Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S.: June 2006 Archives

Almighty and ever-living God
by whose will the Most Precious Blood of your only-begotten Son
was formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
and poured out for the salvation of the world on the altar of the Cross;
mercifully grant, through her intercession,
that we who partake of the Chalice of the New and Eternal Covenant,
may so adore the Mystery of Faith
as to experience within ourselves
the fruit of that Redeeming Blood.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.

Prayer by Father Mark Daniel Kirby, O.Cist.

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CMAA2006.jpg

Reflections on the Colloquium can be found at the sites of fellow bloggers who were present. I will have more to say next week when my vacation is over.

See The Blogs from:
Jenny in Nebraska
Fr. Fox in Ohio
Jeffrey and Arlene in Alabama
The Team Blog at CMAA

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Vacation

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I am leaving this evening for Washington, DC. It will be work, but it will be fun. The Computer is staying home, so this will be a Blog vacation as well. I be be sure to report on the event next Monday.

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I think Don Marco should be given a round of applause for all the good things he is doing on this feast. I think his homily today outshines mine, and it will take a while just to digest all the images he presents. Give it a good read.

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PRESENTING A NEW ICON INSPIRED BY POPE JOHN PAUL II: THE MOTHER OF GOD, ADORER OF THE EUCHARISTIC FACE OF CHRIST
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Adoro te devote

Yearning, I adore you, wondrous hidden God,
Living Bread by bread concealed, speaking heart to heart.
Give me now the faith that sees darkly through the veil,
Let your presence draw me in where my senses fail.

Seeing, touching, tasting, fail to grasp you, Lord.
Hearing only stirs up faith; faith clings to your word.
This is truth enough for me: all that you have said.
Faith alone discerns your Face, radiant, Living Bread.

Seeing you upon the Cross, flesh and blood I find;
Here your flesh and blood are hid, leaving only signs.
Trusting in your mercy, like the dying thief,
I confess you, God and Man; this is my belief.

Unlike Thomas touching, probing hands and side,
I see not but name you still God and Prince of Life.
Draw me to your presence, stronger make my faith,
Bolder make my hope in you, fire me with Love’s flame.

Wonderful memorial of the Crucified!
Sacred Banquet, Living Bread, Wellspring gushing light!
Let your life be life to me, feed and feast my mind,
Be to me the sweetness I was meant to find.

In the wounded Pelican, faith sees something more.
She with blood sustains her young; you your blood outpoured
All the world to cleanse of sin. Bathe me in that tide,
Though a single drop makes pure those drawn to your side.

Jesus, here your Face is hid, from my sight concealed,
How I thirst to meet your gaze gloriously revealed!
After life’s obscurity, let me wake to see
Beauty shining from your Face for eternity. Amen.

Original Latin text: Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
English translation: Father Mark Daniel. Kirby, O.Cist., 2004

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I normally do not pay much attention to Catholic (only our small part of the)World News, but someone sent me this link which I think contains a very interesting and important perspective on the liturgy.

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Pentecost Sunday

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pentecost.jpg

Alleluia!
The Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world (Wis 1:7);
every created thing trembles for joy,
every waiting heart recognizes the sound of his voice.
The accent of the Father whispers to children playing in the wind.
“It is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit
that we are children of God” (Rom 8:16).
The breath of God carries far and wide the confession of the Rock:
“This Jesus God raised up,
and of that we are all witnesses,” (Ac 2:29) singing, “Alleluia!”

Today the Holy Spirit is poured over the face of the earth
turning confusion to communion,
gathering in what was scattered,
making clear what was obscure
and teaching all to sing, “Alleluia!”

Hear the Pentecostal concert and rejoice;
voices of Parthians and Medes and Elamites,
voices hailing from Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
from Pontus and Asia, from Phrygia and Pamphilia,
from Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene,
voices of Romans, both Jews and proselytes, of Cretans and Arabians
all singing, “Alleluia!”

Those lacking in understanding
find themselves standing under tongues of fire.
Those once dark are illumined from within;
the flame over every head dances its way into every heart
and faces once abashed shine as they have never shone before.
Unveiled now, they “behold the glory of the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18)
and in every mouth there is the taste of new wine
and the sound of a new song: “Alleluia!”

Today the Pentecost is fulfilled,
the mystic number counted out,
To the seven times seven of fulfillment filled full
is added the one of superabundance.
This is the fiftieth day akin to the eighth,
the day of “the cup that overflows” (Ps 22:5).
The spatium laetissimum in closing is opened;
the space of the Church’s endless joy,
the vastness of her jubilation:
an immensity of bliss stretching from earth to heaven
and causing all to sing, “Alleluia!”

The dancers having danced their forty-nine steps,
take today the final leap
“Leap!” says the Choreographer of Heaven.
“The Kingdom of Heaven lies open before you.
Leap, while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you.
While you have the light, leap into the light
that you may become children of light
and all together sing, ‘Alleluia!’”

Today the Lord comes down in Fire,
the Spirit who is “Lord and Giver of Life.”
The Upper Room becomes a furnace
— fornax ardens caritatis —
and the Mother and the disciples walk in the midst of the fire (cf. Dan 3:25),
set ablaze yet not consumed (cf. Ex 3:2).
The Lord descends to Sinai’s height;
there Moses stands alone no longer (cf. Ex 19:20)
for the top of the mountain has become the Church
and the Church cannot but sing, “Alleluia!”

Today Life descends into the valley of death.
“I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live,
and I will place you in your own land;
then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken,
and I have done it,” says the Lord (Ez 37:14).
Hear the rattle and clink of bone against bone (cf. Ez 37:7),
the sound of the dead brought back to life,
the sound of everything scattered being reassembled,
the sound of the Spirit at work in every dry and sterile place,
causing all to sing, “Alleluia!”

Today the wine flows freely,
more copious now than when it flowed new into Cana’s wedding cups!
The best wine has been kept for last.
“These men are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is only the Third Hour of the day” (Ac 2:15).
“All have been made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor 12:13).
This is the hour of sober drunkenness foretold by the prophet Joel.
Laeti bibamus sobriam ebrietatem Spiritus!
Prophesy, sons and daughters!
Young men, see your visions, old men dream your dreams,
menservants and maidservants, open to the sweetness
that like a river rushes into the vale of tears,
and learn to sing the holy table song of all the saints: “Alleluia!”

Today the Spirit gives utterance to those at a loss for words.
Today the Spirit gives breath to the breathless,
health to the sick,
wholeness to the broken,
peace to every troubled heart
and a song that rises irrepressible: “Alleluia!”

Today there is coolness in the heat,
solace in the midst of grieving,
dew poured out on every dryness,
water washing guilt away,
and a voice “like the sound of many waters” (Rev 1:15),
intoning in the presence of his Father, “Alleluia!”

Today the stubborn, bending sin’s old stiffness, give into grace.
Today the restless, turning, churning, find repose in the heart of the Lamb.
Today the frozen are thawed by the Spirit’s gentle flame
and those in the grip of a long chill meet the warmth of the Father’s embrace
and in the Spirit begin to sing, “Alleluia!”

Today locked doors mean nothing.
Keys are useless, bolts hold nothing closed.
“Let him enter the King of Glory” (Ps 23:7)!
Today fear runs frightened, exorcised by the Wounded One,
the Prince of Peace.
“Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered:
and let them that hate him flee from before his face” (Ps 67:2).
Behold, he stands in the midst of his own.
He breathes on us and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22).
“Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” (Ps 80:1).
“Receive at last the kiss of my mouth (Ct 1:2),
‘my love, my dove, my perfect one’ (Ct 5:2),
my Church, my Body and my Bride;
and sing your song unceasingly: ‘Alleluia!’”

© 2005, Father Mark Daniel Kirby, O.Cist.

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Well, first of all, congratulations to the graduating class of 2006 at St. Edward Catholic School. They really are some fine young men and women. The Pastor's award went to Domenic and Elliot, two who have faithfully served at weekday and weekend Masses and are even beginning to master the fine art of Incense.

I am sure they enjoyed their day, and many complimented that is was such a wonderful service. A former principal, now serving as superintendant, remarked that our graduations are so personal. On the other side, a parent thanked me for bringing some reverence to an otherwise party atmosphere.

I had a little more advance warning on the musical choices. All of it was acceptable except for the chosen closing song (We Are Called, Haas) It was superfluous and so I simply nixed it. The Slide show was cute and disgusting and had no place in the Eucharist. Oh, The Eucharist; it was a gracious afterthought.

Some of the clothing worn at the graduation would not have been acceptable at the Vatican, so why was is so acceptable here? I think next year, we shall put the teachers in academic garb.

Any further comment from me would simply be uncharitable. I am glad it is over. Next year, it will be different as I will insist the the School completely reimagine the way graduations are done here.

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"In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light particularly to those who are suffering."

Pope Benedict XVI, May 25, 2006

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Day Nine

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Day Nine: The Holy Spirit gives us the wonderful peace of God.

From the Word of God
Psalm 55: 2-9

Listen, God, to my prayer; do not hide from my pleading; hear me and give answer. I rock with grief; I groan at the uproar of the enemy, the clamor of the wicked. They heap trouble upon me, savagely accuse me. My heart pounds within me; death's terrors fall upon me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me; shuddering sweeps over me. I say, "If only I had wings like a dove that I might fly away and find rest. Far away I would flee; I would stay in the desert.

Silence
Prayer
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be

Conclusion

Lord God of Power and might, nothing is good which is against your will, and all is of value which comes from your hand. Place in our hearts a desire to please you and fill our minds with insight into your love, so that every thought may grow in wisdom and all our efforts may be filled with your peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Pray the “Veni Creator, Come Holy Spirit”

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Perhaps as a response to today's crazyness, I decided how I would spend part of my summer vacation. I signed up....

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Sigh....

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I am posting this picture just to remind myself that the parish where I am the Pastor is a Catholic Parish. I was forced to remove the Blessed Sacrament from the Church this morning, not simply because there were no expectations that there be appropriate behavior in church during the Graduation exercises, but because I was the one who is considered to be odd because I objected to the Processional, a song proclaimed by a boombox, a song by the title, "Poprocks and Coke."

I am not sure what planet I am on. People think I am the unreasonable one. So they showed a slide show today AND WILL SHOW THE SAME SLIDE SHOW TOMORROW DURING GRADUATION MASS. The Students behaved appropriately during the slide show, which is to say they behaved inappropriately for Church. One slide showed a graduate in a dumpster. Both the Principal and the Eighth grade teacher believe this is appropriate behavior in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

This afternoon, I put the cloths back on the altar, returned the flowers and candles to the tabernacle, returned the Blessed Sacrament to the Tabernacle, placed the Blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance, and began a time of adoration. About 30 people showed up for an afternoon of adoration and reparation. There were maybe 100 to 150 people for an afternoon First Friday Mass and Benediction.

Still the dominant feeling was sadness. Oh yes, the closing processional this morning was a Beatles tune on a boombox. How low we have sunk: This is in a parish with a full time professional musician. The Tantum Ergo this afternoon was surreal.

Yup. I am pretty angry. There has not been a single person who supports me in my objection to this crap.

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Day Eight: The Holy Spirit gives us assurance of victory over evil

From the Word of God
Ephesians 6: 10-17

Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Silence
Prayer

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be
Conclusion

Father, let the light of your truth guide us to your kingdom through a world filled with lights contrary to your own. Christian is the name and the gospel we glory in. May your love make us what you have called us to be. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Pray the “Veni Creator, Come Holy Spirit”

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Day Seven

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Day Seven: The Holy Spirit guides us to the fullness of truth.

From the Word of God
I John 1: 1-10

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life-- for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us-- what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete. Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say, "We are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Silence
Prayer
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be
Conclusion
God of wisdom and love, source of all that is good, send your Spirit to teach us your truth and guide our actions in your way of peace. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Pray the “Veni Creator, Come Holy Spirit”

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  one of Fr. Keyes' photos
 
 

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About this Archive

This page is a archive of recent entries written by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. in June 2006.

Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S.: May 2006 is the previous archive.

Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S.: July 2006 is the next archive.

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