There must be nine or ten songs that are wrapped up in that time for me.  That May, those weeks following his death.  His friends, all younger than me, all graduating from high school, yet missing this crazy guy who they had grown up with.  He and I were so different.  So different, that I think that I lived a little through them during that time.  I got to know them, because I couldn’t get to know him now.  “Tuesday’s Gone” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Runaround Sue,” “Little Sister” by Elvis and so many more just take me back.  Put me right back in that moment as this young 20 year old who had just come to know that life just sucks sometimes.

Almost a year after his death I was listening a lot to The Indigo Girls.  Their song “Ghost” is a love song, and some of it didn’t fit, but the idea of being in love with someone’s ghost…with the memory of them was real to me.  My brother was in many ways not a nice guy.  He was someone you wouldn’t want taking care of your kids.  He was just mean sometimes.  But his memory was something we all reveled in.  In love with his ghost.  And we still are.  We still watch home movies of him and there is this sense as we laugh and joke about some of the funny things that he did that underlying the laughter is a sense of sadness.  A sense of doom almost when here’s his last Thanksgiving and his last Mother’s Day.  His last prom and birthday.  And behind it all the music – Jewel’s first album which was in the CD player in his truck when I cranked it up.  “Strawberry Wine” that I heard coming from his room at night.  Barry Manilow’s “Mandy” that he played because the girl he liked was named Mandy.  All songs that will forever remind me of him.



Copyright 2009 Katherine Barron

To enter, you must leave a comment on this post with a valid email address (which won’t be published or shared) before Midnight PST on September 3, 2009.  I’ll draw a random winner and announce the winner when the contest has ended.

Update: Our lucky winner is Suzanne (#83). Your prize will be sent soon.  Take a look at our other CatholicMom.com contests for more great chances to win!

Throughout my academic career, I have maintained a commitment to the arts, and since my conversion to Catholicism in 2006, I have aspired to promote an appreciation for artistic beauty within the context of the Catholic faith. It was through my own encounter with the brilliance of Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Teresa and The Fountain of the Four Rivers that I was awakened to the truth of the theological perspectives which informed them. It is now my earnest desire to facilitate a greater awareness of the indissoluble marriage of truth and beauty, in order that a demand for beauty might permeate the production of sacred arts today, and thus allow others to encounter in them the radiance of Christ.

The Foundation for Sacred Arts has been established for precisely this purpose. As a Catholic non-profit organization, we aim to stimulate a renewed vibrancy in the patronage and production of Christian sacred arts (art, architecture, music); and to advance the pursuit of excellence in conformity with truth, goodness and beauty in these arts; for the glory of God, the life of His Church, and the transformation of culture.

The Foundation’s initiatives include educational opportunities such as lectures, conferences and symposia; tours of museums, shrines, churches and places of pilgrimage throughout the country; an on-line archive of artists, architects, and composers; and events such as competitions, exhibitions, and concerts. Our objectives are thus in accord with Pope Benedict XVI’s directive “to stir up awe at and desire for the beautiful, form the sensitivity of souls and nourish the passion for all that which is an authentic expression of the human genius and a reflection of divine beauty.” Indeed, as Pope John Paul II stated is his Letter to Artists, “in order to communicate the message entrusted her by Christ, the Church needs art.”

Through the generous support of private donations, our organization has already been able to realize two national traveling exhibitions featuring the highest caliber examples of contemporary sacred art. Spring of 2009 brought our Washington, DC based lecture series, The Beauty that Saves: Art in the Life of the Church, and our Chicago, IL day conference, A New Way of Seeing: Understanding Christian Art. Both were met with enthusiasm and lively discussion.

Fall of 2009 will feature two additional highly anticipated events. Dr. Peter Kreeft, professor of philosophy at BostonCollege and author of over 45 books, will speak about “The Power of Beauty in the Sacred Arts” on September 12th at 7:30pm at St. Mary’s parish in OldTown, Alexandria, VA. The Foundation will also sponsor The Mysteries of the Rosary: an exhibition of 20 paintings by the renowned artist Anthony Visco, on view during the month of October (the month of the Rosary) at the National Shrine Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Mr. Visco was recently commissioned by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke as a principal artist for the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The looming recession, however, has already encumbered many otherwise enthusiastic supporters of our work, and while private donations have already been allocated to cover the costs of our remaining 2009 projects, we are still in need of an additional $20,000 to cover general operating costs through the balance of this year. We have a number of exciting projects that we are eager to commence even in 2010, including a third national traveling exhibition and competition entitled, I Believe: The Creed in Art and our first sacred choral composition competition (details can be found at: www.thesacredarts.org). We also aim to update the Foundation website in order to feature an online archive of the finest examples of contemporary sacred art, architecture, and music, as a resource for art enthusiasts and patrons alike.

Though our tough economic climate may seem unfavorable to this aim, it is precisely during this time of anxiety and uncertainty that the beauty of Christ will offer hope to a troubled world. As the preeminent 20th century Catholic philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand wrote, “Beauty opens our hearts, inviting us to transcendence and leading us ‘in conspectum Dei’- before the face of God.” We have been offered a pivotal moment for the transformation of culture, but our apostolate cannot succeed without continued prayers and support.

Ann Marra
Executive Director, The Foundation for Sacred Arts

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002…

The release includes gospel, Tibetan, Eastern Orthodox, Mayan, Gypsy, Tahitian, African, Baroque and Gregorian chants. Chant aficionados will discover choir music from the USA, France, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Poland, Russia, the Balkans, Tibet, and Syria among others.

For more wonderful music visit: http://www.milanrecords.com/jade/arti…
To learn more about Gregorian chant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregoria…

Wrong!  He took the initiative to locate a local pipe band, reschedule his flute lessons and even save up some money for the eventual purchase of bagpipes.  Blessedly, the first stage of learning to play is to use a “chanter” which is a very quiet equivalent of a full set of pipes. So last night, we went off to his first lesson.  I deposited him in the company of some very nice men who seemed very enthused about seeing a fresh face.  When I walked back to my car, the strains of “Danny Boy”, “Amazing Grace” and that one famous Scottish anthem were droning loudly outside the practice room as the pipers warmed up.

Adam will start off for a few months with a one hour beginner’s lesson.  If his interest continues and he practices diligently, he can join the band – which means his own kilt and set of pipes.  Last night when I picked him up, he was positively glowing with excitement.  His teacher was impressed by his site reading abilities and interest level and gave him very positive remarks.  It’s so wonderful, as a mom, to see that look of unadulterated joy on your child’s face (even if it’s caused by bagpipes!)

I will keep you posted on our path towards a full set of pipes.  I’m still not convinced that this latest instrument choice will “stick”, but if last night was any indication I may be investing in bagpipes and earplugs very soon.

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At her Prayer Chapel, Susan is offering daily Lenten retreat experiences for those of us who are very busy, but want to take a few moments for quiet, prayerful reflections every day. Click here to visit Susan’s Prayer Chapel.

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Check out more of Matthew Baute’s inspirational Songs for Prayer here.

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It was interesting to me that performers are willing, albeit unhappily, to alter their clothing because, as The Flint Journal  reported, “Under government guidelines, a female performer must be covered from the top of her chest, including her shoulders, to her knees.”

Oh to be Malaysian.

I know, I know, I’m just kidding.  Besides, they only have about 25 million people. But still, isn’t it amazing that they can get these performers to submit to their guidelines?  It makes me wonder.  If we held performers to a higher standard and refused to cooperate and attend concerts when they dressed inappropriately, could we have an impact as well?  Would they listen if it affected ticket sales?  Could enough like-minded people make such a difference in the United States?

Think about it the next time you put your money towards something you know has objectionable content.  Who knows?  Maybe some day, we, too, could be spared a little indecency.

God bless,
Janet

Copyright 2009 Janet Cassidy

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Every time I hear this song, it makes me think of all of the people in my life who raise me up every day.  My husband, my sons, my family, my best friends and those physically present to me in my life do too much to ever capture in words.  You put up with my craziness, my sitting at my desk for too many hours on end, and my need for times of quiet solitude followed by long and lingering hugs.

For the many more of you who I will never meet in person, you too raise me up.  Your prayers, your sharing of your own struggles and triumphs and day to day moments of being mom keep me going day after day.  You have given me so much more than I’ll ever be able to give back – although I promise to keep trying.

So just for you, grab a cup of tea and enjoy a moment with Josh – and if you’re down today, remember that this song is dedicated just to you today from a mom in Fresno!  Enjoy!

Hosted by the Nettwork  Music Group, this contest will reward two winners with a gift pack of two CDs each.

Included in your prize will be the following CDs:

• Christmas Songs by Jars of Clay
• The Dawn of Grace by Sixpence None the Richer

To enter, you must leave a comment on this post with a valid email address (won’t be published or shared) before Midnight PST on Friday, December 5. I’ll draw a random winner and announce over the weekend.

Update: Our two prize winners are Molly (#18) and Ashlyn (#32) – They will receive their CDs soon!  A new contest will be announced tomorrow (Sunday, December 7th) so check the site for details!