‘Canto fermo’ is the term for an existing melody used as the basis for a new composition.
The prose and poetry of mystics like John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila and Edith Stein – all informed by the Gospel – is my ‘melody’. The ‘new composition’ is this blog and my indie novel ‘The Age for Love’. To buy my book go to amazon.com or smashwords.com and download to your kindle, iPad, phone or any reading device.
Sunday 7 July 2019
IS IT NZ SEMINARIANS WHO FAIL TO MAKE THE GRADE, OR THE SEMINARY?
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The Matariki poster celebrating 'the eyes of the gods' remained firmly in place, wrapped around the pulpit, while Father proclaimed the word of God to his people at Sunday Mass this morning.
Leo Leitch's comment on that was, "Julia, you don't seem to understand. "Our bishops have judged that the part-Maori community have been and are so exalted, so noble, so inspirational in their behaviour and in all their contributions to the wellbeing and advancement of the wider N.Z. society that they deserve a special privileged position in the Church, and that must be displayed in all conceivable ways.
The glorification of their pantheism/animism is a mere bagatelle in the overall agenda in support of ultimate recognition of the status of part-Maori as partners with the bishops in leading the Church of Aotearoa."
But no one at Mass seemed to mind about Matariki in the sanctuary of the Lord. During Sunday Mass. Oh well. They were probably nervously wondering who of our flock will be shoulder-tapped to give 'Reflections' from the self-same pulpit in the not-too-distant future, when Father "isn't around anymore".
Certainly the softening-up process proceeded unabated, with emphasis on the 72 disciples in the Gospel who were sent out to preach being untaught, untutored and -this apparently was their crowning glory - unspecial. Anyone could have done what they did. In comparison, a Sunday morning's 'Reflections' are neither here nor there.
Just to make sure we got the point, Father took us back - not for the first time - to his days in the seminary, when all the seminarians who were regarded as the best and brightest departed, with very best and brightest - "the Head Prefect!!!" - spotted with his suitcase going down Mosgiel's drive just as the dullards began their diaconate.
Really, Father? You've got to be kidding. All the most talented of the young men who wanted to consecrate their lives to God didn't make the grade?
Going on the evidence in the NZ priesthood today I could almost bring myself to believe that.
But Father, are you sure that in the eyes of the most talented of those young men who wanted to consecrate themselves to the Church it wasn't actually the seminary that didn't make the grade? Donna Te Amo says: Great to see the church (sic) recognizing Te Tirit (sic) O Waitangi at last! This is NZ after all!
"Our bishops have judged that the part-Maori community have been and are so exalted, so noble, so inspirational in their behaviour and in all their contributions to the wellbeing and advancement of the wider N.Z. society that they deserve a special privileged position in the Church, and that must be displayed in all conceivable ways.
Donna Te Amo says:
Great to see the church (sic) recognizing Te Tirit (sic) O Waitangi at last! This is NZ after all!