Upcoming Chant Education Events

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. If you know of any others, mention away in the comments.

• As she does every year, Kathy will be attending the CMAA's annual colloquium, this time in Philadelphia the week of July 1-6 (how appropriate! Independence National Historical Park is worth the visit, as is the Ben Franklin Institute. But watch where you park!).
• Kathy asked me to make mention of two chant courses at the western end of the Keystone State occurring just before the colloquium. Pittsburgh's Duquesne University, a previous colloquium site, will offer both Chant Intensive and Laus in Ecclesia during the week of June 24-28. Read more about them here after scrolling past the colloquium info.
• That same week, and closer to home, Corpus Christi Watershed and the FSSP are hosting their annual symposium (what's the difference between a colloquium and a symposium? The symposium is intended for choir directors or those who want to become directors, but others are welcome.) in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, registration appears to have ended as of March 31. Our new friends from St. Bridget's in Las Vegas say they intend to be there, but it's a much shorter drive for them than us.

(Related: CCW is holding a fundraiser to keep its site operating past Good Friday (April 19). It has been quite a useful site for me over the years, especially with its sound files and PDFs of chants.)

The Passing Of Another RPCer

Kathy has informed us that Art Hakes, a former choir member, has died. She learned of that via Jan Walker, a friend of Art's and a former member herself.

Please pray for the repose of Art's soul. His funeral will be at the Carmelite Monastery in Reno on April 12 at 10:30 AM.

For him and his soul I post Psalm 130:

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication.
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered.
I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD more than the sentinels wait for the dawn.
More than the sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the LORD,
For with the LORD is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption.
And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.

Making the Most of a Tough Situation

Kathy put a good deal of miles on her Honda in the last week, driving from Reno to Henderson and back to see to her daughter Marli (between her parents above), who broke both bones of her forearm last week. It's going to be a long recovery for her, and her violin playing will have to wait a while. Please keep her in your prayers.

I mentioned last year that Las Vegas had a single Catholic church that offered Extraordinary Form Masses, namely St. Bridget. While tending to Marli, Kathy went to their 10 AM Sunday Mass and got to hear their teen Schola Cantorum Sancta Brigida, directed by Andrea Leaf. Kathy said their music was relatively basic but done quite well. Take a listen to them yourself, either on the web site above or on their Facebook page.

Could a road trip to Las Vegas be in our future? You never know. In any event, it's always good to make the acquaintance of another chant and polyphony choir in the Silver State. God was able to bring this opportunity out of Kathy and Marli's difficult situation; again, please pray for her.

Father, May We?

Why was Summorum Pontificum so necessary? As people have been sharing with New Liturgical Movement, not so long ago the faithful had to not only ask permission, but in some instances complete a permission slip, to have an EF Mass said. Check out this one from the diocese of Buffalo, NY, circa 1985 (click to enlarge, credit: Amy Elisabet and Una Voce Buffalo):

Wow. It could just as well read, "Are you now, or have you ever been, someone who doesn't like how the liturgy was changed, as opposed to how Vatican II said it was going to be changed?" If you know of or have any similar documents, NLM would love to see them. I for one am glad Summorum Pontificum transfers the burden to the diocese or archdiocese who must show why an EF Mass may not be said.

Now, I cannot repeat this enough: the purpose of Regina Pacis Cantorum is not to eliminate the Novus Ordo Mass. We have by far sung for more NO Masses than we have EF Masses, and will continue to do so at Assumption in Truckee and elsewhere. We just want to ensure the opportunity to experience the EF and all the sacred music opportunities in its timeless liturgy are not denied to those who want it, and Pope Emeritus Benedict happily opened the door via Summorum Pontificum.