David Ancell / Sunday, December 29, 2002 / Comments(0)
I went to the 4:30 PM vigil Mass, and I saw a most disturbing sight . . . .
There was a woman who appeared to be middle-aged in front of me along with two girls who could be her daughters. They were talking to each other intermittently throughout the Mass. It was especially bad during the Liturgy of the Word. I’ll grant them that the music that the Responsorial Psalm was set to is probably featured in fine elevators everywhere, but I just can’t stand to see people carrying on conversations during Mass.
I don’t want to go to Mass to criticize those around me. Unfortunately, I’m highly distractable, and I’m sure the Devil had fun with me on this one. How can I respond? Do I just offer it up? I did pray for them. Do I talk to them? Do I approach them after Mass and say “Hey! I think you need to go to another Mass because you didn’t hear this one!”
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David Ancell / Saturday, December 28, 2002 / Comments(0)
I just happened to run across these rules for behavior in a Russian Orthodox temple. While I’m not advocating that Catholics should follow every one of these rules, I must admit that I admire the show of reverence that they expect.
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David Ancell / Saturday, December 28, 2002 / Comments(0)
Jeff Miller has gotten into songwriting. He must be on Christmas vacation with plenty of time to write that great stuff.
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David Ancell / Saturday, December 28, 2002 / Comments(0)
Just saw that Cardinal Egan has been cleared of sexual abuse charges.
Let us pray that the Cardinal will be able to forgive his accuser. He has a golden opportunity to give witness here. Not only that, but he will cover a multitude of sins.
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David Ancell / Saturday, December 28, 2002 / Comments(0)
Mission San Xavier del Bac in Arizona is accepting e-mail prayer petitions. Now, if you can’t make the pilgrimage, just pray electronically. They will pin your petition to the statue of St. Francis Xavier.
However, as the article quotes from Father Gaa
“I think if somebody in Tucson is e-mailing, they are missing the point,”
Honestly, I think that doing this is a matter of devotion is fine. It does carry the problem that other such devotions carry. If done as a means to force God to answer your request, it becomes superstition.
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David Ancell / Thursday, December 26, 2002 / Comments(0)
If you don’t believe in Santa Claus, you should. Here is an article about St. Nicholas on Catholic Exchange.
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David Ancell / Wednesday, December 25, 2002 / Comments(0)
I wish we still knelt at a communion rail to receive the Eucharist. Well, actually, I’d settle for any kneeling to receive the Eucharist. Apparently, some priests have actually denied people communion for doing so.
Well, they are not allowed to do it. The identity of the bishop to whom the linked-to letter is addressed is not given, but I hope he followed up.
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David Ancell / Wednesday, December 25, 2002 / Comments(0)
Well, the family has all left, and I’m here with only my parents and sister in the house where I lived during my teen years. I was a few months short of thirteen when we moved here in 1988.
I did some more Internet surfing to uncover this interesting letter which says that Mary didn’t have to suffer labor pains in giving birth to Jesus.
There is also an explanation of the wrath of God.
Finally, there is an explanation of papal documents available on the site.
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David Ancell / Wednesday, December 25, 2002 / Comments(0)
I saw a number of people this morning at Mass that I haven’t seen in a long time. It was nice. The only bad part is that there weren’t many people there. I guess they went to Mass yesterday. How wonderful is it to have the greatest thing in the world, the Mass, on the day when we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world. He really did come today under the appearance of bread and wine, and we received him.
At the end of the Mass, Father made an appeal. He mentioned that there are people out there somewhere who haven’t called Mom in a long time. Pray that they will call home.
I will add to this. There are no doubt many people in the church you attended today who haven’t been since Easter, or even last Christmas. Pray for them to come home to stay.
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David Ancell / Tuesday, December 24, 2002 / Comments(0)
While in Nashville yesterday, I couldn’t help but be a bit annoyed at the people at restaurants and stores that I visited who would say “You have a good holiday.” or “Happy Holidays.” It’s as though these people don’t know what holiday it is. Maybe it’s the Society to Neutralize the World ringing in their political correctness.
The irony is that the first person whom I remember saying “Merry Christmas” to me was a Jewish lady.
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