A Test On The Blessed

How well do you remember the Beatitudes?

   What’s the secret to becoming a better person, a person who continues to grow spiritually? There’s no secret. Jesus tells us how in Matthew 5:1-12 – the Beatitudes. How much do you know about these keys to leading a fuller Christian life? Begin with No. 1 and follow the directions.


1. Let’s start with an easy question. How many Beatitudes are there?
a. Ten. (Go to 21)
b. Eight. (Head for 34)


2. The seventh Beatitude has to do with making peace while the eight reminds us about what?
a. Following God’s will can cost us. (Head for 9)
b. Be honest in all things. (Go to 27)


3. In the fifth Beatitude, Jesus says those who show mercy will receive mercy. At Mass, when do we publicly agree to the deal Jesus is offering?
a. The Our Father. (Move to 8)
b. The Nicene Creed. (Head for 26)


4. You’re right. That’s another name for the kingdom of God. Matthew is the only Evangelist to use “kingdom of heaven” – following the Jewish custom of showing deep reverence by avoiding saying (or writing) God’s name. Now head for 25.


5. Yes. Does that sound familiar? It should. We’re back where we started. The first and last Beatitudes have the same pledge from Christ: the kingdom of heaven. Now head for 43.


6. What’s promised to “the clean of heart” ?
a. They will see God. (Head for 15)
b. They will be called children of God. (Go to 39)


7. Right. Not prime real estate, but “the land of milk and honey”. Salvation and eternal life. And no property taxes on it. Now head for 19.


8. Every time we say “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” To the degree that we forgive – show mercy – to others, we ask God to have mercy on us. Now move on to 6.


9. That’s right. In the last Beatitude, Jesus has a promise for those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Now move on to your final question, 38.


10. Sorry. “They will be filled.” Return to 41.


11. That was a long answer! Let’s try a short one. What are the “poor in spirit” promised?


a. The kingdom of heaven. (Go to 4)
b. They will be comforted. (Move to 33)


12. No, that sounds more like self-righteousness. Return to 18.


13. Both answers are correct. Where Matthew has “poor in spirit,” Luke writes simply “poor”. And where Matthew has eight Beatitudes, Luke has only four. Scripture scholars consider Luke’s first three “authentic” and believe the fourth comes from the early Church. Matthew has added four based on Psalms. Does this mean Matthew’s aren’t genuine? Of course it doesn’t. The verses reflect what Jesus taught, what the crowds heard, even if we don’t know, for example, if He was on a mount or a plain. Despite the differences between the two Evangelists’ writing, Jesus’ message is the same. Now move on to 11.


14. Oh, no. Return to 25.


15. Good for you. Now head for 30.


16. Correct. Each Beatitude describes a condition or way of behaving (hungering and thirsting for righteousness, being merciful, being pure of heart) and what particular grace that hardship will bring. Now go to 24.


17. Yes, the word means to both console and to invite to a banquet. Jesus is inviting to his table those who mourn. But that word means even more. It can also be translated as encourage, excite, or urge. Those who mourn can become God’s helpers – can become witnesses to the truth Jesus is teaching. Those who mourn can have their hearts set on fire with God’s love. Now go on to 41.


18. The fourth Beatitude, a la Matthew, is gentler, more lenient, than Luke’s. Luke writes of those who are now “hungry”. Period. Matthew’s version refers to those who “hunger and thirsts for righteousness”. What does righteousness mean?


a. Strongly convinced of our own goodness. (Head for 12)
b. Living in accordance with God’s will. (Move to 23)


19. No, Jesus isn’t telling the clean of heart they’re going to have visions here on earth. Return to 30.


20. Yes, but our word meek doesn’t really describe the virtue Jesus was praising. In Scripture, the Greek praus – meaning meek or gentle – referred to a person who had a positive attitude toward God and others, not to someone with no self-esteem or backbone. Jesus wasn’t saying “Blessed are the wishy-washy.” Now move on to 32.


21. No. Return to 1.


22. Ultimately. The Beatific Vision – the blessed, happy sight – is seeing God. That immediate knowledge of God is heaven. Now go on to 2.


23. Correct. When St. John Chrysostom (c. 347- 407) wrote about this Beatitude, he said righteousness is the “the whole of virtue” – following God’s will is following all virtues. And, he noted, we aren’t supposed to merely work at being righteous but “hunger and thirst” for it. Now go on to 3.


24. The Gospel of Luke has a similar list of Beatitudes from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” (6:20-49). That version has:


a. Half as many Beatitudes. (Go to 13)
b. Less “wiggle room” for us when it comes to poverty. (Head for 37)


25. When Matthew explains those who mourn will be comforted, he uses the Greek word paraklein. That does, indeed, mean console, but it also means:


a. Wreak vengeance on one’s enemies. (Head for 14)
b. Invite to a banquet. (Go to 17)


26. No. Return to 3.


27. No, that would be the Eighth Commandment about not bearing false witness. Return to 2.


28. How can we be happy if we are poor, if we are mourning, if we are persecuted?


a. Jesus said for every hardship involved in serving God, there is also a blessing. (Head for 16)
b. Jesus was not speaking in literal terms. (Go to 42)


29. Following the Beatitudes is a path to holiness but, no, that isn’t what the word itself means. Return to 40.


30. But what does “see God” mean?


a. Be blessed with visions of Our Lord. (Move to 19)
b. Get to heaven. (Head for 22)


31. Yes. It comes from the Latin beatitude, which means happiness. Some translations of the Bible use “blessed” while others say “happy”: happy are those who mourn, happy are the meek, and so on. Now head for 28.


32. Someone who is meek in the biblical sense isn’t a person who never gets angry. Rather, he or she knows when to get angry and how to get angry. Jesus described Himself as “meek and humble of heart” (Mt. 11:29), but He could get angry. An example is when He drove the money changers from the Temple in John 2:15. So what’s in store for those who practice this virtue? The earth. That means:


a. The Promised Land. (Go to 7)
b. Real estate. (Head for 36)


33. No, it’s those who mourn who will be comforted. Return to 11.


34. That’s right. Ready for a harder one? Move on to 40.


35. No. Return to 38.


36. You’re kidding. Right? Return to 32.


37. Both answers are correct. Where Matthew has “poor in spirit”, Luke writes “poor”. And where Matthew has eight Beatitudes, Luke has only four. Scripture scholars consider Luke’s first three “authentic” and believe the fourth comes from the early Church. Matthew has added four based on the Psalms. Does this mean Matthew’s aren’t genuine? Of course, it doesn’t. The verses reflect what Jesus taught, what the crowds heard, even if we don’t know, for example, if He was on a mount or a plain. Despite the differences between the two Evangelists’ writing, Jesus’ message in the same. Now move on to 11.


38. What is that promise? What’s in store for those who are persecuted?


a. “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Move to 5)
b. “They will be consoled.” (Go to 35)


39. No, those are the peacemakers. Return to 6.


40. What does the word beatitude mean?


a. It means holy. (Move to 29)
b. It means happy. (Go to 31)


41. The third Beatitude says who will inherit the earth?


a. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. (Head for 10)
b. The meek. (Move to 20)


42. No. The Church teaches that Jesus meant exactly what He was saying. Return to 28.


43. When the Church celebrates All Saints Day on November 1, it uses the Beatitudes for the Gospel reading at Mass. That only makes sense. Our saints are those among us who have lived these eight keys to holiness and true happiness.
       Let’s close by paraphrasing the Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 1716, 1718): Beatitudes are at heart of Jesus’ preaching. They respond to the natural desire for happiness. This desire is of divine origin: God has placed it in the human heart to draw humankind to the One who alone can fulfill it.

Answers To Can You Identify These Biblical Fathers?

1. h 2. l   3. f  4. e 5. c 6. a. 7. k 8. j 9. g 10. b 11. d 12. i

Philippines Most Stunning Victory in Soccer Football Happened in AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 in Vietnam

        The Philippines stunning upset over ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup Defending Champion Vietnam last Tuesday, December 8, 2010 is the most shocking upset in the history of southeast Asia's football. In what could have been the most exciting match of the tournament, the Philippines' winning over Vietnam 2-0 is the most celebrated and winningest victory of the country in an international football tournament. In a country where boxing is the most watched by Filipinos and basketball is the most played anywhere and football the world's most popular sport is ironically a shadow sport in the country where there is a lack of support and funding, the Philippines winning gain the attention of no less than the President Benigno Aquino III himself that he gave his presidential approval to their performance and gaining the attention of Filipinos. Philippines' draw against Myanmar in the final game of Group B will see Philippines for the final four competing against each other for the first time in the AFF Suzuki Cup. Seven of the players are native of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo and the rest are either foreign born Filipinos or native of other cities and provinces. The team will be leaving tonight, December 14 and will seek action on the semifinals round of the home and away game against Indonesia in Jakarta on December 16, 2010

He Who Laughs Lasts

Some US Congressmen were given a history test. These were some of the most outrageous answers:


1. Where is Ancient Egypt?
Answer: Ancient Egypt is in the Sarah Dessert. It is inhabited by mummies who write in hydraulics.


2. Who are the Greeks?
Answer: The Greeks are a highly sculptured people. The Greeks gave us myths. A myth is a female moth.


3. Who is Socrates?
Answer: He was a famous Greek philosopher who died from an overdose of wedlock.


4. Who is Moses?
Answer: Moses climbed Mt. Cyanide to get the Ten Commandments. He died before arriving in the Promised Land, which is Canada.


5. Who is King Solomon?
Answer: Solomon had three hundred wives and seven hundred porcupines. Some guys are just luckier than others.


6. Who is Joan of Arc?
Answer: She was burned to a steak until she was well done.


7. Who is William Shakespeare?
Answer: He is the most famous writer of the Renaissance. He wrote tragedies, comedies, and hysterectomies.


8. Who is John Milton?
Answer: John Milton wrote Paradise Lost. Then he lost his wife, so he wrote Paradise Regained.


9. Who is Miguel Cervantes?
Answer: He wrote Donkey Hote.


10. Who is Sir Francis Drake?
Answer: He circumcised the world with a 100-foot clipper.


11. Who is Abraham Lincoln?
Answer: He is American’s greatest Precedent. He was born in a log cabin which he built with his own hands.


12. Who is Benjamin Franklin?
Answer: He discovered electricity by rubbing two cats backwards as he declared “a horse divided against itself cannot stand.” He died of electrocution.


Take time to smile and laugh. Joy is a foretaste of heaven.

Miss Earth 2010: My Favorites For The Earthly Throne Part 1/5

     The eyes of the world are focused on one destination. Get ready to experience a fiesta of all things beautiful as we travel to exotic Vietnam. Here, the most gorgeous women across the planet are gearing up for the opportunity of a lifetime. They come from all parts of the globe to compete for one chance, one title and nothing will stand on their way. At the end of the night, one of them will become Miss Earth. Live this Saturday, December 4, 2010 at VinPearl Land Resort, Nha Trang, Vietnam, its Miss Earth 2010. Wearing their swimsuits, let's meet my favorites for the crown.

The Mythical Five

1. Slovenia - Ines Draganovic

2. Denmark - Sandra Vester

3. Norway - Iman Kerigo

4. Puerto Rico - Yeidy Bosques

5. India - Nicole Faria

Miss Earth 2010: My Favorites For The Earthly Throne Part 2/5

X-Factor Threat

6. Venezuela - Maria Angela Bonanni

7. Italy - Ilenia Arnolfo

8. Ecuador - Jennifer Stephanie Pazmino

9. Australia - Kelly Louise Maguire

10. Chile - Pamela Soprani Reyes

Miss Earth 2010: My Favorites For The Earthly Throne Part 3/5

Navigating The Bay In Full Circles

11. South Sudan - Atong de Mach

12. Martinique - Christine Elisabeth Garcon

13. Kosovo - Morena Taraku

14. Russia - Victoria Schukina

15. Bolivia - Yovana O'Brien Mendez

Miss Earth 2010: My Favorites For The Earthly Throne Part 4/5

Warming Up

16. Vietnam - Luu Thi Diem Huong

17. Canada - Summer Anne Ross

18. South Africa - Nondyebo Dzingwa

19. Ireland - Alesha Gallen

20. England - Sandra Marie Lees

Miss Earth 2010: My Favorites For The Earthly Throne Part 5/5

Warming Up

21. Philippines - Kris Psyche Resus

22. Curacao - Norayla Francisco

23. Mexico - Claudia Lopez Mollinedo

24. Thailand - Watsoporn Wattanakoon

25. Luxembourg - Laureta Bardoniqi

Featured Saint

The Patron Saint of Losers

       As we continue our travel and incessant survey of world affairs we came across the patron saint of losers, a true-to-life personage from Britain’s early history but very apropos to our times.
In the year 664, in Britain, an abbot stepped down from the powerful position of bishop after his predecessor, who was missing and feared dead, suddenly turned up alive and well. St. Chad became the patron saint of good losers.
       Even if modern citizens have little or no idea who he was, St. Chad’s name is everywhere in Chad’s name is everywhere in Britain – Chadbrook, Chadbury, Chadshurst, Chadsmoor, Chadstone, Chadwell, Chad Valley. In Birmingham and the surrounding countryside, over 30 ancient churches, and many more Victorian and modern ones, are dedicated to his memory.
       St. Chad was profoundly ascetic; radiating humility and self-abasement that characterize would be saints. He was ordained in 653, at probably no younger than the canonical age of 30. He learned Latin; he could recite some at least of the Gospels and the Psalms by heart, and studied arithmetic and astronomy. He was sent to an unknown monastery in Ireland to study for priesthood and was ordained there. On his return he got involved in a controversy which overshadowed the whole life of the English Church at the time. The issue, hotly disputed then as in modern Orthodoxy, was the Church calendar: should they follow the Celtic way of calculating Easter, or that lay down by the Council of Nicaea and followed by the rest of the Church at this time, including, of course, Rome.
       A leading protagonist in the controversy was Wilfrid. Early in 664, Wilfrid decided that the matter of the date of Easter would have to be resolved. He summoned a synod in Whitby, and persuaded them to accept the universal date. The area was struck by the plague; several of the monks caught it. In the same year Wilfrid was appointed Bishop of York, and went for this consecration in Paris. He did not come back to his new diocese for two years. Meanwhile, it was not strange that the King of Northumbria, Oswy, should have despaired of the new bishop’s return and decided to look for another.  Knowing the holy Abbot of Lastingham, he believed him to be an ideal choice. St. Chad was reluctant to take on such a responsibility and felt himself unworthy, but was persuaded under obedience. St. Chad immediately devoted himself to maintain the truths of the Church, and set himself to practice humility and chastity and to study. He was a holy man, modest in his ways, learned in the Scriptures, and one who was careful to practice all that he found in them.
        In 666, Wilfrid returned from Paris to discover that Chad had been ordained to his own diocese in his absence, and he was not pleased. However, nothing was done until 669, when Theodore of Tarsus, by then Archbishop of Canterbury, took the matter up. Theodore summoned Chad and pointed out three serious flaws in his ordination as bishop. Two of the bishops were out of communion with the Church; the one canonical bishop who had taken part had been charged with simony; and finally Chad had been consecrated to a See that was in fact not vacant since Wilfrid had already been appointed and ordained. Chad’s response in the face of Episcopal ordination is reminiscent of that of St. Gregory the Theologian, St. John Chrysostom, and many others. He replied that he had never felt himself worthy of ordination and he was more than happy to return to Lastingham as a simple monk. So impressed was Archbishop Theodore by Chad’s saintly humility that he offered to ordain him canonically to the episcopacy (perhaps he had this idea in mind from the start). This was done, but Chad insisted that he would surrender the diocese of York to Wilfrid.
         In 672, the plaque which had brought death to Chad’s brothers now caught up with Chad himself. A lovely description of his death: Seven days before the Abbot’s death, his friend and disciple heard the sound of sweet and joyful singing coming down from heaven to earth. As the friend stood astonished, wondering what this might portend, he was summoned into the oratory by Chad, who told him to bring the other seven Brothers. Having urged them all to live in the peaceful and loving spirit of the monastic life, he told them that he would soon be summoned out of this world. Chad then told the friend in secret, in answer to his question, that the voices were those of angels who would come in seven days to take him away to the heavenly reward “that I have always hoped and longed for”. In seven days one may rightly believe he was taken by the angels to the joys of heaven.
         Since in many controversies the protagonists both claim righteousness and the grace of God, here is one prayer that can prepare the loser to accept his fate. Prayer on the Feast of Saint Chad –
“Almighty God, whose servant Chad, for the peace of the Church, relinquished cheerfully the honors that had been thrust upon him, only to be rewarded with equal responsibility: keep us, we pray Thee, from thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others, that the cause of Christ may be advanced and thy blessed kingdom enlarged; in the name of Him who washed his disciples’ feet, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God now and ever, and unto ages of ages." Amen.

Can You Identify These Biblical Fathers?

    How many of the biblical fathers (biological and adoptive) described below can you identify? Match the description of the father to the letter below of the correct person described. Answer will be revealed in the next article post


1. His son was a military genius who became a great leader and successor to Moses (Deut. 1:37)
2. He was literally left speechless when an angel told him he would become a father (Luke 1: 18-32)
3. A man whose greediness shows most clearly in his dealings with his son-in-law (Gen. 31: 1-16)
4. Gold told this man to go ahead with wedding plans even though his intended bride was already pregnant (Matt. 1: 18-25).
5. His son had many adventures before he was able to save his entire family from starvation (Gen. 45: 4-28)
6. Although a great patriarch, he is most honored for his steadfast faith in God (Heb. 11: 8-12).
7. Although he was a wise and able king, quarreling among his sons brought him much unhappiness (1 Kings 11, 12)
8. This unhappy king feared that his song’s best friend was trying to usurp his throne (1 Sam. 18: 1-16).
9. Despite a great accomplishment under God’s direction, his discovery of fermentation brought embarrassment to his sons (Gen. 9: 20-22)
10. Sibling rivalry brought much sadness to this father of twin boys (Gen. 25: 21-23 and 27:33).
11. The fact that this father’s beloved daughter lived to become a teenager was truly a miracle (Luke 8: 41, 55)
12. Although a bachelor , he was a spiritual father to one of his young assistants (1 Tim. 1: 18)




a. ABRAHAM
b. ISAAC
c. JACOB
d. JAIRUS
e. JOSEPH
f. LABAN
g. NOAH
h. NUN
i. PAUL
j. SAUL
k. SOLOMON
l. ZECHARIAS

A Church Music Master's Exam

Do you know the answers? Sing it out!

     It’s tempting to think we’re the first Catholics to face startling changes in liturgical music, but we aren’t. The 2nd Vatican Council (1962-1965) altered what had become the norm since the Council of Trent (1545-1563), but the Church’s tradition in music stretches back much further than the 16th century. How much do you know about that tradition? Start with No. 1 and follow the directions.


1. Christian music finds its roots in Judaism. The Old Testament talks of three kinds of ancient instruments one, the shofar, is still sued in synagogues today. What is a shofar made of?
a. Clay. (Go to 27)
b. A ram’s horn. (Head for 40)


2. Scripture scholars say Levite is a broader term than priest. Some Levites were what we would call sacristans, some collected tithes, some sang. Now move to 17.


3. The last century of the Middle Ages – the 15th – is notable for the development of what kind of music at Mass?
a. Organ. (Go to 11)
b. Orchestral. (Move to 41)


4. No. Return to 12.


5. In addition to horns and flutes, the Israelites used a third instrument. It’s one we often associate with David. What is it?
a. Lyre (Go to 35)
b. Harp (Move to 37)


6. Over time, after the building of the Temple, smaller houses of worship – synagogues – were established, and particular prayers were said and sung at particular times of the day. Early Christians followed the same practice. Today, Catholics call this set of prayers what?
a. Vespers. (Head for 16)
b. Liturgy of the Hours. (Go to 26)


7. A spinet in the Sinai? No. Return to 34.


8. In the latter part of the 14th century, religious musical composition was dominated by an organist from Florence. Francesco Landini might be called a “medieval Ray Charles” because:
a. He was blind. (Head for 15)
b. He wrote the first jazz Mass. (Go to 33)


9. During the Middle Ages, the chief form of liturgical music was monody – a single, unaccompanied melodic line. It’s more popularly known as what?
a. Gregorian chant. (Head for 14)
b. Plainsong. (Go to 32)


10. Yes, the Psalter- the Book of Psalms – is a collection of lyrics. It was the basis for musical liturgy that was performed by large choirs and huge orchestras of harps and lyres. Now head for 31.


11. Yes and it remained a liturgical favorite for centuries. Now head for 43.


12. It could be argued that despite the fact there were schools where chant was taught and cathedrals and monasteries known for their choirs, religious music didn’t really begin to flourish until Guido d’Arezzo.
a. The pipe organ. (Go to 4)
b. A way to write music. (Move to 21)


13. Yes. Musical instruments were associated with pagan rites. The Old Testament descriptions of Temple worship with instruments were interpreted as allegorical – merely symbolic rather than, for example, actual cymbals. Now head for 24.


14. Both answers are correct. Gregorian chant is named for Pope St. Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), who, it appears, compiled and arranged songs using this style, also known as plainchant or plain song. (Now move to 12)


15. Yes! Landini amazed people with the speed and delicacy of his playing and received honors normally reserved for poets and emperors. Now move to your final question, 3.


16. No. Vespers, an evening prayer, is part of the Liturgy of the Hours. Return to 6.


17. What was being sung in the Temple?
a. Psalms (Go to 10)
b. The Song of Songs. (Move to 39)


18. Sorry. Return to 24.


19. No, the Pharisees weren’t one of the twelve tribes. They were members of a sect first mentioned about a century before Christ. Return to 30.


20. No. Return to 31.


21. Until then, choir members had to learn every tune by hearing it sung and then memorizing it. Guido, a Benedictine monk and choir director, noticed one hymn followed a progression of notes that was easy to remember. In Latin, the song read: ut queant laxis/resonare fibris/mira gestorum/famuli tuorum: /solve polluti/labii reatus. Most of the first syllables are familiar to us. “Do” replaced “ut” but we still use re, mi, fa, sol, and la. Later ti was added and a higher do, creating an octave, but Guido’s scale used only six notes. He also figured out how to chart a song on a four-line staff. After Guido, religious music – all music – no longer relied on oral tradition; it could be written down. Now head for 36.


22. Yes, religious leaders sometimes used a small band – harp, drum, tambourine, flute, and lyre – as part of their ceremonies. One Bible passage, 1 Samuel 10: 5-6, suggests music helped them enter a “prophetic state”. Now go to 30.


23. That’s correct. A verse can be divided in two, with each half showing a version of one poetic image. (For example, Psalm 19, verse 2, reads: “The heavens declare the glory of God, / and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.”) The melodic formula calls for the first half verse to be sung by part of a choir (or congregation) using a single tone with some flourishes, and then answered in the same way by the other half of the choir singing the second half. Now go to 6.


24. The leaders in the Church in those early centuries were also concerned about what when it came to singing?
a. A congregation’s inability to carry a tune. (Move to 18)
b. The danger of pride and showmanship. (Head for 29)


25. Oh, no. He didn’t like the beat and said people couldn’t pray to it. Return to 36.


26. Yes, the Liturgy of the Hours (or Divine Office or breviary, as it used to be known) goes back to the Jewish custom of stopping throughout the day to pray. Today, Catholic congregations use the same melodic formula to sing the Psalms in a two-part, responsorial way. Now move on to 38.


27. No, though some win instruments – like flutes or pipes – were made of clay. Return to 1.


28. Anytime there are changes, some people like them and some don’t Pope John said Catholics should stick with ancient music. Now go to 8.


29. That’s right. There was concern a talented soloist – a cantor or deacon – might come to enjoy being the “star” of a liturgical celebration, taking center stage and overshadowing what was truly important. Now go to 9.


30. After the Temple was completed, worship services became more unified and there was a professional school for Temple musicians. They were members of the tribe often associated with the Temple priesthood. Who were they?
a. Levites. (Head for 2)
b. Pharisees. (Go to 19)


31. The structure of the Psalms lends itself to what form of singing?
a. Harmony. (Move to 20)
b. Chant. (Head for 23)


32. Both answers are correct. Gregorian chant is named for Pope St. Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), who, it appears, compiled and arranged songs using this style, also known as plainchant or plainsong. Now move to 12.


33. Jazz is a 20th century development with African-American roots. (If you want to hear a jazz Mass, check out the one written by Mary Lou Williams.) Return to 8.


34. Even before the building of the Temple of Solomon (ten centuries before Christ), local prophets made use of:
a. Small pianos. (Move to 7)
b. Bands. (Head for 22)


35. Let’s count either answer as correct. The lyre and the harp are cousins, both stringed instruments. They’re frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often played by Temple musicians. Now head for 34.


36. In the mid-13th century, Franco of Cologne assigned a definite time value to notes, and Petrus de Cruce introduced more innovations that made it easier to see the differences among smaller notes. In 1322, Pope John XXII issued Docta Sanctorum which:
a. Condemned many of the recent innovations in music. (Move to 28)
b. Praised the changes that were being made. (Head for 25)


37. Let’s count either answer as correct. The lyre and the harp are cousins, both stringed instruments. They’re frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often played by Temple musicians. Now head for 34.


38. The early Christian community continued the musical practices of the Jewish synagogues, but the Church Fathers called a halt to what?
a. Musical instruments. (Go to 13)
b. Any songs not in Latin. (Move to 42)


39. No. This Old Testament book is a poem written sometime after the Babylonian Exile (538 B.C.). The theme is the mutual love between God and his people. Return to 17.


40. That’s right. The curved horn of a ram, symbolic of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac (Gn. 22:13), was used as a bugle. The Hebrews blew shofars as Jericho’s walls came tumbling down (Jos 6:4, 5, 20). Now move on to 5.


41. No, that would come later and, just as the Fathers of the Church had feared; some of the extravagant music seemed to make the priest and the celebration of the Eucharist… second fiddle. Return to 5.


42. No. Return to 38.


43. The bishops at the Council of Trent were concerned about new music and new styles. A rule banned any melody considered seductive or impure, any text thought to be vain or worldly, and all “outcries” and “uproars”. It demanded lyrics had to be clearly understandable.
      Who could argue with that?
       In our own century, the bishops at Vatican II were more open to encouraging various musical forms and styles, but, they reminded us, “The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of immeasurable value, greater even than that of any other art.” Ancient or modern, plain or symphonic, its purpose has remained the same. Liturgical music exists to help us pray.

Queen Elizabeth II Finally Is Now On Facebook, Yay!

             What better way to reach out to people making sure they are updated and well-informed about the government’s programs, activities and other announcements and aware of what is happening around the nation. I know the Queen has a better idea.
           It is by using the most powerful reliable medium available used by most people today in connecting with family, friends and acquaintances – social networking. And what is the most popular social networking site with a membership of more than half a billion? Facebook – yes, Facebook and the Queen made the right connection with Facebook.
          United Kingdom’s British Monarchy is the latest addition to the growing family of the most popular social networking site today that it has become a pop culture icon. It has been decided y the Royal Crown to set up a Facebook account to reach out to its people and make the British Monarchy accessible to masses. It is a smart move of the Royal Crown to effectively address its citizen’s concerns. When it comes to transparency, people can voice out their concerns, sentiments, opinions to the Royal Family so it may become more humane and kind. Furthermore, people of different nationalities may have a view and keep informed about the Queen and the Royal Family where it has been very elusive to the public eye.
           I have added the British Monarchy page to one of my likes and interests so I can keep in touch with the British monarch and if lucky enough, it will be an honor and privilege for me to work in the royal palace. I am excited to see Queen Elizabeth mingling with people through Facebook. I know Mark Zuckerberg is elated and honored to have the Queen graced his social networking site but I don’t think he is reading my blog though I want to work for him as well.

Justin Bieber Mania

         Anywhere in the world you can see children and adults singing to the hit songs of Justin Bieber. Some imitate not just his voice but his looks, ways, acts and lifestyle. His official music videos that can be watched in YouTube has been viewed a hundred million times – a feat that any other music videos has yet to surpass. Aside from his music videos, there are zillions of other videos made by his fans as a tribute or plea to him. It can be music videos, dance videos, impersonation, comic acts or pleas or petition of diehard fans who found infatuation in this young emo sporting Canadian, a talent discovered by RnB artist Usher through watching his videos in YouTube and the rest is history making his way into the limelight of show business and entertainment. Justin Bieber mania has taken the scene.
         Justin Bieber is considered pop culture icon. He defined the popular culture of today’s generation hitting the scene like a heatwave. His good looks make up for his horrible voice that is why he is well loved by teen girls all over the world influencing and infecting like a virus other age groups like children, young adults and elders. Many teen girls and gays all over the world are dying to see him, crying to just meet him and/or take him for a date.
        His gentle and tame presence belies what is lurking behind. What or how accommodating and desirable the Justin Bieber he shows in public is how he is exactly the opposite off camera and out of the limelight. The real Justin Bieber is arrogant, egocentric young man who never cares about others but himself. Someone made some pleas and petition in his twitter account asking for his help, but he took them for granted and brush them aside with cold shoulders. He becomes a big-headed rascal and his brain was toxicated and poisoned by fame . He doesn’t care about people anymore but just talk and mingle with other celebrities. He is proud, boastful and doesn’t keep his feet on the ground.
        That’s what fame will bring out someone. Fame may be generous enough but it will also take its toll by bringing out what is best or what is worse about a person. Fame is very volatile – it is here now and gone tomorrow. Justin Bieber is very young, very fresh and youthful and has a childish voice today but years from now, he will grow old and mature looking and his voice will become hoarse thus, fans will be done with him. Don’t let fame ruin you and make you a monster. Instead use fame to be an inspiration to others and leave a lasting legacy.