Second Wednesday in Lent Low Mass (Part 3)

Second Wednesday in Lent Low Mass Video #2

Diocese of Charlotte Youth Pilgrimage '09

The Diocese of Charlotte is once again offering the Lenten Youth Pilgrimage to Belmont Abbey. The official website provides good information. (Scroll down when you click the link.)

Here are the basics:

1. Sunday March 29th, 2009 from 12:30 to 6:15 pm at Belmont Abbey.

2. ***Eucharistic Exposition, Adoration, Procession, and Benediction*** (best reason to go)

3. Programs for parents and the young attendees.

4. Bishop Jugis, Abbot Placid Solari, and Seminarian Paul McNulty to talk.

5. Vespers Opportunity to praise the Lord with area youth.

I would like to see a 100% attendance to this Pilgrimage as it would be a huge blessing for anyone serving in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. "The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith." I'm looking for chaperones to assist, although I believe parents and families would benefit from attending as well.
Photo credit: http://www.goeucharist.com/

Second Wednesday in Lent Low Mass Video

With much difficulty, the Lord has finally allowed me to post this video. I hope the servers will benefit from it. Hopefully, I'll be able to upload the other parts of the Mass. I can only upload 8 minutes at a time. Enjoy.

Training Recap - St. Patrick's Day

We finally were able to have practice after the last two cancelled training sessions. The Seraphim had good numbers today with 5 out of 7 able to make it. We were finally able to work on the rubrics of Lesson #1, having spent over two months working on the Latin. Next session will see us conquering Lesson #2 and going through Lesson #3. Be prepared as each lesson will be more demanding in knowing where to move, when to move, and how to move.

Seraphim Homework:

1. Watch the videos on this blog to assist with being comfortable with Lesson #1.
2. Using the server cards and the little white book (How to serve Low Mass & Benediction) to review and know Lesson #2 and go over Lesson #3.
3. We had some Seraphim who were very competent with the Latin. Everyone needs to be comfortable with the first part of the Mass. Review it as much as you can. When it's time to actually serve, being comfortable with the first part will make a huge difference.
4. Go to the Wednesday MEF at St. Ann's. Experience what you are learning about.

The Cherubim had a poor turnout due to many factors. David R. made a cameo appearance for our first training session back on the Missa Cantata. With some more revisions to the cards, we breezed through a practice run. Highlights to changes will be posted later.

The Cherubim are encouraged to acquire a breviary, the Liturgy of the Hours, so that we can pray evening prayer at the training sessions. You can either get Christian Prayer, or if you're really motivated, you can get the four volume edition!

Our journaling prompt for this session was: God loves me. Sin can distance us from the Lord. Sometimes we have difficulty receiving love as a consequence of sin. Remember God loves you know matter what happens.

Next practice is March 30th at the regular times. See you there!

A note on Eucharistic Adoration

The Vatican Information Service (VIS) provides stories, reports, and statistics of the Vatican, especially on the Holy Father. Usually, the "mid-day addresses" are reported where the Holy Father provides instruction, re-caps of speeches he made, and catechesis through his Wednesday addresses. Many of these reports and stories provide valuable insight into the teaching of Holy Mother Church and a good number can deepen our faith and participation in the MEF.

This past friday Friday, VIS reported on the Holy Father's speech to "the plenary assembly of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, who have been meeting to consider the question of Eucharistic adoration."

"The doctrine of the transubstantiation of the bread and wine, and of the real presence, are a truth of faith, already evident in Holy Scripture and later confirmed by the Fathers of the Church", said Benedict XVI.

After then explaining that, "in the Eucharist, adoration must become union: union with the living Lord and with His mystical Body", the Pope recalled words he had pronounced at World Youth Day 2005 in the German city of Cologne: "God no longer simply stands before us as the One who is totally Other. He is within us, and we are in Him. His dynamic enters into us and then seeks to spread outwards to others until it fills the world, so that His love can truly become the dominant measure of the world.

"On that occasion", he added, "I also reminded young people that in the Eucharist we experience the fundamental transformation of violence into love, of death into life. This brings other changes in its wake".

The Pope highlighted the importance of a renewal of Eucharistic adoration. This, he said, "will only be possible through a greater awareness of the mystery in complete faithfulness to Sacred Tradition, and by enhancing liturgical life within our communities". In this context, he also expressed his appreciation at the fact that the plenary had examined the question of "the formation of all the People of God in the faith, with particular concern for seminarians, favouring their development in a spirit of authentic Eucharistic adoration".

"Recalling three penitential practices particularly dear to biblical and Christian tradition (prayer, almsgiving and fasting)", he concluded, "let us encourage one another to rediscover and practice fasting with renewed fervour, not only as a form of asceticism but also as a preparation for the Eucharist and as a spiritual weapon to fight against any disordered attachment to ourselves". "

In the Diocese of Charlotte, there are a number of pastors who have instituted Eucharistic Adoration. In the city of Charlotte, there's specific times for Adoration at most of the parishes including, but not limited to, St. Patrick's (Wednesday's), St. Michael's (Wednesday's), St. Ann's (Wednesday's) and there's 24 hour perpetual Adoration at St. Gabriel.

The Diocese of Charlotte Catholic News and Herald recently went to St. Ann's and reported on Eucharistic Adoration there. (.pdf version)

Everyone, especially servers, are encouraged to make the time to adore the Lord and allow Him to continuously convert your hearts so that you may be more united with Him and serve Him with the love He deserves.

Photo credit: Lawrence OP http://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/

Going Public

With limited feedback, the decision for this blog is to go public. So here's how things will work:

• Anyone and everyone can see the blog.
• Anyone who is registered with Blogger can comment.
• All comments will be moderated before posting.

Those I talked with agreed that the resources this blog will provide would be beneficial to many in our Diocese and elsewhere. As long as the volume of comments are reasonable, I can ensure a safe environment for families, children, and those striving for holiness.

Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts, and thanks to everyone for their patience as the blog is continuously developed.

Low Mass Video Part 1

This is the video of the Epiphany Feria Mass. The sounds on this one weren't too bad. I'll improve my amateur video skills as well for the next Mass. The next parts will be loaded soon. They take a while. Enjoy and let me know what you think.




*update: The rest of the videos for this Mass will not be posted due to technical difficulties (I've always wanted to use that phrase meaningfully.) I was able to record a new MEF, without annoying sounds, that will be posted as soon it as it finishes uploading.

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Welcome to the St. Ann's MEF servers blog. Due to the large amount of information and resources necessary to instruct, educate, and catechize the young men serving at St. Ann's, a demand grew for a organized method of communication. This blog will serve as a supplement to the formation these young men receive.


The first test run of this blog will be a couple of questions posed to the parents of the servers:

• Right now, this blog will be only viewable to those invited. Comments made on posts will only be from invited members. Should the blog be available to the public?
• If the blog is available to the public, should only members be allowed to comment?

Fr. Reid will have the final say on everything, but input from the parents are crucial in making such decision.