December 2006 Archives

Mainly since Matthew asked, here is the Music from Midnight Mass at St. Edward.

Prelude:

"Premiere Suite de Noels" Balbastre (1727-1799)
"The Proclamation of the Prophecies" Vatican Chant Modes V-VII
"Ave Maria" Victoria (1548-1611)
"Lo How A Rose" Praetorius (1571-1621)
"Kalenda" The great announcement of the Birth of Christ

Entrance Procession: Adeste Fideles, O Come, All Ye Faithful
Incensation of the Altar, Introit, "Dominus dixit ad me" mode 2
Sign of the Cross: chanted in Latin
Greeting: Chanted in Latin
Introduction to the Penitential Rite: chanted in English
Confiteor: recited in English
Kyrie: Cum Jubilo, Proulx
Gloria: "Christmas Gloria" Laginya, GIA
Psalm: "Today is Born Our Savior" Alstott
Alleluia: "Christmastime Alleluia" Chepponis
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14, chanted
Preparation of the Altar and Gifts: "Stille Nacht" in German
"The Glory of the Father" Hovland
Eucharistic Acclamations: Community Mass, Proulx
Eucharistic Prayer I, chanted
Memorial Acclamation: "Mortem Tuam" chant
Our Father: chanted in English
Agnus Dei, Mass XVIII
Communion Procession: "In Splendoribus" chant mode 6
"Sleeps Judea Fair" MacKinnon
"Silent Night" in English
Recessional: "Joy To The World"
Postlude: "Noel X" d'Aquin (1694-1772)

The Choir sang the Mass at Day and it was much the same order except for the Inroit, "Puer Natus" (mode VII) and the Communio, "Viderunt Omnes" (mode 1). We also heard "Of The Father's Love Begotten" at the Preparation of the Altar, and Palestrina's "Alma Redemptoris Mater" after Communion.

Among the ladies counting the collection this morning only one adjective was used to describe the liturgy, "beautiful."

Tomorrow we leave for Rome. Accompanying me will be Sr. Mary Mark (Pastoral Associate), Donalyn Deeds( Director of Faith Formation) and her husband Stan.

Here is our Itinerary.

I am not sure what access to the Internet I will have while we are traveling, so blogging will resume with reports of our pilgrimage sometime after January 13.

The parish has invested in a new Nativity scene. A closer look can be had at the parish website. That picture should remain there for the rest of the season.

One of my favorite rituals is the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. It is a rite rich with purpose and meaning. It does what it says it does. The New Catechumen is signed with the cross of salvation and they have a feeling of real welcome, support and joy from the Congregation. Here toward the end of the first part of the rite, the Deacon assists as I place a small wooden cross over their neck. The crosses are Olive Wood and they come from the pruned olive trees in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The Homily was based on the text from the Gospel, "The word of God came to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert." At the end of the homily each new catechumen received a small bible inscribed with the date and their name.

This is one of the joys of parish life. We have a pretty vibrant Adult Faith Formation program, and this year five young people have asked for the sacraments. It is such a pleasure to accompany these individuals on their journey of faith.

A few years ago I found this wonderful little article about Advent on the EWTN website. It had a vague familiar ring to it, and then I saw that I had written it. The address and phone number they have for me is not correct and the whole Sonnino Mission House ideal was given up long ago.

Ok, I had not realized that it had been all that long since I blogged. I will try to get back to this for Advent. It is, after all, my favorite season.

Today is a bit daunting, three masses and three baptisms.

What has consumed a bit of time lately is the planning involved for a trip to Rome, Assisi, Giano del Umbria, Siena, San Gimignano, and San Giovanni Rotondo that will take place December 27th through January 13th. I will post the itinerary when it is complete. And yes, part of the trip will be a visit to Ristorante Rifugio San Gaspare.

The other thing that has consumed a lot of time and energy is the annual wrestling the budget to the ground. So how does one cut $91,000 from the budget and still keep smiles on the faces of the Parish Team?

Oops, I need to get my Christmas cards started.