Messiah Prep

Not for the big event....for Tafelmusik's annual sing-along Messiah on December 21.  

This is supposed to be a terrific afternoon and sells out every year.  I've been chatting it up with the few singers I know locally...in particular altos since the event has the audience sitting by voice part. 

I already own a copy of the score, and I downloaded a copy of Handel's Messiah into iTunes so that I can run through it a few times.  I've been over the choruses once and there's some pretty intense music to sing.

But it certainly gets one into the Advent/Chrismas/Easter mood.

CBC Radio Orchestra to live on!

From today's Globe and Mail.

An exciting heritage preservation project.

My former parish in suburban Atlanta has a massive and exciting project underway.  They want to purchase a gorgeous church in Buffalo, St. Gerard's (above), and move it to their building site.

Here's an article from the Buffalo News.

The parish was in the planning stages to build a church when Fr. Dye, the pastor, became aware of this beautiful church that had been closed early this year.

Here are some stunning photographs of the building.

A sample:

The Atlanta parish is in the midst of having St. Gerard's measured and mapped, and no doubt doing lots of praying about this project.  The style of this church is remarkably like the one that they had planned on building, and apparently the footprint is remarkably similar in size.

I am very excited for my former parish and wish them the best in this endeavour.

Messiah Prep

Not for the big event....for Tafelmusik's annual sing-along Messiah on December 21.  

This is supposed to be a terrific afternoon and sells out every year.  I've been chatting it up with the few singers I know locally...in particular altos since the event has the audience sitting by voice part. 

I already own a copy of the score, and I downloaded a copy of Handel's Messiah into iTunes so that I can run through it a few times.  I've been over the choruses once and there's some pretty intense music to sing.

But it certainly gets one into the Advent/Chrismas/Easter mood.

CBC Radio Orchestra to live on!

From today's Globe and Mail.

An exciting heritage preservation project.

My former parish in suburban Atlanta has a massive and exciting project underway.  They want to purchase a gorgeous church in Buffalo, St. Gerard's (above), and move it to their building site.

Here's an article from the Buffalo News.

The parish was in the planning stages to build a church when Fr. Dye, the pastor, became aware of this beautiful church that had been closed early this year.

Here are some stunning photographs of the building.

A sample:

The Atlanta parish is in the midst of having St. Gerard's measured and mapped, and no doubt doing lots of praying about this project.  The style of this church is remarkably like the one that they had planned on building, and apparently the footprint is remarkably similar in size.

I am very excited for my former parish and wish them the best in this endeavour.

Menu Plan Monday

Okay, I've been really off the menu-planning wagon these past few weeks, and we're closing in on the frantic season, so I've gotta get back in the saddle (to mix the Old West metaphors.)

Monday:  Crock pot chili con carne, tortilla chips, homemade pico de gallo and guacamole.

Tuesday:  Bean soup (gotta find a recipe...am tiring of my lentil soup recipe), herb bread and cheddar (or a grilled cheese sanwich made from the above). 

Wednesday:  Shrimp tikka masala, vegetable biryani, green beans

Thursday:  Lentil-carrot casserole

Friday:  Homemade top-your-own pizzas.

Menu Plan Monday

Okay, I've been really off the menu-planning wagon these past few weeks, and we're closing in on the frantic season, so I've gotta get back in the saddle (to mix the Old West metaphors.)

Monday:  Crock pot chili con carne, tortilla chips, homemade pico de gallo and guacamole.

Tuesday:  Bean soup (gotta find a recipe...am tiring of my lentil soup recipe), herb bread and cheddar (or a grilled cheese sanwich made from the above). 

Wednesday:  Shrimp tikka masala, vegetable biryani, green beans

Thursday:  Lentil-carrot casserole

Friday:  Homemade top-your-own pizzas.

Sunday Report

Another big crowd out for choir this morning, and we were in fine form.

We sang a beautiful piece by Brahms during the offertory:  Lass Dict Nur Nichts Nicht Dauren ("Let Not Your Heart be Troubled") (pdf).  My German is non-existent, so I had to pick up the pronounciation on the fly, but all was well.

During Communion we sang a stunning setting of the Lord's Prayer by John Sheppard that we've done before (first page).  It was a cappella and the choir is quite good at not dropping the pitch.

Processional was Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Hyfrydol), and recessional was For the Fruit of All Creation (Ar Hyd Y Nos, one of my favorite lullaby tunes.)  Our all-Welsh program!   A funny typo (or maybe not) in the former. Third line, verse one should read "Fix in us your humble dwelling;" but the Catholic Book of Worship III (choir edition, at least) reads "Fix us in your humble dwelling;", quite another meaning altogether.

Sunday Report

Another big crowd out for choir this morning, and we were in fine form.

We sang a beautiful piece by Brahms during the offertory:  Lass Dict Nur Nichts Nicht Dauren ("Let Not Your Heart be Troubled") (pdf).  My German is non-existent, so I had to pick up the pronounciation on the fly, but all was well.

During Communion we sang a stunning setting of the Lord's Prayer by John Sheppard that we've done before (first page).  It was a cappella and the choir is quite good at not dropping the pitch.

Processional was Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Hyfrydol), and recessional was For the Fruit of All Creation (Ar Hyd Y Nos, one of my favorite lullaby tunes.)  Our all-Welsh program!   A funny typo (or maybe not) in the former. Third line, verse one should read "Fix in us your humble dwelling;" but the Catholic Book of Worship III (choir edition, at least) reads "Fix us in your humble dwelling;", quite another meaning altogether.

He made it!

Alex's school's cross-country team participated in the CISAA finals yesterday and they came second overall, which means Alex gets to go to OFSAA finals in Sarnia next weekend!  Woo-hoo!  This will be a highlight of his high school running career.

Early morning fright

Z and Alex walked Wilson this morning, and when they returned, I picked up the doggie-waste bag to pop into the compost bin outside.  As I opened the lid, a GIANT racoon hopped out, and I screamed.

I am NOT a screamer.  Am not afraid of spiders, or thunderstorms, or really anything much else.  But this furry beast popping out of the green bin as I opened it up just scared the heck out of me.

Someone hadn't clipped our racoon-proofing strap last night, and this huge fellow was just munching away in peace.  

Musical bliss

In the midst of all my right-brain activity yesterday, I went downtown to the Four Seasons Performing Arts Centre for a free lunch hour concert of chamber music.

They have a terrific space for these types of events.  The audience sits on a sort of giant staircase, surrounded by glass overlooking University Avenue.  I took the TTC down and there is direct access to the Centre from the Osgoode station.

The concert in question was a trio:  Kathleen Rudolph (flute), Theresa Rudolph Koczo (viola), and Rita Costanzi (harp).  Theresa is Kathleen's daughter, and they have known Rita since before Theresa was born.  Kathleen and Theresa both played with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and all three are busy, professional musicians.  Kathleen sings alto with me in our parish choir.

They played pieces by Damasse, Faure, Debussy, Godefroid (harp solo), and Debussey.  It was celestial!

He made it!

Alex's school's cross-country team participated in the CISAA finals yesterday and they came second overall, which means Alex gets to go to OFSAA finals in Sarnia next weekend!  Woo-hoo!  This will be a highlight of his high school running career.

Early morning fright

Z and Alex walked Wilson this morning, and when they returned, I picked up the doggie-waste bag to pop into the compost bin outside.  As I opened the lid, a GIANT racoon hopped out, and I screamed.

I am NOT a screamer.  Am not afraid of spiders, or thunderstorms, or really anything much else.  But this furry beast popping out of the green bin as I opened it up just scared the heck out of me.

Someone hadn't clipped our racoon-proofing strap last night, and this huge fellow was just munching away in peace.  

Musical bliss

In the midst of all my right-brain activity yesterday, I went downtown to the Four Seasons Performing Arts Centre for a free lunch hour concert of chamber music.

They have a terrific space for these types of events.  The audience sits on a sort of giant staircase, surrounded by glass overlooking University Avenue.  I took the TTC down and there is direct access to the Centre from the Osgoode station.

The concert in question was a trio:  Kathleen Rudolph (flute), Theresa Rudolph Koczo (viola), and Rita Costanzi (harp).  Theresa is Kathleen's daughter, and they have known Rita since before Theresa was born.  Kathleen and Theresa both played with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and all three are busy, professional musicians.  Kathleen sings alto with me in our parish choir.

They played pieces by Damasse, Faure, Debussy, Godefroid (harp solo), and Debussey.  It was celestial!

Meditation and the right brain

I had one of those wierd coincidences today that has me thinking.

Recently, I purchased a copy of Quantum Wellness: A Tranformative Guide to Health, Happiness and a Better World by Kathy Freston.  I had borrowed it from the library and wanted my own copy to work through in more detail.  She has very interesting ideas on self-motivation and a holistic approach to wellness.  One of the practices she recommends is meditation, something that I have long wanted to try, but couldn't seem to get started.  

First event:  A few weeks ago, I came across a podcast from the Meditation Society of Australia called Learn to Meditate (available free on iTunes) and downloaded the first few classes.  This morning I decided to give it a try after everyone had left for the day.  I watched the introductory videocast, and then went through the first guided meditation.  I had some insights about the connectedness of a living beings, and felt convicted about one relationship in particular.  

Second event:  I watched Oprah this afternoon.  Her guest was Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist who survived a stroke and wrote the book My Stroke of Insight:  A Brain Scientists Personal Journey.  She had an unusual type of stroke in which she (temporarily) lost the workings of the left hemisphere of her brain.  Her description of her experience of no past, no future, and no emotional baggage, and the bliss that she experienced was very much like what I imagine a peak meditative experience to be like.  She spoke of her sense of the connectedness to all living things during the first hours of her stroke...how she didn't experience her body at all, but rather felt like pure energy.  Over the past eight years, she has regained her health but is a different person.  She has lost her anger and anxiety.  Her creativity has blossomed.  She has wise words for health care personnel, and for all of us, about the way we interact with others.  That we as individuals are responsible for the energy we bring to others.  It was a remarkable discussion, and I look forward to reading her story.

Third event:  In today's mail, I received the book Praying in the Presence of Our Lord: Prayers for Eucharistic Adoration by Fr. Benedict Groeschel from a fellow BookMoocher.  I've identified a couple of parishes in town that have adoration on a weekly basis.  This is a practice in which I have had profound experiences of connectedness with Christ.

These three events, happening on the same day, suggest I am being asked to set aside time for a deeper, more spiritual experience of life.  

Meditation and the right brain

I had one of those wierd coincidences today that has me thinking.

Recently, I purchased a copy of Quantum Wellness: A Tranformative Guide to Health, Happiness and a Better World by Kathy Freston.  I had borrowed it from the library and wanted my own copy to work through in more detail.  She has very interesting ideas on self-motivation and a holistic approach to wellness.  One of the practices she recommends is meditation, something that I have long wanted to try, but couldn't seem to get started.  

First event:  A few weeks ago, I came across a podcast from the Meditation Society of Australia called Learn to Meditate (available free on iTunes) and downloaded the first few classes.  This morning I decided to give it a try after everyone had left for the day.  I watched the introductory videocast, and then went through the first guided meditation.  I had some insights about the connectedness of a living beings, and felt convicted about one relationship in particular.  

Second event:  I watched Oprah this afternoon.  Her guest was Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist who survived a stroke and wrote the book My Stroke of Insight:  A Brain Scientists Personal Journey.  She had an unusual type of stroke in which she (temporarily) lost the workings of the left hemisphere of her brain.  Her description of her experience of no past, no future, and no emotional baggage, and the bliss that she experienced was very much like what I imagine a peak meditative experience to be like.  She spoke of her sense of the connectedness to all living things during the first hours of her stroke...how she didn't experience her body at all, but rather felt like pure energy.  Over the past eight years, she has regained her health but is a different person.  She has lost her anger and anxiety.  Her creativity has blossomed.  She has wise words for health care personnel, and for all of us, about the way we interact with others.  That we as individuals are responsible for the energy we bring to others.  It was a remarkable discussion, and I look forward to reading her story.

Third event:  In today's mail, I received the book Praying in the Presence of Our Lord: Prayers for Eucharistic Adoration by Fr. Benedict Groeschel from a fellow BookMoocher.  I've identified a couple of parishes in town that have adoration on a weekly basis.  This is a practice in which I have had profound experiences of connectedness with Christ.

These three events, happening on the same day, suggest I am being asked to set aside time for a deeper, more spiritual experience of life.  

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, October 20, 2008...

Outside My Window... my garden is ready to be put to bed for the winter.

I am thinking... about what a busy yet joyful weekend I spent with family and friends.  

I am thankful for... breakfast with an out-of-town friend on Saturday morning.

From the kitchen... I've got lots of leftovers from our dinner party last night to cover our meal this evening:  arctic char, creamy mashed potatoes, green beans amandine, and half an apple pie.

I am wearing... black slacks, and nice top, and black trouser socks.

I am creating... some flax hand towels and an Irish wool sweater on my knitting needles (that haven't seen the light of day since last spring) .

I am going...to drive my mother to the train station in an hour.

I am reading...  The Life of St. Teresa of Avila By Herself.

I am hoping... that my older son makes it to the provincial cross-country finals.

I am hearing... cars travelling on the wet road, and my dryer tumbling the first of three loads of laundry to do today.

Around the house... it's tidy and dustfree after our dinner party last night.

One of my favorite things... about Fall is snuggling under warm blankets at night and sleeping soundly right through to morning.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I'm hoping to attend a free chamber music concert tomorrow at noon.  Wednesday is university information night at my sons' school. Saturday is my sister's birthday and I really should get going on a gift!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Demonstration garden at Evergreen Brick Works.

Meme from The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, October 20, 2008...

Outside My Window... my garden is ready to be put to bed for the winter.

I am thinking... about what a busy yet joyful weekend I spent with family and friends.  

I am thankful for... breakfast with an out-of-town friend on Saturday morning.

From the kitchen... I've got lots of leftovers from our dinner party last night to cover our meal this evening:  arctic char, creamy mashed potatoes, green beans amandine, and half an apple pie.

I am wearing... black slacks, and nice top, and black trouser socks.

I am creating... some flax hand towels and an Irish wool sweater on my knitting needles (that haven't seen the light of day since last spring) .

I am going...to drive my mother to the train station in an hour.

I am reading...  The Life of St. Teresa of Avila By Herself.

I am hoping... that my older son makes it to the provincial cross-country finals.

I am hearing... cars travelling on the wet road, and my dryer tumbling the first of three loads of laundry to do today.

Around the house... it's tidy and dustfree after our dinner party last night.

One of my favorite things... about Fall is snuggling under warm blankets at night and sleeping soundly right through to morning.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I'm hoping to attend a free chamber music concert tomorrow at noon.  Wednesday is university information night at my sons' school. Saturday is my sister's birthday and I really should get going on a gift!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Demonstration garden at Evergreen Brick Works.

Meme from The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Sunday Report

We had a big turnout for choir this morning, which was great!  Due to the holiday weekend, we had a shorter rehearsal than usual before mass, just reviewing the material for the day.

Processional:  Let All Things Now Living (Ash Grove)

Offertory:  A choral arrangement of J.S. Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze.

Communion:  Tantum Ergo by Louis Vierne

Recessional:  Now Thank We All Our God

The words for Tantum Ergo were written by St. Thomas Aquinas:

Tantum ergo sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, genitoque
Laus et iubilatio,
Salus, honor virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio. Amen.

Translated:

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! The Sacred Host we hail.
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of Grace prevail:
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail. 

To The Everlasting Father
And The Son Who reigns on high,
With The Spirit blessed proceeding
Forth, from Each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty. Amen. 

Sunday Report

We had a big turnout for choir this morning, which was great!  Due to the holiday weekend, we had a shorter rehearsal than usual before mass, just reviewing the material for the day.

Processional:  Let All Things Now Living (Ash Grove)

Offertory:  A choral arrangement of J.S. Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze.

Communion:  Tantum Ergo by Louis Vierne

Recessional:  Now Thank We All Our God

The words for Tantum Ergo were written by St. Thomas Aquinas:

Tantum ergo sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, genitoque
Laus et iubilatio,
Salus, honor virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio. Amen.

Translated:

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! The Sacred Host we hail.
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of Grace prevail:
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail. 

To The Everlasting Father
And The Son Who reigns on high,
With The Spirit blessed proceeding
Forth, from Each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty. Amen. 

The Joy of Sloth

Hilarious stuff from Inside Catholic.  

Go read it here.

A little excerpt:

In matters religious, there are certain fundamental questions that vex each human soul. Each of us has a governing passion, a distinctive thorn in our spirit or flesh. Those of us who dwell in that mild, middle state we call inertia have our own question, which is asked not so much of God but of ourselves: "Is it really worth it" This simple criterion can be applied to every area of life, and it nearly always serves to lighten the pressure. Try this at home:  Is it really worth it . . .

• to brown that sandwich in a skillet? The microwave would get it nice, hot, and spongy in under a minute -- with nothing left over to scrub.....
  

H/T to Mark Shea at Catholic and Enjoying It!

The Joy of Sloth

Hilarious stuff from Inside Catholic.  

Go read it here.

A little excerpt:

In matters religious, there are certain fundamental questions that vex each human soul. Each of us has a governing passion, a distinctive thorn in our spirit or flesh. Those of us who dwell in that mild, middle state we call inertia have our own question, which is asked not so much of God but of ourselves: "Is it really worth it" This simple criterion can be applied to every area of life, and it nearly always serves to lighten the pressure. Try this at home:  Is it really worth it . . .

• to brown that sandwich in a skillet? The microwave would get it nice, hot, and spongy in under a minute -- with nothing left over to scrub.....
  

H/T to Mark Shea at Catholic and Enjoying It!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, October 6, 2008...

Outside My Window... my huge maple is starting to turn colour.

I am thinking... about how to maximize the little energy I have at the moment and deal with housework that's been left undone while I've had a cold.

I am thankful for... a lovely weekend spent with family.

From the kitchen... I'm hoping to eke out one more supper before having to hit the grocery store.

I am wearing... cozy pyjamas and slippers.  

I am creating... a sense of calm and peace in which to recover.

I am going...to drive to the boys school to pick up Michael's tuba this afternoon.

I am reading... a light crime novel, Sudden Mischief by Robert B. Parker, before I start The Life of St. Teresa of Avila By Herself

I am hoping... that I'll start to feel better in a day or two.

I am hearing... the dog snoring.

Around the house... it's rather chaotic and dusty.

One of my favorite things... about being sick is the chance to read for an extended period of time without feeling guilty.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I have a massage booked for Thurday.  Academic awards night at the boys school.  Thanksgiving weekend coming up.  Alex heading out of town for a cross-country meet.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

From the Markham Fair this weekend

Meme from The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Why am I still sick????

I succumbed to the colds that have now felled three of our four family members.  I started feeling ill on Wednesday and I seem to be stuck in this cold rut, not feeling appreciably better from day to day.  I'd just like to move into the runny-nose-but-otherwise-fine phase that I can deal with.  Congested head and chest, plus overall germy-sick feeling is getting old quickly.  Z has feeling better, with just a chesty cough remaining, and I'm about 2 days behind him, so I'm hopeful for a midweek uptick.  

That being said, I drugged myself up and headed out to see Jersey Boys with my sweetie on Friday night and it was the bomb!  An absolutely terrific show with music that reverbated in my brain for the next 24 hours or so.  

Our niece Magali was in Toronto on business late last week so she stayed the weekend with us.  On Saturday we headed to the Markham Fair for a little taste o' the country.  It was chilly but we met up with Z's cousin and his family and had dinner at their place afterwards.  The cold weather felt good on my sinuses and I was feeling rather fine by the end of the evening.

Sunday morning dawned and I could hardly drag myself out of bed.  I spent the day on the sofa, reading and letting my family cook for me.  This morning, I'm still feeling low but will try to pull it together to get down to Mike's school and pick up his at-home-tuba so that he can start practising.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, October 6, 2008...

Outside My Window... my huge maple is starting to turn colour.

I am thinking... about how to maximize the little energy I have at the moment and deal with housework that's been left undone while I've had a cold.

I am thankful for... a lovely weekend spent with family.

From the kitchen... I'm hoping to eke out one more supper before having to hit the grocery store.

I am wearing... cozy pyjamas and slippers.  

I am creating... a sense of calm and peace in which to recover.

I am going...to drive to the boys school to pick up Michael's tuba this afternoon.

I am reading... a light crime novel, Sudden Mischief by Robert B. Parker, before I start The Life of St. Teresa of Avila By Herself

I am hoping... that I'll start to feel better in a day or two.

I am hearing... the dog snoring.

Around the house... it's rather chaotic and dusty.

One of my favorite things... about being sick is the chance to read for an extended period of time without feeling guilty.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I have a massage booked for Thurday.  Academic awards night at the boys school.  Thanksgiving weekend coming up.  Alex heading out of town for a cross-country meet.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

From the Markham Fair this weekend

Meme from The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Why am I still sick????

I succumbed to the colds that have now felled three of our four family members.  I started feeling ill on Wednesday and I seem to be stuck in this cold rut, not feeling appreciably better from day to day.  I'd just like to move into the runny-nose-but-otherwise-fine phase that I can deal with.  Congested head and chest, plus overall germy-sick feeling is getting old quickly.  Z has feeling better, with just a chesty cough remaining, and I'm about 2 days behind him, so I'm hopeful for a midweek uptick.  

That being said, I drugged myself up and headed out to see Jersey Boys with my sweetie on Friday night and it was the bomb!  An absolutely terrific show with music that reverbated in my brain for the next 24 hours or so.  

Our niece Magali was in Toronto on business late last week so she stayed the weekend with us.  On Saturday we headed to the Markham Fair for a little taste o' the country.  It was chilly but we met up with Z's cousin and his family and had dinner at their place afterwards.  The cold weather felt good on my sinuses and I was feeling rather fine by the end of the evening.

Sunday morning dawned and I could hardly drag myself out of bed.  I spent the day on the sofa, reading and letting my family cook for me.  This morning, I'm still feeling low but will try to pull it together to get down to Mike's school and pick up his at-home-tuba so that he can start practising.