Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Typhoon Haiyan

With so many organizations and relief efforts happening to assist those in the Philippines devastatingly affected by the effects of Typhoon Haiyan, all are encouraged to donate through Catholic Relief Services. CRS has also provided some prayer resources that are posted on the Archdiocesan Missions' Office website.

Archbishop Sartain invites everyone to a Mass for the typhoon victims in the Philippines and Vietnam, which will be held at St. James Cathedral at 12:10pm next Friday, November 22nd, the Memorial of Saint Cecilia. This Mass will hit close to home for me because music will be provided by a Filipino Choir, Filipinos of the Chancery and Cathedral communities will be involved as liturgical ministers, and the gospel and part of the Eucharistic Prayer will also be prayed in Tagalog!

And as a side note, many great things were mentioned in the most recent issue of Liturgy Line, including upcoming liturgical courses to deepen our understanding of the Sacred Liturgy, a Liturgy of the Hours retreat with a Benedictine, a number of various resources for the 50th Annversary of the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, and ritual texts for blessing prayers, such as the "Thanksgiving Table Blessing"!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Veterans Day

Veterans Day: a time we remember, thank, and honor those who have served in armed forces. I wish to take this brief opportunity to note the USCCB's publication of prayer resources for troops, which includes a number of prayers of the faithful.

As we approach this national holiday, we give thanks and appreciation to veterans, both living and dead, for the sacrifices they have made to keep our country safe.

Prayer for Veterans Day
   God of peace,
   we pray for those who have served our nation
   and have laid down their lives
   to protect and defend our freedom.

   We pray for those who have fought,
   whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war,
   whose nights are haunted by memories
   too painful for the light of day.

   We pray for those who serve us now,
   especially for those in harm's way.
   Shield them from danger
   and bring them home.

   Turn the hearts and minds
   of our leaders and our enemies
   to the work of justice and a harvest of peace.

   Spare the poor, Lord, spare the poor!

   May the peace you left us,
   the peace you gave us,
   be the peace that sustains,
   the peace that saves us.

   Christ Jesus, hear us!
   Lord Jesus, hear our prayer!

   Amen.

                     - from A Concord Pastor

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Picture this!

In my previous post, I included a picture of Fr. Bryan taking a picture of the assembly from the weekend's CYC Mass.

Courtesy of the Priesthood and Religious Vocations for the Archdiocese of Seattle's Facebook page, here's the picture that Fr. Bryan took:


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Youth Convention 2013

This weekend was the Catholic Youth Convention (CYC) held at Bellevue College. Last night Archbishop Sartain presided at Adoration and this morning Fr. Bryan Dolejsi celebrated Mass.

It's been a great joy to be a part of this gathering of 1,300+ youth throughout the Archdiocese for the past 4 years as the liturgy coordinator. This year was different because Joe from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Bothell was the liturgy coordinator and I assisted him throughout the weekend to provide support and assistance where needed. In fact, some of the youth in our parish's Confirmation program also came out for the weekend to join in the fun. Although I never saw them, I hope and pray it was a time of renewal and excitement for them in their journey of faith, just as much as it was for me when I was in high school and participated in CYC.

We also had a group of our seminarians from Bishop White Seminary and Mount Angel Seminary, wearing their new polo shirts, who came out for the weekend to be present, promote vocations to the priesthood, and be a powerful witness to the youth. When Fr. Bryan introduced them and had them stand up before the Final Blessing at Mass, they received a roar of applause and feet-stomping!

Seminarian Ben was also a great help with the Mass preparations. He did a lot from cueing the gift bearers, putting out the hosts, to altar cloth fitting:





















The house band, "The Thirsting" played for the entire weekend, including serving as the "choir" for Mass.




Before Adoration last night, I met Brother Matthias and we spoke briefly before our rehearsal for the Mass. Little did I know that he was going to be on the keyboard for the night.
















And before the Final Blessing at Mass, Fr. Bryan informs everyone that he wants to take a picture of the group.

















Overall a great weekend! How could it not be when you're acknowledged and thanked in front of the 1,500+ people as a "liturgy friend."