Coffee!!!

My knight just LOVES midnight Vigils......it is amazingly smooth and rich.  We have also tried Mystic Monk, Cowboy blend and the breakfast blend varieties of the Mystic Monk coffees.  They are delicious and very reasonably priced!

Please check out right sidebar and see for yourself the many varieties of coffees, teas, and goodies this beautiful community offers.

Easter Blessings!

Association of Catholic Women Bloggers

A new blog...to my world that is, has arrived and invited me to be a contributor among some very amazing Catholic women.  Association of Catholic Women bloggers is a compilation of Catholic feminine genius extraordinaire where the insights, experiences, and daily journaling will enlightened readers from all walks of life. Jackie, a dear friend from Great Britain, has been a devoted reader if the Pillars since its beginning and I cherish her friendship and devotion to the Church from her blog:  Spread thy fragrance.   It is an honor to be numbered among these dynamic ladies and it is my hope that together, we can inspire others to grow in their faith and love of Jesus Christ and His gift for us in the Catholic Church.

Please go and visit and be inspired!

Easter blessings to all!

Is the Latin Mass and the Tridentine Mass the same?

The Tridentine Mass takes its name from the Council of Trent (1545-63), which had called for a modest revision of the Roman rite. It was seven years after the Council Fathers had disbanded that Pope St. Pius V authoritatively issued the missal that would reflect their concerns. Informally known as the Tridentine, the missal does not so much as initiate any new practices as codify a tradition of worship which had been developing organically in Rome and other parts of Europe since the 300's. The "Tridentine rite" is therefore more properly called the old or traditional Roman rite. The last edition of its missal was published in 1962.


The vernacular or Novus Ordo Mass vs the Latin (Tridentine) Mass is no different in it's purpose of celebrating the Eucharist and the worship of God and passion of Christ.  The differences between the Tridentine Mass and the Novus Ordo Mass, which is what the everyday Catholic is used to, first obviously is that Latin is used and there's only one Eucharistic Prayer along with the Gregorian Chant that takes the place of spoken prayer. During the Novus Ordo, or ordinary vernacular Mass approved by Pope Paul VI in 1969, there are 6 Eucharistic prayers designed for different needs, ordinary time, funerals, feast days, etc. and the language of the people is used.  The only changes that are widely known are the physical changes with the communion rails being removed, the altar coming off the wall and placed in the center of the alter with the priest facing the community.  Most of these changes are not from Vatican II documentation at all, but came with the vernacular for some reason.


The differences that we have lost during this transition is the sacredness in our culture..or maybe even in the world. No longer to we step into a place where we remove our hats, drape on a veil, and make sure we didn't eat or drink anything for at least an hour prior to our arrival. No longer do we get to come to Mass early and hear pin-drop silence in respect for those early in the pews praying and in respect for the presence of Christ in the tabernacle.

The upcoming revisions to the Roman Missal is a return to the basics with a closer Latin translation to capture the true sense of the liturgy.  A return to the vertical focus of man reaching up to God as we did prior to the 1969 changes.  These changes will help guide the believers in the pews to a deeper relationship with God and the acknowledgement of our fallen nature. We have come so far from this to the point that we have lost the respect for the Mass and why we are there.  It is my opinion  that if you want the next generation to stay Catholic and those falling off to remain in the pews, we need to experience a renewed love for the Mass and what Christ did for us 2000+ years ago.  With these revisions we can accomplish this and give back to the people of  God a much needed relationship and possibly the deeper you go, the longer you stay. If we continue to teach watered-down catechesis, conduct shallow Mass celebrations, and let the gum-chewers gnaw away like camels in the pew without a word from the pulpit, we will continue see the swinging door working both ways.

More on these revisions as I progresss through my online course.

Blessings!

Spinning Wheels

It was a dark and stormy night, rain and lightening thundering around you and you're all alone.  You drive through one rather large puddle, then another, you hit a pothole and then it happens.  Once in a while when you least expect it, disaster strikes and you find yourself in mud spinning your wheels.  Try and try as you might, those wheels aren't going anywhere fast, just kicking up mud.  All around you, however, the world seems to be going along as usual, cars pass you by one after another, too busy to see your pitiful self just spinning.  No one is traveling with you, no one really knows where you are going and what the destination is, you are on your own....literally.

Writing seems to have a very similar feel to it, you are the writer and no one else knows what is in your head much less write your next article or paper for  you....you are on your own.  Day after day, week after week, you watch as all the other writers continue to buzz along busy as bees keeping up, getting it done, and being productive.  But there you are feeling fairly defeated and unworthy of the crowd you once found yourself in the midst of.  Some say there is no reason for your state of wheel spinning, others say, 'ah, it'll pass, just start writing anything and soon it will be like your old self again.' 

What happened that I have found myself in this position?  A cross-roads of sorts, I guess. Maybe too many choices and changes around me.  Change and I don't like each other very well.  I recently got a part-time job and am wondering if I should apply for another one in a completely different genre, also somewhat up my alley.  But writing has been my really passion for the past 4 years, no money ......well I did get published in the Canticle Magazine a couple of years ago, nicely paid, too.  But far from that now, I would like to help and pitch in financially around here.

Surely everybody gets into theses little skids now and again, I think I'll get over this funk and get back to work, it was just nice to vent alittle....to my own blog journal.

Ten Reasons I Am Blessed As A Mom

1. I, together with my beloved spouse, played a part in the future of our society


2. Being pregnant, though miserably uncomfortable, I was able to experience something beyond my control and learn patience and endurance and prayer.


3. Seeing my beloved witness the birth of our children one by one, I was able to fall in love with him all over again with every tear of joy he shed. It was beautiful and unforgettable.


4. Sharing the responsibility of another life with my beloved spouse


5. Watching the progress of growth and development of each of our children is facinating


6. Being at the receiving end of unconditional love is both wonderful and daunating, trying to live up to their little (BIG) expectations and sometimes failing is disappointing.


7. Seeing the world around us through the eyes of a child is the sweetest testament that there is a God I know of. Watching them discover their world is grand, I don't want to miss a moment!


8. Being able to tell them about their loving God and bringing them to Church, listening to their voices as they sing and pray is a true blessing.


9. Watching them interact with each other has been fun, not when they fight, but then when it blows over and they are friends again, we can giggle about their little skuddles.


10. Being there when they need me, being at the receiving end of a hug, little hand in mine, or the little voice behind me saying, "I love you, Mom" Priceless!

Newly Revised Roman Missal: I'm taking a course on it

Just wanted to let you know that I am taking a course on the Revised Roman Missal right now.  I feel very passionate about helping with the challenges and changes that are coming on November 27th, the first Sunday of Advent.  During this five-week course we will be discussing the challenges of change and how to help the Church along.  Tthe history of these changes will be covered, why they were made and the many resources that we have to our avail.

Anyway,  I will be reporting about these sessions as they go, right now I have to write my session 1 assessment and then I'll be back.

Easter Blessings!

A book Tour: Framing Faith

Framing Faith tells the story of the faith of immigrants and their descendants, spotlighting ten Catholic churches in the Diocese of Scranton that were closed due to restructuring. The churches, SACRED HEART, MAYFIELD; ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA, SCRANTON; ST. JOSEPH, SCRANTON; HOLY FAMILY, SCRANTON; ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, SCRANTON; ST. MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION, SCRANTON; ST. MARY CZESTOCHOWA, SCRANTON; ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, TAYLOR; IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, TAYLOR; AND ST. MICHAEL, OLD FORGE have rich ethnic heritages. They are Polish, Slovak, Italian, German, and Lithuanian parishes with long traditions and deep roots. Each church was founded by immigrant groups who came to the coal fields of the Lackawanna Valley with little more than their faith in God. Their churches served as the center of the community and touchstones of the Old Country. Framing Faith traces their histories from small beginnings through baptisms, weddings and funerals to their final celebrations. Throughout the text are images from each church, visual reminders of what was for many an important part of their lives.



How does this happen?  What a loss, can this be turned around?

A Catholic Vitamin assignment from Deacon Tom

Listening to Catholic Vitamins last night on my walk, Deacon Tom challenged us to write an email to God; sounds easy enough, right?  But then he said to write another email with God answering your email.  Dee, Deacon Tom's wife, wasn't completely about it, but said she'd try and after some thought, I have taken up the challenge as well.

Here goes:

Dear God,

Once again, here I am asking you what my purpose is, what it is that you want me to do for you?  I know for sure that you have a plan for me, I know that without having to ask.  So with that in mind, my question is half answered....it's just the "WHAT" that I need help with.  I know I keep asking and it seems like I'm not really listening and maybe that means I need you to work on your signs to me.

As always and forever more Totus Tuus,
Elizabeth


My dearest child,

When you suffer with the unknown, you are carrying out my plan, not that I want you to be unhappy, but in a learning, listening state.  I want you to yearn for my guidance and grace and I want you to never be lazy about your journey.  To be too comfortable would be to lay around and not struggle for me.  If you did not struggle, you would not be looking for me.  If you were not looking for me, you would not feel that you needed me.  In time you will know where your work is taking you, just keep on going and know that you are truly being loved by me.  Keep praying the rosary and the chaplets and keep smiling.

Always near you and loving you,

I AM


Oh my.....