The Southern Preacher

Rocco Palmo posts and briefly discusses Cardinal DiNardo's homily transcript from the Mass for Life in Washington DC's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which took place on the morning of January 22nd. From the homily:

And when Elizabeth sees [Mary], JB -- John the Baptist -- stirs, and gives a kick, and that brings the Holy Spirit to gush forth from Elizabeth. And in that gushing forth, we see what the energy of acceptance does to others.

The Holy Spirit is active in Elizabeth through John the Baptist. Ah -- but Jesus is active in his mother, in a way beyond our comprehension.

What a pro-life scene, sisters and brothers! Elizabeth cries out "Blessed are you among women," and the Virgin Mary responds with one of the most joyful hymns we have in the New Testament.

I have a friend -- and you'll excuse this, it's typical of Southeast Texas... we're too far South maybe -- who claims that Mary yodeled the Magnificat. I don't think that's exegetically correct, but it's an interesting scene to fathom: the country girl who cries out in joy, certainly over the birth of the Savior, but who cries out in joy over the gift of life.

Awesome! That is so DiNardo! :)

First Friday Concerts Continue at St. Theresa's

This Friday, February 1, 2008 - 7:30 pm

at St. Theresa Catholic Church
115 Seventh Street
Sugar Land, TX. 77478

with Our Celebration – The Gift of Music!
Including the works of J.S. Bach, Johann Pachelbel, Marcel Dupre, and Naji Hakim

welcoming Dr. Crista Miller, Organist

Dr. Crista Miller is an international recitalist, having performed throughout Europe, and recently at La Trinité in Paris. She is a choral conductor, sacred musician, scholar and teacher as well as a solo artist. Dr. Miller serves on the music faculties of the University of St. Thomas and Houston Baptist University where her interests include music theory, historic-based organ performance practice, liturgical music and revival of “forgotten” sacred treasures, early music, and contemporary music. She studied at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York with Han Davidsson; at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music with Robert Bates and in Paris, France with Naji Hakim. Dr. Miller has recently appeared at the Washington National Cathedral, the Milwaukee Cathedral and at Goshen College. Future 2008-09 venues include the Svendborg International Organ Festival, the inaugural Wolff Organ Conference-University of North Texas, and the Region VII Convention of the Am. Guild of Organists.

Admission Free!

And, if I remember the rule from my days at the university, free is (usually) good!

Reproductive Justice?

This is how Obama is referring to abortion these days. He boasts:

Throughout my career, I've been a consistent and strong supporter of reproductive justice, and have consistently had a 100% pro-choice rating with Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Justice?? Carl Olson responds better than I can at the moment.