2022 archive of The Seed
Sing to the Lord: Part III
Posted by St. Henry Cluster on 10/13/22
As a final installment in this music series of articles, I want to highlight a few more specific items from the Church’s teaching on sacred music. While reiterating the use of Gregorian Chant, the council fathers indicated that editions “be prepared containing simpler melodies, for use in small [i.e., ... Read More »
Sing to the Lord: Part II
Posted by St. Henry Cluster on 10/07/22
In last Sunday’s bulletin I shared some theological principles governing how the Church determines “Sacred Music” – music set aside for use in the temple – distinct, unique, and contributing to the primary action of the Mass, which is a sacrifice (from the Latin sacer [holy] + facere [to ... Read More »
Sing to the Lord: Part I
Posted by Erin Elking on 9/29/22
It has been a year since we began using chanted prayer at Mass last October, and I want to revisit the Church’s understanding of what makes music “sacred” and “suitable for use” at the Sacrifice of the Mass. Pope St. Pius X summarized this teaching in his papal letter ... Read More »
Prayer is the Only Way
Posted by Erin Elking on 9/21/22
In any season of life, prayer is essential, but its importance comes into starkest relief during periods of crisis, difficulty, and challenge. Our ability to face the struggles of the day and carry its crosses is intimately bound up with our ability to pray, and our ability to pray ... Read More »
Going Deeper
Posted by Erin Elking on 9/14/22
Many of us have heard this response to a difficult religious question: “It’s a mystery!” Yet while it may not satisfy our curiosity in the moment, it does capture a profound truth about our faith: no matter how much we know, there is always more to know, and we ... Read More »
Entering the Mystery of Mass
Posted by Erin Elking on 9/08/22
“Every Holy Mass, heard with devotion, produces in our souls marvelous effects, abundant spiritual and material graces which we, ourselves, do not know…If we only knew how God regards this Sacrifice, we would risk our lives to be present at a single Mass…The earth could exist more easily without ... Read More »
Model for Hope
Posted by Erin Elking on 8/30/22
The last time I wrote a bulletin article it briefly covered the need for hope in our world. The document by Pope Benedict XVI titled Spes Salvi covers many aspects of living a life of hope. At the end of the document, he writes about the Blessed Virgin Mary ... Read More »
Enjoy the Silence
Posted by Erin Elking on 8/24/22
A friend of mine has an apostolate in which she encourages people to acknowledge and give thanks to God for all the ways He is working in their lives, which often requires carving out space for silence. “The world is noisy, God whispers” – a slogan of hers. To ... Read More »
Star of the Sea
Posted by Erin Elking on 8/18/22
I ask everyone to take a Beacons of Light flyer home with them today. With this, and in light of the Solemnity of the Assumption we celebrated on Monday, I offer this beautiful homily from Pope Benedict XVI on the significance of Mary’s Assumption, and how she becomes for ... Read More »
Beacons of Light Update
Posted by Erin Elking on 8/09/22
As we move through this first phase of Beacons of Light, which began July 1st, I want to bring everyone up to speed on where we stand today. As you know, many parishes in the area have already undergone significant changes to Mass schedules and some have even begun ... Read More »