Monthly Archives: December 2013

Chaplain’s Corner | The Epiphany of the Lord (January 6, 2013)

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We saw His star at its rising and have come to do Him homage. (Mt.2:2)
Vidimus stellam eius in oriente, et venimus adorare Dominum.

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite this feast was for centuries fixed on January 6th, which falls on a Monday this year. Whereas in the Ordinary Form the bishops’ conferences were given the option of moving this feast to the Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Family or the Sunday after the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, if it should fall on a Sunday, as it did in 2012. Last year in 2013 Continue reading →

Photos and Video: Rorate Solemn High Mass in the Dominican Rite

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Last Wednesday (December 18, 2013), the Rorate Solemn High Mass in the Dominican Rite was celebrated at Star of the Sea Church for the very first time. The celebrant was Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P., assisted once again by the friars from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology (Berkeley, CA) and St. Dominic’s Church (Benicia, CA). Star of the Sea was the 2nd church in the entire state of California (the other one was St. Stephen the Martyr in Sacramento) to have offered this kind of Mass!! Many thanks to the Dominican Friars for their assistance in making this possible! Below are some photos  taken by Jay Balza and Anna Guerra (more pictures can be viewed at our photo gallery) and a YouTube video of the entire mass.

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New Year’s Day Masses (Holy Day of Obligation) in the Extraordinary Form

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Colourful 2014 in fiery sparklers

New Year’s Day Masses (Holy Day of Obligation) in the Extraordinary Form around the San Francisco Bay Area

Star of the Sea Church (4420 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118) – Jan. 1 (11 AM)

St. Margaret Mary (1219 Excelsior Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610) – Jan. 1 (12:30 PM)

Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery (Canyon, CA); Jan. 1 (8 AM)
*How to find Canyon Carmel, which has no street number: from Canyon U.S. Post Office (99 Pinehurst Road), go north about one half mile to “John McCosker Ranch Road” on right (easy to miss); take this mostly gravel private road up to the right turn onto “Old Home Ranch Road,” which is signed for “Carmel.” It ends in the parking lot of the monastery.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Oratory / Five Wounds Church (1375 East Santa Clara St., San José, CA 95116) Jan. 1 (12:30 PM)

Feature of the week: Traditional Home Blessing Prayers

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These prayers are adapted for home use with the head of the family (V.) leading the prayers and other family members (R.) giving the responses. The family may gather together in the principal room of the house.  These prayers might be used on Sundays before the main meal or before Sunday night prayers or on any appropriate day or at any time.

V.  By the sign of the cross deliver us from our enemies.

R.  For you are our God.

Together:  + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

V.  Peace be unto this home.

R.  And unto all who dwell herein.

Then holy water is used to sprinkle those present and the principal room of the house.  All the rooms may be sprinkled if time permits.

V.  Sprinkle me with hyssop, O Lord, and I shall be clean.

R.  Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

V.  Be merciful to me, O God.

R.  For great is thy goodness.

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

R.  As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

V.  Sprinkle me with hyssop, O Lord, and I shall be clean.

R.  Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

V.  O Lord, hear my prayer.

R.  And let my cry come unto thee.

V.   Let us pray.

V.   Hear us, holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God!  And deign to send thy holy angel from heaven to guard, cherish, protect, visit, and defend all who dwell in this home.  Through Christ our Lord.

R.  Amen.

Together:  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Chaplain’s Corner | The Christmas Season 2013-2014 (December 29, 2013)

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Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Even though it has been over forty years since the reform of the Church calendar, there is still some misunderstanding about the feasts the Church celebrates after Christmas.  This was the part of the calendar that was changed the most.  Since our parish also provides the Traditional Latin Mass with the traditional calendar it is important to make some clarifications on what is being celebrated on each Sunday and weekday.  The Traditional Latin Masses will follow the traditional Catholic calendar as it was before the reform of 1970.  For us that means the Monday through Friday daily Masses at 7:30 a.m. and the Sunday Masses at 11:00 a.m. as well as the First Friday Mass at 6:30 p.m. and other special occasions.  Whereas our ordinary form Masses will follow the calendar according to the reforms established in 1970 and after.

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Merry Christmas

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Wishing you and your family a  Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year
 
Et subito facta est cum Angelo multitudo militiae caelestis laudantium Deum et dicentium: 
Gloria in altissimis Deo et in terra pax in hominibus bonae voluntatis
 
And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: 
Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will.
 
Gospel at Midnight Mass

Christmas Masses in the Extraordinary Form around the San Francisco Bay Area

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*** Christmas Midnight High Mass at Star of the Sea (4420 Geary Blvd., San Francisco) will be celebrated on December 24 (Tuesday) at 11PM. There will be Christmas Carols at 10:30PM. Christmas Day High Mass will be on December 25 (Wednesday) at 11AM. ***

Most Holy Rosary Chapel (One Vincent Dr., San Rafael, CA 94903) – Dec. 25 (10AM & 12:15PM)

St. Margaret Mary (1219 Excelsior Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610) – Dec. 25 (12AM, 7:15AM & 12:30 PM)

Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery (Canyon, CA); Dominican Rite – Dec. 25 (11:30 AM)

*How to find Canyon Carmel, which has no street number: from Canyon U.S. Post Office (99 Pinehurst Road), go north about one half mile to “John McCosker Ranch Road” on right (easy to miss); take this mostly gravel private road up to the right turn onto “Old Home Ranch Road,” which is signed for “Carmel.” It ends in the parking lot of the monastery.

Santa Maria Church (40 Santa Maria Way, Orinda, CA 94563) – Dec. 25 (12 AM)

Immaculate Heart of Mary (500 Fairview Ave, Brentwood, CA 94513) – Dec. 24 (8 PM)

Immaculate Heart of Mary Oratory / Five Wounds Church (1375 East Santa Clara St., San José, CA 95116) – Dec. 24 (9PM), Dec. 25 (12:30 PM)

Fr. Jeffrey Keyes on Latin in the Liturgy!

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Fr. Jeffrey Keyes incensing the altar during a Sung High Mass at St. Edward’s Church in Newark, CA.

** Posted with permission from Fr. Keyes**

People often say I am taking people backward to Pre-Vatican II. People often say that the parishioners cannot understand the Latin. I am am sure that a stranger who has never been at a Mass in Latin may feel a little lost, but a parishioner who attends and participates in Mass over a long time understands the liturgy deeply.

I am of the opinion that a Catholic who is a Disciple of Jesus, and has a relationship with Him learns how to participate in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, they will be able to participate more completely in the Ordinary Form.

A parishioner recently told me that people seem more engaged at the Solemn Mass than at other Masses at the parish. Yes, we have been at it for nine years, but this congregation of multiple languages and cultures sings the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Sanctus, and the Pater Noster by heart, just like Paul VI asked for. And they are learning to sing the Credo. The Propers and the Ordinary are in Latin (and greek), but the Mass is celebrated in English. Vatican II gave us more opportunity to use the Vernacular, but it did not dispense with the Latin. A Catholic who does not know some of the Latin Parts of the Mass as outlined in Pope Paul’s letter in 1974 is truly an impoverished Catholic.

It is the priests and the professionals who tell me that people hate this. If only the people would stop telling me that they love it.