Letter from Fr. Allen: Kids at Mass - February 7, 2019

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+JMJ+

Dear Friends,

There was a bit of a kerfuffle on Twitter last week (it's what Twitter is for) regarding an article by a priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore who argued that young children shouldn't be in Mass, because they can't understand what's going on - especially the homily - and they make noise, which makes it harder both the preach and to hear the homily.

This is not a point of view I'm at all sympathetic with. The Mass is about Jesus. Jesus present with us in the blessed Sacrament of his Body and Blood is what Mass is for. And Jesus said to his disciples, "suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." The Mass is for children (and all the rest of us, too).

I know that on some Sundays some of the little ones in our midst are particularly vocal, but for me - well, to be honest, first of all, I hardly ever notice it. Really. But sometimes I do, and sometimes parents will apologize after Mass because their children, they felt, were excessively loud. But for me, the sound of children crying, shouting, and singing in our pews is the sound of life, of growth, of God's abundant blessing on our little newborn community of Catholics. It fills me with gratitude.

Of course we want our children to grow and mature in their understanding of and participation in the Mass, but parents, who know their children best, are the ones best to determine how that happens. Ashley has generally sat up in the galleries with our children (who are of course impeccably well behaved), and I know a lot of art gets created up there during the homily. Other parents find their children engage better when they sit right up front and can watch the action around the altar. Some may do better where they can see the choir and organ. Some little ones need to be walked around, some taken outside to let a little steam out. Whatever! 

So this is simply meant to be a word a of encouragement and gratitude - to all of you, and not least to the little ones who perfect our praise with their coos and shouts. Keep it up!

[Here] you will see an article by Notre Dame theologian Timothy O'Malley, "Mass is for Kids," written in response to the Twitter kerfuffle, and which lays out a "kid friendly" theology of the liturgy and of our liturgical life together. I urge you to click through to read the whole thing. You will find your own experience of the liturgy enriched, and you will also notice it tracks well with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd model of children's formation we embrace at Corpus Christi.

God bless you,
Fr Allen

The Liturgy is for (Little) Kids 

written by Timothy P. O'Malley for Church Life Journal
published on January 31, 2019

The Liturgy Is for (Little) Kids

"The young child is looking at the altar because the young child is always looking, perceiving, and imitating. No, the young child is not able to comprehend the sermon that is given or the particular meaning of the opening collect or why there is a pelican or Lamb on the altar. But the young child is discovering in the act of Eucharistic worship according to his or her capacity that this act really matters. The child perceives the facial features of adults, who are ideally engaged in contemplative wonder at the Eucharistic mystery. They hear the reverberant notes of the organ and they see and smell incense. They are learning the very meaning of what it means to be a liturgical creature even as they sleep in their mother’s or father’s arms during the Eucharistic liturgy."  Read the whole thing!

Discerning a Vocation to the Priesthood

Discerning a Vocation to the Priesthood

The Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter will be hosting Discernment Days June 26-29, 2019 in Houston. These days are for young men (age 16 and a Junior in High School to age 30) who are open to discerning a call to the priesthood. The Days will include presentations on such topics as Seminary Life and the Life of Prayer, the Life of ministry, the Gift of Celibacy, and the Missionary Life of the Ordinariate. Centered in prayer, there will be daily Mass and Eucharistic Holy Hours. The time spent together will also include time for conversation and recreation. The Discernment Days will conclude on Saturday by being a part of the congregation at the Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham.

In order to provide the attention that discerners need, participation is limited to 12 young men who will be selected from among the applicants. A Pastor’s letter of recommendation will help determine their acceptance to the program. Attendees will be responsible for their own transportation to/from Houston, otherwise they will be guests of the Ordinariate.

Women's Vocation Retreat

Women’s Vocation Retreat

The Ordinariate and the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, will host a discernment retreat for young women on Saturday, March 2, 2019, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  The retreat is open to women from Juniors in High School to age 30, and will be held on the campus of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham. The cost is $15. For more information, please contact Sr Amata Veritas, OP. 

RSVP for Wednesday School: 13 February 2019

Joining us for Wednesday School on February 6th? Please RSVP using the form below so that we may adequately prepare. Thanks!

Letter from Fr. Allen - January 31, 2019

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+JMJ+

Dear Friends,

I sometimes get called upon to tell my conversion story, but technically, it's a "reversion" story. I was born into a Catholic family, but my parents began attending a (very fine) Presbyterian church when I was about eleven years old. I have quite a few memories of Mass in those days, but one that particularly stands out is having my throat blessed on St Blase's Day. I don't know why that should be, except that perhaps we had been told the story of the holy martyr Blase having healed a boy who had a fish bone stuck in his throat, and that I loved to fish and eat my catch, and so having St Blase on my side seemed like a particularly good idea. 

In truth, we know very little about St Blase. He was certainly bishop of Sebaste (in Armenia) and martyred in 316. The story of the boy with the fish bone stuck in his throat comes some 400 years later. However, as early as the end of the fifth century, the intercession of St Blase was already being invoked for ailments of the throat. In time it became a custom throughout the Church to bless the throats of the faithful on St. Blase's Day, which is February 3rd. Candles are always used in this blessing, evidently due to the close proximity to Candlemas (also known as the Feast of the Presentation) the day before, with its blessing of candles for liturgical and devotional use.

This year, St Blase's Day falls on Sunday, which of course takes precedence, but we will indeed keep the tradition of blessing throats immediately following Mass. Following the final hymn, Deacon Rosenblum and I will make our way to the Sacred Heart Altar and bless the throats of those who present themselves.

This blessing of throats on St Blase's Day, brown scapulars, miraculous medals, holy water, and even homilies are "sacramentals;" that is, "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments...they signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church... by them, men are disposed to receive the chief effect of the sacraments, and various occasions in life are rendered holy" (CCCC 1667). Sacramentals do not communicate grace as sacraments do, but, properly and prayerfully used, they dispose us to receive that grace.

Well, at the intercession of St Blase, bishop and martyr, may we be disposed to receive all those graces of love and mercy and healing which flow from the wounded side of Christ. See you Sunday!

God bless you,
Fr Allen

image credit: Zvonimir Atletic, Shutterstock

image credit: Zvonimir Atletic, Shutterstock

Catholic Schools Week 2019

This week is Catholic Schools Week. Corpus Christi Catholic Community is proud to have students in three local Catholic Schools:
 

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School
The Charleston Catholic School
St John Catholic School


ALMIGHTY God, of whose only gift cometh wisdom and understanding: we beseech thee with thy gracious favor to behold our schools, that knowledge may be increased among us, and all good learning flourish and abound. Bless all who teach and all who learn; and grant that in fidelity to the Catholic Faith and in humility of heart they may ever look unto thee, who art the fountain of all wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the USCCB:
Nearly 1.8 million students are currently educated in 6,352 Catholic schools in cities, suburbs, small towns and rural communities around the country. Students receive an education that helps them become critical thinkers, strong communicators and active members of society, thus equipping them for higher education, a competitive work environment, and most importantly, living a Christian life of virtue in a challenging society. “Following Christ’s example of loving and serving all people, Catholic schools proudly provide a well-rounded education to disadvantaged families, new arrivals to America and to all who seek a seat in our schools. Since the inception of Catholic schools in our country, we have always sought to welcome families of all backgrounds while maintaining our principles and teaching in a spirit of charity,” Bishop Barber said.

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