If you haven't already investigated the website discussing the new Roman Missal, take a look here.
Don't miss this section: Examples of the Priest's Parts, as well as the Congregation's Parts. It's very well done and worth a look.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Advent Homilies From the Diocesan Office of Vocations
An Advent resource:
Vocation Office Launches Internet Homily Service For Advent!
Are you looking for a new way to create a Spiritual focus for Advent? The Office of Vocations is launching a daily on-line Advent homily service called "Prepare the Way." These daily reflections, based on the Scripture readings for Mass, are intended to provide a spiritual resource for adults, young adults and teens throughout the Advent Season. Go to http://www.behindthecollar.com, and click on the "Prepare the Way" banner. You can also sign up for a daily email reminder and link for each homily. Please join us as we "Prepare the Way of the Lord" together!
Vocation Office Launches Internet Homily Service For Advent!
Are you looking for a new way to create a Spiritual focus for Advent? The Office of Vocations is launching a daily on-line Advent homily service called "Prepare the Way." These daily reflections, based on the Scripture readings for Mass, are intended to provide a spiritual resource for adults, young adults and teens throughout the Advent Season. Go to http://www.behindthecollar.com, and click on the "Prepare the Way" banner. You can also sign up for a daily email reminder and link for each homily. Please join us as we "Prepare the Way of the Lord" together!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Welcoming the Anglicans
There has been lots of discussion (both pro and con) about the recent Vatican announcement that an Apostolic Constitution has been created to assist traditional Anglicans in being received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
What are your thoughts about any potential problems that have to be resolved or that will be created in the future because of this outreach to the Anglican Christians?
Will this potential influx of Anglicans have any effect on the Anglican-use parishes who are under a local Catholic bishop in the areas these parishes are located?
What are your thoughts about any potential problems that have to be resolved or that will be created in the future because of this outreach to the Anglican Christians?
Will this potential influx of Anglicans have any effect on the Anglican-use parishes who are under a local Catholic bishop in the areas these parishes are located?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Richmond Voiceless?
A blogger today suggested that we should rename this blog "Richmond Voiceless"... since we have heard no more from Catherine Combier-Donovan. The last several days I have thought about emailing her. I realize that a blog is easily forgotten when one has hands-on work to do in the office and elsewhere.
A major concern for me is that this blog remain relevant. People get tired of checking a blog that appears dead. I don't want this one to go the way of the others...
I simply ask that you have mercy on me also. In addition to this blog, I am writing 3 others plus a website; plus work.
I will email Ms Combier-Donovan this afternoon and invite her to continue our dialogue. In the meantime, if anyone has a subject that they would like to discuss here on this blog (preferably concerning the Diocese of Richmond), let me know...
Monday, October 12, 2009
Questions for Dialogue
Bumping these questions back to the top again!
Tabernacle Questions
1. What is the proper role and placement of the Tabernacle in the Sanctuary?
2. How do you address the perception that one of the reasons for the removal of the Tabernacle from the Sanctuary is to stop private devotions? Or to rephrase the question, could communal prayers supplant private prayers?
3. A perception exists that the physical layout of the sanctuary space is sometimes manipulated, to make the placement of the Tabernacle difficult, and also to discourage private prayers and kneeling. How would you address this concern?
4. Will the diocese of Richmond ever promote tabernacle tolerance throughout the diocese to change the present situation of tabernacle intolerance?
5. Do diocesan officials realize some of the faithful feel as if they are being segregated if they wish to pray in the presence of the Real Presence in the Tabernacle before Sunday Mass?
Questions About Christian Education
1. Catechises in our Diocese, for the most part, uses products of two publishing corporations: RCL Benziger and William H. Sadlier, Inc. In the past, the Baltimore Catechism was used throughout the U.S. to teach the Faith to the Catholic youth.
However, even a cursory review of the currently used catechetical products shows that they differ markedly in emphasis, style, and even in content, from the Baltimore Catechism.
Why was the use of the Baltimore Catechism discontinued in our Diocese, and replaced by a relationship with these two companies?
2. In addition to attending Pathways, what other means does the diocese use to confirm that the volunteer-catechists are well-informed Catholics?
3. Is there any kind of assessment they take to make sure they have a solid foundation of knowledge on the teachings of the Church?
4. How does the diocese decide on which items of Church Teachings to place emphasis? For example, how are the Teachings on Purgatory, Indulgences, Morality (i.e. artificial contraception) and other problematic Teachings addressed?
5. Are the Church's Teachings addressed consistently across the diocese from parish to parish? Or does the culture of the parish dictate which Teachings will be emphasized or taught?
Questions About the Liturgy
1. What is the Church teaching on the proper attitude (how to conduct oneself) while in the sanctuary before Mass?
2. What is the status of the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum" in our Diocese?
3. How would you like to see the Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest (SCAP) implemented in our Diocese?
4. Why does our Office of Worship not follow the universal GIRM and its US adaptation which specify that the deacon should kneel for the consecration of the Host and Chalice whenever deacons assist at Mass?
5. Why does the Office of Worship discourage the option (given by the US Bishops to pastors) of using a crucifix during the Good Friday adoration of the cross ?
6. Is Communion in the hand the universal norm or are first communicants instructed that they are still allowed to receive on the tongue?
7. There were numerous and complicated questions about kneeling and genuflections and the absence of kneelers in the church; and whether students can be forbidden to genuflect. Please check the comments here.
General Questions about the Diocese
1. What do you think are the main strengths and challenges of this Diocese?
2. What do you think are possible solutions to the worsening priest shortage in our Diocese?
~ I don't think it wise to add any more questions for the time being; but you can continue to post them as comments in the previous article and I will save them. I hope I was able to cover most of the questions you wanted to ask. s.m. ~
Tabernacle Questions
1. What is the proper role and placement of the Tabernacle in the Sanctuary?
2. How do you address the perception that one of the reasons for the removal of the Tabernacle from the Sanctuary is to stop private devotions? Or to rephrase the question, could communal prayers supplant private prayers?
3. A perception exists that the physical layout of the sanctuary space is sometimes manipulated, to make the placement of the Tabernacle difficult, and also to discourage private prayers and kneeling. How would you address this concern?
4. Will the diocese of Richmond ever promote tabernacle tolerance throughout the diocese to change the present situation of tabernacle intolerance?
5. Do diocesan officials realize some of the faithful feel as if they are being segregated if they wish to pray in the presence of the Real Presence in the Tabernacle before Sunday Mass?
Questions About Christian Education
1. Catechises in our Diocese, for the most part, uses products of two publishing corporations: RCL Benziger and William H. Sadlier, Inc. In the past, the Baltimore Catechism was used throughout the U.S. to teach the Faith to the Catholic youth.
However, even a cursory review of the currently used catechetical products shows that they differ markedly in emphasis, style, and even in content, from the Baltimore Catechism.
Why was the use of the Baltimore Catechism discontinued in our Diocese, and replaced by a relationship with these two companies?
2. In addition to attending Pathways, what other means does the diocese use to confirm that the volunteer-catechists are well-informed Catholics?
3. Is there any kind of assessment they take to make sure they have a solid foundation of knowledge on the teachings of the Church?
4. How does the diocese decide on which items of Church Teachings to place emphasis? For example, how are the Teachings on Purgatory, Indulgences, Morality (i.e. artificial contraception) and other problematic Teachings addressed?
5. Are the Church's Teachings addressed consistently across the diocese from parish to parish? Or does the culture of the parish dictate which Teachings will be emphasized or taught?
Questions About the Liturgy
1. What is the Church teaching on the proper attitude (how to conduct oneself) while in the sanctuary before Mass?
2. What is the status of the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum" in our Diocese?
3. How would you like to see the Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest (SCAP) implemented in our Diocese?
4. Why does our Office of Worship not follow the universal GIRM and its US adaptation which specify that the deacon should kneel for the consecration of the Host and Chalice whenever deacons assist at Mass?
5. Why does the Office of Worship discourage the option (given by the US Bishops to pastors) of using a crucifix during the Good Friday adoration of the cross ?
6. Is Communion in the hand the universal norm or are first communicants instructed that they are still allowed to receive on the tongue?
7. There were numerous and complicated questions about kneeling and genuflections and the absence of kneelers in the church; and whether students can be forbidden to genuflect. Please check the comments here.
General Questions about the Diocese
1. What do you think are the main strengths and challenges of this Diocese?
2. What do you think are possible solutions to the worsening priest shortage in our Diocese?
~ I don't think it wise to add any more questions for the time being; but you can continue to post them as comments in the previous article and I will save them. I hope I was able to cover most of the questions you wanted to ask. s.m. ~
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Universal Health Care Debate
From a Catholic point of view, what is the best way to approach universal health care? I expect there will be several Catholic points of view. Let's hear them.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Campaign for Human Development: Worthwhile or not?
With Anonymous' suggestion that we look into the Bishop's Campaign for Human Development and the remarks by Katie and Jim, I decided to open up an opportunity for discussion.
I realize this is a hot-button issue, so please be respectful with your remarks. I don't delete anything unless it is tasteless or attacking specific people.
I realize this is a hot-button issue, so please be respectful with your remarks. I don't delete anything unless it is tasteless or attacking specific people.
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