Te Deum

Since I've spent my entire adult life in the convent, I've never welcomed the New Year with a party, champagne, or the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." Instead, it is our custom to end the year with an Hour of Adoration and the singing of the Te Deum. This is one of those ancient, non-scriptural psalms, called "psalmoi idiotikoi," that were composed in the early Church. One of those "psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles" St. Paul talked about. It's a wonderful prayer of adoration and praise, and a great "seal" on the year just spent.
What are your plans for acknowledging the grace of 2007 and welcoming the gift of 2008?

True believer

Today's Gospel featured the dear, holy Simeon, co-star of the Fourth Joyful Mystery. Elizabeth's words in praise of Mary ("Blessed is she who believed that the Lord's promise would be fulfilled!") apply equally well to Simeon. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Anointed, the Christ. And Simeon spent his life relying on that word. It was as if the Lord's promise was as good as fulfilled for Simeon, so that coming to the Temple on that day, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, "sight" was added to "faith," but nothing really changed in Simeon.
The faith of Mary and Simeon is that kind that Jesus praised: "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it."

Tomorrow is the Feast of the Holy Family. Happy Feast Day to all, especially to fathers and mothers!

The Intrusion of the Innocents

Today's feast has got to be the most gruesome commemoration in the entire liturgical year, based on the most unsettling story in the New Testament. What's it doing coming on the "Fourth Day of Christmas"?
I read a great remark about this very thing: the author pointed out that our cultural conception of Christmas with tinsel and fluffy-winged angels isn't all that Christian at all. What today's in-your-face feast tells us is that God's Son came to an earth in need of redemption. A sinful place. A place that can get ugly real fast. Medieval representations of Christmas were unsparing in their depiction of the slaughter of the innocents, whose number was assumed to be astronomical.
Herod's tiny victims weren't the first babies to be sacrificed to a local ruler's ambition (think Pharoah and baby Moses), and God knows they weren't the last. The Holy Innocents were, in a way, a prophecy that "a sword would pierce the heart" of anyone in league with Christ. Today's Gospel warns us to take that Babe in a manger very seriously.

Speaking of resolutions...

The weekly bulletin at St. Peter's has a "cover story" on New Year's Resolutions! Naturally, as the author points out, no resolution is more important or more potentially useful than the (hopefully) frequent one that is included in the Act of Contrition.

Making resolutions?

As a new year approaches, I'm making one or two rather informal resolutions that I hope will help me be more available to grace. (I don't make "formal" resolutions, because I get too neurotic about them!)
Sr. Julia's book recommendations (for books about the saints) may match some people's resolutions to do some spiritual reading every day...

And on earth, peace...

The angels' song of Glory to God and Peace on Earth is still echoing, but the events today are anything but peaceful. I worry for our sisters in Pakistan. When chaos breaks out, especially under circumstances like today's assassination, when the will of a small group (or of a small man) imposes itself over millions, minorities of any stripe can be seen as a threat to the common good. And Catholic women, even if they are native Pakistani women, can seem like a foreign influence in a country under stress. The fact that our sisters are engaged in promoting Christianity through the media puts them all the more at risk, even when the provocation is strictly political, and the sisters are not aligned with the government or, goodness knows, with Islamic fundamentalists!
So say a prayer for peace in Pakistan, and another one for the Daughters of St. Paul there.

Christmas Scriptures

One of my favorite Christmas scripture passages comes, not from the infancy narratives of Matthew or Luke, or from the poetic prophecies of Isaiah, but from St. Paul: "the grace of God has appeared." It is "Word made flesh" and "his name shall be Jesus," in a compact form, and reminds me of dear old St. Barnabas, who "saw the grace of God" in the early Church and contributed so much to strengthening the disciples in faith.
What is your favorite Christmas passage from the Bible? We have twelve days to share it!

Blessed Christmas

The music is a tiny piece of William Ferris' setting of the Creed, sung by none other than the choir at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. We sing this piece at the "Great Mass of Christmas." The opening thought is from Bl. James Alberione.

Christmas in the News

Father Groeschel was featured in yesterday's New York Times. The article highlighted a Christmas event he has been coordinating for the needy since 1962. (You might have to log in to read the article, which sparkles with Fr. Groeschel's humor.)
Ken Woodward has an opinion piece on the situation in Bethlehem (in today's Wall Street Journal). I wish every one of our elected leaders would read it with a bit of thoughtfulness. I'd link it here, but the WSJ charges muchissimo for their on-line version, and I don't have a subscription! Check your public library for free...
Any other news items to highlight? Put them in the comments!

Tomorrow!

A key word in the antiphons and chants today is "tomorrow." Tomorrow the wickedness of all the world will be destroyed... Tomorrow you shall see him... The dawn from on high will break upon us. Something that is as near as tomorrow is practically already in our possession. We can count on it. We can act on it.
Meanwhile, here is the prayer for the last day of the Christmas novena:

Christmas Novena, Day 8!

Add this to your prayer list

I read this prayer intention from Crossed the Tiber's post; it came from a physician friend of his. Note that the request specifically suggests that we put this situation in Pope John Paul II's lap in heaven. (Anecdotal evidence indicates that JP2 is taking unborn life issues as his special responsibility...) It couldn't be more timely, coming as the day of Christmas approaches.

Hello Friends and Family - This is EH with a very urgent and sincere request for prayers. My friend and one-time college roommate is battling brain cancer and has been receiving chemo and radiation for nearly one year. Stacey is a mother to two young children and a wife to Joey, they live in Atlanta. She just found out that she is 18 weeks pregnant. She became pregnant during her chemo and radiation and therefore, the baby has been exposed to these chemicals from day one. She has opted to take a 10 week break from her treatment to allow the baby to reach 28 weeks gestation, when they will deliver the baby via C-section. She has been informed by her baby-related doctors that the chemo is very strong and particularly attacks DNA growth in cells and therefore the baby. They are quite certain that there will be neurologic damage to the baby, although the ultrasounds have thus far showed relatively normal growth. Additionally, her cancer-related doctors have told her that they do not want her to stop her treatment of cancer (even for 10 wks!) because her cancer is so aggressive. They said that if they allowed her to carry the baby to 40 weeks gestation, she would probably not live to deliver the baby. So, Stacey is choosing to give her child a chance and risk her own life. I still cannot believe the situation that this family has been put in, even as I type this.

As a member of Stacey's network of support and prayers, I am asking that you specifically say a prayer to Pope John Paul II. He is in the process of being named a saint and needs a second miracle to "qualify" for sainthood. We have decided to storm heaven with prayers to our former Pope, specifically asking him to stop the growth of Stacey's cancer while she stops her treatment. Many of you may also be calling to mind the story of St. Gianna Molla, whom JPII canonized in the 1994, whose story is very similar to Stacey's.

Christmas Novena, Day 7

Are you ready for his coming?

Community bulletin board

You never know what you're going to see...
The note says, "Sr. Helena will get more RICE in Chinatown!"
And someone wrote in, "Thanks for the warning," adding, yes, a skull and crossbones!

The newspaper clippings are from our archdiocesan paper: two photos and a nice write-up about Advent and Christmas books, and a little review of our CD "Season of Love." (Thanks, Dolores!)

Sharing the wealth

Today I read in an essay by an Anglican sister about a mission trip she had made in a famine-stricken country, among people who were barely subsisting on relief rations. A young boy had done some work for her, and all she had to give him in "payment" was a scone-like cookie. When the boy left the house, he didn't start to devour the biscuit. He didn't keep the biscuit hidden. Instead, he whistled and shouted to the other children, and held the biscuit high, "like the Eucharist," the sister put it. And when the others came near, he broke it and gave it to them. Sharing the wealth.
Our founder spoke of Mary's visit to Elizabeth as the first "Eucharistic visit" because Mary was the tabernacle of God incarnate. She was sharing the wealth she had received: giving Jesus to the world before he had even made himself manifest. Sharing what she had received, even though it seemed so small.

Do you hear what I hear?

As a singer, I'm particularly sensitive to matters involving my voice. Maybe that's why I noticed that in today's "Missa Aurea" (Golden Mass), the first reading and the Gospel both highlight the sound of a human voice.
In the first reading, from the Song of Songs, the beloved is told "Let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet and you are lovely." In the Gospel, Elizabeth tells Mary, "At the sound of your voice, the baby leapt for joy." That baby, of course, was John, who would later tell the crowds that he was like the best man at a wedding who "hears the groom's voice and rejoices at the sound." ("Wedding" language is typical of Christmas and of Christmas theology, by the way.)
I'm especially intrigued by the power of Mary's voice. She had been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit: did that make her voice a unique instrument of the Breath of God?

Christmas e-cards

Our sisters prepared some very lovely Christmas e-cards. Nothing really too fancy, but there are cards that are especially appropriate for more delicate situations where the "holly-jolly-hohoho" variety of card just won't do...

Christmas Novena, Day 6

Minding their business

Today's Gospel of the Annunciation to Mary caused me to look back on the Christmas story in a different way. All of these people who received the astounding news that Heaven was stirring on earth were just minding their own business. The Bible doesn't say that they were praying (except for Zechariah, but even he was doing his priestly "job," not engaging in private devotions). Mary is often looking up from her work basket full of wool to find the Angel of the Lord there with a message that would change history. The shepherds were "keeping night watch" in the fields. Herod was being a selfish tyrant (as usual). Joseph was asleep!
Nobody seems to have been deliberately doing something unusual by way of seeking God. God was finding them where they were. And for most of them (Zechariah, Mary, the shepherds, Joseph), even though they were just minding their own business, there was a place inside where they were alert, attentive, receptive and responsive enough to "hear the Word of God and keep it."

Christmas Novena, Day 5

Speechless

Perfectly timed with today's Gospel (Zechariah's imposed silence!) is Sr. Helena's review of a movie on the power of speech...

Children's Adoration: Save the Date

If you're in Chicagoland, save the morning of Feb. 9 (8:30-12:30) to participate in a children’s adoration program to learn how to set up a children’s adoration holy hour. Father Antoine will celebrate mass prior to our meeting, which he will also guide. And I'll be there, too, God willing! More info as details are firmed up. Or write to reding [at] core [dot] com.

Annunciations

Today's Gospel passage from Luke is referred to as the "annunciation to Zechariah." It parallels tomorrow's "annunciation to Mary," though with one major, major difference.
We have the setting: in one, the Temple, at the evening incense hour; in the other, "a town of Galilee named Nazareth".
We have the recipient of the news: "Zechariah, a priest of the class of Abijah"; "a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph. And the virgin's name was Mary."
We have the same angel who announced salvation to the prophet Daniel: "the angel Gabriel."
We have the same gut-level response to the angel's presence, and the same encouraging words from the angel, "Do not be afraid."
And we have a birth announcement ("It's a boy!"): "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son"; "You will conceive and bear a son."
Then we have two very different reactions.
Zechariah's thoughts center on himself: "How am I to know this?"
Mary's question is more objective: "How will this come about?"
I wonder what Luke would have written if Zechariah had had an answer along the lines of Mary's. But perhaps Luke is making more of a point than the greater grace Mary clearly manifests. This may be just another way of Luke's emphasizing that, while the conception of John the Baptist was an unexpected blessing for his parents, who were "past the age," it was a blessing bestowed in the usual manner. As for the child Mary would bear, this would be a blessing beyond all human possibility.
Today I pray I will be open to the blessings of God, even the ones that seem impossible.

Christmas Novena, Day 4

Books I am reading right now

I'm halfway through a pretty scholarly book (just right for the upcoming "Year of St. Paul"!), "Our Mother Saint Paul." Sounds strange, but St. Paul used mother-language about himself more than once, and finally a scholar is taking him seriously! It helps to know a little Greek, though, to follow the author's line of thought.
I just put "The Practice of the Presence of God" by my nightstand, to read for the duration of the Christmas novena. If our Lord could become "Emmanuel, God-with-us," he deserves that I should live more and more with him, after all!
And I am earnestly continuing to include something of the Catechism in my Hour of Adoration, connecting my bible reading with what the tradition has to say about the same themes.

I have a mountain of books lined up, but these are the only ones I am actually reading right now. I am happy to say that I finished reading "Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free" (enjoyed immensely) and "The Liturgy of the Hours, East and West" (waiting full of post-its for me to take notes for future reference).

Novena, Day 3

Holi-daze

Some wry words from my favorite preacher at St. Peter's (Fr. Bob Sprott, OFM are especially appropriate, after a movie-night conversation included serious worry that the language of Christmas is being forced out of public discourse...

I am not one of those who fiercely objects to the word Christmas being hased out of the public square during these months and being replaced with holiday. I do not at all buy the disingenuous protest that this is done for reasons of inclusivity and out of a spirit of sensitivity – the spirit of this is so obviously hostile to Christianity and resentful of that religion’s prominence in American life that it is pointless to either deny or argue about it – but neither am I all that upset that it has happened. If the culture I move in wants to go on a two-month binge of consumer spending and justify it by an appeal to some holiday, and if the mandarins of political correctness want to decree that this has nothing at all, not really, to do with the day that annually celebrates the birth of Christ, that’s fine by me. It impoverishes the popular culture and falsifies the historical record, but on the whole it seems that serious Christians are the better off for it. It reminds us that our true citizenship is in heaven. It also forces us to put forth a greater and more genuine effort to keep Christmas, to make room for the Christmas feast, in those spaces that we can yet call our own. If what is happening in the stores, schools, parks, civic centers, and other public places has nothing to do with us and our celebration of the Savior’s birth, then we know that our true center at this time will have to be located in our homes and in our parish churches.

Coal in your Stocking?

We all know that St. Nick's little assistant, Peter, puts coal in your stocking if you haven't been too good. Well, this year's gift du jour is a remedy for the coal in your life! Yes, I'm talking about Carbon Credits: the perfect Christmas gift for family and friends who contribute more than their fair share of polluting emissions. And you have your choice of suppliers, too!
Of course, there's something a little strange about purchasing carbon offsets if it's going to allow a polluter to go on, unrepentant. It's a bit like the abuse of the Church's system of indulgences: the wealthy person who paid the serfs (more likely just ordered them) to do his penance for him never learned "in his flesh" what harm his sins inflicted. Still, both the indulgence system and the carbon-offset approach acknowledge that what one person (or entity) does can have a harmful (or positive) impact on a much wider scale, even a universal scale.

Novena, Day 2

It's the second day of the Christmas novena, so I am recycling the YouTube novena videos I made last year with our community's traditional sung prayers. Sorry I missed yesterday...

Pope Benedict and Wicked: On the Same Page?

Listening to the soundtrack of the musical Wicked (graciously gifted to me by the generous Karen), I was struck at how the message of Pope Benedict's latest encyclical on hope connects to Galinda's "Couldn't be Happier." In a backhand sort of way, I mean.
Galinda, blithely singing, "Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true," hesitates more than once, looking for affirmation that, yes, indeed it is. But that affirmation doesn't come.
Here's Pope Benedict's take on it: "Young people can have the hope of a great and fully satisfying love; the hope of a certain position in their profession, or of some success that will prove decisive for the rest of their lives. When these hopes are fulfilled, however, it becomes clear that they were not, in reality, the whole. It becomes evident that man has need of a hope that goes further. It becomes clear that only something infinite will suffice..." (#30 of "Spe Salvi").
C.S. Lewis got it right in the title of his book, "Surprised by Joy." And that's the message of Advent, too!

Spanish Radio Anniversary

Today marks the 15th anniversary of our Spanish Radio ministry, directed by Sr. Maria Ruth Reyes. Here is just a sampling of feedback from around the world:

Russ Martin, KLUX Radio, Texas: Sr. Ruth I am not Catholic, I don’t speak Spanish but the people continuously call me about your radio program. Now after five years, your program, Jesus in my Daily Life is the only Spanish program that we air. Thank you for your beautiful work!

Bishop Hugo Morales in Costa Rica: Sr. Maria Ruth, I have listened to your radio programs and am very moved by the messages you give to our listeners. We are all truly grateful. God bless you today, tomorrow, always.

Miami, Fl: SMR, I am a priest and I have a confession to make to you. I listen to your radio programs every Sunday at 9:00 am and steal your ideas for my 10:00 am Mass.

Greenville, NC: May God continue to bless you always for bringing Christ’s message to every corner of the earth where many people still do not know Christ.

Hollywood, FL: I am a Psychologist. And I can say I listen to your Radio program. You have truly put God in my heart. You express joy and the face of God.

Seminarian, Columbia: Sr. Maria Ruth, I am always enthused for your radio programs. I feel your happiness in your vocation and have been drawn to the priesthood because of you. I am happy to announce that I will enter the same order as you, the Society of St. Paul. Let us pray for one another.

From a Priest, Columbia: You are a benefactor to our listeners. Our whole parish, Our Lady of the Rosary enthusiastically listens to your program.

Inmate, North Carolina Correctional Institute: In this place we are 100 Latinos. We do not have a priest but thank God for your radio program because it is the only way we hear the Word of God.

Bishop David Zywrac, Costa Rica: SMR, Our Church is very grateful every Sunday for your program, Jesus in My Daily Life. God bless you and your community. My Blessings.

San Francisco: Sister I was thinking of leaving the church but since I have begun listening to Jesus in my Daily Life I have decided to remain.

El Salvador: Sister, thank you for your radio program every Sunday. I pray that if we don’t meet one another on this earth you will recognize your listeners from paradise, because you have put God in our hearts.

And here is Sr. Maria Ruth herself in her daily life:

Golden Compass: Sr. Helena Weighs In

My friend and fellow Chicago community member, Sr. Helena, offers a thoughtful review of The Golden Compass on her blog. She also reviewed Enchanted, which I am looking forward to seeing myself.

Sadder than Sad

Today I learned of an impossibly sad situation being endured by a New Orleans family. If you are interested in doing something to help them, please contact me by e-mail (the address is hidden in my blog URL, at gmail; sorry for the roundabout way of putting it, but I don't want my mail box bombarded with spam from bots!) and I will email you the name and info for the person who is coordinating the drive to help this thrice-stricken family. I learned of them through a former high school classmate, now an attorney; the information came to her from a local judge.

(Names have all been changed.)
Lucy & Mike are the grandparents of Lincoln, 7th grade; Kerry, 5th grade; Bree, 3rd grade; and Honey, 1st grade.

The grandkids moved in with Lucy and Mike about 6 years ago after their father went to prison for stabbing their mother to death in front of Lincoln and his 3 little sisters. Their mother was actually holding Honey (who was a baby) when it happened. This changed the lives of Lucy and Mike greatly, because they then had to provide for 4 (emotionally scarred) children. Lincoln had to draw the murder weapon and testify against his father in court. After the father went to jail, his gang member friends threatened to kill the kids for turning in their dad. It was obviously hard on all of them, expecially Mike and Lucy, as they did not have much and they were grieving for their murdered daughter. Well, they eventually got back on their feet and were getting on with their lives when Katrina hit. The family's home in Ponchartrain Park was completely flooded and they lost everything they owned.

Now, over two years after Katrina, Lucy and Mike got their Road Home money and have been rebuilding their home themselves- all night long after Mike comes home from a long day at work doing manual labor. They have been working on the house everyday, excited about the possibility of finally moving home with their grandkids before Christmas, after being shuffled from place to place. This week they have been moving all of their belongings into the house. Almost everything they owned was in the new house except for their beds and mattresses. Last night, someone broke into the house and took everything. My mom is over there right now helping Lucy clean up the house because they ransacked/ trashed it in the process of taking everything.

This family now has nothing (again). This family has been through so many awful things. It breaks my heart to think about it.

If there is anything you can donate to help them, I would greatly appreciate it- and they would appreciate it even more. The family is very proud and has NEVER asked for anything. We just don't know how much more they can take. It would be wonderful if they could be in their home by Christmas.

Below is a list of things that they need.


The following things were stolen:

Kitchen
Toaster oven
Blender
Dishwasher

Bedrooms
Bree and Honey each have a twin bed. Lincoln and Kerry each have a queen bed. They have mattresses, but all of the bedding was stolen:

Pillows
Sheets
Comforters
Blankets
Almost all of Lincoln's clothes were stolen
Desks and chairs for the kids (they are all really good students- Lincoln has a full scholarship to St. Augustine for next year)

Tools
Mike was renovating the house himself and all of his tools were stolen, including the following:
Small generator
Compressor
Wet vac
Other tools

Other
Curtains
Chairs
Vacuum cleaner
They have no money for any Christmas presents/toys for the kids- they aren't even thinking about Christmas presents since they need the basics

What they DO have
(they have 1 sofa, a tv, mattresses, beds and a dining room table and chairs- that’s it)

Concert Pics

I finally have a moment (not really) to post some of the images from our concerts. You'll have to hum along, since most of the music was not licensed for the Internet!

Eucharistic Adoration documents

I didn't realize that the link I posted yesterday was only to an auxiliary document from the Vatican. Here are the two main documents calling for the institution of Perpetual Adoration in every diocese where this is possible:
The official letter

Explanatory document

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Until Jesus gets me to Mexico City, this will have to do:

Vatican launches Perpetual Adoration movement

The Congregation for the Clergy issued a document on Dec. 8 calling on every diocese to inaugurate (to the extent possible) perpetual Eucharistic adoration, appointing a priest full time to this ministry. The idea is to renew the priesthood from the inside out: the special intention of this adoration is for the sanctification of the clergy, in reparation for failings and sins, and to implore new and holy priestly vocations. This is actually quite a development: perpetual adoration was generally the province of monasteries and participated in as a form of private devotion. As far as I know, it was never really institutionalized on an ecclesial level, except to the extent that societies of perpetual adoration were granted approval, indulgences and the like. For a dicastery of the Holy See to be issuing a universal call like this is quite remarkable.
As the author of a book of Eucharistic adoration for kids (and of two booklets for grownups which await publication), I hope to participate in some way here in Chicago with whatever might develop on an archdiocesan level. Meanwhile, this document is not just for priests: it is a call to all of us to put Jesus at the center of our attention in a dramatic and life-changing way. With the upcoming document on evangelization, we have a perfect coinciding of consecration and mission, and this in the Advent season! There is almost too much here to contemplate!
For the official documents from the Vatican, go to the clerus website. READ this in its entirety!!! Then do your best to find out what will be underway in your area, so you can participate, collaborate and foster it.

Tagged!

I see that Sr. Betsy has tagged me with the random meme. This is the one where you list eight random facts and then tag eight more poor souls to reveal tidbits of their lives. So, get ready, Lisa, Sr. Lorraine, Charity Therese, Coffee Wife, Debangel, Discerner, Nate and Karen! (Actually, Karen already got tagged with this, so you can read what she wrote last week; I won't try to wrest eight more facts from her!)

1. I have about twenty books at my prie-dieu (if you count encyclicals). It's the most crowded spot in the chapel.
2. I use honey in my coffee.
3. My earliest memory is of trying to share a book with my baby sister. (Prophetic!)
4. I like orderliness, but my office space is a wreck. This may be related to my compulsive multi-tasking.
(Halfway there!)
5. If there were five of me, one of me would do housekeeping (see #4 above; note that "fifth place" is about the priority level I assign to housekeeping generally).
6. I have been in Chicago six years and still can't deal with the cold.
7. I am waiting for Jesus to find a way to get me to Ireland, so I can follow the footsteps of St. Patrick.
8. When I was 18, my voice teacher told me "You can't make it on your voice alone." (She didn't know I was planning to enter the convent in a few months' time and was just taking lessons for the sheer love of singing.)

Back in Chicago

It was an all-day process, but I am back in Chicago, and mostly unpacked. Any spiritual reflections for Advent will have to wait until I have had a good night's sleep in my own bed. And before I get intimidated by the pile of work waiting for me in my office!

Yesterday's feast of the Immaculate Conception was a kind of triple-header for us: it was a major feast day, of course, but the Mass was offered as Sr. Michael's funeral Mass, and in the evening we had a lively Christmas concert in the same chapel.
In community, we are continuing to exchange Sr. Michael stories. For two of my novitiate companions, Sr. JuliaMary (she of the "Best Catholic Books") and her childhood friend, Sr. Christine Virginia, Sr. Michael was the first Daughter of St. Paul they ever met. The sisters in Miami, where she was stationed after her return from Puerto Rico, shared with us that her favorite color was a vibrant RED, and that they called their community "the eternal banquet" because of Sr. Michael's desire to celebrate every possible birthday, anniversary and feast day. The sisters who assisted her in her last days (at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center) mentioned that when she was first admitted there (no one had yet realized how serious her condition was), the Rabbi who is the chaplain paid a visit. Sr. Michael said she knew there was a Jewish prayer for healing, and the Rabbi asked if she wanted him to pray it. Of course she did. "In Hebrew or in English?" "Both!" This same Rabbi came here to pay his respects as we waked Sr. Michael. But the most surprising visitor was, without a doubt, Cardinal O'Malley. Turns out, the Franciscan friary in Puerto Rico was just down the street from the Paulines, and the Cardinal knew Sr. Michael from those years they both spent in that mission.
Sr. Michael had been looking forward to our Christmas concerts, so we know she was there last night, helping us to get all our notes and words in the proper order. Our final concert of the season is this afternoon. Once she helps us get those same notes and words together, she can get some "eternal rest."

Movie Lovers Alert

A TV special is on tonight and our own Sr. Rose was interviewed for it. We don't know if she'll actually appear on the air (evidently they taped no more than a sound bite, which is subject to all sorts of editing), but if you're a movie lover, you'd probably be interested in the whole program. Here is info from the web site:

http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/33/20233.php:

Movies Rock is a new film and music extravaganza that will be taped at the Kodak
Theater on December 2nd (TV version will air Friday Dec. 7). It will then
air on CBS. .... .The special will revolve around music and the role it's had in redefining the film industry. Segments will include a piece about rap's growing influence, and another will focus on certain directors and their musical inspirations.

We'll have to record it because we are spending this evening in vigil at Sr. Michael's wake. The funeral is tomorrow; before leaving for the concerts, Sr. Bridget had told Sr. Michael, "When we get back, we'll sing for you." Needless to say, this is not what she had in mind, but the choir will be singing for the funeral Mass. We leave Philadelphia today after Mass.

Live from Philadelphia

Our concert last night at Maternity BVM parish was well attended, despite the constant snowfall. We had a priest helping us who is an audio expert; he even set up a scaffold with stage lights! And our own professional photographer, Sr. Mary Emmanuel, recently returned from six months in Brazil, was on hand to capture it all in digital glory (even though she offered a long explanation about the problems the stage lights created for her artistry!). I tried to post a photo, but the resolution was too high for Blogger!

We had an early morning engagement at the local Fox affiliate; they were supposed to post our concert info (and we were hoping for a video clip online), but so far nothing has appeared on their site, much to my mother's dismay! We taped a song and then three of the sisters appeared with the anchors at the end of the morning show to plug our concert and CD.

On this feast of St. Nicholas, I'd like to do a little plug of my own, for a great children's book about today's saint. The story focuses only on the incident for which the saint is best known: his rescue of three girls from the slavery into which they were about to be sold. (Only, it puts things in a much gentler light.) The illustrations are gentle and abundant. It could be your family's Christmas season classic!

Golden Compass FAQ

Here's a link to a helpful parent/teacher FAQ on the controversial movie; feel free to share it, print it, distribute it, link it.

the Lord's mountain

Greetings from Philadelphia and the convent at the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth's hospital where we have been given the run of the house. (Thanks, Sisters!) The snow is falling steadily. Hopefully it will just add atmosphere, and not discourage people from coming to our concert tonight!
The liturgy today has two magnificent readings, complemented by the ever-consoling Psalm 23 ("The Lord is My Shepherd"). Both of the readings (from Isaiah and from Matthew) take place "on the mountain." Isaiah calls it "this mountain," "my holy mountain"; Matthew just calls it "the" mountain. "The" mountain figures strongly in Matthew's gospel; it is a way he connects ALL of the Bible's mountain stories with the story of Jesus. In other words, Matthew is pointing to Jesus as fulfilling and in a way present throughout the whole history of the Chosen People. Here's a thought of the day, taken from the first reading: "This is the Lord to whom we looked to save us; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"

Onward!

Last night's concert in Brooklyn was the best yet. The parish had taken care of all the arrangements, even printing little blue tickets that went for $10. The church was almost completely filled. We knew it was going to be a fun evening when the people in the pews started clapping in rhythm with the music almost as soon as they heard it. We added an extra encore for them (an a cappella "O Holy Night"), and then met in the parish hall for refreshments and the Monsignor's special raffle. One of the prizes ended up in the hands of the diocesan Vicar! (It just so happens that Monsignor's term in the parish is about to end....)
This morning a group of us went to sing at the home of a young man who was paralyzed in a diving accident a few years ago. He is facing new complications and needs some extra prayers. Now we're about to load up our van caravan and head to Philadelphia for two more concerts: one at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish and one (a benefit) at the Bala Country Club. (See the SingingSisters channel on YouTube for info.) We just got word that we'll also be at the local Fox affiliate on Thursday morning...
A word on the liturgy... Advent is a great season for liturgical connections. The first reading and Gospel will almost always have a strong matching theme, as in today's: Isaiah tells of the Servant of the Lord whose "delight will be the fear of the Lord." What does that look like? Jesus "rejoicing in the Holy Spirit and saying 'I bless you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth!' "

How does your garden grow?

For my birthday, Mom treated me to a table-top hydroponic herb garden. It is the only spot of vibrant life at our address (well, aside from the pointsettias Sr. Susan has been nursing on the fourth floor since last Christmas), and the carton promised green, fragrant herbs in six weeks' time. Well, I'm not there to enjoy the fragrance, but Sr. Susan (surrogate gardener while I am "on tour") sent me a picture so I could enjoy the green.

We have our last New York concert tonight (St. Athanasius Church, Brooklyn: the Monsignor has been promoting it enthusiastically).

And if business or pleasure takes you to Manhattan, may I recommend the "Battery Gardens" restaurant at Battery Park? We were treated there to a light supper, and we had only gone to sing a carol to the owner, who provided the refreshments for our anniversary celebration. The sitsers tell me he goes out to the park and challenges the homeless to a game of chess. If they win, they get a free meal. If they lose, they have to help tidy up the area--and then they get a free meal. Creative charity! The food is great, and the view (of Lady Liberty) is magnificent.

Snow-el

We had one of those pretty snowfalls this morning, covering everything in fluff and causing the little Toyota I was in to drift gently sideways down a hill... Yes, lovely. Today found us at St. Paul's parish in Princeton, NJ for our third concert of the season (and, in fact, the third we've had at St. Paul's). A little past the halfway mark, I saw Lisa coming up the side aisle! I know she had a full schedule today, so it was especially nice of her to make the extra trip to Princeton even knowing she would miss a good part of the music. After, I snagged Sr. Bernadette to get a picture--right before the camera's battery died!

Yesterday we were at St. Malachy's, called "The Actors' Chapel" because it is right off Broadway. There we had a small audience--maybe 100 or 125 people. Afterwards, a couple approached me, programs in hand. I had dedicated the concert to "Jane and Jim" and they wanted to know the story. Well, the story begins, really, with Hurricane Katrina. Turns out that this couple and their five children had all lived in the Lakeview area of New Orleans, and all had lost their homes. They had a business that took them to New York frequently, so when they suddenly found themselves relieved of their earthly goods (even their retirement place in Mississippi!), they figured it was as good a time as any for a New York experience, so they are living in Manhattan and loving it. The wife commented, "There's something liberating about losing all your stuff: you're free, in a way." Not many people would choose to be divested of so much all at once, but look how many people have managed to come through it. You never know how much you can handle until it comes upon you, I suppose.

Last Day

Today is the Last Day!
That sounds pretty apocalyptic, but it's true. At least, liturgically speaking. It's the last day of the liturgical year: Advent starts tomorrow, and with it, a new Church year. The Gospel today warns us, at the end of the year, not to let our hearts get lazy. I had to think about that one. "Be on guard lest your hearts become drowsy..." Jesus connects the day-to-day immersion in both pleasure-seeking and anxious fretting with a lethargic, unresponsive heart. A sleepy heart is dulled, unable even to notice the subtle invitations each day offers. An Advent heart is wide-awake, alert to the movements of the Spirit but also unprotected and vulnerable. Perhaps it is easier to live with a sleepy heart, which is why Jesus has to tell us "wake up!"

We pray that our Sister Michael, who died last night, was able to wake to the Lord's presence and beauty.