What's so Good about it?

It's a question that I thought about a lot, and I know gets raised today.  Why is it called Good Friday?

Now in one sense, as a choir director whose choir sings at Holy Thursday, Easter Vigil, and one of the Easter Sunday Masses, "Good" Friday makes sense, as it is the only day of the Triduum I don't have to plan and direct at a liturgy, so... that's good.  In another sense, it's good, because the liturgy is one of my favorites all year, and I can go to the Veneration of the Cross, and let myself be immersed in the liturgy, rather than be busy during it.

But really when it get's boiled down, Good Friday is Good precisely because of the Crucifixion, and Crown of Thorns, and scourging at the pillar.

Isaiah foretold many things, including this about Good Friday:  (IS 53:5)

Yet it was our pain that he bore,
our sufferings he endured.
We thought of him as stricken,
struck down by God* and afflicted,

But he was pierced for our sins,
crushed for our iniquity.
He bore the punishment that makes us whole,
by his wounds we were healed.

We had all gone astray like sheep,
all following our own way;
But the LORD laid upon him*
the guilt of us all.

God gives humanity, his creation, redemption from the the sin of Adam, through the sacrifice of His Son, who was fully man and fully God.  But like a loving parent, God doesn't make it easy.  You know when you did something really wrong as a child, like dent the fender of a car when you weren't supposed to drive it, your parents made you empty your savings account to pay to fix it.  God doesn't just snap his finger for redemption of our sins.  Oh he could have, but we have to earn it.  We earn it through recounting the death, brutal and cruel of His Son, we earn it through works of mercy, we earn it though adoration and praise of the one who suffered for our sins, and we earn redemption through the sacraments, especially penance.

And none of the efforts we make to earn redemption would have been possible without the Crucifixion.  Without Good Friday.  And without that chance for redemption, we have no chance at Heaven.

So, yeah, there's a lot that is Good about it.

Into Darkness

Before we journey to the Light of Easter, it’s necessary to experience  the darkness that is our Lord’s Passion.  And yes, we experience that at Palm Sunday Masses, but there is a way to go even deeper into the agony of the cross, and ready ourselves for the holiest week of the year.
For several years our Parish has held a Tenebrae service on Palm Sunday evening.  This service begins in a fully lit Church, and journeys through scripture and lessons from the early church fathers, congregational participation and music to set the scene on Calvary, -all the way  to a place that puts us at the Cross, in total darkness.

Many Catholic parishes conduct a Tenebrae service, the "traditional" day is Good Friday, but I think that having the service early in the week sets the mood and your mind in the right space for Holy week.  Look around in your area for a Tenebrae service if you've never attended one, and give it a shot.

Join in the experience and emotion that is TENEBRAE

Music on the road

I once heard a priest suggest that music was the third rail of the parish life, that is you just don't want to touch it.  The conversation was regarding a priest coming into a new parish.

It's an interesting dilemma, Catholics and our music.  Traditional hymnody, praise & worship, folk mass, chant -  is there a best practice? 

Full disclosure, I direct the "traditional" choir at our parish and have been the lead singer in our parish praise & worship band.  I have experienced P&W Mass, P&W Adoration, Chant Adoration, directed and sung old school polyphony, as well as contemporary choral arrangements.

You know what, there is definitely room for all types of music in our church, but (and you knew there was a but coming right?) I firmly believe that there are particular styles of music for different occasions.  I have never been comfortable with praise & worship music-full on pop band style- during the Mass, meaning for the Mass settings, and music between the opening prayer and the closing prayer.  To me the style of the music is just too secular for Mass.  As prelude or opening/recessional sure, but not during the Mass proper.  I like the music, and frankly the lyrics of today's Christian pop are generally more God centered than the I/Me/Mine garbage written for our hymnals in the 70's-90's.  Another place I like P&W is for adoration/holy hours especially when there is a large crowd present.  Adoration can be an emotional experience, and a lot of P&W music lends itself to that emotion.

On the flip side however, experiencing a holy hour with Latin chant really lends a much more meditative quality to the experience, perfect for those times when you know it will a smaller or a more somber crowd (Holy hour for the Holy Innocents as an example).  And that's not to say the old school stuff can't be emotional.  I mean check out this version of Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus  or Palestrina's Sicut Cervis (Psalm 42 As the deer longs...).  Though you may not know the translation, the music takes you to a heavenly place.  There is a need in our worship for this ethereal style that is not found in the vast majority of hymnals today.

OK enough of that third rail for now.  Maybe next time we can talk about the current state of Hymnody in our missals!

We'll see you on the road!

Excuse me, my scapular is showing!

We recently had a popular Catholic speaker at our parish and one of his zingers was a direct hit on ladies like me...you know, the ones who wear all those medals...zing!  Sometimes it takes a zinger to make us stop and reflect on what we are doing and why we are doing it.  That's just what I did.  I started questioning who I was as a Catholic. Was I being too pious?  Am I a bad Catholic? Should I be embarrassed...I sure wasn't feeling good. I reached down and wanted to tuck those medals away.  

Today at mass it hit me.  I walked into our church, dipping my fingers into water to remember my Baptimal promise, I lit a candle and offered up prayers, I was surrounded with beautiful stained glass, statues, paintings, stations of the cross, and the alter, the priest had on his purple vestments, the prayers the choir, standing, kneeling, sitting, bells at the consecration, and finally tasting Our Lord in the bread and wine.  God gave us the 5 senses as humans and the Catholic faith through the sacraments and the fullness of the Litergy allow us to know and grow closer to God.  As a Catholic I am surrounded with objects that permeate my senses.  

Those medals are sacramentals and are effective by virtue of the Church's intercession.  They are consecrated objects that help me try to live a virtuous life.  My crucifix, Miraculous Medal, and various Saint medals are that outward sign of my faith and devotion. It's part of me.  I have added and deleted to the collection over the years as the spirit moves me.  So, I confess, I am and will continue to be that lady with all those medals.  My scapular is usually tucked under my clothes.  On those occasions when it pops out, more often than not it gives and opportunity to evangelize by explaining what a scapular is and why I wear it.  These are all signs of my faith and help me to reflect on God's love for me and to give Him honor daily.  

If you are not familiar with the tradition of wearing the brown scapular, it is a gift from Mary given to St. Simon Stock in the early 13th century to be worn as a devotion to The Sacred Hears of Jesus and Mary.  "Our Lady of Mt. Carmel" is a title of the Blessed Virgin  Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmalite Order and the Scapular is the habit of the order.  The scapular is a garment worn by religious over the shoulders (scapula), and hanging down in front and back. It consists of 2 pieces of brown cloth as a sign of devotion that carries the promises of protection to those who wear it devoutly.  Wearing it helps us grow in holiness and prepares us to receive grace.  It is associated with many miracles and conversions.  A good explanation of the brown scapular can be found here http://Lifeteen.com/why-do-Catholics-wear-scapulars/ or here lfreebrownscapular.com.

We'll see ya on the road!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

First...I must admit that I have drunk my fair share of green beer and sham-rocked away many St. Patrick Days.  I am reminding myself as much as anyone else, to remember the great St. Patrick in a way that truly honors him.

March 17th is the Feast Day of St. Patrick.  He is remembered for bringing Christianity to Ireland.  Like some other famous Saints, Patrick's Feast has been taken captive much like the young Patrick himself.  It's a bit ironic that one of the greatest Irish, Catholic Saints came from Britain.  He was captured, enslaved, then broke free only to return to convert the Irish to Christianity.  He traveled fearlessly around Ireland facing the pagan kings and those who once took away his freedom, only to repay them with true freedom.

As a daily communicant I sometimes loose the specialness of going to mass on a feast day.  In past years it has been a pleasure to go to St. Patrick's in our town for mass.  I have also enjoyed the Irish Family Reunion and celebrating with the vibrant Irish community at The Shamrock Club and local pubs.  I've been blessed by many special friendships brought together by culture, religion, music, and laughter.  I have wonderful memories of traveling to Ireland once with my husband and then a very special trip with his side of the family.  The Irish and Ireland hold a special place in my heart.

While it is a myth that St. Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland, I feel that the good St. Patrick would find that a new serpent has not only taken over his feast day but is slithering his way back onto his beloved Ireland.  This "Isle of Saints" could use all their intercession to bring back the fire of faith to the country.  

So remember to ask for the intercession of St. Patrick, pray for Ireland and all the Irish people near and far.  

St.Patrick, pray for us🙏

Go and make disciples!

Go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19)

When you are on fire with Lord you want to share it.  I find one of the most rewarding experiences as a Catholic is to sponsor others. It is a blessing to walk with others on their spiritual journey.   Each time I had the honor to be a sponsor or work on the RCIA team (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) I always got much more out of it than what I gave.  I find it is not only an opportunity to learn more about my faith, but it is also refreshing to be around those entering The Church and coming alive in their faith.  

Lent is the final discernment time for  catechumens (one who is not baptized) and candidates (one who is baptized in another faith).  As Catholics, we should all be keeping them in our prayers.  Many parishes put up pictures of those in RCIA so we can welcome them and pray for them throughout Lent.

The Easter Vigil is the highlight of the experience.  Yes, it's usually 3+ hours, but I have always felt like it goes by quickly and it is the most beautiful Mass of the year.  The excitement starts with the Easter bonfire and the lighting of the Easter Candle  and then the return of The Gloria and Allalluias illuminate your senses.  It is beautiful to witness the baptism, confirmation, and first communions of our newest Catholic brothers and sisters in faith.  This is what it is all about, taking that walk together.  If you haven't experience this...GO!  

We'll see ya on the road!

Walk in the light!

This Sunday we celebrated the first scrutiny in preparation for the Baptism of the catechumens who are to be admitted to the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil.  In this third Sunday of Lent we are all drawing closer to the light of the cross.  We also started daylight savings time so are days are literally getting longer and lighter. 

Here are some words from the Easter Vigil Liturgy that the priest uses to bless the Paschal Candle that we can use to ponder as we draw closer to the celebration of the light of the world...

Those in RCIA are drawing nearer to entering the light of Christ.  This is a good time to start thinking about inviting those that friends and family who have drifted away from the church to come home for Easter. 

We'll see you on the road! 

That's Adorable!

On our recent podcast episode (#1) we talked a bit about Eucharistic adoration, and how that can be a kind of pilgrimage that is easily accessible.  It was interesting in researching the podcast, that the concept has been around since the beginning of  Christianity, when the host would be reserved for the sick or dying.  In religious communities in the 2nd and 3rd centuries adoration would take place.

Now, when I grew up our parish never had adoration, nor was I exposed to it until about 15 years ago.  This despite the fact that 40 hour devotions have been around for centuries.  It seems like the practice, the simple act of adoring our Lord present in the Eucharist went away for while.

I enjoy my time spent in adoration, as both physically and spiritually it is the time I feel closest to God.  Whether it is my hour in a nearly empty adoration chapel in silence, or with a dozens of fellow Catholics at a holy hour, this time in contemplation, reflection, prayer, and interior quiet is a glorious gift.  One of many such gifts our faith tradition provides.  I encourage you to take advantage of this devotion, whether in a formal setting or just time in front of the tabernacle.  The graces that come this are abundant.

We'll see you on the road!

Let's Dance!

Enjoying talk by our retreat leader, Fr. Cassian Derbes, O.P. on "The Virtues of Mary" at St. Therese's Retreat Center. This is what I am getting...

"To be virtuous speaks of living gracefully.  

Virtue speaks of happiness.  

Gives witness to blessedness. 

Mary is blessed among women. 

Blessed equals happy. 

God wants us to be happy!

Grace is an elegant movement.

It is how God animates you".

We'll see you on the road... I'll be the one dancing 😄! 

( Oh, btw... Cassian Derbes is now on my best names ever list... Could be tied with The Venerable Bede!)

Silence

St. Thomas Aquinas died on this date, March 7, 1274. 

"The last word of St. Thomas is not communication but silence. And it is not death which takes the pen out of his hand. His tongue is stilled by the super-abundance of life in the mystery of God. He is silent, not because he has nothing further to say; he is silent because he has been allowed to glimpse into the inexpressible depths of that mystery which is not reached by any human thought or speech. The acts of the canonization process record: On the feast of St. Nicholas, in the year 1273, as Thomas turned back to his work after Holy Mass, he was strangely altered. He remained steadily silent; he did not write; he dictated nothing. He lad aside the Summa Theologica on which he had been working. Abruptly, in the middle of the treatise on the Sacrament of Penance, he stopped writing. Reginald, his friend, asks him, troubled: "Father, how can you want to stop such a great work?" Thomas answers only, "I can write no more." Reginald of Piperno seriously believed that his master and friend might have become mentally ill through his overwhelming burden of work. After a long while, he asks and urges once again. Thomas gives the answer: "Reginald, I can write no more. All that I have hitherto written seems to me nothing but straw. Reginald is stunned by his reply".- Josef Pieper, The Silence of St. Thomas

0n Silent Retreat at 

We'll see you on the road! 

Back to silence....shhhhh 😉 

God allows u-turns!

Have you ever been driving along and had a strange feeling that you were going in the wrong direction? On a trip out west, late at night, when one of us was asleep that is exactly what happened....sorry, that's another story.  This one is about a spiritual u-turn.  

It started a few years into our marriage.  We had become regular mass goers due in part to Chip's return to the church choir he had enjoyed in his youth.  I started feeling something was missing, particularly during Lent as we neared the Easter Vigil when new Catholics were brought into the church.  I felt that strange feeling that I was going on the wrong road.  You know when they build a new highway and there is that old road running parallel to the new one but they just don't connect.  That is exactly what had happened.  I was on the wrong road and I needed to find the entrance ramp.  Years earlier I had exited my faith formation when my parents divorced and we stopped going to church just at the time when I should have been confirmed.  I had been telling myself that that formality didn't matter.  So many of my Catholic friends said that they didn't feel any different after their confirmation.  Maybe it didn't make a real difference.  Matter of fact the priest who married us told me not to worry, that I was a Catholic (By the way, he is now married and no longer an active priest...hmmmmm.).

I started feeling like something was missing and realizing that it did matter! The Holy Spirit started nudging me a little at first but then it was so strong that I just couldn't deny the reality any longer.  Everywhere I looked, everything I read,  at home, at work, and at church it was all about fire...being on fire, word on fire, tongues of fire... fire, fire, fire!  I have since found that when I get these repeated messages it is important to listen.  So when the priest announced one Sunday that they would be having a special class for those raised Catholic that didn't complete their sacramental rites, my soul cried out, "That's me!"

So I took the class, went to my first confession since I was a child, got confirmed, and  I am here to tell you that confirmation does make a difference.  When I was confirmed I was truly filled with The Holy Spirit and I have been on fire with the love for Jesus ever since.  I have been living and loving my Catholic faith on the move!

If you have had a similar experience and have not received all of your sacraments,find a good holy priest and live your faith to the fullest.  It will change everything!

We'll see ya on the road!

Help spread the Divine Mercy message !

Would love to see this on the road!

Help bring this beautiful 22ft. billboard to Columbus, Ohio.

WILL YOU HELP BRING SINNERS BACK TO GOD'S MERCY!!! 

Billboard prices range from $650.00 to $1250 and can be up by the 12th of this month. 

If you would like to help and get involved with the billboard campaign, please contact Tim at: 

Tim McAndrew

Laity for Mercy feastofmercy.net

We'll see ya on the road!

Oh! Look who is blogging!!

I can hear our friends and family now..."Oh! Look who is blogging!"

To quote a member of one of my prayer groups, "If this it what she says, imagine what she is thinking?!" ( Insert their wild laughter!) 

Well, this just may be the place where you will all get that special experience. (Insert my wild laughter!)

We'll see you on the road!

Welcome to our journey on the road to heaven!

The Mission    Luke 10:1     The Lord  sent them... in pairs...

Welcome to our journey on the road to heaven.  Here we are on our pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  It took us a long time to get to this point...which brings us to the point of this blog.  As you can see, we are still on that road and we want you to join us on our journey.  We will be taking a look back at the road we have have traveled, enjoy where we are are now and look ahead to where we want to go.  We're sure to have some roadblocks along the way, but with the grace of God and the Holy Spirit keeping us on the right path we are sure to make it to our destination.  It takes some preparation, planning, and packing to make it a good trip.  We'll be sharing our favorite travel tips from books, travels, Saints, music, and great people we have met.

We'll see ya on the road!