COMING TO A CHURCH NEAR YOU??

COMING TO A CHURCH NEAR YOU ??

MY PARISH CHURCH SACRED HEART PYMBLE N.S.W.

To-day's  portable and powerful electronics are transforming many aspects of our lives, but as yet, their impact on our religious life is probably confined to the private sphere. Yet such is their marvellous capacity that the day is dawning when they arrive in the church itself.


Restraint .... no, please...restraint! I can hear the "But, But, Buts" from here!


It is already happening in some ways :


During my return to visit to Brisbane ( "Urbs Beata") at Christmas, I paid a visit to the Blessed Sacrament at St Stephen's Cathedral and , having concluded that pleasure and privilege, I noted as I left, an old bloke ( about my age - but they're still "old blokes") sitting calmly before the Tabernacle reading from his KINDLE E-Reader.He had its protective case open of course and on the left side of the cover was a large picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour . So it is highly unlikely his reading was other than devotional!


Consider the possibilities ...


In my case alone, through very generous gifts from family members over a couple of years, I have the use of an iPad2, a KINDLE E-Reader and a HTC WILDFIRE S Smartphone, each of which I use to access religious material both devotional/informative and prayerful.Each has its own particular benefits and uses as you will see:


HTC WILDFIRE S  an ANDROID DEVICE

HTC WILDFIRE S

I have loaded onto this smartphone an App. called "LAUDATE" which features : Daily Readings, Liturgy of the Hours, Roman Missal Changes, Bookmarks, Rosary and Chaplet, Stations of the Cross, Prayers, Latin Prayers, My Prayers, Catechism, Catholic Media and New American Bible (the version used in the current American Lectionary. )
I have also loaded this onto the iPad2. It costs NOTHING AT ALL.


Because I carry the phone with me, and it is of course palm -sized it is very  useful for reading from LAUDATE on a train,or bus, or whilst waiting anywhere. And as you can see, there is ample material for reflection or prayer - among my favourites are the Latin Sequences which never cease to move me. 


I could , with great advantage use it before Mass or during a visit to  the Blessed Sacrament. But I don't for fear of giving scandal to those about me, or causing them unwarranted distraction.


Yet I can think of plenty of arguments which could be used to say that I should, or that others should. But for every such argument I believe there is one countervailing argument of overwhelming weight, and that is that it would be a major mistake for the Church  to become simply another Private Place for Electronic experience. 


Surely in the Church, and thus in the Presence of Our Divine Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, we need to defend the sense of REALITY. We are there, individually and together in the Presence of Christ in Whom we are one. It seems to me that using an electronic device tends totake us away from where we are psychologically, and would work to destroy the sense of our unity certainly in the case of Holy Mass or Benediction.


For private devotion in fact, say a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, or BEFORE Mass or AFTER Mass , or making the Stations of the Cross individually, might be another thing entirely, though there remains the possibility of giving scandal or causing distraction. Even though the person being "scandalised"or "distracted"might be quite unreasonable in the circumstances, I still think it would not be desirable to be the cause of such a problem at all.The Phone seems particularly vulnerable to such problems.

iPAD2

The iPad2 is something else again .I have also loaded onto it the App. "i MISSAL"Which cost me from memory abou US $ 5.50 ( about half the cost of a magazine.) It contains the Missal - New Translation but using the American Lectionary Readings, My Daily Bread - daily Scripture Readings, Prayers -  a large collection of Catholic Prayers, and CATHOLIC NEWS.


Now, I find the Missal very handy for reviewing the Readings before or after Mass each day. Yes, for U.S.5-50 you have a complete DAILY MISSAL . To buy one currently costs around  AUD 145 and , when the New Lectionary becomes available - I have seen suggestions that it might be quite soon - your purchase will be obsolete. The New Lectionary will be based upon  an amended version of the English Standard Version as we reported some months back. So the trivial cost and the use of the New American Bible make it highly suitable for PERSONAL PRIVATE USE but not at all for use in church. In any case the large format and bright screen make the i Pad2 quite unsuitable for use in church unless you are alone or the church is nearly empty.

KINDLE E READER

THE KINDLE e READER. These are marvellous devices which can be loaded with access to up to 3,000  books  - thousands of which are available free or at token cost , say U.S. 0-99 - these are mainly reference and classic works including many in spirituality and Church History and Saints biographies for example. There is no Missal to my knowledge. The use of a Kindle in Church would cause infinitely less distraction because of its silver gray non reflecting screen and print.It would be useless in Mass or Benediction , so that area of objection would not arise. But in the case of private devotions BEFORE or AFTER Mass I can't see a problem and the same applies during a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Of course , one might end up giving cause of upset to some irascible technophobic troglodyte , but there are some extreme cases we cannot build our lives around or we would all be living like lunatics.


So, there is my attempt to survey the field. But don't be surprised at what might pop-up near you in church, have an opinion and be prepared to discuss it charitably and with a generous respect for others ( with the possible exception of irascible technophobic troglodytes!).


I would really appreciate any comments you might have in this post.


N.B. This does not relate to the possibility of a Priest using an iPad as an Altar Missal and I don't want to open that possibility for discussion - even though I would be opposed - because it would be a matter for Church Discipline.

MOCKERY FOR POLITICAL CORRECTNESS SAKE

CATAFALQUE PARTY AT ANZAC COVE 2012

The TV coverage of the ANZAC LANDING COMMEMORATION at Anzac Cove Gallipoli to-day was excellent. Nothing could mar the inherent solemnity of the occasion. It is an annual event I would love to witness in person, but circumstances will almost certainly prevent it.

This year it was not however, without fault in its execution. Whatever one's views about women in the military, I believe it was an appalling absurdity of N.Z. Political Correctness to make a mockery of the Catafalque Party by composing their element almost without exception with women -  whom the Fallen never had as Comrades. It reached the height of absurdity when Commands were given in a falsetto squeak! Whoever made the decision - perhaps a member of the radical sisterhood, should hang her head in shame for using a sacred occasion for political purposes!

The arrangement of "Advance Australia Fair"was the most trivial and pathetic I have ever heard. And then there was Juliarr... if she wishes to cling on as P.M. until the Election, she could at least stay out of sight.

97 Years on, here, the Fallen are in Eternity where they are out of time. It is entirely appropriate to pray :
                                                Eternal Rest 
                                                Grant unto them O Lord
                                                And may the Perpetual Light shine upon                                                     them
                                                And may they rest in Peace.
                                                AMEN

*1964 - I MUST GO DOWN TO THE SEA AGAIN

HMAS SYDNEY III AS FAST TROOP TRANSPORT In 1964 I came to do my two weeks Royal Australian Navy training at sea aboard  the former light Fleet Aircraft Carrier H.M.A.S. SYDNEY III, she had been converted by that time to a Fast Troop Transport and was to do sterling work ferrying our troops and their equipment to and from Vietnam, where we were engaged in company with our Allies. It was my first experience of serving in such a large ship, with none of the sense of shared experience that we had in poor old H.M.A.S. WAGGA. Although only displacing about 19,000 tons, SYDNEY was large to live and work in. As the top photo shows, the flight deck was used as carrying space for large Army vehicles and the large Hangar Deck below it was similarly used with the addition of crated stores. Learning our way around SYDNEY was not easy as the very particular construction of an aircraft carrier makes for a lot of unusual passageways and access points quite unlike a normal vessel, which is more predictable. We were allocated accommodation space toward the ship's bows where we slung our hammocks with other members of the ship's crew. The location was well forárd because the anchor cables -  that is heavy steel chains - passed through the forárd section of the space on their way to the cable locker deep below. The racket was incredible. The key essentials were to learn where the Galley was -to eat, where the Heads were for toilet purposes, where our training assembly points were and where our Action Stations were.The first three were relatively easy, even though the training space changed a few times. However the Action Stations were allotted to different men in various parts of the ship which would not otherwise be familiar . As a result getting there ,AND quickly, took a lot of concentration. My Action Station was on one of the 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun Mountings which were set up in blisters around and below the level of the Flight Deck. During one such exercise , SYDNEY first re-fuelled on of the "Q"Class anti-submarine frigates ( actually conversions of WW II destroyers - the conversion spoiled their looks by enclosing part of the upper deck to create more inboard space). After the refuelling which was an interesting exercise, involving the 'Q"coming onto a parallel course and matching speed, a light line being passed between the two ships, then beneath that a large flexible oil pipe, securing the pipe to the "Q" and, at a given signal commencing the pumping. When complete the exercise was reversed and the "Q"drew ahead and off to Starboard for further exercises which involved a simulated air attack on both ships. It was interesting to be on the mount when the Bofors was fired , but a little disappointing. As I recall it the noise of the gun firing was rather disappointing something like hitting a metal tank filled with water , with a sledgehammer a dull thump! Well it was only a 40mm and hardly up to the "thunder of the guns"on a battleship! The next stage was a simulated fire aboard SYDNEY and the Pipe for the Fire Control Team to Head to a designated space described if I remember correctly , by a number (the Deck) a letter(the lateral frame in the Ship's construction) and another number ) indicating the specific location in that area "Fire in 3 Charlie7 !"or the like.I looked up to the Island , the tall superstructure on the Starboard side of the Flight Deck and saw the Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Cabban running with the party on an external accessway toward the location. Cabban was to become instrumental in the formation of the Second Voyager Royal Commission which cleared Captain Robertson of H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE of responsibility for the sinking of VOYAGER. We had other less taxing days including a "Banyan"( civilian picnic) ashore on Fraser Island. We saw no Dingos, but the soldier crabs were abundant and interesting to watch. We went across to the Island on one of SYDNEY's large wooden cutters, under the control of an Able Seaman. He was an impressive sight strongly built , stripped to the waist and over 6 feet tall standing in the stern with the Tiller in his grasp.He could have come right out of the days of sail! On another occasion our training room was to be one of the original Pilots Ready Rooms toward the Stern, there was a heavy vibration throughout the Room and it had a regular pattern - there was a simple explanation . The Room was immediately above one of the ship's propellers and the vibration was caused by the water the propeller pushed toward the hull.    HMAS SYDNEY III IN HER GLORY DAYS AS LIGHT FLEET AIRCRAFT CARRIER I cannot let this account pass without commenting on the Pongos! No, I am not talking about dirty socks or laundry! Pongos is the term the sailors use for Soldiers. And we did have several hundred Regulars and Citizens Military Forces embarked. At the time I had with me a  pocketbook for off duty reading entitled "What Roosevelt Thought"( FDR). But I was surprised to find a number of the  Pongos reading Comic Books! Enough said. We did not fraternise. We were just getting accustomed to life aboard when the two weeks were up and , on a "dark and stormy night" SYDNEY ended up sailing the "big box"off Sydney Heads. We could easily tell that this was so as the repeated turns to Port made all too clear. This leg calm, this leg rough, this leg calm, this leg rough as we repeatedly opposed the prevailing sea. It was still teeming rain as we sailed in through the Heads that grey Saturday morning. We came alongside Garden Island Dockyard and the ship was made ready for a major re-fit. Most people were already ashore by the time we came to leave, and because the re-fit was in prospect the forced draught ventilation was turned off. I had never been aboard a large ship in that state before - and I would rather not do it again. It was sad and lifeless , eerie and depressing!As I came ashore it was one of the most drear sights I have ever seen. The rain poured down all across the Harbour like a dark grey veil, the Dockyard was grey, the ships were grey, the cranes were grey!! I could not get away quickly enough.

BORN FOR GREATER THINGS - AD MAJORA NATUS

SAINT ALOYSIUS COLLEGE CHAPEL

ST. IGNATIUS

Yesterday , I had the rare privilege of attending an infant Baptism outside the family circle. It was a marvellous occasion , the Sacrament being conferred after Holy Mass concelebrated by the Good Jesuit Father Greg Jordan S.J. - surely the best thing ever to have come out of New Zealand , and now a long term giant of the Church in Australia, together with Father Martin Aye Ngwe, the Burmese Priest now incardinated as a Priest of the Archdiocese of Sydney where he will be accorded the dignity his Priesthood merits. Father Martin was so poorly treated in the Diocese of Broken Bay by Bishop David Walker that he had no alternative but to have his Burmese Bishop arrange his re-assignment to Cardinal Pell's Archdiocese.


It was a great joy to be in the Chapel of Saint Aloysius'College where my son Matthew had been a student  for several years.The family whose baby - named Maximillian - was to receive Baptism, has two older sons Ignatius and Aloysius so you might sense a Jesuit affinity. Several other familíes with goodly numbers of children were in attendance, and the Baptismal Font was never wanting attention.

The Baptism begins and the Font is appropriately surrounded by children.

It was a delightful occasion in so many respects , none more than Father Greg Jordan's as always highly intelligent homily and remarks later at the Baptism. He reminded us of the great privilege that is ours, and was also that of baby Maximillian : to be a brother,or sister of Jesus Christ , reminding us of Jesus'words to Mary Magdalene "I have yet to ascend to My Father and To your Father..."

"I BAPTISE YOU IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER ,AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT"

Throughout the liturgies of the Mass and Baptism Father Jordan wore the beautiful Chasuble belonging to the Saint Aloysius Chapel - decorated with the lily for the virginal purity of Saint Aloysius and the Ducal Crown symbolising the noble title he had by right but had foregone to  serve Our Divine Lord.

When all was done and we retired into the inner chambers of the College for refreshments, I had a further joyful privilege- for about half an hour I was able to nurse the newest Catholic in the World, who remained blissfully content to be gently rocked in my arms. It was a privilege and a great joy. Deo Gratias for the Graces of Baptism that makes us members of His Mystical Body - the Catholic Church.

EASTER IN MY LIFE

In my life of 72 years minus one day, Easter has always played an important , joyful and defining role.

Preparing for Procession to Altar of Repose

My earliest recollections of Easter stand on two bases, as I am sure , do the recollections of very many Sydneysiders - Church and Royal Easter Show. It would be in 1947, that I could place those earliest recollections of Easter.Holy Thursday was the 3rd of April, 1947 and I attended the Mass of the Last Supper on the morning of that day , and recall being captivated, as would always be the case, by the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose and the singing of the beautiful "Pange Lingua"which I have loved ever since.

EVIDENTLY A MAJOR FEATURE OF THE 1947 EASTER SHOW
THIS LEFT NO IMPRESSION ON MY MEMORY

Following my return home, I went out with my  Dad, to the Royal Easter Show.I don't know why my Mum did not come. Maybe she did not have happy memories of the Show - for this was the first Royal Easter Show since the War - or maybe Mum & Dad could not afford it, but on balance, I think it was just that all the crowds did not attract her.

For me,the entry through the  West Gate of the old R.A.S. Showgrounds at Moore Park (now FOX Movie Studios etc.) after our train to Central and tram ride to the Showground, was like wonderland! At the particular gate we used, and continued to use for years later, after passing through the turnstile entrance booth , the ground sloped down gently, so that one had the sense of surveying the vast complex of Pavilions and rides from an ideal platform.Dad knew his way around the Showground which was all entirely new  to me. The whole theme of everything was that of progress after the late war, ended only two years before.

R.A.S. SHOWGROUND NSW GOVERNMENT PAVILLION BUILT 1938

 The two things that impressed me most were : a Spitfire fighter hanging from the roof supports of one of the two Pavillions on the East side of the Showground (they are still there one in red brick, the other cream painted. The other item, was a brand new air -conditioned Railway Carriage for the Newcastle Flyer.Oh! And of course Sample Bags as they were then mostly called, since then they have gradually become Show Bags, as their original purpose was largely lost and they became merely items for sale in their own right. But at that time, the payment made was nominal and the products were supplied often in specially packaged sizes to provide samples of companies'wares. I have always been interested in glassware and I recall one of the sauce manufacturers putting up a Sample Bag that had about 6 or7 miniature sized bottles of their various sauces - one was HP, one Worcestershire and obviously a Tomato Sauce etc. It proved a little difficult to get home safely. The Sample Bags were all made of tough paper at the time, which created further problems whenever it rained.

1947 SHOWBAGS

As I grew and the years passed, I took the Show for granted, but my interest in the Liturgies of Holy Week grew and grew, even though I was never exposed to their celebration in the fullest quality of say Cathedral celebration. 

Then came Marriage and three children and the Easter Show became something else, or perhaps what it had originally been : a source of wonder for our child, and then, our children. At the same time, little children have little patience for , nor of  course, comprehension of lengthy liturgical celebrations. Again , times change and we were able to experience the Easter Liturgies at Cathedral level in Brisbane - mostly a great source of devotion and growth.Here it was free of any Easter Show distractions.

ST.STEPHEN's CATHEDRAL BRISBANE

Times continue to evolve and now once again we live in Sydney and in a Parish in which the celebration of the Holy Week Liturgies is a "Curate's Egg"experience! And tomorrow, on my 72nd Birthday we shall travel by train to the Royal Easter Show at its newer Sydney Olympic Park venue and meet there our daughter Justine and husband Paul and three of our seven Grandchildren as they experience the Show as it now exists.

We have always to keep accommodating to change and enjoying the phenomenon which is the essence of life, while holding on to the truths and principles that never change.The fact and Celebration of the Resurrection is at the very heart of my Faith and Life.