Bob Jensen

““Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” 

– Maya Angelou

 

Fr. Dave Rogerson will be with you this weekend while I am away on a week’s vacation.  Fr. Rogerson is one of our senior priests who continues to help in various parishes. I have known him since my high school years, which is a long time.

For vacation, I am planning on getting some projects around the house accomplished, some extra reading done, a few friends and family
visited, and enjoying these August days in the northwest.

I came across a couple of quotes about vacations. The poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, once said: “Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” The Turkish playwright, Mehmet Murat ildan said, “Neglecting vacation is neglecting success because every success needs an accumulated positive energy!”

I am not sure how much I will get done. It is never all I have planned. However, I hope I come back rested and energized. We have a full and exciting program year beginning. Hope you are also able to get summer rest and refreshment.

 

“During COVID, we may have
gotten use to letting others do
the singing for us. Now we
are called to reclaim this
important expression of faith.“
– Fr. Bill

 

Singing is the Sign of the Heart’s Joy
In the latest COVID guidelines, the Archdiocese is lifting restrictions on singing. Full congregational singing may return. We have been singing some of the shorter refrains and antiphons. Soon, the Assembly also will be invited to sing the entire Gloria, the entrance hymn, and the first Communion Hymn. Later we will reintroduce singing for the preparation of the gifts and the closing hymn.

“The Gloria is the ancient and venerable hymn in which the Church, assembled in the Holy Spirit, praises and entreats God the Father and the Lamb.”

Often referred to as “the angelic hymn,” the Gloria was first intoned by the angels from heaven for the birth of Christ on earth. The  loria is a true hymn. Its opening burst of praise overflows into a series of joyful cries addressed to the Father: “we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.” The hymn goes on to sing of the mercy of the Son, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
By singing Opening Hymn together, we “foster the unity of those who have been gathered.” It may introduce a particular theme of the day and begins our celebration by praising God.

Another expression of unity is joining in the Communion Hymn. “Participating in the Communion hymn while the congregation continues to process and receive Communion is another important form of worship and source of unity”. The priest is part of that communion procession. You may have noticed that I do not take communion until the communion hymn has begun. The Communion Hymn show we approach the Lord together.

During COVID, we may have gotten use to letting others do the singing for us. Now we are called to reclaim this important expression of faith. God dwells within each human heart, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever God’s people sing God’s praise.” St. Augustine says, “Singing is for the one who loves.” Song is therefore a sign of God’s love for us and of our love for God. We are without hymnals so, when you see those words on the screen: SING!