Chicken Rico
Submitted by Chuck Barie
(Fr. Rich’s Brother-in-law)
3 Large onions
Olive oil
Garlic
Pepper
Carmelize the onions and set aside.
Grill chicken lightly and place on top of onions. Set aside.
Prepare mustard. (recipe below)
3/4 cup yellow mustard
Hot Hungarian peppers (to taste)
(Clean peppers, remove stems, chop coarsely.)
Pour mustard on top of chicken
Cook 10-15, allowing sauce to cook through chicken.
Chuck’s potato salad
Peel and boil potatoes until tender but not mushy
Mustard (your preference)
Fresh dill to taste
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 green pepper chopped
Kosher Dill Pickles (diced)
Mayonnaise to taste
Dear Lord, bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and us to thy service. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
Recipes may be submitted to vambrose@verizon.net or mail or call rectory.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
Ginny Ambrose’s Stuffed & Glazed Swordfish Steaks
Black cherry marinade (store-bought)
4 fresh swordfish steaks
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
1 T fresh rosemary, minced
1T parsley, coarsely chopped
1 clove fresh garlic, minced
1/4 cup green (spring) onions, chopped (including tops)
2 T olive oil (can be light or extra virgin)
1 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 t sea salt (any coarse salt will do)
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 t paprika
1/2 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
Marinate swordfish in glaze for at least 4 hours
Crush herbs, garlic and onion together in small bowl.
(I use a mortar and pestle.)
Add olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika and rice. Mix all ingredients in bowl and set aside.
Slice a “pocket” into the swordfish steaks.
Stuff with rice mixture and secure with toothpicks.
Brush steaks with cherry glaze and grill 10-15 minutes until done. Top with glaze and serve. (Remove toothpicks)
I made my own glaze by cooking cherries, (Make a reduction), adding brown sugar, honey, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar glaze. Any cherries will do. Store-bought marinades can also be used. Enjoy!
Father of us all, This meal is a sign of Your love for us:
Bless us and bless our food. Help us to give you glory each day Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Submit original recipe to Ginny Ambrose at the rectory: vambrose@verizon.net or by mail.
Friday, June 28, 2013
25 Men Ordained Deacons at Cathedral
On Saturday, June 15, Bishop Zubik
raised 25 men to the Order of Deacons.
Among those men was Anthony J.
Giordano, who served St. Joseph Parish
as DRE two years ago. We congratulate
Deacon Tony and offer him our support
and our prayers as he embarks on this
new spiritual journey. Please keep all
these ordained deacons in your prayers:
Michael Ackerman (Transitional Deacon), Kenneth
Marlovits (Transitional Deacon), Robert Bittner,
Richard Caruso, Victor DeFazio, Ronald Demblowski,
Joseph Dougherty, Anthony Giordano, William Hahn,
Robert Jancart, Barry Krofcheck, Philip Martorano,
David Miller, Timothy Noca, James Olson, Donald
Pepe, Gary Pielin, Brian Podobnik, Charles Rhoads,
Frank Szemanski, Leonard Thomas, Jr., Samuel Toney,
John Vaskov, Robert Wertz, Jr., Timothy Zenchak.
(Transitional Deacons will go on to be ordained priests next year.)
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Rainbows - the Promise of a Merciful Father
Rainbows - the Promise
of a Merciful Father
by Ginny Ambrose
Maybe you were lucky enoughto catch the awesome sight ofthe double rainbow that presented itself after a rain shower last Monday night. The rare sight was awe-inspiring in its beauty and presence. It lasted only a moment, then faded from the sky as the evening clouds rolled in. Fr. Rich was quick enough to snap this photo of the rainbow before it faded. We are all familiar with the Biblical
story of Noah, and how God sent a rainbow as a sign of His covenant, a promise of hope, and salvation from sin. (Gen. 9:8-17) God, our eternal Father, our Source of hope, is a merciful
and forgiving Father. This weekend we will sing, “Loving and Forgiving” by Scot Soper. The lyrics remind us of God’s understanding of our human frailties, as well as his undying love and patience with us. So, the next time life sends you a rainbow, may you remember its symbolic message of salvation! The following is a prayer for fathers. (From Catholic On-Line)
Father,
I thank you for the gift of my family for whom I now pray
and upon whom I now ask you to shower your blessings.
With St. Joseph as my guide, may I always be ready
to spend my life for them.
Bless my wife whom you have given to me as my spouse,
sharing in your wondrous work of creation.
May I see her as my equal
and treat her with the love of Christ for his Church.
May Mary be her guide
and help her to find your peace and your grace.
Bless my children with your life and presence.
May the example of your Son
be the foundation upon which
their lives are built, that the Gospel may always
be their hope and support.
I ask you, Father, to protect and bless my family.
Watch over it so that in the strength of your love
its members may enjoy prosperity,
possess the gift of your peace and,
as the Church is alive in this home,
always bear witness to your glory in the world. Amen.
I thank you for the gift of my family for whom I now pray
and upon whom I now ask you to shower your blessings.
With St. Joseph as my guide, may I always be ready
to spend my life for them.
Bless my wife whom you have given to me as my spouse,
sharing in your wondrous work of creation.
May I see her as my equal
and treat her with the love of Christ for his Church.
May Mary be her guide
and help her to find your peace and your grace.
Bless my children with your life and presence.
May the example of your Son
be the foundation upon which
their lives are built, that the Gospel may always
be their hope and support.
I ask you, Father, to protect and bless my family.
Watch over it so that in the strength of your love
its members may enjoy prosperity,
possess the gift of your peace and,
as the Church is alive in this home,
always bear witness to your glory in the world. Amen.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Can We Ever Get Enough Bread?
Can We Ever Get Enough Bread?
Growing up in an Italian household, learning to bake bread was paramount. I sometimes think I learned the art of kneading dough before I could walk. I have early memories of pulling the sticky substance off my fingers and plopping it into my mouth before my grandmother could see me; putting the pans into the oven and marking the oven door with the Sign of the Cross after closing it; smelling the aromas that permeated our house as I anxiously awaited the freshly baked loaves. Bread, at least in our house, was sacred. If we dared to drop a piece, we kissed it, and never… never had to throw it away, because it was coveted and would not go to waste. Now, I must watch each calorie I take in, and sadly, bread is not something I can indulge in anymore. As humans, when things are plentiful or readily available to us, we tend to overlook and take them for granted. But each day, Christ offers us life eternal, simply by partaking of His Body and Blood. How easy it is to pass this sacred opportunity by, because of indifference or culpability.
Today’s feast of Corpus Christi reminds us that we are a community of believers, gathered around the table with our brothers and sisters around the world, all sharing this same wondrous meal. It is both a personal and a social event, and as we kneel in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, we are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice for the salvation of His people. He invites us to worship, adore and partake of Him in loving remembrance of His sacrifice. As we meditate on this precious Gift, we are reminded of Christ’s boundless love for us. We mirror that love in Eucharistic Adoration, which is an expression of our communal and personal love for Christ and our worldly family. My grandmother’s bread never went to waste; nor would I have passed up an invitation to sit at our dinner table. Let us enjoy this Feast prepared and freely given for us, as we go forth to love, as true family, united as one body of Christ in the world!
Growing up in an Italian household, learning to bake bread was paramount. I sometimes think I learned the art of kneading dough before I could walk. I have early memories of pulling the sticky substance off my fingers and plopping it into my mouth before my grandmother could see me; putting the pans into the oven and marking the oven door with the Sign of the Cross after closing it; smelling the aromas that permeated our house as I anxiously awaited the freshly baked loaves. Bread, at least in our house, was sacred. If we dared to drop a piece, we kissed it, and never… never had to throw it away, because it was coveted and would not go to waste. Now, I must watch each calorie I take in, and sadly, bread is not something I can indulge in anymore. As humans, when things are plentiful or readily available to us, we tend to overlook and take them for granted. But each day, Christ offers us life eternal, simply by partaking of His Body and Blood. How easy it is to pass this sacred opportunity by, because of indifference or culpability.
Today’s feast of Corpus Christi reminds us that we are a community of believers, gathered around the table with our brothers and sisters around the world, all sharing this same wondrous meal. It is both a personal and a social event, and as we kneel in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, we are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice for the salvation of His people. He invites us to worship, adore and partake of Him in loving remembrance of His sacrifice. As we meditate on this precious Gift, we are reminded of Christ’s boundless love for us. We mirror that love in Eucharistic Adoration, which is an expression of our communal and personal love for Christ and our worldly family. My grandmother’s bread never went to waste; nor would I have passed up an invitation to sit at our dinner table. Let us enjoy this Feast prepared and freely given for us, as we go forth to love, as true family, united as one body of Christ in the world!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
A Frog in the ‘ville and Other Oddities
A Frog in the ‘ville and Other Oddities by Ginny Ambrose
Have you ever noticed that many things tend to happen in sets of three? It may be pure coincidence or just simple happenstance, but for some reason or another, the number 3 is significant. I’m convinced that God sends us beautiful messages that we simply have to open our eyes of faith to see. That fact was clearly evident on Saturday, when I encountered a “trinity” of sorts in my backyard. I’ve seen many different creatures in and around my neighborhood, but the last thing I ever expected to see was a frog. There he was, sitting on a lily pad in the middle of my small pond (he really was!) I wondered where on earth he came from since there are no bodies of water around except for the large pond at the Allegheny Cemetery. I imagined him hopping his way down Butler St., avoiding cars, dogs, and small children, just knowing he would eventually find the right fish pond to move into. Now my two goldfish have a new roommate… and froggie makes “three”. That same day, while sitting on my swing, I was “buzzed” by a hummingbird, who mistakenly thought my silk wisteria blossoms were real. This little bird (arriving earlier than usual in the season), got so close to me that I could hear the whirring of it’s tiny wings. It hovered right in front of my nose, just as curious of me as I was of it. Then he moved on, flying away with the speed of light. My third encounter of the close kind came in the form of a little kitten—black and furry, no bigger than the palm of my hand, sitting under a plant near my front sidewalk. I kept trying to catch it, but it was faster than I was and evaded my grasp. I hope it will be okay wherever it is. Because I love animals so much, I consider these three events to be gifts from God, simply put in my path, just to let me know He’s around and keeping a close eye on me. May God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit keep a watch over us all as we go about our simple tasks of our every day lives this spring!
Have you ever noticed that many things tend to happen in sets of three? It may be pure coincidence or just simple happenstance, but for some reason or another, the number 3 is significant. I’m convinced that God sends us beautiful messages that we simply have to open our eyes of faith to see. That fact was clearly evident on Saturday, when I encountered a “trinity” of sorts in my backyard. I’ve seen many different creatures in and around my neighborhood, but the last thing I ever expected to see was a frog. There he was, sitting on a lily pad in the middle of my small pond (he really was!) I wondered where on earth he came from since there are no bodies of water around except for the large pond at the Allegheny Cemetery. I imagined him hopping his way down Butler St., avoiding cars, dogs, and small children, just knowing he would eventually find the right fish pond to move into. Now my two goldfish have a new roommate… and froggie makes “three”. That same day, while sitting on my swing, I was “buzzed” by a hummingbird, who mistakenly thought my silk wisteria blossoms were real. This little bird (arriving earlier than usual in the season), got so close to me that I could hear the whirring of it’s tiny wings. It hovered right in front of my nose, just as curious of me as I was of it. Then he moved on, flying away with the speed of light. My third encounter of the close kind came in the form of a little kitten—black and furry, no bigger than the palm of my hand, sitting under a plant near my front sidewalk. I kept trying to catch it, but it was faster than I was and evaded my grasp. I hope it will be okay wherever it is. Because I love animals so much, I consider these three events to be gifts from God, simply put in my path, just to let me know He’s around and keeping a close eye on me. May God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit keep a watch over us all as we go about our simple tasks of our every day lives this spring!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
100 years of Spirit
100 years of Spirit
Last month I had the pleasure of attending the 100th Anniversary of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. Along with hundreds of friends and family members, we descended the cathedral steps to the reception hall following Mass to greet and congratulate the sisters. There, seated at the back of the hall was my dear friend, Sr. Agnes Cecilia. Stricken with osteoporosis, she could not lift her head to look at me, but immediately recognized my voice as I greeted her. Tears of joy filled my eyes as well as hers, as we hadn’t seen each other since I left Immaculate Conception Parish (now St. Maria Goretti) in Bloomfield 7 years ago. Sr. Agnes, known for her sense of humor, was a friend as well as a musical mentor to me. Her 3rd grade students were always well prepared for Mass, and I remember her practicing the readings with them at the microphone over and over until they were able to pronounce each word with perfection. She was famous for her joy and her spirited ways, and would often be heard singing, humming, and dancing around the convent as well as the school. I remember her dancing the polka and the tarantella with then Pastor, Fr. Dominic Olivieri at all the parish dinner dances. Her love, joy and generous spirit permeated the entire community, and she was loved by all who encountered her. Sr. Agnes Cecilia is retired now, and living at the Motherhouse on Clarwin Ave. in Ross Township. I’m sure she’s giving the sisters there a lot of laughs. The sisters celebrate their feast day this weekend on Pentecost. May their joyous spirit live on forever!
Last month I had the pleasure of attending the 100th Anniversary of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. Along with hundreds of friends and family members, we descended the cathedral steps to the reception hall following Mass to greet and congratulate the sisters. There, seated at the back of the hall was my dear friend, Sr. Agnes Cecilia. Stricken with osteoporosis, she could not lift her head to look at me, but immediately recognized my voice as I greeted her. Tears of joy filled my eyes as well as hers, as we hadn’t seen each other since I left Immaculate Conception Parish (now St. Maria Goretti) in Bloomfield 7 years ago. Sr. Agnes, known for her sense of humor, was a friend as well as a musical mentor to me. Her 3rd grade students were always well prepared for Mass, and I remember her practicing the readings with them at the microphone over and over until they were able to pronounce each word with perfection. She was famous for her joy and her spirited ways, and would often be heard singing, humming, and dancing around the convent as well as the school. I remember her dancing the polka and the tarantella with then Pastor, Fr. Dominic Olivieri at all the parish dinner dances. Her love, joy and generous spirit permeated the entire community, and she was loved by all who encountered her. Sr. Agnes Cecilia is retired now, and living at the Motherhouse on Clarwin Ave. in Ross Township. I’m sure she’s giving the sisters there a lot of laughs. The sisters celebrate their feast day this weekend on Pentecost. May their joyous spirit live on forever!
Sunday, May 5, 2013
My Daylily Dillema
My Daylily Dillema
Can you ever have too much of a good thing? A pleasant smell? A sweet treat? A vacation holiday? Kind words? Love? By now, most of you know that I have an affinity for flowers… most flowers, that is. My “daylily dilemma” began on Tuesday of this past week, when I decided to go after all the daylilies that crept into my flower beds last fall. Now, don’t get me wrong. I happen to like daylilies, and there’s probably some society somewhere dedicated to the preservation of them. I just don’t want them threatening the diversity of my garden where coreopsis, dianthus and iris’ live peacefully side by side. So I dug until I filled 3 large landscape bags full. One sore back, two bruised knees, and three blisters later, the scourge of the daylily infestation was over. Exhausted from my digging, I had just sat down when my neighbor popped her head over the fence and said, “Could I have those beautiful lilies you just dug up?” “Gladly!” I yelled back. “I guess one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! But where were you when I was digging?”
Jesus’ command to “love one another” is one of His final instructions to the Apostles, as He prepares to leave them in the days before His Ascension into heaven, sending them out “two by two” to proclaim the works of the Holy Spirit. In order to do this, they had to clear away any impediment that threatened to weigh them down. There was no room for insecurity, which they had to prune away in order to sow the seeds of Jesus’ love unconditionally, and grow the Church as a garden of diversity and inclusivity. We are nearing the end of the Easter season. In these final weeks before Pentecost, let us be ever mindful of Jesus’ commandment of love. The daylily is beautiful, but it threatened the diversity of my garden. Let us rid our lives of anything that threatens to upset the delicate balance of our lives, and impedes our loving. My “daylily dilemma” was solved with a shovel. What tools will you use?
Can you ever have too much of a good thing? A pleasant smell? A sweet treat? A vacation holiday? Kind words? Love? By now, most of you know that I have an affinity for flowers… most flowers, that is. My “daylily dilemma” began on Tuesday of this past week, when I decided to go after all the daylilies that crept into my flower beds last fall. Now, don’t get me wrong. I happen to like daylilies, and there’s probably some society somewhere dedicated to the preservation of them. I just don’t want them threatening the diversity of my garden where coreopsis, dianthus and iris’ live peacefully side by side. So I dug until I filled 3 large landscape bags full. One sore back, two bruised knees, and three blisters later, the scourge of the daylily infestation was over. Exhausted from my digging, I had just sat down when my neighbor popped her head over the fence and said, “Could I have those beautiful lilies you just dug up?” “Gladly!” I yelled back. “I guess one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! But where were you when I was digging?”
Jesus’ command to “love one another” is one of His final instructions to the Apostles, as He prepares to leave them in the days before His Ascension into heaven, sending them out “two by two” to proclaim the works of the Holy Spirit. In order to do this, they had to clear away any impediment that threatened to weigh them down. There was no room for insecurity, which they had to prune away in order to sow the seeds of Jesus’ love unconditionally, and grow the Church as a garden of diversity and inclusivity. We are nearing the end of the Easter season. In these final weeks before Pentecost, let us be ever mindful of Jesus’ commandment of love. The daylily is beautiful, but it threatened the diversity of my garden. Let us rid our lives of anything that threatens to upset the delicate balance of our lives, and impedes our loving. My “daylily dilemma” was solved with a shovel. What tools will you use?
Saturday, April 27, 2013
What are we learning?
What are we learning?
This week, the focus is on Kindergarten and First Grade. Tammy Belloma is the Kindergarten Catechist and the class includes 5 boys and 3 girls. The Kindergarten Aide is Elizabeth Strub. The primary goal of this year is to spend time learning about how God loves each child. One special time near the end of class, is when the children form a prayer circle and they add their individual prayer intentions. Very often they pray for one of the other students; the boys pray for other boys and the girls for other girls. As would be expected of Kindergarten students, they very much enjoy singing, dancing and crafts. They also appreciate Bible stories and were interested in the activity of baptizing a baby (doll).
Patricia Valenzky is the First Grade Catechist and her Aide is Adrieanna Scarrino. First grade has 6 boys and 4 girls. First grade students also learn how much God loves them. They also learn that Jesus died for them and that the Holy Spirit is with them. The children learn and understand their prayers including the “Our Father”, the “Hail Mary” the “Glory Be” and prayers to the Saints. They participate in seasonal plays in which each student has a part. In addition, the children design different-colored art projects which are hung from the ceiling for special days. The most recent projects were varied crosses for Lent and Easter.
Last Class of the Year
The last day of class for the 2012-2013 Religious Education program is next Sunday, May 5. We will have a special crowning for the Blessed Mother in the courtyard beginning at 9:10 am.
Students are to report to the cafeteria at 8:30 am. The children will be walked into the courtyard by their teacher at 9:10 am. All parents, grandparents and relatives are welcome to join us in the courtyard. Following the ceremony, the children are free to leave with their parents.
Since the second graders will be receiving their First Holy Communion at the noon Mass that day, there will be an additional crowning of the Blessed Mother in the church for them.
Information regarding next year’s religious education program will be sent in the mail. It will also be published in upcoming Sunday bulletins. Stay tuned!
RCIA and Mystagogy
As noted previously, mystagogy is the catechetical period following immediately after the reception of Baptism by adults who were baptized at the Easter Vigil and during when they are initiated into the mystery of Christ. Jordan Marchiano, Emily Felix and Jonathan Fragapane will be engaged in activities designed to make prayer more meaningful and enjoyable. They will learn how to discern the voice of God from other voices which do not represent God’s plans, when making important decisions. They will learn about various saints and how the desire of the saints for holiness was an active force in the daily lives of the saints. The three, now fully initiated Catholics, will understand that the saints whom they will review, were not without faults, but that they learned to make positive choices which led to a stronger relation with Jesus Christ.
The following is a helpful quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church describing the period of mystagogy:
“The catechumenate … aims at bringing their conversion and faith to maturity, in response to the divine initiative and in union with an ecclesial community.” (1248)
Jordan, Emily and Jonathan will continue to meet during this time of mystagogy, with Barb Quigley.
Congratulations Newly Baptized!
Dantae Louis Batemon
Son of Tia Marie Batemon
Kellen Thomas Griffith
Son of Michael and Bethany Griffith
This week, the focus is on Kindergarten and First Grade. Tammy Belloma is the Kindergarten Catechist and the class includes 5 boys and 3 girls. The Kindergarten Aide is Elizabeth Strub. The primary goal of this year is to spend time learning about how God loves each child. One special time near the end of class, is when the children form a prayer circle and they add their individual prayer intentions. Very often they pray for one of the other students; the boys pray for other boys and the girls for other girls. As would be expected of Kindergarten students, they very much enjoy singing, dancing and crafts. They also appreciate Bible stories and were interested in the activity of baptizing a baby (doll).
Patricia Valenzky is the First Grade Catechist and her Aide is Adrieanna Scarrino. First grade has 6 boys and 4 girls. First grade students also learn how much God loves them. They also learn that Jesus died for them and that the Holy Spirit is with them. The children learn and understand their prayers including the “Our Father”, the “Hail Mary” the “Glory Be” and prayers to the Saints. They participate in seasonal plays in which each student has a part. In addition, the children design different-colored art projects which are hung from the ceiling for special days. The most recent projects were varied crosses for Lent and Easter.
Last Class of the Year
The last day of class for the 2012-2013 Religious Education program is next Sunday, May 5. We will have a special crowning for the Blessed Mother in the courtyard beginning at 9:10 am.
Students are to report to the cafeteria at 8:30 am. The children will be walked into the courtyard by their teacher at 9:10 am. All parents, grandparents and relatives are welcome to join us in the courtyard. Following the ceremony, the children are free to leave with their parents.
Since the second graders will be receiving their First Holy Communion at the noon Mass that day, there will be an additional crowning of the Blessed Mother in the church for them.
Information regarding next year’s religious education program will be sent in the mail. It will also be published in upcoming Sunday bulletins. Stay tuned!
RCIA and Mystagogy
As noted previously, mystagogy is the catechetical period following immediately after the reception of Baptism by adults who were baptized at the Easter Vigil and during when they are initiated into the mystery of Christ. Jordan Marchiano, Emily Felix and Jonathan Fragapane will be engaged in activities designed to make prayer more meaningful and enjoyable. They will learn how to discern the voice of God from other voices which do not represent God’s plans, when making important decisions. They will learn about various saints and how the desire of the saints for holiness was an active force in the daily lives of the saints. The three, now fully initiated Catholics, will understand that the saints whom they will review, were not without faults, but that they learned to make positive choices which led to a stronger relation with Jesus Christ.
The following is a helpful quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church describing the period of mystagogy:
“The catechumenate … aims at bringing their conversion and faith to maturity, in response to the divine initiative and in union with an ecclesial community.” (1248)
Jordan, Emily and Jonathan will continue to meet during this time of mystagogy, with Barb Quigley.
Congratulations Newly Baptized!
Dantae Louis Batemon
Son of Tia Marie Batemon
Kellen Thomas Griffith
Son of Michael and Bethany Griffith
Monday, March 18, 2013
Mass Settings
Mass Settings
Recently, I was asked the question, “Why is it that
when I go to different churches, I hear the same
prayers, but the music to them sounds different to
me?” A little confused by the question, I asked which
prayers the man was referring to. He replied, “The
Holy Holy and the Lamb of God.”
The sung prayers of the Mass: The Lord Have Mercy,
Glory to God, Holy, Mystery of Faith, Great Amen and
Lamb of God, are all set to musical settings called “Mass
Settings.” Composers take the words to those prayers
and compose their own musical arrangements which
involve the choral parts, the congregational parts, parts
for organ, piano, guitar as well as other instruments and
the cantor’s part. Then they name the Mass setting and
publish it.
When the Roman Missal was promulgated last year, all
the Mass settings had to be re-written and re-learned. At
St. Joseph, we learned a new setting called “The Mass
of Christ the Savior,” written by composer Dan Schutte.
But we still sing some of the familiar settings such as the
Danish Mass and the Community Mass, which are the
settings we are using for Lent. The “Holy” which is from
“The Community Mass” had to be re-written to include
the new text from the new Roman Missal. The melody
may be familiar, but the first part, “Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of Hosts…” is more drawn out and prolonged and is
taking some time to get used to. Different churches use
different settings. It’s still the same prayers, but with
different rhythms, accompaniments, melody and choral
parts. Hopefully, after a few more years, these new
settings will become easier to our singing congregation.
~Ginny Ambrose
Recently, I was asked the question, “Why is it that
when I go to different churches, I hear the same
prayers, but the music to them sounds different to
me?” A little confused by the question, I asked which
prayers the man was referring to. He replied, “The
Holy Holy and the Lamb of God.”
The sung prayers of the Mass: The Lord Have Mercy,
Glory to God, Holy, Mystery of Faith, Great Amen and
Lamb of God, are all set to musical settings called “Mass
Settings.” Composers take the words to those prayers
and compose their own musical arrangements which
involve the choral parts, the congregational parts, parts
for organ, piano, guitar as well as other instruments and
the cantor’s part. Then they name the Mass setting and
publish it.
When the Roman Missal was promulgated last year, all
the Mass settings had to be re-written and re-learned. At
St. Joseph, we learned a new setting called “The Mass
of Christ the Savior,” written by composer Dan Schutte.
But we still sing some of the familiar settings such as the
Danish Mass and the Community Mass, which are the
settings we are using for Lent. The “Holy” which is from
“The Community Mass” had to be re-written to include
the new text from the new Roman Missal. The melody
may be familiar, but the first part, “Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of Hosts…” is more drawn out and prolonged and is
taking some time to get used to. Different churches use
different settings. It’s still the same prayers, but with
different rhythms, accompaniments, melody and choral
parts. Hopefully, after a few more years, these new
settings will become easier to our singing congregation.
~Ginny Ambrose
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Total Strangers United by the Same Spirit
Total Strangers United by the Same Spirit
A few months back I was doing my grocery shopping at the
local Giant Eagle where I live. The store was crowded with
the usual menagerie of people: college students shopping
together for their apartments, mothers with children asking
for goodies and exhausted families with carts full to the
brim. I was on my usual hurried mission to get what I
needed and get out as quickly as possible. (Shopping is not
one of my favorite activities.) Little did I know that I was in
for the most unusual shopping excursion of my life.
I had just entered the produce department when a man
passed and bumped into me, seemingly not to notice, as
he sang and danced to the music on his iPod.
Spontaneously, (and because I knew the tune), I sang the
next line. Obviously surprised by my musical response, he
sang back to me, and then both of us laughed at the
craziness of the moment as we continued to sing. There we
stood, among the tomatoes and the avocados, music being
the only thing we had in common. Before long, we had the
attention of others. The cooks in the meat department
chimed in, and then the cooks in prepared foods, doing
unrehearsed dance moves while singing along. Pretty
soon, like a spontaneous flash mob, the entire produce
department was full of singing shoppers. Finally, the song
ended, we all clapped and cheered, then resumed our
shopping as if nothing unusual had occurred. A normal day,
a boring trip to the grocery store and total strangers, united
by the common bond and spirit of music. You never know
when or where the Holy Spirit will manifest, or who will be
the harbinger. Despite our differences, strangers somehow
were united in one blessed and special moment. If that can
happen at a supermarket, imagine what can happen when
Christians are united by the same faith, the same Church,
the same prayers, and the same God?! ~Ginny Ambrose
A few months back I was doing my grocery shopping at the
local Giant Eagle where I live. The store was crowded with
the usual menagerie of people: college students shopping
together for their apartments, mothers with children asking
for goodies and exhausted families with carts full to the
brim. I was on my usual hurried mission to get what I
needed and get out as quickly as possible. (Shopping is not
one of my favorite activities.) Little did I know that I was in
for the most unusual shopping excursion of my life.
I had just entered the produce department when a man
passed and bumped into me, seemingly not to notice, as
he sang and danced to the music on his iPod.
Spontaneously, (and because I knew the tune), I sang the
next line. Obviously surprised by my musical response, he
sang back to me, and then both of us laughed at the
craziness of the moment as we continued to sing. There we
stood, among the tomatoes and the avocados, music being
the only thing we had in common. Before long, we had the
attention of others. The cooks in the meat department
chimed in, and then the cooks in prepared foods, doing
unrehearsed dance moves while singing along. Pretty
soon, like a spontaneous flash mob, the entire produce
department was full of singing shoppers. Finally, the song
ended, we all clapped and cheered, then resumed our
shopping as if nothing unusual had occurred. A normal day,
a boring trip to the grocery store and total strangers, united
by the common bond and spirit of music. You never know
when or where the Holy Spirit will manifest, or who will be
the harbinger. Despite our differences, strangers somehow
were united in one blessed and special moment. If that can
happen at a supermarket, imagine what can happen when
Christians are united by the same faith, the same Church,
the same prayers, and the same God?! ~Ginny Ambrose
Friday, January 25, 2013
Prayer Of The Unborn Child
PRAYER OF THE UNBORN CHILD:
O Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and earth and all things, You create today millions of human beings who are never permitted to see the light of day because of the sin of abortion. Grant to mankind the wisdom to respect human life at every stage of development.
You infuse souls into innocent babies even while still in their mothers' wombs, their temporary homes. Grant that no one deprives your most innocent ones the privilege of your holy Baptism whereby they may be born again to Your supernatural life by grace. One soul in Your eyes, Almighty God, is of more value than the whole created universe.
Accept the precious blood of Your Son Jesus Christ, present on our altars and in our tabernacles, throughout the world in reparation for the sins of abortive murder. Even before Your Divine Son was born of Mary, dear God, when Your holy Mother greeted Elizabeth shortly after the conception of the Divine Child. Elizabeth asked, "How am I worthy that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" Long before the birth of the Divine Child the Holy Spirit inspired Elizabeth to call Mary "Mother" and the unborn Child, her "Lord.”
Almighty God, remove the scourge of abortion from the face of the earth. Amen.
O Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and earth and all things, You create today millions of human beings who are never permitted to see the light of day because of the sin of abortion. Grant to mankind the wisdom to respect human life at every stage of development.
You infuse souls into innocent babies even while still in their mothers' wombs, their temporary homes. Grant that no one deprives your most innocent ones the privilege of your holy Baptism whereby they may be born again to Your supernatural life by grace. One soul in Your eyes, Almighty God, is of more value than the whole created universe.
Accept the precious blood of Your Son Jesus Christ, present on our altars and in our tabernacles, throughout the world in reparation for the sins of abortive murder. Even before Your Divine Son was born of Mary, dear God, when Your holy Mother greeted Elizabeth shortly after the conception of the Divine Child. Elizabeth asked, "How am I worthy that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" Long before the birth of the Divine Child the Holy Spirit inspired Elizabeth to call Mary "Mother" and the unborn Child, her "Lord.”
Almighty God, remove the scourge of abortion from the face of the earth. Amen.
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