Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Saint Peter and Saint Paul (June 29)

Collect for Saint Peter and Saint Paul (June 29):
Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified thee by their martyrdom: Grant that thy Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by thy Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto thee.

Collect for the Week of the Sunday closest to June 29 (Proper 8):
O Almighty God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

...grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of his redemption.

Collect for Corpus Christi:
God our Father, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ in a wonderful Sacrament hath left unto us a memorial of his passion: grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of his redemption; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

June 24th: Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Collect for the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist:
Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Monday, June 20, 2011

O Lord, we beseech thee, make us have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name...

From the Daily Offices for Week of the Sunday closest to June 22 in the Book of Divine Worship.
Collect for the Week of the Sunday closest to June 22 (Proper 7):
O Lord, we beseech thee, make us have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name, for thou never failest to help and govern those whom thou hast set upon the sure foundation of thy loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity...

From the Daily Offices for Trinity Sunday in the Book of Divine Worship.
Collect for Trinity Sunday:
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of thy Divine Majesty to worship the Unity: We beseech thee that thou wouldst keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see thee in thy one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Happy Bunker Hill Day!

Bunker Hill Day—June 17—is a doubly dubious observance. First, as every Bostonian can tell you, the battle was on Breed’s Hill, not Bunker Hill. Secondly, we lost! One does not customarily celebrate one’s defeats, but in the case of Breed’s/Bunker Hill, it is understandable, for it marked the first American resistance that put in question British victory in the War. Surveying the heavy Red Coat losses British General Sir Henry Clinton said, “A few more such victories would have shortly put an end to British dominion in America.” General Clinton was paraphrasing the Greek general Pyrrhus who, according to the ancient writer Plutarch, won battles but at such high cost that he nearly ruined himself.

In Boston, America’s passion for Independence is seen, touched, heard, and smelt in our Old State House, the Old South Meeting House, in the steeple of Christ Church in the North End, and in scores of other sites along our Freedom Trail. Laugh and call them “hack holidays,” but don’t forget the individual men and women who struggled for freedom, for that is why we set aside special days of remembrance and observance.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Don't Know Much About History

Songwriters Sam Cooke, Lou Adler and Herb Alpert, in their 1960 hit “Wonderful World,” pled ignorance of history and other academic topics. Today they’d find themselves joined by millions of American high schoolers.

On June 14th the U.S. Department of Education released results of the U.S. History 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress at Grades 4, 8, and 12. The results, are not good. At 12th grade just 12% were “proficient,” representing solid academic performance. At grade 12 a student is proficient if he can “understand Missouri statehood in the context of sectionalism”—most could not.

At grade 8 the percentage at or above proficiency is 17%. For fourth graders, 20% are proficient. In other words, the longer kids stay in school the worse they do relative to how someone in their grade ought to do!

Not all of the questions are available, as many will continue to be used in tests. From among the grade 12 questions published on the Department of Education website I selected some of the more difficult to see how the pupils did.

From the list (a) Soviet Union, (b) Japan, (c) China, or (d) Vietnam, merely 22% of 12th graders correctly identified (c), China, as an ally of North Korea during the Korean War.

Just one-third of 12th graders correctly identified President George Washington’s foreign policy as “avoiding permanent alliances with other countries.” Two-thirds of the students thought Washington was an interventionist in foreign affairs.

Likewise, just one-third correctly answered that Thomas Jefferson’s election as President is sometimes called the “revolution of 1800” because it was the first “peaceful transition of power from one political party to another.” The rest thought there actually was a popular uprising in 1800, or that the Electoral College was abolished, or that it has something to do with the Louisiana Purchase.

Presented with charts showing gross domestic production increasing, unemployment declining, and wages rising during World War Two, merely 43% correctly answered that “the war caused a major increase in economic production in the United States.”

For more information on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, I suggest you go to the Department of Education website. While there you can take an online sample test and find our whether you are smarter than a 4th, 8th, or 12th grader.

100 Years of Massachusetts House Speakers

by David Trumbull
May 15, 2009

“In Massachusetts the worst men get into the Legislature. Several members of that body have lately been convicted of infamous crimes. Men of indigence, ignorance and baseness, spare no pains, however dirty, to carry their point against men, who are superior to the artifices practiced.” – Elbridge Gerry at the Constitutional Convention, 1787.

Over the fifty years from January 1959 to January 2009, nine men serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives were elevated by their peers to Speaker of the House. Of those nine politicians—every one a Democrat—four, John F. Thompson (Speaker, 1958-1964), Charles Flaherty (1991-1996), Thomas Finneran (1996-2004), and Salvatore DiMasi (2004-2009) resigned the speakership in disgrace, dogged by charges of legal or ethical lapses. One Speaker, Thomas W. McGee (1975–1984), was found so wanting even by the low standards of his fellow Democratic legislators that he was dumped from that leadership position in favor of George Keverian (1985–1991). Keverian left the post, and state politics, in 1991, after losing the Democratic party primary for Treasurer of the Commonwealth.

In the fifty years prior to that, 14 men served as Speaker, 12 Republicans and two Democrats. None, as far as I know, left office in disgrace or disfavor. About half went on, after their speakerships, to run successfully for higher office in state or national government. Among them Republican Christian Herter (Speaker 1939-1942) was later elected U.S. Representative and Massachusetts Governor and served in high positions in the Republican Administration of President Eisenhower and under Democratic Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Thomas Phillip "Tip" O'Neill, Jr. (1949-1952) went on, after his leadership in the State House, to serve ten years as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Perversely, as the quality of the men in the office of Speaker declined, the average length of time in the office increased, from around three-and-a-half years for Speakers in the first fifty year period to around five-and-a-half years for those in the more resent fifty-year period. Of course I have my bias, but one has to notice the absence of scandal and the generally high level of personal and professional conduct of the Speakers in the period when Republicans were dominant, supplying 12 of 14 Speakers.

Summer Ember Days

Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of this week are the traditional summer Ember Days.

Collects for the Ember Days

I. For those to be ordained

Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed various orders in thy Church: Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all who are [now] called to any office and ministry for thy people; and so fill them with the truth of thy doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name and for the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

II. For the choice of fit persons for the ministry

O God, who didst lead thy holy apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that thy Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of thy kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

III. For all Christians in their vocation

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of thy faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all members of thy holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve thee; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Res Publica: Flying the Colors

Tuesday, June 14th, is Flag Day. Fly your American flag proudly. And be sure to observe these regulations: no disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.

(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.

(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.

(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.

(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.

(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.

(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

Source: United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 Section 6.

Washington Post Get Right Story of Maryland Episcopal Church's Decision to Embrace Catholic Faith

The Washington Post, in a story that appeared in print Monday, June 13th, and which is available online here, presented a remarkably, for a liberal secular newspaper, account of the decision of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Bladensburg, Maryland, to convert, as a congregation, to the Catholic faith. The newspaper reported that "St. Luke’s congregants see their decision as profound, a choice between fuzzy theology and clear authority." This report is in contrast to many news accounts which have portrayed Episcopalians who convert to the Catholic Church as merely disgruntled conservatives who are leaving the Episcopal Church over ordination of women and openly gay persons. Such conventional thinking is wrong, those Episcopalians who are converting to the Catholic Church do so because they have come to believe that truth of the Catholic Church's claim of authority. Certainly there are former Episcopalians who left in dispute over some change or other in the Episcopal Church, but they end up in one of the many break-away Anglican groups, not the Catholic Church.

The Post article contrasts St. Luke's embrace of the Catholic faith with those who leave the Episcopal Church as a reaction to changes in that body, saying: "The decision by St. Luke’s attracted attention partially because the entire church is converting — including its married pastor. But it also stands out because several conservative Episcopal congregations, angered by the election of an openly gay bishop, voted in recent years to leave for other wings of Anglicanism, mostly in Africa."

The story goes on to reiterate that the decision of St. Lukes is not a reaction against the Episcopal Church but a reaction to the claims of the Catholic Church, stating: "Members are onboard with key ideas such as papal supremacy..."

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Mt. Calvary Episcopal Church, Baltimore, in Process of Converting to Catholic Faith

On Sunday, October 24, 2010 the parishioners of Mount Calvary Church approved the following resolutions at a special parish meeting:

Resolution 1
Resolved: In accordance with Article 12 of the amendment to the Charter of Mount Calvary Church, Baltimore, adopted April 10, 1967, the Vestry of Mount Calvary Church, having determined that The Episcopal Church (formerly known as the “Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America”) has clearly, substantially, and fundamentally changed its doctrine, discipline and worship, Mount Calvary Church should become separate from and independent of The Episcopal Church.
Resolution #2
Resolved: That Mount Calvary Church, upon separation from The Episcopal Church, seek to become an Anglican Use parish of the Roman Catholic Church.

Both resolutions were passed by majorities of 85%.

Since that time Mt. Calvary has been in consultation with the Archdiocese of Baltimore on details of Anglicanorum Coetibus and with the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland over a property settlement.

For more information see the church's website www.mountcalvary.com.

Pentecost

From the Daily Offices for Pentecost in the Book of Divine Worship.
Collect for Pentecost.
Almighty God, who on this day didst open the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of thy Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

or this

O God, who on this day didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Savior, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Anglican Parish St. Mary of the Angels, Hollywood, Votes to Join Catholic Church

According to information on the parish's website (www.stmaryoftheangels.org):
After much discussion, discernment, and study, the Parish of Saint Mary of the Angels [Hollywood, California] has voted to enter the Anglican Ordinariate of the United States as soon as it is formed by the Catholic Church. 81% of the voting parish membership decided in favor of joining the historic Ordinariate instituted by Pope Benedict XVI at the special parish meeting on May 1st. The Ordinariate has been formed in the United Kingdom but has yet to be officially formed in the United States.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Episcopal Parish Community in Bladensburg, Maryland to Join Catholic Church

On June 6, 2011 the Roman Catholic Diocese of Washington announced that after a period of deep discernment, the rector and parishioners of St. Luke’s Episcopal parish in Bladensburg, Maryland have decided to seek entry into the Roman Catholic Church through a new structure approved by Pope Benedict XVI called an ordinariate.

According to information on the parish's website, www.stlukesparish-bladensburg.org:
It is with great joy St. Luke's announces its intention to join the Personal Ordinariate of the Roman Catholic Church. We have been discerning the leading of the Holy Spirit since the Holy Father's announcement of Anglicanorum coetibus in October of 2009. Since that time we have been in close dialogue with both the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and the Archdiocese Washington.

Over the next few months the people of St. Luke's Ordinariate Catholic Community will undergo formal preparation to become Roman Catholics. This formal preparation will take place at St. Luke's primarily on Sunday's at 9:00am, and on Thursday evenings at 7:00pm. If you are interested in joining the people of St. Luke's on this journey you are encouraged and welcomed to attend.

Monday, June 6, 2011

54 Anglican Clergy to Defect to Catholic Church in Pentecost Ordinations

The first of a series of ordinations are set to take place, which will see former Anglican clergy defect from the Church of England and become Roman Catholic priests, on Saturday, according to this news article.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless, but send us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us to the same place where our Savior Christ is gone.

From the Daily Offices for Week of the Seventh Sunday of Easter in the Book of Divine Worship.
Collect for the Seventh Sunday of Easter.
O God, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven: We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless, but send us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us to the same place where our Savior Christ is gone before; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Friday, June 3, 2011

A Important Letter, and Follow-up Note, from the Rev. Mr. Jürgen Liias

April 21, 2011

Dear Friends,

On Saturday, April 3, we concluded our most recent series. The question we were
addressing:

IS GOD RAISING UP AN ANGLICAN USE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT CTR TO BE PART OF THE NEW ANGLICAN ORDINARIATE THAT POPE BENEDICT HAS ESTABLISHED?

We explored the questions: What is an Anglican use Catholic church? And what is the Ordinariate? We were instructed by Dr. Tal Howard on the ecumenical developments in the Roman Catholic Church which have led to this remarkable gesture. Fr. Sam Keyes led us in some reflections on Anglican Patrimony. We heard some personal stories of ecclesiastical journeys from Dr. Agnes Howard and from myself. Fr. Richard Bradford, an old friend, former Episcopal priest, and now Rector of St. Athanasius Anglican Use Catholic Church, with two of his parishioners, shared the story of their parish. Bishop Bill Murdoch came and addressed his support for such an ecumenical experimental project in his diocese.

Though attendance was not as substantial as in our fall series, the 10-15 participants answered the question with a solid yes and encouraged me to continue the exploration of the idea.

Recently I received some forms from the Rev. Scott Hurd, a former Episcopal priest and now a Roman Catholic who is responsible for the application process for the Anglican Ordinariate.

I would like to begin the process of application.

What I need for the next step in the journey is:
  • Twelve individuals who feel called to be part of this application process and to become, God willing, a founding community of an Anglican Ordinariate Catholic Church.

  • To meet regularly with me for prayer, catechetical instruction, and further personal and corporate discernment.

  • To explore the practical and logistical challenges of the application process and the starting of a new church, i.e., staff, location, worship, ministry, mission, finances, etc.
Do pray about this. If it would be helpful to discuss things further with me, do not hesitate to connect with me. If and when I have twelve folk, we will gather again and begin this newest stage in this search for God’s will. I will keep you informed as to the response.

A Blessed Pascha,

Fr. Jürgen Liias
Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, Danvers, Massachusetts

* * *

May 11, 2011

Dear Anglican Roman Catholic Conversations friends,

In my last letter, I mentioned that I am waiting on the lord for 12 folk to come forward who would like to explore further with me the birthing of an Anglican Ordinariate church at CTR. As of today, May 11, nine folk have stepped forward. Keep praying, God willing, for his spirit to move three more!

Fr. Jürgen Liias

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abideth with his Church on earth, even unto the end of the ages.

From the Daily Offices for Ascension Day in the Book of Divine Worship.
Collect for Ascension Day.
O Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abideth with his Church on earth, even unto the end of the ages; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Or this:

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God; that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord, Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.