Happy New Year and Many Thanks!

It is said that it is quite dangerous to mention a “thanks” to large groups of people because you always risk forgetting someone. With that in mind I’ve decided that it’s well worth the risk as I attempt to thank those who make the ministries of Music and Liturgy run smoothly...

First, I’d like to thank the Adult Choir, now 28 members strong and sounding better than ever! Twice a week you dedicate hours of your time practicing and singing your praises to God. It’s been a productive year, “in tune” with the Lord!

To our cantors: Your hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed. Learning the new sung text in the Roman Missal Mass parts was not an easy task! Keep vocalizing!

To the Youth Ministry Chorus, the newbies on the block: You’ve shown your love for the Lord through your glorious music and you inspire us all. It is refreshing to make music with you. Looking forward to new songs in 2012!

To those instrumentalists who donated time and played so beautifully (Accordion – Fred Gregorich, Viola – Mike Cresanta, Guitarist - Paul Koleske, Flautist - Rachel Deren, Trumpeter – Nick Barthen, Keyboardist — Evan Gregorius): Many thanks for your time and talent this year.

And to the family of Ted Breault, Mardi Gras Band Drummer: It was a privilege to work with Ted who was such a talented musician. I just know he’s in heaven making sure the angel chorus stays in rhythm!

To the Worship Committee who helps me with Liturgy and Environment: Your talent, ideas, inspiration and dedication to this ministry has made our church a beautiful, prayerful and glorious place of worship!

To all who serve and coordinate our ministries: Thank you for your help scheduling and overseeing things. It is inspiring to see your daily dedication. Things run smoothly because of you!

To all who gave me Christmas cards and gifts, who offered a kind word or offered to help me with my daily tasks: I thank you from the bottom of my heart. May Christ fill your homes and your hearts with love in 2012!

Christmas Songs and Traditions

This year I will celebrate my 37th Christmas in service to the Church of Pittsburgh as an organist and choir director. I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of learning Christmas music from many different cultural backgrounds depending on the church in which I was working at the time. I’ve learned Christmas carols from Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Ireland. So many treasured songs have been passed down from generation to generation. One such song is “Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle.” I’ve decided to include the Italian lyrics and a general translation this week.

Tu scendi dalle stelle,

O Re del Cielo,

e vieni in una grotta,

al freddo al gelo.

O Bambino mio Divino

Io ti vedo qui a tremar,

O Dio Beato

Oh! Quanto ti costò

l’avermi amato!

From starry skies descending,

O King of heaven,

To a lowly cave you come

in the cold.

O my Divine Child,

I see you tremble here.

Oh blessed God,

to love you comes

with great cost!

As a child I remember this song playing in my home as my grandmother, mother and aunt baked cookies for the many relatives that would come to visit. It brings to mind the smells of lemon, orange and anise. May it bring pleasant memories to you, as well! May you have a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year!

The Season of Light

There are many images that come to mind when we speak of the season of Advent -- certainly the Advent Wreath, in its simple way depicts the coming of the Christ Child, the Savior, the Light of the World, its candles consuming themselves as they burn. There are many references to "light" in the Gospel:

 

• Matthew 4:16: "The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.

• Luke 2:32: “...a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” 

• Ephesians 5:8: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”

 

Today we enter the final week of Advent. Traditionally the “O Antiphons” are sung during vespers this week: "O Wisdom," "O Lord," "O Root of Jesse," "O Key of David," "O Dayspring," "O King of the nations," "O God is with us."

 

These antiphons are found in the song, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” each referring to the Prophesies of Isaiah. We will sing verses 1 and 7 this weekend, as is the tradition on the 4th Sunday of Advent. With the winter solstice on December 21, this “shortest day” means later sunsets and more evening light as winter progresses. Last week we watched as luminaria were lit along our sidewalks and courtyard. Today I saw a beautiful Christmas card by one of my favorite artists, Thomas Kinkade, the "painter of light." As the fourth candle on the Advent wreath is lit, may its light illumine your way as our souls, in stillness await the coming of the Savior, the true "Light of the World!"

Traditions and Recipes

Have you visited our parish web site lately?

Last week, we kicked off a new special interest section of our web site called, “Holiday Traditions.” In this section parishioners and friends of our parish will be able to submit stories, recipes and photos of their cherished traditions around the holidays. We are currently taking stories about Christmas and New Year's Day. In January we will begin accepting stories for the Easter holiday. If you have a general story you would like to submit for any holiday, you may do so and we will save it for that particular time of year.

The purpose of this section is to share stories and build community. For those new to our parish, it provides a way to get to know others in our family of faith. I encourage you to log on, to read, and to send in stories.

Submissions may be dropped off at or mailed to the rectory or e-mailed.

The New Roman Missal - Successful Launch!

Last weekend saw a momentous change in the Church — the New Roman Missal was initiated at all English-speaking countries throughout the world. What an exciting time to be a part of Roman Catholic history! Of course, as with any change, it will require time to adjust. But we all know that practice and repetition will help us more each week.

As I looked down from the loft last weekend I noticed that most people in the congregation were using the “help cards." Those cards are a useful tool, as the new words are printed in red. For those who prefer to hold only one reference tool, the Order of Mass begins on page 3 of the Heritage Missal. Some said it was a bit confusing shifting back and forth between too many items in the pews so they used the missal.

Others asked for the song booklets containing the “Mass of Christ the Savior” to be returned to the pews. They were removed to make room for the help cards. For those of you who need the music, the “Mass of Christ the Savior” is found on page 42 of the Heritage Missal. I will also try to remember to inform the congregation before Mass begins as to which Mystery of Faith we’ll be using (in the Eucharistic Prayer) until the organ introductions are more familiar.

Last weekend I found that I, too, had to really concentrate on what I was doing and work very hard at keeping it all straight. On the organ’s music stand sat the accompaniment book for the Mass of Christ the Savior, my song and prayer roster, the Heritage Missal, a copy of a page out of the Sacramentary, the Mass help card, and the choral arrangement of the Mass! Again, we’re in this together! In time we will see the fruits of our labor. With each passing week we will become more comfortable and be able to worship with praise and rejoicing!