Busted Halo: "Confession 101"

Catholics: Has it been a while since you last went to Confession (a.k.a. the Sacrament of Reconciliation)? Are you looking for a refresher course this Lent?

Non-Catholics: Have you ever wondered what Catholics do during Confession?

The good people at Busted Halo have some answers for you in this these two videos:

Fit to Print?

As much as I appreciate new media tools like blogs and YouTube and podcasts, I must say that am very worried about how good old-fashioned newspapers and magazines will survive this economic crisis. At least one or two mornings a week, I try to grab a New York Times while headed through Grand Central. For $1.50, it's both good reading for the train ride -- and a way to help the cause of print journalism.

I'm sad to say I can't do the same for my one-time employer of fond memory, the Observer-Reporter of Washington, PA. I'm especially concerned for how that old county daily is faring during this economic crisis. I visit the O-R Website everyday to keep up with the home front. If the O-R ever ceased to print, it would be a very serious blow to the economy, political life and community life of Washington and Greene counties in Pennsylvania.

In "The Media Equation" column of today's NYT Business section, David Carr writes about the troubled newspaper industry.

He begins:

Back when I was a young media reporter fueled by indignation and suspicion, I often pictured the dark overlords of the newspaper industry gathering at a secret location to collude over cigars and Cognac, deciding how to set prices and the news agenda at the same time.

It probably never happened, but now that I fear for the future of the world that they made, I’m hoping that meeting takes place. I’ll even buy the cigars.

Even casual followers of the newspaper industry could rattle off the doomsday tick-tock: a digitally enabled free fall in ads and audience now has burly guys circling major daily newspapers with plywood and nail guns. The Rocky Mountain News is gone, The San Francisco Chronicle is on the bubble, and dozens of others are limping along on the endangered list.

Magazine and newspaper editors have canceled their annual conferences (good idea: let’s not talk to one another). But perhaps someone can blow a secret whistle and the publishers and editors could all meet at an undisclosed location.

Transfigured Before Them

Today is the Second Sunday of Lent. The Gospel at Mass is the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark. (I have only just realized that the Transfiguration story is always the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday of Lent. In 2007, we read the account from Luke; in 2008, from Matthew.)

From Mark Chapter 9:

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.

And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.

Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.

Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."

Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

Deacon Greg has an excellent homily for this Sunday.

The image above is from here.

"Lucky"

For this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," I've decided to go with the charming duet "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. Below is how it sounded live on a TV talk show.

Peace:



I also like this version with Jason Mraz and a young woman (identified as "Clara" in Paris):



And, I'd be remiss if I did not mention this cover version of "Lucky" that (as of this writing) has been viewed more than 1.6 million (!) times on YouTube:



This is the fourth time that Jason Mraz has been featured in the "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend."

Flashbacks: "Bella Luna" (Jan. '08), "The Rainbow Connection" (Feb. '08) and "I'm Yours" (April '08).

Reader Request: L.A. REC Round-Up

A Concord Pastor has asked for a summary of my thoughts on the L.A. Religious Education Congress last week in sunny Anaheim, CA. I don't get many reader requests, so I'm happy to oblige now that I'm back in chilly NYC.

The good pastor's question is inside baseball -- the L.A. REC is sometimes controversial in the Catholic blogosphere for its speakers (sometimes thought of as "liberal" or "progressive") and its Masses (mostly upbeat with very dynamic music).

I cannot provide a truly thorough summary as I spent most of the L.A. REC helping to staff an exhibitor booth. I did not have the time to attend any of the sessions or workshops. This year's keynote speaker was Jim Wallis, the editor of Sojourners and a "liberal" or "progressive" evangelical to be sure.

This year, some Catholic bloggers were troubled by comments made by L.A.'s Cardinal Roger Mahoney in response to a question about the Tridentine Mass (a.k.a. "the Latin Mass") during an online chat. That's a complex issue that I apologize I cannot adequately address in this space.

I can say, however, that I had the chance to briefly watch Cardinal Mahoney in the exhibit hall as he chatted on-line. I think it was laudable that he granted such access. And, chatting online in a public place with your comments broadcast in real-time on nearby screens is not for the faint of heart.

I did have the opportunity to attend three Masses at this year's L.A. REC -- the Hawaiian liturgy on Friday evening, the young adult liturgy on Saturday evening and the closing liturgy on Sunday afternoon. (On Friday and Saturday evenings, the participants had several different liturgies from which to choose. Last year, in one of these time slots, I attended a "Celtic Mass." Two years ago, I attended a "Jazz Mass.")

I found all three Masses I attended at the L.A. REC last week to be spiritually uplifting. But, the young adult Mass on Saturday was likely the one I'll most remember. It was celebrated by Monsignor Ray East, the head of the Office of Black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

Monsignor East was engaging, humorous and appropriately solemn -- all at the right moments. In his memorable homily, he spoke of efforts to invite lapsed Catholics back to Church. He also spoke of how we prepare for Christ -- doing so after stirring thought by singing a few notes from "Single Ladies" by Beyonce. (Before giving the closing blessing, he reminded all to "put a ring on it.")

In the Hawaiian Mass, there were a few unexpected aspects that might have given some pause. For instance, a woman wearing native Hawaiian dress was seated in what at the other Masses in the arena was the presider's chair. Unconventional to be certain -- but she never functioned as the priest celebrant (who sat facing the altar from another direction in the center of the arena). Also, in the Hawaiian Mass, a song was substituted for the "Lamb of God" that (while quite good by itself) did not convey that same prayer of appeal to God for mercy and peace.

Experts in sacred liturgy likely would have issues with these aspects and other parts of the Masses at the L.A. REC. (I'm not even going to touch on the whole question of liturgical dance.) But, these Masses did bring the Word of God and the Eucharist to tens of thousands of the Faithful.

A word on the attendance at this year's L.A. REC, which was given as 38,000. At least in the exhibit hall, the numbers did seem to be down a bit from last year -- notably on the Saturday. But, considering the state of the economy, this was not unforeseen.

Speaking of the exhibit hall, I cannot end without this observation: At the end of the 600 aisle, there was a booth for "The Stories of Caesar Chavez" directly next to the booth for Chastity.com.

Now, that's a pairing only brought to you by the Catholic Church.

The image above is from Rocco.

"Via Media"

Amy has moved to a new blogging home called "Via Media." Beliefnet is blessed to have her on board.

But, I have to say, I have long thought "Charlotte was Both" was a great name for a blog -- and I'm sad for that moniker's end. In case you forgot the inspiration:

It is not often that someone comes along who is both a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.

(E. B. White, the conclusion of "Charlotte’s Web.")

Pale Blue in Santa Monica

I am truly blessed.

I'm writing this from a coffee shop in Santa Monica, CA, just a few blocks from the promenade looking out onto the Pacific Ocean. I've stayed a extra few days in the Los Angeles-area to visit some of my old college friends after the end of the L.A. Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, CA.

It's a relatively cool day here but nothing compared to the blizzard that blasted NYC on Sunday.

A little earlier, I spent some time sitting at the end of the long Santa Monica pier. It was beautiful and peaceful. The sky and the ocean were both a very pale blue. The sun was peaking out from behind the light clouds. Some dolphins swam past.

It was one of those times when it's impossible not to contemplate God and creation:

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.

The photo above is from here.

"The Spirit Drove"

I attended Mass for the First Sunday of Lent here in Anaheim, CA, at the close of the L.A. Religious Education Congress. The Gospel was a brief passage on Christ's 40 days in the desert.

From Mark Chapter 1:

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan.

He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:

"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

In his homily, Cardinal Roger Mahoney observed that Mark wrote "the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert" as opposed to the other Gospel writers Matthew and Luke who wrote "the Spirit led Jesus into the desert."

"This is a radical difference," Cardinal Mahoney said, adding that we, too, sometimes are "driven" and sometimes are "led" by the Holy Spirit into our 40-day observances of Lent. With the economic crisis, said the cardinal, Lent 2009 may seem like one into which we are being "driven."

For the offering hymn of the Mass, the orchestra played the peaceful tune "Gabriel's Oboe" by Ennio Morricone. It's always a good listen.

The painting above is by Ivan Kramskoi (1837 - 1887). Hat-tip: Dr. Maureen Tilley

Braddock, PA, on Colbert

I'm in Anaheim, CA, through Sunday for the L.A. Religious Education Congress. It's the third year that I've been here exhibiting with some folks from my gig.

Yesterday, on the JetBlue flight west, I had the chance to watch Stephen Colbert's interview with Mayor John Fetterman of Braddock, PA, a depressed steel town outside of the 'burgh.

Check it out:

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

John Fetterman

I'm impressed. Mayor Fetterman seems to be the kind of dynamic young leader with drive and creativity that's much in need in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

I've only been to Braddock once, I think. When I worked for the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, we visited the Carnegie Library of Braddock with guests from the Carnegiestiftelsen of Sweden. Braddock's library was the first Carnegie Library in the United States.

The Jive Five

It's oldies for this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend." Per the suggestion of my cousin Luke, here is the 1961 tune "My True Story" by The Jive Five.

Peace:

"Hear Us, Lord"

A Lenten hymn for this second day of the sacred season:



"Attende Domine" = "Hear Us, Lord"

"Nanny, nanny, boo, boo!"

Stephen Colbert says Fr. Jim Martin, S.J., was "poor before poor was cool":

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Turning to Religion - Jim Martin

Fr. Jim apparently also has a new bullet for his resume: "Colbert Report chaplain."

Dust

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. It's the 40-day season that many Christians set aside to prepare spiritually for the commemoration of Jesus' Last Supper, suffering, death and resurrection.

Receiving ashes on one's forehead is an important part of Ash Wednesday for many people. In the Catholic tradition, the person distributing ashes most often states "remember you are dust and to dust you shall return" when making a cross on each foreheard. Deacon Greg meditates on these words in his homily today.

A Concord Pastor has posts with prayer, scripture and other details for the day and the season. Aggie Catholics has a "Lent 2009 mega post." And, The Anchoress has two posts for Ash Wednesday and Lent.

I'm giving up bagels and cream cheese again this year as part of my Lenten observance. (Quickly grabbing a New York bagel from Zaro's in Grand Central is a cherished part of my weekday morning commute to Yonkers.) I'm also going to work harder at being more patient with someone in my professional life who I often find frustrating.

Please pray for me.

Flashbacks: Ash Wednesdays 2007 and 2008.

The image above is from Sully. It is credited to Luis Liwanaga/AFP/Getty.

Mardi Gras

Joyous Mardi Gras!

Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

A wintery scene from my old Western PA stomping grounds made the "The View From Your Window" feature Monday over at Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish:

Sully's caption: "Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, 11.45 am"

Flashback: South Side View?

Honoring the Slumdog

In honor of "Slumdog Millionaire" taking home the Academy Award for "Best Picture" of 2008:



Flashback: My review.

A Warm Welcome to the Big Apple

This morning, it was announced in Rome that Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee has been named the new archbishop of New York.

On April 15, Archbishop Dolan will take the helm from Cardinal Edward Egan, who will retire shortly after his 77th birthday. It will be the first time a cardinal-archbishop of New York has retired -- all of the previous archbishops died while serving.

Whispers in the Loggia is not to be missed today for many more details.

God bless you, Archbishop Dolan. A warm welcome to the Big Apple.

The photo above is from Whispers. It's a view of Archbishop Dolan this morning at Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Carried by Four Men

Earlier tonight, I attended the Sunday vigil Mass at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. The first cathedral of the Archdiocese of New York, it's located at the corner of Mott and Prince streets, not far from my new pad.

Old St. Patrick's is an anchor parish of a newish Catholic young adult group called The Catholic Fellowship of New York, which hosted a very nice reception and concert after Mass. (That's the group's logo above.)

For a third Sunday in a row, the Gospel at Mass brings us Christ the healer. In the homily I heard at Old St. Patrick's, we were called to consider the four men who brought the paralytic to Jesus and the risks that they took. The point: How are we today like those four men? What risks do we take to bring the spiritually paralyzed to Christ?

From Mark Chapter 2:

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home.

Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven."

Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?"

Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"—he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."

He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone.

They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

Deacon Greg remembered Amy in his homily for this Sunday.

"I've Seen It All"

I recently attended an event that included an interpretive dance set to "I've Seen It All" as sung by Bjork and Thom Yorke. It's from the film "Dancer in the Dark." (Bjork sang it at the Academy Awards in the famous swan dress.)

It's an odd song but still rather haunting and memorable. Here it is for this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend."

Paz:

Pez High

Line of the day:

From Frank Bruni in his NYT review on Shang, a new restaurant in NYC:

Shang isn’t one of those Asian extravaganzas that looks as if it were designed by second graders on a Pez high.

In second grade, I was more of a SweeTarts guy myself.