Church World Tour ~ Mater Dei Catholic Church ~ Irving, Texas

"Angelus domini nuntiavit Mariae; et concepit de Spiritu Sancto, et verbim caro factum est."

~

The Mass was celebrated in Latin, save the homily.  A red-covered paperback book is provided so you can follow along and participate.  Also, English translation is in a side column.  (Thank you!).

 

It was High Mass, so we were sprinkled with holy water at the beginning, we inhaled incense and heard chant.

 

The priest kept his back to the parish as he recited Latin while consecrating the Host.

To receive Communion, you have to kneel at the kneelers at the front of the church. The Altar Server held a brass plate under your chin as you received the host.

The altar and ceiling were adorned in golden Fleurs de Lis, and a scrolled letter M.



Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto

The Last Supper carved in the base of the Altar.



Mantillas for modesty.



 

Shrines of Mary and Joseph flanked the Altar.

 

The church was simple, elegant; the mood extremely reverent. It felt formal, and I felt a bit of a misfit.  For one reason, I don't know Latin (yet), and another, I felt ill-prepared and ill-equpped. Rationally, I shouldn't have felt embarrassed by the fact that My Girls and I were not wearing mantillas, yet, I couldn't escape that feeling.  Also, they all wore long skirts - very puritan-esque.  I, of course, was in pants.  My Eldest wore a skirt and My Little One wore a dress.  The members of the church weren't shooting us judgmental looks and no one told us we were inappropriate, yet, I still felt so out-of-place!

Though I didn't get a photo of if, a balcony is at the back of the church. The choir sung from the balcony.

After Mass was over, The Girls had plenty to say about the experience. 

Other random observations:

• The priest pronounced both letters t in such words like "written" (instead of 'swallowing' them lazily like most people do).  This made me very happy. :)
• The phrase "Holy Ghost" instead of "Holy Spirit" was spoken.
• Having just completed a psychology class, I was particularly tickled to hear the phrase "Tabula Rasa" spoken in the homily.  It was in the context of the Sacrament of Baptism as well as the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• During the.whole.entire.Mass, one particular Altar Server - who couldn't have been more than 14 years old - stood with prayerfully folded hands.
• Randomly, My Little One announced that she wants to be cremated upon her death. 

The homily was centered around temptation.  The celebrant discussed how the acts of liberating our soul from Original Sin with Baptism was foretold in the Old Testament by Moses splitting the Red Sea (freeing slaves, liberating Israelites).  Then he begged these question:  What do we need?  His answers:  Baptism, Manna.  What can we expect?  Answers:  trials & tribulations, temptation, consequences. What can we avoid?  False peace.  The priest stated 'even if one is fully devoted, he will still have temptation and trials because he is living in the militant church.  Collectively, we are soldiers for the Glory of God.  We we overcome, we uphold that Glory, vanquish sin, grow closer to the Kingdom.  Trials are good for us.'  He also reminded the flock (highlighting the words of St. Augustine) to keep God first and everything else subordinate to God.  Tranquility will be ours and we will remain in a state of grace by keeping God first.  Peace cannot be lost if God is at the top of the order.  (Easier said than done, huh?! Oy!)

Although there's truth and value to using it at times, I'm not a fan of the militant usage of words, images for witnessing and evangelizing. My aversion to using such verbiage and means of living/growing my faith is attributable to my non-confrontational, peace-loving spirit (it must be a false peace, huh?).  I don't do well with disharmony or 'fighting'.  I'm equally avoidant of using The Devil in similar ways ("the devil is working on you", "the devil made me do it", "satan is at work", etc.). That being said, I didn't like most of the homily. This has to be one of the few times ever I left a homily not feeing uplifted. However, I had a very academic experience by hearing how Old Testament and New Testament "stories" tie together (i.e. parting of the Red Sea by Moses = liberation of Original Sin, worshipping of false idols = us thinking our turmoil will settle, Mary = the Arc of the Covenant).

Overall, this was an extremely solemn experience.  I'd go back, but I don't think I could be a regular there without being more familiar with Latin.  I felt pretty removed from the body of Christ, which is counter to what the Church teaches about attending Mass.  It wasn't even rote since I'm not familiar with the language.  However, I have immense respect for what transpired!  The one consolation I had that helped me stay tied to my faith is knowing that world-wide, that day, no matter the language, we were all united by the same readings and love. 

~

"Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Spirit, and the word was made flesh"

Church World Tour ~ Southern Methodist University ~ Dallas, Texas

We were blessed with an amazing priest at our home parish.  He was fairly young, former military, a convert to Catholicism (in his 30s! -- like me!) and entered the priesthood fairly late compared to his counterparts.  He's an accomplished pipe organist, speaks several languages, has a great sense of humor and is always smiling.  One of my favorite things about his homily, aside from his message, is that he ends it as if it were a prayer by saying "Amen". 

Relatively speaking, he did a quick swim-through our parish. I was sad to hear he was re-assigned, but his assignment left me very happy for him and for the community in which he will be serving.  He was appointed to Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas proper.  I believe it's fairly widely known that among SMU's faithful, the Catholics are the largest community attending college there (yes, even more than the Methodists!). I found this to be a perfect fit for Fr. Anthony.

We decided to pay him a visit this summer.  Off to SMU we went! 

The chapel at SMU is modest, and it converts easily to a Catholic Mass. It's intimate, white - a bit sterile, really - but highly functional. I would imagine any denomination (or non-denomination) could easily set up in that space. Make no mistake, thought, it is clearly a worship space.

Mass was quite lovely. I am reminded what a powerful messenger of God Fr. Anthony is. I will be going back, even if it's not Fr. Anthony celebrating. Hope to see you there.

Church "World" Tour: Christ The King ~ University Park

What a stunning piece of carved architecture this church has! Also, the sanctuary is nothing short of magnificent! GORGEOUS church! Christ The King in University Park (CTK) tickled many parts of my visual fancy. 

As you can see by my picture on the right, taken at the main entrance, one feels verrrrry small immediately! My camera equipment is incomplete for I could not fit the entirety of this entrance in my frame.

The previous two weeks, before each Mass, a lector would invite the congregation to reach over and greet our neighbor.  I have to admit, I really do love this idea and practice, and wish my home parish did this! At CTK, there was no greeting before Mass, so, in a way, it was "business as usual".

The homily centered around the Virtue of Humility, which was translated and expounded upon as the knowledge of self. It was quite a delightful homily about something that's difficult to be and do.  I was reminded of how easy it is to get wrapped up in the physical world, and how I'm tempted to use the physical temptations of this world to elevate myself or validate myself in unhealthy or mis-guided ways. As a mother, the them of teaching my daughters to dress and act modestly, was re-affirmed. I have not heard a homily like this that I can recall (and if I have, clearly the message wasn't received!).

There was no choir, only a cantor and a small group of folks playing traditional instruments.  There was a song sung, "O Breathe On Me, O Breath of God", where the second verse echoed the homily beautifully (the whole song did but the second verse was the home-run!):

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 
until my heart is pure, 
until with thee I will one will, 
to do and to endure.

Veronica Wipes The Face of Jesus at CTK

Stained Glass Doors Greeting A Parishoner at CTK

Mary Shrine at CTK

All Kings Shall Adore Him..... (entrance CTK)

...Nations Shall Serve Him (entrance CTK)

Next week:  St. Ann's in Coppell!

~Whoosh 

Church "World" Tour: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS) ~ Plano

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ (also known as the Solemnity of Corpus Christi), which has a dual intent of focusing on the Eucharist and the Church (Body of Christ), primarily the Eucharist.

Week Three of the Church "World" Tour, My Family attended the 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Plano (a.k.a. SEAS).  (I have since learned there is another SEAS in Keller. Might have to add it to our list.)

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first American-born citizen to be canonized by the Church.  Cool, huh?

The Gospel reading of this day is the crux of the Catholic faith. It's the centerpiece of why Catholics believe in the trans-substantiation, as well as why we even attend church -- to receive the actual body and blood of Christ.  The Gospel reference is in John 6:51-58.  Our non-Catholic bretheren have a hard time with the idea that Catholics believe this & practice it; the most common criticism being "doesn't that make you a cannibal?".  There's is another counterpoint of "we are called to take it in *remembrance* of Christ".  Fair enough words. I'm not here to witness, but rather, to state how The Church believes.

I mention it merely because there are times in the homily that relates to the day of the liturgical year. And, in this case, Christ gave us the Ultimate Love by dying for us (Corpus Christi).  So, today's homily at SEAS was focused on just that -- LOVE.

It happened to be Father's last week at SEAS, as he's been re-assigned by the Diocese to St. Ann's in Coppell (also on our list!).  He leaves a parish of approximately 5-6K families to go to a parish of approximately 8K families. He gave a lovely farewell homily, speaking about how much he has loved each person in that flock, though he did not know them all by name.  He didn't need to.

Father further conveyed this:

What we want most is to love and be loved.

Love doesn't just bring pure joy; it brings pain, too -- and maybe this is why Jesus did what he did for us.

If you don't already know this about me yet, know this:  one of my three life mottos is: pain is growth.

Father's homily echoed this to some degree, I believe.  I was stirred by the notion of love bring the extremes of pure joy and raw pain. Such truth.

Wishing Father much love, luck and happiness on his new adventure!

~Whoosh!

Church "World" Tour: All Saints Catholic Church ~ Dallas

Firstly, happy father's day to all you men out there that are fathers and father figures to include coaches, uncles, brothers, male teachers, and so forth.  A special father's day holla to all priests, deacons, men of cloth.  Most importantly, Happy Father's Day to God the Father, the one who loves all of us infinitely & perfectly.

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 Today is Trinity Sunday a.k.a. The Solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity

This day falls every year the week after Pentecost. Unlike the other feast days that celebrates an event or person, this one celebrates a reality and doctrine (dogma).  To learn more, click here.
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St. Veronica Icon - All Saints

The second week of my family's Church "World" Tour in which we are visiting different parishes around our fair burg too us to All Saints Catholic Church in Dallas.

Through the ministry of ACTS, My Husband and I have been blessed to meet people from all walks of life, all faiths and non-faiths.  Since ACTS is a Catholic organization in origin (started with the Crucillo Movement), the community is largely comprised of Catholics.  The retreats that St. Joseph's has hosted have brought Catholics from various parishes (not unlike the retreats hosted by other parishes in the area).  One couple in particular, we've befriended, and they attend All Saints.  On Saturday evening, I sent a text message asking which Mass they attend because my family had planned to go and would love to coordinate going at the same time.  We managed to get lined up and had a great time!

Again, like last week at St. Paul's, this week the congregation was invited to turn to each other and bid one another hello. Gosh I sure do like that gesture!

One of the newly ordained Bishops is assigned to All Saints and celebrated Mass.  His homily was lovely in spite of the sadness with which he opened.  

The Bishop told us a story of receiving a call from his college-age nephew who had himself just learned of his best friend's suicide.  Naturally, The Nephew asked his Uncle, "Will my friend be in Hell?" The Bishop took this opportunity to educate and/or remind the community at large about Church teaching on suicide.

I was especially struck by these words spoken by The Bishop:  Love is rational.  You cannot love unless you have someone to love.  You cannot love unless you yourself are loved.

Over the course of the last several years, I've journeyed into the various ideas, notions, definitions, kinds of "love".  There are so many definitions, aren't there? It's confusing to know what love is, how to love, when to love -- and vice versa. Too, it's difficult to know when to let someone love us in his or her way instead of the way we expect.  As one grows in maturity and wisdom, we have to learn that love is a choice, and it's conscious (rational AND emotive).

Anyway -- The Bishop's homily hit home for me.

After Mass, My Family and our friends went to Jake's for a good ole fashioned burger. They have two sons, slightly younger than My Girls, but they all got along famously! They even sat at their own table, which they all thought was pretty cool.

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Father's Day for My Husband included home made gifts from The Girls at their Montessori school.  My Little One made a "garden" snake out of a striped neck tie.  The tie was filled with perite and sewn closed.  Glow-in-the-dark eyes were also sewn on the end, and a pipe cleaner is the tongue.  It's meant to go in the garden as a fertilizer, and it'll keep squirrels away (in theory). So, My Husband wrapped it around the Magnolia tree branch in the back yard.

My Eldest made a travel-size checker board using plywood, paint and a sponge.  The checker pieces are made of plastic bottle caps. She sewed and decorated a burlap bag in which the checkers can be carried.  The burlap bag closes drawstring (pull string?) style.  Very cute. 

___

Other than that, a fairly laid-back day.  Hope you relaxed today, too -- father or not!

~Whoosh!

Church "World" Tour: Inception & St. Paul's Catholic Church ~ Richardson

Today is Pentecost -- the infusion of the Holy Spirit, the completion of The Trinity.

For the last two summers, I've kicked around and occasionally spoken to my family about stepping outside of our home parish and seeing some of the many other Catholic churches in our area.

Summer is a good time for my family to do this because faith formation is on break which means I'm not teaching and the kids aren't in class.  We don't, in general, have as many commitments, so -- here we go!

In this area, monastic life exists.  For example, at Cistercian in Irving, it's both an Abbey and a school.  The 9 a.m. Sunday Mass includes Gregorian Chant. Who doesn't like Gregorian Chant, right?  *jots in on the list*

The only Latin Rite church, Mater Dei Catholic Church,  is located in Irving.  Mass is celebrated entirely in Latin. We'll be visiting this one for sure!

If you're interested in art, religions of the world, history, spirituality, Catholic life, you'll enjoy branching out to some of the churches in your area. If you're from a specific ethnic background and are a practicing Roman Catholic, chances are, there's a parish in the area that celebrates mass in your native language.  Look into it!

Here are some resources you might find helpful for your neck of the woods, in and out of Dallas:

Latin Rite churches

Mass times for any church around the world

Dallas Diocese

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Altar Stained Glass

With that said, today, we ventured to St. Paul Catholic Church in Richardson.  St. Paul's is the church where Msgr. Don attended as a youth. (For those of you who have not followed my blog or haven't read much into it, Msgr. Don is the priestly vessel who I give a good amount of credit to for my own baptism [other credit given to My Husband who got me to go to church with him])

My Little One was slightly confused about visiting this church. The songs are sung in different tunes, not the same instrumentation and they were sung a little slower tempo. She turned to us during Mass and asked, "is this even a Catholic church?!". It was a giggle. After Mass, we explained how from parish to parish some things will be different, and some things are going to be the same.  It was a good learning experience and definitely reflects something in all of us.  I'll let you discern what that means for you. :)

One thing that impressed me about this parish is that before the Liturgy starts, the priest welcomes new members & visitors then invites the congregation to turn to one another, introduce yourself & bid good morning. We don't do this at my home church -- wish we did.
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I'm going to try to post a little something about each church we attend.  Feel free to join the journey.  Below is a photo I took at St. Paul's, a gorgeous stained glass art piece of St. Paul that adorns the altar.