links, uni et al

Mr. Christopher Pearson has an opinion piece in The Australian today on the "Spring of the Latin Rite". It's well worth the read if you haven't already.

I won't unneccessarily post anymore links to commentary on this topic but just to say you can find just about all you need at The New Liturgical Movement, Amy Welborn and Rorate Caeli.

I'm sorry I don't have time to order my opinions about the subject into a few paragraphs but I'm completely snowed under. Week 11 begins on Monday and I have 10 assignments due in Week 12 including a major engineering design project, another major project regardign the hardware and software of a robot (haven't done much on at all!) and a history essay comparing the traits of genocide and ethnic cleansing (I'm still at the research stage).

The History essay is demanding but should be interesting nonetheless. I'm going to look at it through two key case studies -- the Holocaust and the 1990s in Yugoslavia. I'll be able to use my knowlegde of the Armenian case from a previous essay to fill in any gaps too.

Clearing up a few things

The debate about the Infant of Prague is still raging here if you care to continue...

Otherwise, I hesitantly point you to a post from Dominicanus. It refers to me. But is somewhat misleading.

Sure, the occasion is now imfamous. we had a Sydney visitor who outranked me so he sang the Epistle instead (Fr. Ephraem tended to sing daily mass regardless of the feast!!). This allowed me more time with the thurible. It was, as Father says, a very hot Adelaide day and a fan had been placed on the sanctuary to be some small comfort for the sacred ministers (it was midday Mass). Anyway, in my exhuberant youth (I was 14 or 15) I thought the best part about a Missa Cantata was the smoke. By the Intriot I had noticed that the fan was occasionally blowing past the thurible which was emitting more incence than usual. Therefore I decided to maximise this by placing the Thurible directly infront of the fan itself. It worked a treat. To my credit I suppose when Father motioned to me to remove the offending instrument I did so without fuss.

I hope this clears up some of the story which has become somewhat of an Irish tale in intersate circles.

The Collection

A must know for everyone reading, Cypressus III aka Mr. Daniel Hill has just posted here his collection of liturgical items. They are:

2 black tunicles (1 with matching maniple and stole)
1 gold tunicle.
1 gold humeral veil.
1 gold gothic chasuble with stole.
1 red gothic chasuble with stole and matching burse.
1 gold roman chasuble.
1 violet lectern hanging.
1 weird florally stole.
3 burses (red, white, violet)
1 lace alb.
1 soutane.
2 surplices.
1 puginesque monstrance (needs restoring).

Look, I can't believe he gets away with it! If I had even one item of sorts I'm sure I'd be locked away in a monastary!

Friday funnies

A rabbi, a priest and a minister walk into a bar.

The bartender looks up and says, "What is this, a joke?"

-----------------------------------------------

Years ago in Ireland, there was a priest who was very anti-British. Every Sunday he would blast them from the pulpit. He became so notorious that the Pope himself summoned the priest to Rome for an audience.

"Father," said the Pope, "I want that there should be peace between the British and the Irish. You're not helping matters at all. I want you to kiss my ring and swear by the Blessed Virgin that you'll never so much as mention the British in public again."

"But Your Holiness, I - I - " the priest stammered.

"No buts," said the Pope. "Swear it here and now or there'll be trouble!"

"Aye, Holy Father," sighed the father. "All right. I swear it."

The very next Sunday just happened to be Easter, and the priest was back at his pulpit in Ireland, giving his annual Easter sermon.

He got to the part of the Easter story where Jesus said, "And one of you shall betray Me."

The priest continues: "Saint Andrew jumps up and says, 'Is it I Lord?' and the Lord says, 'Nay, Andy darlin', it's not you. Sit down now and dunna worry. Eat your supper.'

Then Saint John the Divine gets up with tears in his eyes and cries, 'Is it I Lord?' And the Lord says, 'Nay, Johnny me boy, it's not you. Sit down now and dunna fret yourself. Eat your supper.'

"Then that dirty dog Judas Iscariot slowww-ly rises to his feet. And he looks the Lord right in the eye and says, 'Blimey, Mate. Ya think it's me?"

A tale of a fateful trip

Yesterday the Treasurer jumped to attention when Kim Beazley was described as the "skipper" of the union movement in question time. Costello's mind leapt straight to the 1960s sitcom Gilligan's Island, which featured a motley cast shipwrecked on a desert island. He proceeded to name the Skipper's stranded colleagues: Kevin Rudd was the Professor and Nicola Roxon was Mary Ann.

"And whom will we christen Gilligan?" the Treasurer cried. "I think the member for Lilley [Wayne Swan]. He has got to be Gilligan."

Sadly, the Treasurer was called to order before he could go on, leaving three cast-members unaccounted for. The Herald contacted Costello and asked him to fill in the blanks. He decided Simon Crean would play the millionaire Thurston J. Howell III, and Jenny Macklin was a natural as his wife, Eunice "Lovey" Wentworth Howell. And Ginger Grant, the breathy, red-headed movie star? Julia Gillard, of course.

SMH had this in the blogs section yesterday. I tried to put it up then but Blogger was down.

University Council

Dear all,

Yes, I'm feeling much better. I was out of action for about 36 hours but am back at uni now. (Still have the cough and runny nose!)

BUT more importantly, if anyone reading this is from the University of Adelaide or knows someone who attends there, they NEED TO VOTE FOR ME in the University Council elections.

There are three of us running for two spots and the others are lefties from my days at the union. I wasn't going to re-nominate because of all the other things I do, but when I heard the other names nominating (or possibly nominating) I knew I had to throw my hat in the ring again. Pretty much all were or are big players in the uni 'factions' so it'll be some fun especially if I'm sucessful again!

Cheers,

Aaron

Something a bit more official

Many of your would have seen much of this already on Dominicanus and the like, but I'm amazed CathNews bothered with it. We live in interesting times...

Vatican source says pope to expand use of Tridentine Mass

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI is preparing to expand permission to use the Tridentine Mass, the pre-Vatican II rite favored by traditionalist groups, said an informed Vatican source.
...
The pope is expected to issue a document "motu proprio," or on his own initiative, which will address the concerns of "various traditionalists," said the source, who asked not to be named.

The source said the new permission, or indult, was a papal decision, but was being done in cooperation with agencies of the Roman Curia. He would not elaborate on the extent of the indult, when it would be established or how it would work. Full Story.

Update: I didn't get time today, but sources tell me this story made it to the printed version of The Australian. Seems its been a secular media hit worldwide too!

ALP politics

A bit of ALP politics for the Aussies. The Australian reports here and here one the contest for Labor Party Federal President. It seems that Senator John Faulkner has claimed the win over SA Premier Mike Rann and former federal leader Simon Crean. As an outsider I would have thought at the outset that Rann would have been a shoe-in considering that he is backed by the Right and no-one else form the Right was in the play. The Right holds sway over the party at the moment so Faulkner's imminent win is a blow to them. It's also a blow to a relaxation over Uraniam mining in Australia with the Left strongly against a change in policy.

Health

I've come down with a rotten head cold so posts may be sporadic for the next few days. Maybe everthing has finally caight up with me - at the wrong time of year - or it could be due to letting my hair down a bit on Friday night. More likely it's a combination of both. I've had nearly 12 hours in bed each of the last two nights and I'm still no better off. If I'm not better by this arvo I might arrange to see a doctor and get some drugs.

Disclaimer

The debate that has ensued in the comments boxes in recent days has reminded me that it’s time for a timely reminder for you all. The views expressed on INDOLENT SERVER are not those of the Australian Catholic Students Association, the University of Adelaide, the Liberal Party of Australia or of Latin Mass goers in Australia or South Australia. (Have I forgotten any other body?) And come to think of it, they have no bearing on the views of my parents or family or how they raised me!!

But, by any means, don't stop the debate!

Virgin actor?

I was alerted to this story in the SMH by a mate of mine and then saw the same story on Rocco's blog. The best report so far is here and from New Zealand. In summary, the 16-year old actress who plays the Virgin Mary in a film soon to be released is pregnant. How ironic. It's nearly as good as the Indian producer who wanted to cast Paris Hilton as Mother Theresa. It is such a shame that the girl hasn't appeared to have got anything out of playing the part. But then again, at least it appears that she will keep the baby rather than an abortion. Must thank God for that.

Speck returns to the Indolent Server

"We remembered your anniversary for you, Father!"

Dress-ups

The Elderly Relative will love this. This statue is the the Chapel at CYS House where we stayed in Sydney.

The Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Introit: Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival-day in honour of the blessed Virgin Mary, for whose solemn festival the angels rejoice and give praise to the Son of God. Ps. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King.

Gradual: Ps. 44. 5, 11, 12. Because of truth, and meekness, and justice: and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully. V Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear, for the King hath greatly desired thy beauty.

Alleluia: Alleluia, alleluia. The solemn festival of the glorious Virgin Mary of the seed of Abraham, sprung from the tribe of Juda, of David’s royal race. Alleluia.

Communion: Ecclus. 39. 19. Send forth flowers as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in His works.

Love Letters

I have a number of friends doing sorts of student teaching this year toward a B.Ed or Dip Ed. One of them, who shall remain nameless received the above letter from a pupil. Any identifying elements have been removed but it was so funny I had to post it. It was reported and dealt with appropriately at the time.

Sydney visit - Part III

The ACSA Executive met briefly on Sunday morning to discuss and recap on the organisation of the 2006 National Conference before heading to St. Mary’s Cathedral for High Mass. I can’t remember what Mass the choir sung but it was magnificent and Pell gave a ripper of a sermon while also giving ACSA a plug. In Mass there was an installation of one of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. Sebastian (sorry, we haven’t forgotten the Adelaide Review days) was there and I was able to have a quick chat to him before somehow becoming the official photographer for the order. However, don’t trust Sebastian with a camera. I asked him to get a shot of me and the Cardinal but when I downloaded it wasn’t there! He is the 5th from the right.

We headed back to Clovelly after lunch was a final hard session of National Conference 2007 planning. We do aim for the 3rd year in a row to introduce optional workshops – maybe some part of my legacy! We broke up the meeting just after 5pm and had benediction before all departing for respective homes and states.

I still had a night left and headed with the treasurer to the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Homebush. There was a bit of a NRL Grand Final do there hosted by some friends of ours. We got there just after half time but managed some good conversation about the Liberal Party and ACSA (not together – don’t fear). I got a relatively early night and stayed again at St. James Priory.

Monday was my last day in Sydney and thankfully I managed to catch up with another friend before visiting Fr. E in St. Alfreds Hospital. He was in great spirits and had asked me to bring The Australian and a large coffee. He had already read two entire editions of Quadrant as well as New Scientist and The Spectator since being admitted.

I then headed to the airport and then home again. On the flight back I had a conversation with Che Cockatoo Collins. Che is a former AFL footballer who just happens to be interested in politics and is running the Local Council elections for the same council as I am running in! What coincidence! So we talked politics much of the flight back.

That ends the Sydney story/ramble. Needless to say I slept well on Monday night but was up at 6am for work. Overall a productive and terrible useful trip. There is lots to do and little time but I have a passionate and talented executive to guide ACSA through the year.
Regular posts will resume tomorrow...

Sydney visit - Part II

On Friday morning the interstaters in the ACSA Exec all meet at Central Station and made our way out to Catholic Youth Services (CYS) House in Clovelly, near the beach. The house must be an old convent and it has a beautiful small chapel – it still has an east facing altar and reredos. A funny contrast was that the NET team was also staying that the house too – NET are post-school age but their mission is evangelisation in the schools. Their liturgical preference for worship is also slightly different from ACSA and guitars had to be removed from the chapel.

Well, our meeting then got under way and was rather productive. We were joined in the late afternoon by the former President Daniel Hill who is either on drugs or suffering from post-Presidential disorder. He only just now realised that he never remembered to post a package out to me 3 months ago!! Even though I have continually reminded him. He also returned my Fortescue which he had loaned for the last 18months despite buying one of his own!!

Our Exec has 4 new faces this year so we spent much of the evening bonding! We stayed up talking till 3am even though alcohol was banned from the house. Daniel and snuck in a bit and had a couple of glasses to wet the whistle. Conversation centred on liturgy and girls (even though there were two present). Overall it was very very funny. Daniel showed us his newly purchased tunicle which also came with a stole and a couple of maniples. He buys them off ebay and has quite a collection. (The girlfriend doesn’t know). Here is a picture of our Functions Manager trying them for size without an alb or cincture
Saturday began with Mass and a short session on ACSA’s finances before travelling into the city to dine with the Cardinal. Archbishop Pell is one of our patrons and always accepts our invitation for lunch. The conversation is little to do with business and is usually just social. (You should have heard him last year on Paul Collins!) He and Fr. Jordan call each other Greg and George as they are old friends. Cardinal Pell tried some time ago to steal Fr. Jordan from Brisbane. Fr. Jordan declined as he is one of the only bastions of orthodoxy in the state! It being Grand Final day and Cardinal Pell being an ex-footballer himself, our treasurer, Camillus O’Kane, was determined to talk sport. He also had the nerve to abruptly ask His Eminence whether he could watch the game with him at in his rooms! They did, but I made them return to Clovelly at half-time. No doubt Camillus’ fellow collegians will never hear the end of it!


Saturday night we ate fish & chips on the beach and us lads had a long kick & catch of the footy. Again we stayed up late but this time to NET team had secured the common room so we had to resort to my room. We had to hide our Secretary as no girls were allowed in buys rooms! How old do they think we are? Well we decided that enough was enough and that we deserved a few glasses or red that night and despite it being from the Margaret River as opposed to the Coonawarra it was quite nice. Conversation was again girls among other things… seems most of us struggle to find time to be bothered with the effort. Maybe once uni finishes was the general consensus. We did also try and spend a whole hour without talking about Catholicism or something related. We were going fine, but eventually ran out! Catholicism is an entire way of life… as I was explaining to the new kids on the block… get used to it.

Sydney visit - Part I

I will write bits and pieces gradually about my Sydney trip (ie. only while procrastinating).

I woke Tuesday morning at 4am to catch a 6am flight (had to be at the airport an hour early). I arrived at Sydney domestic terminal to whisked away to the international terminal to meet a guy from the US who was about to leave to go back home. He started a huge graduate network of Catholic Young Adults in the US. Apparently they have got 300 orthodox young Catholics together for a weekend… wait for it… where all they did was drink beer, eat food and listen to a single talk by George Weigel! Now that’s some weekend! Anyway keep an eye out for a similar initiative of ACSA’s which has been in the pipeline for two years but will hopefully get under way soon. We will, however, have more of a focus of further development.

Tuesday night I spent with Dominicanus who put some effort in considering the state of his foot. We had a delicious Guinness Pie at the Rooty Hill Tavern along with a bottle of red wine and a few beers – Cooper’s Pale on tap!

Wednesday I was up early to head back into Sydney for meetings with Dr. Michael Casey the personal secretary to George Cardinal Pell and third-in-charge of WYD 2008. I can’t go into detail but Casey was a pleasure to meet and great fun too. There is a bit in common but don’t expect me to do a PhD anytime soon. The WYD meeting was also successful. Wednesday evening I met with ACSA’s NSW rep and a couple of others to discuss NSW affairs followed by dinner where I met up with a few more old friends including Acolytus who comments here from time-to-time.

It was late by the time I got back to Oakhurst with Fr. E.

Wednesday morning both Fr. E and I were up early. I was off to Campion College to meet with our Functions Manager and also to have a chat with Fr. John Fleming, President of the College. ACSAs Chaplain, Fr. Gregory Jordan SJ was also to join us. Fr. Ephraem couldn’t make it as that was at the same time as his appointment at the hospital about his foot – he was 98% sure he’d be back and he’d cook that night.

Anyway, of course we know now that Fr. was kept in for a few days so I wasn’t able to eat with him. (Damn! Fr. is such a great cook!) The time at Campion was both fun and productive. Fr. Fleming gave me a few good ideas about ACSA and we also discussed South Australian politics and affairs over a light lunch in the sun. I also met a few of the students and the staff. Some read my blog but tend not to post… Frs. Fleming and Jordan concelebrated Mass at midday in the chapel. It’s quite nice, and so much nicer done ad Orientem and with the common in Latin! And the Pax was also done nicely!! No nodding or shaking hands at all! (That’s one thing that bugs me about the new rite, just before Holy Communion your thoughts and prayers are disrupted by people demanding to shake hands – but this is for another time).

With Fr. Ephraem out of action I decided to stay the night at St. James’ Dominican Priory in Glebe. After dropping off my bags I met up with ACSA’s treasurer and experienced Warrane College – only briefly – for the first time. We had a quick chat about our finances before I headed back to Circular Quay for dinner with the Elderly Relative who happened to be in town for a meeting. Had a jolly meal on the Rocks and was a chance to really relax for the first time in two days.

Sorry no photos from these days but there is more to come!

Time travel preferences

Fr. Tim Finigan commaned me to answer the following question. I've followed the lead of DelexitPrior by not considering Biblical events.

If an angel could take me back in time, what five things or occasions would I like to experience?

Secular

• Be involved in the Battle of Lepanto… Don Juan… Pope St. Pius V.
• Victoria 1954 – hanging around BA (Bob) Santamaria when the ALP Split was materminded
• Riding with Charlemagne
• With Don Bradman on the 1948 Ashes tour – the Invincibles
• (*all of the history courses I’ve studied have been negative periods of the late 19th and 20th Century – I'm struggling to find another quickly!)

Sacred

• Serve Mass in St. Peters Basilica prior to the Council of 1962
• Mass in Rome prior to the Council of Trent
• The Burning of Carthage ending the Punic Wars.
• Witness one of St. Catherine of Siena’s ecstasies.
• There with Pope John Paul I – to see how/why he really died…

Back from the wilds of Sydney

Yes, I'm back from Sydney. The week was terribly busy but very successful. I will write more on all things soon enough -- social and business. Least to say I didn't get enough sleep...