@Richard Mix

One day I hope to meet everyone here before we go onto our eternal reward or otherwise. I often wear earplugs to most NO gatherings, but I am now avoiding them since the new abomination of the sacrament of Purell has come into play.

Last week I attended an NO, (and this practice seems to have taken on a universal appeal since most everywhere I go this seems to be in vogue) and the priest, right before giving out communion, leaned over to the abominable pump and proceeded to mix the particles of the sacred body of our Lord (on his hands and fingers) and rub them together as though he was cleansing himself from infection. Little does he realize the sacrilege of this horrendous assault on the sacred species. It is at this point that I cannot come forward to receive what is desecrated. So much for the 'real' plague.

As for the Fatima statue debacle, on a human level, scheduling the devotion would be crucial to its success and to the respect of those already occupying the space. That said, I should stress that I am a great devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Fatima is one of her greatest apparitions, in fact, probably her greatest ever. I would never discourage a devotion to Our Lady and if I found my choir rehearsal was in conflict with such an event, I would simply defer to the hyperdulia requested, particpate as best I could, and then resume the rehearsal. Our Lady will always take deference, even if her subjects are inconsiderate of protocol.

As for the musical piece offered, well... OK... I understand the sentiment, and I would never discourage a sentiment toward the BVM. However, the simple Gregorian Ave would be at the top of my list, and then other settings that rise to a stately and solemn presentation of the most august prayer.

The only time I ever play the shoobert is under political constraints, and then I try to make the best of it.

a. skip the shoobert arrangement (with the unnecessarily long introduction and finale and the happy-go-lucky hopping thirds and fourths)
b. do only the single first verse of the Catholic prayer. (please don't repeat what is already unbearable music)
c. play an accompaniment that is more idiomatic to the organ. On that note, I hope I have improved upon the piece with this new rearrangement. (maybe it is more appropriate to call it a derangement?)

The organist at my parish really wanted to play the "Shoobert" after communion on August 14th (day before the Assumption), but time was short so he played it at a faster tempo and it reminded me of a ride on the merry-go-round.

My favorite is how half the people who sing it only do the first half, so they completely ignore the second half of the prayer.

Granted, there’s nothing wrong with the angelic salutation. But yea. Pet peeve of mine.

I just had a bride request it as a processional… And I had to inform her that that was not appropriate because the music is five minutes long. Even truncated it’s too long. We can do it when you take flowers to Our Lady…

Francis,

You want occasions to hear Schubert?

Your website says:

For just short of three decades, I have been making these Fine Rosaries

My rosaries all have a full five decades. (Purple)