Save the Date: America the Beautiful Concert

Keep in mind March 5th and 6th for concert to honor the United States of America. The New Hampshire and Massachusetts primaries will be in the recent past as the Presidential election cycle proceeds forth. While politics does not seem the unite the sentiments of voters, music has the ability to speak beyond words.

The major work in the concert is "The Testament of Freedom" composed in honor of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jefferson. The texts are writings from Mr. Jefferson.

The sentiment expressed in "The Testament of Freedom" recalls the passion and energy of the founders of the new republic. Their struggle against tyranny and unjust laws and their struggle for life, liberty, and dignity are eternal calls. Democrats and Republicans alike can be inspired by these pre-Constitutional ideals. It is a spirited tribute to the God who gave us life and liberty.

One can only feel proud of our country as this song evokes our long-ingrained patriotism.

Other pieces are from Gwyneth Walker's How Can I Keep from Singing, Mark Hayes' Swinging with the Saints, Carl Fisher's America, and Samuel Ward's America, the Beautiful, and Virgil Thompson's My Shepherd will Supply my Need.

A light-hearted set from the Irish band, The Travelers, will delight the audience in preparation for St. Patrick's Day.

This concert can heal the political divide in nation. It is certainly worth taking the time to enjoy yourself and to call to mind the virtues of our country. Come celebrate with us. The price is right: $20.00/17.00. Tickets are available at chorusnorthshore.org or 978.468.3077.

Come. Please come.

Convertios y creed el Evangelio

Mass in Spanish last night was quite a spirited time. I kept the homily brief because I knew that the distribution of ashes would take a long time. I have a sense the people are priest-oriented because I get the longest lines even though there is a Spanish-speaking deacon alongside of me. I'm grateful for him. 

Still I applied ashes to the foreheads of at least 200 people using these words:

Convertios y creed el Evangelio 

o

Acuerdate de que eres polvo y al polvo volveras.

I am getting practice repeating sentences in the language. 

I was wondering what the Pope would have thought of my efforts. Would he tell me to go study the language first so I give something substantial to the people or would he be happy that I am at least trying? 

I know the people took advantage of my availability for confessions. I heard (but could not respond much) to the twenty-five or so people who came to the sacrament. I caught the meaningful words. Sometimes parishioners do not like to go to their pastor, but the people do not realize that the priests only see the grace, not the sins. 

What I thought would be an hour and fifteen minutes of services turned into nearly three hours followed by a tasty but simple dinner.

Review: Mystic Chapel

Mystic Chapel

Recently I was asked to review a new CD from The Project called Mystic Chapel released in December 2015 as a follow up to their first CD “Martyrs Prayers.”

Mystic Chapel asks a question to its listeners, “What if we still believed?” The audience targets the Christian faithful, but also reaches to those without faith and those who are finished with institutionalized religion. The searching extends to those who have simply given up on finding a community that expresses their faith.

The first track “Journey’s End” feels like the incarnation is happening. The world is the chapel and goodness exudes from every small note and activity. Words that arise during my listening are clarity, sensitivity, and truthfulness. While “Journey’s End” is first track, “Journey’s Start” is the final track. At the conclusion of the first track, I was reminded on Pink Floyd’s style in some of their 1970’s songs that I really liked. In the final seconds, we are brought into a stone abbey where God can meet the chaos of human beings.

“Come Let Us Worship” bursts forth in clarity of sounds, energy, and meaning. The purpose of this CD is to lead one to a deeper spiritual life through Jesus Christ. The music feels unified to itself and with its music. The music begins simply, but then gets appropriately complex. Some musical components brought to mind The Beatles, Billy Joel, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.

“Joyous Light” has fine guitar playing in a more subdued track. The lyrics are certainly sensitive and thoughtful. Portions of the music remind me of some of the gems of the 1970s, like the Eagles and America, but it feels contemporary. The Project has accomplished musicians. The conclusion of the track leads us more deeply into the mystery of God’s light.

“Hypachoi” speaks of the resurrection and the angel that comes to announce, “He is Risen.” The music is electric and keeps the listening on edge as the confusion of the Resurrection is felt by the women and by us. The CD’s tone changes at this point because the world has been turned upside down and life has to be discovered anew.

“Death is Destroyed” is more tender and joyous and light. Great mercy is the theme. The guitar rifts are clever and they are instructive because they lead us to become introspective. Gratitude, lightness, and a stretching forth to God are what are brought forth in my experience. While I’ve recently experienced much death and suffering, I needed to be reminded that death is destroyed.

“We Sing With Angels” continues to emphasize the joy we are to feel as Christians because God has favored us. Heaven and earth are merged, and angels assist our worship, calling to mind all the spiritual resources we have. I’m reminded of the acoustic years of Sting. The singer’s voice conveys sensitivity and controlled passion because the story of Christ cannot be contained.

“From on High” is bright and cheery. I love the rift in the middle of the song, but I wanted more substantial lyrics in this tune. I may be naïve is saying so because it is simply a song of praise, which does not need many words. The musicians are quite accomplished and the music tells its own story, so I wanted more of the guitar playing because it felt like it was leading me somewhere.

“Holy Father” has great harmonizing of voices in a contemporary rendition of the Lord’s Prayer, but in words in which we can hear it again as if for the first time. It reminds us that we are a people who need God to hear our prayers. The song begins simply but in a harmony of voices lifts our prayers to the Abiding One who can tend to our needs.

“Journey’s Beginning” is a reprise of the first track, but it is undoubtedly more complex, while retaining its clarity. It is clear that the creators of this music poured their soul into this project and the conviction of their faith is strong. The closing seconds of the CD let us know that the Divine is at work in all things. The composers want to lead us to God and they make it clear that God will have the last word.

I appreciate that The Project produced this CD because I concluded that I really liked the composers and musicians because the tracks focus on details with great sensitivity and thoughtfulness. It is clear to me that The Project want to communicate their deep faith to others through their music gifts. They are sharing what is right with the faith to other seekers. They celebrate their faith and pass it on to us to enjoy.

If you would like to reach the composers, please see the contact information below.

The Project

Michael Glen Bell

Duane W.H. Arnold

5815 Lawrence Drive

Indianapolis, Indiana 46226

Website: TheMartyrsProject.com

Contact: Duane Arnold (317) 331-5246

Info@TheMartyrsProject.com

A Memorable Weekend

A terrific weekend. I spent an evening in Worcester with a Jesuit who often visited Portland, Maine when I lived there. It was good to reconnect with him again and to catch up on his story. We had a lively discussion at the Sole Proprietor on Highland Avenue and we were both pleased with our meals. I ordered a rare seared tuna steak that was stuffed with feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, and capers. Very tasty. Mostly, I was glad just to hang out with my Jesuit brother for the evening.

On Saturday, I validated the marriage of two friends who were civilly married last April. This couple very much wanted the church to bless their marriage because faith means so much to them. I hope the ceremony was lovely for them, but at least I enjoyed it. It was also good to connect with a Jesuit with whom I worked in Portland years ago. I was able to see two friends from Cheverus High School at the end of mass. Quite a lovely evening.

The bride was lovely; the groom handsome; both were very excited. They seemed to like the watercolor painting of a small bird that I created this week. Dinner at the Treehouse restaurant on Stevens Avenue was terrific. I had the saffron sautee, which was another very satisfying seafood meal. Such a good night.

O, and to top it off, her daughter announced her engagement to be married in 2017.

This morning I said mass in Spanish once again. I hadn't presided since October when there was a change in leadership in the Roxbury parish. I was just becoming comfortable with the language. This morning I was fearful that I would stumble over words and phrases again. I did, but at least people said they could understand every word I said, even though it was with a Bostonian accent. I'm pleased I got through it fine. I just loved that they were from El Salvador because they articulated words clearly.

The church was one hundred percent packed. There were probably over 600 people in this small church. After mass, we did the blessing of throats because Saint Blase day is on February 3rd - Candlemas. I laughed because I had not spoken the language in three months and then I had the opportunity to repeat it by rote by the end of the day.

Afterwards, I brought two Jesuit novices that live with us this semester for a tour of Boston. They are good men and I know that the Society's future is bright with  men like this being called into our order. Lastly, I said mass in English in Woburn and it was quite a fine celebration. I inserted two prayers during the intercessions: one, for the people of Flint, Michigan and their water purity crisis, and two, that civility in the Presidential Election cycle reigns and that the common good be advanced.

Now to watch Downton Abbey.

Celebrating What's Right With the World

I recently was introduced to a terrific video called, "Celebrating What's Right With the World." It is a film by National Geographic photographer Dewitt Jones as it captures his philosophy of telling a story through his lenses. His work captures the extraordinary as it breaks into our ordinary world.

I resonate with his photographic philosophy because it is similar to the way I view of the world. As David Fleming, S.J. would put it, "The world is a vision of Love loving." I try to have my homilies capture the same joy expressed in this video. It is always what I try to do in my painting as well. It is as if Mr. Jones has made the Ignatian Exercises as now can see the world as God sees the world.

I send you to this link where you can watch the 25 minute video. My viewing it was time well spent. I simply want you to enjoy it as well.

http://celebratewhatsright.com/


"Celebrating What's Right with the World" on Youtube.

A Retreat for Sisters

I have learned quite a bit from the Sisters of St. Joseph's religious order of women this past week as we are on retreat together. They are a religious order for the diocese of Boston. They are unlike the Jesuits whose provinces span multiple dioceses. The CSJs are bound to this particular diocese of Boston.

Some of the sisters have asked, "Do you know Dan Harrington, S.J.? He was a student in my first class." It is amazing that they have trained so many diocesan and religious order priests. 

Their Framingham facility is much like the Jesuits' Campion Center, but with a feminine touch. Over 90 sisters are here in the health and retirement center and they are a community of love. Incredibly gracious, hospitable, and generous, these sisters live the rule of faith authentically. Their love for the church is firm. The lives they have influenced positively is enormous.

Charity pervades these institutions. They seek spiritual aids and pastoral kindness and they naturally provide their goodness to others. No matter their accomplishments, they only exhibit their humility and are content to be a part of the larger community that shares the same gifts. 

Anyways, it is a delight to be with them. They are eager and open for God's personal love for them and they are delighting in being with each other after a full life of ministry well-served.  

The Legend of La Befana - The Christmas Witch

Getting in touch with my Italian roots. I just heard of this Christmas witch story from a 93 year old retreatant.



Like children everywhere, Italian kids look forward to the arrival of the red-suited

Babbo Natale on Christmas Eve. However, this relatively modern tradition pales in comparison to the anticipation generated by the arrival of an old witch in early January. On Epiphany Eve, the old, tattered and soot-covered Befana flies around the world on a broomstick and comes down chimneys to deliver candy and presents to children who have been good during the year. For those who have fallen a bit short of model behavior, la Befana will leave lumps of coal. (Realizing that no one can be perfect for a whole year, these days la Befana often leaves a sweet “lump of coal” made from black sugar.)

La Befana has been an Italian tradition since the XIII century and comes from Christian legend rather than popular culture. The story is that la Befana was approached by the Three Wise Men who asked her to lead them to the stable where the baby Jesus lay in a manger. La Befana was too busy cleaning her house at the time, so she declined the offer to go with them. Very soon she realized that she had made a huge mistake, so she gathered up a bag full of gifts and set off alone in search of the baby Jesus. Though she followed the same star as the Magi, she was unable to find the stable. Undaunted, la Befana continues to travel the world over to this day searching every house for the Christ child. On January 6, the first day of Epiphany, Italian children hold their breaths as they search their stockings for a sign that they have been good that year.

The arrival of la Befana is celebrated with traditional Italian foods such as panettone (a Christmas cake) and marks the end of the long and festive holiday season in Italy.