7-3-07
Greetings!
For some time now, there has been talk of a "Motu Proprio"—literally "of the pope's initiative." Popes can issue certain decrees usually on various church matters. The much-talked about one concerns allowing for a more prevalent use of what's referred to as the "Latin Mass" or "Indult Mass" or "Tridentine Mass." In simple terms, it's the Mass that was said everywhere prior to Vatican II.
Currently, this Mass is only allowed with a bishop's authorization. Despite Pope John Paul II's encouragement that bishop's "be generous" in granting such permissions, some bishops have dragged their feet.
Now it looks like Pope Benedict in a pending "Motu Proprio"—to be released, perhaps as soon as this Saturday, will grant universal permission for any priest to say the Mass according to the form in place prior to Vatican II.
Now this doesn't mean that next time you're at Sunday Mass it will all be in Latin. In fact, it will still be pretty rare. The vast majority of Masses will remain the same. But there is a place for the Tridentine Mass, and surprisingly enough, it is the young people who are seeking it. Our parish youth group has requested the pastor here at St. Peter's teach them about the pre-Vatican II Mass and then celebrate it for and with them each of the past 2 years. The one place in the Diocese of LaCrosse, St. Mary's Oratory -- Wausau, where the Tridentine Mass is celebrated, is heavily skewed toward younger (and large) families. Recently, a professor friend of mine told me how he took one of his students to the Latin Mass and how touched she was.
My own conversion back to Catholicism was helped in no small part by encountering a parish in Milwaukee that combined the reverence, solemnity, and some Latin in the Mass. You will be seeing a lot more about this in the coming weeks!
Phil's Tidbits:
Certain things defy logic and explanation. In fact, an argument could be made that this is too "unusual or weird" to even merit comment. Nonetheless, I'll let you be the judge of that.
An Episcopalian Priest and a Muslim?
From:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MjZmMzU4YTBjZDAzNjRhMjg2YTExNTg4NjAwOGIyYWU=
Today The Seattle Times brings us this story:
--------------------------------------------------------
Shortly after noon on Fridays, the Rev. Ann Holmes Redding ties on a
black headscarf, preparing to pray with her Muslim group on First
Hill. On Sunday mornings,
Redding puts on the white collar of an Episcopal
priest. She does both, she says, because she's Christian and Muslim.
Redding, who until recently was director of faith formation at St.
Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, has been a priest for more than 20 years.
Now she's ready to tell people that, for the last 15 months, she's
also been a Muslim — drawn to the faith after an introduction to
Islamic prayers left her profoundly moved.
Her announcement has provoked surprise and bewilderment in many,
raising an obvious question: How can someone be both a Christian and a
Muslim..? She says she felt an inexplicable call to become Muslim, and to
surrender to God — the meaning of the word "Islam."
"It wasn't about intellect," she said. "All I know is the calling of
my heart to Islam was very much something about my identity and who I
am supposed to be.
"I could not not be a Muslim..."
Redding's bishop, the Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, says he accepts Redding
as an Episcopal priest and a Muslim, and that he finds the interfaith
possibilities exciting.
--------------------------------------------------------
The full story is at
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003751274_redding17m.html
Wow. And people wonder why the Episcopalians are rapidly declining in membership?! Her comment about it being a "heart" issue--as opposed to the intellect is very revealing. For faith bereft of reason is inherently shallow--or in this case, utterly confused.
Too dovetail off the lack of "intellect"---as has been much documented---the majority of Catholics the last few generations have been taught the faith based more on feelings then intellectual truth. (Of course, you need both) but feelings come and go---truth does not. Via the Curt Jester Blog, here's a humorous look at what would happen if you taught math the way so many teach religion:
Catholic School Math
If math were taught the way religion is taught in many Catholic schools:
- How do you feel about numbers?
- Meditate on your favorite number, then write a paragraph about why it is your favorite.
- Choose a song and identify some of the ways in which numbers are present in it. Play the song for the class and lead a discussion about what the class thinks the song expresses about numbers.
- Which number is most present to you in your life today? Which number is most absent?
- We're going to watch a movie. At the end of the movie we'll discuss the ways in which numbers are explicitly and symbolically portrayed in it.
- What can you do to be more aware of numbers in your everyday life?
- What are your best and worst experiences involving numbers?
- Make a poster in which you creatively and colorfully depict a number of your choice.
- Although some numbers are called "greater" and others are called "lesser", in what ways are all numbers really the same? In what ways can the "lesser" numbers be considered greater than the "greater" numbers, and in what ways can the "greater" numbers be considered less than the "lesser" numbers?
- Even though irrational numbers cannot be expressed as the quotient of two integers the way rational numbers can, explain how irrational numbers should be respected and considered to be no different from rational numbers.
- Explain how the traditional classification of integers as either odd or even is merely a social construct.
- Explain how every number has something good about it.
- Do you accept the way that previous generations have used numbers? How do you think numbers should be used? Is there a right or a wrong way to use numbers? What do you consider to be the most personally meaningful way to use numbers?
- How has the way you use numbers changed throughout your life? How do you think you will use numbers in the future?
- Explain why a diversity of numbers is good and what you can do to promote number diversity.
- Explain how multi-cultural approaches to numeral systems (e.g., Mesopotamian, Roman, Arabic) can enrich our appreciation of numbers. Also explain why no numeral system is better than any other system.
- You will have to do a group project in which each person contributes a number. Present to the class all the ways your group can relate the numbers to each other. Your presentation can be a PowerPoint or a video in which you creatively animate the numbers your group selects.
- Write an essay in which you pretend that you are a number. Explain what you think it would be like to be that number.
- If you believe in your heart or in your conscience that 2+2=5, does anyone else have the right to tell you that you're wrong? Explain why we should avoid judging other people's mathematical operations.
- Fractions are divisive. Can you think of better ways to express a quotient, without using divisive fractions? Is division something we should strive to do with numbers anyway?
- Explain why the labeling of numbers as either "positive" or "negative" is discriminatory, hurtful, and a manifestation of the bigotry of value-ism. How would you feel if you were labeled a "negative" number? What can you do to help end this kind of discrimination?
- Create a collage of numbers.
- Make a felt banner showing what numbers mean to you.
- Should fractions be written with one number over another one? Explain why this is an unjust hierarchical system where when the operation is carried out it only diminishes the so-called numerator.
- Explain why the labeling of some numbers as "prime" is also discriminatory and hurtful, and a manifestation of the bigotry of divisible-ism. How would you feel if you were labeled a "non-prime" or "divisible" number? Does having factors really matter in the long run? After all There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; or prime and non-prime. If it isn't divisive why does it have natural divisors?
God bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter's, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
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