Friday, March 2, 2012
Challenges to Life, Family, Faith
Holy Hour for Life Homily - St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Arvada, Colorado - February 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Called to Serve
St. Joan of Arc Knights Newsletter - December, 2011
Fellow Knights and your Ladies,
This Advent and Christmas will be different from the previous forty-one years since Mass in English began. We have a new Missal, which, by the time you read this, will have already been inaugurated at the First Sunday of Advent Mass. If you were asked why this change is happening, how would you respond? (And, you might be asked.)
The answer, is two-fold. There have been some changes to the Latin original (Mass of Paul VI) which came out of post-Vatican Council II in 1969: several Saints have been added and their are a few changes to the Ordinary part of the Mass, especially to the dismissal; you can read about these changes (it's now called the Third Roman Missal of the Mass of Paul VI) on the St. Joan of Arc website (SaintJoanCatholic.org).
There is a more important reason, however. The initial translation of the Mass of Paul VI is not as close to the Latin as the new translation. In some cases, several words would be collapsed into fewer. Conversely, some words were added which change the meaning. For example, "Let us proclaim the mystery of Faith" is now, simply, "The mystery of Faith." The "mystery" is Christ present in all of His fullness, in all He is and has done, in the Eucharist. We then respond with one of three affirmations of faith; the old translation makes it sound as though the response is the mystery. Subtle difference, isn't it? Similar differences can be found all through the revised translation. By embracing the new translation, and allowing the words to deepen our experience of the liturgy, we can come closer to Christ and His Church, and, especially, to the Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
There are two primary meanings to the season of Advent: preparing to celebrate the first coming of Christ Jesus and preparing to greet Him when He comes again, at the end of time. Our preparation is particularly successful as we seek to encounter Christ Jesus everyday, hidden in the Eucharist, in our service to the poor, the sick, and the dying, and in one another. When we greet each other with Merry Christmas, let it be the culmination of a fruitful Advent. Find time to seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), pray much, and rejoice in the gift of the new Mass translation.
Have a holy season of Advent and a very Merry Christmas,
Deacon Rex Pilger
Fellow Knights and your Ladies,
This Advent and Christmas will be different from the previous forty-one years since Mass in English began. We have a new Missal, which, by the time you read this, will have already been inaugurated at the First Sunday of Advent Mass. If you were asked why this change is happening, how would you respond? (And, you might be asked.)
The answer, is two-fold. There have been some changes to the Latin original (Mass of Paul VI) which came out of post-Vatican Council II in 1969: several Saints have been added and their are a few changes to the Ordinary part of the Mass, especially to the dismissal; you can read about these changes (it's now called the Third Roman Missal of the Mass of Paul VI) on the St. Joan of Arc website (SaintJoanCatholic.org).
There is a more important reason, however. The initial translation of the Mass of Paul VI is not as close to the Latin as the new translation. In some cases, several words would be collapsed into fewer. Conversely, some words were added which change the meaning. For example, "Let us proclaim the mystery of Faith" is now, simply, "The mystery of Faith." The "mystery" is Christ present in all of His fullness, in all He is and has done, in the Eucharist. We then respond with one of three affirmations of faith; the old translation makes it sound as though the response is the mystery. Subtle difference, isn't it? Similar differences can be found all through the revised translation. By embracing the new translation, and allowing the words to deepen our experience of the liturgy, we can come closer to Christ and His Church, and, especially, to the Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
There are two primary meanings to the season of Advent: preparing to celebrate the first coming of Christ Jesus and preparing to greet Him when He comes again, at the end of time. Our preparation is particularly successful as we seek to encounter Christ Jesus everyday, hidden in the Eucharist, in our service to the poor, the sick, and the dying, and in one another. When we greet each other with Merry Christmas, let it be the culmination of a fruitful Advent. Find time to seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), pray much, and rejoice in the gift of the new Mass translation.
Have a holy season of Advent and a very Merry Christmas,
Deacon Rex Pilger
Monday, October 3, 2011
Called to Serve
For St. Joan of Arc Knights of Columbus October Newsletter:
October is full of days that mean a lot to Catholics: Feasts of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1st) and St. Francis of Assisi (4th), Columbus Day (12th), and All Hallows Eve (Halloween, of course, the 31st). It's also the month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary (the Feast day is the 7th) and has become especially dear to the pro-life movement. In Columbus we see the intrepid explorer and example to all Knights. In Francis we see what complete dedication to the Gospel can accomplish (basically he saved the Church from corruption and neglect). In Thérèse we find the epitome of simple devotion to Christ in all things.
Let us pray the Rosary this month for the protection of innocent life and strength to follow the commited example of the two Saints with the courage of Columbus. Then let us conclude October in preparation for honoring All Saints.
Deacon Rex
October is full of days that mean a lot to Catholics: Feasts of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1st) and St. Francis of Assisi (4th), Columbus Day (12th), and All Hallows Eve (Halloween, of course, the 31st). It's also the month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary (the Feast day is the 7th) and has become especially dear to the pro-life movement. In Columbus we see the intrepid explorer and example to all Knights. In Francis we see what complete dedication to the Gospel can accomplish (basically he saved the Church from corruption and neglect). In Thérèse we find the epitome of simple devotion to Christ in all things.
Let us pray the Rosary this month for the protection of innocent life and strength to follow the commited example of the two Saints with the courage of Columbus. Then let us conclude October in preparation for honoring All Saints.
Deacon Rex
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Herm-Confusion
"The term hermeneutics covers both the first order art and the second order theory of understanding and interpretation of linguistic and non-linguistic expressions." link In religious terms, hermenetics refers to the study of Sacred Scripture.
The term hermanuetics refers to the study of a beloved, composite character in a popular television series.
The term hermanuetics refers to the study of a beloved, composite character in a popular television series.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Growing Tyranny...
An email sent to my Congressman:
The Administration's new claim that pregnancy is a disease is appalling. And, imposing this view on health professionals and insurance providers (as well as on us who pay the premiums) in violation of their (and our) consciences is abhorrent. We know your stand on life issues, but even you have to agree that imposition of such values on others is a gross violation of freedom. It's time for you to draw the line and speak up against this tyrannical exercise of power.
Further information:
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Hanging in there
August 2011 St. Joan of Arc Knights of Columbus Newsletter
The Sunday readings for August begin with the episode of the storm on the lake. As Jesus approaches the disciples, seemingly walking on the water, Peter seeks to join the Lord. Everything is fine until Peter is distracted by the wind and takes his eyes off Jesus. As the Lord saves Peter, he asks, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
With this Gospel, a homily could almost write itself... In the storms of life, why do we doubt? And, the answer is simple: because of the storm! Think of all of the challenges life brings: loss of job, poor health, marital discord, a daughter's unexpected pregnancy, fallen-away family members, death of a family member... These challenges happen; life happens. And, in the end, we all face death. The rebuke that Jesus offered Peter is also an invitation. When the storms hit, and doubt rises, we can call on the gift of faith that overcomes doubt.
Hang in there!
Deacon Rex Pilger
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