December 2008 Archives
Vatican, Dec. 3, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Original Sin should always be understood in the context of the salvation brought by Jesus Christ, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) told his regular weekly public audience on December 3.
Speaking to about 7,000 people in the Paul VI auditorium, the Holy Father acknowledged that the doctrine of Original Sin is unpopular today. "Many people think that, in the light of the history of evolution, there is no place" for such a belief, he said. But if there is no sin that stains mankind, there is no necessity for salvation.
"Does Original Sin exist or not, then?" the Pontiff asked rhetorically. He pointed out that St. Paul, in sketching "the basic outlines of the doctrine" in his Letter to the Romans, explains Original Sin by comparing the Fall in Eden with the redemption brought by Christ, the new Adam.
Every rational person recognizes the reality of human weakness, the Pope said. The doctrine of Original Sin goes beyond that obvious reality to address the "ontological foundation" of evil, he said. "In effect, there is a contradiction in our being. On the one hand we know we must do good, and in our inner selves this is what we desire, yet at the same time we feel an impulse to do the opposite, to follow the path of egoism, of violence."
Immaculate Conception Church
59 Walnut Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
978-345-2491
Father Ted Laperle will be the celebrant and Charles Turner and Niall O’Connell will be the servers.
The Mass will be offered in the Extraordinary Form.
Sam and Jana Schmitt will provide the music.
Confessions will be heard immediately after Mass.
Now that our country has chosen as president a man who is either a communist, or at least a sympathizer, it would be good for Catholics to renew their understanding of communism and why the Church severely condemns it. Mr. Obama began his political career with William Ayres, an avowed Marxist and terrorist, and has spent the last 20 years imbibing the racial hatred known as "black liberation theology" from Jeremiah Wright. The potential he has for undermining what is left of American civilization is significant. Hence, we must be on guard.
Included below are excerpts from the encyclical Divini Redemptoris, On Atheistic Communism, by Pope Pius XI, with emphasis added. Written in 1937, the letter is almost prophetic in describing what is taking place in America today. His Holiness exhorts us to prayer and penance, and warns us to avoid all cooperation with communism.
Pray the Rosary every day, for the conversion of Russia.
The Spread of Communism Explained
15. How is it possible that such a system, long since rejected scientifically and now proved erroneous by experience, how is it, We ask, that such a system could spread so rapidly in all parts of the world? The explanation lies in the fact that too few have been able to grasp the nature of Communism. The majority instead succumb to its deception, skillfully concealed by the most extravagant promises. By pretending to desire only the betterment of the condition of the working classes, by urging the removal of the very real abuses chargeable to the liberalistic economic order, and by demanding a more equitable distribution of this world's goods (objectives entirely and undoubtedly legitimate), the Communist takes advantage of the present world-wide economic crisis to draw into the sphere of his influence even those sections of the populace which on principle reject all forms of materialism and terrorism. And as every error contains its element of truth, the partial truths to which We have referred are astutely presented according to the needs of time and place, to conceal, when convenient, the repulsive crudity and inhumanity of Communistic principles and tactics. Thus the Communist ideal wins over many of the better minded members of the community. These in turn become the apostles of the movement among the younger intelligentsia who are still too immature to recognize the intrinsic errors of the system. The preachers of Communism are also proficient in exploiting racial antagonisms and political divisions and oppositions. They take advantage of the lack of orientation characteristic of modern agnostic science in order to burrow into the universities, where they bolster up the principles of their doctrine with pseudo-scientific arguments.
Prayer to the Immaculate Conception
O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime height turn upon thine eyes of pity. Filled with confidence in thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech Thee to extend to me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of dangers for my soul. And in order that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may ever live with my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee. I consecrate my heart to thee forever, my only desire being to love thy Divine Son, Jesus. Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I too be saved. Amen.
The Coalition in Support of Ecclesia Dei has a nice bar chart showing the increase in Latin Masses over the past 20 years. Please visit their website to see the full chart (click here)
The following was posted on Fr. Z's blog:
There will be a Christmas midnight High Mass (missa cantata) at Immaculate Conception Church, 59 Walnut St., Fitchburg, Massachusetts. A musical prelude will begin at 11:30, with the Mass beginning at 12 midnight.
One commenter added that Immaculate Conception is slated to be closed. Pray that the Traditional Mass will revive the parish.
A Reflection on a Good Mother by Br. Thomas Augustine, MICM on the occasion of the loss of his mother, Mrs. Julia Dalton, may she rest in peace.
Saint John Marie Vianney, patron of parish priests could be quite stern on occasion when dealing with sin and yet he said these almost sentimental words, “No one who has had the fortune of having a good mother, should think of her without tears.”
Now, I don’t want to scandalize you with a modern-day type eulogy for my mother but I think I would be remiss not to say a few words about good mothers and good women in general on such an occasion. I think that I should call them to mind as a duty of gratitude. There was a time when the common virtues associated with good mothers were much more prevalent and even taken for granted. Why not bring a few of these into the light?
Special Features
• Saints for each day conform to the Tridentine calendar.
•Monthly dedication.
•Noted Ember Days and Holy Days of Obligation.
•Spiritual quote or reflection for each month and more!
Sacred Hear Church in Swedesburg, PA (near Bridgeport) will have a TLM (low Mass) on Thursday, January 1, 2009 at 11:30 AM.
The address of the church is 129 Jefferson St., Swedesburg, PA. Fr. Andrew McCormack, a long-time friend of the TLM, will be the celebrant. The telephone number is 610 275 1750 and the web address is http://www.sacredheart-swedesburg.net.
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2008
For the feast of the Epiphany (7 PM) , there will be a Solemn High Mass at Holy Trinity parish, in Bristow-Gainesville-Haymarket area of Virginia (8213 Linton Hall Rd, Bristow, VA 20136).
Several local seminarians from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, the Institute of Christ the King, and St. Charles Borromeo, as well as diocesan priests, will be serving or singing at the Mass. The parish priests are Fr. Peffley and Fr. Wooton, to whom we are greatly indebted for affording us this extraordinary opportunity to offer this very solemn form of the Traditional Mass.
All are invited and encouraged to witness this magnificent liturgical form of the immemorial Roman Rite.
The following churches will offer the Traditional Mass for the Feast of the Circumcision, Jan. 1:
Connecticut
St. Mary Church, Norwalk, Dec. 31, 7:00 pm; Jan. 1, Solemn Mass, 5:30 pm. On Dec. 31, 6:00 pm to 12 Midnight, Adoration and Benediction, followed by a reception in the church hall.
St. Mary Church, 544 Main St., New Britain, 12 noon.
St. Martha Church, 214 Brainard Rd., Enfield, 12 noon. (St. Martha's has a Traditional Mass every Sunday at 1:30 pm)
New York
Immaculate Conception Church, Sleepy Hollow, NY, low Mass 3:00 pm.
St. Agnes Church, 143 E. 43rd St., Manhattan, 11 am.
St. John's Chapel at St. Johns Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens (80th St. and Metropolitan Ave.) at 9:00 AM Sung Mass
St. Matthew Church, 35 N. Service Rd, Dix Hills, Missa Cantata, 10:30 am.
New Jersey
St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, 1360 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, 9 am, 11 am, 7 pm.
Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, 32 West Franklin Avenue, Pequannock, NJ, 7,9 and 11 AM and 5:00 PM
Also of interest: First Friday Traditional Latin Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, January 2, 6:30 pm, presented by the Oratory of the Sacred Heart, Church of the Guardian Angel, 193 Tenth Avenue at 21st Street, Manhattan C, E trains to 23rd Street Station, M23 Bus to 10th Avenue, For more information: (917) 535-2054.
A traditional Missa Cantata will be celebrated at St. Cecilia's Church (Brooklyn) for the Feast of the Epiphany on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 at 6:30pm. There will be a procession and veneration of the Child Jesus at the end of the Mass. The Celebrant of the Mass will be the Rev. Father Carlos Viego.
This is the only church we know of yet that is celebrating Epiphany on the traditional (actual) date of the feast. Perhaps our readers know of other Masses. Our pastors need to know that we have an interest in observing this feast on its traditional (real) date.
A friend sent me this short YouTube video about the Sacred Music movement. This Colloquium was held at Loyola University of Chicago and the next Colloquim will be held June 22- 28, 2009.
The website for the organization Musica Sacra is here and seems to have wonderful resources for those committed to the revival of Sacred Music.
