The Spiritual and Physical Benefits of Singing in Church
There are many good reasons to sing in church besides your mom or the pastor told you to. There are loads of benefits—both physical and spiritual. First, did you know that electric signals travel to many areas of the brain that work together so you can recognize the organist’s introduction as “Holy God” and not […]
What Happened to the Tunic?
After the soldiers completed their objective to crucify Jesus, they sat down to keep watch. Having nothing to occupy them, they “took his garments and divided them four ways, one for each soldier” (Jn. 19:23). Grabbing Jesus’ tunic, they noticed it was seamless, probably worth money, so they decided to cast lots for the whole […]
All Hanging Together—in Prayer
The phrase “all hanging together” first said by Benjain Franklin” is still a powerful ideal. Most certainly it applies to families, congregations, schools, religious communities, nations, as “hanging out with” is a means of building strong bonds. The recent issue of America magazine spoke of Trump’s “Make America Isolated” policy. Contrary to this policy is […]
Servant Leadership
The term “servant leadership” has become a popular phrase. As people realize that good leaders must also be servants, our perception of those in authority moves in that direction. Perhaps the idea of “servant leadership” led to choosing recent popes. Within the next couple weeks, it may be useful in selecting our next provincial for […]
An Unlikely Read
Two days before Ash Wednesday I finished reading THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR by Ellen Marie Wiseman, an historical novel situated in Pennsylvania during the flu epidemic at the end of the First World War. While the plot and characterization were engaging, there were times I wanted to put the book down. The horror and evil disguised […]
There’s Snow and Then There’s Snow
The title of this blog could refer to time, meaning day after day the picture outside in Northwest Ohio is one of snow…and snow…and snow. But snow has many interpretations as does the manner in which we say “It’s snowing again.” Was that delight in your voice? Was that sarcasm or irritation or disappointment? One […]
Second Grade Spirituality
In second grade my teacher taught me the Hidden Angel game. Undoubtedly Sister Mary Sharon taught me many other things during our hour of religious instruction on Saturday afternoons, but this one I specifically remember. Game rules were easy: do a good deed without anyone seeing you. Nothing was said about being caught in the […]
Look Out for Lent
We’ve just concluded the Christmas Season and are only a few days into Ordinary Time, but I’m already behind the 8 ball. When studying for a masters in liturgy, I was taught to prepare a whole year at one time, starting with Holy Week and working forward and backwards from that point. I suppose full-time […]
Music Makes Us One
Almost daily I have the privilege and responsibility to play the piano or organ for Mass at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center in Whitehouse, Ohio. Although I am not the one who selects the hymns and ritual music, which have a greater impact on the liturgy, I imagine that my choices of preludes and […]
Tell Me about Your Favorite Christmas Carol
We are approaching the end of the Christmas Season, and I have only a couple days to play and sing every carol in the hymnal. A few like “Silent Night” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” have been used twice in the parish assembly. And the best interludes, postludes, and preludes have been played. But […]