"A Here We Go ..."

This evening, at the Mustard Palace, the Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.

Consider this post a virtual wave of The Terrible Towel.

Go Steelers!

What Are You Looking For?

The Gospel at Mass today shows us, from the perspective of the Gospel of John, how some of the disciples came to follow Jesus. The passage also provides an introduction to St. Peter (pictured above from here).

From John Chapter 1:

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”

The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?”

They said to him, “Rabbi” — which translated means Teacher —, “where are you staying?”

He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”

So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day.

It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” — which is translated Christ —.

Then he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas” — which is translated Peter.

The first reading at Mass today is the (somewhat comical) passage from Samuel in which the Lord repeatedly calls to the prophet in his sleep and Samuel replies, "Here I am." In honor of that passage, here are two versions of the hymn "Here I am, Lord" by Dan Schutte:

A Chapel on the Park

"The City" section of tomorrow's New York Times carries a story by James Angelos about the sale of the Catholic Center at NYU (exterior and interior pictured above). The piece is titled "For a Chapel on the Park, the Bell May Soon Toll."

The 1964 concrete and brick building, which includes the very modern Holy Trinity Chapel, is the property of the Archdiocese of New York. The archdiocese is selling the site, on Washington Square South at Thompson Street, to the university.

Yours truly is quoted in the last paragraph of the NYT article. (I was active at the Catholic Center from 1994 to 1998 while I earned my B.A. at NYU.)

According to reports, the university's plans for the site include a multi-faith facility that will include space for Catholic campus ministry. Today's NYU students also are served by the University Parish of St. Joseph in Greenwich Village, located just a few blocks west of the Catholic Center site.

Both Sides Now

One night late last month, while I was home in the 'Burgh for Christmas, the gang and I watched a DVD of the 2003 romantic comedy "Love Actually" -- a great flick I somehow missed in the theaters. It had an excellent soundtrack that included a memorable rendition of "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell.

For this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," here is that tune both in an audio-only clip and as it is featured in "Love Actually."

Pace:





Hat-tip: Heidi & Paul

"My Second Family"

Vice President-Elect Joe Biden gave his final speech today on the floor of the U.S. Senate as a senator from Delaware.

It's an interesting slice of history:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Happy Catholic in the 'Burgh?

Julie from Happy Catholic is considering a trip to Pittsburgh.

And, Father Pitt has provided her with some sight-seeing tips. I liked how he put this one:

Just across the Mon is Mount Washington; you can get off the subway at Station Square and transfer to the Monongahela Incline, which takes you up to one of the most spectacular views in North America.

Very true.

In the comments of Julie's post, this Pittsburgh native living in China has chimed in, too.

Convivium

This morning, I attended the funeral Mass of Fr. Richard John Neuhaus. It was celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on 14th Street just east of 1st Avenue -- where Fr. Neuhuas had served as a priest for some 17 years.

I arrived 20 minutes prior to the 10 a.m. start time and the church was already standing-room only.

I thought it was a beautiful statement about Catholicism that Fr. Neuhaus' funeral brought some of the nation's leading conservative thinkers and writers to a parish of New York City's East Village -- a neighborhood where Barack Obama's election was celebrated like the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The liturgy itself was a fine reflection of the man for whom it was celebrated. It was refined and stately with a memorable, well-crafted homily by Fr. Raymond de Souza.

Fr. de Souza spoke of Fr. Neuhaus the man instead of focusing on the public figure and his published works. He remembered that his friend enjoyed the word "convivium" (as in its Latin usage as a banquet or feast) -- and how brilliant he was in conversation around the dinner table. He also stated that, despite his many achievements, Fr. Neuhaus' "axis mundi" was the altar at Immaculate Conception on 14th Street.

Fr. de Souza recalled that, during "the long Lent" of the sexual abuse crisis, Fr. Neuhuas stressed the need for "fidelity, fidelity, fidelity."

For the historical record:

The principal celebrant of the Mass was Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Sullivan, vicar general of the Archdiocese of New York. The concelebrants included Archbishop Edwin O'Brien of Baltimore, Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre (Long Island), other New York auxiliary bishops, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., Fr. Romanus Cessario, O.P., Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P., and many other priests.

Some of the Sisters of Life also were present. (In his homily, Fr. de Souza noted that Fr. Neuhaus and the Sisters of Life were the two great gifts of the late Cardinal John O'Connor to the pro-life movement, adding, "The cardinal would be pleased to know that the latter are here praying for the former.")

Some of the laity at the funeral included Rick Santorum, George Weigel, Robert P. George, William Donohue, Raymond Arroyo and George Marlin. Among the Faithful standing in the back aisle were John Wilson and Peter Steinfels.

The funeral featured many beautiful hymns including "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" and "The Church's One Foundation." Near the end of Communion, the choir sang Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." I embed it below in memoriam:

"Misunderestimated"?

Last night, while on the elliptical glider at the gym, I watched a replay on C-Span of President Bush's last White House press conference (full video above).

I came in at 21:50 when the New York Times reporter asked the president about pardons and the mistakes of his tenure. I think his answer will be instructive for the historians who write the tale of these past eight years.

Go Steelers!

Today at 4:45 p.m. at the Mustard Palace, the Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the San Diego Chargers in the AFC playoffs.

Naturally, I'm pulling for a Black-and-Gold win.

To send some good vibes over the Appalachians, here is the old "Steelers Polka":

Heavens Being Torn Open

Today, Catholics celebrate the Baptism of the Lord -- the final day of the Christmas season in the liturgical year.

The Gospel at Mass is from Mark Chapter 1:

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:

“One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.

And a voice came from the heavens,

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The image above is from here. Hat-tip: A Concord Pastor. To see the tapestry in real life, visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.

A Model for Detroit?

I have been remiss in noting that front page of Thursday's New York Times featured an article on Pittsburgh and the collapse of the steel industry. Specifically, the piece asked if Detroit could learn a lesson from the 'Burgh as it faces turmoil in the automobile industry.

From David Streitfeld's article:

A generation ago, the steel industry that built Pittsburgh and still dominated its economy entered its death throes. In the early 1980s, the city was being talked about the way Detroit is now. Its very survival was in question.

Deindustrialization in Pittsburgh was a protracted and painful experience. Yet it set the stage for an economy that is the envy of many recession-plagued communities, particularly those where the automobile industry is struggling for its life.

“If people are looking for hope, it’s here,” said Sabina Deitrick, an urban studies expert at the University of Pittsburgh. “You can have a decent economy over a long period of restructuring.”

Comments on Classical

Lenny and Shostakovitch meet the YouTube commenters:



(Apologies for some of the language.)

The original (click on the link to see the comments in writing):



Hat-tip: Sully

Cat Nap

While you were sleeping (or trying to):

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Hat-tip: Deacon Greg, who asks: "I can't help but wonder if the cat now sleeps outside."

Over-Awe

Peggy Noonan on the presidents:

... This week we saw the past four presidents standing in the Oval Office for a photo-op on the afternoon of their private lunch. As you looked at the pictures afterward you had to think: How flawed were they? How many were a success?

Did you notice how they all leaned away from Jimmy Carter, the official Cootieman of former presidents? It was like high-school students to the new girl: "You can't sit here, we're the Most Popular table."

The Founders, who were awed by the presidency and who made it a point, the early ones, to speak in their inaugural addresses of how unworthy they felt, would be astonished and confounded by the over-awe with which we view presidents now. We treat them as if they are the Grand Imperial Czar of the Peacock Throne, and we their 'umble servants. It's no good, and vaguely un-American. Right now patriotism requires more than the usual candor. It requires speaking truthfully and constructively to a president who is a man, and just a man. We hire them, we fire them, they come back for photo-ops. They're not magic.

The Great Lion

Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, the great lion of the conservative Catholic intelligentsia in the United States, died yesterday morning at the age of 72. A brilliant writer and engrossing speaker, Fr. Neuhaus was editor-in-chief of First Things.

Obituaries by John Allen in the National Catholic Reporter and Laurie Goodstein in The New York Times outline Fr. Neuhaus' faith journey and work on the American political scene.

Ross Douthat and Raymond Arroyo and Damon Linker and Sully have penned reflections.

Fr. Neuhaus lived in my neighborhood here in New York -- he on East 19th Street and yours truly on East 15th. By happenstance, I once attended a Saturday evening Mass he celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church on East 14th Street (where he served as parochial vicar). His funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception on Tuesday.

From the prayers at the end of the funeral Mass:

Richard John,

May the angels lead you into paradise,
may the martyrs come to welcome you,
and take you to the holy city,
the new and eternal Jerusalem.

An aside: Fr. Neuhuas is pictured above on the set of "Meet the Press" on Easter Sunday, 2006. To his left is Sr. Joan Chittister, O.S.B. She's the great lion of the liberal Catholic intelligentsia. The late Tim Russert had the good sense to bring them together.

Come to Me, Bend to Me

For this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," here is John Mark Ainsley performing the smooth old Broadway tune "Come to Me, Bend to Me," from the Lerner & Loewe show "Brigadoon."

Peace:



This song came to mind when I learned of the death last month of Van Johnson, who played in the 1954 MGM film version of "Brigadoon."

The Ex-Presidents

Historic:

A Disturbing Photo

Sully yesterday posted a very disturbing photo under the heading "The Reality of War."

I have purposefully chosen not to post the photo here. But, I am linking to the image as as it brings home the very human cost of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- and of all war and violence.

"What You Do With It"

But, MoDo observers, many a U.S. senator is a product of the family business:

Sitting in the Senate gallery on Tuesday as senators were sworn in by Dick Cheney, I saw plenty of lawmakers who had benefited from family.

Two Udalls were being sworn in, under the watchful eye of Stewart Udall. Mark Begich, the new senator from Alaska, is the son of a former Alaska congressman. The classy Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, son of the late Gov. Robert Casey, was there in a festive pink tie. John McCain, whose wife’s money and Arizona pull made his Senate election possible, looked on with a smile. Hillary, whose husband paved the way for her to join this club and run for president, chatted with colleagues. Jay Rockefeller wandered about, as did Chris Dodd, son of Senator Thomas Dodd. And Teddy Kennedy, walking with a cane, worked the room with his old brio.

It isn’t what your name is. It’s what you do with it. Or, in the case of W., don’t.

"A Certain Ambivalence"

Peggy Noonan points out a commonality between President George W. Bush and Senate-hopeful Caroline Kennedy in her latest column:

This is one reason modern political dynasties tend to have a deleterious effect on our politics. When you get new people in the process who think politics is about meaning, they tend to bring the meaning with them. On the other hand, those who've learned that politics is about small and shallow things, and the romance of dynasties, bring that with them. (They also bring old retainers, sycophants and ingrained money lines, none of which help the common weal.) Those who are just born into it and just want to continue it, bring a certain ambivalence. And signal it. They're always slouching toward victory. It's not terrible, but it doesn't do any great good, either.