Sapere Aude

Statement on Mrs. McGill's departure to the Granite School District

2010-07-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,

It is with regret that I write to inform you that our Principal, Christina Vierra-McGill, has accepted another administrative position with the Granite School District. She will begin her new assignment on August 1st.

Firstly, I want to congratulate Mrs. McGill on the acquisition of a new post that meets both her professional and personal needs. Throughout this process, Mrs. McGill has indicated to me her deep commitment to the mission of the Choir School. Unfortunately, with a child going into Gonzaga University and two students at Judge Memorial, financial realities are necessitating this move to the public system. It is regrettable that we are not able to match both the salaries and the benefits of the public school system, but that is indeed far beyond our means. As she has stated, while her heart is at the Choir School her family exigencies make this move crucial.

Mrs. McGill has accomplished a great deal in her three years as Principal and the eight years of service to the Choir School. In recent years, she oversaw the acquisition of a new technology lab, she has accessed more public funding to assist us with the professional development of the teachers and students with special needs, and she leaves us with a complete faculty ready to begin its work this August. Plans to celebrate her work among us are taking shape and we will inform you as soon as details become available.

Secondly, I want to assure that while this is a loss to our professional staff, plans are already underway to carefully manage this change and ensure that the coming school year is highly successful. The leadership team, school board and key members of the faculty are being consulted at this time in order to provide for a seamless transition and a thorough search and hiring process. Given the late notice of this new assignment, it would be imprudent of us to rush to hire a replacement. We will work together to put into place a very effective interim situation that will ensure that our coming fifteenth school year will be even better than year fourteen. I have every confidence that our very talented faculty and staff will continue to engage our young people with academic rigor, effective character formation, challenging activities and athletics, and music that inspires both performer and listener alike.

Because of this extraordinary situation, I will stay in contact with you throughout the summer to provide further information as details become available. If you have any concerns or questions, I urge you to contact me by email at gglenn@madeleinechoirschool.org. Please do not hesitate: no question or concern is trivial. Changes are always unsettling, but you have my assurance that the Choir School will continue to grow and develop in its service to the young people entrusted to our care. We will thank and congratulate Mrs. McGill, and have a great school year ahead.

Respectfully,

Gregory Glenn
Pastoral Administrator

New book by one of our own...

2010-04-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

Dr. Glenn Olsen, a member of the Cathedral Parish and a member of the School Board for the Choir School has recently had a new book published by the Catholic University of America Press entitled The Turn to the Transcendence.Dr. Olsen's book is described by the CUA Press as

"an exhaustively researched and persuasive account of how religion has been reshaped in the modern period. Though ancient and medieval western writers used various metaphors to express the idea that humans are aligned to the universe, they also believed that humans are oriented toward something “above” or transcending themselves. In recent centuries, however, the sense that humans, while living in nature and history, are oriented to transcendence has seemingly diminished. For many, God or the gods have all but disappeared from secular life."

For more information on the book the CUA Press information can be found here, and as an alternative you can watch for publication details here.

Dr. Olsen's grandchildren Joseph (7th), Maria (6th) and Michael (2nd) are students at the Choir School. Congratulations to Dr. Olsen!

Kindergarten Does It Again...

2010-04-18T21:35:00.000-07:00

In my daily walks through the Kindergarten Class rarely am I not caught by something of interest: nocturnal animals were big last week, and there is of course the inimitable "Haddie was a Hungry Horse" song used during "H" week a few months ago.

This week I noticed that all of the students had donned a new shirt: On the front, it simply stated "Team Madeleine Choir School," implied by the logo beneath the word "Team"

It was the back of the jersey that perplexed me. What possibly could it mean that ALL of the students had the number "18" emblazoned on their backs?

After humble inquiry, Ms. Kmetzsch gently set me straight: "That is the year this class will graduate from the Choir School!"

Ugh...yo siento muy viejo...Kindergarten Rules!

Statement on the departure of Christopher White from the Faculty

2010-04-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,

After careful deliberation, it has been mutually decided that Christopher White will begin a leave from his teaching responsibilities as of Monday 19 April, using the remaining weeks of the term to concentrate on his future pursuits as an educator. On Monday, Andrea Sline (Hall) will assume the post of Sixth Grade Teacher. A meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, April 19th, at 7:00 PM in the Sixth Grade Classroom at which time we will answer any further questions you may have and provide you with an opportunity to meet Ms. Sline.

Changes of this kind prior to the end of the school year are difficult. We ask that Sixth Grade parents be particularly sensitive to your children and inform us of any difficulties with which we may be able to assist. The children hold Mr. White in high esteem, and they will need some time to process this change. As always, the children will look to you as parents, their role models, for appropriate ways in which to handle this transition.

As a Choir School community it is critical that we proceed with the utmost respect for all involved in this transition. Firstly, the Choir School recognizes that Mr. White is a highly capable educator and an excellent colleague, and we wish him only the best as he begins more serious pursuit of other educational opportunities. Secondly, we must recognize how challenging it will be for Ms. Sline to step in for these last seven weeks. In the weeks ahead, our community needs to show Ms. Sline extraordinary support for her work with our young people.

Please remember that it is critically important that you contact Mrs. McGill or me directly if you have any further questions or concerns. Change is always difficult, and it is a test of the quality of our community as to the manner in which we proceed.

I am grateful to you for your support and understanding.

Sincerely,

Gregory Glenn
Pastoral Administrator

Holy Week and Triduum Close with Easter Vespers

2010-04-04T21:23:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to all of our choristers, servers, and parents who made so many sacrifices to support the prayer of the Cathedral Church over the last week and during the Paschal Triduum. The children served as musicians for twelve different services in the last seven days. In these most important days of the year, they offered some of the Church's most venerable ancient musical settings and they performed newly composed settings of this year.

The Services covered by the boys and girls this week...

Bishop's Mass for Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Monday Mass of Holy Week
Tuesday Mass of Holy Week
Wednesday Mass of Holy Week
Cathedral Mass of the Lord's Supper
Good Friday Lauds
Cathedral Celebration of the Lord's Passion
Choral Meditation: Stabat mater by G. B. da Pergolesi
The Great Paschal Vigil
Cathedral Easter Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM
Bishop's Easter Sunday Mass at Noon
Easter Sunday Vespers and Benediction

All of the music staff are deeply grateful to you for your hard work, and wish a very restful Easter Week ahead.

Holy Saturday - The Harrowing of Hell

2010-04-03T15:53:00.001-07:00

From the Paschal Homily proclaimed in every Greek Orthodox Church Easter Morning...

He that was taken by death has annihilated it!
He descended into Hades and took Hades captive!
He embittered it when it tasted his flesh! And anticipating this Isaiah exclaimed: "Hades was embittered when it encountered thee in the lower regions".
It was embittered, for it was abolished!
It was embittered, for it was mocked!
It was embittered, for it was purged!
It was embittered, for it was despoiled!
It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!
It took a body and came upon God!
It took earth and encountered heaven!
It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen!
O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!
For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that slept.
To him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.

St. John Chrysostom

Good Friday

2010-04-02T16:17:00.001-07:00

The British-American poet T. S. Eliot considered his Four Quartets his masterpiece. Below is an excerpt from East Coker as Eliot attempts his "raid on the inarticulate" aspects of today.

IV
The wounded surgeon plies the steel
That questions the distempered part;
Beneath the bleeding hands we feel
The sharp compassion of the healer's art
Resolving the enigma of the fever chart.

Our only health is the disease
If we obey the dying nurse
Whose constant care is not to please
But to remind of our, and Adam's curse,
And that, to be restored, our sickness must grow worse.

The whole earth is our hospital
Endowed by the ruined millionaire,
Wherein, if we do well, we shall
Die of the absolute paternal care
That will not leave us, but prevents us everywhere.

The chill ascends from feet to knees,
The fever sings in mental wires.
If to be warmed, then I must freeze
And quake in frigid purgatorial fires
Of which the flame is roses, and the smoke is briars.

The dripping blood our only drink,
The bloody flesh our only food:
In spite of which we like to think
That we are sound, substantial flesh and blood—
Again, in spite of that, we call this Friday good.

Choir School Grad named Sterling Scholar

2010-04-01T22:42:00.001-07:00

This morning we received word that Clara Purk (class of 2006) daughter of Gary and Mary Purk, sister to Choir School students Connor (8th) and Michael (4th) was named the Utah Sterling Scholar for the area of speech and drama. Clara also serves as an Altar Server at the Cathedral. Needless to say, the competition for this award is very extreme, and we send our deepest congratulations to her from her parish family and from her alma mater. The Deseret News article can be found here. Clara has been accepted at USC and hopes to enroll in the Film Studies program. Congratulations Clara!

The Paschal Triduum Begins

2010-03-31T22:08:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow evening we begin the most important celebration of the Church year: the Paschal Triduum or "three days". Beginning on the evening of Holy Thursday, this celebration of the Lord's suffering, death and resurrection extends for three days, finally closing with Vespers on Easter Sunday.

Now for all of you who are shaking your heads and grateful that I am not a math teacher at the choir school, it is important to point out that we use the jewish accounting of time in calculating the three days: from sunset to sunset. So, we count Holy Thursday evening to Good Friday evening, Good Friday evening to Holy Saturday evening, and Holy Saturday evening to Easter Sunday evening.

The entire three day celebration begins with words from St. Paul in the Introit for Thursday night, Nos autem gloriari: We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, by whom we are saved and delivered.

Tomorrow's Mass of the Lord's Supper with Bishop Wester begins at 7:30 PM.

UPDATE - $100 Discount for Adult Tour Only

2010-03-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

Apologies to all for the confusing previous post - the $100 Discount applies only to the Parent/Family/Friend Tour if you register by 31 March. The Student Tour cost already reflects the discounted rate. We are sorry if this has presented any difficulty in the registration process.

And for reparation, here is a link to a video produced from our last pilgrimage to Italy in 2006.

SAVE $100 ON THE COST OF THE ROME PILGRIMAGE!

2010-03-30T12:07:00.001-07:00

If you register online by March 31st with a $150.00 deposit, you will receive a $100.00 discount.

Go to www.encoretours.com and select on the menu item “Participants”.

On the next menu select “Register” and select “Participant/Student”.

The next page will ask you for your group leader’s ID number: it is 14084 and your group leader’s last name: Glenn.

The next page will ask you to select the appropriate tour – the top entry “The Madeleine Choir School Tour of Italy” is for students and performers. The second entry “MCS Family Members” is for parents, relatives and friends who wish to travel on the accompanying tour. The final entry is for individuals wishing to depart from New York City (i.e. for a relative or friend who is traveling from somewhere else in the United States.)

Last night’s parent meeting was well attended – please let us know if there are any further questions.

CNN's Annual Holy Week Dust Up

2010-03-29T23:13:00.001-07:00

A few years ago it was the discovery of alternate Gospels which painted an entirely different picture about the person of Christ, Mary Magdalene, etc. (these alternate gospels have been studied and considered for centuries - nothing new really) and this year it is philosopher Sam Harris's claim that we should ditch religion. While most of Harris's arguments are also nothing new in the world of religious criticism - from the third century Neo-Platonist critic Porphyry to Bertrand Russell's famous lecture of 1927 - the most recent press argues that religion detracts us from solving the world's problems.

There is no question that bad religion exists. Recent infighting between Muslims and Hindus in Hyderabad, India give witness to this reality. There are countless episodes in our history of horrific acts in the name of religion. And, the arguments that religion has no place in the public square and should not have a voice in political matters (a la Glenn Beck's recent rants) push believers in God to a more self-centered and individualistic understanding of faith.

Harris argues that the real problems - nuclear proliferation, genocide, poverty and crisis in educations - are matters to be concerned with and the ditching of religion will allow us to really focus on these matters. The Roman Catholic Church, with its many flaws and failings, has been focused on these large matters for centuries. Our educational system throughout the world has provided a quality education to many who would not have access to such a basic need. Fighting poverty, standing up to injustice, and even questioning the current reality wherein several nations can destroy the earth not once, but as many as eleven times with our nuclear arsenals, these are all matters that we have addressed before. Just a quick glance at statements from the Bishops of the United States here reveals a growing concern for the major concerns of our planet. Pope Benedict's recent encyclical letter Caritas in veritate offers very direct challenges to current economic practices which keep the poor as poor, and offer little hope to workers in developing countries.

This week the challenge of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is represented to us in our celebration of the three most important days of our year: the Paschal Triduum. Mr. Harris's challenges are not without merit - if Christians continue to live without serious reflection on the call that Jesus Christ makes to us in these holiest of days to selfless service, sacrifice for others, and a commitment to building a civilization of love, then we are a meaningless social organization without any really compelling purpose for existence other than nice holiday festivities and cute celebrations of baptism, first communion and the like. One writer's claim that we are little more than a covenanted fat farm, or an ecclesiastical disneyland that has tamed the Lion of Judah and put him into a zoo to entertain suburban children certainly begins to ring true.

We cannot be content with the present circumstances. Holy Week is here to shake us from our complacency, calling us to follow Christ in his suffering and death to authentic life. Let's continue to seek God's mercy, and pray profoundly in these days ahead. What should the Church of Jesus Christ in Utah be doing in the months and years ahead? The status quo is not the answer, or Sam Harris may be right.

Parent Meeting for the Pilgrimage to Italy Monday Night

2010-03-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow evening, Monday March 29th at 7:00 PM we will conduct a meeting for parents in preparation for next school year's pilgrimage to Italy. We will meet in the Song School of Erbin Hall. The meeting will provide detailed information to date regarding itinerary, performances and costs and will include tips for planning your child's travel.

The coming pilgrimage and performance tour will depart on Friday November 5th and return to Salt Lake City on Monday November 15th. The pilgrimage/tour will begin in Milan, and will include stays in Florence, Assisi, and Rome.

Where in Rome is the great Archangel Michael found? (Hint: it was originally a tomb, was the refuge place for Pope Gregory VII and it is featured in the tragic end of Puccini's Tosca)

Here is an elephant at the base of one of Egypt's many obelisks brought to Rome. The elephant is the work of Bernini - what are other major architectural and artistic works of Bernini in Rome? Where are more ancient obelisks found?

So much to see and learn in Rome!

Tough Week to be Catholic

2010-03-27T22:58:00.001-07:00

It was a tough week to be a Roman Catholic. Still reeling from the fallout of the Church in Ireland's troubles and with growing reports of difficulties in the rest of Europe, the Catholic Church took a beating in the media in the last several weeks.

As a community, we should be held accountable for every child that has suffered this heinous crime under our watch, and decidedly more troubling and worthy of increased liability are further crimes that have occurred because of cover-ups and the knowing transfer of sexually misbehaving personnel. There is simply no defense for these actions, and we must do everything we can to be watchful and continue to reach out to those who have suffered so terribly.

My Ninth Grade World History Teacher had a healthy dose of skepticism about politics, large institutions, and more. One of his adages that stays with me is "facts never lie, but liars use facts." The recent coverage featured in the New York Times and spread to every media outlet about our Holy Father Pope Benedict may be a case in point. Outrageous headlines of 'cover-ups' the Pope's personal guilt and more have centered around only two cases: that of the Fr. Peter Hullermann from Essen, Germany, and that the Fr. Lawrence Murphy of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The acts of these two priests are abominable, this goes without question. But the effort to tie them both directly to the malfeasance of Pope Benedict in his former roles as Archbishop of Munich and Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith is strained at best. While the headlines make shocking and disingenuous claims, when one reads the actual facts you begin to surmise the journalistic reach. Missing from the headlines, of course, are the thousands of cases in which Pope Benedict has handled cases such as these swiftly, justly, and in some cases severely.

Syndicated Columnist Gwynne Dyer wrote a scathing op-ed piece published in the Salt Lake Tribune this morning. Again, for every child that has suffered under our watch we must assume responsibility. But this column seems to be a re-hash of material from ten years earlier, smacking of bandwagon journalism and riding the wave of disgust with the Catholic Church. Mr. Dyer accuses the Church of considering itself above the law. Did Mr. Dyer miss the June of 2002 United States Bishops Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People? In the last eight years the Catholic Church in this country has invested enormous resources and time in getting down to the business of fixing this problem, and recent independent audits indicate that there has been a great deal of success in healing, correcting and preventing any further abuse of children. Each Diocese has extensive guidelines, inservice training and background checks for employee and volunteers. A basic provision throughout this land is that these matters are to be immediately turned over to government authorities. I would invite Mr. Dyer to step off the wave, review the actual facts, and perhaps give credit where credit is due to an institution that has done a great deal of soul-searching, changed its procedures and now follows strict guidelines and policies.

As a Church, we are entering Holy Week tomorrow. We celebrate our most important days of the entire year on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this week. We go deeply into the mystery of Christ's suffering, death and resurrection, and we consider how these events are to shape our individual lives as followers of Christ and the very nature of the Church. The messages of humble service, standing with victims and the poor, real life found in the emptying of one's self for the other will come to us over the course of these days, inviting us to be more authentic servants of the Lord and his people. Let us pray that this Holy Week will challenge and inspire us to engage more deeply in advancing God's reign among us.

And finally, I wonder if any insight from last Sunday's Gospel lesson may apply here? At the public outcry against an adulterous woman, Jesus says to the outraged public that the first stone should be cast by the one without sin. Certainly food for thought.

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion this weekend

2010-03-25T22:06:00.001-07:00

From a Sermon by St. Andrew of Crete, Bishop...

Let us run to accompany him as he hastens toward his passion, and imitate those who met him then, not by covering his path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before him by being humble and by trying to live as he would wish. Then we shall be able to receive the Word at his coming, and God, whom no limits can contain, will be within us.

In his humility Christ entered the dark regions of our fallen world and he is glad that he became so humble for our sake, glad that he came and lived among us and shared in our nature in order to raise us up again to himself. And even though we are told that he has now ascended above the highest heavens – the proof, surely, of his power and godhead – his love for man will never rest until he has raised our earthbound nature from glory to glory, and made it one with his own in heaven.

So let us spread before his feet, not garments or soulless olive branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then wither, but ourselves, clothed in his grace, or rather, clothed completely in him. We who have been baptised into Christ must ourselves be the garments that we spread before him. Let our souls take the place of the welcoming branches as we join today in the children’s holy song: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the king of Israel.

With 'ave' it went away

2010-03-24T22:56:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow Christians throughout the Western Church will celebrate one of two Solemnities that fall within our Lenten disciplines: the Solemnity of the Annunciation. With the possible exception of the crucifixion of our Lord, this event may have received the largest number of artistic settings throughout history, with seemingly every major artist commissioned or inspired to set this scene from Luke's gospel. Above you see the setting of Blessed Fra Angelico, from St. Mark's Convent in Florence. We will see this work, located at the top of the stairs in the convent during our pilgrimage to Italy in November.

Tomorrow we will hear again the account of the Archangel Gabriel's remarkable greeting, which has crossed the lips of countless believers in their life of prayer: Hail, full of grace.

And equally powerful are the words of young Mary of Nazareth, poor, uneducated, unmarried, not by any means what one would consider the appropriate vessel of God himself. She responds: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.

An excerpt from a very beautiful medieval hymn expresses the wonder of this moment...

All this world was forlorn
Eva peccatrice,
Till our Lord was y-born
De te genetrice.
With ave it went away
Darkest night, and comes the day
Salutis
The well springeth out of thee.
Virtutis.

Mary is the first Christian, the first to know of the Lord's plan to remove the forlorn world and darkest night. She is both mother and model. Now is the time for our "Yes".

Masses will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 8:00 AM, 12:00 Noon with the Choristers of the Choir School, and 5:15 PM.

Thirty Years and the Murder of Archbishop Romero

2010-03-23T22:16:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is the thirtieth anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero, the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador. He was sixty-two years old and had served in his position as archbishop for only three years. He was an outspoken critic of the violence and looming possibility of the outbreak of civil war in El Salvador. He spoke out on behalf of the poor of his country, and criticized the flaws inherent in both capitalism and marxism, something that Pope John Paul II was to do seven years later in his encyclical letter On Social Concern.

Romero was celebrating Mass in the chapel of a hospital for terminally ill cancer patients, when after the homily a shot rang out as he stood before the altar. He was shot with an M-16 rifle only one day after a sermon where he had called on Salvadoran soldiers, as Christians, to obey God's higher order and to stop carrying out the government's repression and violations of basic human rights.He quickly collapsed to the floor and was soon dead.

His funeral Mass was attended by some 250,000 mourners. Tragedy occurred at the funeral when a smoke bomb exploded in the plaza in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral and shots began to ring out. An estimated thirty to fifty people were killed by sniper fire.

He gave his life standing up for truth, justice and the compelling argument to place God's kingdom first about all.

Alumni Update - Clara Purk involved in PBS Program

2010-03-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

Class of 2006 Alumna Clara Purk (pictured above) was featured among other West High School students in today's Salt Lake Tribune as being chosen by PBS to participate in a national program for broadcast journalism entitled Newshour Extra, an educational effort of the Newshour with Jim Lehrer. Clara's program at West High was one of only six throughout the United States to be included. You can read the full article and view an embedded video of Clara's work here regarding student and parental rights and the first amendment. Clara has already received a debate scholarship to USC, where she hopes to be accepted into the Film School. Clara's brothers Michael (4th Grade) and Connor (8th grade) continue as students at the Choir School.

Congratulations Clara!

Peaceful March to Promote a Greater Understanding

2010-03-21T20:52:00.001-07:00

Today's March in Salt Lake City, coinciding with a larger gathering in Washington, D. C., was a peaceful procession of an estimated 10,000 people. While Bishop Wester was participating in the Washington, D. C. gathering, Fr. Omar Ontiveros, Fr. Javier Virgen, Deacon Ricardo Arias and members of the Cathedral's Spanish Choir and families participated in the local event which began at the City/County Building, circled the State Capitol and returned to the 400 South and State Street origin.

Both organizers and the police were surprised by the large turnout. The clear message from all gathered was an affirmation of the greatness of the United States and a desire to participate fully in the cultural and economic fabric of this nation. There was no hint of cultural triumphalism, insistence on the Spanish language or a call for amnesty. Only an opportunity through legal channels to redress their status and become active participants in society, engaging the culture in the same way that Irish, German, Italian and many other immigrant communities have before.

Choir School Families and Students, Members of the Cathedral Parish and the Cathedral's Spanish Choir all took part in this afternoon's march.

And, of course, on the way home there is always trouble in the back of the bus!

Young Children's Spring Concert at the Choir School

2010-03-20T23:30:00.001-07:00

If ever there was something to give you hope for the future, cheer you up, or cause you to smile, the Spring Concert featuring grades Pre-K through three of the Choir School was that event. Taking place today in Erbin Hall at 4:30 pm, over one-hundred youngsters took part in an energetic, well-choreographed presentation of singing, dancing, choral reading and drama. I only wish that we had more photographs!

The Kindergarten, always a stiff competitor when it comes to performances, stunned the audience with dancing girls and...

...just where did Ms. Kmetzsch get those hats for the boys! The Kindergarten was a knock out.

Pre-K performed The cuckoo and the donkey, scoring high marks for their simulated cuckoo and donkey sounds.

Because of a poorly prepared cameraman I did not get pictures of the third grade and their tale of Western expansion with Sweet Betsy from Pike. It brought the house down. Also performing well were the third grade violinists and several soloists.

Second Grade wowed the audience with an opening dance piece sung to Hava Nagila which they performed with dizzying precision.

Their violin performance, led by string instructor Ginger Christiansen was also well received.

The first grade class presented a series of activities on the meaning of friendship, including individual contributions by each student in the class from memory.

It was a great afternoon at the Choir School. Special thanks to each of the faculty members involved - Michelle Pringle, Jamie Kmetzsch, Megan McGill, Sara Lemcke and Megan Peterson - and to the music staff who coordinated the performance - Choir School Director of Music Melanie Malnka, Julie Maughan and Ginger Christiansen. Additionally, art projects produced under the direction of Ms. Erin Mattes were displayed throughout the school.

The annual event also directs a contribution to our sister school in Tanzania, the Moshi Airport Catholic School.

Join the March for Comprehensive Reform

2010-03-18T22:44:00.001-07:00

On Sunday March 21st, members of the Cathedral Parish will join a march beginning at the Salt Lake City County Building at 12:00 Noon and concluding at the Utah State Capitol. The march coincides with a similar event in Washington, D. C. calling for comprehensive immigration reform. Bus transportation will be available from the Cathedral at 11:30 AM, and again from the State Capitol at the conclusion of the march.

The march is a call to action by our legislators and executive leaders to develop a reasonable solution to years of negligence which have now created many difficult situations for children, young people and families. The march is not a call for amnesty or lawlessness, but a call for a thoughtful, just and family-centered solution to the current difficult realities.

You can find out more at the United States Bishop's official website. An interesting assessment of the economic realities and the contributions of immigrant workers is found here.

There has been plenty of hate-mongering and xenophobia. Let people of good will stand for a solution to this situation that makes the dignity and respect for each human life a priority.

Jerusalem's Saint Cyril

2010-03-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, let's face it - when you are the saint that follows after St. Patrick's Day, you are probably going to be passed over by exhausted celebrants. Tomorrow, the Church in both the East and the West honors St. Cyril of Jerusalem, the Bishop of Jerusalem from 348 through 386. Now why should we honor Cyril? Well, these were both heady and very troubling days in the Church. The Church was struggling to carefully define to the best of its ability the relationship of Christ to the one God. All of the Bishops met in 325 to hammer out the foundations of what we now profess each Sunday in the Nicene Creed. But subsequent gatherings would further refine and clarify our understanding of Jesus Christ. The Bishops met again in Constantinople in 381 (our friend Cyril was in attendance) and again in 431 at Ephesus and 451 in Chalcedon to finalize the confession of faith in the most accurate language available. Cyril worked tirelessly to help with this effort until his death in 386, and he fought of what had become a more fashionable approach to Christianity (akin to those in our time who might describe themselves as 'spiritual' rather than religious maybe?)

Cyril struggled through these years, and at the height of the fashionable error of Arianism (which roughly argued that Jesus was the best of all humans but not God) he was removed from his office of Bishop several times by Arian supporting Emperors. It was not an easy life for Cyril.

Cyril is well known for his preparation of the Catechumens - those who were seeking Baptism in the Catholic Church. His Catechetical Lectures are a great treasure. In a writing addressed to those who were about to be baptized and sealed with the Holy Spirit in confirmation, he writes

... this is truly a great occasion. Approach it with caution. You are standing in front of God and in the presence of the hosts of angels. The Holy Spirit is about to impress his seal on each of your souls. You are about to be pressed into the service of a great king. And so prepare yourselves to receive the sacrament. The gleaming white garments you are about to put on are not the preparation I am speaking of, but rather the devotion of a clean conscience.

Cyril served the Church in a time of great disagreement, infighting and trouble. The trouble came from friction within the Church and from criticism from outside the Church. Anything like today? Tomorrow, let's ask St. Cyril to help us stay on track with the teachings of Jesus that have come to us in the Apostolic Tradition and Sacred Scripture, serving unity, charity and justice for all people.

St. Patrick's Day Tomorrow

2010-03-16T22:59:00.001-07:00

The Diocese of Salt Lake City and the Cathedral have deep roots in the faith and work of the Irish. Our first Bishop, Lawrence Scanlan, was a native of Ireland who came to the Utah territory to begin his remarkable ministry in 1873. Many fellow Irish clergymen also assisted with the early years of the Church in Utah.

Strangely, our Irish roots and our current pastoral reality have a very strong connection: Los San Patricios or "Those of Saint Patrick." The famines of the nineteenth century wrecked havoc on the Irish people, forcing many of them in desperation to make the very dangerous journey to the United States (thousands perished amidst the poor conditions of the British ships) and facing incredible hostility from the American people upon arrival. The animosity toward the new Irish immigrants, and the prejudice they experienced in the midst of abject poverty forced them to become sympathetic to others in a similar state, and developed a strong bond between the newly-arrived Irish and the Mexican people.

While the history is complex, many of the impoverished Irish were conscripted into the United States Army. As plans developed to invade Mexico in the 1840's, many of the Irish questioned the injustice of such a venture, and, goaded by the poor treatment of their Protestant leaders, began to empathize with their fellow Catholic Mexicans to the South. Los San Patricios is the name given to the many Irish who fled the US and began to fight on behalf of their Catholic brothers and sisters, impoverished as they were, in Mexico. Forming their own battalion, these Irishmen were noted for their valor and courage. In a final battle when the Mexican soldiers raised a white flag, the Irish tore it down again wanting to fight to the end.

It came to a tragic end. After the United States Army defeated the Irish and Mexican troops, the Irish were arrested as deserters and brought to trial. Unlike the other 9,000 deserters from the US Army during the Mexican American War, some 85 irishmen were hanged to death in what has been described as largest mass hanging in North America. The Battalión de San Patricio is memorialized every year in Mexico: on September 12th, the day of the executions, and, of course, on March 17th in honor of St. Patrick.

On this St. Patrick's Day, let us pray for all immigrants who are despised and rejected in their new home, and consider the loyalty of the Irish to their Catholic brothers and sisters - a loyalty that transcends nation and race.

Choir School set to Announce Expansion

2010-03-14T23:45:00.001-07:00

The Madeleine Choir School began as a small elementary school for children in grades four through eight in the basement of the Cathedral Church. With 108 students, the school opened its doors in August of 1996, and through the generosity of so many continued to develop and grow, moving to its current 2.5 acre campus in December or 2002. Expanding down to Kindergarten and eventually adding a Pre-K program, the school now has over 230 students.

After months of study and review, the school is set to announce that it will expand to a second Kindergarten class this fall as it commences its fifteenth year of service. This will allow the school to enroll 48 youngsters in its Kindergarten program rather than the current 24. Each year, the school will add an additional class per grade level, ending with two classes in each grade level in the school year 2018.

The school is deeply grateful to its many donors and supporters, and is very excited to be able offer its unique educational program to more children in the Greater Salt Lake City Metropolitan area.

Cornerstone Time Capsule Tomorrow

2010-03-13T23:06:00.001-08:00

The Time Capsule that was unsealed after 100 years in celebration of the Cathedral's Centennial Anniversary will be replaced tomorrow after the 11:00 AM Mass. Bishop Wester will place the new time capsule, containing updated information and historical material, into the cornerstone of the Cathedral, to be sealed for another 100 years. Celebrating the work of the Church in Utah in these 100 years past, the time capsule will be reopened in the year 2109.

Included in the capsule is extensive history about the diocese, and more locally a great deal of information about the choir school. There is a large photo album featuring our students, faculty and staff. Additionally, two recordings of the choir have also been placed in the capsule (although archivists are worried that they may not be playable in 2109 because of the rapidly changing formats.)

With gratitude to God for the first 100 years, we embark on this next century ready to advance God's kingdom of justice, mercy and love. May we be given the grace to faithfully and selflessly carry on this great legacy.

Remember Tucker Price in your thoughts and prayers

2010-03-12T22:26:00.001-08:00

Tucker Price, the two-year old son of Marsha and Tom Price underwent surgery early this morning at Primary Children's Medical Center to remove a large malignant tumor on one of his kidneys. The surgery was a success in that the tumor had not invaded other internal organs and was completely removed, and Tucker will now begin a five-month course of chemo-therapy. Doctors expect Tucker to remain in the hospital for the duration of the week. Family hope for a release on Friday as that it is birthday.

Tucker's sister Peyton is a kindergarten student at the Choir School, and his mom assists with the Pre-K extended program. His cousin Brennen is a fifth grade student, and two cousins, Samantha and Paige, are alumni of the choir school. Tucker is the grandson of Bill and Joleen Warfield, long-time members of the Cathedral parish.

We'll keep you updated on his progress.

A Prayer for Lent

2010-03-11T22:32:00.001-08:00

All highest, glorious God,

Cast your light into the darkness of my heart.

Give me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity and profound humility,

with wisdom and perception, O Lord,

so that I may do what is truly your holy will.

St. Francis of Assisi
Before the Cross of San Damiano

The Greatest Mozart Mass on Sunday Night

2010-03-10T22:59:00.001-08:00

Mozart's Mass in C Minor is undoubtedly the composer's best setting of the Mass. We know today that Mozart began his work on this Mass towards the end of the year 1782; the circumstances surrounding this composition however are somewhat unclear. Without a specific commission there certainly was no economic motive. However, having recently married Constanze Weber, it is plausible that Mozart wanted to compose a work in thanksgiving for his marriage. Mozart's father Leopold never quite approved of this marriage, leading Mozart to travel to Salzburg in 1783 to introduce Constanze and to hopefully reconcile his and his wife's family. It was during this trip that the premier performance of the Mass in C Minor took place – October 26, 1783 at St. Peter's Abbey Church, featuring Constanze as the soprano soloist.

Just as Mozart's motivation for his C Minor Mass is shrouded in mystery, the reason for its incompleteness remains unknown to this day. Upon his arrival in Salzburg, the Kyrie and Gloria were most likely the only completed movements of the Mass; studying surviving fragments of the original manuscripts it seems that the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Benedictus were performed in Salzburg in 1783. The Credo was likely omitted and the Agnus spoken during the service on October 26, or both could have been sung with Gregorian Chant settings. Subsequently, the Credo was left incomplete and the Agnus was never composed.

During the time of the Mass' composition, Mozart was studying scores of the baroque masters Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel that were given to him by Baron Gottfried van Swieten, a well-known patron of many great composers including Haydn and Beethoven. Mozart's and interestingly his wife's fascination with the fugues of the baroque style resulted in some of the magnificent choruses one can hear in the C Minor Mass; choruses in the Gloria and the Sanctus are presented as intricate fugues and glorious double-choir movements.

Over the years, many musicologists have attempted to fill in missing parts of the surviving fragments of Mozart's “Great Mass” in order to put forth scholarly performance editions. Some have gone as far as completing this work by composing new music in the style of Mozart, basing their own composition on surviving sketches in Mozart's hand or drawing on other Mozart Masses. Sunday, we will perform only the movements Mozart completed including the two surviving sections of the Credo using the performance edition prepared by English musicologist Richard Maunder.

Mozart's Mass in C Minor will be presented at the Annual Founders Day Concert, this Sunday evening March 14th at 8:00 PM, with the Cathedral Choir, Soloists and Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Choir School Director of Music Melanie Malinka.

And on earth peace to people of good will...

2010-03-09T21:52:00.001-08:00

Hate mongers are good at delivering vociferous diatribes that rally the like-minded. People of good will are generally less outspoken, less vociferous, and more inclined to quietly proceed.

Our Catholic Bishops have invited us to seek justice for the many undocumented workers and their young children and families who are among us as strangers. It is a very complicated issue, and the Bishop's are by no means encouraging lawlessness or even a disregard of the necessity of law in an ordered and just society. They are asking us to look behind this situation and see that it may demand from us an appeal to a higher justice that has often been the aspiration of these great United States of America.

We have for years been inviting outside workers among us: they slaughter our chickens, maintain our gardens and lawns, cut our broccoli and asparagus, clean our hotel rooms, care for our abandoned elderly in nursing homes, and wash the dishes in our restaurants. For several decades, we have sent them very mixed messages about their value to us. Many of the undocumented young adults now breaking into the workforce were brought here as very young children. They know nothing but their life in the United States. They personally broke no laws, but now they are being treated as criminals and outcasts, and are caught in a horrific human situation not of their own making.

It is time for people of good will to stand up. It is time for people of faith to recognize a higher standard of justice than that of the minutemen and other hate-mongering organizations. It is time for us to clamor against punitive legislation that only causes human agony and does nothing to solve the problem. It is time for legislators to be held accountable for their inaction and their defenseless deference to those with the most cash.

You can act now. Contact the members of the Utah House of Representatives and articulate your stand that people of good will cannot support the Utah Senate Bill SB0251S01 which was sponsored by none other than Chris Buttars of West Valley City. It is a bill that endorses only a punitive response to this complex human problem. It will only bring about more suffering, fear and harm, especially to young families and children. A simple phone message expressing your concern will be a great start.

It is so easy not to say anything. Please - let us stand up and be counted as people who insist on a lawful and humane solution to this problem. You can find contact information at the Utah Legislature web site.

A few years ago the children of the Choir School performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in a stirring rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic to celebrate the reopening of the Utah State Capital. There was not a dry eye in the building. What were we singing that caused the tears? His truth is marching on...

America is a great nation.

When did we see you Lord?

Priceless...

2010-03-08T20:52:00.000-08:00

New Cathedral Athletic Uniforms...$724.63

A New Fieldhouse complex at the Choir School...$1.8 Million

A Choir School Athletic Director in touch with his feminine side...Priceless

Choristers prepare for Annual Founders Day Concert

2010-03-07T21:13:00.001-08:00

The Choirs of the Cathedral are preparing for their annual Founders Day Concert next Sunday, March 14th at 8:00 PM in the Cathedral. The concert will feature three works from the great treasury of sacred music: Benjamin Britten's Cantata Misericordium, Handel's Organ Concerto in Bb, Op. 4 No.2, and Mozart's Mass in C Minor (The Great).

Over the next week, we'll give you additional information on each of the works. Benjamin Britten’s Cantata misericordium or “Song of the Merciful” was composed and first performed for the centenary of the Red Cross, celebrated in Geneva on September 1st, 1963. Composed for tenor and baritone soloists with chorus, the work is a setting of the Good Samaritan Parable, and is accompanied by a chamber orchestra comprised of strings, piano, timpani and harp. This setting of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, a tale that transcends all nations, cultures and religion, begins with the question “Who is my neighbor?” The work ends with the answer to the initial question: “Who your neighbor is, now you know,” and the chorus commends us to “Go and do likewise.”

Jason McAdams, Principal Cantor at the Cathedral will be featured as the Good Samaritan, and Cathedral Choir Baritone Soloist Tyler Oliphant will perform the role of the Unfortunate Traveler.

Free Guaranteed Seating Passes can be obtained by calling the Concert Information Line at 801 994 4663.

Mass sung by the Girl Choristers tomorrow

2010-03-06T21:43:00.001-08:00

One of the responsibilities of the cathedral choirs is the preservation of the great treasury of sacred music spanning many centuries. Tomorrow at the 1100 AM Mass, the Girl Choristers of the Choir School will form the treble section of the Cathedral Choir in offering Josquin Des Prez's Missa "Pange Lingua".

The renaissance composer Josquin Des Prez (1450 - 1521) was probably born in Northern Europe but lived most of his professional life in Italy. Having served in the Milan Cathedral as a young chorister at the age of nine, he later served in the Papal Chapel in Rome and served the ducal court in Ferarra.

The Mass that will be sung tomorrow is regarded as one of the composer's most sophisticated and beautiful works. The musical idea with which the Mass movements open derives from the Pange lingua chant (text by St. Thomas Aquinas) which is used every year at the conclusion of the Holy Thursday Mass, on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, and regularly at Vespers and Benediction in our cathedral.

Foreboding signs appearing

2010-03-04T22:05:00.000-08:00

It's coming...

these boxes were spotted in the aisles of a local grocery store...

no turning back...

brace yourselves choristers...

Yesterday a milestone for one of our fans

2010-03-03T21:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the children of the choir school marked the 95th birthday of Irene Sweeney, a long-serving member of the school board and generous benefactor. Irene resides at St. Joseph's Villa, and it was my pleasure to visit with her yesterday together with Advancement Director Joanna Wheelton. We delivered a great quantity of cards produced by our students.

Miss Sweeney came to Utah as an employee of the League of Women Voters, an organization to which she devoted the early years of her career. Prior to this, she served in the Army and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at a young age (there is talk that she is one of the first women to have held this rank as well.)

Irene has been a very devoted member of the Cathedral parish, with an active membership of over fifty years. She has served in countless leadership positions, of which the most significant may be her efforts on behalf of the restoration of the Cathedral she had grown to love. She was one of the driving forces behind the $10 million fundraising effort to restore the Madeleine.

She continues to be a very generous supporter of the Choir School and Cathedral, and has played no small role in mentoring those of us who continue these efforts today.

Happy 95th Birthday Irene, and may God bless you for your wonderful stewardship in support of the Choir School!

Lenten Wisdom from the East

2010-03-02T23:06:00.001-08:00

A simple and profound prayer for Lent that comes from the Eastern Orthodox tradition follows:

O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power and idle chatter.

Instead, grant to me, your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble-mindedness, patience, and love.

O Lord and King grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother; for you are blessed now and ever and forever. Amen. [St. Ephrem the Syrian]

This simple prayer begins with four things we need to avoid: laziness, negativity, a wrong attitude toward other people, and purposeless and mean-spirited talk. This is a pretty cut-to-the-chase list of attitudes and actions that can make us really bad human beings. Each of these dispositions or habits destroys the positive and good qualities that we as humans possess. They quickly make others around us miserable, and in the end, make us miserable as well.

The prayer continues with four positive attitudes and actions to adopt more regularly: a whole-mindedness, having an open heart, patience and love. These positive elements that we can choose to practice are the antidotes to the negative objects above. Laziness results from a lack of vision and energy, a refusal to look at the big picture and an inability to see the whole. A broader vision allows us to have a more open heart to others, accomplishing what Ezekiel prophesied by turning our cold, stony hearts into new and refreshed hearts.

Two last things the prayer also emphasizes. 1) I don’t know about you, but I am always able to identify the faults of others more quickly than I am able to see my own faults. We are cautioned to be careful about this! 2) We know that this is not a project we can carry out alone. We need the help of God’s grace, and must remember to reach out and ask for this mercy and love as we try to focus on what really matters.

Lenten Perspectives

2010-03-01T23:02:00.000-08:00

Mountain...

Molehill...

You decide...

What a Season!

2010-02-28T22:33:00.000-08:00

The Basketball Season came to an end this evening with the championship games being held over the weekend. With many teams in the playoffs and reaching all the way to the semi-finals (7th grade girls, fifth grade boys, third grade girls, eighth grade boys and others) two of our teams reached the final round vying for the championship.

On Friday night, the Third grade Boys team took the league championship in what was an exciting evening of basketball. Joshua Santiago and Frank Adler led the scoring efforts of the boys that was only hampered by occasional bolts into the bleachers for popcorn and involuntary dance moves occurring on the court. Dodging these distractions, the boys soundly defeated the St. Ambrose team to take the trophy.

This afternoon, our Sixth grade Boys team took the league championship by defeating St. Ambrose 31 to 23. Special thanks to alumni coaches Alex (Class of 2006) and Ben Khan (Class of 2008) for their leadership throughout the season.

Two championship teams and several contenders represents some real growth in our basketball program. Thanks are due to all of our players, volunteer coaches and, of course, our very inspiring Athletic Director Mr. Brett Allen.

Go Crusaders!

Basketball Finals!

2010-02-24T22:27:00.000-08:00

While awaiting results on several other games played this evening in the tournament, I can report the victory of our 8th Grade girls over St. Francis Xavier 20 - 18 in overtime. Details forthcoming...they play again tomorrow night at Judge Memorial at 7:00 PM.

The 8th grade boys suffered only their second loss this evening, losing to St. Ann's in a tough game. Great leadership was provided by Marco Cardenas, Lucius Bynum, Nic Compagni, Alex Cody and Connor Purk. This completes their participation in the season with only two losses in their record.

6th Grade Boys play tomorrow at St. Ann's at 7:30 PM, and Fifth Grade Boys play at Blessed Sacrament at 7:30 PM. Waiting for results on the two Fourth Grade Girls teams who played this evening...

Congratulations to our Athletic Director Mr. Allen and all of our coaches, players and parents.
Go Crusaders!

Busy Weekend for Choristers

2010-02-22T22:32:00.000-08:00

It was a busy weekend for the choristers. The First Sunday of Lent is always a marathon day at the Cathedral as we welcome all of the Catechumens from around the entire state who are preparing for baptism at Easter. In order to accommodate the many people from our almost 50 parishes, two extra services are added to the Cathedral schedule. Thanks to both the Boy and Girl Choristers for covering these Rites of Election and supporting the catechumens now called to the Easter sacraments by Bishop Wester.

As if that was not enough, today was the Solemnity of the Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral. On this date seventeen years ago, the Cathedral was dedicated by Bishop William K. Weigand. Candles along the walls of the cathedral mark the spots where the Bishop anointed the walls with holy oil, and these candles are lit only once a year on this anniversary. And so we dragged our tired...vocal cords to the Cathedral to assist with the Mass on this important day. The occasion served as the close of the Centennial Year celebrations, and so the materials to be placed in the new time capsule were blessed by Bishop Wester. One hundred years from now they will reopen this capsule. Included are recordings of the choristers and an album with extensive photographs of the choir school students taken this year.

And, it is only the first week of Lent! Stay tuned - very important Basketball Tournament information is on the way...

New research on the complex neurological activity that is singing!

2010-02-20T21:37:00.000-08:00

The great St. Augustine (354-430) is credited with the statement that argues when a person sings, he or she prays twice. While many credit Augustine with the honor of being the earliest psychologist because of his breakthrough work Confessions (No, it isn't a slimy tell-all gossipy account of his wine, women and song days in Carthage-the Las Vegas of North Africa!) it is clear that he had some sense of the fuller engagement of the person by singing as opposed to simply speaking.

A recent posting of the BBC news discusses recent research on this topic. Dr Aniruddh Patel from the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, said the study was an example of the "explosion in research into music and the brain" over the last decade. Dr. Patel is quoted as saying "Music engages huge swathes of the brain - it's not just lighting up a spot in the auditory cortex." You can read the entire posting here. Just another advantage of the musical life of choristers at the Choir School!

Choir School loses a friend

2010-02-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

Last night I received word of the death of composer and conductor Richard Proulx. He was 72 years old. Once serving as the Director of Music at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral, Richard was a tireless advocate of the Choir School. In 1994, Richard spent the better part of a year in Salt Lake City as the Cathedral's Composer in Residence. There are over fifteen of his published works that are dedicated to the Cathedral and School musicians and staff. He was of immense support to me in the early years of my work.

He came to Salt Lake City quite often for meetings, and even vacation (there was a very memorable trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone.) He stayed in Salt Lake City for extended periods on two occasions. Once as mentioned above in the capacity of composer-in-residence, and a second time tragically right after the opening of the school in 1996.

In August of 1996, Richard came to Salt Lake City together with Dr. Leo Nestor, Director of Music at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D. C. and James O'Donnell, Master of Music at London's Westminster Cathedral to celebrate the opening of the Madeleine Choir School. When Richard arrived, he became ill, and developed a heart condition which required a difficult surgery resulting in months of hospital stay and recuperation. Only in mid-December was he able to return to his home in Chicago. Monsignor Mannion, Cathedral Pastor at the time was very devoted to assisting Richard and visited him daily, and choirschool parent Talitha Day became Richard's surrogate family attending to many of his needs.

Richard's musical skills were immense, and he contributed greatly to the composition of English musical settings for the Mass. Almost every Sunday you will see one of his musical settings in the Cathedral bulletin being used at our Sunday Liturgies. In recent years he has been busy with recording, and you can find a number of CD's featuring Catholic music available through GIA publications.

His last years were marked with health difficulties and no little anxiety about the future direction of the church music industry selling out to less noble but immediately 'marketable' forms. He encouraged and supported countless young people around the country, including me.

May the angels and saints, whose song you conveyed to us in numerous ways, lead you to paradise. Rest in peace, dear friend.

On the Lenten Journey

2010-02-18T21:58:00.001-08:00

The Church in Ireland is undergoing a very challenging time this week, as the Bishops of this island nation return from an unusual meeting with Pope Benedict discussing their reaction to the very troubling Murphy Report. The report presents a very reproachful assessment of the Bishops and their response to the abuse of children by clergy and religious. In the wake of the report, several Bishops in Ireland have resigned, and the remaining bishops have pledged to make an act of penance in reparation for the past tragedies.

In the midst of all of this, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin preached a very moving homily on Ash Wednesday, a portion of which appears below. A thoughtful reflection as we begin this holy season...

Ash Wednesday is a unique day in which within the Catholic tradition we are called to reflect on where we stand in our own lives and on what our value system is. Lenten penance is not a punitive activity; it is not a form of religious masochism in the sense that we fell good through punishing some aspect of our lives.

That is not the Christian way of life. There is, however, a sense in which we can only attain authenticity through an inevitably painful path of renunciation of what is non-essential. It means renouncing any tendency to live if the purpose of life was just our own fulfillment and our own rights and our own image....

“Repent and believe the Gospel” is one of the formulas used on the occasion of imposing Ashes. It is an appeal to each of you, to identify where you have drifted away from authenticity in faith – very often almost without knowing it - into being above all self-seeking.

“Repent and believe the Gospel” is a call to the members, the structures and the leaders of the Church who have also in many ways been unfaithful to their calling and have allowed personal and institutional reputation to influence their decisions.

We all have to repent; we are all called to turn back to what is authentic in the faith so that we can be more authentic in our lives. The touchstone for measuring our repentance will be our belief in the Gospel. There is no way in which we can think that we know God without knowing the Jesus that is revealed in the Gospel.... That means taking up the Gospel and getting to know Jesus as he presents himself to us through his life, words and action, gathered in a systematic way in the Gospels. I challenge each of you to take up the Gospel of Saint Luke, in the privacy of your heart, and come to know the liberating message of Jesus.

Getting to know that Jesus can change your life and lead you on a path to that real authenticity that each you and also myself must seek. Getting to know the Jesus of the Gospels is also the challenge needed for renewal of the Church. The Church today perhaps more than at other times has itself to respond to the same call: “Repent and believe the Gospel.”

(Thanks to "Whispers" for the reference)

Congratulations to Dr. O'Neill and Family

2010-02-17T22:32:00.000-08:00

Cathedral Organist Dr. Douglas O'Neill and his wife Dr. Sujin Yoon are the new parents of a 6 lbs. 7 ounces baby boy. No news of the final determination on a name as of yet, but mother and son are at home recovering and the father is frantically attending to everyone's need - surely more complicated than playing the organ for the Chrism Mass!

Congratulations to Doug and Sujin on this new addition to their family and we wish them a speedy recovery!

Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral

2010-02-16T22:42:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow the Season of Lent commences at the Cathedral. The schedule follows:

8:00 AM Mass

12:00 Noon Mass celebrated by Bishop Wester with the Choristers of the Choir School
Missa in Bb...Lotti
Attende Domine...Plainsong Mode V
Inclina Domine...Rheinberger

6:00 PM with the Cathedral Choir
Mass for Four Voices....Byrd
Miserere...Allegri
Emendemus in melius...Morales

8:00 PM with El Coro Hispano

Dumb Week at the Choir School

2010-02-07T21:21:00.001-08:00

This week the choristers will be 'off-duty' for Dumb Week at the Choir School. Most Choir Schools have a Dumb Day, the day on which they do not sing for services in their respective cathedrals, and we in fact have Friday and Saturday as Dumb Days at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Sort of a Sabbath Day for singers, Dumb Days allow for a bit of decompression in the hectic course of the week and it various services.

Dumb Week, which borrows its title from the Greek Orthodox and their description of the week before Holy Week, is an opportunity for the choristers to recoup from the hectic season of Christmas and brace themselves for the coming onslaught of Lent, Holy Week and Easter. This year's week is falling later in the calendar because of our recent Southern Utah Tour. The adult members of the Choir will return on Sunday and the choristers will be back in full service beginning on Ash Wednesday. Thanks to Melanie Malinka, Douglas O'Neill, Jason McAdams, Julie Maughan, Tyler Oliphant, Brandon Horrocks and all of the dedicated musicians of the Cathedral.

Put out into deep water...

2010-02-06T23:52:00.001-08:00

The readings for Mass on Sunday are following the course of the beginning days of Jesus' earthly ministry in and around Galilee. In this weekend's Gospel Jesus encounters three discouraged fisherman who after a night of fishing have not much to show for their work (I am having flashbacks to the opening day of fishing season on Summit Lake every year with my Grandfather!) Jesus invites the fisherman to put out into deeper water and lower their nets again. Simon Peter, answering with no little skepticism, agrees to try again and is then shocked by the record catch they retrieve. Peter, in his characteristic clumsy humility, begs the Lord to leave him as he is unworthy to be his follower. Jesus invites Peter and his friends James and John to forget their fear and follow him.

Our first reading this weekend gives witness to another encounter of the Lord: the Prophet Isaiah having a mystical vision of the throne of God suddenly recognizes his unworthiness, only to have a seraphim (the ones with fiery eyes) bring an ember to his lips purging away his wickedness and enabling him for his ministry. Both of our readings challenge the fear of our own unworthiness to serve God, and invite us to step up to the challenge.

Pope John Paul II was very fond of two phrases in this Gospel passage: "Put out into deep water" and "Be not afraid." John Paul was constantly inviting the members of the church to put away their fears and hindrances and become a more vital part of the Church's work. We have so many excuses, or failings, or fears. There is so much work to do - just look at our own Cathedral Parish and School. It is a small number of dedicated volunteers and staff who make the work of these institutions possible, and yet, we could be doing so much more to change people's lives and further God's kingdom in our midst.

Catholics are the single largest denomination in the United States. Ironically, Inactive Catholics make up the second largest church group! We have the most members of Congress, sitting Justices on the Supreme Court, leaders in business and the like. How effective is our work? Are we advancing God's work where it is so desperately needed?

This weekend's readings invite all of us to do some soul-searching. The work of our own parish has so much potential. Are we doing our part? Or do we remain in fear of our own unworthiness, staying in the shallow end of the lake? There is a great need for help with our Religious Education program, and with greeting and welcoming people before Masses, especially at 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. We have many young Catholic children unable to afford the cost of a Catholic education who need sponsorship and support. There are many shut-in parishioners who need the Eucharist brought to them on Sundays.

The Lord's invitation could not be clearer this day: Put out into deep water, and don't be afraid.

Catholic Schools Week and Parent Lunch

2010-02-03T21:55:00.000-08:00

The campus was buzzing with parents today as we conducted the annual parent-student lunch in Catholic Schools Week. Impressive bags were making their way through the doors of Erbin Hall as the students anticipated a more exciting mid-day repast than usual.

The Choir School is one of 7,248 Catholic Schools in the United States, serving 2,192,531 students. Roughly 30% of Catholic School students are minorities, while just under 15% are non-Catholic.

Catholic Schools do make a difference in the lives of individual young people, their families, our church and larger community. Parents sacrifice a great deal to make a Catholic education possible for their children, and to ensure these schools continue in their important mission for many years to come.

Thank you for your tremendous support of the Choir School, and for your commitment to Catholic Education.

School Celebrates the Light of Christ at Today's Feast

2010-02-02T23:18:00.000-08:00

Today we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, hailing Christ as that true light in the midst of darkness. So often images such as this can become meaningless. Yet with no little thought, one can immediately identify the darkness in ourselves, our communities and our world: the growing gap between the rich and poor, the corruption that prevents any progress in so many nations, two billion without clean water, one billion without daily meals, and much more. It would be only the most insensitive and sociopathic individual who could deny the challenges of impinging darkness.

Some would deny Christianity's relevance for anything in this modern era, seeing human progress only in the growing enlightened and intelligent human being. But this has fallen short. In the 20th century alone, we slaughtered 188 million fellow human beings in war.

Pope Benedict spoke about the light of Christ recently, words well worth reflecting upon on this feast day of light:

"The faithful and tenacious love of God, whose covenant never fails from generation to generation, ... represents the hope of history", said the Pope. "In this mystery of God's faithfulness, the Church fully accomplishes her mission only when she reflects in herself the light of Christ the Lord and thus helps the people of the world on the road of peace and true progress."

"Greater hope is needed", he added, "to as to permit the common good of everyone to prevail over the luxury of the few and the poverty of the many. 'This great hope can only be God, ... not any god, but the God who has a human face'".

"If there is great hope, it becomes possible to persevere in sobriety. If true hope is lacking, happiness is sought in inebriation, in superfluity, in excess, in the ruination of oneself and of the world.

School Mass tomorrow at 12:00 Noon

2010-02-01T21:38:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow we will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Forty days after our celebration of the Lord's birth, we gather to commemorate the presentation of the child Jesus in the temple by his parents. In St. Luke's Gospel we read the account of the presentation and the subsequent encounter with the prophets Simeon and Anna. Both Simeon and Anna are awaiting the Messiah, and upon encountering this child declare him to be the one for whom they have longed. Simeon responds with the words:

"Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”

This response is now the Canticle sung each night in the church's final night prayer of Compline.

On this feast day the Church traditionally blesses the candles which will serve us at the many worship services celebrated in the year ahead, hence the traditional naming of this feast as "Candlemas."

From a homily on this feast be Saint Sophronius we read:

"In honour of the divine mystery that we celebrate today, let us all hasten to meet Christ. Everyone should be eager to join the procession and to carry a light.
"Our lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendour of the one who comes to expel the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of his eternal light. Our candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ.
"The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him.
"The light has come and has shone upon a world enveloped in shadows; the Dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who lived in darkness. This, then, is our feast, and we join in procession with lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us through him. So let us hasten all together to meet our God."

Masses will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 8:00 AM, 12:00 Noon with the children of the Choir School, and 5:15 PM with the Girl Choristers.

The Choristers Return

2010-01-31T22:03:00.001-08:00

Today was the final day of our performance tour to Southern Utah. On a warm, beautiful day in St. George, the Choir assisted with the 11:00 AM Mass at our Catholic parish in St. George. The Cathedral musicians were very well received by numerous parishioners in attendance worshipping in their Social Hall as the Church is being expanded and renovated. St. George's parish community has grown remarkably. Our visit was a wonderful opportunity to share the music of the Cathedral Church of our diocese with this southernmost diocesan community.

After the Mass, the choir returned for lunch, and loaded the busses for the five hour journey back to the Wasatch front. I will admit it was a little ominous to travel around the point of the mountain, leaving clear blue skies and descending under the dark gray blanket of our current inversion. Let's hope for a clearing storm to occur in the near future.

Special thanks are due to Choir School Director of Music Melanie Malinka for her incredible organizational skills and to Mrs. Yvette Tani for all of her labors scheduling the various venues, hotels and restaurants. Also, thanks are due to School Principal Mrs. Christina Vierra McGill and the faculty, staff and parents who served as chaperones.

The choristers will return to regular services in the Cathedral beginning on Tuesday, February 2nd.

Day Three on the road with the Choristers

2010-01-30T21:25:00.000-08:00

Today the Choristers packed up early and headed to Zion National Park where they participated in a guided hike with a ranger from the Parks Service as guide. One of the great treasures of Utah, Zion National Park is not without its musical connections. The French composer Olivier Messiaen visited both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park and was so moved by the natural grandeur that he composed an orchestral work evocative of the Utah Canyons entitled From the Canyons to the Stars. Both children and adults enjoyed our brief visit.

After time in the Canyon we headed to St. George where everyone is enjoying the warmer temperatures and clear skies (maybe the location for a Winter Cathedral?) Going to the St. George Tabernacle to do a sound and logistics check for our concert, we then walked to a small cafe where we enjoyed a great meal, and closed the meal with the specialty cupcakes that were the feature of this particular business. For some reason, the children were baffled that Mr. Glenn even knew what a cupcake was - hence a photograph and crowd scene at the cupcake's consumption. Come on guys, I didn't crawl out of a cave...really...

We had a wonderful audience for our evening performance at the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle has an unusual connection with the Cathedral: The Cathedral's builder bishop, Lawrence Scanlan, celebrated Mass for Southern Utah Catholics in the later part of the nineteenth century, and the LDS people of St. George were so hospitable that they formed a choir, learned their Latin, and sang the parts of Mass for the Bishop!

There are several parents of faculty members who reside here in St. George and they greeted us after the concert. Mrs. Oliver's mother and sister, and Mrs. Poole's father-in-law were in attendance and welcomed us warmly.

After the concert, the children hiked to an Ice Cream Shop for an evening treat. Tomorrow, we sing for the 11:00 AM Mass at the St. George Parish Church where we will greet Fr. Gustavo Vidal the pastor, who earlier served as parochial vicar at the Cathedral.

More to come!

Day Two on the road in Southern Utah

2010-01-29T21:49:00.001-08:00

Day Two on our brief performance tour of Southern Utah went very well. With a warm welcome by the people of Cedar City, we began the day with a concert performance for 1,000 Iron County School District children. The Choir did very well in presenting the music and unique choral practice of the Cathedral to these many young children who were subsequently full of questions.

After lunch, the Education Directors of the Utah Shakespeare Festival conducted a workshop for the choristers, in which they performed a quick rendering of "The Taming of the Shrew" and then proceeded to explore the incredible wonder of the British playwright. The most enjoyable aspect for the children this afternoon was an introduction to the curses and insults of Shakespeare: over the course of his plays he produced an unbelievable repertoire of insults. Choir School Principal Tina McGill is not all that enthused about this educational development. Overheard was "...you paunchy dred-bolted canker-blossom" and "you beslubbering boil-brained foot-licker!" Ah, the wonders of vocabulary enhancement!

The Choristers then had a rest and prepared for their formal concert as part of the arts series in Cedar City, where a good audience welcomed the choir as they performed many of the works regularly heard at the Cathedral. We were able to greet Fr. Michael Winterer, the pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church who attended the concert and was very kind speaking to the students following the performance.

Tomorrow morning we leave for a hike at Zion National Park, and then prepare for a concert tomorrow evening in the St. George Tabernacle. More to come!

On the Road in Southern Utah with the Choristers

2010-01-28T20:25:00.000-08:00

Well friends, we have all safely arrived in Cedar City, where we checked into our accommodations and proceeded to our concert venue to conduct a rehearsal for the two performances we will sing tomorrow. After a challenging (and the choristers indicated long!) rehearsal adjusting to a very different acoustical space than the Cathedral, we adjourned to dinner, and then...what else in the middle of winter...swimming!

Now admittedly, the school staff knew just what they were doing! Nothing wears a group of burgeoning adolescents out more than several hours in the pool. I suspect that the other guests in the Holiday Inn Express will be very grateful.

Tomorrow we rise early and travel to the Heritage Center Theater where we will present a first concert for school children at 10:00 AM. After lunch, our students will then be treated to a workshop presented by the staff of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Following a rest and dinner, we present our first formal concert at 7:30 PM. Stay tuned - there is more to come!

Choir School grad on way to Priesthood

2010-01-27T21:23:00.001-08:00

Some weeks ago on the Blog we published a photograph of Cathedral parishioner and Choir School grad Christopher Gray, a seminarian at the North American College in Rome, greeting our Holy Father Pope Benedict. Today we follow a step in his formation and preparation for the priesthood as we report on his official installation as a Lector in Rome, one of the many steps to ordination. Over 50 young men were installed into this stage of preparation at the seminary serving the United States in Rome. Please keep Christopher in your prayers as he continues his studies, preparing for service to the Church in Utah.

And the winner is...

2010-01-26T15:59:00.000-08:00

Today at the Choir School Lauds was followed immediately this morning with the now re-instated annual Spelling Bee. Brushing off those dictionaries, the spelling champs went neck and neck today, with the final grand prize winner being... seventh-grade student Christopher Payne! Christopher advanced to the championship by deftly managing the word 'circuitous'. Eighth-grade student Jal Puoy was a close second, only to succumb in the end to 'aggrandizement'. Congratulations to Christopher and all of our champion spellers!

Choristers and Faculty traveling to Southern Utah

2010-01-25T22:46:00.000-08:00

The Cathedral Choir will travel to Southern Utah this weekend to present a series of three concerts, and to assist with Mass in the Diocese's southernmost parish of St. George. Over 70 choristers, adult musicians, staff, faculty and parents will travel first to Cedar City on Thursday in preparation for an educational concert for school children on Friday morning and a formal concert in the Cedar City Concert Series on Friday evening January 29th at 7:30 PM in the Heritage Center Theater.

On Saturday the Choir will travel to St. George where they will perform a concert in the St. George Tabernacle on Saturday evening January 30th at 7:30 PM

Sunday morning the Choir will assist with the 11:00 AM Mass at St. George Parish.

While on their brief tour, the children of the Choir School will participate in an interactive workshop provided by the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and on Saturday will have an opportunity to explore Zion National Park.

Choir School Sunday and Open House

2010-01-24T20:02:00.000-08:00

Today was Choir School Sunday at the Cathedral. The 1100 AM Mass was celebrated by Bishop Wester and the choristers assisted with the Mass singing music of Heiller, Mendelssohn and Faure. One of the great institutions of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States is our Catholic School System. It has enabled the passing on of the Catholic intellectual, moral, artistic and religious tradition to countless young people. It enabled an immigrant people who arrived from Germany, Ireland, Italy and other nations to maintain their faith and cultural traditions while finding their way from poverty in this new land. Men and women religious were incredibly generous with their very lives to be sure the work of forming young people remained vital within the church in the early part of the last century. Utah's own Catholic schools were created by the Holy Cross Sisters, the Daughters of Charity, and other religious orders.

The need for Catholic schools is just as great for us today. At a recent Sunday Spanish Mass at the Cathedral, Fr. Omar invited all of the young children to come forward and sit in the chancel for a special homily. Almost 250 children approached the cathedral's Altar - that is equivalent to the entire student body of the Cathedral's Choir School. What will be the legacy of our generation for our Catholic Schools? Are we willing to sacrifice to continue their important work? Are there new forms of generosity that will enable us to provide this important opportunity to these children who are the future of the Church in Utah?

Open House followed at the School. Special thanks to Admissions Director Jenne Payne for her work in organizing the event, and to Eric and Brigitte Klement, Eric's mother, and Debbie Morrison for their help with the food, hospitality and set up. A good number of prospective families were present.

Father of Two Faculty Members to be ordained Deacon

2010-01-22T21:29:00.001-08:00

On Saturday morning in the Cathedral at 10:00 AM, Bishop Wester will ordain over twenty men into the Order of Deacons for service in the parishes and institutions of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Having completed a four-year period of formation, these men will receive assignments in various parishes and missions, including two who will join the pastoral staff of the Cathedral.

Of particular note for our parish is that one of the ordinands is a long-time member - Drew Petersen. Drew and his family have been active at the cathedral for many years. Drew has served us in a variety of capacities: as chairmen of the DDD drive, Altar Assistant, Lector and Extraordinary Minister, and much more. He currently oversees the Cathedral's ministry to those who are homebound, organizing the various volunteers who bring the Eucharist to those confined to their homes or places of care. It is without a doubt that Drew is a 'pillar' of our parish. We congratulate him as he moves into a new phase of his ministry at the Cathedral.

Two of Drew's daughters serve on the faculty of the Choir School. Megan Petersen is the Head Teacher for the Choir School's Third Grade, and Heidi Petersen coordinates the school's Extended Day program while also serving at the Guadalupe School.

Mass for the Grandfather of the Ramirez students

2010-01-21T21:16:00.001-08:00

Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral tomorrow (Friday) at 7:00 PM for Roberto Ramirez, father of Cathedral parishioner Fernando Ramirez and grandfather of Choir School students Luis (6), Abbie (3) and Alan (K). As we noted earlier on the blog Roberto died in a Guadalajara hospital early Sunday morning. His funeral Mass was celebrated the following day in Estipac, Jalisco. He was 60 years old. The Spanish Choir will assist at the Mass tomorrow evening.

Choristers get great review for Utah Opera's Carmen

2010-01-18T16:24:00.000-08:00

Twenty-four of our choristers continue in the performance run of Utah Opera's Carmen. Performances continue this evening, Wednesday evening, Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. The critic at the Salt Lake Tribune wrote a review which stated "the children's chorus, drawn from the Madeleine Choir School, was one of the best in memory. Not only was their musical preparation under Melanie Malinka beyond reproach, the youngsters sang and acted like real children." You can read the entire review here.

Congratulations to Mrs. Malinka and the choristers and parents for their excellent work!

Remember the Ramirez Family

2010-01-17T21:30:00.000-08:00

Last week I asked you to remember the Ramirez family in your prayers at the death of their grandfather in Mexico. This morning we received the tragic news that Fernando's father has died in a Guadalajara Hospital. He was just 60 years old.

Fernando is one of the lead guitarists with the Cathedral Spanish Choir, and his children Luis (6th) Abbie (3rd) and Alan (K) are students in the Choir School.

A small consolation for the family has been that Fernando's parents were able to visit this fall and spend time seeing their grandchildren and two sons who reside here in Utah. It had been ten years since they had seen them last.

The Funeral Mass will be tomorrow morning at 900 AM in La Iglesia de Cristo Rey(pictured above), the parish church for the small village of Estipac, Jalisco, where the family resides.

During my sabbatical I had the privilege of visiting Estipac, a village about two hours outside of Guadalajara in the mountains, and I visited the home of Fernando's parents and was warmly welcomed by them.

Remember Roberto.
In baptism he died with Christ:
may he also share his resurrection,
when Christ will raise our mortal bodies
and make them like his own in glory.

This Sunday at Mass - A Wedding

2010-01-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

Sunday's readings center upon the emotionally charged event that is a wedding and the strong love that is present with great intensity at such an occasion. Just ask Principal Cantor Jason McAdams, who also manages the many weddings at the Cathedral about the intensity of these events!

That intense love which serves as the dynamic and fundamental power behind a union that will face challenges in the future is the topic of our first reading Sunday from Isaiah. In this lesson from the prophet, written as Israel was being released from captivity in Babylonia and returning to a destroyed Jerusalem, we hear the love of God for his people compared to that most intense love experienced by two spouses. It is a powerful statement of God's delight in his people, as they return home and rebuild their lives and community.

In the Gospel, we hear about one of the first manifestations of Jesus as Son of God at a wedding party. Wedding banquets are notoriously incredible celebrations, filled with joy, and occasions to celebrate with family and friends. A member of my family was married several years ago into a very sober and severe Protestant family, prompting my Irish grandmother to say a little too loudly "Is this really the wedding party?"

In this Gospel we hear of a very human exchange between Mary and Jesus. Many scripture scholars note this exchange to be the typical young male adult's attempt to break free of the maternal apron strings. Even though Jesus challenges his mother's request to do something about the wine running out at a party, Jesus nevertheless submits to the wishes of his mother and produces a wine of higher quality than was served earlier.

Sunday's encounter with God's Word will invite us to again remember the intensity of God's love for us, a love which can seem distant in the chaos and clutter of our daily lives, but must be remembered as the source of everything we are as his beloved sons and daughters. Recalling this dynamic love at the center of our loves changes everything! It beckons us to look at others in light of this love, rather than seeing the other as a potential drain from our own selfish concerns.

And our Gospel reminds us that the activity of this love, this exchange between ourselves and our strong redeemer involves both parties. We bring the plain 'water' of our lives - our gifts, talents, resources and abilities - in obedience, and God transforms our ordinary into his extraordinary. Let us ask God to help us as we work to advance his reign at the Cathedral Parish and Choir School in the months ahead.

Parent Meetings Next Week

2010-01-14T21:40:00.000-08:00

It is unusual when a confluence of events allows for a five-day weekend in the school year, but we rest assured the students will enjoy this break from the books at the end of the first semester.

Just a quick note to remind all parents of the meetings next week to review the school's strategic plan and to discuss several important relative matters, including the Capital Campaign for the restoration of Erbin Hall, School Finances and Tuition, and potential expansion of our services to the community.

There are six meeting times available:

Wednesday 20 January at 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM
Thursday 21 January at Noon and 5:30 PM
Friday 22 January at 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM

Childcare is available for the two evening sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, and Extended Day is available for the 3:30 PM sessions on Wednesday and Friday. Please feel free to bring young children to the Morning and Noon meeting on Thursday and Friday.

We appreciate your participation as we look to a very bright future of service for the Madeleine Choir School.

Please remember Haiti

2010-01-13T21:54:00.000-08:00

The situation in Haiti is very difficult. Bishop Wester has asked us to do what we can to help with the relief and recovery efforts. Tens of thousands are feared dead, including the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince who was one of those who died in the quake yesterday afternoon. You can go to the website for Catholic Relief Services - www.crs.org - and make a contribution. Let's rally to the help of our brothers and sisters in this devastated land, and uphold them in our prayers.

Choir School Grad greets the Holy Father

2010-01-12T18:50:00.000-08:00

Here is a photograph of Salt Lake City Seminarian Christopher Gray shaking hands with our Holy Father Pope Benedict. Christopher is currently a student at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and Pope Benedict greeted the students yesterday on the occasion of the college's 150th anniversary. Christopher is a graduate of the Madeleine Choir School, was a member of the Cathedral Choir, and has been of great service to the Cathedral in a number of arenas. Please keep Christopher in your thoughts and prayers as he continues to prepare for service to the Church in Utah.

Go Crusaders!

2010-01-11T21:39:00.000-08:00

Basketball Season is well underway, and over the weekend a number of our teams were active:

Our Eighth Grade Boys team had a bye, but the Eighth Grade girls defeated St. Olaf's. The Eighth Grade Boys have only one loss recorded so far this season.

The Seventh Grade Boys had a win over St. John the Baptist with a last minute overtime shot by Ryan Murphy. We are awaiting results on the Seventh Grade Girls game against St. Ambrose. The boys are coached by Choir School alumni Michael Glenn and Ryan Eldredge, both of whom played on our first championship team that took the league in 1997.

The Sixth Grade Boys had a big win over St. Ann's and our Fifth Grade Boys beat St. Francis Xavier.

We are awaiting reports on our two Fourth Grade Girls - please proivde results if you have them.

Overall, a great weekend of basketball for the Crusaders! Stay tuned for more results coming next weekend...

A friend of the school gone

2010-01-09T23:06:00.000-08:00

I am a very poor potential customer for the fast growing social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Given the prospect of a free minute or more, I do not think first to enter the communication stream of the internet, or telephones or even letters and notes. I do actually have a membership with Facebook, but have not ventured on the site for maybe two months. It is not a virtue of mine - friends and family tolerate me to a point. It got the best of me today.

This afternoon I checked the website of my home parish, St. James Cathedral in Seattle, where I was confirmed and received my first holy communion many years ago. It is a very vibrant parish with many activities and programs in education, social service, liturgy, music and the arts. I was stunned to see posted on the site "Funeral Homily for Perry Lorenzo." Perry was an old friend whom I have known for over twenty-five years. He died on December 19th, and his funeral Mass was celebrated on December 30th. Until this afternoon, I did not know he had been sick or that he had succumbed to this illness weeks ago.

We started teaching in Catholic Schools together right out of college. When I left to pursue graduate work at Catholic University, Perry continued teaching at one of the Seattle Catholic High Schools, eventually to become the DIrector of Education for Seattle Opera. Perry was a master teacher, a Catholic intellectual, with a profound appreciation for the arts and humanities, and keenly aware that all of this beauty and goodness derived from its source in the God from whom we move and have our being. His lectures held captive and inspired students and adults alike. I was to call him this week to request a lecture for this year's Madeleine Festival.

Perry was the kind of friend whom you might not see for a year or two, but would pick things right up where they were left from before. A true Seattle native, he was an avid coffee drinker who drank me under the table more than once, forcing me to switch to decaffeinated while he looked on with disdain. I last saw him when the Cathedral Choir travelled to Seattle on tour in April of 2008. After our Cathedral Choir participated in the Sunday Mass at St. James, we had lunch and continued talking through the afternoon right up to the call time for our evening concert. Perry was an enthusiastic supporter of the Choir School, and was very interested to visit and help in any way. He was incredibly impressed by the choristers at both the Mass and Concert we presented in Seattle.

I learned today that Perry was diagnosed with bone cancer only seven months ago. The cancer had already spread to his lungs. From all accounts he fought valiantly, and resigned to either fight on to healing or die as God willed. He was 51, and was at the peak of his career with the Seattle Opera. We shared a great respect for the Catholic intellectual tradition, and a love for the church despite its many flaws and imperfections. I am sure that we at one time discussed what was to evolve into the Choir School's mission statement where students are prepared to "engage the culture with the Catholic intellectual, artistic, moral and religious tradition."

There remains an enormous and growing chasm between religion and intelligence, faith and science. Can one be rigorously and honestly intellectual and still be a person of faith? The Church has at times in its history demonstrated that absolute coexistence of faith with intelligence and reason, and at other times has failed miserably to proclaim the truth, beauty and goodness of God, leaving people with little choice but to abandon Catholicism as a pre-modern opiate of the masses. I have often worried that something I have taught or presented to my students may fail utterly in much the same way. Perry worked tirelessly as an 'evangelizer' of the Catholic intellectual and artistic tradition.

Many of us have faced or are facing difficult health situations. We also struggle with religion, the notion of a saving God, and with faith that might seem to be without any real meaning or substance. Fr. Michael Ryan, the pastor of St. James Cathedral gave this prayer to Perry in the last weeks of his life. It is a prayer by the Jesuit theologian and paleontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin:

When the signs of age
begin to mark my body
(and still more when they touch my mind);
when the illness that is to diminish me
or carry me off
strikes from without or is born within me;
when the painful moment comes
in which I suddenly awaken to the fact
that I am growing ill or growing old;
and above all at that last moment
when I feel I am losing hold of myself
and am absolutely passive within the hands
of the great unknown forces
that have formed me;
in all these dark moments, O God,
grant that I may understand that it is you
who are painfully parting the fibers of my being
in order to penetrate
to the very marrow of my substance
and bear me away within yourself.

Fr. Ryan used this prayer again in the homily at his Funeral Mass, but concluded with these words:

"Perry, dear friend, God has penetrated to the very marrow of your substance and borne you away within Himself. You have passed from the land of reflected beauty into the land of Beauty Itself, into the embrace of Beauty Itself. We would be selfish to want you back. And we will best honor your memory by continuing along our own search for meaning, and by doing as you did: letting all that is beautiful enchant, enthrall, and intoxicate us. And lead us to God."

Second Grade Students begin final journey to Confirmation and the Eucharist

2010-01-08T20:42:00.000-08:00

This Sunday we will celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We recall with joy the historic event witnessed by the Gospels of Jesus being baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan river. In the Gospel accounts a voice is heard declaring "This is my beloved Son: hear him," and with this event the public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth is launched.

Students in the Cathedral parish and Choir School who are preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist will renew their baptismal promises at the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass. They will gather around the baptismal font, the womb of the Church, to renew the profession of faith made as they were washed and anointed as God's children, being grafted onto the Body of Christ by Baptism.

So the journey begins to the Solemnity of Pentecost, where they will approach the Bishop's hand to be sealed with the image of the Lord and dismissed to the Lord's Table for the first time. Please keep these young people in your prayers.

In Your Kindness

2010-01-07T20:32:00.000-08:00

Please remember the Ramirez family, members of the Cathedral parish and school, in your prayers. The grandfather of Fernando, a member of the Cathedral's Spanish Choir, passed away in Estipac, Jalisco this evening. He was the great grandfather to Choir School students Luis (Grade 6), Abbie (Grade 3) and Alan (Kindergarten).

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Great News at the Choir School!

2010-01-06T21:15:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, the Choir School is in the midst of a $5.9 million Capital Campaign to restore historic Erbin Hall, the spiritual and academic hub of the two acre campus. Today the school received word that a $100,000 gift was being made to the campaign by the I. J. Wagner Foundation of Salt Lake City. This gift comes on the heel of a $300,000 gift in November from the Smartgo Foundation, and a $500,000 from the ALSAM foundation earlier in the year. All together, the last several months have yielded $1,000,025.00 in gifts and pledges, bringing the campaign total to just over $2.1 Million. There is much work to be done, but we are moving forward! Special thanks to Joanna Wheelton and her staff for their fine work!

I was a stranger and you welcomed me...

2010-01-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

We continue our celebration of National Migration Week at the Cathedral Parish and School. This morning at the Choir School, Mr. Aden Batar, the Director of Immigration and Refugee Resettlement for Catholic Community Services of Utah, spoke to the students about the important work he administrates on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. Himself a refugee from Somalia, Mr. Batar oversees a program that resettles refugees from some of the most desperate situations in the world. With over 14 million refugees worldwide, he spoke to the students about the current work reaching out to refugees from Burma, the Congo, Sudan and other nations. He described the conditions of the refugee camps based on his own experience of two years in a camp in Kenya. Many of the young people from these camps have never known life outside the very difficult living conditions within.

Mr. Batar continued by stating the urgent need for volunteers assisting families with resettlement. He identified a number of manageable projects that adults can engage in to assist with the difficult transition these families encounter. Several of the Choir School classes are considering a project that Mr. Batar will propose.

Consider if you might be able to offer assistance or become involved in this important work of the Church. You can contact Mr. Batar and Catholic Community Services at 801 428 1254.

2010-01-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

"This is the day that David prophesied in the psalms, when he said: All the nations that you have brought into being will come and fall down in adoration in your presence, Lord, and glorify your name. Again, the Lord has made known his salvation; in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.

"This came to be fulfilled, as we know, from the time when the star beckoned the three wise men out of their distant country and led them to recognize and adore the King of heaven and earth. The obedience of the star calls us to imitate its humble service: to be servants, as best we can, of the grace that invites all men to find Christ.

"Dear friends, you must have the same zeal to be of help to one another; then, in the kingdom of God, to which faith and good works are the way, you will shine as children of light: through out Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen."

St. Leo the Great
Sermon on the Epiphany

The Blog Alive for the New Year

2010-01-02T16:34:00.000-08:00

A Blessed and Happy New Year to All! We continue our celebration of the Lord’s Nativity on this ninth day of Christmas. Tomorrow we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Epiphany, and we commence our celebration of National Migration Week 2010 in both the Cathedral Parish and the School. The focus of this year’s week is Migrant and Refugee Children.

In his message for this year’s focus on migrants and refugees, Our Holy Father Pope Benedict penned the following:

This year's theme – “Minor migrants and refugees” – touches an aspect that Christians view with great attention, remembering the warning of Christ who at the Last Judgment will consider as directed to himself everything that has been done or denied “to one of the least of these” (cf. Mt 25:40, 45). And how can one fail to consider migrant and refugee minors as also being among the “least”? As a child, Jesus himself experienced migration for, as the Gospel recounts, in order to flee the threats of Herod, he had to seek refuge in Egypt together with Joseph and Mary (cf. Mt 2:14).

At the Choir School, we will be looking at four regions and/or nations with desperate refugee situations that are in the news today: the Hmong people living in Thailand, the Palestinians on the Gaza Strip, Sri Lanka, and the Darfur region of Sudan. Additionally, the students will respond to Bishop Wester’s request that we contact our legislators in the weeks ahead asking for definitive action on immigration reform in the coming legislative session.

Specifically addressing parishes and other Catholic institutions, Pope Benedict wrote the following:

I now turn in particular to parishes and to the many Catholic associations which, imbued with a spirit of faith and charity, take pains to meet the needs of these brothers and sisters of ours. While I express gratitude for all that is being done with great generosity, I would like to invite all Christians to become aware of the social and pastoral challenges posed by migrant and refugee minors. Jesus' words resound in our hearts: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35), as, likewise, the central commandment he left us: to love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind, but together with love of neighbor (cf. Mt 22:37-39).

More to come in the days ahead.

The Ring of Gyges

2009-02-23T15:27:00.000-08:00

Ok Students,

We are finally back in business. Today we looked at the Ring of Gyges from Plato's The Republic. That is Plato to the left. By wearing this special ring that once belonged to a shepherd, you are able to turn it a certain way and you become invisible! You can do anything you want without someone seeing you.

Here is the excerpt from The Republic. As you consider your answer, please remember the two primary questions Plato seeks to answer in this important dialogue between Socrates and Glaucon.

“Suppose now that there were two such magic rings, and the just put on one of them and the unjust the other; no man can be imagined to be of such an iron nature that he would stand fast in justice. No man would keep his hands off what was not his own when he could safely take what he liked out of the market, or go into houses and lie with any one at his pleasure, or kill or release from prison whom he would, and in all respects be like a God among men. Then the actions of the just would be as the actions of the unjust; they would both come at last to the same point. And this we may truly affirm to be a great proof that a man is just, not willingly or because he thinks that justice is any good to him individually, but of necessity, for wherever any one thinks that he can safely be unjust, there he is unjust. For all men believe in their hearts that injustice is far more profitable to the individual than justice, and he who argues as I have been supposing, will say that they are right. If you could imagine any one obtaining this power of becoming invisible, and never doing any wrong or touching what was another's, he would be thought by the lookers-on to be a most wretched idiot, although they would praise him to one another's faces, and keep up appearances with one another from a fear that they too might suffer injustice.” — Plato's Republic, book 2.

Important note: Socrates was condemned to death because he 1) introduced strange Gods and 2) corrupted the young.

Worksheet is due at the beginning of class tomorrow (Tuesday)

Hasta mañana!

Dancing Apostles!?!

2008-10-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I promised you dancing apostles the other day, and here they are…One of Guadalajara’s most beautiful churches is the Templo Expiatorio, or Church of the Atonement. The imposing Italian neo-gothic façade is made of stone and, just as in the Middle Ages, no cement or iron was used in its construction. The construction began in 1897 under the direction of the Italian architect Adamo Boari, who is celebrated for the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City. Because of wars, revolutions and various economic crises, it was not until 1931 that it was opened to the public.

Although the soaring neo-Gothic facade and its towering 25-bell carillon are impressive enough, the radiant contemporary French stained-glass windows inside are also incredible (some recent additions are not up to the standard of the original stained glass…) Besides Biblical themes, one of the glass panes is, interestingly, of architect Ignacio Díaz Morales, who finished the interior construction in 1972 (and who is buried in the Grand Crypt beneath the sacristy behind the altar). The carillon, accompanied by a mechanical procession of the Twelve Apostles, plays four times daily.

Watch the apostles dance…well, not really dance, but interesting nonetheless. Please forgive my horrible camera work – you might get seasick…

Guess where another Templo Expiatorio exists? In Spain – the famous Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the famous work of the architect Antonio Gaudí, You can visit the website here.

Muchas cosas in Guadalajara

2008-10-05T20:06:00.000-07:00

Guadalajara has many things!

Bach…

Beethoven…

Huge Black Beatles…

And Barbie!

In a Cake!

Really!

Coming soon – hold on to your hats: Dancing Apostles!

Lo siento por favor

2008-10-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone, but español is muy difice! I have been working hard, and on Friday I received a 99% on my weekly exam!

I will try to write more frequently in the week ahead. I hope that the concert this week is a great success, and that your preparations for the performance tour are coming along. Yo espero su concierto es muy bonito!

Monsoon Days in Guadalajara

2008-09-21T18:41:00.000-07:00

Buenas tardes! My first day in Guadalajara was very humid – it is their monsoon season, and it still rains heavily most afternoons, but octubre brings drier days and the month-long Fiesta de Octubre, which the city celebrates with music, dance, food and sporting events.

Today I visited two churches (I know…what a nerd…) very near to where I am staying. The first is the beautiful Templo de San Francisco de Asis, built between 1668 and 1692 by the Franciscan Fathers. They established a church on this site in 1552(!) The façade has columns that are described as ‘Solomnic’ because they seemingly spiral upward.

And, of course, I visited and attended Mass at the Catedral de Guadalajara, which is under the patronage of St. Mary of the Assumption (the same patron as the cathedral in San Francisco, USA.) Guadalajara’s cathedral was begun in 1561, and completed about 30 years later. It is a combination of many different architectural styles including Moorish (something we will see a lot of in Spain), Gothic, Renaissance and Classical. There are beautiful plazas surrounding the cathedral where people gather throughout the day, and they are decorated with the colors and flags of Mexico in celebration of Independence Day, which was just a week ago on September 16th. The cathedral has bright yellow steeples atop its towers, but these were only added in 1854 and a major earthquake demolished the original steeples in 1818.

The Mass today was celebrated with the Archbishop of Guadalajara and a choir of men and a few women accompanied by organ. The men had the typical wonderful deep resonant sound so common of Mexican singers. They did both a sung Kyrie, Gloria and Agnus Dei in Latin, and other literature. Not enough women for a very balanced sound, and there were intonation problems caused by the distance from the organ. It was great to hear the choir. Just as Mass started, the monsoon started pouring outside!

Well, tomorrow is the first day of school, and I have those typical ‘first day of school’ jitters which all of you experienced only a few weeks ago. I wonder what my teacher will be like? Other students? I wonder if my teacher will give lots of notes? Just kidding…Adios y hasta luego!

In Your Kindness Remember +Francisco

2008-09-20T16:06:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends,

I have just arrived in Mexico City and got word that Francisco Moreno, the young man we have been keeping in our prayers for these many months has died. Francisco suffered greatly in his last weeks. Pray that God will command him to be taken up with the angels and saints to that place where there will be no more pain or suffering, but only health, wholeness and life. Remember Francisco's family, especially his mother and father who worked so hard to bring him to health and now grieve his loss terribly. Francisco's Funeral Mass will be in the Cathedral on Monday at 7:00 PM.

Eternal rest grant unto +Francisco, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Getting Ready for Guadalajara

2008-09-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

I am packing and making final preparations for my departure to Guadalajara on Saturday morning. I am enthusiastic, but a little apprehensive about being on the other side of the classroom -- I will be a student again!

Guadalajara was founded in 1531, and is one of the three largest cities in Mexico. It boasts a beautiful cathedral (where I hope to make connections with our cathedral!)and serves as the capital city of the state of Jalisco. It is also home to the popular soccer (football) team Chivas - when you see Fr. Omar next be sure to tell him that you are a Chivas fan!

I'll begin posting in Mexico when I get settled. Please know that I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. When you say your prayers, please remember Francisco Moreno, a young man in our church who is very sick.

DO THE PUYALLUP!!

2008-09-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

OK, today was an incredible day here in the northwest, and I did something with my parents that I have not done for over 25 years -- today we went to the Puyallup Fair! Here in Western Washington, this is THE fair to attend, and everyone describes it as "Doing the Puyallup." For those of you unfamiliar with this city, it bears one of the Native American tribe names and it is pronounced "pew - al - up." There is even a song that everyone sings which you can listen to and learn here.

There are so many memories here.. As kids we came to the fair every year and had remarkable fun. What's at the fair?

Well, when you arrive you go immediately to the Scone stand for a hot raspberry scone (or two.)

After this, you plunge immediately into the barns to begin reviewing the animals. They are amazing. Cows, Sheep, Goats...

Big horses - what can one say??

BREAKFAST!!!

After the animals you head for the carnival. The Puyallup Fair has a very only Wooden Roller Coaster that is still in operation.

When I was nine years old, I went on a special ride called "The Old Mill" which you floated on water through a huge dark complex on a boat with surprises along the way (they used to be called "Tunnels of Love" but that was hardly appropriate in Puyallup!) This old memorable ride burned down in 1970. Aw Shucks!

Not having the stomach or the equilibrium for riding the big coaster, Mr. Glenn prefers to stick to...

Mom, Dad and I had a great day at the Fair!

Coming in March...A Neume Specialist...

2008-09-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts - I have been with my aunt and uncle who live on remote Hammersleigh Inlet and have not had internet access.

In March, we will have a special visitor who will help us with our singing of the chant. He is a Benedictine Monk from the same abbey in Minnesota that began the Abbey I wrote about in the previous post. He will expand our understanding of this important element of our music-making. More to come!

Benedict: From Sixth Century Italy to the Pacific Northwest

2008-09-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

One great blessing about being home with my parents is that they live very near to a Benedictine monastery – I know…”What a NERD! I’d rather they live near a mall or megaplex theaters…” – No, I am glad they live near this monastery. St. Martin’s Abbey was founded in 1891, the year Salt Lake became a Diocese and roughly the days when our own Bishop Scanlan was raising the money and drawing up the plans to build his new cathedral – The Cathedral of the Madeleine. St. Martin’s Abbey was established by a larger monastery located in Minnesota. They sent a group of monks to start the new monastery in the west as greater numbers of people began to immigrate to the western United States.

The monks set themselves up in temporary quarters and immediately began an ‘apostolate’ – a 50-cent (or is it fiddy-cent?) word that means their ‘mission’, or the work they would specifically do in order to advance the Kingdom of God. In this new monastery under the patronage of St. Martin of Tours (you all remember the day that Mrs. Malinka drags around one of the younger classes singing a song about a goose or something? That is St. Martin’s Day – big in Germany even though Martin settled in what is today France!) the apostolate would be education, and they opened what would become St. Martin’s University.

St. Martin’s Abbey has over 35 monks who live by the Rule of St. Benedict, a guide for living often summed up with the motto Ora et Labora, or pray and work. Now all of you who have had my Church History Class know that I practically hyperventilate when it comes to teaching about the Rule of St. Benedict. Why? Well, I find it fascinating that this simple manual for Christian people seeking God’s kingdom and living together in community was written in the fifth century it continues to be a wildly successful guide today. There are thousands of monasteries scattered throughout the world where this rule is still used as their guide for living together.

The rule begins with the word Obsculta or Listen and continues “…carefully, my son, to the master’s instruction and attend to them with the ear of your heart.” Now I may know very little about biology and human physiology, but I do know that the heart does not have an ear! Benedict, in this strange expression is getting at one of the challenges we face throughout life – we really do not listen very well. We tend to tune out our parents, our teachers,

[I KNOW some of you think my classes sound like this..."> ]

our coaches, our friends and others. We are masters at filling up our heads and our hearts so that we don’t listen, especially the listening required for hearing the one who is closer to us than we are to our selves – God. Benedict starts with listening, because he knows that no progress will be made if people are not willing to open their hearts, examine themselves and truly listen.

How do monasteries, with a group of people locked up behind walls, serve the church today? How can they possibly fulfill their responsibility to be ‘evangelical’ or spreading the good news – news that happiness is not truly found in lives lived for consumption, greed, personal satisfaction and material possessions? These monasteries aren’t exactly media powerhouses, getting the word out in attractive, glitzy and star-powered ways? No, they quietly and steadily do their ‘ora et labora’ or prayer and work. They are like the deep roots planted to allow the vine to grow in a healthy and steady way, bearing fruit for God’s kingdom.

Hope's Temporary Paradise

2008-09-08T17:12:00.000-07:00

One of the great side benefits of Hope's visit with my parents while I am in Mexico will be here new position as chief of security for my parent's back yard and garden.

Hope is already fully engaged in her new position, ridding my mother's yard of various pest and intruders, including Leporidae (aka bunny rabbits), Sciuridae (squirrels), Fringillidae (sparrows), Cyanocitta Strickland 1845 (blue jays) and more. It is a big job, but she is totally committed to a fine performance.

We have already had one slip however -- these two Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus 1758 (aka Ducks) slipped into the fringe of the garden. I am sure a prompt response occurred upon their discovery...

They were probably headed for the recently ripened blueberry bush, or maybe the corn...

133 Years Ago Today!

2008-09-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

No, I was not born. It was a great day for the Catholic Church in Utah. The first Catholic School opened for classes on September 6, 1875. St. Mary's Academy was begun by two Sisters of the Holy Cross. Located where the Salt Palace Convention Center currently stands, this school for girls eventually moved to become St. Mary's of the Wasatch in 1926. Eventually this school was merged with our current Judge Memorial High School.

It is amazing that two sisters arrived in June of 1875, and worked over the summer with no school building, no desks, no books, and a very small Catholic population, but they were able to begin classes by this date after only a few months.

Thousands of Utah Catholics have benefited from the legacy of this first school (a boys school opened on the same site the following year.) Photos feature Mother Augusta, one of the first two sisters to arrive in 1875, and the building which served as St. Mary's until 1926.

Let's remember to say thank you to God for all who have gone before us, working on behalf of the Church in Utah, and let's be thoughtful about how we can preserve and maintain that legacy, so that these places of education and formation remain open for service to the generations to come.

Life in the Fat Free Zone

2008-09-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

My parents are amazing people. My dad is 71 and my mom is 69, and they are in very excellent health. They really put me to shame. (Not too long ago, Bishop Niederauer reminded me that I had entered my cardiac years!)

Being a typical son, one of the first places I visited was the refrigerator. Opening the refrigerator was a revelation! It became clear that visiting them these few weeks before going to Guadalajara means a few lifestyle changes! I should come back a new person, and in better health because of my weeks in the fat free zone.

Following the Lewis and Clark Trail

2008-09-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

As I journeyed home the latter half of my trip to Olympia, Washington involved traveling along the Columbia River Gorge, and in fact tracing the final steps of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804 through 1806. Knowing that the Eighth Grade will be studying this important event in the early history of the United States, I offer a few photos, links and reflections.

Growing up in Washington State means growing up with the Columbia River. The Columbia loomed large in our state history, with stories of salmon runs so large that you could walk across the huge river and massive shipwrecks because the mouth of the river where it pours into the Pacific Ocean was so treacherous.

The River Gorge is incredibly beautiful, and was the topic of many entries in the journals of Lewis and Clark. With the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 a whole new world was to open up for the young United States. The expedition was the beginning of the expansion west, an expansion that took place with no little difficulty and with many physical and moral dilemmas. As you get ready to study this in class, here find links to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Lewis and Clark National Park

One can only marvel at the bravery and courage exhibited by these early pioneers venturing into the unknown of the West. You and I are the beneficiaries of this expansion, and the adventurous spirit of people like Lewis and Clark.

What are the great adventures of our generation that will demand courage? We do not seem to have much land on our planet that has not been explored. The Solar System and beyond lies before us, but may a different adventure needs to begin, a journey inward. We have often reflected on the amazing developments of the last centuries in science, technology and communications. While we as humans have rapidly developed our intellects, physical prowess and our understanding and control of the forces of nature, it seems we continue to rather childish and undeveloped in our spiritual lives. Sadly, we often find ourselves spiritual infants, even while surrounded with vast amounts of information, knowledge and other advances.

Pope Benedict XVI recently called us all to duc in altum or to go deeper. The arts, humanities and our faith are great resources for exploring the depths of the human spirit. Poetry, music, the visual arts, and much more set out before us many opportunities to go deeper. The great spiritual authors of the Catholic faith -- St. Benedict, St. Francis of Assisi, Theresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux and many others have written of their journeys on the trail of the spiritual life.

Maybe you are called to lead the first expedition to Mars, but most of us have a great adventure set before which is the life of the spirit - a life of friendship with Jesus Christ, who sets before what it means to be truly human, and leads us in the greatest adventure of all. How do you get started? Take one step - say your prayers tonight.

Only Seven Miles Outside of Ogden...

2008-09-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

Only seven miles outside of Ogden, approximately 40 minutes into our 14 hour travel, I got the first "Are we there yet?" involving a shiver, a slight wimper and a long stare...it was going to be a long trip...

A Great Day in Hippo!

2008-08-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

Today the Church throughout the world joins with the ancient city of Hippo (NOT the Hippo on the left, but certainly this is a big day for him as well..), located in what is today Algeria, in celebrating one of the great saints of the church: St. Augustine. Augustine was born in 354 in North Africa, and died on this very day in the year 430. Augustine's journey to the Catholic Church was a long and arduous one, leading to his eventual baptism at the age of 32 while he was living and working in Milan. He was eventually to return to North Africa where he served as a Bishop. His famous work The Confessions provides a stirring account of his attempts to seek happiness in this life and purpose in this life.

Augustine has been described as the last great classical man and nearly the first great medieval man. His spiritual autobiography (The Confessions mentioned above) represents a break through in that his writing gives witness to a greater self-awareness, a real searching of the soul not previously described.

Augustine was very interested in singing. He is often credited with the phrase Qui cantat, bis orat or "He who sings prays twice..." noting perhaps the greater engagement of the whole person when one sings. Augustine loved the singing that took place in the Milan Cathedral of his time.

Augustine is a favorite of Pope Benedict XVI. Recently, the Holy Father referred to St. Augustine in his homily to all who were gathered for World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. He shared with the young people gathered there his insights into the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives as the source of our unity. You can read this very fine message here.

Augustine was a friend of the Lord. He knew the same longings, frustrations and anxieties that you and I do. His work Confessions opens with the phrase "You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." Augustine knew that his ultimate happiness rested in the one who created, the God who is love - love ceaselessly passing between the Father and the Son which is the Holy Spirit. We try to find this happiness in so many other things. Augustine, our brother in the Church, reminds us that ultimately it is only in God, and his life of self-giving that we find happiness.

Check out St. Augustine the next time you are in the cathedral! Look in the large stained-glass window in the west transept and you will see a Bishop holding a burning heart. Thinking about the quote above, you can understand why we symbolically depict him in this way.

Lord,

Renew in your Church
the spirit you gave St. Augustine.
Filled with this spirit,
may we thirst for you alone as the fountain of wisdom
and seek you as the source of eternal love.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Some good advice from the Holy Father

2008-08-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!

2008-08-26T13:34:00.001-07:00

The Blog is alive! Many years ago, yes, two years BEFORE Mr. Glenn was born, the thriller movie The Blob made its appearance on the silver screen. I know...Blob...Blog...I just thought it was a good way to kick things off on the blog as I begin my adventure. You can check up on what I am doing and where I am working, and you can even let me know how things are going in Salt Lake City. Please check the blog regularly!

For now, I hope that you pursue academic excellence by working hard in the first semester. Remember, the world desperately needs intelligent, thoughtful and wise young men and women!

Sapere Aude!

Who will be the first to translate the Blog's title??

And for more fun, check out this clip from The Blob:

Study Guide for Tomorrow's Quiz

2008-02-20T15:39:00.000-08:00

1. In our human existence there are three kinds of goods. List and briefly explain them.
2. What makes an act good or evil? List and briefly explain the three moral determinants.
3. For an act to be good and moral, what must you do?
4. What three kinds of relationships exist for humans?
5. What three branches of ethics correspond to these relationships?
6. How does St. Augustine define morality?
7. What is love described as?
8. Humans love on three levels – list and briefly explain them.
9. How should we love God?
10. How do we love others?
11. Why can we claim that we must love every other human person, but we cannot “like” every other person? Explain.
12. How should we love things?
13. What three universal moral rules seem to apply across cultures?
14. What is the conscience?
15. List three mental functions which correspond to the work of the conscience.
16. What is the intellect and how does the conscience function with it?
17. What is the will and how does the conscience function with it?
18. What is emotion and how does the conscience function with it?
19. Define Virtue.
20. List the seven attitudes/dispositions/actions that the Beatitudes indicate provide ultimate happiness for the human being.
21. List three reasons virtues are important.
22. What is the ultimate goal of virtues?
23. List and briefly define the four cardinal virtues.
24. List and briefly define the three theological virtues

Worksheet Due at Beginning of Class on Monday

2008-01-25T13:46:00.000-08:00

The Madeleine Choir School
Seventh and Eighth Grade Christian Theology
24 January 2008
Worksheet 012508

1. In our human existence there are three kinds of goods. List and briefly explain them.
2. What makes an act good or evil? List and briefly explain the three moral determinants.
3. For an act to be good and moral, what must you do?
4. What three kinds of relationships exist for humans?
5. What three branches of ethics correspond to these relationships?
6. How does St. Augustine define morality?
7. What is love described as?
8. Humans love on three levels – list and briefly explain them.
9. How should we love God?
10. How do we love others?

Worksheet on Morality will be posted tomorrow...Stay tuned

2008-01-24T22:45:00.000-08:00

Correct Spellings for Letters

2007-10-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

Our Sister School is Al-Ahliyyah College located in Ramallah on the West Bank in Palestine.

Assignment - Reading Reflection 083008

2007-08-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

Read the Allegory of the Cave, and sketch a picture of it on a single sheet of paper.

The Allegory of the Cave

[Socrates] And now, I said, let me show in a figure how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened: --Behold! human beings living in a underground cave, which has a mouth open towards the light and reaching all along the cave; here they have been from their childhood, and have their legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them, being prevented by the chains from turning round their heads. Above and behind them a fire is blazing at a distance, and between the fire and the prisoners there is a raised roadway; and you will see, if you look, a low wall built along the roadway, like the screen which marionette players have in front of them, over which they show the puppets.

[Glaucon] I see.

Strange Prisoners

[Socrates] And do you see, I said, men passing along the wall carrying all sorts of vessels, and statues and figures of animals made of wood and stone and various materials, which appear over the wall? Some of them are talking, others silent.

[Glaucon] You have shown me a strange image, and they are strange prisoners.

[Socrates] Like ourselves, I replied; and they see only their own shadows, or the shadows of one another, which the fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave?

[Glaucon] True, he said; how could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads?

[Socrates] And of the objects which are being carried in like manner they would only see the shadows?

[Glaucon] Yes, he said.

[Socrates] And if they were able to converse with one another, would they not suppose that they were naming what was actually before them?

[Glaucon] Very true.

[Socrates] And suppose further that the prison had an echo which came from the other side, would they not be sure to fancy when one of the passers-by spoke that the voice which they heard came from the passing shadow?

[Glaucon] No question, he replied.

[Socrates] To them, I said, the truth would be literally nothing but the shadows of the images.

[Glaucon] That is certain.

The Release of the Prisoners

[Socrates] And now look again, and see what will naturally follow if the prisoners are released and disabused of their error. At first, when any of them is liberated and compelled suddenly to stand up and turn his neck round and walk and look towards the light, he will suffer sharp pains; the glare will distress him, and he will be unable to see the realities of which in his former state he had seen the shadows; and then conceive some one saying to him, that what he saw before was an illusion, but that now, when he is approaching nearer to being and his eye is turned towards more real existence, he has a clearer vision, -what will be his reply? And you may further imagine that his instructor is pointing to the objects as they pass and requiring him to name them, -will he not be perplexed? Will he not fancy that the shadows which he formerly saw are truer than the objects which are now shown to him?

[Glaucon] Far truer.

[Socrates] And if he is compelled to look straight at the light, will he not have a pain in his eyes which will make him turn away to take and take in the objects of vision which he can see, and which he will conceive to be in reality clearer than the things which are now being shown to him?

[Glaucon] True, he said.

Leaving the Cave

[Socrates] And suppose once more, that he is reluctantly dragged up a steep and rugged ascent, and held fast until he 's forced into the presence of the sun himself, is he not likely to be pained and irritated? When he approaches the light his eyes will be dazzled, and he will not be able to see anything at all of what are now called realities.

[Glaucon] Not all in a moment, he said.

[Socrates] He will require to grow accustomed to the sight of the upper world. And first he will see the shadows best, next the reflections of men and other objects in the water, and then the objects themselves; then he will gaze upon the light of the moon and the stars and the spangled heaven; and he will see the sky and the stars by night better than the sun or the light of the sun by day?

[Glaucon] Certainly.

[Socrates] Last of he will be able to see the sun, and not mere reflections of him in the water, but he will see him in his own proper place, and not in another; and he will contemplate him as he is.

[Glaucon] Certainly.

[Socrates] He will then proceed to argue that this is he who gives the season and the years, and is the guardian of all that is in the visible world, and in a certain way the cause of all things which he and his fellows have been accustomed to behold?

[Glaucon] Clearly, he said, he would first see the sun and then reason about him.

[Socrates] And when he remembered his old habitation, and the wisdom of the cave and his fellow-prisoners, do you not suppose that he would felicitate himself on the change, and pity them?

[Glaucon] Certainly, he would.

[Socrates] And if they were in the habit of conferring honors among themselves on those who were quickest to observe the passing shadows and to remark which of them went before, and which followed after, and which were together; and who were therefore best able to draw conclusions as to the future, do you think that he would care for such honors and glories, or envy the possessors of them? Would he not say with Homer,
"Better to be the poor servant of a poor master,"
and to endure anything, rather than think as they do and live after their manner?

[Glaucon] Yes, he said, I think that he would rather suffer anything than entertain these false notions and live in this miserable manner.

Returning to the Cave

[Socrates] Imagine once more, I said, such an one coming suddenly out of the sun to be replaced in his old situation; would he not be certain to have his eyes full of darkness?

[Glaucon] To be sure, he said.

[Socrates] And if there were a contest, and he had to compete in measuring the shadows with the prisoners who had never moved out of the cave, while his sight was still weak, and before his eyes had become steady (and the time which would be needed to acquire this new habit of sight might be very considerable) would he not be ridiculous? Men would say of him that up he went and down he came without his eyes; and that it was better not even to think of ascending; and if any one tried to loose another and lead him up to the light, let them only catch the offender, and they would put him to death.

[Glaucon] No question, he said.

Conclusion

[Socrates] This entire allegory, I said, you may now append, dear Glaucon, to the previous argument; the prison-house is the world of sight, the light of the fire is the sun, and you will not misapprehend me if you interpret the journey upwards to be the ascent of the soul into the intellectual world according to my poor belief, which, at your desire, I have expressed whether rightly or wrongly God knows. But, whether true or false, my opinion is that in the world of knowledge the idea of good appears last of all, and is seen only with an effort; and, when seen, is also inferred to be the universal author of all things beautiful and right, parent of light and of the lord of light in this visible world, and the immediate source of reason and truth in the intellectual; and that this is the power upon which he who would act rationally, either in public or private life must have his eye fixed.

[Glaucon] I agree, he said, as far as I am able to understand you.

Answer the following questions on another sheet of paper - be ready to actively participate in the discussion on Tuesday!

1. Define 'Allegory'

2. For the prisoners in the Cave, what is truth?

3. When the prisoner is released, why does he suffer sharp pains?

4. The released prisoner now sees the real objects and not the shadows, but still he believes the shadows to be truer. What human behavior is similar to this?

5. How does Socrates describe the prisoners ascent out of the Cave and into the Sun?

6. When the prisoner who has left the cave and has seen the sun returns to the cave, how do the other prisoners react to him?

7. What does the prison house (cave) represent? The light of the fire? And the journey upwards out of the cave?

The Allegory of the Cave is coming...

2007-08-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Students,

I will get the homework post up later this evening or tomorrow morning. What is one of Plato's most important writings? What is the first question this work addresses? And what would you say if someone described it as a treatise?

Stay Tuned!

2007-07-17T16:01:00.001-07:00

The Solemnity of St. Mary Magdalene, patroness of the Cathedral and the Choir School is coming this Sunday..stay tuned...

Choir Camp is coming!

2007-07-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

Choir Camp commences next week! Be ready for the sun!

Study Guide Part One

2007-05-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting - There will be a second part tomorrow, so get started on this...

1. Complete this sentence: “Human Beings are different from other existents in that they are able to…”
2. What is required for the human to live an integrated and authentic existence?
3. List the six periods of Church History and provide their dates.
4. What event is considered the birth of the church?
5. In the Early Church Period, Peter and Paul met in Jerusalem to decide on an important issue that would shape the future of the Christian Church. Paul argued very strongly and persuasively for position. What was the issue, and how was the matter resolved?
6. Where did Peter and Paul end their lives? How did they end their lives of service to the Church?
7. St. Paul worked hard to spread the good news of Christ. He traveled on _____ missionary trips and _____ of his letter are recorded in the New Testament.
8. How many books are contained in the Canon of the New Testament? Explain the term “canon.”
9. List the three struggles or challenges of the Persecuted Church Period.
10. Provide one example of a misunderstanding that led to the persecution of Christians.
11. In a short essay, explain the events surrounding Constantine’s decision to make Christianity legal in the Roman Empire.
12. Constantine shifts the capital of the Empire to ________________ in the year ________. What impact did this have on Rome?
13. What groups, desiring the more ordered and happy life of the empire, were creeping across the Rhine and beginning to disrupt the empire? Provide two examples of these groups.
14. When did the Roman Empire collapse in the West?
15. What important monastic rule was written in the Roman period?
16. Gregory the Great became the Bishop of Rome in _________. Explain the condition of Rome when Gregory begins his service.
17. Gregory wrote a very important document about Christian leadership. What is the document, and what does it stress about Christian leadership.
18. In the medieval period, what three institutions emerge from the rubble of the Roman Empire.
19. Charles Martel was named the “King of the Franks” by the Pope in the year _________. What forged document emerged from this arrangement?
20. Charlemagne becomes the King of the Franks in ________. He is crowned the Holy Roman Emperor in ________. His empire is centered in the city _____________.
21. Charlemagne wants to improve learning and the arts in the empire. This rebirth of education has been called the ____________________ _______________________.
22. Throughout the Medieval period there is a struggle between two institutions. Who is struggling? Give an historical example of this struggle.
23. What is the basic problem that is the source of the conflict through the Medieval period?
24. What is a mendicant order and provide two examples of these orders that began in the medieval period?
25. Thomas Aquinas has been called the author of a concept titled the “Great Synthesis.” What is this synthesis? How does it impact us today in our own study of religion?

Section II
1. Provide a definition of Sacrament.
2. List the Seven Sacraments celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church. Which of the seven are the Sacraments of Initiation?
3. Sacraments are rituals. Define ritual. Isn’t “ritual” a pre-modern, pre-enlightenment activity? As we are very rational people, shouldn’t we get rid of ritual in the Church?