Link:
St. Paul the Apostle
Sunday, December 1, 2013
St. Paul the Apostle - Pocahontas
This is the 2nd Church I went to today. Here's the excuse in case you cared... I'm starting to think that the Bible Belt doesn't believe in having unlocked Churches. This one was so nice looking and I could tell it had good stained glass that I'll probably come back.
Link:
St. Paul the Apostle
Link:
St. Paul the Apostle
St. Joseph the Worker - Corning
Here is the first Church I visited on the way. Click here for a detailed excuse as to why I wasn't in the Church.
This is a cool looking Church from the outside. It looks like it would fit perfectly in the woods. It sticks out a bit in farmland but the front with all the trees is perfect.
This is a cool looking Church from the outside. It looks like it would fit perfectly in the woods. It sticks out a bit in farmland but the front with all the trees is perfect.
Front
Back
Oops.
Bless me Father for I have sinned...
I was too busy having fun with friends and family to go to Mass on Saturday...
I didn't want to get up early to go to Mass at 6 am before I left to go back to Arkansas....and I wanted to get home before dark...and I was hoping there was a breakfast buffet in my morning...and I was like surely I'll make it to a 5:30 p Mass back in Little Rock....then I stopped to take pictures at a river overlook..
So I didn't go to Mass...
I did, however, stop at three churches that I passed on the way back to Little Rock. I'll post those pictures :D
Snup
I was too busy having fun with friends and family to go to Mass on Saturday...
I didn't want to get up early to go to Mass at 6 am before I left to go back to Arkansas....and I wanted to get home before dark...and I was hoping there was a breakfast buffet in my morning...and I was like surely I'll make it to a 5:30 p Mass back in Little Rock....then I stopped to take pictures at a river overlook..
So I didn't go to Mass...
I did, however, stop at three churches that I passed on the way back to Little Rock. I'll post those pictures :D
Snup
Sunday, November 24, 2013
St. Rose of Lima - Carlisle
Hello all!
This morning I attended St. Rose of Lima in Carlisle AR. Mass was at 11 am. As usual in these small town churches, there was a Rosary recited before Mass.
Music:
The organ was in the choir loft. There was no choir or cantor.
Opening: To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King
Offertory: The King of Glory
Communion: O Sacrament Most Holy
Recessional: Crown Him With Many Crowns
Father went all out for this Mass. He recited the antiphons. Father sang/chanted nearly everything except the Eucharistic Prayer (He used II by the way.) The Confiter was said and we chanted the Gloria. Father mentioned that "At the end of Mass you will receive Benediction from the King. Think very seriously on this." The Our Father was sung. However Father did give the peace sign at the Sign of Peace. There were bells too.
At the start of the homily, Father mentioned the incense was to drive Baptists away. Incense is used to worship the True God, not to fake gods. Today we fulfill the Psalm "Let Us Go Rejoicing to the House of Lord." The best symbol of the House of God is Mary. She carried the King of the Universe. Father said Mary wore a hijab/burka. God desired Mary's beauty. She would not have survived her virginity in this day and age. Mary is noted as Queen throughout the Old Testament. The King is here with us always unless you leave. Your children, your grandchildren, even my nephews and nieces, are all leaving. They are leaving because they don't know the King. They don't because the world distracts them from the King (and we are doing a terrible job of passing on the Faith and identity...). The world doesn't fill them with Joy. Joy from serving...(he said joy comes from other things but I couldn't keep up). I have a feeling Rome and Jerusalem will be bombed (uhm...) We may be the ones to do it, although it will probably be Islam (oh dear...) Israel knows what to do. Putin knew what to do to get Iran to do what he wanted. Putin worked with the KGB (yikes. Somehow I don't think Putin is the example we want to go with...) Obama told us we must kill. We must kill our babies in the Affordable Health Care Act (blink. blink.) His interpretation of the law (which we had to pass to read...) He has lied. Some people think he is king. If he is king of anything, he is king of the underworld. (blink blink...well then..let me grab my jaw from under the kneeler here) The world wants us to sin. (that is true) Right here you can be saved. The Pope is an interesting man...an interesting man to follow (define "interesting" for me...) Listen. The Pope is being interpreted many different ways but listen to his words. The Jesuits, and there have been some good Jesuits this century, are the best educated and the best educators and even they are having problems. Pray to the King to keep us close to Him, to Mary, to the Saints and to God.
At the Offertory was the time for announcements. Father mentioned that there was a 2nd collection for the Campaign for Human Development but he'd rather give to Catholic Relief Services as the CHD sometimes give to bad things. Then Father mentioned he got a letter from the Bishop about a letter from Rome. Father is going to write to Rome directly as the Rome wants to hear from the priests not the bishops.
At the end of the Mass, there was a procession with the Host around the Church. Mass ended with Benediction.
Pictures:
This morning I attended St. Rose of Lima in Carlisle AR. Mass was at 11 am. As usual in these small town churches, there was a Rosary recited before Mass.
Music:
The organ was in the choir loft. There was no choir or cantor.
Opening: To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King
Offertory: The King of Glory
Communion: O Sacrament Most Holy
Recessional: Crown Him With Many Crowns
Father went all out for this Mass. He recited the antiphons. Father sang/chanted nearly everything except the Eucharistic Prayer (He used II by the way.) The Confiter was said and we chanted the Gloria. Father mentioned that "At the end of Mass you will receive Benediction from the King. Think very seriously on this." The Our Father was sung. However Father did give the peace sign at the Sign of Peace. There were bells too.
At the start of the homily, Father mentioned the incense was to drive Baptists away. Incense is used to worship the True God, not to fake gods. Today we fulfill the Psalm "Let Us Go Rejoicing to the House of Lord." The best symbol of the House of God is Mary. She carried the King of the Universe. Father said Mary wore a hijab/burka. God desired Mary's beauty. She would not have survived her virginity in this day and age. Mary is noted as Queen throughout the Old Testament. The King is here with us always unless you leave. Your children, your grandchildren, even my nephews and nieces, are all leaving. They are leaving because they don't know the King. They don't because the world distracts them from the King (and we are doing a terrible job of passing on the Faith and identity...). The world doesn't fill them with Joy. Joy from serving...(he said joy comes from other things but I couldn't keep up). I have a feeling Rome and Jerusalem will be bombed (uhm...) We may be the ones to do it, although it will probably be Islam (oh dear...) Israel knows what to do. Putin knew what to do to get Iran to do what he wanted. Putin worked with the KGB (yikes. Somehow I don't think Putin is the example we want to go with...) Obama told us we must kill. We must kill our babies in the Affordable Health Care Act (blink. blink.) His interpretation of the law (which we had to pass to read...) He has lied. Some people think he is king. If he is king of anything, he is king of the underworld. (blink blink...well then..let me grab my jaw from under the kneeler here) The world wants us to sin. (that is true) Right here you can be saved. The Pope is an interesting man...an interesting man to follow (define "interesting" for me...) Listen. The Pope is being interpreted many different ways but listen to his words. The Jesuits, and there have been some good Jesuits this century, are the best educated and the best educators and even they are having problems. Pray to the King to keep us close to Him, to Mary, to the Saints and to God.
At the Offertory was the time for announcements. Father mentioned that there was a 2nd collection for the Campaign for Human Development but he'd rather give to Catholic Relief Services as the CHD sometimes give to bad things. Then Father mentioned he got a letter from the Bishop about a letter from Rome. Father is going to write to Rome directly as the Rome wants to hear from the priests not the bishops.
At the end of the Mass, there was a procession with the Host around the Church. Mass ended with Benediction.
Pictures:
St. Rose of Lima
View From the Back Pew
Lamp (I really like this)
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Practically every parish has a Spanish ministry
Station VIII
St. Michael the Archangel
(The prayer was said at the end of Mass)
Link:
Sunday, November 17, 2013
St. Boniface - Bigelow
I was feeling a bit homesick and trying to find a church to visit this morning. As I was looking at the list of parishes, St. Boniface caught my eye. Perfect!
I attended the 8 am Mass at St. Boniface in Bigelow. Before Mass, there was Adoration, Rosary and Confession. There were prayer books in the pew.
St. Boniface is a very cute little church. It was built in 1906 but the high altar was saved from the fire that build the first church built in 1896. The side altars were carved by a parishoner to match the high altar. From what I understand, the parish has a goal to keep the church looking like it did when it was first built.
The music was provided by a girls choir and I understand this was their first Mass singing. They were very sweet. The organ and choir were in the front because the seating in the choir loft was needed for parishoners.
Opening: We Gather Together
Offertory: Prayer of St. Francis
Communion: Look Beyond
Closing: Lord of the Dance
The homily was incredibly short :D
The Bishop of the diocese has asked for a second collection for the victims of the Philippines Typhoon. Father mentioned that there were a couple of Thanksgiving Ecumenical Services. An atheist travels down a country road and sees a rabbit and a priest fishing. Next to them was a sign that said "The End is Near" The atheist got out of the car and yelled at them and then sped off. There was a screech of brakes and a splash. The Rabbi said "I told you we should have just put Bridge Out"
This is the last Sunday in the Church Year. Next week is Christ the King. The End is near. We don't know when. If we knew when, my ears would burn from all the Confessions. People waiting to the last minute. Grease me up so I can slid right into heaven. Do we really want to live like that? The people in the Philippines must have thought the end was near. I saw a picture this morning of a Philippines celebrating Mass. The Church was packed and it had no roof. Do you have that kind of Faith? The End is coming: Are you prepared?
The Apostles' Creed was said. Father used Eucharistic Prayer III and there were bells. And the Church bells were rung right before Mass.
Pictures:
I attended the 8 am Mass at St. Boniface in Bigelow. Before Mass, there was Adoration, Rosary and Confession. There were prayer books in the pew.
St. Boniface is a very cute little church. It was built in 1906 but the high altar was saved from the fire that build the first church built in 1896. The side altars were carved by a parishoner to match the high altar. From what I understand, the parish has a goal to keep the church looking like it did when it was first built.
The music was provided by a girls choir and I understand this was their first Mass singing. They were very sweet. The organ and choir were in the front because the seating in the choir loft was needed for parishoners.
Opening: We Gather Together
Offertory: Prayer of St. Francis
Communion: Look Beyond
Closing: Lord of the Dance
The homily was incredibly short :D
The Bishop of the diocese has asked for a second collection for the victims of the Philippines Typhoon. Father mentioned that there were a couple of Thanksgiving Ecumenical Services. An atheist travels down a country road and sees a rabbit and a priest fishing. Next to them was a sign that said "The End is Near" The atheist got out of the car and yelled at them and then sped off. There was a screech of brakes and a splash. The Rabbi said "I told you we should have just put Bridge Out"
This is the last Sunday in the Church Year. Next week is Christ the King. The End is near. We don't know when. If we knew when, my ears would burn from all the Confessions. People waiting to the last minute. Grease me up so I can slid right into heaven. Do we really want to live like that? The people in the Philippines must have thought the end was near. I saw a picture this morning of a Philippines celebrating Mass. The Church was packed and it had no roof. Do you have that kind of Faith? The End is coming: Are you prepared?
The Apostles' Creed was said. Father used Eucharistic Prayer III and there were bells. And the Church bells were rung right before Mass.
Pictures:
Link:
Monday, November 11, 2013
Christ the King - Little Rock (visit #1)
What's better than going to Mass once in a day? Why going twice of course!
I'll confess. My new territorial parish is Christ the King in Little Rock. On the 2nd Sunday of the month, the young adult group does all the Mass things like Lector and Usher at the 6 pm Mass. For the most part...the group was pretty incognito... The parish is upper middle class.
I can tell you I'm contemplating finding a new parish already. I just can't go to Mass in some place without windows to the outside and looks like an auditorium converted to a church as an afterthought. (I understand that has happened but to intentionally build it that way???)
Announcements were read 8 minutes before Mass...before everyone got there...and Mass was full.
The music was lead by a cantor and a pianist. Apparently the organ was dedicated in 2006.
The cantor only lead the 4 hymns and the responsorial psalm..the Mass parts will all spoken. I'm not sure how Catholics managed before there were cantors...but I distinctly remember no cantors when I was growing up...(back in the day...)
Music:
Opening: I Am the Bread of Life (uhmmm...this is a Communion song...not a gathering song...)
Offertory: Shepherd Me O God
Communion: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (I head Him say less banal music...)
Closing: Mine Eyes Have Seen (or as it is more properly known: The Battle Hymn of the Republic. And don't even get me started on the word change in verse 4 thanks to Gia/Worship/Gather/OCP. The original line is "As He died to make men holy, Let us die to make men free." It has been changed to "As He died to make men holy, let us live to make all free" I'm sorry this totally changes the meaning of the song. This song was written during the Civil War..which was about ... a bunch of people dying to set other people free...why why why....why are we so afraid of our past??? I was actually surprised the Rebels were singing the Union's battle march...)
Homily:
At the beginning of the homily, Father recognized all the veterans.
We are at the end of the Church year. December 1 is the beginning of the Church year. The Readings will speak to us about the End Times. It is a message of warning and preparation. It is easy to give uplifting homilies (Oh Father...if only that were true) It is hard to give a homily about the gate known as death. The Church remembers the dead in November. Veterans Day is to remember those who have sacrificed (uhm...no it's not...that's Memorial Day or Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth.) There are seven books in the Bible that only Catholics have. The First Reading is from Maccabees, one of those books. Judea was being persecuted. The Jews were being persecuted and humiliated such as being forced to violate Jewish dietary laws. The Reading today was preceded by a story about Eliezer. Eliezer was a very old and respected. If he would eat pork, he would be spared the sword. His friends tried to get him to pretend to eat pork. He refused because it would betray the life he lived. Why do we care about whether or not Jews eat pork? The dietary laws were about discipline (and disease prevention...but let's not quibble) Why do we recall this event? What are the fundamental questions? Is there anything in my Faith life I would change before I die? In these last days of the Church year, it symbolizes the Coming of Christ. When will He come? One of you, at least, will be up here (refers to the shrine of the people who have died in the past year that covered the altar...at least I assume there is an altar under there...). Death will come for you. Not to be scary. This season is to jar us that now is the time to change. Not later as there may not be a later. Death is the gate by which we enter eternal life. Is the way we live our life going to get us eternal life? Good news, God is bigger. God calls us. What would Jesus say to you to change in your life? Now is the time.
Father used Eucharistic Prayer III and there were bells. The congregation stood during Communion, from the end of the Agnus Dei to when Father sat.
Pictures: (I'm going back...don't worry...)
I'll confess. My new territorial parish is Christ the King in Little Rock. On the 2nd Sunday of the month, the young adult group does all the Mass things like Lector and Usher at the 6 pm Mass. For the most part...the group was pretty incognito... The parish is upper middle class.
I can tell you I'm contemplating finding a new parish already. I just can't go to Mass in some place without windows to the outside and looks like an auditorium converted to a church as an afterthought. (I understand that has happened but to intentionally build it that way???)
Announcements were read 8 minutes before Mass...before everyone got there...and Mass was full.
The music was lead by a cantor and a pianist. Apparently the organ was dedicated in 2006.
The cantor only lead the 4 hymns and the responsorial psalm..the Mass parts will all spoken. I'm not sure how Catholics managed before there were cantors...but I distinctly remember no cantors when I was growing up...(back in the day...)
Music:
Opening: I Am the Bread of Life (uhmmm...this is a Communion song...not a gathering song...)
Offertory: Shepherd Me O God
Communion: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (I head Him say less banal music...)
Closing: Mine Eyes Have Seen (or as it is more properly known: The Battle Hymn of the Republic. And don't even get me started on the word change in verse 4 thanks to Gia/Worship/Gather/OCP. The original line is "As He died to make men holy, Let us die to make men free." It has been changed to "As He died to make men holy, let us live to make all free" I'm sorry this totally changes the meaning of the song. This song was written during the Civil War..which was about ... a bunch of people dying to set other people free...why why why....why are we so afraid of our past??? I was actually surprised the Rebels were singing the Union's battle march...)
Homily:
At the beginning of the homily, Father recognized all the veterans.
We are at the end of the Church year. December 1 is the beginning of the Church year. The Readings will speak to us about the End Times. It is a message of warning and preparation. It is easy to give uplifting homilies (Oh Father...if only that were true) It is hard to give a homily about the gate known as death. The Church remembers the dead in November. Veterans Day is to remember those who have sacrificed (uhm...no it's not...that's Memorial Day or Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth.) There are seven books in the Bible that only Catholics have. The First Reading is from Maccabees, one of those books. Judea was being persecuted. The Jews were being persecuted and humiliated such as being forced to violate Jewish dietary laws. The Reading today was preceded by a story about Eliezer. Eliezer was a very old and respected. If he would eat pork, he would be spared the sword. His friends tried to get him to pretend to eat pork. He refused because it would betray the life he lived. Why do we care about whether or not Jews eat pork? The dietary laws were about discipline (and disease prevention...but let's not quibble) Why do we recall this event? What are the fundamental questions? Is there anything in my Faith life I would change before I die? In these last days of the Church year, it symbolizes the Coming of Christ. When will He come? One of you, at least, will be up here (refers to the shrine of the people who have died in the past year that covered the altar...at least I assume there is an altar under there...). Death will come for you. Not to be scary. This season is to jar us that now is the time to change. Not later as there may not be a later. Death is the gate by which we enter eternal life. Is the way we live our life going to get us eternal life? Good news, God is bigger. God calls us. What would Jesus say to you to change in your life? Now is the time.
Father used Eucharistic Prayer III and there were bells. The congregation stood during Communion, from the end of the Agnus Dei to when Father sat.
Pictures: (I'm going back...don't worry...)
View From the Back Pew
This is the real reason I can't go to Mass here...
The eye...it looks at me...
it examines me...
It creeps me out....
I think this is Mary...
St Who Am I???
(I'm Jean Val Jean!)
I actually like this...
Jesus and Joseph
Station VIII
Link:
Christ the King
Sunday, November 10, 2013
St. Peter - Pine Bluff
Hello All. It was supposed to be sunny today so I planned to go visit the swamp bayou and see otters and run from alligators. So I picked a parish that was on the way. Needless to say there were clouds and no otters and praise the Lord no alligators.
I went to St. Peter's in Pine Bluff which is about an hour SSE of Little Rock. It's a nice little church in what appears to be an economically disadvantaged area. The church resembled more protestant churches from the outside.
The bell tower was outside and I was arriving the bell was being rung. Some brave soul needs to clammer up there and put some WD-40 on it. :D In the parking lot, I realized I had arrived at a predominately African-American parish, as there was a statue of Mary painted to be African-American. This was confirmed when I entered the church and noticed many of the paintings portrayed Jesus, Mary and the Apostles as African-American.
Music at Mass was accompanied by drums, piano and a choir.
Music:
Opening: I Say Yes Lord, Yes
Mass Setting: Sing Praise and Thanksgiving
Offertory: Hush Hush Somebody's Callin' Mah Name (no that's not a typo...song also had Lawd)
Communion: I Am the Bread of Life
Closing: America the Beautiful
Before Mass (which started at least 5 min late), guests were invited to speak (I declined). Then there was a greeting free-for-all. Most of the parishoners were dressed really nice.
Father used the Confiteor and Eucharistic Prayer II. What was interesting was at the Offertory, that is when the parish did the announcements. Father also thanked all the veterans that were called up to the altar. There were bells at the Consecration. The Our Father was sung. Everyone held hands at the Our Father. I got a dirty look for not participating.
This parish does the thing where the put the gift baskets at the foot of the altar and you walk up and put your gift in. My biggest problem with this is that I feel like that Pharisee who goes and says look what I donated! I wonder how much peer pressure plays into it as well.
Homily:
Father started his homily with a joke: A man went to a priest who had a reputation of when blessing people they lived longer. This man was not Catholic but went to the priest anyway begging him to see his great grandmother. Father goes and blesses the woman, but she dies instead of lives. The man is upset and goes back to the priest demanding a reason. Father was like you should know the difference between a blessing and Last Rites. (Maybe you had to be there...)
Father asked us to close our eyes and invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts to understand the Readings. Benjamin Franklin, the great American, wrote his own epitaph. You can see he believed in the Resurrection. This renews our Faith in the Resurrection. The resurrection of the body is based on the Resurrection of Jesus. Maccabees is only found in the Catholic bible and some Oriental Orthodox Churches. At the time, the Holy Land was being fought over 2 of the generals that divided up Alexander the Great's empire. The general that won, implemented Alexander's strategy that there be 1 culture in the country. The Jews were being persecuted and forced to stop following Judaism. The 2nd reading is from the Thessolonians, which was the first book of the New Testament that was written. The Primitive Church was focused on the Coming of Jesus and the End of the World. When Paul wrote this letter, the Thessolonians were despairing and Paul them not to and to do good work until He comes. In the Gospel, the Saracees did not believe in the Resurrection and this story shows their ignorance. There will be no marriage in the afterlife. Our bodies will have different forms. In spite of this, the Mystery of the Resurrection is unsolved for us at this time. The physical death is not the end. In our life, don't do anything to displease God. The Catechism says it is better to die or suffer than to sin. We do not know when. We must pray. We are only saved if we let him save us (I can't decifer what I wrote...MW? who is that?) Consider your end and you will not sin. Remember who will judge you. A life is blessed by the deed's done. If we put all our trust in the Lord.
Pictures:
Links:
St. Peter
I went to St. Peter's in Pine Bluff which is about an hour SSE of Little Rock. It's a nice little church in what appears to be an economically disadvantaged area. The church resembled more protestant churches from the outside.
The bell tower was outside and I was arriving the bell was being rung. Some brave soul needs to clammer up there and put some WD-40 on it. :D In the parking lot, I realized I had arrived at a predominately African-American parish, as there was a statue of Mary painted to be African-American. This was confirmed when I entered the church and noticed many of the paintings portrayed Jesus, Mary and the Apostles as African-American.
Music at Mass was accompanied by drums, piano and a choir.
Music:
Opening: I Say Yes Lord, Yes
Mass Setting: Sing Praise and Thanksgiving
Offertory: Hush Hush Somebody's Callin' Mah Name (no that's not a typo...song also had Lawd)
Communion: I Am the Bread of Life
Closing: America the Beautiful
Before Mass (which started at least 5 min late), guests were invited to speak (I declined). Then there was a greeting free-for-all. Most of the parishoners were dressed really nice.
Father used the Confiteor and Eucharistic Prayer II. What was interesting was at the Offertory, that is when the parish did the announcements. Father also thanked all the veterans that were called up to the altar. There were bells at the Consecration. The Our Father was sung. Everyone held hands at the Our Father. I got a dirty look for not participating.
This parish does the thing where the put the gift baskets at the foot of the altar and you walk up and put your gift in. My biggest problem with this is that I feel like that Pharisee who goes and says look what I donated! I wonder how much peer pressure plays into it as well.
Homily:
Father started his homily with a joke: A man went to a priest who had a reputation of when blessing people they lived longer. This man was not Catholic but went to the priest anyway begging him to see his great grandmother. Father goes and blesses the woman, but she dies instead of lives. The man is upset and goes back to the priest demanding a reason. Father was like you should know the difference between a blessing and Last Rites. (Maybe you had to be there...)
Father asked us to close our eyes and invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts to understand the Readings. Benjamin Franklin, the great American, wrote his own epitaph. You can see he believed in the Resurrection. This renews our Faith in the Resurrection. The resurrection of the body is based on the Resurrection of Jesus. Maccabees is only found in the Catholic bible and some Oriental Orthodox Churches. At the time, the Holy Land was being fought over 2 of the generals that divided up Alexander the Great's empire. The general that won, implemented Alexander's strategy that there be 1 culture in the country. The Jews were being persecuted and forced to stop following Judaism. The 2nd reading is from the Thessolonians, which was the first book of the New Testament that was written. The Primitive Church was focused on the Coming of Jesus and the End of the World. When Paul wrote this letter, the Thessolonians were despairing and Paul them not to and to do good work until He comes. In the Gospel, the Saracees did not believe in the Resurrection and this story shows their ignorance. There will be no marriage in the afterlife. Our bodies will have different forms. In spite of this, the Mystery of the Resurrection is unsolved for us at this time. The physical death is not the end. In our life, don't do anything to displease God. The Catechism says it is better to die or suffer than to sin. We do not know when. We must pray. We are only saved if we let him save us (I can't decifer what I wrote...MW? who is that?) Consider your end and you will not sin. Remember who will judge you. A life is blessed by the deed's done. If we put all our trust in the Lord.
Pictures:
View From the Back Pew!
Last Supper
Station VIII
Links:
St. Peter
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