I mean that in a non-battering way, of course. Steven of Book Reviews and More hosted last week’s carnival. Here’s what stood out for me.
Christina at Confessions of a Hot Carmel Sundae (love the title!) laments the worship music at her parish that fails to actually worship. I can top that.
The Memorial Chapel at UMD is non-denominational. I have absolutely no problem with that. I’ve been to a night of one-act plays performed in the same space where Jesus manifests Himself six days a week at noon. It’s weird, but we transform the space into our house of worship. During finals week, a bunch of red hymnals appeared in the racks in each pew. I was slightly offended at first, because there’s less space for us to put the hymnals we bring out each week for Mass. Curious, I picked up one of them and flipped to a random page. What should I find but these priceless lyrics: “Who is this, neither male nor female? / Who is this, neither woman nor man? / … She is God….” My jaw dropped. Then I laughed and went to show it to Kevin and Martino. Fr. Bill seemed unfazed. I know God is incorporeal, and that men and women both are made in His image, so He is therefore genderless, but give me a break. That song was almost as bad as Katharine Jefferts Schori’s reference to “mother Jesus.” She must have missed an important day of biology class.
Melissa at A Third Way writes about her “well-worn friend”: a St. Gerard prayer booklet. I have a Divine Mercy Chaplet booklet I know the same way. I’ve had it since 8th grade CCD, but it was only last Lent that I finally learned to pray it, and now it’s one of my favorites.
Jean of Catholic Fire posts a great list: “15 Ways to Purity for Men.” I have to share this with the Knights, and not just because of the St. Maria Goretti reference in Tip #1.
Vehige (rhymes with Peggy?) of Thursday Night Gumbo enumerates “The 10 Most Important Issues Facing the Catholic Church in America.” He is spot-on. I especially agree with #1, Biblical illiteracy. I’ve been working on that in my own spiritual life for almost two years now, and I still have a long way to go. Why aren’t the faithful clamoring for Bible studies? Why did it take me so long to remember to list the Bible as one of my favorite books on facebook? I gave Ryan a book of Bible stories for children last weekend, since I couldn’t find a good children’s Bible. I won’t let them inherit my flaws; I’m starting him young.
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