To me every knee shall bend (all the way ;-)

"Needless to say, the simple genuflection should never be reduced to a sudden spasm in the right knee. The right knee should touch the place where the right foot stood while head and back remain straight. The gesture of adoration should be performed with due pause."

I was reading a book over the summer called "Swimming with Scapulars (Loyola Press)". In the book the young author shares his traditional Catholic faith and confesses to seeing certain things at church that bother him, but perhaps shouldn't. It hit home as he could have been speaking for me. That being said... I find it troubling that people don't genuflect properly.

To genuflect [Latin genu flectere, geniculare (post-classic), to bend the knee.

- To briefly touch the right knee to the floor. This is done whenever passing in front of the Tabernacle.

- We don't genuflect to the altar. We genuflect to the presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. If the tabernacle is not in the main part of the church, we just bow to the altar.

- Genuflection is to be the bending of the right knee in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with the right knee touching the heel of the left foot.

When I should be praying my attention is taken away to those who feel they must quickly genuflect, as if they are being timed - that if they take longer than a nanosecond they'll be serious consequences. Their knee never hits the ground (actually they don't even come close), and it becomes a sort of side-ways curtsy. I'm not talking about older people who may not be able to physically genuflect (although they always seem to), nor those who have a disability that may prevent them from doing so. I'm talking about your average, healthy parishioner who for some reason is in a real hurry to show reverence to our Lord, or unknowingly -- not show reverence. This act is usually coupled with a sign of the cross that has the acceleration of a Dodge Hemi. More of a circle then a cross really, but hey -- that oh so comfortable pew awaits -- lets git 'er done.

With respect to the genuflection: Since a genuflection is, per se, an act of adoration, the general liturgical norms no longer make any distinction between the mode of adoring Christ reserved in the tabernacle or exposed upon the altar. The simple single genuflection on one knee may be used in all cases.

I still "do a double genuflection" when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in a Monstrance, as they do every day after 8:30 Mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, run by Capuchin Friars on 13th Street. This was changed to a "single genuflection" in 1993 the USCC/NCCB Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy - the Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist, but I figure it can't hurt to show too much reverence ;-)

Don't be in a hurry to show Him reverence. It's not a race. Right knee bends, all the way. Make the sign of the cross... and take your time. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education

An interesting magazine, available in any Jesuit library and eventually online. Each volume deals with a particular topic germane to our schools. The Fall '09 edition concentrates on Jesuit Schools and the Catholic Tradition, to which the Catholic Studies list to the left is from (click to make legible). The contacts are below if you're interested in receiving a subscription.

is published by the National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education, which is jointly sponsored by the Jesuit Conference Board and the Board of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Conversations was founded in 1992, as a concrete response to "Assembly 1989," a meeting of Jesuits and representatives from Jesuit higher education held at Georgetown University.

The magazine appears twice a year, in fall and spring. Principal distribution is to faculty, administrators, and staff of the twenty-eight Jesuit colleges and universities and two theologates in the United States. Each issue focuses on a theme discussed and decided upon by members of the National Seminar, who seek to discern topics and issues which will be of significance to the thirty institutions. The purpose of the magazine is to encourage serious conversations on the nature of Jesuit higher education, and ways in which all who participate in that mission may better achieve it.

Each issue of Conversations concentrates on a specific topic or theme. Online access is available via an issue-level Table of Contents (1992-2008) and a Topic/Title/Author Index (current 1992-2007).

Comments and inquiries regarding the contents may be addressed to the editor of Conversations:

Raymond A. Schroth, S.J.

Saint Peter's College

2641 Kennedy Blvd

Jersey City, NJ 07306

For information about subscriptions to Conversations:

Charles Phipps, S.J.

Santa Clara University

500 El Camino Real

Santa Clara, CA 95053-1600

cphipps@scu.edu

The online version of Conversations is maintained by the Raynor Memorial Libraries at Marquette University. For more information please contact:

Matt Blessing

Marguette University

Department of Special Collections and University Archives

Raynor Memorial Libraries

1355 W. Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53201

(414) 288-5901.

Chickenfoot!

"Hagar came to fruition with one of rock's elite guitarists at his side but, sadly, egos clashed and now he's got Satriani with him. Talk about win-win. He still gets to sing his heart out and he's doing it beside an even better guitarist and, according to Hagar, they all like each other. It shows. This disc contains some very tight, very exciting hard rock that is bound to work an audience into a frenzy. The major difference is that this material is better than what they (especially Hagar) have done before. It's a gutsy move for each of them and it could work well.

A lot of the songs are standard stadium fare with double entandre titles such as 'Soap on a Rope', 'Sexy Little Thing' and 'Get It Up'. There's also the traditional audience participation piece called 'Oh Yeah'. But there is also the topical 'Avenida Revolution' , focusing on the bloody drug wars in Mexico, and the mature 'Runnin' Out', about a world stretched too thin on its own vices. Sammy also offers the best and most poignant love song he's ever sung call 'Learning to Fall'. From start to finish, it's a tighter package than Van Halen's '5150' or even 'Surfing With the Aliens'. It's fun..."

~ Darrell Moen

Got an offer that I couldn't refuse... Chickenfoot at the House of Blues!

Who is Chickenfoot? Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony from Van Halen and Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Ouch.

Even though I grew up with the VHI tape always in the car I have to give the nod to Sammy with regards to the best Van Halen singer. Sorry DLR. 5150 might be one of the best rocking albums -- ever. Feeling the blues -- queue up "Get Up" and that should do the trick.

Joe Satch, of "Surfing with the Alien" fame, could well be the greatest guitarist ever, and I've seen them all. The way he shreds... simply amazing, and the acoustics at the House of Blues in Atlantic City only helped. These guys still have fun rockin' out -- and so do I.

My sister gave me a poem years ago, Deisderata, that advised us "to gracefully surrender the things of your youth." Maybe, but not Rock and Roll. Never.

Great acoustics and sightlines at the House of Blues. A joy seeing a concert there compared to the Wachovia.



Joe with Sammy, and Michael; strong bass and those great background vocals from Van Halen.

Joe Satriani bites into Chickenfoot

It ranks right up there with the worst names of all time, but with the pedigree of its members, Chickenfoot doesn’t really need to worry about silly things like a moniker. What started off as a jam session between Red Hot Chili Pepper drummer Chad Smith and expelled Van Halen alumni Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar became a full-fledged band when the trio enlisted the services of Joe Satriani.

But as the guitar virtuoso told Examiner as the outfit prepares to play a pair of Boston area dates tonight and tomorrow, it wasn’t supposed to turn out that way.

“Sammy invited me to do this jam a show he was doing in Vegas back in February of 2008, and I really thought I was just walking into a little celebrity jam at the end of a crazy Cabo Wabo show,” he said. “But the chemistry between us was just something completely unique. It was like the early Who or something — it was out of control and wasn’t just like four professional guys writing some songs or jamming or something like that.”

Satriani, who has played with everyone from Mick Jagger to Deep Purple, says that it’s not really fair to call Chickenfoot a supergroup per se, mainly because of the organic way the group came about.

“A lot of those supergroups are put together by the labels, by managers and whatnot,” he said. “Chickenfoot was really the three of those guys just jamming for about six months down at Sam’s club in Cabo in Mexico. When Sam brought me in, they weren’t really thinking about it because obviously it’s an impossible task for all of us to form a band and record a record and go on tour because we already have bands and responsibilities.”

“And when we did that first jam we came off stage and we looked at each other like, “Oh — this is gonna be impossible guys.” You know you’re about to do something that you’re not supposed to do, but you do it anyway.”

The problem was everyone already had other commitments musically that forced them to hit pause for almost on doing something together, but the buzz hit big on the streets once word leaked that the project was being worked on, though it surprisingly didn’t lead to any pressure.
“We just figured we’ve been through this a long time, everybody’s got decades of being in the music business so it wasn’t gonna flip us out or anything,” Satriani said. “That’s just your average walk in the park; getting criticism thrown at you or expectations.”

For the entire article click Examiner.com : Joe Satriani bites into Chickenfoot

visit chickenfoot.us for more info

MSAA Cote Carnival

"I wanted to send out an invitation to everybody to knock out MS. Multiple sclerosis is a growing epidemic world-wide and millions live with this disease. I’ve seen first-hand how this disease affects people through my sister who was diagnosed 8 years ago. I have a great opportunity in the position I am in to give back and help bring awareness and ultimately to knock out this brutal disease. So let’s all drop our gloves and fight to help the MS community."

- Riley Cote, Philadelphia Flyers

A great time for all at the 2nd Annual Cote Carnival sponsored by MSAA - The Multiple Sclerosis Association Of America at Swanky Bubbles! in Cherry Hill. Even in these difficult economic times the event was sold out and raised 25% above their goal. 44 and his father-in-law were responsible for selling the chances to win $2,600 worth of restaurant gift certificates -- which Riley, along with owners Ira and Vince, personally solicited by visiting owners in Philadelphia and South Jersey. The "civil savage", known as an enforcer, is actually a good guy, a compassionate guy, a regular guy... and the Flyers fans have a special affinity for their players. For more on Riley and the carnival click Cote: A Different Kind of Fight - Philadelphia Flyers - News. To help support the fight against MS click Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA):Ways to Help.

Consubstantially oblated

Prepare yourselves for a new Roman Catholic Mass. Yup... that old Mass, approved by Pope Paul VI, I guess, was flawed. Get ready to sound like a protestant as you sort through the new missal on Sunday.

My uncle Jack Hanrahan never attended Mass after Vatican II and the change from Latin to the vernacular. I'm beginning to see why. As an old altar boy I can, like most of you, say the Mass by memory.. our parts as well as the priest's. Soon to be gone though, along with the comfort it always brought me. The Confiteor, Memorial Acclamation, Suscipiat Dominus, Apostles' Creed, the Gloria, Sign of Peace -- all changed, I guess, so we can understand things better, like the term "consubstantial with the Father" in the "new" Nicene Creed.

The Vatican never called me on this but I'll give them my advice anyway. It's not broken so don't feel the need to fix it. We are closing our churches at a rapidly alarming rate -- not really good for spreading the Faith, is it? We have bishops living in mansions while we close our Catholic schools for lack of money -- not really good for passing on our faith traditions, is it? Instead of using our priests to administer the sacraments to the Faithful, or to evangelize to those who don't know of Christ... they are busy re-translating the Mass so we may hear familiar terms like "consubstantial" and "graciously accept this oblation of our service." To see all the proposed changes click USCCB - Roman Missal Examples. Some are so ridiculous it almost seems as if the translators were getting paid by the amount of words they changed.

I'm not a theologian, nor a linguist, so what do I know? I know this was the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that you gave to me, wasn't it? But I'll tell you this -- I knew and loved my Mass. In a secular age when it is becoming more difficult to attract people to Mass, or keep those in the pews -- they, the bishops, decide to make that more difficult by undertaking something that was unnecessary -- and stand to lose a few more souls. Do they want to thin the ranks further?

The answer is that Catholics like being Catholic. For the last 30 years the hierarchy and the clergy have done just about everything they could to drive the laity out of the church and have not succeeded. It seems unlikely that they will ever drive the stubborn lay folk out of the Church because the lay folk like being Catholic.

~ Fr. Andrew Greeley

Well I have no place else to go either so stay I will, and will to learn a "new" Mass. Below find the answer from the US Bishops on why we need a new translation for the Mass. I read it twice and was unable to find the answer.

Bone up on the new Nicene Creed, coming to a Catholic Church near you, sometime in 2011, whether you like it or not.

AMDG,

44

Why is there a need for a new translation?

The Missale Romanum (Roman Missal), the ritual text for the celebration of the Mass, was promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as the definitive text of the reformed liturgy of the Second Vatican Council. That Latin text, the editio typica (typical edition), was translated into various languages for use around the world; the English edition was published in the United States in 1973. The Holy See issued a revised text, the editio typica altera, in 1975. Pope John Paul II promulgated the third edition (editio typica tertia) of the Missale Romanum during the Jubilee Year in 2000. Among other things, the third edition contains prayers for the celebration of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass. To aid the process of translation of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued Liturgiam Authenticam, in 2001, an Instruction on the vernacular translation of the Roman Liturgy which outlines the principles and rules for translation. In 2007, the Congregation for Divine Worship issued the Ratio Translationis for the English Language, which outlined the specific rules for translation in English.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. And one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

You da man!

“Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ’Come, O blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I
was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick
and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will
answer him, ’Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and
give thee drink?’ And the king will answer them, ’Truly, I say to you, as you
did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.’”

Matthew 25:34

Hi Kevin,

I sent a check today to your home address. Hopefully it will help cover some of the start-up expenses for Dad. Sorry it’s taken me so long but this week has been nuts.

I’ll let you use your judgment on how best to use the money for Dad. Would certainly like to meet him. He certainly sounds like a keeper. Maybe 44 and I could swing over to one of his games and then grab some grub afterwards.

As my dad used to tell me, "I’m not a MAC machine”, but certainly am open to helping out further in the future. As Tom likes to say it “takes a village.” Please keep me in the loop on his progress and if there’s anything I can help with.

Good luck with the upcoming season and I look forward to meeting you and Dad soon.

A great big 'thank you' goes out to the anonymous donor, pictured above (actually he's not that handsome). Anonymous because he would kick my butt otherwise -- so we'll just have to give him guardian angel status. He was moved after reading Dad Poquie's graduation speech and asked what he could do to help. And help he he did ;-)

You are the man... "Go raibh maith agat."

Sweet Home Brzozów?

"Sweet home Brzozów
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Brzozów
Lord, I'm coming home to you"

as sung by Lynyrd Skynyrdski

Brzozów County (Polish: powiat brzozowski) is a unit of territorial administration and local government (powiat) in Subcarpathian Voivodeship, south-eastern Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and only town is Brzozów, which lies 38 kilometres (24 mi) south of the regional capital Rzeszów.

Brzozów was founded in 1359, Brzozów took on the name of an earlier, adjacent settlement of the 14th century, which gradually over time came to be known as Stara Wieś (Old Village). A large Jesuit Basilica and Monastery, built in 1760, is found in Stara Wieś. Queen Mary donated Brzozów and four other villages to the Bishops of Przemysl in 1384. From the middle 14th to the early 19th centuries, the Bishops of Przemysl resided principally at Brzozów.


Actually I'm pretty sure my grandfather was from Lódz, but cool anyway.

Brzozów - widok z lotu ptaka na rynek - Brzozów - oficjalne strony miasta - Start

HAWKS SOAR at the SHORE - 8-22

You are invited to join fellow alumni and friends at

Hawks Soar at the Shore

Saturday, August 22, 2009 ~ 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

LaCosta Lounge

4000 Landis Avenue

Sea Isle City, N.J. 08243

609-263-3756

Cost: $20

First 150 in attendance receive a commemorative t-shirt

BBQ buffet and limited open bar (draft beer, wine, soda)- cash bar features special Hawk prices -Live music on the deck! Special appearances by Coach Martelli and Coach Arnold!

Door prizes include tickets to a 2009-2010 home game at the Hagan Arena.

For more information, contact Bobby Gallagher SJU '98 at 215-913-2229

or visit us on Facebook.

Support the Hawk Athletic Fund!

A great time at the Hawks by the Bay last weekend. Great to see a healthy BTGOTF! Some updates and pics for ya...

Ok folks – here’s my best attempt at a recap from today’s event. Hopefully some of my fellow attendees will fill in the gaps, of which there are sure to be many…..I will focus on what stood out the most, and you’ll have to forgive me if you smell the ‘kool aid’ in my post – it’s the only way I know how to operate when it comes to the Hawks. New Fieldhouse / HaganPhil is clearly and genuinely excited – he was glowing when describing the new facilities. Said the floor had just been ‘sealed’ the other day (fancy term for paint job I think?) and it looks awesome. Important to note: 2 former players recently came in for a tour.

These 2 guys by their nature are very different ‘kind of guys’ from each other – but both reacted the same way – they couldn’t finish the tour. They openly admitted jealousy. Phil’s observation was that this is healthy for the program and personally tells me a lot about what is in store. He also said there’s been interaction between former players and younger guys / incoming freshmen and bacically the older guys have communicated “you are lucky to have this – take advantage of it”. Good stuff.Players (I don’t think all were mentioned specifically? Commentray did not go too ‘deep’ on many of our guys….Others, please help me with the gaps here) – I’ll start with the frosh because personally that is who I am most excited to see...

Hawk Hoops - Hawks by the Bay Report


Overall it was a good turnout. Thanks to Joe & Ellen for putting it together. Phil was very upbeat especially when talking about the new facilities. He said it was second to none and as recounted elsewhere the envy of several former players. During discussion of the team virtually every player was discussed largely prompted by questions from the crowd including yours truly. One key question was whether Govens was going to be able to step up. Phil conceded it not so many words that DG needs to want it. The ability is there, but perhaps not the fire. In my opinion, Darrin is the key to this year's squad's chance of success. Scoring will again be problematic thus we need major point production from this senior. As noted elsewhere, GW has been working hard on his strength and conditioning albeit Phil made a throw away comment about looking to score.

Hawk Hoops - Garbage Report - Hawks By The Bay

Joe1Hawk and Flap with Phil. Phil chatting about everything & anything Hawk.

With Flap, aka Bobby G, who is heading up Hawks Soar at the Shore. The hanger-ons...

Profile of Jake looking great; diet + exercise means a new wardrobe for Palestra43

70 years a Jeb for Fr. Deeney!

John Deeney, SJ, with Michael Thanaraj, SJ, last month at XLRI in Jamshedpur.

Tom,

Thanks for trying to find that e-mail, for your letter, for some great photos, esp. Ed's and a photo of the birthday boy and his father, - Jack looking a bit bewildered. Also thanks for the package which is coming. I'll surely let you know when it arrives.--- Jerry Cutinha will be going for a couple weeks to Maryland Prov. in Sept. He just phoned me asking where you live. He is hoping to contact you when he is in USA. --- Your presence at my b'd party last year was something special which could not be repeated here. There you were immersed right in the middle of the community the whole time you were there. Here things are much more formal.

--- I climbed the stairs to enter the Jesuit novitiate on 14th Aug. 1939, so the 14th I completed 70 years as a Jesuit, Praise God!

Enough for now,
Christ's Peace!

John, S.J.

Praise God indeed! Congratulations on the anniversary of being a Jesuit 70 years! Lupingutu (LPG) holds a special place in my heart. We had some fun with the Deeney and Curtis families on Sunday telling our tales of India on Sunday.


6th Man and his bewildered son Jack :-) My best to Gack and Gorilla.

Jerry Cutinha, SJ, on the roof of Inigo Niwas in LPG.

Dear Tom,

Thank you very much for your mail. It was a real surprise.

I look forward to meeting you there in the US. Tony Raj and I are planning to arrive on 15 September and return India on 6 October. I will let you know once we get the US Visa and our tickets are booked.

All our engagements, stay and travel in the US are planned by Edward Plocha, the Maryland Advancement Officer in Baltimore. Yesterday, I did mention your name to him that we intend to meet you sometime. We have requested Ed to accomodate a trip to Manresa House, Philadelphia to meet our Jamshedpur Men.

Our Gregory D'Silva has not yet recovered fully from his sickness. Our Benedict Kichingia was recently admitted in a Hospital in Jamshedpur, and now is taking rest in XLRI.

Looking forward to meeting you, Johnny, Steve and Tim.

AMDG
Jerry Cutinha SJ

I will be in touch with Ed and will be sure to alert Johnny, Steve and Tim so we can all get together - I can't wait. I am so sorry to hear that Fr. Greg is still not well and Br. Bene was taken to JAM. Prayers today for both of them, and all our Jeb buddies in the Province.

Greg D'Silva, SJ, with Steve and the children at St. Paul Miki School in Pandabir,

and with 44 in front of St. Francis Xavier at Queen of Peace Parish in Basahatu.

As always anone who would like to help the Jamshedpur Jesuits in their mission to help souls in India feel free to send a check. Please make sure it is made out to the "Jesuit Missions" as the bank gives them a hard time otherwise.

The Jesuit Missions
(for John J. Deeney, SJ in Jamshedpur)
Maryland Province Jesuits
Advancement Office
PO Box 64848
Baltimore, MD 21264

If interested they are redeveloping their website - simply click Jamshedpur Jesuits to find out more.

Strange but true...

Believe it or not... there is a place called the 44 Bar... in St. Ignatius, Montana.

44 Bar & Cafe
73124 Us Highway 93

Saint Ignatius, MT

59865-9467

(406) 745-3018

And while were on the topic... drink some Jesuit wine and support the Jesuits!

We proudly present Inigo, a new line of Jesuit-produced varietal wines from Ignatius Cellars, a leading winery in Australia's famed Clare Valley region.

Established in 1851 by the Society of Jesus to provide sacramental wine, Ignatius Cellars is still owned and operated by the Jesuits, who today produce an award-winning range of fine table wines, including the new Inigo label.

Your purchase of these wonderful and affordable wines - available exclusively in the United States through Loyola Productions - supports the ongoing charitable work and global mission of the Society of Jesus.

Wines noted below may be purchased individually or in cases of 12 bottles. As a convenience to supporters, shipping and handling costs are included in the purchase price.

To order online, please fill in the secure order form.

To order by phone, call Loyola Productions at 310-815-8542.

To order by fax, please download the pdf form* and fax to 310-815-8758.

Prep at Romero Center

Romero Center

2907 Federal Street

Camden NJ 08105

· 856-964-9777

info@romero-center.org

Steve Oldham, Prep teacher, and I accompanied seven rising seniors from Saint Joseph's Prep on a service trip to Camden. The students were willing and generous and spent the week visiting with the homeless, the disabled, the elderly and people with HIV. They learned a lot about the poverty and lack of opportunity that are a plague in Camden.

George Bur, SJ -- The Spirit blows where it will

To find out more simply click Romero Center at St. Joseph's Pro-Cathedral in Camden and to find out more about the man who was honored... Archbishop Oscar Romero.

Mr. Tom's BBQ

A BBQ at Mr. Tom's to hear all about summer camp!

Ahh... the weather held out for dinner, at least. Phil congratulates Leonard on his Sr. Tecumseh Boy Award.

Neither New Hampshire Teron nor Vermont Novaboy could get the fire going ;-( Leonard does his 'dead' on Mr. Chris impersonation.

Bad weather = retreat to the Shrine of St. Joseph! Lucinda pets Snickie the best.

Mutual admiration...

Dear Mr. 44,

Greetings from the Philadelphia Church Project! I recently stumbled across your recent post / excerpt from Joe Queenan's autobiography, and I just want to thank you for making it available. His words are poignant and--since our mission is to chronicle Philadelphia's old parishes--very meaningful to the Project.

Since it's likely of similar interest to the Project's readership, we've called out your post on our News & Notes blog.

Best Regards,

The Project

A great item from The World According to 44 ;-), a blog dedicated to all things St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Catholicism and assorted other sentimental miscellany.

The blog's author, the mysterious "44", recently posted an excerpt from Philadelphia native Joe Queenan's new autibiography, "Closing Time," which recounts his life growing up in an East Falls housing project.I'm not going to repost it here, since you can easily go there and read the whole thing. Go ahead and read it. No, really. I'll wait.

Done? Ok.

It's a very nice piece of writing by Mr. Queenan, but it also rings incredibly true. The Project has seen firsthand the way that parishes, particularly Roman Catholic ones, integrate themselves into the fabric of their surrounding areas. This endeavor is ostensibly devoted to old architecture. But these churches are not just nice old buildings. They're living history--of a person, of a family, of a neighborhood. That's something Project readers have really responded to. When I get e-mails from ex-parishioners, it's not simply because they miss the soaring Gothic columns or expansive Romanesque arches or intricate stained glass windows. It's because of what the parish meant to them and their formative years. That's a bond that can never be broken. And that's why we go above and beyond a simple architectural survey. There's far more at stake than bricks and mortar, no matter how nice they are.

The Project tips its hat to you, Mr. Queenan. And nice work, Mr. 44. The Project doesn't approve of your love of St. Joseph's, but we wish you well nonetheless.

Thanks for the kind words. I enjoyed visiting your site as well and my uncle John McGarrity (mentioned in a previous post) has been sent your entry about Transfiguration with the following picture. He's 90 now and not much for the internet but as an old West Philly boy he will appreciate the print version. I'll be nice and ignore the bust on my alma mater ;-0

BTW... St. Columba's was definitely in SWAMPOODLE, not Strawberry Mansion. It was my mother's very Irish parish and I believe the neighborhood encompassed Most Precious Blood and St. Mary of the Eternal parishes as well. When my parents were married at St. Columba's by Monsignor Montague people from outside the area thought that St. Columba's was a cathedral. Of course we know it was just your average Philly neighborhood parish. Translation -- beautiful.