Woman’s work: art that catechizes

May 3rd, 2012

 

Many of you probably recognize this image of the Annunciation. It’s a detail from a mosaic on the front of the altar in the Lady Chapel of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It’s a perfect example of art as catechesis, portraying Luke 1: 26-38. But did you know that it was made by a woman artist and a New Yorker at that?

The artist’s name was Hildreth Meière and you have probably seen many of her works around the city. She is represented in two of the Cathedral’s neighboring houses of worship, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church on Park Avenue and 51st Street and Temple Emanu-El on Fifth Avenue and 65th Street. You will also find her work in some of New York’s great secular landmarks, such as No. 1 Wall Street and even the Radio City Music Hall.

Meière, who was educated at Manhattan’s Convent of the Sacred Heart and studied art in the United States and Europe, worked in many media besides mosaic. She was considered one of America’s greatest mosaic artists. You can learn more about her on a website dedicated to her life and works.

Until May 20, the Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA), located at 1865 Broadway at 61st Street in Manhattan, is celebrating the genius of this great artist with an exhibition titled “Walls Speak. The Narrative Art of Hildreth Meière.”

MOBIA’s mission is to “celebrate and interpret art related to the Bible and its cultural legacy in Jewish and Christian traditions through exhibitions, education and scholarship.” In other words, the museum wishes to showcase the influence that the Bible has had on culture, especially art, with exhibits like the Meière show and another that is running concurrently, “Finding Comfort in Difficult Times. A Selection of Soldiers’ Bibles.”

Upcoming exhibits include one on printmaking and the Gutenberg printing press and another on the ecclesiastical art of Louis Comfort Tiffany, who was known for his unique stained glass. The museum also maintains a remarkable permanent collection of rare Bibles.

Do try to visit the museum and in the meantime, find out more about it here.  Be sure to visit the Lady Chapel at St. Patrick’s to see the entire altar mosaic.

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Are Catholics gracious?

April 17th, 2012

Many of the catechumens who signed the Book of the Elect in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on the First Sunday of Lent will respond to an invitation from Timothy Cardinal Dolan that day, and return to the Cathedral this coming Sunday as newly initiated Catholics. They will join Cardinal Dolan for the Neophyte Mass at 10:15 a.m.

After Mass, three youngsters will present to Cardinal Dolan a collection of “Spiritual Bouquets” from children in parish religious education programs all over the Archdiocese. From what I could see as the bouquets came in to the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office, the Cardinal is going to be one of the most prayed-for prelates in the Catholic Church.

I thought about these newly baptized and young Catholics today as I attended a Mass of Christian Burial for a 93 year-old woman whose son is a good friend of mine. In his homily, the pastor talked about this lovely lady’s graciousness, a quality that served her in her prime and later, when she had to endure the infirmities of old age and weakness.

I hope that in days and years to come, our neophytes and young Catholics will experience graciousness from the Church — meaning us, its members. That’s a quality that is not always apparent, particularly when we disagree with someone else or even among ourselves. The blogosphere is evidence of that.

Father Jim Martin, S.J., posted his take on this the other day in the “In All Things” blog at  America Magazine. You may laugh or cringe…or both.  However, it is worth taking to heart, especially these days when we want to be examples of graciousness to the neophytes and young Catholics in our midst. Thanks, Father Jim.

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Holy Week with Bach

March 30th, 2012

For those who are involved in the various ministries of the church, Holy Week can be very hectic. By the end of the last service on Good Friday, many of us are physically exhausted and somewhat burnt out. Those serving in the Catechumenate cannot rest until after the Easter Vigil because the needs of the catechumens and candidates need to be nurtured right through their full initiation at the Vigil.

I have always found music to be an antidote to Holy Week fatigue, in particular the St. Matthew Passion of J.S. Bach. I pick out the pieces from the oratorio that are most meaningful to me and listen to them through the week. By allowing this incredibly beautiful music to wash over me, I have a greater appreciation of Jesus’ sacrifice. That makes Easter even more glorious.

Note: Mark’s account of the passion will be read on Palm Sunday this year and, as always, John’s is read on Good Friday. According to his obituary, Bach wrote five passion oratorios, including one based on Mark, but only the Matthew and John have survived. The St. John Passion is magnificent, too, but St. Matthew Passion is my favorite. The English Chamber Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic recorded them in English some years ago and these  versions are still available.  If, miraculously, you do have the time, go to a live performance. There will be plenty this week.

This is the opening chorale of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, “Come ye daughters, share my wailing.” It’s in German, so here’s a translation. I hope it will enrich your appreciation of this most solemn time of the year and of the indescribably generous act of love it commemorates.

“Come, ye daughters, share my wailing.

See ye! Whom?

The Bridegroom see!

See Him! How?

A Lamb is He!

Children

O Lamb of God, most holy,

The bitter cross Thou hast taken.

Look ye! What?

How patient He.

At all times meek and lowly,

Though by Thy children forsaken.

Look! Ah, where?

Upon our guilt.

All sins by Thee were taken,

Else hope had us forsaken.

Look on Him, for love and grace,

He Himself His cross must carry!

Have mercy on us, O Jesu.

Come, ye daughters, share my wailing.

See ye! Whom?

The Bridegroom see!

See Him! How?

A Lamb is He!”

 

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St. Patrick was an Englishman

March 16th, 2012

Well, now that I have your attention…!

Please let me share with you with an absolutely fascinating article about St. Patrick by Sr. Patricia McCarthy, CND, who writes regularly for The Rhode Island Catholic. Sr. Patricia has peeled away the myths about Patrick, patron saint of Ireland and patron of our own Archdiocese of New York. The man she reveals was far more interesting than the image we have of the bishop in the electric green chasuble, clutching a shamrock.

Here is the real Patrick, who was born in Britain and lived along the coast of what is now England before being captured by Irish raiders, taken to Ireland and sold into slavery. That capture changed his life and Ireland’s forever. It also altered the history of New York and everywhere else the Irish people carried the faith.

By the time you finish reading Sr. Patricia’s article about her namesake, you won’t care where he was born. You’ll be so impressed by his faith, his fervor and his courage. This man was one of Christianity’s greatest and bravest evangelizers.

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig!

 

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Pledging for those who nurtured our faith

March 6th, 2012

Every year, when the Stewardship Appeal comes around, in whatever name, I am reminded of my old friend, Msgr. Francis Costello, who was for many years a pastor here in the archdiocese.

Back in the 1980s, some smart person had the notion of combining the collection for retired religious men and women with the Cardinal’s Appeal, as it was called then, highlighting the work these people had done. Well, the appeal was a great success.

Msgr. Costello understood why. “You know,” he said to me, “I couldn’t for the life of me tell you the name of the priest who gave me my first Holy Communion. I am not sure which bishop confirmed me. However, I can tell you the names of the sisters who prepared me for those sacraments and, in fact, the name of every sister who ever taught me.” He then proceeded to demonstrate that he did indeed remember them all and the grade year they taught.

I was happy to hear on Sunday in the Cathedral that our gifts to this year’s appeal will help support  religious sisters and brothers who have worked long beyond the time when most people retire and now need care themselves.

By the way, when you give to  the Stewardship Appeal, you also support the mission of the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office, which trains the parish catechetical leaders and catechists who carry in the great tradition of those selfless religious sisters and brothers, who worked for little or no remuneration.

When you make your pledge this year, see if you can remember who prepared you for the sacraments and enriched your understanding of your God-given faith. I have a feeling that like my old friend, Msgr. Costello, you will be able to reel off all their names.

 

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Lent 2012: online or at the church around the corner

February 23rd, 2012

Far be it from me to be giving anyone advice on how to observe the Season of Lent. However, I have come across some very creative websites that might appeal to those who are giving something up, but who are also looking for positive practices.

From our friends at the Environmental Outreach Committee of the Department of Peace and Justice, Archdiocese of Washington: The 2012 Caring for Creation Calendar.

From the Jesuits at Loyola Press– and they do have a gift for responding creatively and profoundly to the yearnings of young adults: “40 Lent: What do you give up when the world gives out?” It’s a social media series focusing on the way a group of adults copes with the aftermath of a disaster.

From the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: a wealth of resources and answers to questions about the significance of Lent, the practices, the Rite of Christian Initiation and even an informative section of the Saints of Lent.

American Catholic.org  also offers  a variety of creative Lenten practices you might want to look at.

Our own Archdiocesan Catechetical Office website – nyfaithformation.org - has a number of Lenten connections for you to make.

Now these are online resources but there comes a time when one might want to think about powering off the p.c., the smartphone, the tablet or whatever your device of choice may be and, instead, make a physical connection to a church. So many churches here in New York City have wonderful programs to offer.

One of my favorites is the Franciscan Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Check out the Lenten offerings for people of all ages at the parish, which is located just across from Penn Station in Manhattan. In truth, this parish does wonderful outreach all year but its Lenten programs are particularly fine.

There are lots of other parishes making a special effort this Lent. You may find one right near you. This church might not have a fancy website, so just stop in and chances are you’ll see some signs or weekly bulletins. Pick one up. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover that your most meaningful Lent ever is right in your own neighborhood.

If you know of any parish or online Lenten programs you want to share, just  let me know by commenting below.

A blessed Lent to you.

 

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Are we green Catholics?

February 2nd, 2012

The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole. When nature, including the human being, is viewed as the result of mere chance or evolutionary determinism, our sense of responsibility wanes. In nature, the believer recognizes the wonderful result of God’s creative activity, which we may use responsibly to satisfy our legitimate needs, material or otherwise, while respecting the intrinsic balance of creation. If this vision is lost, we end up either considering nature an untouchable taboo or, on the contrary, abusing it. Neither attitude is consonant with the Christian vision of nature as the fruit of God’s creation.

”Nature expresses a design of love and truth. It is prior to us, and it has been given to us by God as the setting for our life. Nature speaks to us of the Creator (cf. Rom 1:20) and his love for humanity. It is destined to be “recapitulated” in Christ at the end of time (cf. Eph 1:9-10; Col 1:19-20). Thus it too is a “vocation”[115]. Nature is at our disposal not as “a heap of scattered refuse”[116], but as a gift of the Creator who has given it an inbuilt order, enabling man to draw from it the principles needed in order “to till it and keep it” (Gen 2:15)

Wise words, these. They come from Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical, Caritas in Veritate. They place responsibility for the environment in our hands as our Catholic vocation. Many Catholics, your correspondent included, don’t know enough about this vital – yes, vital – issue. Here’s a chance for us to remedy that.

On Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m., the Thomas Berry Forum for Ecological Dialogue at Iona College in New Rochelle will present a learning opportunity to us. Father Joseph Mitchell, a Catholic priest and member of the Passionist Community will speak on “The Great Work: Finding Our Way into a Viable and Hopeful Future.” The offering is $10 per person (Iona students go for free). The talk will take place at the Romita Auditorium.  Thomas Berry, by the way, was a world renowned ecologist and Passionist priest.

Father Mitchell is the director of the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center in Louisville, Kentucky. He has also created Lent 4.5, a seven-week faith formation program that educates Christian communities on using the traditional Lenten disciplines to protect creation, embrace Gospel justice, and nurture their own spirituality. With Lent nearly upon us, we might discover a new way of observing the penitential season and learning more about vocation to be green Catholics.

 

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A special day for Catholics who teach in public schools

January 20th, 2012

Those of us involved with handing on the Faith in parishes or in the Catholic schools have many opportunities for the spiritual renewal that is so important to the success of our ministry.

However, there are other Catholic educators, teachers and administrators in public schools, who are equally deserving of a day to recharge their spiritual batteries and be recognized for the witness they bear day after day, week after week. They preach the Gospel, not by words, but by their example, by their diligence, and by their care for their students.

So on Saturday, Jan. 28, the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office will sponsor a Liturgy and Breakfast especially for Catholics who teach in public schools. It will take place at the Riverview, which overlooks the Hudson River in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. The doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Bishop Dominick Lagonegro will celebrate Mass at 10 o’clock.  Our guest speaker this is Sr. Peggy Murphy, O.P. a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, N.Y.

Sr. Peggy, who holds a doctor of ministry degree in pastoral theology from Drew University School of Theology, currently is a professor of religious studies at Mt. St. Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y., where she also has served as a division chair. An educator and counselor, she is additionally a gifted musician, and expert on Celtic spirituality. She has appeared on television with Regis Philbin and in the Broadway production of “Nunsense.” Sr. Peggy is the recipient of countless awards, including several as a woman of achievement, which she certainly is. At heart, however, she is an educator.

The suggested fee is $20 per person. Many of our guests at this annual event tell us we should charge more but we want to keep it within the reach of everyone.

If you are a Catholic teaching in the public schools, you are cordially invited to join us. Or perhaps you have a friend or relative who is. Why not come and invite that teacher to join you?  You’ll meet lots of other like-minded men and women with whom you can share experiences, dreams and even your professional frustrations.

Just contact Helen Doon at the Catechetical Office by Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the latest. You can reach her at 212-371-1011, Ext. 2822 or e-mail Helen.doon@archny.org. She’ll be happy to take your reservations and answer your questions.

See you there.

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Our neighbors are hungry

January 12th, 2012

It’s always difficult for me to take down Christmas decorations. By the time I get to it, there are more pine needles on the rug than on the  tree. I am particularly reluctant to put away the crèche. As a matter of fact,  it’s still sitting in my living room, with the holy family, the shepherds, the wise men, the sheep, the donkey, the cow, a silly looking camel and three cats (if the Cathedral has a golden retriever , I can have cats). It’s such a sweet image, but it’s not accurate. That’s not the environment into which Jesus was born.

Forget the pretty crèches and the exquisite Renaissance Nativity paintings. The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords was born into excruciating poverty. As I was reminded recently by a homilist, Joseph was probably a sort of odd-jobs man, not a master carpenter. He picked up work where he could find it. Mary probably couldn’t read and she certainly didn’t have a grand wardrobe. If she and Joseph actually did own a donkey, they were doing better than most of their peers.  They and Jesus, the Word made flesh, were among that mass of persons dehumanized into two word, “the poor.”

Putting food on the table would have been a daily struggle. Jesus probably went to bed hungry many times. In their tight little community, they most likely would have been dependent on the kindness of their neighbors and would have tried to help others in their turn.

Well, today, Jan 12, 2012, there are people right under our noses who live in similar circumstances. Nearly 325,000 children in the 10 counties and 4,400 square miles of the Archdiocese of New York are going hungry. More than 800,000 people have problems affording food. Do you live in the Bronx? About 35 percent of the children in your borough are hungry. Complicating things further are the facts that unemployment is higher and food is more expensive in this area.

This is a scandal but there’s no time for speeches. Our neighbors need food NOW. That is why Cardinal-Designate Dolan and New York Catholic Charities are mounting an Archdiocesan-wide food campaign, “Feeding Our Neighbors,” from Sunday, Jan.22, through Sunday, Jan. 29.

You personally can take part in three ways: by donating money to support emergency food programs, by participating in a parish food drive from the 22nd through the 29th or by volunteering your time at a food pantry to make certain that our neighbors get the food and the dignity to which they have a God-given right.

All the details you need to get involved and donate are right at this website.  Please bookmark the “Feeding Our Neighbors” website and check back frequently as it will be updated regularly throughout the drive.

Catholic Charities is making it so easy for us to help our neighbors, but time is of the essence and the need is growing every minute.

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Instead of New Year’s Resolutions

December 29th, 2011

Don’t know about you but I think New Year’s resolutions are a waste of time. Most of them don’t survive New Year’s Day.

Our friend, Father Jim Martin, S.J., culture editor of America and chaplain to Colbert, has a much brighter idea. Not only does it have a stronger chance of succeeding, but it will make us all better, happier Christians, too. Here it is.

Happy 2012.

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