Friday, March 27, 2009

Lenten Evening Prayer and Farewell Reception for Bishop Cordileone



The following announcement was received this morning with a request to publicize it as possible, which this blog is certainly happy to do.

"EVENING PRAYER FOR LENT & RECEPTION FOR BISHOP SALVATORE CORDILEONE

The Faithful of the Diocese of San Diego are invited to attend the celebration of Evening Prayer (Vespers) for Lent followed by a Reception for Bishop Cordileone on Sunday, March 29th at 4:00 p.m. at Mission San Diego de Alcalá, St. Francis Center."

Please mark this appointment in your datebooks. This is a splendid opportunity to both thank Bishop Cordileone in person for his service to his native Diocese, and to send him on to his new one with our heartfelt prayers.

AMDG

Monday, March 23, 2009

The Brothers salute the new Bishop of Oakland, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone


"VATICAN CITY, 23 MAR 2009 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, auxiliary of San Diego, U.S.A., as bishop of Oakland (area 3,798, population 2,466,692, Catholics 406,947, priests 433, permanent deacons 112, religious 843), U.S.A."

This morning the news that was not entirely unexpected became public. Bishop Cordileone is to leave us. The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego offer their dear Bishop their unceasing prayers and good wishes, and their heartfelt thanks for the many opportunities he gave us to exercise our spiritualities through liturgical work at levels we never expected to attain. However long it may be before we see him again, if we are so blessed, the memories, the experiences we shared with him, and the expanded spiritual horizons he inculcated in us, will both sustain and propel us towards a holier future. God Bless you, Bishop.

Speaking personally, it has been a great grace to know and serve this extraordinary man, indeed the greatest grace I have know in this diocese through the years. He has helped so many to recover, nurture and find growth in Catholic identities long undernourished. His manifold kindnesses and sensitivities, combined with a firm and assertive guidance has changed the lives of so many in our Diocese it would be difficult to count them.

Of his many extraordinary personal qualities, let me highlight but a few: he is accessible. He laughs. He is intellectual. He has a rare common touch. He is interested. He listens. He has no liturgical axe to grind; his concern is always for the quality of the liturgical act. He knows his own mind, but is concerned with the perceptions of others as well. He loves his ministry. He truly loves the Roman Catholic Church. I could go on, but I will leave it to his future biographers.

Without him we will be bereft for a time, but we will go on. May he go from strength to strength. May the hand of the Almighty rest firmly upon him. May he visit us one day in Eminence. May his rise continue, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the benefit of all. "Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum" : The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion : be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies...and in the midst of your countless friends, as well.

God Bless the Bishop of Oakland, His Grace Bp. Salvatore Cordileone! Deo Gratias.

Brothers sing Laetare Sunday Vespers as work on St. Anne's Sanctuary continues


On "Laetare" Sunday the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego sang Vespers for the 4th Sunday in Lent at St. Anne's Sicard St., with one attendee coming from as far as Los Angeles. Fr. Carl Gismondi, F.S.S.P. officiated. Sitting in choir was newly ordained transitional deacon, Jose Cepeda, F.S.S.P. The liturgy was performed in the midst of the sanctuary renovations, which continue apace. The marble flooring of the Sanctuary is now in, as is the altar-rail. Carpeting has been removed in preparation for the installation of a parquet floor, and the reverberation in the modestly sized church is noticeably increased. These changes are already creating a markedly sympathetic singing space, and Gregorian chant will be doubtless be well served at St. Anne's.

The Brothers received indispensable assistance in this celebration from Mr. Hans Mosler, who assisted as Ceremoniere, and Mr. Spencer Velkey who ably accompanied his first traditional vesper service. To them we offer our sincere thanks.