Mass Review #6

The family went to visit the in-laws this past weekend, and because of circumstances we would not be attending our usual Maronite parish. Instead we would be attending the parish of my husband's youth, and where his parents still attend.  I really like these non-typical chandeliers.

The old confessionals are still in place and are actually used.

The church is quite large and very beautiful. Large marble columns line both sides of the church, and the original gorgeous high altar still stands, as does the marble altar rail with stone inlay. Some very questionable remodeling and repainting has be done, but could be easily fixed.

Old tabernacles still lay underneath the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph at their respective side altars.

More photos of the Communion rail:

There's really just one problem with this church:

The music.

There is no organ in this church, even though some pipes from what was surely a glorious instrument lay wasting in the back.  But there *is* an electronic keyboard! Yippee!

(At this time I must confess that this is one of the very few churches where I had to STOP myself from walking out during Mass, due to the carelessness of the former priest, and the horrible awful terrible music.)

Before Mass, our ears were assaulted with a keyboard (!with underlying string sounds!) playing a medley of Glory and Praise tunes.  I didn't realize that he was just warming up for the big show.

Indeed, we got to hear those same songs through the Mass, except at an obscene volume.  Additionally, he served as cantor and "song leader".  He was SO LOUD that I think I heard some hearing aids howling with feedback.  I whispered to Oldest Daughter that if I had a gun I'd shoot out the speakers, may God forgive me. The worst part of it all is that he seems to have *no clue* how to choose music for Mass, as evidenced by his selection for Communion.

However, this parish got a new priest about two years ago.  He is a very holy young man who not only performs the liturgy by the books, but also is an excellent homilist.  In fact, he chanted nearly every part of the Mass (except the Our Father), including the Kyrie Eleison in Greek. Now maybe you'll yawn at that, but this is almost unheard of in our diocese. My family loves him as I'm sure do all the parishioners.  What's not to love? I just wish they had the music that they (and the church) deserve and are entitled to.

I suppose the priest's gentle manner is what prevents him from trying to replace the music guy.

In summary, the Mass sans music gets 10/10 stars, and the music gets -10/10 stars.

Oh -- I almost forgot to tell you about the Communion Song: "Suddenly There's a Valley"

When you've climbed the highest mountain
When a cloud holds the sunshine in
Suddenly there's a valley
Where the earth knows peace with man

When a storm hides the distant rainbow
And you think you can't find a friend
Suddenly there's a valley
Where friendships never end

Touched only by the seasons
Swept clean by the waving grain
Surveyed by a happy bluebird
And kissed by the falling rain

When you think there's no bright tomorrow
And you feel you can't try again
Suddenly there's a valley
Where hope and love begin

Suddenly there's a valley
Where hope and love begin

Mass Review #5

Playing for a Saturday evening wedding meant I had no other option than to attend the noon Mass at a very large church in a nearby city.  Worse things could happen, though, because visiting this house of God named after the BVM is always a visual treat. I've been here a number of times and usually enjoy my time with the Lord very much. The organist is very good, and the musical selections are almost always excellent.

So when Mass started, I was surprised to see that the celebrant was an unfamiliar face. Although elderly, he chanted parts of the Mass in a beautiful, clear voice with just the right amount of vibrato.  Lovely!  His sermon, all twenty-five minutes of it (!), was very enjoyable and full of clear Catholic teaching.  How refreshing and wonderful! Just to clarify, though, the regular priests at this church always perform the liturgy with great care.

Although the church has a very good reputation for its music, the cantor was less than adequate.  Even disregarding her very bizarre pronunciation, her pitch was not accurate, shall we say.  It was really a shame, and it was the first time I'd encountered this problem at the church.  Their cantors would sound even better if they'd ditch the microphones.  For the uninformed, microphones are usually highly detrimental for a vocalist's sound.

Pickiness aside, I really enjoyed my time at this Mass.

Why Musicians Hate Weddings Part 2

A few weeks ago, I got a call to play for a wedding that would be held in a whopping 10 days. I actually like this kind of call, because the bride/groom realize that at this late time, the choice of music is pretty much my own.  And, they have to pay whatever I ask. (There's not exactly a proliferation of organists in the area, and that church's regular organist was planning to be out of town that day.)

I quoted my normal price, however, just because I'm nice that way.  Additionally, I agreed to accompany a soloist for the Schubert "Ave Maria" at no extra charge as long as she came to practice well before the ceremony was to begin.

On the day of the wedding, the soloist eventually showed up (late), and announced that she'd brought a tape recording of the Ave Maria to accompany her, "but it'll probably sound better with organ, right?" she asked.  I agreed that yes, in fact it would sound better with organ.  I asked if she had music with her (I'd brought an extra copy *just in case*) or if she had it memorized, and she stated that she'd sung it "probably 400 times".

She did in fact have it memorized, and her voice was decent though untrained.  However, there really is no good way to make "Aaaaave Mareeeeeeee" *BIG BREATH HERE* "eeeeeeeheeeuh" sound good.

Oh, and a nota bene for all the gals out there who might someday be a bride, or a bridesmaid, or who may wear a tank top, or......whatever; please don't ruin yours or anyone else's bridal photos.

PLEASE EXERCISE GOOD JUDGMENT AND TASTE WHEN OBTAINING TATOOS.

Summer Field Trip #1

A huge tourist attraction is located not too far from our residential monastery, but as you may have observed, popular sites are rarely visited by the locals.  Why is that?

Driving along, we saw the sign for a cave with waterfall.  We followed the sign knowing we'd see no waterfall since we're in a drought, but nevertheless it was beautiful.

This is Little Guy leading the way:

Our part of the country was deeply affected by the June 29 derecho, so some of the hiking paths were a little messy.

The temperature was about 95 degrees F, but it was quite comfortable under the tree canopy.

And none of us got mosquito bites, despite the standing water.  Yes, this should be a flowing creek.

This was really incredibly beautiful in the late afternoon.

More dry creek bed.  I can hardly wait to go back when there's water.  Perhaps in the Autumn.

And finally, we reached the falls area. 

I didn't notice the wet rocks when we were there. There are multiple signs that say "no wading" which are ignored by nearly all.

The children probably got tired of me saying "this is so beautiful" constantly.

After a perilous trip out of the area that I'd rather not discuss *heart races* we headed to our original destination:

There was an actual concrete walkway to this site, making it handicapped accessible.

*cue triumphant orchestral music*

This cave was massive.

I regret that we've not visited this place with the progeny, because it's truly breathtaking. Our visits will be more frequent now that we've experienced some of it.