Viewing the Vatican in Latin

May 29, 2008

Latin is not often seen on the Internet except for quotes from older published works.  But the Vatican recently announced that the Vatican website is now also available in Latin.  The website is already available in English, Italian, German, Spanish, French and Portuguese. 

Not surprisingly, the most complete version of the website is in Italian, although the English version (and others) are not far behind.  The Latin version is much smaller so far, although the Vatican is very good at continuing to add translations as they are available. 

What is important to note, however, is that the Latin version will be helpful in aiding individuals to view the official text and in understanding how the translations into the other language are similar or slightly different. 

For example, the English version of The Code of Canon Law is normally printed in a book that has one page in Latin with the page facing it in English.  Thus, readers can view the original Latin text alongside the translated English text.  With the new website, the Vatican will be centralizing an online collection of Latin texts on many topics for Catholics everywhere to view.

Reminder:  If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes now to complete the ActiveParishioner.com Survey.  We welcome your feedback. Thank you.

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Keeping Up with the Holy Land Today

May 27, 2008

For most of us, when someone mentions the Holy Land we think of one of two images — either ancient times with Jesus walking down the street or modern times filled with news photos of violence.  Yet the Holy Land is very much alive and filled with Catholic activity. 

A new website titled Holy Land Catholic Communications Centre brings this home. In addition to a history and description of the churches in the Holy Land, the site includes current homilies, presentations, meetings and other events.  The site is an interesting effort to connect us to the daily lives of the many faith-filled people who live in the Holy Land. The site is written in English, Arabic, French, Hebrew and Italian.

Reminder:  If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes now to complete the ActiveParishioner.com Survey.  We really appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

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Celebrate the Year of St. Paul Starting in June 2008

May 26, 2008

St. Paul is celebrating his 2,000th anniversary this year.  It’s not often that we see an anniversary with so many zeros behind it!  In honor of this energetic and passionate saint, the Vatican has designated June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009 as the Pauline Jubilee year. 

The Vatican has set up two websites about St. Paul.  The first one, in English, is focused on the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls. If you ever have a chance to visit Rome, do not miss visiting this Basilica.  It is a short drive outside of “downtown” Rome, but it is another world once you enter — absolutely spectacular.

The Basilica’s website includes a history of how the Basilica was built in its many stages, including fires that occurred. The site also includes a good summary of St. Paul’s life.  The site reports that experts now believe that Paul was about 10 years younger than Jesus.  Although he never personally met Jesus of Nazareth, his conversion and then his becoming an apostle of Christ have had a profound influence on our Church.

There will be many specific events scheduled during the Pauline year, including concerts, prayer services and even a plenary indulgence.  All of these are described in the second website in Italian, called Anno Paolino.

In addition to being passionate about his mission as an apostle, Paul was a prolific writer as we often realize when we hear his many “letters” at Mass.  Whether writing to the Philippians, the Corinthians, the Thessalonians, the Romans, or any other group, Paul helped to develop our understanding of Christ by bringing the Good News to many.  To learn more about St. Paul, a good little book to read is 101 Questions and Answers on Paul.

Reminder:  If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes now to complete the ActiveParishioner.com Survey.  We really want your feedback. Thank you.

  

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Theological Adult Education Vatican-Style

May 22, 2008

The Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy periodically schedules talks or “conferences” on theological topics for priests around the world.  The Vatican has recently published many of these talks and responses online at Congregation for the Clergy – Teleconference.

Although the target audience generally consists of priests, lay people can also benefit from viewing these presentations.  In fact, these talks provide a unique glimpse into current thinking at the Vatican.

Categories for the talks are varied and include the following:

  • Christology
  • Ecclesiology
  • Trinitarian
  • Moral Theology
  • Church and Women
  • Bioethics
  • Resurrection
  • Marriage and Family
  • The Lay Faithful
  • Church and State
  • Preaching
  • Papal Magisterium
  • Economy

There are many more topics available.  Each topic includes presentations by noted experts from around the world, and usually an introduction and conclusion. Although many of these are not light reading, they can be very thought-provoking.

Reminder:  If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes now to complete the ActiveParishioner.com Survey.  Thank you.

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Schedule of Catholic Conferences in June and July 2008

May 15, 2008

The following is a list of national Catholic conferences scheduled in June and July 2008.

6/1/2008 – 6/4/2008
ACHTUS – Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the US
ACHTUS Colloquium 2008 – Ultura en lo cotidiano: Intersections of Faith and Popular Culture
Miami Beach, FL

A membership association of Roman Catholic Hispanics who possess a doctoral degree in theology, Scripture, ministry or general religious studies and are actively engaged in the North American Hispanic religious experience. The mission of ACHTUS is to promote research and critical theological reflection with the context of the US Hispanic experience.

6/5/2008 – 6/8/2008
CTSA – Catholic Theological Society of America
2008 CTSA Annual Convention – Generations
Miami, FL

The official membership organization of Catholic theologians (professionals with a degree in theological or related studies and who are or have been actively engaged in teaching and research.) CTSA’s mission is to promote studies and research in theology, to relate theological science to current problems, and to foster a ore effective theological.

6/8/2008  - 6/9/2008
CSWNA – Catholic Social Workers National Association
CSWNA’s Inaugural Conference – Catholic Social Work: Living the Mission
Grand Rapids, MI

A national professional association of Catholic social workers. CSWNA’s mission is to promote the implementation of Catholic social teachings in social work practice while supporting competent professional social workers living out their baptismal call by being the hands and feet of Christ.

6/12/2008  - 6/14/2008
USCCB – US Conference of Catholic Bishops
USCCB Annual June Meeting
Orlando, FL

US bishops meet twice a year, in November and June, to conduct the business of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops

6/18/2008  - 6/22/2008
Serra USA
Serra USA 2008 Annual Meeting
South Bend, IN

Serra USA is an organization of individuals that promotes vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Catholic Church.

6/22/2008  - 6/24/2008
CHA – Catholic Health Association
2008 CHA Assembly – The Future of Compassion
San Diego, CA

The official membership organization of Catholic health care sponsors, systems and facilities. The mission of CHA is to support the Catholic health ministry’s pursuit of the strategic directions of mission, ethics, and advocacy.

6/30/2008  - 7/2/2008
NACFLM – National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers
NACFLM 2008 Conference – Bridging Families and Church
San Francisco, CA

The membership association for family life ministers. This includes a variety of ministry areas including singles, marriage prep, respect life, interchurch/ecumenical marriage, families in crisis, separated/divorced, widowed/bereaved, older adults, and special needs families. NACFLM’s mission is to offer support and professional enrichment for those who minister to and with families, to be a voice and advocate for families, to promote the development of family life ministry and to foster a family perspective in Church and

6/30/2008  - 7/3/2008
NPM – National Association of Pastoral Musicians
NPM Convention (Regional) – In the Midst of Change…
East Brunswick, NJ

The membership organization for anyone who recognizes and supports the value of musical liturgy. This includes choir directors, organists, guitarists, pianists, instrumentalists, presiders, cantors, and choral groups. NPM’s mission is to foster the art of musical liturgy.

7/2/2008  - 7/6/2008
Tekakwitha Conference
69th Annual Tekakwitha Conference – One Heart, All Nations
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

A membership organization open to all clergy, religious, all Native People, and all women and men ministering with Native Americans. The mission of the Tekakwitha Conference is to unify the Native Catholic voice, presence and identity while respective the diversity, to empower Native Catholics as Church, and to deepen and affirm Native Catholic identity and pride in their culture and spiritual traditions.

7/8/2008  - 7/9/2008
NAPP – National Association of Priest Pilots
NAPP 2008 Convention
Savannah, GA

An organization of Catholic priests who are also pilots. NAPP assists with continuing flying education to help members in maintaining their skills and keeping up to date on the latest regulations and technological advances. The organization also provides support to members using aircraft in missionary work.

7/8/2008  - 7/11/2008
NPM – National Association of Pastoral Musicians
NPM Convention (Regional)
Cleveland, OH

The membership organization for anyone who recognizes and supports the value of musical liturgy. This includes choir directors, organists, guitarists, pianists, instrumentalists, presiders, cantors, and choral groups. NPM’s mission is to foster the art of musical liturgy.

7/15/2008  - 7/20/2008
The Vatican and Australian Bishops Conference
WYD – World Youth Day 2008
Sydney, Australia

Visit the ActiveParishioner.com Calendar for more details and future events.

Reminder:  If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes now to complete the ActiveParishioner.com Survey.  Thank you.

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Celebrating a Catholic Quinceaňera

May 13, 2008

As the Hispanic population within the Catholic Church in the US continues to grow, many parishes are faced with a request to celebrate a quinceaňera.  This celebration of a young woman who is turning 15 years old has both a social and a religious component in many countries.

To assist in planning and understanding the religious dimension, a helpful document titled, “Fifteen Questions on the Quinceaňera,” is available from the US bishops’ website.

This celebration is a rite of passage for young women in certain countries with Hispanic populations. It includes a blessing and a commitment by the young woman to live her life according to Christ’s teachings.  The guidelines offered by the bishops will be helpful to many parishes approaching this ceremony for the first time.

Reminder:  If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes now to complete the ActiveParishioner.com Survey.  Thank you.

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Singing and Music in Catholic Liturgies

May 12, 2008

St. Augustine is often credited with saying, “He who sings, prays twice.”  Singing at Mass and other liturgies can be a source of consolation, a prayer, a celebration, or a source of contention.  We all have different tastes and these also apply to music at Mass. What is the role of music in liturgy?

A recent document written by the US bishops, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, provides the answer, as well as lots of great information about music in liturgy.

The document begins by explaining the many reasons why we sing and why it is important for the congregation to participate.  The document admits that “Sometimes, our voices do not correspond to the convictions of our hearts.”  It continues, however, to explain that despite this, “Christ always invites us to enter into song.”

The document gives clear guidelines and explanations for the roles of those participating in the liturgy, as well as for types of music, instruments, languages, and parts to be sung. As with many church documents, this one embraces the old and the new side-by-side.  Although older music, such as Gregorian chant, has a special place in liturgy, the breath of the Spirit continues to inspire musicians and artists to create new music to help the congregation sing and pray at a continually deeper level.

Three criteria for judging the appropriateness of music for liturgy are proposed by the bishops.  These are, 

1) Liturgical Judgment – “Is this composition capable of meeting the structural and textual requireents set forth by the liturgical books for this particular rite?”

2) Pastoral Judgment - Does the music promote sanctification of those gathered “drawing them closer to the holy mysteries being celebrated?”

3)  Musical Judgment – Does the music have “the necessary aesthetic qualities that can bear the weight of the mysteries celebrated in the Liturgy?”

The document also discusses the role of music in other liturgies, including the rite of marriage and the rite of anointing.

Reminder:  If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes now to complete the ActiveParishioner.com Survey.  Thank you.

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ActiveParishioner.com Invites You to Complete the New Online Survey

May 8, 2008

Help shape the future direction of the www.ActiveParishioner.com website by completing the new online survey launched today.  The survey will take only a few minutes to complete, but will provide valuable information as the website continues its expansion.

ActiveParishioner.com was launched 6 months ago to help address the needs between everyday life and the Catholic faith by providing books and other excellent resources.  The survey is designed to identify what is most helpful for visitors.  It also gives visitors a chance to weigh in on possible new future directions.

Take a few minutes now to complete the ActiveParishioner.com survey.  Thank you!

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Baseball Spirituality

May 5, 2008

Baseball season (my personal favorite) is in full swing now, and Spring seems the ideal time to take a look at the spiritual insights that “our nation’s favorite past time” has to offer.

I have always considered baseball a mystical, even holy, sport. I am not alone. Many people, including baseball’s former Commissioners Fay Vincent and Bart Giamatti, have been fascinated by the game’s more profound dimensions, and countless books have been written which explore the connections between baseball and life’s most salient mysteries. Here’s a sampling:

1) In baseball, as in the journey of life, the object of the game is to leave home in order to return home. There are always dangers lurking in the field and there are risks involved in advancing from base to base, but the player who never manages to leave homeplate never really plays the game. As Christian people, we trust in a loving God who is both our Origin and our final Home. In countless ways throughout our lifetimes we are called to venture forth from the safety of home (and even of figurative “homes” like our comforts, complacencies, and unquestioned assumptions …) so that we can acquire new skills and sensitivities, learn how to confront and conquer dangers, discover what it means to take delight in play, and realize how very important it is to help and support one another in the field. Life is, in other words, the Journey and the Return.

2) Baseball, unlike any other sport, acknowledges error to be an inescapable part of its unique Truth. As Fay Vincent points out, most people learn at a very young age that failure is the norm in baseball. After all, those who hit safely in only one out of three chances are the players who are baseball’s greatest stars. The game of baseball reminds us poignantly that mistakes, errors, injuries, hurts and failures are inescapable facets of life. More than that, they are unavoidable pieces of the glorious — but often pain-filled — truth which is gradually unraveled as we fragile and imperfect human beings try to grow and love and forgive and care for one another in our fragile and imperfect world.

3) Baseball is a timeless game (no clocks running), with boundaries that extend into infinity. Like the mystery of life, it has a magic and a rhythm all of its own. We will never understand it completely, and we can never learn enough about it. If we allow it to, however, the quest itself can become a source of infinite wisdom and boundless joy.

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Posted by CCHenry

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