LiturgyHouse.org

Children's Choir Christmas Concert

2011-12-05T06:58:00.000-08:00

(this is my nativity scene, which I place on top of my baby grand piano at home)

Please come and let the Children of Southwest Detroit
offer you the Christmas Story
told in Song, Scripture and Poetry
in Spanish, English and a little bit of Latin!

The concert is free.
It will take place on:

Friday, Dec. 16th

at St. Gabriel Church, 8118 W. Vernor, Detroit, MI

Daily mass at 6:00p.m.
Followed by the concert
at approximately 6:30p.m in the church building
w/fiesta after that in the hall!

The children will be accompanied by
musicians from the adult choir.
And the children, themselves,
will play various hand-held percussion instruments:
maracas, claves, etc.

Parking behind the church.
The Cesar Chavez Academy is located next to the church
with more parking behind the Academy
and even more parking on Norman Street,
near the Academy playground area.

And, in case you are interested,
here is the program line-up
(subject to change, of course!)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Children’s Choir Christmas Concert - Dec. 16th

Prepare the Way (Taize)
     Wonder Counselor Poem
     recited by: Esther, Wendy, Giselle

Lectura
     La Anunciación de la Santísima Virgen María
     Proclamado por: Esther, Wendy, Giselle

The Visitation Poem recited by: Celine

Quiero Decir Que Sí

Magnificat (Taize)
     Magnificat Poem recited by: Anadelia

Lectura
El Sueño de San José - Proclamado por: Juan Diego

Hombre Justo

Lectura
     El Censo / El Nacimiento de Jesús
     Proclamado por - Juan Diego

Las Posadas - Entren Santos Peregrinos

Away In A Manger - Solo by: Elisa

Gloria (Taize)
     The Nativity Poem Recited by: Carlos

El Niño del Tambor

O Holy Night - Solo by: Giselle

Silent Night - Solo by: Lesley

The First Noel - Solo by: Celine

Peces En El Rio - Duet: Esther & Giselle

Go Tell It On The Mountain - Solo by: Wendy

Alegría, Alegría, Alegría

Mi Burrito Sabanero

The Id, The Ego, The SuperEgo and Facebook: Jesus Gone Viral

2011-10-07T04:45:00.000-07:00

Facebook TOS
are really pretty clear.
Don’t spam.
Don’t upload viruses or malicious code.
Nothing that is
hateful, threatening, or pornographic;
nothing that incites violence
or contains nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence.

You can sell stuff on Facebook,
but FB has a few rules about that, too.
Mostly to protect
buyers and sellers from fraud.

It’s really pretty basic.
Use your common sense.

So,
what does Facebook
have to do with Liturgy?

Facebooks
is actually a wonderful tool
for Electronic Evangelization.
I applaud those who are getting online
(finally)
and using the internet to promote The Word,
using Facebook to inspire, nudge
and just plain get word out to people
about events in their area,
about mass times,
about special services
and a whole host of other things.

And not just facebook.
Myspace, Twitter, Photo Bucket,
Flickr, Youtube, . . . .
. . there’s a whole world out there,
a sea of online possibilities
for sharing the faith,
PR for our worship and church events, etc.

The way I see it,
Facebook has a lot to do with liturgy.
Why, among my contacts at facebook
I have liturgical composers
and publishers of Catholic Liturgical Music.
Among my contacts
I have clergy and others, who,
like me, are pastoral musicians
and choir directors.
Facebook is a great way
to know what’s going in your community.
(As well as the larger community.)

In recent weeks
I was invited to join in a novena
to St. Augustin, which I did.

I was invited to an event
to help raise funds
for Detroit’s Clark Park.

I was invited at an event
held at the same Clark Park
regarding immigration.

I was invited to a church festivals
in my area.

As a church musician
I’ve even received invites
to lead music for different events.

It’s really a great tool.

I can post videos on facebook
of music I want to teach the choir.
Several of the members of the parish choir I direct,
the women’s choir I direct,
even of the children’s choir I direct
all use facebook.
What a practical and wonderful tool!. . .

. . . .until we get controlling.

If I posted something on facebook
that has value to the community
you can and should go ahead and re-post it
to you wall.
That’s the gift of viral that social media has.
You could/should/ought to comment that it is a good thing.
Or post the URL to your wall.
Don’t get mad
and tell me to take it off of facebook
because you were going to post it.

That’s classic “id” behavior,
classic “I want, I want, I want”. . . .
. . . “I want to be the first and only person
to post that on facebook.”

Well, too bad.
That’s life.
We really do need to get over the control thing.
So many just want to control.
If it’s a good thing,
if it’s something the community should know about
does it really matter
who is getting the word out?

“.. . .John said to him,
‘Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.’
Jesus replied,
Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.’”
(Mark 9:39)

Yeah,
Mark 9:39.
Jesus gone viral.

And isn’t it better when a good thing
actually goes viral?
I would think so.

And let’s think about this a bit.
When it comes to sharing the faith,
shouldn’t we all be telling the world?
Not just one of us, or two of us.
Not just the committee chairperson
or parish council president.
Not just the choir director or pastor.
But shouldn’t we all be shouting from the rooftops?
Does it really matter
who gets to the rooftop first?

I mean how many stupid videos go viral?
How many times have you forwarded
the video of a dog
or the kid who did some trick on his bike?
Just think if Jesus stuff would go viral. . .
.. . . ah, the possibilities!!!!

But, no.
We (at least some of us)
get upset
because
“I should be the one posting that. . .”

Ugh. . .
Sometimes I just plain wonder
about people like this. . . .

Would that the “superego” enter in
and referee the whole thing,
that would be great.

Let’s face it.
Social Media is all about communication.
So,
why would anyone get upset
if information gets communicated,
especially
if it’s about Jesus, The Word,
Church Events, etc.?
The only reason I can think of is ego.
Just plain old fashioned ego.

And you know,
if you don’t know the following
you really need to go to class,
facebook 101, if you will,
before you start
criticizing the facebook of others.

TOS - Terms of Service

URL - Universal Resource Locator (basically, the web address)

Wall - on facebook, a section in your profile
where others can write messages to you or leave you virtual gifts.
Your wall can be private or public.

SPAM - unsolicited commercial message, sent to email
or social media inbox. . sometimes left as blog comment.

Embed - Embedding is a code for the video.
You take the embed code and post it on your website or blog
and then the video will show and people can watch it.
The embed code from youtube was used
to post the videos in this and other blog entries
here at Liturgy House.

Viral - when something online becomes popular
via sharing on social media sites or email.

Viral.
Now that’s word to remember.
If I post it in my facebook
and a friend reposts it,
it (whatever “it” is)
has gone viral.
And if that friend reposts it
and their friend reposts it. . . .
Well,
the possibilities are endless with Social Media.

Sort of like that old shampoo commercial. . .

Why don’t we (the church)
do this?
And why do we get upset
if someone else does?

Some interesting facts:
- Youtube is the 2nd largest search engine in the world
- Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the United States of America.
- 93% of marketers use social media for business.

Alas,
we (the church)
are sometimes still to territorial,
nay, neanderthal,
when it comes using social media.

I originally wrote this blog entry a few weeks ago.
I didn’t post it
only because I thought
the idea was too simple,
to use social media.
And I thought maybe I was only writing out of anger,
about being told to cease and desist
the use of social media
to PR a faith related event.
But you know what?
I was angry.
But anger can be productive.
If anger nudged me to write this blog entry,
that’s a good thing.
Because if you got nothing else from this blog entry,
I certainly hope you got the message:
Use your internet connection
and Facebook your Faith.

Facebook your Faith, people.

Facebook Your Faith!

p.s.
. . you can find me on facebook here.

Pastoral Musical Leadership Styles - Part 5 - Other Styles

2011-07-08T03:05:00.000-07:00

Someone left a comment
on the first of the blog entries
on Leadership.
I’m not sure I understood the comment.

On the onset,
I read it to mean
that we should be all three leadership styles.
And I said that in the blog entry,
that most of us incorporate all three styles of leadership.
So,
maybe it was the reader of my blog entry
who did not understand me.

I also said
that we tend to lean on one leadership style
more than others,
as least as I far as I can see.

If the comment meant
that we should try to be equally all three
all the time,
well,
I gotta say
that that just won’t fly with me.

Ah, yes, The Holy Trinity.
Perhaps I don’t fully understand that comment,
or perhaps,
that person
just doesn’t understand me.
Either way I can agree that
The Trinity, in all perfection,
is the perfect role model for us.
However,
in our humanity and with our limitations
there are always struggles.

I agree that all of us use these three different models of leadership
at one point or another.
But my point is
that most of us tend to use one model more than another.
That’s neither good nor bad.
It just is.

Now,
I’m not using any scientific method here,
just personal experience.
And the only reason I’m writing out loud
is because I am trying to articulate for myself
my own style.
But I appreciate the comment, nonetheless.
Differing points of view
(which started this blog series to begin with)
force me to think.

Now,
back to the idea
that we, for the most part,
tend to follow one leadership style
over another.

My husband has his leadership style.
My father was one type of leader
and my mother,
who was another style of leader,
complimented him beautifully.

And it just makes life a little easier
if we could name and claim (i.e. “know”)
what our particular brand of leadership is.
It makes us to understand others
and their style of leadership better.
Quite often
the differences of opinions
we find ourselves struggling with
are very simply
caused by coming at the situation
from different leadership perspectives.
Though coming at the situation from different angles,
many times
people with different leadership styles
hope for the same outcome.
They just approach the situation differently.
We need to stop arguing about which path to take
if we both want to reach
the same destination.

And this coming from different angles,
coming from different leadership styles,
is the discussion
that provoked this series of blog entries
in the first place.
But as I so oft do
when I am writing out loud,
I digress. . . . .

. . . .I am no self-help guru
or leadership mogul.
I’m only trying to articulate for myself
some things I see in myself
and what I have learned about others
over the years.

There are definitely
more than three leadership styles.
What I have listed in previous blog entries
are the three
that I have found
to be most productive
in a pastoral music leadership setting,
. . . recall,
this blog is about liturgy
and this series of blog entries
is for a self-definition.
But seriously,
there are other leadership models
that I have come across
over the years.
And,
depending on where you work
or volunteer your time,
a different style of leadership
may be necessary.
But this is a self-descriptive blog series.

I in no way
negate that The Holy Trinity
is the perfect role model.
But I disagree
that our leadership
(as pastoral music directors)
should always be all three perfectly.

Anyhow,
there are many more leadership styles,
not just the three of previous blog entries.
And while I agree the Trinity
is Perfect Unity,
I know that we are imperfect
and need to use what works best for us.
No one can tell me or force me
to be anything I am not.

OK. . .
Rubi’s Rambling again . . .

Back to the thought. ..
There are way more
than three leadership styles.
And some of them
aren’t so pretty.

For example,
there is the Narcissist.
This persons tends to look out only for No. 1.
Decisions made would be primarily
for personal glory
or personal benefit.
This type of leader can be very destructive.
If a leader is forming in the ranks
the Narcissist does all he/she can
to squash that person,
even force that person
to leave the group,
making it look like
the person left of their own free will,
when,
in fact,
the Narcissist made it impossible
for that person to stay in the group.
Rules are made
and then changed
to benefit the Narcissist,
not to benefit the group.

Then there is The “Yes” Person.
This type of leader
does whatever their immediate superior wants,
whether they know it to be right or wrong.
The “Yes” Person
is more concerned about not making conflict
with their boss
but fails to realize
that they are creating conflict
with those they are called to lead.
This constant state of conflict
creates a real dissension in the group.

Then there is the controller.
This person is the micro manager
because they believe they know it all.
The group functions as the controller
wants it to function.
Everything about the group
is under his/her control.
There often is so much structure
that no one can get creative,
there is no freedom
for the Spirit to move.
The structure is put in place
so the controller can control.

There is The “By The Book” leader.
This type of leader
wants everyone to follow the rules
to the letter.
This type of leader
would, perhaps,
be perfect and necessary
in a work place
where danger is involved.
I mention it here in this blog
as I’m just sort of brainstorming
on other types of leadership.
I don’t know that this type of leadership
would fit the pastoral music director. . .

And,
as a tangent,
let me say that there are behaviors in leaders
that can be VERY destructive.

-Criticizing someone in front of others
-Trying to force others
to accept their point of view as right or correct
-Bragging about themselves
-Delegated work that they, themselves,
just did not want to do

And,
as far as leadership styles go,
there are more, I’m sure.
Again,
my purpose for this
blog entry
is a self-evaluation
and self-description.

Yes,
I incorporate
more than one leadership style
But mostly I am only one of them.
And, if indeed,
that were to change,
that change would start with me,
not from someone telling me
I should be this
or I should be that.

Encouraging someone
to try something new,
something different,
is always a good thing.
But there is a BIG difference
in encouraging someone to try something
and telling them
what the should do or be.

Someone telling someone else
what they should be:
that’s where a lot of the “isms” start,
isn’t it???. . . .

OK.
Nuff said on the topic of leadership.
These blog entries
have been cathardic. . . .

Pastoral Musical Leadership Styles - Part 4 - The Democrat

2011-06-27T03:47:00.000-07:00

No, not a political party,
but a leadership style
where the whole group has voice.
For the most part,
my leadership style is participative.
That means
that I like to allow the people I lead,
which in this case,
is the members of the music ministry,
via a style that is participative, democratic.
I like them to have a voice,
an opinion in the music we use.
The final decisions always rest with me
as I am the music director.

Using a democratic leadership approach
the choir members truly feel like a part of a team,
like their input matters.
And quite frankly,
it does.

Now,
don’t get me wrong.
A democratic leadership style
doesn’t mean
that if someone says,
“I don’t like that song,”
we don’t do that song.
I’m speaking here
more of a participation
in the creativity.

For example,
I may choose to introduce a new song.
In my mind
I can hear the alto section
or the sopranos
or percussion instruments in a particular fashion.
Maybe it’s my own creative vision
or maybe it’s what’s printed in the music,
but I usually have a clear sound
dancing around in my head.
And then we get to rehearsal
and Ana finds a unique and outstanding descant
in her mind
that I never found in mine.
Nellie finds that alto harmony
that totally meshes with what Ana is doing.
Not only is the finished piece of music
much grander than what I could come up with alone,
these ladies are contributing,
are becoming owners of the ministry.

The danger of this leadership style
is that it can lead to a choir discussion
as opposed to a choir rehearsal.
But a good leader
knows how to pull back into rehearsal mode
and must decide
which of the various musical suggestions,
if any,
to put into play.

I have found this leadership style
truly promotes creativity,
truly motivates people to participation.
In fact,
sometimes it’s almost like we have a psychic connection.
Marcy starts playing her guitar
and I know exactly where she is going.
Sometimes we just laugh out loud
because we realize that something strange,
but creatively beautiful is going on.
That strange and beautiful thing
won’t happen
if the leader only follows a militant leadership style,
always barking out commands
and never giving choir members a voice.

Another good thing
about this leadership style. . .
. . .(reminder:
I’m discussing a pastoral music leader). . .
. . .is that it is a great way
to find those talents
that lay hidden, dormant
in your members.

Dolores,
who played percussion with a group I direct
for many years,
is absolutely The Queen
of hand held percussion instruments.
She’d hear a song
and instantly know
which instrument is best
and quickly find the rhythm. .
. . . she’d know when to enter
to create interesting dynamics,
she’d know when to change it up.
Dolores is clearly a lady
of the rhythm section.
That being the case,
why would I,
a lady of the keyboard world,
ever try to limit her creativity?
Let your people
(those with rhythm)
creatively play with rhythm toys!!!

Heavy sigh. . . .
. . . I so-o-o-o miss Dolores.
She moved to Chicago. . . .

Yes,
the rehearsals can get messy
using this leadership style.
But if you aren’t flexible
you probably shouldn’t be
a music director anyway.
The mess
is a part of the creative process.
Enjoy it!!

Yes,
the group sometimes
ends up spending a great deal of time
on some songs,
but that’s why they call it rehearsal.
And really,
your rehearsal agenda
should always be looking far enough ahead
into the future.
If all you are concerned about in your rehearsal agenda
is what’s coming up this Sunday,
you’ve totally missed the mark
as a director anyway.
If in June
you aren’t already at least thinking
about September’s repertoire of new stuff,
you’re missing the boat.
Plan far enough in advance
so that your Sunday stuff
will take care of itself.
Advance planning
gives your choir time
to get creative.
Let your choir,
encourage your choir,
to participate in the creativity.

In the end,
if only the printed music score
or only the director’s creativity is used
the world will miss out
on some fine music
that could be,
but never was.

And what if the director
isn’t so creative?
And what if the music in question is great,
but the music score is lousy?
Should the choir
and the music ministry
suffer because of these two draw-backs?
I certainly hope not.
Especially
if there is talent in the ranks
just waiting to be developed,
honed,
and used
for the Glory of Our God.

Besides,
one person cannot possibly know everything.
One person cannot possible create everything
when it comes to music.

And,
in the end,
we are doing more than
preparing music for mass.
The choir is a small ecclesial community.
As directors
we must do all we can to build that community,
not just from the neck up
(learning new music)
but from the neck down
(participation from the heart).

And while I may use
the other leadership styles
on an “as needed” basis,
this is the leadership style,
the democratic/participative leadership style,
I have claimed for myself.

It brings forth flexibility and creativity.
It creates commitment and community.
It’s messy and fun!

Pastoral Musical Leadership Styles - Part 3 - The Delegator

2011-06-23T03:19:00.000-07:00

The delegator
is the person who lets others make decisions
and really doesn’t interfere much after that.
In a good situation,
the leader would have competent leaders
in various areas
that he/she would trust
to make good decisions
and then carry those decisions out.
This is not about
making other people do your work.
It’s about working together
with others who capable.

The delegator
would need to able to spot
when one of the team leaders
were not doing their job
or were not capable of doing said job.
And, if necessary,
train that person to do it,
or maybe adjust personnel
so that the job gets done,
moving the person who lacks a particular skill
to another area where they perform well.
The point is
that a good delgator
is able to spot the skill/talent
of a particular person
and work with that person
to develop and hone that talent.

The delegator needs to be a person who trusts.
The hard part could be that
sometimes the person who is called to do a particular job
might not do it
the way the delegator would.
But the delegator needs to let that go
and trust that the job is getting done,
even if in a somewhat different manner.
To step in and control
would be to lose respect,
which, in turn,
leads to lack of motivation,
lack of initiative,
and lack of creativity.

Another danger of this leadership style
is that the leader might just turn around
and blame the person delegated
if the job goes wrong.
A true delegator
would be keeping on eye on things,
watching (not controlling)
and help set things in the right directions
if he/she sees things taking a wrong a turn.

This type of leadership
could work very well
if the choir is large
or if there are many instrumentalists.
Rather than schedule sectional rehearsals
the choir director
may choose competent leaders
for each section
and have them rehearse
in a different room,
having all sections return
to main rehearsal room
to rehearse together.

(. . . but even so,
each section leader
would then assume
one of the other leadership types. . )

Quite often,
I have learned,
is that if there is trust in the director
and trust in each other as a choir,
members of the choir
might take initiative
and assume certain tasks
without officially being delegated to do so.

Once one of my choirs
took a trip to Mexico.
During the initial stages of the planning of this trip
I fell ill.
Connie took care of creating and sending demo tape to basilica.
Marcy found the hotel and ground transportation.
Another person took care of
getting us a keyboard and sound, etc., etc.
These people didn’t wait
for the official word from the director
to start organizing
because they knew that these tasks
were going to be handed out anyway.
They took the initiative
and went about the work
of planning a choir trip. . .
. . . wow. . .
No small wonder I love this choir so much!!!!

I suppose a part of the reason
that I, personally,
don’t use this leadership style
is that I usually have directed
small choirs.
But I do see where this style of leadership
can be effective.

Pastoral Musical Leadership Styles - Part 2 - The Autocrat

2011-06-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

The first leadership style
I would like to discuss in this blog
is the autocratic leader.

The autocratic leadership style
is authoritarian, militant.
The autocratic leader
tells people what to do.
This leader tells how to do it,
when to do it.

Now,
let me remind blog readers
that I’m writing about church leadership here,
specifically,
the music ministry.
So,
as I describe the pros and cons
of the autocratic leader,
please keep that in mind.

The autocratic leadership style
may be necessary on occasion.
There may be factors involved,
such as time constraints.
A certain task must be accomplished
and the leader tells people what must be done
to meet the deadline.

Last year,
I took the children’s choir to Faithfest,
a festival of church music
in the area where I live.

The sound equipment
was provided for by the sponsoring church.
But it needed to be set up
according to my specifications.
When the children began arriving
I quickly told a few of the parents
to separate the kids
into “choir 1" and “choir 2”
(Soprano and alto).
I told another parent
to make sure that those children
who played percussion instruments
got what they needed.
I went inside to work with sound team.
When mics were in place,
I had guitarists take their place.
Then I sent a parent out to gathering area
to bring Choir 2
and told them specifically to leave Choir 1 outside
until I called for them.
When Choir 2 was in place
I called for Choir 1.

The parents understood well
the time constraints
and the set-up necessary.
They followed my directions.

This is a good example
of how and when
an autocratic leadership style is necessary.
If there is a good relationship
between the leader and the group of folks involved
this style of leadership can prove most effective,
as it did for us for this event.

The danger of this leadership style
is that it could lead to a lack of respect.
The danger of this leadership style
is that the leader could abuse the power,
be more of a controller than a leader.

Another danger
is lack of communication.
While the autocratic leader
may have clearly set goals
and have a vision of things,
they often do not share this
with the group they lead.
This can lead to conflict and friction.
People may resist the leader’s request,
even though what the autocratic leader is requesting
is for the betterment of the group.

If this is the only leadership style that is used
a lack of respect
and a lack of communication
will not be the only problems.
It will be hard to motivate people.
And where there is little motivation
there is even less creativity.
This could be death to a choir,
to a music ministry.

Now,
don't get me wrong.
This style of leadership
is necessary at times.

Personally,
I use this style of leadership sparingly.
To be quite honest,
it just isn’t me.
But I must admit,
this style of leadership
served us well
on the day of the Faithfest event.
But an every day leadership style?
Nope.
Not me.

Pastoral Musical Leadership Styles - Part 1 - Different Styles for Different People

2011-06-21T04:08:00.000-07:00

Leadership styles.
There are many.
There are three I would like to discuss
in this blog.

And I would like to do this
because someone recently
challenged me on my leadership style.
While I cannot be certain
on what was going on
in that person’s mind,
I think the discord comes from the fact
that he and I have totally different leadership styles.
And because of this
we sometimes tend to view things
from different angles.

And to be quite honest,
sometimes I like it when there is a bit of friction.
It forces me to think,
forces me to articulate
what I may already know in my heart,
but haven’t yet verbalized.

Now,
this is not going to be a
Dale Carenegie or
Anthony Robbins
spewing of verbage.
These are just Random Rubi Ramblings
of thoughts
that have been dancing around in my head
for the last week and a half.

Anyhow,
near as I can figure,
there are three main styles of leadership:
The Autocrat, The Democrat, and The Delegator.

Leadership,
to me,
is about motivating people.
We have a task about us:
the music ministry.
Our purpose for being
is to provide that musical leadership
for the People of God.
My role is to direct.
“Duh,” you say?
But it’s about more than directing a choir.
It’s about providing direction.
A leader who does not provide direction
cannot possibly hope to motivate.
Without motivation
the music ministry dies.

Now,
all who are leaders
go from one style to another
as the situation and circumstances demand.
But basically,
we tend to follow one style of leadership
more than the others.

First of all,
let me say
that no one call tell you
what sort of leadership style
you should have
as your principal style of leadership.
And this is where
my momentary frustration
with the person was,
they wanted me to be something
I know I am not.
Still,
I had to verbalize for myself
what my style of leadership is.
Many of us
have probably never even given it much thought.
We just do it.

Many things may be involved
in developing your own leadership style.
Your age could be a factor.
Your life/work experience could be another.
Your education could be yet another factor.
Culture has A LOT to do with leadership style.
Men, for the most part,
tend to lead very differently than women.
And quite often,
indeed,
when what we are discussing
is a Pastoral Leadership style,
the leadership style
really depends on the circumstances.
For example,
the way I lead the children’s choir
is different
from the way I lead the women’s choir.

I know well
what my leadership style is.
But until now,
I haven’t verbalized it.
And to say I am something,
also is saying that
I am not something else.
So,
as I describe the various leadership styles
in upcoming blog entries,
please be aware
that I am about a self-description here,
writing stream of consciousness,
as I so oft do,
to release the words from my heart
and on
to this electronic parchment.

Three leadership styles:
The Autocrat, The Democrat, and The Delegator.

Can you guess
which one I claim?
And which one are you???

Litany of the Graces of the Cross

2011-04-20T03:39:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful litany,
one of those prayers that makes you think,
not just a recitation of
a bunch of "holy" words.
The first time I read through it,
I loved it.
I decided to do a little research
to see who put this prayer together
and then offer it here
on the Liturgy House blog.
This litany was compiled by
A Dominican priest, Father Peter John Cameron, O.P.
You are free to distribute this as widely as you like.

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Litany of the Graces of the Cross

Response: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

We adore you, O Christ,
when we do not get our own way. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in the midst of day-to-day aggravations, frustrations, and annoyances. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when we live deprived of recognition or gratitude. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when dealing with others who exalt themselves and demean us. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in the face of worry, anxiety, and fear. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when we forgive others and show them mercy,
especially when it hurts. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in the face of others’ thoughtlessness. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in confronting our daily inner rebellion. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in refusing to give in to vanity and self-importance. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in always thinking about others first
and putting them first. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when others take us for granted. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when suffering the agony of depression. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in our inability to make sense out of life
or to have things follow our plans,
especially when we’re trying so hard to be good. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in rejecting self-assertion and self satisfaction. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in the midst of the oppressiveness of life
– its futility, drudgery, pointlessness, and tedium. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in letting go of the order and control we crave. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when accosted by the unfairness
of seeing the wicked succeed. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
despite the world’s contradiction, humiliation, and derision. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
by refusing to live according to our feelings. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when we are under-appreciated. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when our egoism and willfulness flare up. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when we are persecuted for your sake. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
as we live by love and no lesser motive. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in finding peace in the total surrender of self. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in accepting that God works in the ways we least expect. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
as we search for self worth
only in God’s love for us and nothing else. Rs

Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Jesus, Please Come Today

2011-04-02T03:33:00.000-07:00

I haven’t blogged much lately.
Well, yes I have,
but not here at Liturgy House.

It certainly hasn’t been
for lack of something to say (or write)
about worship and Liturgy.

Life just seems to be so busy lately.
Really.
It seems like time
is just starting to zoom on by.
Time is literally flying
and it seems like I just don’t have enough of it
(time)
to write all the things
that are dancing in my head,
to do all of those projects
I really want to do.

I heard this song on the radio yesterday.
This song motivated me to blog
here at Liturgy House.

Now,
first of all,
let me say that I am not a particular fan
of contemporary Christian music.
It’s not that I don’t like it.
Well,
for the most part
I don’t.
Simplistic chord structures,
repetitive pre-schoolish type melodies.
Now,
that might be the classical pianist in me talkin,
but I like music with a little bit
“music” in it.

. . and then there are some texts
that are so superficial. . .
I think one of the reasons
I favor the Gospel of John
over all of the other books of the Bible
is because the text is so layered with meaning. . .
And the hidden messages of John’s Gospel
arise as your life changes,
as you grow and become.
It’s a text,
a very poetic text,
layered and layered
with meaning.
Now,
that might be the poet in me talkin’ now. . . .
. . . but as is oft the case,
I digress.
My point is that in contemporary Christian Music
we often get a very, very
very simple text
that doesn’t go beyond
or much deeper than face value.

And then there is quite a big difference
between Christian Music
and Liturgical Music.
Sadly,
so many in my field
just aren’t aware
or don’t have a clue.

Having made all of the criticisms
I have made above
let me also say
that there is some really great
contemporary Christian music out there.
But just because it is great Christian music
doesn’t necessarily mean
that is it great or appropriate liturgical music.

As Catholics,
we worship in community.
Some Christian music
has us worship as individuals.
Oh,
we might all be in the same church
at the same time,
but sometimes the music
puts us into private
individualistic
little worship,
in the same church with everyone else,
but separate and apart,
though physically all in one place.

Now,
having said all of the above
sometimes I think
I just think too much.
Seriously.
I mean,
a poet never runs out of words to say.
Remember,
I may be a pastoral musician
via public persona,
but I am a poet at heart.
And poets never run out of words.

The other thing
is that sometimes
people who are involved
in a particular ministry
find it very difficult
to be ministered unto
in that same ministry.
Know what I mean?
The musician
has a hard time
letting other musicians
minister unto to them.

I have been in this field
for almost 30 years.
I truly believe
my criticisms and concerns are valid.

Yet it is also true
that I don’t find it easy
to let others use music
to minister to me.
I find I’m very critical
of the text,
of the musicianship,
of it’s use at the particular time,. . .
. . . i.e.,
I think too much.

Enough words.
I heard a song yesterday
(which I had heard many, many times before)
that literally moved me to tears.
I think a part of the magic of music
is not everything I rambled about above.
A big thing about music
is where you are. . .
. . in life,
in your joy,
in your sorrow,
in your happiness,
in you sadness,
in your relationships
with God and with others. . .
when you hear the song.

. . and so,
this song made me cry.
. . . it also motived me
to blog here . . .

“Jesus, please come. . .
. . please come today. . .”
A VERY simplistic text,
very basic musically,
but a very real prayer. . . .

Liturgical Language

2011-01-20T07:07:00.000-08:00

Last year about this time

I started posting entries in this blog

about my trip to Juquila

in Oaxaca, Mexico.

My “Road to Juquila” blog entries

will continue this year

as I’ve just recently returned

from a 2nd pilgrimage

to Our Lady’s holy sanctuary.

And,

as always,

my trips to Mexico

fill me with thoughts,

my trips renew and boost my faith,

and visits to various ruins

(this year, Tula and Mitla)

always serve to move me to action.

So,

in the months to come

I’ll post pictures

and generous

Rubi Ramblings

on all of the above.

But right now. . .

. . well. . . right now. ..

let’s discuss Liturgical Language.

Or even,

language in general.

You know,

language changes.

When I was growing up

we never “Googled” anything.

Texting while driving wasn’t a problem.

Ipod, Ipad, Iphone,

Zune, Wii,

email, hotmail, gmail,

Skype

blog, blogger, blogging, blogged, blogosphere .. .

. . .none of these words existed.

How about,

using some of those words in a sentence:

"Today I Googled tethering an Iphone to an Ipad."

Although in English,

some in the English speaking world

might not have a clue

as to what that even means!

And when I was growing up

the words to the song were:

“. . and we’ll all feel gay

when Johnny comes marching home.”

When my son sang it in school

a few years back

the language had changed:

“and we’ll all be glad.”

Yes,

language changes.

Vocabulary grows.

And there is an identity

in language.

I’ve worked with immigrants

all of my adult life.

And while those in the mainstream

complain that

“If they want come here

they need to learn English,”

some compassion really needs to take place.

It’s not a resistance

to learning a new language.

It’s about one’s sense of identity.

And this,

for both those in the so called “mainstream”

as well as for those

living in the margins.

There is identity in language.

Language

is a touchy, touchy subject.

The Liturgy has a language all its own.

Really.

It’s not just the words we speak

or listen to,

but the symbols speak.

Even our gestures speak.

Still,

until this week,

I haven’t given much thought

to the changes in liturgical language

for the English speaking world.

OK.

That’s a lie.

I have.

But not in the proper pastoral context.

To tell the truth,

I have been absolutely frustrated

and even angered

by the whole idea.

Only I just didn’t realize it.

I placed a phone call

to a friend of mine

who also works in the area of liturgy.

She put into words

some of those things

that have been hiding in my thoughts.

The change in language

will bear a dollar sign.

New hymnals, new Roman Missals,

workshops and training, etc.

Publishers

will begin to advertise

so as to beat out other publishers in sales.

And there will be work,

much work,

for those

who have already done so much

to make our worship so wonderful.

Liturgical composers

will need to rewrite their works

if they hope to be included

in the next edition

of hymnals and songbooks.

Basically,

they will have to do the work

they have already done

all over again.

We will be asking creative and talented people

to stop their creativity

for a do-over.

The Church certainly has

more than her share of crises right now. . .

. . .declining clergy. . .

. . .church closures. . . abuse scandals. . .

Not to even mention the fact

that the church seems to be dividing herself

into two factions:

liberal and conservative.

And text translation

is what we are worried about???

That’s not logical, Captain Kirk.

Now,

I currently serve in a parish

that is primarily Spanish speaking.

That may be another reason

that I haven’t given serious

pastoral thought

to these changes.

But enough of my inner thoughts

and on to the world of Church.

There are translation changes

and those who preside,

those who lead music,

those who in any way are involved

in liturgical ministries

need to prepare

and then implement these changes.

The changes are real

and I consider myself

to be among those

who need to prepare

for said change.

It’s time to leave the world

of personal opinion

and travel the road

to Pastoral Thought.

I received an email the other day

and I followed a link in that email.

And,

as things go,

several links later

I was at a parish website

where they actually have a

team for

The Implementation of The Roman Missal.

Well,

they certainly seem to be on the ball!

But that link

was an evangelizing moment for me.

“Everything happens for a reason,”

my friend, Marcy, always says.

There’s a reason I landed at the website.

There’s a reason

(or maybe several reasons)

why the simple title of that committee or team

moved me to write this blog entry.

But more,

I realize that I will play a key role

in the implementation of these changes,

which,

in turn,

means that I have quite a bit of homework before me.

Yeah,

that simple text on that website

was what I call a Juan Diego moment:

Evangelizing those

who think they are already Evangelized.

And, as always,

things that frustrate at first,

things that anger me at first,

are the very things

that move me into action.

I’m an affective person.

Strong emotions

usually bring about creativity

and action.

At least,

it does for me.

And so while I do not understand

what the logic is

that put text translation

above some of the other crises

the Church faces,

I’m also not going to worry about it

too much anymore.

Everything happens for a reason.

And while the reason isn’t clear to me

at this moment in time and space,

I am certain

that the reason or reasons

will be abundantly clear

in the course of Salvation History.

So be it.

“And with your spirit.”

We already respond in this fashion

for the Spanish language liturgy,

“.. .y con tu Espíritu.”

Yeah,

homework.

What if God Was One Of Us???

2010-12-23T06:38:00.000-08:00

"What if God was one of us??. .."

I love Mexico.
People are so public about their faith there.
Don’t get me wrong.
I love the U.S.A.

It’s just that in recent years
I think this country of ours
has gone from
Freedom of Religion
to
Freedom From Religion.

You can’t put up a nativity set
unless you also have
other religious faiths represented.

We’ve gone from
“Merry Christmas”
to
“Happy Holidays.”

We’ve gone from
putting a Christmas Tree
to
Holiday Trees.

I’m sorry
but the Holiday is Christmas
and it’s a Christmas Tree.
A nativity scene
represents Christmas.

I’m not opposed to others
of other faith traditions
sharing their images and traditions.
But I will not tolerate
others trying to take mine away from me.

Mexico.
She is so-o-o-o public with her faith.

I love this photo.
It’s a picture of the back
of the bus driver’s seat
in Mexico City.
Now
we’d NEVER see this in Detroit.
I don’t know if the bus driver
had an artist paint for him.
Or maybe the bus company
had it put there.
But it doesn’t matter.
This image of Jesus Christ
is on that bus.
Now,
this is true freedom of religion,
freedom of expression.
Here in this country,
there would be a ban of that bus,
of that bus company.
Somebody would probably lose their job
and/or be sued. .
. . .all for expressing their belief.

As for the song,
well,
when I boarded this bus
the day I took this picture
this song just played through my mind. . .

“What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us?
Just a stranger on the bus. . . .”

"If God had a face
what would it look like?. . ."
Probably much like
the face of that bus driver.

It's been about a year
since I took this photo.
I just hope
that I get to ride
this same bus again
some time soon. . ..

Free MP3 Downloads at MP3-Codes.com

Poetry: Wonder Counselor, The Anunciation, The Visitation, The Magnificat & The Nativity

2010-12-23T04:53:00.000-08:00

Here are a few short poems
I originally wrote in 1997.
Although I do have plans
for some of my other creative works,
these are a few poems
that might not otherwise see the light of day
unless I share with you here.
Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!

- r.

Wonder Counselor

They shall call him Wonder-Counselor.
They shall call him Prince of Peace.
His dominion shall be vast
and forever full of peace.

They shall call him God-Hero
the Day-Spring, David’s Key,
a shoot from the stump of Jesse
for all people to see.

On his shoulder dominion rests.
They’ll call him Father-Forever.
He’ll rule with dignity and justice
both now and forever.

The Annunciation

The angel, Gabriel,
sent to a town of Galilee.
She was betrothed of Joseph.
The virgin’s name was Mary.

“Rejoice, oh highly favored.
The Lord, our God, is with you.
Blessed are you among women.
Our God has found favor in you.

“This child shall rule the house of Jacob.
He shall be given David’s throne.”
“Tell me how this all can be
for man I have not known.”

This shall be the sign:
in a virgin’s womb the child dwells.
“You shall conceive and bear a son
and call his name Emmanuel.”

“Jesus shall be His name
with great dignity he’ll reign
He shall be given David’s throne.”

“How is this to be
for man is not known to me
For man I have not known.”

“How is this God’s plan
for I do not know man.”
“The Spirit will come to you.

“The offspring to be born
will be God’s holy son.
The power of the Most High will overshadow you.

“Elizabeth also conceived
she was thought sterile but believed
With God all things can be.”

“Let it be as you say.
I conceive this special child today.
Let it be done to me.”

The Visitation

Proceeding in great haste
Mary then set out
to a town of Judah
to Zechariah’s house

She greeted Elizabeth.
The child leapt for joy within her womb.
“Blessed are you among women
and blest the fruit within your womb.”

Filled with the Holy Spirit
Elizabeth did say,
“Who am I that the mother
of my Lord should come to me this day?

“My baby leapt for joy
when you greeted me.
You trusted our Lord’s word
how blest are you now and shall ever be.”

The Magnificat

“My spirit does find joy
joy in God, my savior.
My being proclaims the greatness
of the Lord, my God, forever.

“Blest shall be this lowly servant
from age to age to come.
Our God, who is mighty,
for me great things has done.

“Blessed be this lowly servant.
My being does our God proclaim.
Our God is mighty.
Holy is God’s name.

“For those who fear there’s endless mercy.
God’s arm shows great might.
Confusing the proud.
Lowly raised to greatest heights.

“Rich empty sent away.
Good things given to the hungry.
Mighty from their thrones cast down.
Israel upheld in highest mercy.

“As promised to our ancestors,
Abraham and Sarah before,
our God keeps the promise still:
Our God forevermore.”

The Nativity

“A son shall be born to you.”
The angel’s words came true
in David’s town of Bethlehem.

In manger world’s redeemer lay
perhaps asleep upon the hay:
no room for them in the inn.

Shepherds watching flocks by night
the Lord’s glory shown ‘round them.
“You have nothing to fear,”
the angel said to them.

“I proclaim Good News
and tidings of great joy.
In David’s town of Bethlehem
Is born a special boy.

“Today in David’s town
A Savior born to you
An infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
is the sign for you.”

In swaddling clothes amid sheep, cattle and all
the Author of Life was born in a stall
Born of a woman who did not know man.

And yet, how appropriately so
in such a place some time ago
was born our Saving Lamb.

And suddenly with angel
a multitude did praise and say,
“All glory to God in high heaven
and peace to those on whom God’s favor lays!”

And just as the angel had told them
in a stable born the Prince of Peace.
Glory to God in the highest
and on earth to God’s people, peace.

And so now we sing with the angels!
We praise God and rejoice!
We join the heavenly hosts
praising God in one voice!

Yes, today we sing with the angels
in the song that shall never cease:
Glory to God in high heaven
and on earth to good people, peace!

For He is born! Emmanuel! God is with us!
To our saving lamb the virgin gives birth.
Glory to God in the highest
And peace to God’s people on earth!

(c) 1997, 2010 Rubi Martinez-Bernat. Rubi has worked in the area of Music and Liturgy in the Archdiocese of Detroit for over 25 years. Rubi has several blogs and websites, including http://Liturgyhouse.blogspot.com Permission is granted to use these poems on your blog or website provided that nothing is changed or edited. The full content of poetry together with this paragraph and clickable link must be included. All other use in all other media prohibited.

- - - - - -
about the photo:
my corn husk nativity that gets displayed each year on my baby grand piano.

What is this tradition of "Posada?"

2010-12-20T05:34:00.000-08:00

What is this tradition of Posadas?
The editor of Detroit’s SW Vicariate newsletter
asked me to write something about it
and then time just went creeping by.
I never actually wrote anything.
Sorry, Todd.
I really did mean to write up something.

But now, well,
the choir will host the Posada tomorrow night
and the event is on my mind.
I suppose late is better than never.
And, at the very least,
Todd will have the basis for an article
for next year’s Vicariate Newsletter.

Before I explain what a Posada is, however,
I think we must first define/describe Popular Regiosity.
For the fact is, Popular Regiousity (or popular piety)
is one of the greatest tools for evangelization there is.

Popular Religiousity is an adaption of culture to worship.
The faithful attempt to hold on to culture,
to tradition, to language through faith.
Rosaries and novenas are good examples of this.
What the faithful do is take those items
of the Roman Catholic Church
that have fostered the faith
and create an “interior liturgy.”
This interior liturgy encompasses
and embraces their art and their music,
their language and their culture,
and of course, their faith.

And now, before I continue,
I guess I should define liturgy.
Literally,
liturgy comes from the Greek word “Leitourgia.”
That, in turn, comes from two Greek words: Laos Ergon.
To put it simply, it is the work of the people.
It is a work all of the people must do
and a work all of the people will benefit from.
I won’t go too much further than that here
as the goal of this blog entry is to define/describe Posada.
And while Posada is not a formal liturgy of the church,
it is liturgical in nature
as it is a prayerful work of the people
which, in turn, helps to build up the Kingdom of God.

Posada is not formal liturgy,
but a good example of Popular Religiousity.
The beautiful tradition of the Posada
dates back to the sixteenth century.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
suggested that prayers be said on nine successive days.
In 1580,
St. John of the Cross
made a religious pageant out of the proceedings,
which were later introduced to Mexico
by Spanish missionaries.
Eventually,
the Posada tradition left the church building
and was held in private homes.

Scripture, prayer, and song all form part of the Posada.
A rosary may be prayed
or sometimes there is a Pastorela
in conjunction with the Posada.

OK.
Now another defnition/description is needed here.
A Pastorela is a creative play,
a drama of the Nativity.
But more than just a re-enacting
of what took place in Bethlehem,
a Pastorela tries to show the struggles
between good and evil.
It shows the journey the shepherds made,
the journey that we make.
A Pastorela is the story of trials and tribulations;
of those (the shepherds) who originally went seeking Christ,
but ours as well.
So you see,
it doesn’t always take place like a traditional Christmas story.
Those who sponsor a Pastorela
may decide to make the script more contemporary,
more creative.
It’s part play and part ritual: Popular Religiosity.
Anyhow,
a Pastorela may very well be incorporated
into and with a Posada.

The Posada is a novena
and the novena begins on December 16
and culminates with the celebration
of the incarnation of our Lord on La Noche Buena
(literally, The Good Night - Christmas Eve).

Since the Posada is an oral tradition,
it varies from one location to the next.
Some communities pray and sing
with a nativity scene as the focal point.
Some communities literally go from house to house
in their neighborhoods - some even with a live burro!
Some assume the roles of the innkeepers and of Mary and Joseph. Some are “dentro” (inside).
Some are “fuera” (outside).

The Posada is more
than the reenacting of the Gospel stories
of Mary and Joseph seeking lodging
(Posada means lodging).
La Posada,
as popular religiosity, is an interior liturgy.
La Posada makes us owners of the nativity story.

What do you feel when you listen to the story
of Mary and Joseph seeking and not finding lodging?
Do you recall a time in your life
when you were “outside?”
Who accepted you in the end?
Do you know someone
- a friend, a co-worker, a classmate -
that is outside of the group?
What can we do to bring that person in?
Mary and Joseph are knocking at your door today.
How will you respond?
Will you let them into your household?
Will you turn them away?
What do you tell Mary
when she asks for a place in your heart to rest
- a place for Christ to be born?
Do you let her in?

Without getting too political here
I can say that the topic of immigration
makes Posada all the more heart-wrenching.
Who is permitted to stay in this country?
Who must leave?
Who is an outsider?
Dad and the kids can stay
but mom must leave.
Mom and dad must leave
but the children can stay.
Yes,
a Posada can really bring home
the idea of being “in” or of being “out.”

The great journey of La Posada continues -
from the City of David some two thousand years go
to 16th century Europe
to an infant Mexico
and into our hearts today.
When the event comes into our hearts
we create the interior liturgy. . . .

. . . .And there is still much work to do.

A Letter to Maria Lucia

2010-12-08T06:36:00.000-08:00

I originally published this letter
in a blog that I have since dismantled.
Juan Diego was a widower.
He and has wife,
Maria Lucia,
were converts to faith.
I wrote this letter
to her.

Enjoy!

- Rubi.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

April 16, 2009

My Dearest Maria Lucia,

I have, so very often,
thought of writing you this letter.
To be honest,
I do not know what has kept me
from such an important task.

I have thought of you
often throughout my life.
You, my dear Maria Lucia,
are one of those women
who inspire me beyond measure.

It sometimes saddens me
that people forget you existed.
Why is that?
Why do people chose to remember
only certain things,
only certain people?

It seems as though some consider you
optional to the story,
optional to history,
optional to Salvation history.
But I know well
that you are not
an optional woman.

And why do people opt you out?
Could it be
because you are not a biblical character?
Or is it because you are not canonized?
Why do people forget you?

Like Coyolxauhqui,
the aztec moon goddess,
some important women
are buried and forgotten,
buried deeper and deeper
with the passage of time.
But being forgotten
is a worse fate
than Coyolxauhqui
having been murdered
and dismembered by her younger brother.

Why do people choose to forget
those who were enslaved
to build the cathedral of Mexico City?

You know,
in today’s modern world
if we were to destroy
someone else’s house of worship,
well let me just say
that it is a horrifying thing.
But,
destroy their house of worship
and then force them to build a church
out of the ruins of their temple?
It is an ugly history
but it is real.
And yet,
Christianity tends to forget
that she did the very same thing
to you,
to your sacred temples.
Christianity recalls the miracle of Tepeyac
because it is, in fact, a miraculous story.
But she tries to erase,
she tries to bury where and how
she dismembered
those who were here before her.

Why do people choose to forget
the barbaric way the indigenous were slaughtered,
but manage to remember aztec human sacrifices?
The thing is
there was human sacrifice.
And it was all in the name of
the One True God.

But I don’t need to tell you that.
You, my dear lady,
were there.

Maria,
I remember
those who were sacrificed.
I remember
who destroyed the houses of worship.
I remember
whose enslaved hands built the cathedral.
I remember
who evangelized whom.

I remember, Maria Lucia.
And I remember you.

They tell us
that your husband was a weaver by trade.
Tell me, Maria,
did you assist him
in his handiwork?
Tell me, Maria,
did he weave that garment
that would later become
the miracle of Tepeyac?
Or was the Tilma of Tepeyac
the work of your hands,
a gift
for your beloved husband?
Could it be
that while most of Christendom
doesn’t even remember you existed,
doesn’t even know your name,
Our Lady remembered you
by the garment
sacredly and secretly
woven by your hands?

Tell me,
what was it like for you
watching your husband from heaven?
Was there a celestial joy
when your Juan Diegito
dared to enter the house of the bishop
to bring to him Our Lady’s message?

You know,
to this day it scares some people
to tell the bishop
what he really needs to hear.
I wonder why that is.
To tell the truth,
I wish we had more Coatlatuatzins around today!
I wish we had more people like your Juan,
unafraid to Speak Like An Eagle.

I’ll bet you laughed when Juan was questioned by the bishop!
“What was She wearing,”
Fray Juan de Zumarraga asks.
And your Juanito replies,
“El Sol y las Estrellas.
She wore the sun and the stars.
She stands on the moon. . .and oh, yes,
Su vestido era el color de una princesa azteca. . .
Her dress is color of an Aztec Princess. . . .”
An azteca in your earthly life
you knew well that stars symbolize not only the end of an era
but the beginning of a new one.
That poor bishop never saw what was coming!
I’ll bet you’re still laughing
because some things just never change!

And I’ll bet anything
that when Juan Diego found those roses
he immediately thought of you,
his beloved Maria Lucia.
He probably wished you were there with him
to witness the miracle.

But you were with him.
You were with him in a much grander way
than if you had physically stood at his side.

Tell me, Maria,
during your earthly time,
did you have any idea
that your Juanito
was going to be called
to such a great task?
Did you have any inkling whatsoever?
You know,
we women sometimes know these things.
We don’t know why we know.
We don’t know how we know.
We just know that we know.
My guess is
that while on this earthly plain
you may not have had the full picture,
you probably knew
that something wonderful was to be.

You and Juan
survived the diseases that came with the Spaniards.
And you know,
everything happens for a reason.
You and Juan survived the plagues.
That is the first Guadalupe miracle.
Sadly, it is a miracle story
that never gets told.

Tell me, Maria,
what was it like watching your kinfolk
suffer and die?
It must have been painful and agonizing,
not only for those who suffered the illnesses,
but also for those, like you,
who witnessed it all.

But you and Juan survived.
That must have been your first hint
that The Merciful One
had great plans.

When your ancestors died
did it not fill you with a great sadness
knowing that some of their great teachings
died along with them?
Did it sadden you to lose those
who most understood and appreciated
and celebrated
the gift of flor y canto?

Tell me, Maria Lucia,
what was the war was like?
Tell me of the great Aztec warriors.
Tell me how they died for their faith
and how many suffered,
how they suffered
during the battle.

I can’t imagine anyone destroying my church.
I know a church isn’t the building.
I know a church is the people.
But you know,
that building is sacred.
It holds sacred memories.
You saw them, Maria.
You saw them destroy your temples.

I know that just because you accepted a new faith
well,
that doesn’t erase all of the memories
of your old faith.
Places have power
in that they evoke memories.
Watching those temples destroyed
must have been
like witnessing the death of something sacred.
I mean,
I cry when I find out another church has been closed.
And closing a church is no where near the same
as destroying a temple,
demolishing a belief system.
Closing a church hurts me profoundly.
I can’t even begin to imagine witnessing
the purposeful destruction of one.

Death, disease.
Destruction.
The rape of your culture.
An attempted annihilation of your history.
Tell me, Maria,
why did you ever convert to Christianity?
You experienced all of this
and yet you came to the faith
before Our Lady made her presence known.
How is it that you converted?
That conversion,
my dear Maria Lucia,
is another miracle story
that has been buried,
hidden, forgotten.

How were you called home, Maria?
In the end,
was it one of the many illnesses
brought by the Spaniards?

Or did you die of a broken heart,
accepting this new faith,
but mourning the temples crushed
at the hands of the conquistadors?
Yes,
you probably died of a broken heart.
Embracing this new faith,
all the while realizing
that the very ones who brought this faith to you
were the ones who didn’t get it.
You knew then
what I am coming to know now.
Sometimes those who most need evangelizing
are the very folk who think that they are already evangelized.

I often wonder
why you were called home
before this all took place.

Maybe it was because
Juan Bernadino
was needed to bring the miracle full circle.
Maybe Diosito and Lupita knew full well
that the world would forget to tell the full story
about the death and destruction.
So Juan Bernadino’s illness
served to show and remind the world
of the miraculous healing power
of Tepeyac.

Maybe you were called home so early
because your Juan Diegito
had to do this on his own,
without the gentle nudging of a spouse.
Or maybe it was
so that you could give your gentle nudges
from the heavens,
accompanied by the angels.

Or maybe,
just maybe,
it was so that several centuries later
women like me
could ponder
what it was like for you.

You were a woman
who witnessed devastating disease and destruction.
You were a woman
called forth to abandon the faith of your parents,
of your ancestors.
You were a woman
called to walk against the grain
of the society of your time.

You were a woman
called to seek a new way to believe
in things eternal,
even choosing a new name: Maria
-the same name of She
who would choose your spouse as Her messenger.

Maybe
you were called home before
the miracle of Tepeyac took place
so that through your story
women like me can see
and understand
that we may not always see
through these earthly eyes
that which we give birth to.
Yet,
we must continue to conceive
and
we must continue to create nonetheless.

Tradition tells us
that Juan Diego was on his way to mass
when Lupita first came to him.
Tell me, Maria,
was Juan Diego on his way
to a mass in your memory?
You know,
we give Lupita Dec. 12th.
And Juan has is own special day of Dec. 9th.
Somehow, we are still missing something.
When would you like your feastday to be celebrated, Maria?
Even if Mother Church
never ever formally remember you,
I will always remember you.

Finally,
my dearest Maria Lucia,
tell me what I can do
so that others will remember you,
will remember your name.
What can I do to unbury your story?
Once you are truly remembered,
once the pieces of your story are in place
you deserve a place of honor.
Yes,
a place of honor,
just like Coyolxauhqui,
who now lives at the Museum of Templo Mayor.
And just like Coatlicue,
her mother,
who makes her residence
at the Museum of Anthropology.
María Lucia,
you deserve a place of honor
at the hill of Tepeyac
with the woman
whose name you share:
Maria de Guadalupe.

Eternally Yours,
Rubi.

Random Act of Hallelujah

2010-12-01T05:45:00.000-08:00

These random acts of culture are catching on.
But one thing I've noticed
is that they seem to focus
on the Hallelujah Chorus
from Handel's Messiah.
You know,
me thinks these random acts of culture
are turning into
random acts of evangelization. .
.. . .". .and He shall reign forever and ever. . . ."

I love it!
Enjoy!

Su Voto Es Su Voz (Your Vote Is Your Voice.)

2010-10-21T06:24:00.000-07:00

Aye. . .
It’s election time again.

A couple of years ago,
I posted a video in this blog
that I thought was most ingenious
for many reasons
which I then detailed.
Sadly,
many in the offline world
accused me of supporting
the candidate who was the topic of the video.
You know,
we need to learn to say
when one political party
or candidate
is doing something right or good,
even if that’s not the party
or candidate of our choice.

I have never stated
in this blog
what party or candidate I support.
Because I think most people
should decided that for themselves.
This blog isn’t about
mixing religion and politics
or about
getting people to vote
in one way or another.

As I am living in this world
I have a responsibility to this world.
And a part of the responsibility
is choosing
who my leaders will be.
That is what this blog entry,
what previous blog entries
about elections
are about.

Yes,
election time is upon us.
And
as usual,
everyone tries to tell me what to do,
how to vote.

Now,
I don’t mind some things.
For example,
a leaflet arrived in the mail just yesterday
explaining the proposals.
That’s useful information for people to have.
How many in Michigan
even know
that we have a proposal on the ballot
about a revision of the State Constitution?
Or a proposal about felons holding office?
Yes,
that leaflet is most useful.
Would that more information like that arrive
maybe people would not just assume things.

I’m sick and tired
of people assuming
that I will vote in one fashion
and then
try to convince me
to vote the other way.

As I woman,
I must be voting this way,
so there are those who try to make me
vote another way.
Or worse yet,
there are still those out there
who behave as though
a woman cannot make an informed decision.

As Christian,
I must be voting conservative,
so some will try to make me liberal.

As a Latina,
I must be voting liberal,
so some will try to make me conservative.

A daughter of blue collar,
I must be voting Democrat,
so some will try to make me Republican.

Employed by the Church,
I must be voting Republican,
so some will try to make me Democrat.

I often wonder what people think
when they say certain things,
when they send me emails
or comment in social networks.

Do people think I am uninformed?
Do people stereotype me
and then send me comments
solely based on those stereotypes?

Do people think I don’t think????

I grew up in a very politically active household.
My father would register people to vote.
And then,
he would drive anyone who needed a ride to the polls
just so they could vote.
Although he clearly supported one political party over the other,
that really didn’t matter to him.
He just made sure
that people who wouldn’t otherwise get to the polls
got there and voted.
“Su voto es su voz,” he would say.
He even had a bumper sticker that said the same.
“Su voto es su voz.”
He would tell us that everyone needed to be heard,
even if we stood somewhere else.
“The important thing,”
my father would say,
“ is to get informed and
stand somewhere.”

Stand somewhere.
Boy, could some people use that advice today.
So much political jello.
Just get informed
and stand somewhere.

My father would take care of the poll workers, too,
bringing them coffee in the morning.
And then their lunch.
And drive people to vote in between, before and after.

I remember when he bought the Suburban.
From the outside,
people surely thought it was to
tote his kids around town.
From inside the house, however,
we all knew it was so he could drive
even more folks on election day!

If he believed in a candidate
he would give them his utmost support.
He even had all us kids involved, too.
I’ve past out literature on several occasions
and have even done
more than my fair share of phone banking.
I can honestly say
that even the grandchildren
have gotten involved.
My cousin, Amelia,
is behaving today
much like father did back in the day.
My dad’s actions
and words,
“Su voto es su voz,”
touched not only us, his kids,
but even the extended family.

He made sure that if he knew someone
was going to be out of town
that they got the absentee ballot.
I voted absentee for the last presidential election.
And I can honestly say
that I thought of my father
and his words,
“Su voto es su voz,”
as I filled in the form,
and again when I took the form in,
and again
when I watched the election results
on a tv monitor at the airport
as I waited for a connecting flight.
“Su voto es su voz.”
I can honestly say
that I felt like a part of the process,
no matter how small my input may have been.

To do this day
I cannot go through an election day,
any election,
without thinking of my father
and, and most especially, what he taught us:
“Su Voto Es Su Voz.”

I always find much humor in elections,
in the ads and in the debates.
I’m certain my father
is looking down from heaven
shaking his head
and laughing with us, too!

“Where in the Constitution
is the separation of Church and State?”

“The Rent is too damn high!”

“I’m you.”
(OK. . .
I chose the parody instead the actual video
for that link,
but she made me laugh anyway!)

And Sarah
made us laugh more times than I can count.

But I digress again.
My point is,
some politics
just makes you laugh out loud.

But I must say
that I’m just plain sick and tired
of what has happened
to the politicking in this country.

I am sick and tired
of racism
that tries to hide quietly under the veil patriotism.

I am tired of those
would promote a patriotism
that promotes hate.

I’m tired of those who would promote freedoms for some,
and take it away from others.

I’m tired of those
who talk a good game of “family values”
and would then rip a child from
a loving parent’s arms.

I’m tired of politics
that behaves as if
certain segments of the population
just don’t matter,
as though they are optional people.

And I’m just plain sick and tired
of negative ads.

You know,
negative ads can tell you a lot.
Ironically,
I find that the negative ads
have a reverse effect.
I think negative ads
reflect upon those
who created,
those who support those ads.

Some ads are just plain wrong.

“Don’t vote.”
That’s what one ad is saying.
Now,
that’s about as asinine
as it gets.

The ad is clearly targeted
for a specific group of folks,
as there are versions in Spanish
and in English.
And the topic is immigration.
Now,
don’t even get me started on immigration.

I have two relatives,
one of whom lives in my household,
who are processing immigration papers.
I have sat, many a time,
in the immigration office
located on Jefferson and Mt. Elliot.
I have stood in line,
a line that extends for many city blocks,
at the American Embassy
in Mexico City.
I have an immigration attorney’s phone number
always at hand,
programmed into my cell phone.

Yeah,
I went there:
the immigration topic.

I find it humorous
when people say that English proficiency
must be a requirement for citizenship,
as if it weren’t already,
so obviously uninformed.
I find it humorous
when people state
that drug lords and criminals
are the ones crossing the border illegally.
Do these folks even have any idea
what is going in Ciudad Juarez?
Again, so uninformed.
It makes me laugh out loud
when some people state that knowledge of the American government
should be a requirement for citizenship
(as if it weren’t)
and then some of those same folks
can’t even name their own reps.
But,
again,
I digress.

My point is
that this “don’t vote” video
is clearly targeted
to those folks
who so desperately
want and need immigration reform
to keep their families intact.

“Don’t vote.”
Why, on earth,
would anyone say that?

Would not a more logical video
say “don’t vote for them, vote for us????”

But no.
The video clearly states, “Don’t vote.”

Did they mean,
“Don’t vote because you don’t matter?”

Or maybe they meant,
“Don’t vote because you are optional to this country?”

“Don’t vote. YOUR family doesn’t matter.”

“Don’t vote because, well,
we don’t want to you to support those guys,
but we really don’t want you on our side either.”

“Don’t vote because we don’t want your voice heard.”

“Don’t vote because you are really aren’t an American anyway.”

“Don’t vote, just go away.”

This is far from political empowerment.
Telling people not to vote is not activism
(though it could be considered another kind if “ism”).

All this technology at our hands
and what are we doing with it?
What can we do?

Perhaps
we need to return
to a simpler time.
Perhaps
we should do what my father did.
Do little things.
Register people.
Drive people.
Feed people.
And say simple but profound things:
“Su Voto Es Su Voz.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Pedro Martinez; Ruega por nosotros.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception,
Patroness of the United States; Pray for us.

Su Voto Es Su Voz by MiamiAngel
Create custom t shirts using zazzle

Wedding Stories

2010-10-18T06:22:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while
since I’ve posted something to this blog.
That’s for a lot reasons,
which I won't detail here.
But that surely doesn’t mean
that my mind has been running on empty!

Just this weekend
I was a part of the music ministry
for the marriage convalidations
at St. Gabriel.
These masses always make me reflect.
Somehow,
these couples,
these families,
seem to have really reflected
on what the sacrament means.
And you know,
that makes what I do
feel so special.

Over the years
I have encountered all sorts
of requests from people
for their (or their son’s or daughter’s) wedding,
requests that show that these particular folk
really didn’t have a clue
about the Sacrament,
about the Holiness that is Marriage.
And some,
it would seem,
really didn’t have a clue
about the Eucharist.

There was the bride
who asked if they could have a mass,
even though her spouse to be
wasn’t Catholic
and wasn’t converting anytime soon.
She asked if he could be given
a breath mint at the time communion
to make him feel like he was participating.
I wonder,
what did Eucharist mean
to this young bride?

There was the bride
who came extra early for her mass.
Her decor included silk roses.
She sprayed them all with rose smelling perfume
before her guests arrived.
Was this the detail she most worried about
on her wedding day?
If she really wanted this done,
could she not have asked a friend to do this
so she could focus on more important things????
I wonder what goes through people’s minds sometimes. . ..

There was the bride
who wanted the “Cinderella” mass.
She wanted her man
to try the glass slipper
on all of the bridesmaids
and, of course,
it wouldn’t fit
until The Bride came down the aisle.
When the pastor said
that this wouldn’t not be done,
she still insisted that the groom
wear his cape,
which was covered in peacock feathers.
I wonder,
what did people remember about this mass?
Did they remember the exchange of vows?
Did they remember the exchange of rings?
Or did they remember the feathers?

And then there was the bride
who couldn’t understand
why her dog
couldn’t be the flower girl.
I said a prayer for her as I wrote this paragraph.
She’s probably still mad at me.

And the couple
who wanted to do a butterfly release.
It stormed that day
with the lights flickering on and off.
At the end of the mass
no one went directly outside
as it was pouring rain.
They all just stood in the vestibule. . .
. . .and released the butterflies anyway.
And what do people remember about this ceremony?
Deceased butterflies???

There was the bride
who wore combat boots.
Neither she nor her spouse to be
were military.
Neither were their parents or siblings.
She just liked the way the combat boots
looked with her bridal gown.
I’m certain everyone in attendance
will remember this.
She lifted her dress slightly
as she walked down the aisle
to show her boots. . .
. . but does anyone remember
the vows?????

And then there was the mother of the groom
who hired me for the music.
I later found out that the mother of the bride
had hired Mariachi.
Neither the bride nor the groom
were aware of any of this.
Good thing I ALWAYS
check in with the bridal couple
when someone else inquires about music.

Thankfully,
most of the weddings in recent years
haven’t been so weird.
I guess,
after having done this sort of work
for over 25 years
one is bound to have some stories to share.

Where does the weirdness come from?
Where does the gimmickry
and individualism come from???
I suppose I’ll never know for sure.

But you know,
the weird stories
make the special masses,
like the one I was part of Saturday,
all the more worth it.

One little girl,
who is a member of the children’s choir,
was there as her parent’s
were getting married.
I’m glad I could be there
and be a part of it.
No weirdness.
Just holy people
exchanging holy vows
in a holy place.
Eucharist.
Couples being Eucharist to each other.
Parents being Eucharist to their children.

And you know,
the older I get
the more I appreciate
what marriage is.

And the older I get,
the more I just plain appreciate
The Eucharist.

The Cherubs

2010-07-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

The Cherubs are on my mind.
These heavenly beings
are on my mind.

I made some angel pins
for my niece’s baby shower this past weekend.
Maybe that’s why
The Cherubs
are on my mind.

And someone once told me
that angels gather
where there are flowers.
My lilies are in full bloom
and every time my flowers bloom
I like to think
that what she told me is true,
that the angels are gathering,
admiring my blooms.

Last week just before
the children’s mass
a mother
of one of the new choir members
asked me about forming a choir
for the wee ones.
I’m talkin’ wee ones,
3-6 years old.
I told her
that I had already given that some thought,
though I’ve never formally
talked to our pastor about it.
She has a daughter
who is in that age range.
That child
is constantly coming up to me
and singing something!

Cherub Choir:
The nudges are all around me.

Estefania,
who joined the choir
a couple of months ago,
has a younger sister
who sings everything
and dances if it’s an upbeat song.
This wee one
is already coming to rehearsals
with her sister,
though she is really too young
to be in the children’s choir.

Wendy,
one of our best singers,
has a younger sister
who loves to sing.

And Jean Paul
has two younger sisters
who clearly fit
The Cherub description.

So,
without much effort,
the backbone
of The Cherub Choir
already exists.

What’s on my mind is very simple.
I’d like to tell the children stories
and then teach the song
that goes with the story.
But before I teach the song
I’d ask them about the story,
to make sure they were listening,
to make sure they understand the story.
This would help to reinforce listening skills.
My, how we adults
don’t even know how to listen.
Imagine teaching children
from the youngest age
to really listen.

The story would reinforce the song
and vice versa.

And I would teach them
much the way I teach
their older brothers and sisters.
I would recite the words in rhythm
and have them recite it back in rhythm.
It’s rote learning,
and,
again,
this is about listening.

I would pluck out the melody on the piano
and then pluck it out again
and sing it
and then have them sing it back.
Once I see they’ve got it
I’d add the accompaniment,
and then move on to the next verse
or refrain.

The following week
I would see which child
could tell the story back to me.
I would see which child
could sing the song back to me.

And then
I’d probably introduce movement
or hand gestures
if there is anything
that goes with that particular song.
Moving in rhythm
will only help to prepare them
for hand help percussion instruments.

And I am learing
(albeit, on my onw)
the Kodaly Method.

What I’ve seen so far
using this method is amazing,
but it has really on been on internet video.
And yet,
it seems so simple.
Why didn't I learn of this method
25 years ago?

I only wish there was a class
close to me where I could study
the Kodaly Method formally.
But,
as I so often do,
I digress.
My point is,
I could teach them rhythm
using Kodaly.

And then,
we’d probably tell another story
and start another song.

But I would probably start each session
with some music games,
some learning games.
Something fun,
but something that will teach them.
Something that would get them
up out of their seats
and moving around.
This would at once
serve as a distraction
to keep their minds busy,
but also could be
just another rhythm game.

I can’t envision a rehearsal with them
being much more than ½ hour or 45 minutes.
And I don’t know when
that rehearsal might be. . .
. . maybe just before
or just after rehearsal
with the older kids,
seeing how many would probably be siblings. . .
. . but to be honest,
I don’t want the older kids there.
I think this could be very distracting
to the little, little ones.
I don’t think I’d even want the parents there,
except maybe one or two to help,
but to REALLY help.

And I haven’t quite figured out
how/where to use them in worship. . .
. . . probably a song or two
at the regular Thursday evening
children’s liturgy. . . .
. . . .with an occasional presence
during the year at weekend masses. . . .

.. . .or maybe try to put something together
that could be incorporated into
the Christmas program
that is also dancing in my head. . . .

And I still haven’t researched
age appropriate music for worship,.
though Christopher Walker
does have a collection
that is available
in both Spanish and English,
Stories and Songs of Jesus.
And it would need to be something
that uses both languages,
though I’m thinking
primarily in Spanish,
Walker’s collection
also has a coloring book
based on those same songs.
This would certainly be a start. . . .

Or maybe this should just be
a pilot project
to see if there is interest,
to see if I haven’t
gone off my rocker
thinking I can do this. . .
. . . .maybe a six week project
followed by evaluation.

In any event,
the words are out of Rubi’s head
and on electronic parchment.
My pastor is bound to read this,
sooner or later.

Does anyone in the blogosphere
have a Cherub Choir?
What words of wisdom
can you offer???

- - - - - - - - -
About the photos:
these are the angel lapel pins that I made for my niece's baby shower, obviously, made of noodles. they are painted with spray paint and i used a hot glue gun to put the pieces together.

The Road to Juquila - Part 5: Holy Water

2010-06-29T04:10:00.000-07:00

I know it’s been awhile
since I posted something
about my trip to Juquila.
I had hopes of going to Palenque
this year,
but I am slowly starting to realize
that I am being called
to spend more time in Oaxaca.
Specifically,
I feel Our Lady
calling me back to Juquila.

It’s been six months
since my trip to Juquila,
but
I continue to reflect
on this sacred journey.

My life
and my brain
just seem to be going
in so many directions lately.
And I still have so much more to share
about this wonderful trip
to Our Lady’s little chapel.

Since the celebration
of The Easter Vigil
a couple of months back
my mind’s eye has been focused
on Holy Water.

Since my trip to Juquila
I’ve really given a lot of thought
to our use of Holy Water,
of our non-use of Holy Water,
and to the Holy Waters
found at Juquila.

Now,
of course,
water is just plain necessary for life.
We cook with water.
We clean and wash with water.
Water is just one of those things
that one can easily take for granted.

But of Holy Water?
What is it that gives Holy Water her power?
What makes Holy Water “Holy?”

Is it the power of God?
Is it the prayer of the priest?
Is it the assent of the people?
And who decides what bodies of water are holy?

I have several containers of Holy Water
on my home altar:
Guadalupe, San Juan de Los Lagos,
Lourdes. . .and yes,
even Juquila.
And to tell the truth,
I use them sparingly.
And since the Easter Vigil
I am beginning to question
why I don’t just use them all the time.

Juquila,
as already mentioned in previous blog posts,
is located in Oaxaca
in the mountains.
It is a long and arduous journey to get there.
Many of the area
choose to make the pilgrimage on foot,
processing for several days up that mountain
before finally arriving.

At the outskirts of Juquila,
there is a little place
where pilgrims can gather themselves
and their thoughts.
They can formalize their prayer requests
in concrete form
before going on
to the little mountain municipality.

They can stop and rest and eat.
They can also wash up.

But,
as you watch the faithful
stepping into the river
one quickly realizes
that there is more going on
than people washing their face
or splashing their bodies.
It is easy to see
that something of a healing nature
is taking place in those holy waters.

Now,
I am certain that God
has greatly blessed that area
including the waters of that river.
And I am certain
that many a priest
has blessed those waters.
So please,
don’t think that I am in any way
negating the Power of the Merciful One
or the works of those
called to an ordained ministry.

But in all honesty,
I can’t help but think
that the water of that river is holy
because the people
are constantly blessing it.

The faithful aren’t just washing up
after a long journey.
They are refreshing
and renewing their belief.

Belief:
What powerful things can be
if we but only believe.

. . .remember,
if we but believe
we can move those mountains. . .
. . .what we can do
if we had faith the size of a mustard seed. . . .

What happens
when a believing people
enter the waters of that river
and offer prayers of blessings
and thanksgiving?

A couple of years ago
I read many of the works
of Dr. Emoto.
He writes about the power of words
on water.

Great stuff.
I highly recommend.
His work demonstrates that the written words
“love” and “gratitude”
when shown to water,
will change the water.
So does the word “ugly.”
The words change the water.
Water charged and changed with “love”
changes the plant watered with it.
So does the plant
when watered with “ugly” water.
The words change the water.
The water changes the plant.
Can you imagine what that could mean
about the fruit and vegetables we eat?
This is so simple.
Its about words,
only words.

. . maybe that’s why grandma’s chicken soup
tastes so good
and makes us all better
when we are sick:
because she adds “love”. . .
. . but I digress. . .

Now,
I’ve said throughout this blog
that words of have power.
In fact,
one of my first blog posts
was about words and tattoos. . .
. . but I digress again. . .

Here’s what I’ve come to believe:
The water of that river is holy
because the people
are constantly blessing it.
Prayers of blessing and thanksgiving
are constantly flowing
from the faithful
as they approach this river,
as they are in the river,
as they leave the river.

But they are not just
blessing the water with their words.

They are blessing it
with all of their being:
Body, Mind, Spirit.

Remember,
they have been on foot for days
making a sacred procession.
They have been in prayer
and singing sacred songs
as they journey.
They have worked hard
to get to this sacred place.
The have worked hard
to be in Sacred Space.
Laos Ergon: The Work of the People.
Their time in this Holy Water
IS Liturgy.
And Liturgy,
all liturgy,
is
a sacred, holy event.

We become what we get close to.
Look at your closest five friends.
How much are they like you?
How much are you like them?

This water, too, becomes
what it gets close to.
It becomes Sacred and Holy
because a Sacred and Holy people
approach her, seek her, touch her,
and bless her.

The water is blessed
because a blessed, holy people
are in constant contact with her,
blessing her.
The water,
ever present,
is also listening
as the faithful voice their prayers.

And now,
I’m calling the river “her”
as if she were alive.
The thing is,
she is.
And she is very, very sacred.

Now,
mind you,
I’m not at this time
speaking/writing about ecology
or keeping the earth green.
That discussion,
I’m sure,
will make itself known.
What I am speaking of here
is very simply
the power of words.

Words have power.
Don’t forget
the Word Became Flesh.
I don’t know why the works
of Dr. Emoto
would come as such a big surprise
if we really believe
what we’ve read a gazillion times
in the Scripture.

Words Have Power.
And the faithful
are constantly
pouring blessings
on the water
of this river.

The faithful
are making this water Holy
with their words,
with their prayers,
with their work,
with their bodies.

So,
why are those holy water bottles
just sitting on my home altar?
Why am not blessing myself
everyday with them?
Why haven’t I blessed
the whole of my house,
inside and out,
with those sacred, holy waters?

What good are they
if I don’t use them?

We become what we get close to.
I could use a little Guadalupe
in and around my neighborhood. . .

My middle son
was in the hospital a couple of months back.
His illness was sudden
and changed our lives.
At the time,
a little Juquila healing
would have been most appropriate.

And then,
not too long ago,
I was sick myself for awhile,
missing quite a bit of work
and just having hard time
getting over a respiratory bug.
Guadalupe Holy Water
really could have made all the difference.

I should be blessing my vegetable garden,
my car,
my son’s school books. . .

. . . a pitbull went after my cat
not too long ago
and really, really scared her.
I should have blessed her
and entrusted her, once again,
to the care of St. Francis. . . . . .

I can’t tell you
the number of prayer requests
that come through
my facebook.
Why haven’t I just given
my bottle of Lourdes Holy Water
to someone who really needs it?
Why am I hoarding it?
What good is my faith,
my belief,
if I don’t share it?

Sadly,
I did not enter the river
when I made my trip to Juquila.
I regret that now.
But,
as I have every intention
of returning to Juquila
you can bet your bottom dollar
that I won’t deny myself
that sacred experience.

And so now
I’m blessing the waters of that river
even though
I am thousands of miles away. . . .

Yes,
Words Have Power.
And when words are spoken
in prayer and blessing,
they have the greatest power of all.

Holy Water.
Something so simple,
so basic,
and yet,
so powerful.

You know,
we SHOULD be blessing the waters
of the gulf area.
And maybe we should be pouring
our bottles of Holy Water
right into it. . . .

¡Si se puede! You Can Do It!

2010-06-25T03:51:00.000-07:00

Yes,
I have more reflections
on the children’s choir.

Just after I was asked
to direct his fine group
I went to Mexico.
I started rehearsals with them in September 2008.
And then, I went to Mexico
about two months later.
The trip had already been planned.
I really didn’t like the idea
of starting this new project
and then being gone for two weeks.
But so be it.

Thinking of and praying for the children of the choir,
I purchased some maracas
during my visit to Chalma.
We tried to incorporate instruments
my first Christmas with them.
What a disaster!
Several of the maracas broke.
I purchased a dozen
as they were the small kind
made out of gourds.
Well,
three of them got legs and walked.

Even a rainstick
met its demise.
When I explained to the children
how the sound was made
I think they got curious.
“Miss Rubi,
it just broke.”

After this,
I just put the toys away
and decided to concentrate
on singing only.
Instruments could wait
until some time in the future.

I knew they could do it.
The time just had to be right.

And,
as I stated in my previous blog post,
there were some real discipline issues.
I knew they could use the toys creatively,
but other things had to come first.

All the while
they kept asking me
when I was going to bring
the instruments out again.
I kept telling them
that singing was primary.
If they stopped singing
to play the instrument,
well,
we don’t want that.
Your voice is the primary instrument.

During the course of this past year
I was looking for some vocal music
for my work at my other job
with the kids at COMPAS.
(Center of Music and Performing Arts Southwest)

I was seeking music
that would build self-esteem and confidence.
Remember,
these are inner city Detroit kids.
I look at my work at COMPAS
not only as teaching music,
but also to build confidence
and a sense of self-worth
in these young folks.
And I found this wonderful song
written by Jim Rule,
dedicated to the memory of Cesar Chavez.

Now,
many of the children of the choir
of St. Gabriel parish
attend The Cesar Chavez Academy.
And my own father
was graced to have spent some time
with the legendary Cesar Chavez.

Still,
this was not a religious song,
not a church song,
not a liturgical piece.
I asked my pastor
if it would be OK to teach the children this song
and he said, “Go for it!”
I kinda knew he would.
:)

And then I decided that now is time
to bring back the toys.
I purchased a set of chimes
and a claves to complete the set.
And the video below
is the end result.

Carlos, Jean Paul and Gerardo
can carry a simple rhythm in 4
on the maracas.
And Carlos can do 3/4 very well.
Rita is great on claves.
And Viridiana knows exactly
when to come in on chimes,
as do the lovely ladies of the rainstick.
And through it,
not a single instrument was broken
this time around.
My kids were ready.
My kids ARE ready!

At the end of the video
you can see their sense of joy,
their sense of accomplishment.
You’ll see Elizabeth give a little dance.
Carlos gives a waive.
And Jean Paul raises his arms in victory!

Yeah,
Cesar Chavez was right all along.
¡Si se puede!
You CAN do it!
At the very least,
my Beautiful Bilingual Babies can!

Heaven on Earth?

2010-06-22T04:33:00.000-07:00

About two years ago
I received a phone call
from the man who is now my pastor.
He asked me to come to his parish
to direct the children’s choir.
After some discussion
I accepted
and I started rehearsals
at the end of September 2008.

It was a very messy process.
There were discipline issues,
both in behavior
and in commitment to the project at hand.

But directing children’s choirs
is one of the things I like best.
And,
to be quite honest,
I think it’s one of the things
I do best.

Children are eager.
They learn quickly.

Now,
that’s not to say
that teaching them is always easy.
A rehearsal must be well planned out.
You can’t skip a beat,
not even when a child comes in late
and their mom has a question.
If you lose their attention,
even for a second,
you need to know how to get it back
in an instant.
But if you know how to teach them,
children just learn quickly.

And children don’t have opinions
the way adults do.
Now,
I love working with adult choirs,
so please don’t get me wrong.
But adults are quick to tell you
that a song is too high,
too low,
too fast,
too slow.
They are quick to tell you
that they don’t like a particular melody
or that the song doesn’t fit
this or that particular mass.

Not so with children.

They just sing whatever is presented to them.

But this particular group of children,
well,
let me just say that
anything you can think of inner city
was/is going on in their lives.

I have children who are survivors
of domestic violence.

There was one child that I thought had measles.
When I asked about it
the child responded that
“Mom just can’t get rid of the bed bugs
no matter how much she cleans.”

One evening I came in
and one of the children was already there.
I unlocked and opened the church door
and suggested that she wait at the entrance
until I turned on the lights
so she wouldn’t have to walk through a dark church.
And then she said,
“It’s OK.
I’m used to seeing by candlelight in the dark.
Sometimes my daddy can’t pay the bills.”

Many of these children
live in neighborhoods
with abandoned buildings.

There is a woman
who comes to beg for money sometimes,
standing just outside the church entrance.
To me,
she has sort of become an unofficial greeter.
She is there just about every Sunday
before the rest of the community.
I don’t know her story,
as she doesn’t speak much.
When I try to start up a conversation with her,
she often just walks away.

One child knows her well.
She said, “That’s so-and-so.
She lives in the abandoned house
next door to me.”
I don’t know what hurt me more,
the fact that this woman
lives in an abandoned building
or that the child
just saw it
as a matter-of-fact circumstance.

These are just some of the fabulous children
that form this choir.

And then,
there is one child who is taking guitar lessons.
And I just learned
that two of these children
will be taking piano lessons
in the summer sessions with me
at the performing arts school where I teach.

Somehow,
God has called all of these children together
to form this choir.
What a magnificent God we have!

This past Saturday
the kids sang in concert.
Now,
we’ve done a few concerts already,
but something was different about this one.
Something was just so different about this one.

One of my personal goals
when I took this ministry on
was to have the children
singing in parts
by the end of my second year with them.
Now,
if you would have seen them
at the start of this project,
one wouldn’t think this possible.
Their attention span
was all over the board.
And again,
the discipline thing was. . .
well. . . let’s just say
that they needed refining.

I formed them into two choirs:
Choir 1 and Choir 2
(Soprano and alto).
It took them awhile to get it.
At first they thought
I was separating them
into two different choirs.
But I finally got them to understand
it was about singing in parts.

At the concert on Saturday
they debuted some of the music
they have been working on.
The seemingly unattainable goal
of having them sing in parts
has been attained!

And you know,
I think they knew it.
They knew and understood
that this was big milestone.
And I think they sang so well
because they knew they had managed
to do something major.
They have started to ask me
if we will be forming a “Choir 3" and “Choir 4.”
Little do they know
that I have Taize plans. . . .
. . .something they should be able to accomplish
at this point!. . . .

My babies did great
in the concert on Saturday.
My Beautiful Bilingual Babies
were awesome!
Those in attendance
actually gave them
a standing ovation.
“Nothing gives me greater joy
than to know that my children
are walking in truth.”
(3 John 1:4)

Four of the children,
for a variety of reasons,
could not participate in the concert.

Two children in attendance
asked if they could join the choir.

Another child who left the group
wishes to return
now that he understands
a little something about
long range visioning and planning.

So,
next time around,
the photos and video
will have at least seven more children.

My ultimate goal
is a Children’s Choir
of forty-five members.
Wouldn’t that be just awesome????

And one of the parents
volunteered as choir secretary
to help me keep lists and phone numbers in order.

. . and you know,
I don’t remember where the statistic came from,
but at an NPM conference
many years ago,
a speaker stated
that some 80%
of people who sing in choirs as adults
sang in a choir as a child.
This being the case,
Detroit is Making
some Marvelous Music Ministers!!!

Yeah,
inner city Detroit. . .
. . . would it be a stretch to say
this is heaven on earth????

- - - - - - - - -
St. Gabriel's Children's Choir
singing "El Fuego Cae"
Detroit, MI - June 19th, 2010 Concert

Concert - June 19th - Children's Choir Program Line-up

2010-06-14T02:41:00.000-07:00

I just want to be sure
you're aware of the concert next Saturday,
June 19th at 1:00p.m.

The Children's Choir of St. Gabriel Detroit
will be performing in the church,
located at 8118 W. Vernor in Detroit.

Here is the complete program for the event.
We do hope you can make it!

The program is bi-lingual,
being presented in both Spanish and English.
The Church is air-conditioned
and there is a reception afterward.
And it's FREE!!!!

Children's Choir Concert Program - June 19th - 1:00p.m.

*Bienvenida (Welcome)
Michelle G. - Celine G.

El Fuego Cae, Cae
Tradicional
Maracas - Carlos E., Jean Paul G.
Chimes - Viridiana C.
Claves - Rita R.

*El Oración de San Patricio (About St. Patrick's Prayer)
Natalie A.

St. Patrick’s Breastplate
Gaelic Melody (Bunessan) Translation by James Quinn
Rainstick - Elisa E., Elizabeth M., Estefania

Ven, Espíritu Santo
Jaime Cortez, OCP Publications
Soloista (soloist) - Rita
Chimes - Viridiana C.
Maracas - Carlos E., Jean Paul G.

*San José (About St. Joseph)
Carlos E.

Hombre Justo
Celine Durea, CSJ; OCP Publications
Rainstick - Elisa E.

Oracion - Mi Amigo, Jesús
Gerardo R.

Mi Amigo, Jesús
Silvio Cuéllar, OCP Publications
Solista (Soloist) - Jessica R.

*Oracion A La Virgencita de Guadalupe
(Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe)
Esther G., Jean Paul G.

Holy Is Your Name
Wild Mountain Thyme, arr. by David Haas, GIA Publications
Chimes - Viridiana C.

Virgencita, Dulce Madre
Silvio Cuéllar, OCP Publications
Trio - Esther G., Celine G., Michelle G.
Maracas - Carlos E.

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Music by Cesareo Gabarain, text unknown
Duet - Estefani O. & Elisa E.
Rainstick - Estefania R.

Canto Final/Rosas del Tepeyac.
Carlos Rosas, OCP Publications
Rainstick - Estefania R.
Chimes - Viridiana C.
Maracas - Carlos E., Jean Paul G.

* Intermedio (Intermission Announcement)
Michelle G. - Michelle G.

****Intermission*****

Guitar Soloists
(Rita & Alfredo)
Introduced by Fr. Jaime

Soon and Very Soon
Andrae Crouch, Bud John Songs, Inc.
Solo - Gerardo R.
Chimes - Viridiana C.
Claves - Rita R.
Maracas - Carlos E., Jean Paul G., Gerardo R.

The Love God Has For Me
Donna Pena, GIA Publications
Duet - Viridiana, Estefania

All In All
Dennis Jernigan, Shepherd's Heart Music Inc.
Rainstick - Estefania R.
Chimes - Viridiana C.

Halle, Halle, Halle
Traditional Carribean, arr. John Bell, Iona Community, GIA Publications
Chimes - Viridiana C.
Maracas - Carlos E.
Claves - Rita R.

Si Se Puede/You Can Do It
(Dedicated to the Memory of Cesar Chavez
im Rule, PNO Tuna Music
Rainstick - Elisa E. , Estafania R.. Elizabeth M.
Maracas - Carlos E., Jean Paul G., Gerardo R.
Claves - Rita R.

Cantos Originales del Padre Jaime

(Original music written by Fr. Jaime)

*Recited

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Children's Choir Concert - Detroit's St. Gabriel Parish - June 19th, 2010

2010-06-10T03:11:00.000-07:00

The Children's Choir
of St. Gabriel Parish of Detroit
and
The Parish's Students of Classical Guitar
present
A Concert
on
Saturday, June 19th at 1:00p.m

The music will be bilingually performed (Spanish and English)
and will feature several children soloists,
including a duet and a trio.
Several children in the choir will also play various hand-held percussion instruments.
Several musicians will accompany the Children's Choir.

The students of classical guitar
are taught by none other than our pastor, Fr. Jaime Hinojos.
These guitar students will be our featured musicians.

Reception following the concert.

For a complete program line-up
and a list of the members of the choir and musicians
accompanying St. Gabriel's Children's Choir
Go Here.

This will be a wonderful event by some marvelous Detroit inner-city children.

St. Gabriel Parish
8118 W. Vernor Highway
Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 841-0753
(the concert is free of charge and the church is air conditioned!)

Divine Mercy

2010-06-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a song to the Divine Mercy.
My pastor wrote it.
Give it a listen and, if possible,
grab it for your website/blog.
We're in a contest and would appreciate "grabs" and "listens."
Thank you!

The Cherubs, The Dancers, The Children, The Mariachi, and Summer Camp

2010-03-16T05:48:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy lately.
I know I haven’t finished
writing all of The Road to Juquila blog entries.
I still have some thoughts about that trip:
about holy water;
about Our Lady’s mantle;
the story of Juquila.
And I promise to post all of that
as soon as possible.

But I really have been so-o-o busy.

February saw me working like a mad woman
on a proposal of sorts.
I don’t want to write to much about that here.
I only mean to say
that I did a lot writing
and a lot of soul searching.
Whether or not the grant money will arrive
is really only the half of it.
I learned so much from the process.
I needed to write
a personal mission statement
and vision statement.
One can learn a lot about self
in just such a process.
It was a time consuming process,
a draining process.
But mostly,
it was a selving process.

I continue to work at COMPAS
(Center of Music and Performing Arts Southwest).
To tell the truth,
I am finding that I love this job more and more.
I had two new piano students yesterday.
I think this puts me at 21 piano students now.
To tell the truth,
I’ve lost count!
And that just confirms for me
what I truly believe the Holy Spirit is calling me to.

You see,
I’ve been working in the music ministry
for well over 20 years. . . .about 28 years.
And I’ve led adult choirs,
children’s choirs, women’s choir.
I’ve worked with flutists, guitarists,
other organists and pianists.
I’ve worked with cellists, violinists,
bag pipers and trumpet players.
I’ve worked with cantors and soloists.
I’ve coordinated and collaborated
with various Mariachi groups.

But, somehow,
I feel this push,
this nudge.
It’s not just about planning and preparing
the music for liturgy anymore.
Oh, I love that
and will continue to do that forever, I do believe.
But I find I’m being called
to do more than that.

I find that I am being called
to create the musician today
that will become
the pastoral musician tomorrow.

One of my piano students
is a member of St. Gabriel’s children choir,
another child from the choir
is a voice student.

Two of my piano students,
sisters,
attend the evening mass
and often ask me about the songs from last Sunday,
what chords I used,
who cantored the psalm, etc.

Another of my piano students,
a gentleman
(whose daughter is also my student)
states that the only reason he wants to learn
is so that he can one day
lead the music at church.

One of my piano students
is a guitarist that works with me
in the music ministry at St. Gabriel’s.

The youth mariachi at COMPAS
is taught by Mr. Newhouse.
I often go downstairs
and just spend time with these wonderful young people.
I’ve sang with them a couple of times,
just for fun.
These young musicians
are currently working on a mass setting.
Mr. Newhouse and I
are presently visioning
how we can bring these young musicians
to church,
a mass where youth mariachi are the musicians
and the children’s choir
lead the singing.
It’s still all just an idea.
But at least we are planning and discussing
and putting it out there!

But even more,
a few members of the choir at St. Gabriel
are starting to ask me questions
about a lot more than the songs for liturgy.
A few of them
asked me for a keyboard chord chart.
Others are asking me,
not only how to play or sing a scale,
but how to create and form it,
about how to find the chords
that go with the scale.
When I explained the circle of fifths,
a light bulb went on
for one of the guitarists.

Yes,
I truly feel called,
to not only plan and prepare the music for worship,
but to also help create the musician
that will lead that music tomorrow.
And to create the opportunity,
especially for young people,
to lead the music themselves
every once in a while.

This is not at all to say
that I feel any less called
to a good old fashioned
pastoral music ministry.
On the contrary,
I vision much for St. Gabriel parish.

The children’s choir is doing fine,
though I still believe
that she could be twice the size
that she currently is.
Honestly,
I think 45 members
is optimum for a children’s choir,
for a variety of reasons,
which I won’t detail here.
But my point is,
while the children’s choir is holding its own,
there is much room for growth.

I am also increasingly aware
that there needs to be
a youth/teen music ministry in place.
I know the pastor has been visioning
and working on this,
but, I too, begin to see the future.
There must be place
for the children to grow into with their music
after they leave the children’s choir.
And I am increasingly aware
that this youth/teen music ministry
must be something that reflects teen culture,
not just the same old church stuff.

I also being to see
where a Cherub Choir needs to form,
a place where children ages 3-6
can begin their life of music ministry.
I haven’t mentioned this to the pastor yet,
but I’d like to flesh this idea out a bit
and perhaps start just such a program
by Sept. 2010.

And I have this idea,
an idea that has been with me
for many, many years,
long before coming to St. Gabriel,
about holding
a children’s music ministry summer camp.
I have been VERY impressed
by the Vacation Bible School at St. Gabriel.
And I begin to realize
that I am walking on the holy ground
where this music summer camp
may be able to take life.

I envision this being
time dedicated to a specific musical element,
the psalms, for example.
Or perhaps mass settings.

I envision this to include much more
than just the hum drum vocal exercises,
but to include
how music can be found all around us:
in the siren of the fire engine,
in the meow of a cat,
in the doorbell.

I envision this music summer camp
closing with a concert,
featuring new music learned.
But also closing with a challenge for these children:
What are you going to do
with the knowledge gained?
How are you going to make music better
for your church?
I envision not only teaching music,
but teaching that what we have received as a gift
we must give as a gift.

And then there is the parish dance troupe.
Yes,
I said dance troupe.
St. Gabriel has a Mexican Folkloric Ballet.
A wonderful group of young people
who make it their mission
to learn and preserve this wonderful art.
A number of churches in southwest Detroit
have dance groups,
but none of them,
to my knowledge,
are incorporating these talented youth
into liturgical celebrations.

Now,
I know the liturgical police
will probably place me under arrest
for even suggesting this.
So be it.
But I really would LOVE to see
these kids dance. . .
While we sing the Gloria. . .
While we sing Santo, Santo, Santo. . . .
Oh, what beautiful movements of praise
can be made!

. . . .and what if. . . .
What if. . .
What if the youth mariachi from COMPAS
served as musicians
and what if the children’s choir leads the singing. . .
And what if the folkloric ballet dances. . .
Wow!!!!

Oh, yes!
I am definitely being called,
being pushed and pulled
into something more. . . .

The Cherubs,
The Dancers,
The Children,
The Mariachi,
and Summer Camp. . .
If I could just get all of this stuff out of my head
and into reality. . . .

I realize that a lot of what I suggest here
will require funding,
which probably doesn’t exist right now.
But I’m game for looking for the money.
Writing this all out
on to electronic parchment
at least puts the ideas out there.
Goals and objectives can be written later.
Volunteers can be sought when the time comes.
For right now,
it’s just getting the ideas out of Rubi’s Head.
Once in better shape,
we (yes, I said “we”)
can look for funding.

The Cherubs,
The Dancers,
The Children,
The Mariachi,
and Summer Camp. . .

. . .yeah,
I’ve gone mad.
That will be my excuse
when the liturgical police
come to place me under arrest. . . .