“Father, We Thank Thee, Who Hast Planted” has long been one of my favorite hymns. Its tune, taken from the 16th century Genevan Psalter, is eminently singable. The hymn text – when not corrupted by that politically correct scoundrel, “alt.,” – is even better. For Francis Bland Tucker’s lyrics put 21st-century congregations in touch with the second generation of Christians, and perhaps even the first, by combining various phrases from an ancient Christian prayer book and catechism, the Didache.
by Msgr. Steven A. Ferrari
“IT’S NOT THE news that any of us hoped that we would hear; it’s not the road we would have chosen.” These are the opening lines of Ellie Holcomb’s song “Find You Here.”
William Sadlier Dinger, president emeritus of New York City-based publisher William H. Sadlier Inc., died Nov. 11 at his home. He was 77.
Esther Iqbal, the sister of Father Anthony Chanan, parochial vicar at St. Ephrem parish, Dyker Heights, died Nov. 19 in Pakistan.
Irene A. Breen, 85, the sister of the late Bishop Vincent Breen and Msgr. Edward Breen, died Nov. 14.
The archbishop who chairs the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities cheered news that the abortion rate in the United States continues to shrink, as does the number of abortions overall.
The diocesan Commission on Racism and Social Justice will conduct an open listening session on racism on Saturday, Dec. 8 at Holy Family Parish, Fresh Meadows. All are invited and encouraged to attend.
Once again, we begin another liturgical year with this first Sunday of Advent. And with this new liturgical year, we begin reading again from another one of the four Evangelists as our primary guide in St. Luke’s Gospel.
On any given Sunday, observing the Sabbath is a choice. For three Hispanic youth who have spent their formative teen years in the youth group at St. Joan of Arc parish, Jackson Heights, they freely choose to attend Mass.
This weekend, we light the first candle on our Advent wreaths. It is a symbol of hope as we begin preparing for the coming of the Lord.
