Monday, February 17, 2014

Why Can't We Use Secular Music During Mass?

Our new Archbishop has a love for sacred music.  A few churches are changing from Oregon Catholic Press, now known as OCP.  They are pushing this "new mass" from Dan Schutte. 

Suffice it to say in this changing world we need sacred music to help us experience a foretaste of Heaven at Mass.  We need music to elevate our Soul.  If our Archbishop loves it we should try.

This website was suggested by a young mother who wants this for her children and doesn't agree with "OCP".  Thanks to her for showing us that the future is in good hands.



Why Can't We Use Secular Music During Mass?
published 13 February 2014 by Jeff Ostrowski                                 
OMPOSER DAN SCHUTTE, formerly a Jesuit priest, published a musical setting in 2012 of the Glory To God which has been widely criticized because it changes the words. 1
To me, however, something else is even more problematic. Please listen to these brief excerpts and see if you can guess what I’m getting at:
      * *  “Glory To God” • Refrain by Dan Schutte
      * *  “My Little Pony” • Mp3 Audio Excerpt
Am I crazy, or is this resemblance jarring?

ON 22 NOVEMBER 2003, Blessed John Paul II decreed that Church music must “avoid any concessions to frivolity or superficiality.” He went on to remind us of many other important things. For instance, he said neither vocal nor instrumental music can be used at Mass if it “does not possess a sense of prayer, dignity and beauty.”
A few years ago, we created this video which presented Church legislation on Sacred music and drew some conclusions. Some of my friends were angry we used the term “Disney” to describe certain liturgical music. Others thought we were kidding. However, I stand behind that term, because technical descriptions like “modal” and “rhythmically free” mean nothing to the vast majority of Catholics who lack professional training in music.

PLEASE, DON’T LEAVE ANY NASTY COMMENTS saying I am “anti-Schutte” or anything like that. I have absolutely nothing against Schutte, who is incredibly accomplished 2 and literally world-famous. He’s free to write whatever he wishes and folks are free to purchase it.
However, I do object to certain would-be “scholarly” publications treating this music in a serious fashion, using the most outlandish psychobabble. 3 Sometimes I’m tempted to scream: “How can such things be written about a tune lifted from My Little Pony?” Just a decade ago, I believed Musicology symposia had a monopoly on this kind of gibberish — I was wrong!
N.B.   The musically-observant priest who discovered this Schutte/Pony similarity is currently Liturgy Director for a major Archdiocese in the United States. It was sent to me via email “chain letter.” This was the first time I’d ever heard Schutte’s Mass setting.
***********

"MUSIC is mere beauty; it is beauty in the abstract, beauty in isolation. It is a shapeless and liquid element of beauty, in which a man may really float, not indeed affirming the truth, but not denying it." GK Chesterton
Why Can't We Use Secular Music During Mass?
please click on link for entire website.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Living Catholic: Catholic Devotions by the Month.



"During the Middle Ages the public functions of the Church and the popular devotions of the people were intimately connected. The laity assisted at the daily psalmody, the sacrifice of the Mass, the numerous processions, and were quite familiar with the liturgy. Those few religious practices outside of official services, e.g. the Rosary (a substitute for the 150 Psalms) originated in the liturgy. Later, however, especially since the sixteenth century, popular devotion followed its own channels; unliturgical practices like the Stations of the Cross, the Quarant 'Ore, various litanies and rosaries (coronae), prevailed everywhere; novenas and series of Sundays and week-days in honour of particular saints or mysteries were instituted. Entire months of the year were given over to special devotions. Following is a list of the more common devotions." 

Thank you www.newadvent.org

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Guest Post Alert. Oregon Taxpayer Funded Sexuality Conference for Our Kids.

VOCAL will keep you informed regarding this assault on the morals of our teens and the misuse of our taxpayer monies. Not only are we paying for abortions now, but paying for more moral decay and damage of immortal souls.  e

Here us the "Steering Committee"


There will be bus loads of teens descending for a "spring break" atmosphere paid by us.  Just take a look at this website. Oregon Adolescent Sexuality Conference.   Thank God for this concerned Catholic.

Guest Post

For many years a cancer has been festering in the City of Seaside. It is the annual Taxpayer funded event known as the Oregon Adolescent Sexuality Conference.

Several of your fellow citizens in Seaside have decided to take action to rid Seaside of this conference. We are asking for your support.

We are not going to make this an activity of any one group or church organization as we wish to involve a wide spectrum of our NW Oregon Coast communities and also to enlist statewide help from all who value Life and Morality.

We ask for your support in this endeavor. There will be a lot of work ahead but this is where the rubber hits the road.

What has gone on in these conferences is almost beyond belief. We will continue update you on our progress. If we truly care about our youth then we must work to get this event out of Seaside (and indeed anywhere in Oregon).

If you agree this conference must not return, we ask that you forward our appeal to those who you feel would support and assist us. Can you imagine if we could get 200-300 people ringing the Convention Center and its parking lot with signs describing what is going on inside the Center? I think it would be a shot heard round the state.

We already have over twenty organizations on our mailing list throughout the state. Below is our first flyer (200 distributed yesterday at the Annual Right to Life Rally in Portland): 
 
SAVE OUR CHILDREN PROTEST

On April 7 and 8, 2014, the Seaside Convention Center will again be hosting the annual Oregon Adolescent Sexuality Conference. This gathering is the largest event of its kind in Oregon specifically targeting adolescents regarding sexual activities.

 A group of citizens from Northwest Oregon has decided to organize a peaceful gathering on April 7 to make known their opposition to this sexual abuse of our school-age children masquerading as “health education”.

Your tax dollars, paid to the State of Oregon, are paying for this event. Your school district resources (buses) are also being used to bring adolescents to this conference. A Google search of  “Oregon Adolescent Sexuality Conference” will give you a very good idea of what takes place at this conference.

We are just beginning to organize this protest so we would be interested in any help that would be offered. Remember this is not just something that only concerns the North Oregon Coast. This is the premier adolescent sexuality event that occurs each year in the state of Oregon. Why do they choose Seaside? Everyone likes to go to the beach. It’s a great hook to get students from all over Oregon to attend. The organizers of this event know that almost every teenager likes to go the beach.

We are hoping to have several hundred people join us to make known what is going on inside the walls of the Seaside Convention Center.

Hopefully a large presence of protesters will cause the media, print and broadcast, to cover this event. The organizations that are sponsoring the event do not want the public to know what is going on. We intend to shine the light of day on their activities.

Anyone wishing to join us or offer help in organizing this protest should call Mike Kelly at (360) 713-8414 or email him at mcgrathfx@charter.net
 
 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

LOOK. Archdiocese of Portland Job Opportunity. "Don't Hide Your Light Under a Bushel Basket."

Monsignor Buxman is in need of an Office Supervisor.  If you know of a good applicant, please apply.  The Vicar for Clergy assists the Archbishop in all matters pertaining to clergy, including parish assignments and ongoing formation.
 

Office Supervisor (Archdiocese of Portland) (28th and Burnside)

© craigslist - Map data © OpenStreetMap
2838 E Burnside
The Office Supervisor facilitates the work of the Archdiocese of Portland Clergy/Personnel Department, providing administrative assistance to the Vicar for Clergy and his subordinates. The position also supervises 1 administrative assistant resolving workflow conflicts for three other smaller offices as necessary. The office supervisor requires excellent organizational and communications skills with the ability to produce accurate correspondence and reports in a timely fashion, as well as organize files, events, and materials in a successful manner. The ideal candidate will possess excellent verbal and written communication skill with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent along with demonstrated experience with the Microsoft suite of products. Professional training or advanced degree in administration, communication, organization, and office and personnel management preferred. Candidates must have a minimum of 8 years' secretarial experience with proven administrative ability. Preference given to applicants will have 5 years' experience as Administrative Assistant to senior executive or equivalent, with some supervisory experience and at least 1 year of experience working in religious organization. Applicants are required to be a practicing Catholic with a thorough knowledge and understanding of Catholic teachings, practices, and organizational structure. Valid driver's license preferred. Bilingual in Spanish preferred

For consideration please send resume and cover letter highlighting how your experience and education meet the above requirements to hr@archdpdx.org with Office Supervisor in the subject line by February 1, 2014.
2838 E Burnside (google map) (yahoo map)
  • Location: 28th and Burnside
  • Compensation: 44K to 48K DOE plus benefits
  • This is at a non-profit organization.
  • Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
  • do NOT contact us with unsolicited services or offers



Monday, January 13, 2014

Bill Diss on The Christmas Season, "Life" Events and a Revealing PPS Video and Public Hearing

 



For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6 RSV: Courtesy of Harmony Media

Dear Brothers and Sisters for Life, Purity and Healing,

Again and again I want to thank all of you for your prayers and help.  I know many have been praying for my work situation and our work at Precious Children of Portland (PCOP).  My wife and I and all at PCOP appreciate your prayers.  They are so necessary and are so appreciated.

I know this letter is long, but please take the time to read it as there are many key events.

Before I list the events and an update on the situation at school, I wanted to share some thoughts on the Holy Family as we savor another Christmas season.


I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10,11
I was thinking of how we all love to hold a little baby and that is why the Lord came to us as a baby.  He wanted to make sure that we would love him.  He loves us so much and what a great way to give thanks by loving him.


... an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt
Matthew 2:13 
It sometimes seems that the role of St. Joseph is sometimes forgotten just as the role of fathers is commonly forgotten today.  If you think about it we Jesus the "Mighty God" and "Everlasting Father" and we have Mary who conceived Jesus while remaining a Virgin and she tells her cousin Elizabeth that, "all generations will call me blessed."  In spite her greatness and that of her son, she follows her husband.


In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin ...
                                     Luke 1:26,27
I often think of the name of, "Holy Family," is an understatement; both spouses are visited by angels and their son is the savior of the world.  What is the lesson?  I think all spouses need to be holy and pray for each other; just think if we wives would pray that their husbands would be great protectors like St. Joseph.  What is husbands would pray that all would see their wives as being blessed and treat them as such?

 Events : 
Abby Johnson Former Manager at Planned Parenthood in Keizer, Saturday, January 11, 2014
Please come and hear Abby Johnson at St. Edwards church in Keizer, Oregon (near Salem) on Saturday, January 11, 2013 at 7:00 PM (map)  Abby Johnson has formed a group to help people escape the atrocities of abortion centers.  Read more about her organization And Then There Were None.


Portland's Rally and March for Life, Sunday, January 19, 2014
Please come to largest rally and march in Oregon on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at Pioneer Court House Square at 701 SW 6th Avenue in Portland, Oregon at 2:30 PM.  The rally is from 2:30 to 3:30 and then there will be a march in downtown Portland returning to Pioneer Court House Square starting at 3:30 PM.  Please bring the entire family.  (map)  More information is available here.

Hispanic Event for Purity and Life on Monday, January 13, 2014 in Silverton, Oregon
Please come to St. Paul's church to hear members and volunteers of PCOP speak to the community on purity and life at 7:00 PM at 1410 Pine St. in Silverton, Oregon (map)


Bus Available to Take People to West Coast Walk for Life in San Fransisco [Trip is Jan. 23 to Jan. 28, 2014]

Holy Rosary Parish in Portland and Fr. Eric Anderson have chartered a bus that will be leaving from the parking lot of Holy Rosary after the 7am mass on Thursday, January 23, 2014 and will will arrive at San Fransisco that evening.  Participants will have a free day on Friday, the Walk for Life on Saturday and driving back on Sunday, January 28th.  Please contact Holy Rosary Church at 375 N.E. Clackamas, Portland, Oregon  97232, 503.235.3163.  (map)  More information on the walk in San Fransisco is found here. 


Great Help is Required to Stop Public Funding of Abortions
 
Did you know that nearly half of the abortions in the the state are funded by your tax dollars?  Did you know that tax dollars kill 11 babies a day in Oregon.  That means that you and I are paying to kill babies and wound their mothers for life.  Please check out this link, obtain sheets and get the signatures.  Thousands are needed.  Please read the last newsletter

Update on Battle with Planned Parenthood and Portland Public Schools

Again thanks to all of you for your help.  People are very interested in all of this and it is a bit strange writing about it.  I do not want to draw attention to myself but to the evil of Planned Parenthood and their supporters like Portland Public Schools (PPS) and PDC and others.  I think the school will really work hard on this case to send a message to all employees that you cannot and must not disagree with the ideological thoughts and procedures of PPS.  I think many terrible things will be said about me and many will do much more than just slander me.   I just hope that the all of the evil will result in Planned Parenthood being removed from PPS and from all schools.

I am tutoring in math, electronics, computer science, English as a second language, and other courses.  Do not hesitate to call or email me [503-334-6183 or mr.diss@gmail.com].

A young adult group will be sponsoring an information and support night for my family on January 17, 2014 at Holy Trinity at 13715 SW Walker Rd, in Beaverton, OR 97005. (map) The event will start at 7:00.  Please bring a dish of food to share and I will be available for questions and will present some information about Planned Parenthood, what happened at school and what actions are being planned.   There is Facebook information.

When I last wrote about the situation before Christmas,  I had mentioned that I was going to be on national news.  I have included the FOX video at the bottom of the message.  Many thanks to Christian Radio KPDQ and the other local stations that covered the story.

Many of you have asked how you can help and again, please pray.  We are fighting the demons of hell and we need to pray and pray.  Please pray for the lawyers helping me.

Another great way to help is to be involved in the big rally in Portland and to help in the effort to stop abortion funding in Oregon.  As my mother would say when we would ask how we could help, she would reply, "Be Good."  I can't think of another way to be good then to work for life and purity.

Tough Words
Many of us would really like to tell the school board of what we think about their relationship with Planned Parenthood.  Well someone finally did it.   She quoted quoted parts of Planned Parenthood's video and the school board has commented out her words on the saved video.  In spite of the efforts of the school board, the video is worth seeing.  Please watch the three minute video here.   You can also watch other speakers at the board meeting.


Life News has been doing a great job keeping track of the action we are taking regarding the religious discrimination.   Please visit the following links.

Pro-Life Teacher Fired After Opposing Planned Parenthood in His Class Files EEOC Complaint

and many more.   (Thanks Life News!)

A pro life group in Washington DC has also started a fund to help my family.  The money will be sent to me and I am so so thankful for the group for their help.  Other may also contribute by going to http://www.gofundme.com/5t3foc

Some of you were at the hearing where the administration stated that I had a student burning in a 12 story building in a test question.  Here is the test with the student's name changed to my name.  You will also notice that is was a make up test to give students another chance on the material.

Life Legal Defense Fund (LLDF) will also be doing fund raising to fund their legal fight to assist me.  More details will follow.  Press Release from LLDF

Links from TV stories.  Please do not hesitate to thank reporters.  I think the KOIN story was very good.

KOIN:
http://www.koin.com/news/portland/teacher-fired-politics-or-performance Ã‚ 



Fox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wqouKvQUmc

God Bless you,

Bill Diss
Precious Children of Portland
503-334-6183  
.