been interested in attending. Hope to see many new faces at the communion rail. Leave questions in the combox and I'll answer asap.

Most Rev. Athanasius Schneider on Communion in the Hand

What We Can Learn From St. Bridget's Parish

I have been thinking a lot about this closing, today. I know the pain of losing a parish, but I have never seen photos encapsulate the pain as have those at the D&C's website. There is something more noble than words which can be seen in the eyes of those parishioners who have lost their home.

There is an amazing amount that we can learn from this parish, and its unfortunate death. Primarily, it was a parish of diversity, but whose focus was on the African American community of Rochester. Usually we lament liturgical dancers and multi-cultural displays in our parishes, but this is different. It was a parish genuinely rooted in African-American traditions, which, in their natural form, compliment their form of worship. Their cultural celebrations were not forced, as are those at Sacred Heart - these are genuine and wholly natural.

The people of this parish truly celebrated diversity. There is nothing quite so racist and closed-minded as falsely embracing a culture. If I were an African-American and saw non-African-Americans putting on a Mass with clear African-American cultural references and actions, I would be wholly offended. By embracing other cultures whose celebrations are not our own, we lose our grounding and take the chance of offending those whose culture we borrow.

I hold St. Bridget's up as a representation of what true cultural diversity is. Yes, they have liturgical dance, hand-holding, and boisterous singing, but that is what their cultural experience of Mass has been. It is thoroughly traditional, in the sense that those at the parish hold onto their values and particular liturgical celebrations. I wouldn't expect them to start singing English renaissance polyphony - it's not their culture. I also wouldn't expect Bishop Clark to have an Afro-Mass, but we've been proven wrong on that end.

To the people of St. Bridget's - you have our most sincere sympathies, and our most fervent, loving prayers. Our thoughts rest with you in this time of sorrow.

Oppressive, Authoritarian, Full of Prejudices

I was perusing various website to which we have been directed for one reason or another, and this segment from "Fish Eaters" struck me as particularly relevant. The following was related by a monk who listened to an ex-communist woman speak about how Communists fear the Church.

I listened to that woman for four hours and she had my hair standing on end. Everything she said has been fulfilled to the letter. You would think she was the world's greatest prophet, but she was no prophet. She was merely exposing the step-by-step battle plan of Communist subversion of the Catholic Church. She explained that of all the world's religions, the Catholic Church was the only one feared by the Communists, for it was its only effective opponent.

The whole idea was to destroy, not the institution of the Church, but rather the Faith of the people, and even use the institution of the Church, if possible, to destroy the Faith through the promotion of a pseudo-religion: something that resembled Catholicism but was not the real thing.

Once the Faith was destroyed, she explained that there would be a guilt complex introduced into the Church…. to label the ‘Church of the past’ as being oppressive, authoritarian, full of prejudices, arrogant in claiming to be the sole possessor of truth, and responsible for the divisions of religious bodies throughout the centuries. This would be necessary in order to shame Church leaders into an ‘openness to the world,’ and to a more flexible attitude toward all religions and philosophies. The Communists would then exploit this openness in order to undermine the Church. 

 

We have our work cut out for ourselves. Arm yourselves with piety and devotion, and you will not be overcome. 

What Greater Valentine Than Our Lord

Today, I was privileged to have spoken to a local Sister of St. Joseph. I should say that almost 100% of our experiences with them, collectively as a Catholic community, has been associated either with liturgical abuse or liberal activism.

However, this nun with whom I spoke today was a genuine nun, secure in her femininity, loyal to the Holy Father in Rome, and ever-loving to the Catholic Church as it is, not as others would make it. She saw me and smiled, and said,

"You know, I was thinking last night, and something dawned on me. Our Lord is the greatest Valentine of all. After all, He gave us His literal heart, His Sacred Heart, while all we can give each other are representations of love. He gave Love itself."

So, bearing this in mind, dear friends, let us have a sacred day, a Sunday and a St. Valentine's Day both rolled together to call us to a deeper realization of divine love. St. Valentine was slain for his love, and for the love of the Christians to whom he ministered. He was martyred, being both beaten and beheaded, for helping Christian couples achieve a Christian matrimony - not some pagan ritual of the Roman government. The Emperor, Claudius, called him before his presence, that he may see the criminal who dared violate Roman law. Valentine was unyielding. He died for love others, sacrificing his life for the nobility and the unique sanctity of marriage. This, truly was an embodiment of the love which poured forth from Our Lord's pierced side on Calvary, the blood which flowed copiously from His Sacred Heart.

Be My Valentine

In honor of Valentine's Day, the annual occasion for impropriety and licentiousness, we have created a video for your viewing pleasure. Now, if you disapprove of our light-hearted humor regarding Bishop Clark (blessings and peace be upon him), please don't feel obligated to watch or to leave negative comments.

However, if you have a sense of humor, and you can laugh at some good, clean fun, please watch. It's why we posted it. The female star opposite Bishop Clark is Anne-Marie Brogan, of St. Mary's fame.

Update on St. Francis Xavier

. . . the church, not the saint.

It appears that the sale of St. Francis Xavier to the Muslims is still in the works and nearing the final stages of completion. According to my sources, the Diocese of Rochester wants no news report on this matter until the deal is signed, sealed and delivered.

Cleansing Fire will continue to investigate this rumor.

What's Your Biggest Liturgical Pet Peeve?

Excluding lay preaching.

Leave a comment.

Error Is Not Homeless

In fact, it finds a willing home in many a Catholic. And these Catholics even look and act and feel Orthodox. I spoke with a priest today who spoke of his dislike for gay "marriage," and how he "loves and cherishes every word which comes from the Church - without exception."

One minute later, he declared, "Even if Obama were from Mars, I would have still voted for him over John McCain." 

Let us pray for our priests, that they find the courage to stand up for all people, not just those who want the choice to murder others.

Tridentine Mass @ Holy Spirit

At Holy Spirit Church tomorrow, Saturday, February 13, Father Gerard McMahon will be celebrant. Mass is at 8 a.m. Our local "Schola Roffensis" will be singing both the propers and the ordinary parts of the Mass. The parish is at the corner Hatch and Plank Road in Penfield.

Starbucks' Subliminal Message

Evidently the people at Starbucks are actually closeted-Catholics in support of the Latin Mass. Look at this sign I found at a local coffee house:

"Tradition Meets Decadence." I love that. After I read that and saw the title, I was half expecting the words at the bottom near the Starbucks lady to say "We Proudly Brew . . . Orthodoxy." Alas, the sign says "We Proudly Brew . . . Starbucks Coffee."

So, yes, I am proudly announcing that Starbucks supports the Traditional Latin Mass through sublimincal messages.

Service of Penitance

The following is taken from the website of St. Thomas. No, not our St. Thomas - their St. Thomas. As in, the Episcopalians.

Service of Penitance w/Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

When: Wed, February 17, 7:30pm – 8:30pm

Where: St. Thomas' Church (map)

Now, don't get me wrong. I think we should all strive for Christian unity. However, people must realize that Catholics have already gotten to the finish line - it's called "the Throne of St. Peter." We are the Church - they are the scattered flock. To borrow a line from the good sister, "it is what it is."

Having this ecumenical service raises a few questions in my mind:

1. What penitential actions will take place? If there's confession, would the Protestants go? (They're not really supposed to, if they're not Catholic.) If there's no confession, isn't it just some kind of "Jesus loves us just the way we are" kind of hug-fest?
2. Why is this at night? The idea of Ash Wednesday/receiving ashes/being penitent, is to be outward signs of faith. How exactly can we do that if we're having our service after dark? Not too much of an outward sign there.
3. Why would a Catholic, in good standing with the Church, go into a Protestant church building for a service that accomplishes next to nothing, if not truly nothing? I'd much rather go to Mass at a Church not in open rebellion, get ashes, and wear them with pride all day long. Something tells me some of the folks from St. Mary's and Spiritus Christi have a bit more pride, but I won't go there.

Sorry All - We're "Too Dumb To Thrive"

The following comes from the article of a noted liberal, Joe Klein. The National Review posted a rebuttal to the post, illustrating how, now that it's pretty self-evident that Obama is dead in the water, the liberals have started their "temper tantrums." How true.

Absolutely amazing poll results from CNN today about the $787 stimulus package: nearly three out of four Americans think the money has been wasted. On second thought, they may be right: it's been wasted on them.

It is very difficult to have a democracy without citizens. It is impossible to be a citizen if you don't make an effort to understand the most basic activities of your government. It is very difficult to thrive in an increasingly competitive world if you're a nation of dodos.

Read more: http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2010/01/25/too-dumb-to-thrive/#ixzz0fGZcn6pT

So just to recap - We aren't worth the money the government has paid. What ever happened to "government of the people, by the people, and for the people?" Sorry, Abe. You got it wrong. Secondly, in addition to not being worth it in the eyes of this liberal moron child of God, we don't even understand the government. Rest assured, no matter how stupid we are, we know how to pull the lever which will kick Obama out of office come election day 2012.

FREE SHIPPING

A friend of mine runs "In His Image" shop in Batesville, Indiana. He is having a winter sale with many great Catholic titles at 40% off. Non-book items such as statues, jewelry and artwork are reduced from 17% to 70%. Remember, many children will be making their First Holy Communion and this would be a perfect time to order a gift. How about your friends that will be received into the Catholic Church through the RCIA process, you will something for them too.

Any order over $50 placed before February 16th will receive a free copy of "St. Jude Helper in Desparate Cases" (a $2.50 value) AND orders over $80 will receive a free copy of "Saint Philomena, The Wonder Worker", a $9 value. Both of these titles are published by TAN Books and Publishing. As always, any order over $40 receives free shipping.

Please visit him at http://shopinhisimage.com/zencart/ Tell him you read about his sale from Cleansing Fire blog.

Thank you for supporting a fellow Catholic and his shop.

Rotten Fruit and the Ladies of Rochester

The following ran this morning in the Democrat and Chronicle's editorial section.

I'm writing on behalf of three "Ladies of Nazareth" — my mother (Class of '35), my sister (Class of '57) and myself (Class of '60). It is a tragedy that an institution that was able to survive the Great Depression cannot survive the current educational climate of the Catholic Diocese of Rochester. The education received at Nazareth Academy prepared the three of us to face the complexities and demands of the world as strong, confident women. The seeds of our accomplishments were planted and nurtured at the academy.

Oddly enough, when people really want Catholic schools, when bishops really want vocations, when priests really want to say Masses reverently, it gets done. The closing of Nazareth isn't a sign of Bishop Clark's design to eliminate Catholic schools. It's not a sign of the diocese's so-called "war on Orthodoxy." Indeed, it's not the result of any organized plan or conspiracy. This, dear readers, is the spoiled fruit, fallen from the tree of Apathy, a tree from which most in this country have eaten.