The Vatican Rag revisited

I remember when this Tom Lehrer song first made the rounds in the mid-60s:



Every Catholic that I knew absolutely loved it, despite its irreverence. Perhaps the timing was what made it so popular, in that Lehrer's album coincided with the Vatican II Council.

Now that my diocese is engaged in spirited fights based upon garbage viral emails and arguing about whether or not to compel people to kneel rather than stand at eucharist, perhaps the best use I can make of this space today is to encourage a bit of humility by looking at how silly we often seem to those not of our communion.

First you get down on your knees
Fiddle with your rosaries
Bow your head with great respect
And genuflect, genuflect, genuflect

Do whatever steps you want if
You have cleared them with the Pontiff
Everybody say his own kyrie eleison
Doin' the Vatican Rag

Get in line in that processional
Step into that small confessional
There, the guy who's got religion'll
Tell you if your sin's original

If it is, try playin' it safer
Drink the wine and chew the wafer
Two, four, six, eight
Time to transubstantiate

So get down upon your knees
Fiddle with your rosaries
Bow your head with great respect
And genuflect, genuflect, genuflect

Make a cross on your abdomen
When in Rome do like a Roman
Ave Maria, gee it's good to see ya
Gettin' ecstatic an' sorta dramatic an'
Doin' the Vatican Rag

The whole world in each human life...

"Man - Small World World - Small Man"

This art film, which draws a parallel between fetal development and human history as a whole, is from Russian site illuzia.net. It's also posted as 7,000,000,000 on YouTube, where it is tied to a New Age site and art film director Michael Laitman.

Italian Missionary Fr. Moschetti writes from the Holy Land

FROM THE HOLY LAND, A MISSIONARY WRITES… (English translation by MISNA)

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES - 9/1/2009 12.06
“There is a lot of confusion and we are horrified and grieved at the outpour of reports and footage. A carnage that appears endless”, writes from Jerusalem the Comboni missionary Daniele Moschetti, reflecting on the war in the Gaza Strip. As follows is a long letter-document, a rare testimony, a grieved reflection that imposes a bitter reflection on the news of these past two weeks: “I watch the Al Jazeera TV at a friend’s house nearby and they report certain “truths-numbers-stories”. I watch the Italian TV or local Israeli news broadcasts and the “truths-numbers-stories” appear different! But where is the truth? And we Europeans and westerners take sides without really knowing…! European politicians that take sides with Israel because however “it is legitimate defence. Israel has the right to defend itself from Hamas rockets!” How many times have we heard this phrase from European and American politicians! So much hypocrisy from our own and the international politicians, and also the mass media that uses such biased and ambiguous wording. And I ask myself: “But have these people ever spent more than a week in this country without body guards or accompanied by Israeli or Palestinian diplomats? Have they ever heard the cries of pain of so many innocent people suffering in this Land called Holy?” Father Moschetti continues: “For me it was like reliving Christmas of 2007. December 27th of 2007 was the long-awaited day of general elections in Kenya. I lived in Korogocho in Kenya, among the largest slums of the capital Nairobi. The same exact day that the Israeli government decided to attack the Gaza Strip and Hamas in 2008. If you remember, in Kenya it was a war that touched me and us and for two months the tension, divisions, death and bloodshed were a daily occurrence for the Kenyan population. Korogocho was among the epicentres of this battle and cruel story. In the end the toll was of over 1,500 dead and more than 350,000 displaced in the country”. These memories of a year ago are tied to the present: “But all the Palestinians living in Israel (more than a million people with Israeli passports) and in the Occupied Territories by the Autonomy saw that Israel took advantage and continues in the years to take advantage to occupy Palestinian land careless of the Geneva convention and applies double standards in the occupied territories. The new settlements and arbitrations are undoubtedly a grave obstacle to peace. There will never be peace without mutual respect and understanding. The occupation has lasted for over 40 years and in these past years the situation has worsened, since Israel from fear of suicide-attacks in its territory built a 734km wall (7 meters high) in East Jerusalem, delimiting the entire territory of the Palestinian autonomy of the West Bank and Gaza Strip with thousands of checkpoints everywhere, small and large, where abuse, humiliation, disrespect (toward Palestinians and at times foreigners) and the show of power of very young inexperienced Israeli soldiers rule. They already lived in a nation at war and occupied for a long time! However, with all these checkpoints, thousands of soldiers throughout the country, visible weapons everywhere in Jerusalem and the entire Israeli territory. There will never be peace while building walls, using force, humiliating, killing. Opening to dialogue and especially guiding their populations toward a peaceful coexistence is the only path for a lasting peace process”.

Fr. Moschetti also helps us to understand some aspects that are unclear from far: “But also Israel is not just Olmert, Netanyau, Sharon, Tzipi Livni, Peres, Barak. Also here I refuse to believe that the voice of the Jewish population is their politicians or Jewish religious extremists that exist like in Palestine and the Islamic world. The voice of an Israeli population that is not all for the war. Other of Olmert’s nationals working in Israeli peace organisations who without hesitation say: ‘We are responsible for the desperation of a population under siege. For weeks Hamas had declared that the truce could be renewed under the condition that Israel reopened the borders to allow the entry of humanitarian aid. The government of Israel chose in full awareness to ignore Hamas and cynically chose, for electoral aims, the path of war’. Even a minority of Jewish Rabbis condemn the attack in Gaza and recognise that it is contrary to any religion. In the past days in New York there was even a protest of anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews, staged to demand an end to the massacre in Gaza. The famous Rabbi Michael Lerner, in a long letter, slammed the Israeli government for using the rockets fired by Hamas as a pretext to justify a new war after that conducted against Hezbollah two years ago. As there are other Israelis and Jews that want real peace and not only around the world. It must be noted that those who declare themselves pacifists and seek dialogue and peace with the Palestinians in this Jewish world are considered traitors. Michael Lerner also condemns the Hamas attacks, but insists in saying that war is however not an appropriate reaction, more so if unleashed by the government for political and electoral aims. An opinion that the world public opinion knows very little about”. He adds: “To date, the Israeli army claims to have successfully and totally eliminated more than 750 Hamas military targets. Though these targets are not only sites of the Hamas movement, but mosques, hospitals, clinics, schools, civilian homes, refugees camps and many others. Are they all armed? Are they all Hamas militants? Are Palestinians all terrorists? And the children? Are the children also terrorists, like the doctors, women and sick people? No... don’t tell me that this is what war is and that these things happen!” Among the many considerations in Fr. Moschetti’s letter, MISNA chose a passage that goes well beyond Gaza: “This reflection doesn’t intend to take sides, though it is difficult not to. I am and always will be on the side of the innocent, the children, women and poor who around the world, and not only in Gaza, have always been massacred by short-sighted policies, poverty or wars of interest”.

A Prayer for Gaza

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052871.html
Wed., January 07, 2009 Tevet 11, 5769
A Jew's prayer for the children of Gaza
By Bradley Burston

If there has ever been a time for prayer, this is that time.

If there has ever been a place forsaken, Gaza is that place.

Lord who is the creator of all children, hear our prayer this accursed day. God whom we call Blessed, turn your face to these, the children of Gaza, that they may know your blessings, and your shelter, that they may know light and warmth, where there is now only blackness and smoke, and a cold which cuts and clenches the skin.

Almighty who makes exceptions, which we call miracles, make an exception of the children of Gaza. Shield them from us and from their own. Spare them. Heal them. Let them stand in safety. Deliver them from hunger and horror and fury and grief. Deliver them from us, and from their own.

Restore to them their stolen childhoods, their birthright, which is a taste of heaven.

Remind us, O Lord, of the child Ishmael, who is the father of all the children of Gaza. How the child Ishmael was without water and left for dead in the wilderness of Beer-Sheba, so robbed of all hope, that his own mother could not bear to watch his life drain away.

Be that Lord, the God of our kinsman Ishmael, who heard his cry and sent His angel to comfort his mother Hagar.

Be that Lord, who was with Ishmael that day, and all the days after. Be that God, the All-Merciful, who opened Hagar's eyes that day, and showed her the well of water, that she could give the boy Ishmael to drink, and save his life.

Allah, whose name we call Elohim, who gives life, who knows the value and the fragility of every life, send these children your angels. Save them, the children of this place, Gaza the most beautiful, and Gaza the damned.

In this day, when the trepidation and rage and mourning that is called war, seizes our hearts and patches them in scars, we call to you, the Lord whose name is Peace:

Bless these children, and keep them from harm.

Turn Your face toward them, O Lord. Show them, as if for the first time, light and kindness, and overwhelming graciousness.

Look up at them, O Lord. Let them see your face.

And, as if for the first time, grant them peace.

_____________



With thanks to Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman of Kol HaNeshama, Jerusalem.

______________

The Best Christmas Ever!

None of my gifts to my family were under the tree this year.

The best gift of Christmas Eve was that I finally got to have one of my Dad's stuffed artichokes. He'd offered me one at least four times, but I never actually got to eat one. They take forever to eat, and I had to put up with a lot of obnoxious bluster while I ate, but I never lacked for company while I enjoyed it. I was sad that all the lasagnas were given away before I got a chance to try them, but I got some breaded eggplant, so that was OK too!

For my father, there were several gifts. First, I brought my boys to the towns where he spent his summers as a child. We went to mass, prayed at graves, and bought treats at the bake sale. I passed on his email address and the reminder that he remembers his family and is happy to share. The best gift of all would be if his distant cousins send him emails about his family tree.
Everyone got a church bulletin, a business card from the restaurant in Effingham, and copies of the prayer cards from his aunts and uncles with their pictures. Second, I remembered his mother Ida, his father Frank, his brother Frankie, and his sister Millie in a mass on the Feast of the Holy Family. We need to hear the names of those we love from time to time. I always say "my grandma Santina" to my mother, especially at Christmas time.

For my mother, for once I didn't give her more jewelry. I know how cold it is in that front room, and how she and dad argue about the thermostat setting. I remember how important it is for her to have things of the right texture--silky soft--as well as functional, and found just the right oversized robe for the living room. They also argue about the classical music my dad wants to hear in the car, and I found a tape that she'll enjoy hearing with him. I also fried up for her the breaded eggplant, blanching it with salt the way her mother taught me.

I reminded my brother Dave how highly Curt and I always regarded his judgment, updating the financial details he holds for me in case of need. For Pam and her girls, I brought my Pizelle iron. I used to make about 60 of them, with 40 going to the my side of the family and 20 going to my husband's side. I usually made anise, but over the years I had also included chocolate, vanilla, and almond. I used my own recipe for several years, then Grandma Santina insisted I switch to her cousin Mayme's recipe. She'd already passed, but Theresa wrote out the card for me. The only change that I made was that I always added finely ground almonds to the batter. When Emily married into the family, her mother included pizelles in her cookie tray, so my mother told me to stop making them. This year, my nephew Michael mixed the batter and my two sons made them over the range at my sister's house. I gave Pam a copy of the recipe for herself and for Cousin Lynn. Zac's Barbara knows how to make the Pizelles, as does David Scott's Hayley, so I shouldn't have to do the teaching.

For my sister Janet and her husband David, we came to their home twice. We brought two cases of sliders and Savoia's salads for dinner one night. As a gift, I brought them homemade frozen manicotti--enough for a dinner for her, Dave, & Mike--so that Janet wouldn't have to cook at least one night since she's working too hard and worrying too much. David had time to play guitar with his godson, and I helped him with some computer work on line.

Ron and Ian are both my godsons. This year, Ian should make his first communion. I told them both the story about how St. Joseph and St. Anthony are special patrons of our family on both Grandy's side and on Papa's. Both saints are especially close to the Infant Jesus. I gave them a new small prayer book and marked the prayer to St Joseph for them.

I told Barbara stories, especially about the Christmas years that Zac spent with my boys after their father died. We talked about pizelles and pasta...and dancing.

Each of my nieces got a set of crochet hooks. Janet, Karen, and I all know how to crochet. My sisters-in-law all also have the recipes for the fillings for meat and cheese raviolis. I taught Pam's girls how to make the pasta over the summer, and hopefully they can all learn one day from me or Janet.

I taught Camden how to make the "Big Hug" cross that Stephen gave me when he made his First Communion, and Ian got the first one that we made. The beads, of Army camouflage colors, were from the crosses that I made for Fr Bob Kantor, a Navy chaplain, to take to the troops.

I'm confirmation sponsor for David Scott. He was in the family room with Hayley sitting on his knee, so I got the other knee. I gave him the Little Flower Society membership goodies this year. I explained to him about the 3rd degree relic of felt cloth, and showed him the St Therese medal 'for the pretty girl'. I asked him if Hayley was 'the pretty girl', and when he said yes, he gave the medal to her. She had her priest bless it for her at the midnight mass. I told both of them about the roses, and sent Hayley to Karen to hear more.

Michael and Kevin both received my promise to take them out here in Florida when they come. Each of them took the time to visit with me while I ate my artichoke. Since Mike is drinking age, I told him that we could go to Ft Myers Beach for music, and that Kevin could probably come if he stayed with me. I suggested to them that they take their Uncle Mike--and their dad, if he comes--to the 10,000 islands to fish from the kayaks or canoes.

I gave Karen's gifts of three prayers to Doug. With Michael now married, their lives will change. I also sent Hayley to her, and reminded Emily's girls that she can teach crochet.

I spent most of one afternoon before Christmas with Emily and her girls. They received the rolling pin with the red handles that I got from Grandma Santina, who got it from her mother Antonia Caravana. My mother's rolling pin has green handles, and I think Dad also uses the heavy one made of marble. (My green frog needs to be told that it is there, since that will mean more to him than to the girls.)

We had the best Christmas ever at Harriet's home this year, too. Steve & I found a little "Bah Hum Bug" that hid in the plant. I taught the girls how to make pasta using Harriet's machine to roll it out and cut it, and taught both girls to crochet. I made Linda caponata and pizelles like I used to make years ago, and my mother sent gifts, too. The kids had fun shopping with each other for their gifts, and I hope they will do it again next year.

This year, I enjoyed the best Christmas ever! I must remember next year NOT to shop, and NOT to put anything under the tree!