The Colorado Catholic Herald Blog

“Since I Still Tell You My Everyday” (from “We Walked In Song”)

Since I still tell you my every day,
my darling, I think you always hear me
from the sweet away, the sweet away.
Did you see us picnicking at lakeside
in the state park today?
All these things I want you to be part of,
darling, you’ll be.

One song singing through this neighborhood
is loneliness.
Since I still tell you my everyday
I think you hear,
with a perfect vision now,
oh with a perfect ear
to me.
All my life I don’t find anyone like you.

I wish you’d be at Bethany.
I wish you’d come to violin with me.
Since I still tell you my every day,
all these things I want you to be part of,
darling, you’ll be.

“Every Hour Here” (from “Umbrella”)

we ride our bikes
around the circle in the cemetery, weaving
I wave up to you on the cross
am I to come upon you suddenly, like this, forever?
happy, relieved that you are here
and I can see you

you are like the ticket-half
I find inside the pocket of my old leaf-raking coat
there all the time, all the while forgotten.
I so often seem to leave you in churches
and other islands, and on my beads
where I can see you, I can feel you

I take the ticket-half and put it on the table, saying:
“this is god, and he’s here
through my comings and my goings
but I walk past the ticket-half
I walk past the ticket-half
I walk past the ticket-half
just as I’ve walked past the cross on our wall,”

our self-importance grows so dazzling, we don’t see you
but gentle jesus, aren’t you always
aren’t you every hour, here?

Rain (setting out in the leaf boat) — From “My Room In the Trees”

This dress that I made out of the curtains
was on the line, dancing around
better than I can.
Now we walk up to the top of the street.

Once letting go, rain sails us in a leafy boat
down the street.
And we’ll be there before we know.

There go the lawn chairs.
Some frogs are racing them,
to catch up with me.
Gray buildings go by,
violety sky lit up with trees in yellow.

Once letting go, rain sails us in a leafy boat
down the street.
And we’ll be there before we know.

Hey, is that you, going by, swimming by?
Hey, is that you, zig-zagging, whizzing by?
Sailing up, sailing by?

Once letting go, rain sails us in a leafy boat,
down the street.
And we’ll be there before we know.

Not sure how many reading this know of this incredible band, but The Innocence Mission have been around two decades, first peaking in the early to mid-90s alternative rock scene before settling into a mellower trio the last decade or so. The band is comprised of Catholics who have found a way through their songs to be embraced by the cynical indie rock crowd and are loved by many well known musicians. They are a model for faith-based musicians who feel the contemporary Christian scene is stifling and instead just want to do their own thing in the bars and clubs and theaters while never compromising on their message of Christ’s love through stories of everyday life.

Was just listening to their album “Befriended” and came across this last song… Beautiful. Lyrics:

Look For Me As You Go By (by The Innocence Mission)

Hang my head low, so low.

Don’t see me only as I am but

See me how I long to be,

Shining like a flowering tree

Under a gray Pennsylvania sky.

Look for me as you go by.

Hang my head low, so low.

Every burden shall be lifted.

Every stone upon your back slide into the sea.

It’s me for you and you for me.

Here are a couple of other songs on the playlist today …

“Today” (From “Small Planes” LP)

“God Is Love” (from “My Room In the Trees”… this appears to be a fan video)

BH

The Colorado Catholic Conference, on behalf of the Catholic bishops of Colorado, expresses great disappointment in Governor Hickenlooper’s decision to mandate a special session of the Colorado State Legislature in order to vote on the issue of civil unions.

This special session is a rash reaction to political and financial pressure from special interest groups who do not represent the majority of Coloradans. In 2006, the people of Colorado passed the Marriage Amendment to uphold traditional marriage between one man and one woman, and they defeated the ballot measure for domestic partnerships that same year. On this issue, the people have spoken. Governor Hickenlooper’s plan spends taxpayer resources to oppose the will of the people.

Proponents of civil unions and some legislators are calling civil unions the civil rights issue of our times.  To equate the absence of civil unions with the struggles of the civil rights movements of the past is a distortion: it diminishes true injustices that were overcome and those which are yet to be overcome.

As the Colorado bishops have articulated throughout this debate: Christians believe in the dignity of all human life, without exception. But the fight for civil unions is not about ensuring the basic rights of homosexual persons. Those rights are already guaranteed under law.

The civil union debate is finally about securing legitimacy for social arrangements and personal behaviors that most societies and religious traditions have found problematic from long experience, not out of disrespect for homosexual persons, but because of the implications that creating a pseudo marital institution would have for society at large. Protecting marriage—protecting truth—is a fundamental governmental responsibility.  Redefining it is beyond the ability of any human government.

The Catholic bishops of Colorado encourage all Catholics and all people of good will to join in prayer and action. Contact Governor Hickenlooper and express disapproval of the special session.  Also, they ask citizens to contact their Colorado representative and senator to ask them to uphold the people’s will with a NO vote on civil unions.  To contact Governor Hickenlooper call: 303-866-2471.  To find contact information for your state senator and representative please visit the Colorado Catholic Conference at: www.cocatholicconference.org.

The Colorado Catholic Conference serves the Archdiocese of Denver, the Diocese of Pueblo, and the Diocese of Colorado Springs on issues of public policy.

As you’ve seen in an earlier video post, there is a viral video going around of Father John Hollowell in Indianapolis responding to Planned Parenthood’s pro-contraception/abortion “I Have A Say” campaign in response to the huge opposition to the HHS contraception/sterilization mandate. Father Hollowell’s video response to Planned Parenthood has spread across the blogosphere like wildfire, and this week, our own Bishop Sheridan sent Father Hollowell a note on why he has a say.

There are so many reasons why I thank my parents for choosing life for me – not least of which was the opportunity to receive the gifts of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, which give life in Christ. I remember that, even as a child, I treasured those occasions when I could speak about being a Catholic, when I could participate in the sacraments and the prayer life of the Church. It is, however, the gift of my vocation to the priesthood that is the crowning jewel in my life in Christ. Despite my unworthiness, I have been called to teach and to give witness boldly to the truth of God’s revelation; to offer the Sacrifice of Christ and bring His mercy and forgiveness to sinners. And for that vocation I will be eternally grateful. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for accepting that gift.

A recent homily on religious liberty from Father Larry Brennan, diocesan director of continuing formation and parochial vicar at St. Peter Parish in Monument, ran as an op-ed in The Gazette on March 10.

Father Brennan will also be giving a talk on this issue March 25 at St. Peter Church.

BH

Another video from Fr. John Hollowell (embedded via his On This Rock blog). From Fr. Hollowell:

“Our two organizations are diametrically and fundamentally opposed. ‘We have come to it…the great battle of our age.’ Love squares off against selfishness, and, as in the past, Love will endure.”

In January, we posted a link to this cool video from an Archdiocese of Indianapolis priest who was planning evangelization for the Super Bowl. Things seem to be happening in Indianapolis, which is also where our Catholic Press Convention will be held in June …

Embedded via Fr. John Hollowell’s blog, On This Rock.

Sorry for the delay in more recap posts from my Mexico trip in early February. I am working on a recap for the March 16 Herald and will try to sift through some extra video and photos to put here as well.

In the meantime, a photographer in our group, Tamara Tirado of Catholic Courier in Rochester, N.Y., put together a fantastic photo collection of doors that she passed by in the different cities we toured. I’ll let her explain the project; it really is a fascinating study. Enjoy.

BH

By BILL HOWARD/Herald Editor

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Colorado Catholic Conference is calling an action alert for March 12 at the west steps of the state capitol, where a press conference will be held to support a Senate Memorial to encourage the U.S. Congress and President Obama to support the “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011,” also known as the “Blunt Amendment” in Colorado.

On March 23, a peaceful prayer vigil will take place from 1-2 p.m. in front of the office of Sen. Michael Bennet at 409 N. Tejon St., in downtown Colorado Springs. Colorado’s two state Democratic senators, Bennet and Sen. Mark Udall, voted against the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011 as part of the bill’s narrow defeat on March 1.

The bill was defeated in a 51-48 vote, with one voter abstaining. According to EWTN News, 13 of those who voted to defeat the bill are self-described Catholics and members of the Democratic party. One Republican, Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, also voted to defeat the bill, while three Democrats and 11 Republicans who identify themselves as Catholic voted in support of the bill. EWTN reported that there are 24 members of the U.S. Senate who identify themselves as Catholic.

At the March 12 vigil at the state capitol, a press conference will take place at noon in support of the memorial, which states:

“Senate Memorial 12-003, concerning memorializing Congress to enact the ‘Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011,’ and, in connection therewith, urging the president of the United States to provide an effective and comprehensive religious conscience exemption from a requirement to cover services that are contrary to the religious beliefs and practices of certain faiths.”

After the press conference, there will be a hearing and vote on the memorial inside the capitol.

The March 23 prayer vigil at Sen. Bennet’s office is part of a national effort by the Pro-Life Action League to call for a national day of prayer and protest of the Health and Human Services mandate that would require virtually all private health plans to cover sterilization and contraception, including some abortifacients.

Below are two examples of icons from the Iconographers Guild of Denver, who are featured this weekend in Bishop Sheridan Presents. To listen to the show, tune into to either 970 AM KFEL (Colorado Springs/Pueblo) or 1570 KPIO (Denver) at 11 a.m. March 3, noon March 4 and 5 or 7 a.m. March 7.

3/6 UPDATE: A NOTE FROM ICONOGRAPGER VICKIE DANTON —

“On the show it was stated the June seminar was closed to the public . . . it is open to anyone who wants to sign up!! All are welcome. Thanks!”

BH

(Herald/Bill Howard)

(Herald photo/Bill Howard)

Jeremy Irons and Father Daniel Berrigan, SJ, in a black-and-white production photo from the 1986 film "The Mission." (CNS/Warner Bros.)

This is one of my all-time favorite movies and scenes… thought you’d like this reflection on penance and mercy taken from a key scene in “The Mission.” Sorry I couldn’t embed it here… wasn’t allowed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhhFRqjF_o&feature=related

Father Francisco Quezada, pastor, distributes ashes during Ash Wednesday Mass Feb. 22 at St. Mary Cathedral in downtown Colorado Springs. (Herald photo by Bill Howard)

From today’s first reading (Jl 2: 12-14)

Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing…