Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: February 17, 2019
I have many musical thanks to make today. A children’s choir made up of about 20 or so youngsters from the local “Holy Family Homeschoolers Group” graced our 10:30 am Mass last Sunday! It was a treat to have them add their voices to our worship, and for that we have to thank our frequent substitute organist Mr. David Summers. He is also the children’s music teacher as well, and it was his idea to have them come to the Cathedral for us.
Of course, our own Cathedral Choir was with us too. I am so very proud of their commitment to enhancing Mass here by their musical excellence, and I know I speak for the whole Parish in offering them our appreciation. In this vein, a special word of thanks goes to interim choir director Mrs. Mary Hurlbert Stein. It’s clear that both she and the whole choir are enthusiastic about continuing to praise God here, and to help us all lift our hearts and voices to Him in sung prayer as well.
Everyone’s probably a little interested in how things are going in our search for a new Director of Music and Organist. Advertisements for the position have gone out, not only locally but also nationally. We’ve already gotten a few applications and résumés, and I anticipate quite a few more. Our Search Committee hope to soon begin interviewing and hearing the best of those who apply, exploring with them the Cathedral Parish’s musical future. Please join your prayers to ours that we find the right person!
Remember, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6. That’s right around the corner. It’s perfectly fine to continue to celebrate carnival energetically but safely – and wholesomely, please! Yet it should also always be with a view towards the purposeful, abrupt end of Mardi Gras: the somber penitential season in which we mortify self in imitation of Christ. He gave His all for us; we can give back to Him as well, not just “a little” but significantly.
So you are well-advised to start giving a few thoughts to your upcoming Lenten penance. While it’s okay to share some of the discipline of Lent with others – after all, I shall soon start wailing over my annual 40 days without coffee, that most noble of daytime beverages! – we should also be true to Jesus’ admonition to fast, pray, and give alms – and do other penance – “in secret” (see Mt 6:1ff.) Everyone should resolve to do some kind of penance completely unknown to others. God, after all, knows how much we really care about Him and His will.
And of the three “traditional” Lenten penitential practices – more prayer, fasting and almsgiving – I really have to recommend the third as best. Extra prayer is wonderful, especially if we can make it to daily Mass all or most days. Fasting is good for our waistlines and even better for helping us realize how our lives seem to whirl around various cravings, not just for food but for everything else pleasurable. But actually giving away more money hits hardest: it’s sad to say that that we are so very selfish, but it’s true. We spend far more on clothes, or monthly cable or Netflix or Hulu charges, than we ever give to charity or the Church. And Lent is one time of year that we can purposefully remedy this! So give it a thought, okay? And then give!
Yours in Christ,
Very Rev Paul D. Counce
