Tonight at 9pm eastern time the CBS drama Jericho makes a return with past episodes. The show had been canceled by CBS but an uproar of fans, including your host, brought the show back. Now it is up to the fans of the show to spread the word and get people to watch. I think the problem was that the show makes you think about many things and Americans today do not like to think about anything they like to be entertained with stupid things and not have to think. But Jericho is a thought provoking show that deserves to be on TV. It is good TV and all should tune in and watch. Besides there is nothing else on.
Chicopee bids farewell to another hometown soldier
By Claire L. Cummings, Globe Correspondent July 6, 2007
CHICOPEE — The fallen soldier’s little boy smiled as Governor Deval L. Patrick gave him a comforting rub on the back. The 1-year-old, dressed in a gray Army exercise shirt and miniature camouflage pants, is already the spitting image of his father, relatives said.
As family and friends gathered yesterday to remember Army Staff Sergeant Daniel A. Newsome, they recalled that his life’s mission was to raise his son to be a great man. For those who love and miss Newsome, who died June 27 in Baghdad from injuries he sustained in an explosion, it is a mission they will now make their own.
“All of us are the mold that made Dan the man he was, and though we cannot make a new Dan . . . a new Staff Sergeant Daniel Allan Newsome, we can do our best to mold and shape a man very much like him,” said Eric Ritter, the soldier’s stepfather. “He already looks like his Daddy. His little hands and feet are Dan’s. He has Dan’s eyes. And when he frowns, his forehead wrinkles just like his Dad’s did.”
Others said the 27-year-old Newsome was a responsible leader who took his job seriously, but thrived on making people laugh.
“I always felt a little safer when we patrolled, because I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to do what he’d have to do to save my life,” Staff Sergeant Jack Schnackenberg told those in attendance.
Newsome lay in an open casket, his face lighted by a chandelier. Poster boards lined one side of the room, which displayed photographs from several phases of the soldier’s life, from his own baby picture to a group shot with friends in front of a limousine before a high school dance.
A slide show projected dozens of images to the tune of Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven.” Whether he’s holding his newborn child or lounging in uniform in Iraq, Newsome is smiling in nearly every photo.
In addition to Patrick, several law enforcement officers and firefighters also attended the service.
Yesterday also marked the first day that flags on state buildings were lowered to half-staff for the burial of a Massachusetts soldier killed in war, following Patrick’s order this week. Newsome’s uncle, Concord Fire Chief Kenneth Willette, lobbied the state to revisit its policy on the practice, long reserved for political leaders.
Newsome is the third soldier from Chicopee to die in the Iraq and Afghan conflicts. The city’s mayor said his death has overwhelmed the area.
“Each one’s bad, but the multiple impact on the community has just been terrible,” Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette said after the service. “The only results of Bush’s surge that we see are the number of caskets coming home. It’s not sitting well with people.”
Outside the hall, some shoppers at a nearby supermarket paused from packing away groceries to silently watch the procession leave for Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Others stood in the Castle of Knights parking lot as several soldiers escorted Newsome’s casket to the hearse.
“It’s overwhelming for what they’re doing for this gentleman,” said Tammy Boucher, 48, of Chicopee. “. . . It’s a nice thing to see that everybody pulls together.”
Don and Shirley Dunham had seen the giant American flag suspended from two fire engines outside the hall and walked over to pay their respects. Their grandson was expected home soon for a two-week leave from Iraq.
“In World War II, you knew who your enemy was; you knew who you were fighting,” said Don Dunham, 79, who also served in the Korean war. “Over there, you don’t even know who the enemy is. Everybody’s your enemy. That’s why this kid got killed; he didn’t know who shot him.”
Newsome had just visited home a couple of weeks ago. During his break, Bissonnette said, the soldier and his wife, Karen, began planning for civilian life; his enlistment was up in February.
“It’s unfathomable to see people with so much promise have their lives snuffed out like this,” he said.
Happy 4th
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of The United States of America won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(1979 Book of Common Prayer)
H/T to Padre Rob
Weekend Recap
Well here it is Tuesday and I am doing a weekend recap. I guess I need to be more on the ball. So anyway, on Friday I went to visit my parents and stayed overnight there with them. I had the opportunity to go and see my nephew play baseball. Now keep in mind he is only 8 so it was not the Red Sox but not bad. It was the last game of the season so they all got trophies at the end. Then back to my brothers house for some pizza.
On Saturday we attended a benefit for a scholarship named for a neighbor who died a few years ago. They do a fishing derby and then a cook out at one of the local Yacht Clubs. Nice time and I got to see many people that I have not seen in many years. We all look older than the last time I saw them. Oh well that happens I guess.
Sunday was a good day. The power went out shortly after I woke up and I had to do all my morning routine without power. Hard to surf the net and read the blogs without power. I need to get a generator. But the power came back on just before Church started so all was not lost. I went out to my camp after church for a few hours to get some work done. Over the winter I had a leak in the roof so the ceiling came down. What a mess that was. Well new walls and ceiling and today I install a new rug and then I can stay there again. Nice little retreat in the woods where one can read and write. I will have a/c this year as well so I look forward to many days this summer hanging out.
Yesterday I spent the day finishing things out at the camp and now it just needs a good cleaning and that is my task for today. Last night was the monthly Parish Council meeting and plans are all set for the Annual Church Picnic to be held on July 15th. We also planned the first ever Church Golf Tournament for July 28th (I Think) this should be fun.
Well that’s all for now. I need to get a podcast done soon, maybe tomorrow I can record it and post it but since it is a holiday I might just relax. Who knows?
Parish Newsletter
The July issue of St. Michael’s Herald is now posted here.
Feast of Ss. Peter & Paul
Message of His Eminence, Archbishop Nicolae for the Fast of the Holy Apostles
Following the Feast of Pentecost which occurs fifty days after the Resurrection, the Church observes a fast which is longer this year than usual, the Fast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. On the first Sunday of this fast, the Sunday of the Romanian and American Saints, the Holy Gospel reminds us about the calling of the Apostles to their mission: first Simon Peter and Andrew his brother, then James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Each one was called to be a fisher of men. And they immediately left their nets and followed Christ. „And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matthew 4:23).
The Apostles were called by the Lord to proclaim the Gospel and to heal diseases. Christ Himself started the mission, preaching to all that the Kingdom of Heaven had come near, and healing people of their sicknesses. After the Lord’s Ascension and the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Apostles fulfilled the same mission. In the Book of Acts we find an example of this mission, in the healing of the crippled man by St. Peter at the gate of the Temple: „Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). The healing became an occasion to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.
This mission continues to be fulfilled in the Church through Word and Sacrament. In the Church we hear the Word of the Gospel and we receive the Holy Mysteries which bring us healing. Christ works in the Church through the Holy Spirit, calling some to be fishers of men and others to receive the fruits of the proclamation of the Word and the administration of the Holy Mysteries. Only in the Church can we have the blessing of the revelation of God through the Word, a revelation which works righteousness in us. And to the blessing of revelation through the Word we add the ministry of the Sacraments, such as our healing through the Mystery of Holy Anointing, the union of a man and a woman for a Christian life together through the Mystery of Marriage, and our being built into the Body of Christ through the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist.
This fasting period gives us a chance to enter into these realities of the Kingdom of Christ. As we fast, we pray more, and we strive to attain spiritual growth by letting go of earthly things for awhile. When we fast, hunger and thirst take on a spiritual aspect, and we understand the Savior’s words: „Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which comes out of the mouth of God”. When we fast, our body becomes transparent for the work of the Holy Spirit. The evidence is found in the fruits of the Holy Spirit mentioned by St. Paul the Apostle: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22-23).
My challenge during this Apostles’ Fast is that we strive to attain the fruits of the Spirit. God will add His grace to our efforts, and thus we will become co-laborers in our own sanctification.
† NICOLAE
More on Liturgical Language
One thing I forgot to mention in my other entry on this topic was history. One of the reasons that the church of the east spread the way it did was that it did not force the faithful to learn a new language. At that point in history, the church of Rome functioned in Latin everywhere in the world but the Church of Byzantium used the vernacular. When Cyril & Methodius came to Kiev they did not force the people there to learn Greek. No, they learned the language of the people and in fact wrote it down for the first time.
So now fast forward to the new world. The Orthodox Church arrives and first is strictly an immigrant church so they stayed with the language of the faithful, Russian, Greek, Romanian, Arabic etc. But now, some two hundred years hence, and we still look upon ourselves as an immigrant church. If we want to remain that way fine keep praying in Greek, Russian, etc. However if we want to mainstream, and not loose the next generation, then a change must be made. I am not saying to throw out all of the language and switch directly to English, but there needs to be a balance between English and whatever other language you wish to use. I said it before language is culture and we need to hold on to that.
My family came to Nova Scotia from Scotland many years ago. They settled in Cape Breton and began their lives. After a fashion my grandfather came to America to find work. He spoke English. Rumor has it his mother spoke Scots Gaelic. No one in my family speaks Scots Gaelic anymore. In fact Gaelic is in decline in the world and is in danger of being lost forever. More than that, the area in Scotland where my family comes from they speak what is called Scots. But you would be hard pressed to find anyone who still speaks that language. So we need to hold on to language, and we Americans needs to learn more than just the bad English we speak now. But there needs to be a balance.
So there you have it another rant on Language. Maybe it’s the heat!
Reality TV
I guess you could say I am a TV junky. Sometimes the box is on and I am not even watching it and other times I do watch. There are many good programs on TV as well as trash so we have to pick and choose. There are some shows that I watch, like Law & Order (Only the original) Jericho, Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch, etc. However I am a fan of reality TV. It all started years a go with Survivor and has blossomed into many, many other shows. One of my favorites, other than Survivor is the Amazing Race. What a great program and you get to see the world.
However, some of my real favorites are the reality shows that have to do with food. For the past few seasons I have been watching The Next Food Network Star, Hell’s Kitchen, and Top Chef. I love to cook and love to watch cooking shows so why not combine them into a great night of TV. As one can imagine from the name, the Next Food Network Star is just that. If you win you get a show on the Food Network. By the way who ever had the idea for a 24/7 TV channel about food was a genius. Hell’s Kitchen features Gordon Ramsay and his ability to get you to do just about anything by screaming at you. If you win his show you get a restaurant in Vegas. Just like that. You survive his yelling and you get your own joint! Kinda cool I think. Sort of like Survivor with out the sand. Top Chef is a show on Bravo and it is just that. It is Tops in everything from the food they use to the quality of the competitions. If you win you get $100,000.00 and a feature in Food and Wine Magazine.
So tune in if you have a chance. Not much on during the summer anyway.
Liturgical Language
I believe I have spoken of this before on this blog but maybe not. There is a very heated discussion going on on the Catholic Blogs about the possible use of the Tridentine Mass for the Catholic Church. Most of us might know this as the “old mass” or the “pre-Vatican II Mass” either way some people would like this restored and it seems the Pope is one of those people. So this has given me cause to think about liturgy and language.
The Orthodox Liturgy has not changed much in the last thousand years or so. Yes some of us priests like to cut parts out to shorten the liturgy so our parishioners don’t complain. When I arrived here in the village almost three years ago, that does not seem possible and I will blog on that another time, the liturgy was short and sweet. As the new guy on the block with new vestments and a newly printed degree from seminary I was going to serve the Liturgy cover to cover. So I did. Boy did I hear about it. But now three years hence Liturgy runs about and hour and fifteen minutes to and hour and half depending on how much I have to say.
Here in the village we use English as the liturgical language. That switch was made years before I arrived. You see you are in the third generation, and the fourth generation is about to graduate from high school. The sad part is that most of the people only have a passing knowledge of the language of their ancestors. For me language is culture, and although we are in America we should be proud of where we have all come from and language is part of that. So we use English with a smattering of Romanian and this seems to work.
There is the argument that if the language is not English then converts wont come to the church. So I have been here almost three years, and the language has been English, and I have not seen any converts that were not already here. But the argument still goes on. I guess people could argue that the younger generation does not speak their native language so they feel left out. That could be, but Fr. Greg at St. Spyridon’s in Worcester will tell you about the full church on Sunday and the language goes back and forth between Greek and English. While here I average 35 out of 75 members on Sunday and the language is English!
So will the Latin Mass bring more Catholics back to the fold? If I was to switch to Romanian in the Liturgy would people stop coming? Not sure. However, we do live in an English Language society and we need to get our people to speak the language of the people around them. No this applies to us Orthodox as we still have immigrants coming from some other place. Not many Latin immigrants coming to America, unless the Roman Legions are re-forming somewhere. So Latin for the Catholics is like Church Slavonic for the Russians. It is a liturgical language used in Church.
I think we have lost some of the mystery of liturgy. Liturgy is not entertainment it is worship. We as priests need to set an atmosphere of worship and prayer not a concert where people hold up lighters at the end. Although now I understand concert goers hold up their cell phones and not lighters.
This draws the point to preaching. I have written about this before and received lots of responses both here and in the email. Preaching is not about being PC or saying what people want to hear. As a Priest my job is to teach and correct. We are called father, and that is the roll of the father in a family to teach and correct his children. Sometimes the topic is uncomfortable but we need to discuss it none the less. Christianity is not a habit it is a life style. Not a piece of clothing we put on on Sunday and then take off on Monday. It is something we wear all the time.
So what are the thoughts on Liturgical Language? Let us try and stay away from name calling and such other things let us just have a discussion. I reserve the right to remove comments I find distasteful. If you want to write those comments get your own blog its free and easy. Also no anonymous comments. Put your name on them and take a stand.