@Contra Mundum@ Volume XI, Issue 4 November 2008 The Congregation of St. Athanasius A Congregation of the Pastoral Provision of John Paul II for the Anglican Usage of the Roman Rite http://www.locutor.net CATHOLIC POLITICIANS AND St. Andrew THE “LIFE” ISSUES ho taught the doctors and Wsaints of the Church, who, in (On the business of planning for the U.S. That is why the Church feels very their day, or in after times, have been Bishops November meeting…) comfortable advocating for the Gos- the most illustrious expounders of ne important piece of business pel of Life. We are not insisting that the precepts of right and wrong, and, Owas the issuing of a statement they embrace the Catholic faith, but by word and deed, are the guides of from the bishops on the misinforma- we are insisting that they defend hu- our conduct? Did Almighty Wisdom tion put out by some man rights. speak to them through the operation of their own minds, or rather, did Catholic politicians on Life is the basic hu- it not subject them to instructors Church teaching. The man right. That is why unknown to fame, wiser perhaps bishops are concerned it is so disturbing when about politicians pon- even than themselves? Andrew fol- politicians and others try lowed , while Simon tificating on theologi- to dismiss us as people cal questions about remained at his nets. Andrew first with merely an eccle- recognized the Messiah among the which they know very siastical or religious little. inhabitants of despised Nazareth; sectarian point of view and he brought his brother to him. One of the chal- or opinion. It is not that Yet to Andrew Christ spoke no word lenges facing us as way at all. of commendation which has been al- Catholics is how we We need to impress on lowed to continue on record; whereas communicate—to people that this is not to Simon even on his first coming, he our own people and to the larger some recent opinion. These teach- gave the honorable name by which community—that the question of ings against abortion date back to the he is now designated, and after- abortion and the immorality of earliest days of the Church and some wards put him forward as the typical abortion is not simply a matter of the oldest writings of the Fathers foundation of the Church. Nothing of the Church trying to impose of the Church. Right from the begin- indeed can hence be inferred, one Church doctrine on other people ning, the Fathers of the Church were way or the other, concerning the in a pluralistic society. Rather it is very, very clear as to the seriousness relative excellence of the two broth- our firm conviction that abortion, of this crime. ers; so far only appears, that, in the like murder or racism, is a crime ¶ The above is an excerpt from Cardinal providential course of events, the against humanity and a violation Seán’s weekly blog which speaks directly to one was the secret beginner, and of the Natural Law that flows from the confusion sown by Catholic elected of- the other the public instrument, of a who we are as human beings and ficials whose political stance is at odds with great divine work. Paul, again, that can be identified through the Church’s clear moral teaching. reason. continued on page 3 Page 26 Contra Mundum

ALL ’ DAY Saturday, November 1, 2008 not a holy day of obligation this year Procession, Solemn Mass & Sermon 9:00 a.m., Convent Chapel

ALL SOULS’ DAY NOVEMBER SAINTS Commemoration of All Faithful Departed awn ended the night, and Cecilia as you are, is truly God!” Bishop Sunday, November 2, 2008 exclaimed, “Hail, soldiers of Urban was thereupon sent for, and D Solemn Requiem Mass & Sermon Christ, cast aside the works of dark- more than four hundred people were Preacher: Father Peter Stravinskas ness and put on the arms of light!” baptized. 10:30 a.m. Almachius had Cecilia brought ¶ From The Golden Legend of Convent Chapel before him, commanding her either Blessed Jacobus de Voraigne. to sacrifice to the idols or to incur Saint Cecelia’s Day is Saturday, the sentence of death. Her servants November 22nd. Solemn Evensong & wailed at the thought and urged her to Benediction yield, on the ground that a maiden so Preacher: Father Peter Stravinskas fair and so noble should not commit 5:00 p.m. herself to death. She said to them: Chapel of St. Theresa of Avila “Good folks, I am not losing youth Church but exchanging it, giving up clay and receiving gold, abandoning a hut for a palace, leaving a narrow corner of the street for a wide-open, light- filled plaza. If someone offered you a gold piece for a copper, would you not accept it readily? God, indeed, gives back to us a hundred for one. Do you believe what I’m saying?” “We believe,” they answered, “that Christ, who has such a handmaid Contra Mundum Page 27

WHAT WE HOLD MOST DEAR

S lay Catholics struggling to Second: The common good. Those Abe faithful to the call of our who hold political power must do so bishops, we have arrived at the fol- as a service to the common good of lowing judgments. the entire nation. We recognize that the opportunity We consider the recognition and to vote causes what lies closest to defense of three self-evident truths continued from page 1 our hearts to surface: The experi- regarding human beings the mini- was honored with the distinction of ence of the fact of Christ present in mum commitment to the common a miraculous conversion, and was called to be the chief agent of the the Church we hold most dear. We good: the right to life from concep- propagation of the Gospel among the do not hope for salvation from poli- tion to natural death; the irreplace- heathen; yet to Ananias, an otherwise tics or politicians. Nevertheless, we able value of the family, founded unknown saint, dwelling at Damas- understand the critical importance on the marriage between a man cus, was committed the high office of conveying the gifts of pardon and that politics plays in our common and woman; and the right of every the Holy Spirit to the Apostle of the American life. human being to be born into and Gentiles. educated by that family formed by For this reason, two concerns matter John Henry Newman his or her parents. most to us and we will vote accord- Parochial and Plain Sermons ing to which candidates and parties For the common good we further ¶ John Henry Newman is arguably the most famous Anglican convert. demonstrate an authentic care for seek politicians and political parties His is widely anticipated. th these concerns. that value subsidiarity, a partnership ¶ Saint Andrew’s Day is November 30 . This year it falls on the First Sunday of Advent. First: Freedom of Religion. Politi- between public and private sectors cal power must recognize faith’s un- facilitated by a robust non-profit deniable contribution to the defense sector. At the same time, we seek and broadening of human reasons persons engaged in politics who never and its promotion of authentic hu- recognize that subsidiarity can solidarity man progress. This is a guarantee annul the we owe to all our of freedom for everyone, not only brothers and sisters living in this na- for Christians. And this freedom tion. There is no care for the common must include the freedom to speak, good that ignores basic human needs convince, act, and build in the public of millions in our nation. square; religious freedom relegated Communion to one’s private life is not religious and freedom at all. Liberation - USA Page 28 Contra Mundum

A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN 1795

we review the calamities which afflict so many other nations, When the present condition of the United States affords much matter of consolation and satisfaction. Our exemption hitherto from foreign war—an increasing prospect of the continuance of that exemption—the great degree of internal tranquility we have enjoyed—the recent confirmation of that tranquil- ity, by the suppression of an insurrection which so wantonly threatened it—the happy course of our public affairs in general—the unexampled prosperity of all classes of our citizens, are circumstances which peculiarly mark our situation with indications of the divine beneficence towards us. In such a state of things it is, in an especial manner, our duty as a people, with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many and great obligations to Almighty God, and to implore him to continue and confirm the blessings we experience.

Deeply penetrated with this sentiment, I, George Washington, President of the United States, do recommend to all religious societies and denominations, and to all persons whomsoever within the United States, to set apart and observe a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer; and on that day to meet together and render their sincere and hearty thanks to the Great Ruler of Nations for the manifold and signal mercies which distinguish our lot as a nation; particularly for the possession of constitutions of government, which united and by their union establish liberty with order—for the preservation of our peace foreign and domestic—for the seasonable control which has geen given to a spirit of disorder, in the supression of the late insurrection—and generally, for the prosperous course of our affairs public and private; and at the same time, humbly and fervently to beseech the kind Author of these blessings graciously to prolong them to us—to imprint on our hearts a deep and solemn sense of our obligations to him for them—to teach us rightly to estimate their immense value—to preserve us from the arrogance of prosperity, and from hazarding the advantages we enjoy by delusive pursuits—to dispose us to merit the continuance of his favors, by not abusing them, by our gratitude for them, and by a corresponding conduct as citizens and as men—to extend among us true and useful knowledge—to diffuse and establish habits of sobriety, order, morality and piety; and finally, to impart all the blessings we possess, or ask for ourselves, to the whole family of mankind. George Washington Contra Mundum Page 29

WHEN WE GIVE things which gave them life. They THEE weren’t theologians doing this. It was all elemental. And the majority HUMBLE THANKS of mankind since the dawn of history would be puzzled by the Pilgrim or thousands of years, groups prayer service. Fof people, tribes and nations, have had their thanksgiving feasts. In any event, Almighty God, pre- They celebrated to whatever gods paring His people for the Coming they worshipped, on the occasion of Christ, told the ancient Hebrews and bounty, the pure victim, holy and of harvests, the end of migrations, what to sacrifice and how to sacrifice. immaculate, the holy Bread of eter- victories in battle. It was part of the Then Christ came. And when the nal life and the Chalice of everlasting God-given instinct in every man to time came for Him to do His deci- salvation.” (Canon of the Mass) do this. sive work, Christ said, “This is My The Pilgrim’s worship was trun- Body, This is My Blood; Do this in Any Thanksgiving Day is a focused cated and dismembered as a result of remembrance of Me.” observance. You acknowledge not the Protestant reformation. But their only that whatever it was that hap- From now on, God’s people were instinct to worship and give thanks pened was beyond your ability to do to make their thanksgiving sacrifice was preserved, as it had been for it, but also that there was some one in “My Blood.” That is to be our gift thousands of years before the coming who made it happen. to offer Almighty God: His Body of Christ. Catholics must never think and Blood, every day. And in Com- The ancient Hebrew people knew of themselves as tolerant by accept- munion, God puts into our hands Who made it happen, and He made ing that men and women will wor- the perfect gift, “the pure vicitim, thanksgiving a law for them: “Three ship in the way that is most pleasing holy and immaculate, the holy Bread times a year you shall celebrate feasts to them. There is a true way, taught of eternal life and the Chalice of to me; thou shalt keep the feast of by One Who said, “I am the Way, and everlasting salvation.” That is how unleavened bread…and the feast of the Truth, and the Life.” Catholics to give thanks to Almighty God: the harvest of the first fruits…and the must work and pray that all people through Jesus Christ our Lord. feast also in the end of the year, when everywhere will go all the way to the Father Bradford thou hast gathered in all thy corn out One Who is the Way. of the field.” (Exodus 23:14/17) All history was leading to the That was what the Bible-living perfect sacrifice of Christ. For men Pilgrims had in mind when they and women have not just prayed planned their prayer meeting and in thanksgiving. From time imme- feast of thanks that followed. Their morial they offered something as parents and grandparents would have a sign of themselves to show they offered thanksgiving “unto Thine were thankful for life. They made excellent majesty of Thine own gifts offerings in thanksgiving for the Page 30 Contra Mundum

FIRST SUNDAY Short Notes

OF ADVENT @ Eastern Standard Time returns November 30, 2008 Sunday, November 2nd at 2 a.m. Set Litany in Procession your clocks BACK one hour Satur- Solemn Mass & Sermon day night. 10:30 a.m. Convent Chapel @ Many thanks to Steve Cavanaugh for organizing a reception after the lessons will be available after Sunday Mass on Saint ’s Day, which Mass for readers taking part in the is the anniversary of the Congrega- Advent Lessons and Carols service tion. And to Deacon Michael Con- (Sunday, Nov 30th at 5 p.m.). Nine nolly for arranging our October ser- readers are needed for this service. vice of Evensong and Benediction in @ St. Mary’s Chapel at Boston College. Advent Sunday marks the begin- We were invited by the college’s ning of a new church year. Gospels Saint Society. will be taken primarily from Saint Luke. Purchase your Advent calen- @ The Most Revd. Robert F. Hen- dars, wreaths, and candles now. Fr. nessey will visit the Congregation on Stravinskas’ book of Advent Medi- Sunday, December 14th for the 10:30 tiations is on sale in the convent and a.m. Mass. He is Auxiliary Bishop makes a nice companion to your of Boston and regional bishop for observance of the season. the central region of the archdiocese @ (which includes us in West Roxbury.) Brother Jerry Dowsky, F.M.S., has We will all want to give him a fine written that he is now attending the welcome. local Melkite parish near where he lives in Lawrence, Mass. A Marist @ Confirmation classes are ongoing Brother, he has been attending An- A PROCESSION and meet in the St. Theresa Rectory glican Use as regularly as possible on many Thursdays at 7 p.m. with for over ten years and plans to visit WITH CAROLS the Chaplain. A syllabus is avail- us for special services in the future. FOR ADVENT able. Classes may be used by anyone He sends his best regards to all. inquiring into the teaching of the 5:00 p.m. @ Church, or as preparation for recep- Please welcome Fr. and Mrs. Craig Chapel of St. Theresa of Avila dePaulo and their son Christian Church tion/confirmation, or as continuing Christian education. as occasional participants in our Masses and special services. They @ An Every Member Canvass has have recently moved to Roslindale, been conducted this Fall in the Con- and Fr. dePaulo is teaching as an gregation for support of its program assistant professor of philosophy for the coming year. You are asked in Boston College. He is a priest of to make a generous response to the the Greek (Byzantine Rite) Catholic asking, and many thanks for a prompt Church. Catherine dePaulo is also return. a professor teaching in a local col- lege. Christian is enrolled in the St. @ A sign-up sheet with a selection of Theresa School. Contra Mundum Page 31

Blessed William Andleby SOLEMNITY OF British (Anlaby) CHRIST THE KING Priest and Martyr († 1597) Sunday, November 23, 2008 Martyrs Solemn Mass & Sermon s a Protestant in his mid-twen- 10:30 a.m. VER the years 200 men and women ties, William Andleby, of Etton, A Convent Chapel Ohave been beatified for their heroic England, was en route to fight with witness to the Catholic Faith in the Brit- the Dutch Protestants against Catho- ish Isles during and after the Protestant lic Spain when he passed through Reformation. Here we continue brief the French city of Douai. There mention of some of these individual martyrs. he entered into conversation with the famous English Catholic cleric Blessed Alexander Crow and future cardinal, William Allen. Priest and Martyr (c. 1550–1586) Within a day, the latter’s words and zealous Catholic tradesman, prayers transformed Andleby’s view AAlexander Crow, of Howden, of Catholicism, inspiring him to be- England, left his occupation in order come a Catholic himself. Remaing in CLOSING SERVICE, to become a priest. Upon complet- Douai, he studied for the priesthood, BICENTENNIAL YEAR ing his seminary studies, he was and was ordained in 1577. Returning Archdiocese of Boston ordained in Reims, France, in 1583. to England in 1578, Father Andleby Cathedral of the Holy Cross A year later, he returned to England spent the next two decades minis- 2:00 p.m. to serve the persecuted Catholics of tering to the country’s persecuted his own country, becoming known Catholics. His zeal for souls made for his holiness. In 1586, whle on his him fearless of danger and untiring in The Congregation way to baptize a baby, Father Crow labors. For several years he traveled was apprehended by the Elizabethan everywhere on foot, carrying all he of Saint Athanasius regime. In prison, shackled with needed for Mass in a bag, until at last The Revd. Richard Sterling Bradford, double fetters, he was treated with he was prevailed upon to use a horse. Chaplain Father Andleby prayed continually, extraordinary cruelty. In an effort to Saint Theresa Convent discredit Father Crow in the eyes of frequently watching by night, and the people, the government mounted becoming so deeply absorbed in Chapel a campaign of mockery and slander meditation that at times he seemed 10 St. Theresa Ave. against him. Condemned to death scarcely conscious of those he met. West Roxbury, Mass. by drawing and quartering for being Ultimately he was captured by the (Enter through the side door.) a priest, he was brought out to be Elizabethan authorities, and was executed late at night on November executed for being a priest. Sundays 10:30 a.m. 30 (or perhaps November 13), 1586. Reprinted from Magnificat, July 2007, Vol. 9, Sung Mass Weakened by a lingering illness, No. 5, Page 73. With permission of Magnificat® Fellowship and Coffee in the Father Crow fell while climbing the USA, LLC, Dunwoodie - 201 Seminary Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10704 or Web site: www. Lounge after Mass scaffold ladder. He was thereupon magnificat.net. All rights reserved. subjected almost immediately to the barbaric torture of being disem- Rectory: bowled while still conscious. 767 West Roxbury Pkwy. Reprinted from Magnificat, November 2007, Vol. Boston, MA 02132-2121 9, No. 9, Page 318. With permission of Magni­ Tel/Fax: (617) 325-5232 ficat® USA, LLC, Dunwoodie - 201 Seminary Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10704 or Web site: http://www.locutor.net www.magnificat.net. All rights reserved. Page 32 Contra Mundum St. Theresa Church and Convent Chapel, West Roxbury, MA 02132 Pine Lodge Road (off St. Theresa Avenue) Park either in the church parking lot or on Pine Lodge Road. The side door of the convent is open during the time of our services. Directions by Car: From the North: Route 128 to Route 109, which becomes Spring Street in West Roxbury. Spring Street ends at a traffic light at Cen- tre Street in sight of the church. At this light bear left onto Centre St. and immediately turn right at the next light onto St. Theresa Ave. From the South: Route 1 north through Dedham to Spring Street. Turn right onto Spring Street then follow the directions above. From Dorchester and Mattapan: Cummins High- way to Belgrade Avenue to Centre Street left on St. Theresa Ave. From Boston: VFW Parkway to LaGrange Street. Turn left onto LaGrange Street, crossing Centre Street and turn right onto Landseer Street. Turn left into the church parking lot. Directions by Public Transportation: Orange line to Forest Hills terminal. Bus to West Roxbury. #35 bus to Dedham Mall. #36, #37, and #38 also stop at St. Theresa’s. Commuter train to West Roxbury Station is a short walk to St. Theresa’s. Departs from South Station, but no Sunday service is available.

Contra Mundum The Congregation of St. Athanasius 10 St. Theresa Avenue West Roxbury, MA 02132