| August 27, 2007 | Volume 82, Number 22 | |
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Tradition of liturgical diversityWith a goddaughter who was raised in the Byzantine Catholic Church, I have to wonder at the recent controversy over the “traditional” Latin Rite of 1570 — the Eastern rites predate it by at least a thousand years! There is clearly a long tradition of liturgical diversity in the Church. Younger Catholics seem especially attracted to the Latin Rite and have probably discovered what I have experienced in the Byzantine Rite — a rich liturgy that inspires us to live out our faith in the day-to-day world, and a sense of connection with generations of faithful before us. I doubt these young Catholics are trying to relive the 1950’s, but I can’t help but believe that their critics are still fighting the battles of the 1960’s. Let’s save our outrage for real issues, such as the genocide in Darfur or the health-care crisis here in our country. The sky will not fall on Vatican II if despite our shortage of priests (another important issue), a few agree to add a Latin Mass to their already busy schedules.
Pope’s intention on Latin defendedThere seems to be a notion afoot that Pope Benedict XVI is turning his back on Vatican Council II. This is untrue and I think time will show his intention is to truly implement the articles of VCII. The first document of VCII clearly states “There must be no innovations unless the good of the Church genuinely and certainly requires them, and care must be taken that the new forms adopted should in some way grow from forms already existing.” (Sancrosanctum concilium #23) “The use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rite…the vernacular is used where circumstances warrant it.” (S.c. #36) I have attended the Latin Mass for over a decade, but Latin is not the issue. The reverence and the sense of the sacred are essential. In fact, the greatest liturgical tool is often the universal language of “silence” where God often speaks to us loudest and clearest. The ordinary, the mundane, and the familiar and fashionable are very secondary because the Mass is primarily a celebration of the sacred and the supernatural. If this can be accomplished best by the use of English, of Latin, or Greek, or Chinese, or Arabic, or Swahili, then so be it! VCII proclaims “…the full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else, for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit.” (S.c. #14) Further we’re reminded that this activity is mainly directed to internal growth in devotion and sanctity. This I believe is the purpose of our Holy Father.
God’s law said clear on amnestyRegarding your July 2 article “Immigrant family makes desperate choices,” and the subsequent letter to the editor, several laws are regularly broken in the conflict over illegal aliens. First, the alien himself breaks the law of the land, but not the law of authority, for our government specifically claims no authority over him. As such, the maximum penalty is typically for the land to spit him out in deportation. Then there is the business that willfully employs illegals. That business typically does not pay just wages, and thus cannot hold American workers. It breaks the laws of justice and brotherhood, as well as the law of authority under which it is incorporated. As such, the maximum penalty can range from fines to the disbanding of the business. The last law that is broken, however, is God’s law. It is broken by those who legislate and lobby against the aliens. For those who say “No amnesty for lawbreakers,” I say think twice before you bring God’s law on your head.
Catholic schools offer alternativeIn the editorial section of The Richmond Times Dispatch on August 8, 2007, there appeared a letter under the heading Business Leaders Pledge Help To Improve Schools, which presented a case for the need for performance improvements in Richmond City schools. The letter stated that over the next decades, Central Virginia will need thousands of new workers — even tens of thousands, and that Richmond schools are not producing the type of employees needed for the future in sufficient numbers. I would ask the writers of the letter what kinds of employees are they seeking for our future workforce? If the answer to that question is academically well-prepared workers of integrity, with a moral compass rooted in faith, perhaps one answer is already among us. The Catholic Schools of the City of Richmond provide an alternative for Richmond families seeking educational excellence. Catholic schools offer excellent student safety records, high graduation rates, and solid standardized test performance, together with an emphasis on engendering morality, faith and service to others in the young people they serve. All schools are fully accredited and schools are open to students of all faiths. Anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic schools of greater Richmond, is invited to log onto www.richmonddiocese.org. The proposed cooperative venture to enhance education in this community that the writers describe and are willing to pursue, is exciting for all of us engaged in the education of local children. The Catholic school community of the Diocese of Richmond applauds the actions of those who wrote, and, like them, stands ready to engage in an active partnership with business professionals to continue to seek solutions to improve the quality of education in the region.
St. Elizabeth School reunionIn June of 1982 the doors of St. Elizabeth Parochial School in Richmond were closed and locked for the last time. Enrollment at both St. Elizabeth and nearby St. Paul School had been declining for several years. Both communities had worked tirelessly to promote their schools; now it had become apparent that the best solution to the challenges of both schools was consolidation. Each school had its own history and each community in its own way felt the pain of the change. In September 1982 All Saints Catholic School came into existence welcoming the students of both schools and using the building on Noble Avenue that had once housed St. Paul School. There was a buzz in the air and I felt so blessed to be the first principal of this new foundation. In my many years in Catholic Schools I have come to realize that childhood school memories often come back to us with a sense of nostalgia. Something happens within those walls; we who walk those halls and inhabit those classrooms forge an unbreakable common bond. It is time to celebrate that bond. On September 22, 2007 former classmates, parents, teachers and staff will do just that: we will gather to celebrate and remember with fondness our years at St. Elizabeth School. Some of the Sisters of Mercy who traveled from Philadelphia to Richmond to serve as teachers and principals over the years are making plans to take this trip once again to join the celebration. If you were a student, a parent, a pastor or an associate pastor or had any other affiliation with St. Elizabeth School, please join us for the celebration. It will be held at All Saints School from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Your presence will help to make the celebration a success. Please contact Donna Kelly Sanders at 804–672–0116 if you have any questions.
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