The death of a loved one, even when it is expected, is always a traumatic event. The Church has understood this very well for two millennia and has provided for Her children the funeral rites. The funeral rites (rituals, or liturgies) consist of three parts. The wake service (or Vigil), the Funeral Mass, and the…
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Sacred Music: The Propers/Música Sagrada: Los Propios
Have you noticed that at the beginning of Mass, right at the moment when the priest reaches the altar, a song is sung by the cantor and the choir? Have you also noticed that during the distribution of Holy Communion, the cantor also sings another song? The words and music of these songs are meant…
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Meditation on the Nativity: Puer natus in Bethlehem
As we continue to reflect upon the Mystery of the Lord’s Incarnation and Birth during the season of Christmas, we consider the Latin hymn Puer natus in Bethlehem (A child is born in Bethlehem). It is a Medieval Latin Christmas hymn based on the opening line of the Introit for Christmas from the Graduale Romanum,…
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Notes from Fr. Ringley/Apuntes del Padre Ringley
We congratulate the family of Christian Michael Rosario who received the gift of Baptism last Sunday afternoon. May Christian Michael become the saint God is calling him to be! We remember that a partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who renew their baptismal promises according to any formula in use (e.g. the Apostles Creed).…
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A Note from Fr. Ringley/Nota del Padre Ringley
We congratulate the Salazar family on the baptism of their new baby Henry Nicholas as we console the family of John Stanizeski who was buried from our church this week. John was a longtime member of the choir. May he rest in peace. We prepare to say “goodbye” to Paul and Mary Giordano as they…
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A note from Father Ringley/Mensaje del Padre Ringley
Our evening with Mary on Monday the 7th of October was shared by many parishioners and guests. We are grateful to the Alliance of the Holy Family International for making the evening possible. Thanks also to all who participated in consecrating our parish and her families to the Blessed Mother. Parishioners will notice that a…
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October: Month of Mary, Month for Life
October is designated as a month of particular devotion to Mary. It is also designated as Pro-Life Month. It is no coincidence that we are asked to pay special attention to Mary and to human life during this month because it is in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary that we see God revealing…
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Learn Your Faith: Our Lady of Good Health (Vailankanni)
Once again, the local Indian Community has been praying the Novena to Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni. Una vez más, la comunidad india de nuestra localidad ha estado rezando la Novena a Nuestra Señora de la Buena Salud, Vailankanni. La Novena concluirá el sábado 7 de septiembre.
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THE ALTARPIECE OF ST. MARY’S/EL RETABLO DE LA IGLESIA SANTA MARÍA (Part 2)
Last week we wrote about the first half of the artist Leonard Porter’s note on the altarpiece here at St. Mary’s. This week we conclude that discussion.
Contrasting the two realms represented in the upper and lower registers of the painting, i.e. the upper heavenly realm of light and glory which results from the coming of the Savior, and the lower realm of the Old Testament where things are shadowy and awaiting perfection, the artist has included the Ark of the Covenant by making the tomb to correspond the Ark’s proportions.
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Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Asunción de la Virgen María
Because of its importance, we will devote our entire column this week to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary which we celebrate each year on August 15th. Before addressing the dogma of the Assumption we must consider the end of Mary’s life on earth. There is no reference in the Scriptures to Mary’s death,…
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