Tag: culture

Tom Jones’ Praise & Blame

Tom Jones.jpgSir Tom Jones, 70, the legendary Welsh born musician known for “She’s a Lady” and “Sex Bomb” released a new album that can’t be missed. Jones was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006. His July 2010 album “Praise and Blame”, his 36th album, is strongly influenced by the genres of gospel, rock, country, and the blues and it has received a critical review.

The music reviewer of the LA Times put Jones’ album in the top 5. For me, Jones has a great voice that needs to be savored.

Praise & Blame.jpg

Some say that Sir Jones did his best work in recent decades with “Praise and Blame” and it as the singer’s “rebirth.” You can’t miss the remake of one of Bob Dylan’s songs, “Oh Mercy.”
“Praise and Blame” has gotten the attention of the media in Rome: watch a video clip on Tom Jones’s newest work.

Gianfranco Ravasi on the move to Milan, next Pope?

Gianfranco Cardinal Ravasi.jpgA week ago today, Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, 68, was created a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI. Ravasi, since 2007, is the well-equipped, critically acclaimed, lover of art and music, and a man who has a great sense of humor President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, the “Minister of Culture” (some might say he’s a “culture vulture”) and he heads the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, and the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archeology. He’s the former head of the Ambrosian Library in Milan. He turned the Library into a cultural and intellectual destination.

Continue reading Gianfranco Ravasi on the move to Milan, next Pope?

Orazio Soricelli visits New Haven, honors St Andrew the Apostle

St Andrew relic2 New Haven.jpgNew Haven has many residents whose family hails from Amalfi, Italy. The Italian heritage society, The Saint Andrew Society of New Haven (Società di Sant’Andrea Apostolo), draws the old time Italians, most by now have only an affection of Amalfi but neither speak the Italian language nor have been to the beautiful sea-side town.

The enchanted and beautiful lush area not far from Naples. Amalfi, as you know, over the years has been the resting place of the relics of the brother of Peter, fisherman and first-called by the Lord, Saint Andrew the Apostle. His relics have been in Amalfi since the 13th century (brought to the Italian city by crusaders coming back from Constantinople). A small relic of Saint Andrew is venerated here in New Haven at The Church of St Michael. This parish is recognized as the first spiritual home of the Italian community for more than 150 years. And gratefully so for us to have one of the closest connections to Our Savior and to the Prince of the Apostles!

Continue reading Orazio Soricelli visits New Haven, honors St Andrew the Apostle

Talking about Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop2.jpgA record number of Australians flocked to Rome last week to attend to the Mass and rites of canonization celebrated by Pope Benedict of 6 people, among them was Australia’s first saint, Sister Mary of the Cross MacKillop. While many will make her the patron saint of the former ex-communicate, she is for me an example of staying faithful to Christ even when ecclesiastics are unusually harsh in their pastoral judgment. For Saint Mary of the Cross for us too, Jesus told us that upon Peter is the Church built; and that’s how we follow Christ: by remaining on that Rock. As her own religious name indicates, “of the Cross,” we ought to carry our cross but with Christ helping us. We don’t go through life alone!!!! The Lord is there with us, right now.

Religion & Ethics Newsweekly has a story on Saint Mary of the Cross which notes the response of people generally unaffected by the practice of faith.
Saint Mary of the Cross, remember Australia at the Throne of Grace and us, too.

The Simpsons and Religion

simpsons family.jpgIn the last few days the Catholic and secular media have picked up a story in L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, on the famous show, “The Simpsons.” To me, the show is OK social commentary and therefore not for young audiences. The show is now in its 22nd season and broadcast to 90 countries. The claim is that Homer J. Simpson is Catholic. Well…. The Jesuit periodical, La Civiltà Cattolica published last week Jesuit Francesco Occhetta’s essay, “‘The Simpsons’ and Religion.” For what’s it’s worth, here is the précis of the article says:


“Today, even after 24 television series and a blockbuster movie, the Simpsons
are still breaking records: the program is watched by 100 million viewers, in
90 countries worldwide. The story of the life of a regular family, of a
cross-section of American society and individual problems are the reasons why
viewers identify themselves with The Simpsons. This article also examines the
relationship between the protagonists of this American sitcom and religion. “The Simpsons” are among the few television programs for young people in which,
although sometimes treated with a certain superficiality, the Christian faith,
religious practice and the question of God are recurring themes.” (Copyright © La Civiltà
Cattolica 2010 IV 140-149 issue 3848)

You’ll have to get a subscription to La Civiltà Cattolica to read the whole thesis. I am not sure I’d bother unless you’re a Catholic culture-vulture.

Firsts for the US Supreme Court 2010

US Supreme Court.jpgThere are several “firsts” for the new session of the Supreme Court of the United States. Among the firsts:

  • members of the bench are either Catholic (6) or Jewish (3)– there are no Protestants serving
  • 1/3 of the members of the bench are women
  • first time in 35 years that Justice John Paul Stevens will not serve as a Justice
  • Justice Kagan is the 100th Supreme Court Justice
Read the brief overview of the Supreme Court