Monday, April 29, 2013

Aquinas Newman Center - University of New Mexico



 My first visit to a Newman Center was in 1970 when I was an undergraduate at the University of Washington. I was seldom attending Mass then. It wasn't that I had rejected Christianity just that I was ignoring my faith. Although I was a science major, I sampled courses in philosophy, anthropology, history and American literature and just didn't encounter mention of Christianity.  In lit classes we somehow didn't read Flannery O'Connor. I also wasn't aware of theology course offerings at UDUB. My Catholic undergrad friends never discussed their faith. Practicing Catholicism seemed inconvenient until I needed God's help. In 1970 I was devoting most of my study time to a very difficult organic chemistry class and was preparing to sit for the MCAT exam. I seemed to be unsure of my academic performance for the first time in my college life so I decided to attend Sunday Mass at the Newman Center for the purpose of requesting  the Lord's assistance in my study and exam efforts. The Newman Center Chapel was on the North side of campus on 17th street in the midst of fraternity row. What I remember about that service was how avidly the Newman Center Catholic students worshiped and enjoyed the celebration of the Mass. When I walked back to my dormitory I realized that I had lapsed in practicing my Catholic faith as an undergrad at the University of Washington. The following week I received the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. In large measure owing to my Newman Center experience, I committed myself to a more active prayer and sacramental life for the remainder of that academic year. Returning to my Catholic faith returned to me a sense of confidence and optimism about my remaining academic goals that year.
The concept of Newman Centers was inspired by the British theologian and convert to Catholicism, Blessed John Henry Newman, who wrote in the 1800's that "religious truth is not only a portion, but a condition of general knowledge." His inspiration led to the founding of the first Newman Club at Oxford University in1888. The initial Newman Club and all subsequent Newman Centers have provided Catholic ministries to Roman Catholics on non-Catholic University campuses. Christians of other denominations have always been welcomed to attend services. In addition to Catholic liturgies, a variety of university and parish related social events take place at the Newman Centers.
The Aquinas Newman Center at the University of New Mexico was established on Las Lomas Road on UNM's campus in 1950 and the current chapel was built in 1954. The lounge and meeting hall were built in 1957. Dominicans were recruited to serve as clergy for the Newman Center at UNM when it opened and fulfill that role today. The Newman center has been recognized as a parish of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and currently serves more than 1000 families in addition to UNM students, staff and faculty. The parish mission statement says that the primary mission of the Newman Center is to "embody Christian principles through cooperative ministry with the academic community and alumni of the University of New Mexico". The Newman Center also houses the Dominican Ecclesiastical Institute, which seeks to promote Catholic intellectual life in the tradition of the Dominican order, through public discourse and media offerings. The DEI sponsors the bi-monthly Catholic Business Forum, offers Catholic theology education as well as media resources for exploring the Catholic faith. The Newman Center also maintains a theology library open to its parishioners and the university community.
The Sunday evening Mass I attended at the University of New Mexico Newman Center was specifically targeted to the student community. The chapel was packed, predominantly with students.  There was an excellent student choir conducted by the Newman's Center director of music. Students also served as acolytes and lectors. The announcements at the end of the Mass included information on a future baccalaureate Mass and an upcoming John Angotti concert at the Newman Center. I was impressed with how enthusiastically the students participated in the liturgy, both in prayers and in song. They seemed to be a very committed Catholic community, excited about their faith. When I left the UNM Newman Center I experienced a deja vu to that evening 40 plus years ago, when I attended Mass at the Newman Center near the University of Washington campus. Again I felt reinvigorated to practice my Catholic Christian faith and hopeful for the future. I encourage Catholic pilgrims, particularly Catholic university students to visit the Newman Center, an oasis of spirituality within the University of New Mexico campus - definitely a place to reconnect to one's Catholic faith.
For a Newman Center Promo vimeo click on

Newman Promo Video on Vimeo

vimeo.com/20104379



For information on the Aquinas Newman Center at UNM click on

Aquinas Newman Center - Home - Albuquerque

www.aquinasnm.org/




 
                                                                                                                            

 
  
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 


Sunday, April 14, 2013

Easter Triduum Vigil at John XXIII Catholic Church





The Easter Vigil liturgy is the most beautiful liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly as celebrated in full splendor at John XXIII Catholic Church in Albuquerque. This Holy Saturday evening Vigil marks the beginning of Easter. The service is divided into four parts: 1. Service of the Light  2. Liturgy of the Word  3. Liturgy of  Baptism   4. Liturgy of the Eucharist.  In the service of the light the Church is dark, the holy water fonts are empty and the tabernacle is empty. The service begins outside the church where a new fire is lit and blessed. A Paschal candle is prepared with these words, 
" Christ yesterday and today, the Beginning and the End, Alpha and Omega, all time belongs to Him, and all the ages to Him be glory and power through every age forever. Amen" Father Ark lit the candle from the new fire, saying " May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds."  The candle was then carried back to the Church, with the Deacon lifting the candle three times and singing, " Christ our light (Lumen Christi)" and the congregation singing in reply, " Thanks be to God, ( Deo Gratias)." The congregation then lit their candles from the Paschal candle and the whole church was alight. The Paschal candle symbolizes Christ, the Light of the world.
Next followed the glorious Easter song of the Catholic Church, the Exsultet, sung by the Deacon. This hymn, remarkable for its symbolism and lyricism, announces the meaning of Easter; it tells of man's sin, of God's mercy and of  the Redeemer's great love for mankind, admonishing us to thank the Trinity for all of the graces lavished upon us.
The Liturgy of the Word follows the Service of the Light. During the Easter Vigil , 9 readings, seven from the Old Testament and 2 from the New Testament were read. These readings help us meditate on the wonderful works of God for His people since the beginning of time. The readings are: 1. The story of creation, Gen 1: 1-2;   2. Abraham and Isaac, Gen 22; 1-18   3. Crossing of the Red Sea, Exodus 14: 15-15:1   4. Isaiah 54: 5-14   5. Isaiah 55: 1-11   6. Baruch 3: 9-15, 32-4:4  7. Ezekiel 36:16-17; 18-28   8.Romans 6: 3-11   9. Mark 16:1-7
 During the Liturgy of Baptism, the Easter water was blessed and new members were brought into the Church through the sacrament of Baptism. New adult members were immersed in the baptismal pool with Father Ark  presiding. After the new members were baptized, the faithful were blessed with water and renewed their baptismal promises.
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist , the Mass resumed with special prayers inserted during the Eucharistic Prayer. The whole church was called to join at the sacrificial table that Christ prepared for us through His death and Resurrection. The Mass ended with the proclamation from Father Ark, " The Mass is ended, go in peace, alleluia, alleluia." The faithful responded, " Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!"
It was late when the Easter Vigil concluded, near midnight. There was silence as we filed out of John XXIII Catholic Church. The stars seemed brighter that evening. Christ had Risen.
 
 
To listen to a recording of the Exsultet, click on

Exsultet - YouTube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkle6URiM4sShare
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

 

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Easter Triduum - Good Friday at John XXIII Catholic Church

 
 
I attended Good Friday vigil services at John XXIII Catholic Church in Albuquerque. On Good Friday, Catholics focus their attention on the Cross at Calvary. In the solemn rituals of Good Friday - in the veneration of the Cross, in the chanting of the Reproaches, in the reading of the Passion and in receiving the pre-consecrated Eucharistic Host, Catholics contemplate the cost of Christ's redemption. The church is in a state of mourning - the altar is bare, ornaments have been removed and the door of the empty tabernacle is open.  In the first liturgical ceremony, the veneration of the Cross, Catholics recite the ancient praise, "We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee because by Thy Holy Cross Thou has redeemed the world." A representation of the Cross is raised up on the altar steps and each member of the congregation is invited  to the altar to genuflect and kiss the cross. By reverencing the Cross, Catholics acknowledge  that it is inseparable from Christ's sacrifice and so we are in essence reverencing Him. The next liturgy, the chanting of the Reproaches, occurs during the veneration of the Cross. In this ancient hymn or chant, Christ reproaches us for our sinfulness and the hardening of our hearts to God, necessitating His crucifixion for our redemption. Next in the liturgy of Good Friday, the Passion of Christ is read. At John XXIII, Father Ark read Jesus' words and parishioners read the narration and other parts - a reflection that we all share in the guilt of Christ's Passion. The final part of the liturgy is the distribution of the Eucharist consecrated on Holy Thursday and kept in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel until it is brought into the main Church for communion during the Good Friday vigil. By receiving the consecrated body of Christ we share in the final glory of the crucifixion. We awaken ourselves to His Resurrection on Easter.
 
For a video of Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on Good Friday 2013, click on

Pope Francis honors Jesus' Passion on Good Friday Service - YouTube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2P6EBnvyZkShare
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Easter Triduum - Holy Thursday at John XXIII Catholic Church





Season of SpringLast week I attended Easter Triduum services at John XXIII Catholic Church in the Northeast Heights of Albuquerque. John XXIII Catholic Community was founded by Father Arkad Biczak in 1978 when the Northeast Heights was mostly sage and the main thoroughfare, Tramway, was a dirt road. The Church's original home was the gymnasium at the nearby Eldorado High School when it served the burgeoning Northeast Heights population.
 As the Northeast Heights population boomed, the current church was built at its location off Manitoba and Tramway Ridge. The Church is truly a Vatican II Catholic community, encouraging lay participation in the sacred liturgies as well as in all of its Christian ministries, pastoral council and governing committees. Its constitution states that it is a Vatican II concept of Christian community and mission. The church was named John XXIII in honor of the Pope who called for and opened the Second Vatican Council.
The crowning architectural feature of John XXIII Catholic Church is the blue dome constructed of laminated glued timbers  and supported by steel trusses. The 60 foot glulam dome rises 38 feet and weighs some 30 tons. It provides the church with most of its natural light, the remainder coming from the tall stained glass windows on either side. The windows depict some of the famous landscapes of New Mexico: Jemez Mountains, Truchas Peaks, the Brazos Canyon, Nambe falls and the Southern New Mexico dessert. In deference to the Native American cultures of the Southwest,  a chalice and water pitcher sit on a Navajo blanket in one of the scenes.

Holy Thursday Vigil is the first sacred ceremony of the Easter Tridium. It is the day on which Christ celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples, 4 days after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Only hours after the Last Supper, Judas would betray Christ with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemanee, setting the stage for His crucifixion on Good Friday.
At John XXIII, Father Ark and 12 male parishioners  wearing the garments of Christ's time, sat at a table facing the congregation in the Church and reenacted both the Passover meal and the Last Supper, connecting the Old Testament Covenant to the New Testament Covenant. For Catholics, the Last Supper commemorates three pillars of the Catholic faith: Holy Communion, the Mass and the priesthood. During the Last Supper, Christ blessed the bread and wine with the very words that Catholic priests use today to consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ. In telling His disciples to "Do this in remembrance of Me."', Catholics believe that He Instituted the sacred Mass and made His apostles the first priests.  During the Last Supper, Christ also washed the feet of His apostles and said to them, "A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I loved you, that you love one another."
During the Holy Thursday ritual, Father Ark recited these words of Christ and washed the feet of his designated apostles, who in turn went out into he congregation to wash the feet of church attendees, symbolizing Christ's message of service and humility.. After the washing of the feet, the Mass of the Lord's Supper was celebrated and ended when the Eucharist was carried in procession to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel where it was to be kept overnight until its distribution during the commemoration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday. At the conclusion of the Mass, the faithful were invited to continue adoration of the Blessed Sacrament through the night, just as Christ's disciples were invited to continue their prayers with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane on Holy Thursday night.
This Holy Thursday service at John XXIII Catholic Church was a very symboloic, solemn and sacred vigil, beckoning Catholic pilgrims. It  anticipates the next observance of the Easter Triduum  - Good Friday.


For more information on Holy Thursday click o the link -

Holy Thursday - Easter / Lent - Catholic Online




www.catholic.org/clife/lent/thurs.phpCached - SimilarShare
 
 For inspiring  respones to Pope Francis recent washing of the feet of detention inmates on Holy Thursday, click on