Pastors Desk ALB
Paul Turner
The alb is the fundamental vestment for any liturgical minister. It covers the body from neck to ankle like a light, close-fitting robe with sleeves. It is white. The vestment takes its name from the Latin word for this color.
When a priest or deacon vests for mass, he wears an alb beneath his stole and chasuble or dalmatic. If the alb does not conceal his other clothing at the neck, he wears an amice beneath the alb. If the alb is too long, he ties a cincture around it, binding the vestment at his waist.
In the United States, any acolyte, lector, altar server or other minister at mass may wear an alb (General Instruction of the Roman Missal 339). If necessary, they would appropriately wear an amice or cincture as well, to cover other clothing or to help the fit of the garment. However, such ministers need not wear an alb; they may wear any dignified clothing.
The white color of the alb calls to mind the baptismal garment, which in turn recalls the color of garments worn by heavenly beings in the New Testament. For example, Jesus appears in white at the transfiguration (Mark 9:3); an angel wears white at the resurrection (Matthew 28:3); two people in white stand near the apostles at the ascension (Acts 1:10); and in the Book of Revelation, white is worn by beings including those who are proven victorious in life (3:4-5), the 24 elders (4:4), martyrs (6:11), and a huge number standing before the Lamb (7:9,13-14).
Those who wear the alb at the altar on earth number themselves among the blessed who minister at the altar in heaven.
Copyright © 2006 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505, Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, Mo.
WHAT’S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ? – Here is the latest installment of our monthly bulletin feature. This series, composed by Catechist Magazine columnist Paige McKean Zymrosky, tests your knowledge of our Catholic faith. Circle the answer you think matches each question or statement. The correct answers are on the opposite page.
- The three Sacraments of Initiation are baptism, confirmation, and (a) reconciliation; (b) Eucharist; (c) matrimony; (d) holy orders
- The Church canonizes certain individuals because (a) it makes them happier in heaven; (b) they are mentioned in the Bible; (c) it explains why we use their names at baptism; (d) it encourages us to follow their example
- The United States was officially a mission church until (a)1776; (b) 1812; (c) 1865; (d) 1908
- For us our trespasses….(a) whenever we sin; (b) even if we can’t forgive others; (c) as we forgive those who trespass against us; (d) and peace to people on earth
- The apparition of the Blessed Mother in Vietnam brings her honor as Our Lady of (a) La Vang; (b) Knock; (c) La Salette; (d) Fatima
- The light that indicates the presence of the reserved Sacrament in the tabernacle is called the (a) sanctuary lamp; (b) votive light; (c) Prie-dieu; (d) ambo
- On the Church calendar an octave refers to (a) a week; (b) nine days of prayer; (c) the Twelve Days of Christmas; (d) the month’s memorial of a person’s death
- The Roman governor who sentenced Jesus to death was (a) Calaphas; (b) Brutus; (c) Augustus Caesar; (d) Pontius Pilate
- When entering and leaving our pew at church we (a) genuflect or bow from the waist; (b) wave to the priest; (c) hum a Christian tune; (d) whistle
- Members of religious orders typically take three vows of poverty, chastity, and (a) prayer; (b) obedience; (c) hospitality; (d) silence
- An unsightly waterspout often seen on Gothic cathedrals is called (a) an undercroft; (b) a flying buttress; (c) a gargoyle; (d) a transept
- Saint Thomas More (1478-1535) died being (a) shot by a firing squad; (b) forced to drink poison; (c) beheaded; (d) hanged
- The Latin phase Ora pro nobis means (a) Rest in peace; (b) Pray for us; (c) Lord, have mercy; (d) Lamb of God
- A place of liturgical worship for a community other than a parish is called a (a) chapel; (b) hospice; (c) cathedral; (d) pavilion
- Of the following, the one that is not one of the traditional Corporal Works of Mercy is (a) burying the dead; (b) going to Mass; (c) visiting the imprisoned; (d) feeding the hungry
- Joshua ordered his army to march around the city of (a) Jerusalem; (b) Bethlehem; (c) Nazareth; (d) Jericho
- At a papal conclave, the color of smoke if no pope is elected is (a) blue; (b) yellow; (c) white; (d) black
- The prayer that begins “Make me a channel of your peace” is attributed to St. (a) Patrick; (b) Francis of Assisi; (c) Pius X; (d) Jerome
- Of the following, the one that is not a name for the promised land is (a) Canaan; (b) the land of milk and honey; (c) Zion; (d) Nineveh
- The place where the altar, presider’s chair, and pulpit are placed in a church is called the (a) vestibule; (b) sanctuary; (c) campanile; (d) crypt
Mardi Gras Raffle and Dinner
“All You Can Eat Italian Buffet”
Sunday, February 19 – Meisinger Center
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
$8.00 for Adults and $3.00 for Children
RAFFLE TICKETS – Please advertise the Mardi Gras and Italian Buffet Dinner by selling your tickets to family, friends and coworkers. Return your raffle tickets to the parish office or in the collection basket.
“SCRIP CHINESE AUCTION” – Please consider a donation of Scrip for this unique take on the popular “Chinese Auction”.
VOLUNTEERS are always needed! Call Rose Weaver at 226-0632
PLEASE NOTE! All Prizes Will be Drawn on Sunday, February 19 at 3:00 p.m.
"SOUPER BOWL OF CARING” COLLECTION” – This nationwide event, endorsed by the NFL, has raised over $70 million in two decades. We have participated in this annual appeal for twelve years at Immaculate Conception and you have raised over $7,000.00. Every dollar donated has gone to support local charities. At all Masses on Super Bowl weekend, students from our religious education classes and Immaculate Conception School will be waiting to collect $1.00 from you. All proceeds will benefit Community Action of Clarion County. THE LENTEN SPRING IS COMING . . . - Ash Wednesday – February 22 - Masses at 8:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Little Black Books for Lent are available on the lobby bookrack. Six-minute reflections on the Sunday gospels for Lent are provided for every day from February 19 thru Easter Sunday. Pick one up today for a suggested donation of $1.00
- Parish Lenten Penitential Procession at all Masses February 25 and 26. You will be asked to indicate your Lenten prayer, fasting and almsgiving intentions—along with your pledge for the 2012 Catholic Services Appeal. All in attendance will receive a reminder of their Lenten spiritual commitment.
- Wednesday Evening Devotions - “The Way of the Cross According to Mark” begin Wednesday, February 29 at 7:00 p.m.
- First Penance Family Retreat – Our Second Grade students and their families will celebrate this sacrament for the first time on Sunday, March 4.
- On-Line Lenten Retreats - Check this space in coming weeks for popular on-line opportunities for the Lenten and Easter season.
THE FLOWERS AT THE ALTAR are given to the Greater Glory of God and in loving memory of your loved ones. Your generous support of the 2011 Christmas Flower collection will provide flowers for the remaining Sundays in winter Ordinary Time 2012. Thank You! THE QUESTION OF THE WEEK – Please refer to the “Questions of the Week” feature in the February 5, 2012 edition of The FAITH Connection insert in this bulletin. WHAT KIND OF STEWARD AM I? Stewardship involves a willingness to give from the very core of who we are and what we have; from substance rather than abundance.
REGARDING THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: This is the time of year when many couples begin making plans for the Sacrament of Marriage. When making wedding plans please keep the following in mind: - NO date may be set for the ceremony until an initial meeting with the priest. In some cases (if the couple is under 19 years of age or if there has been a prior marriage by one or both parties) pre-marital assessment, professional counseling or an annulment may be required. This is a diocesan policy. Even though social halls, deejays and photographers are in great demand, it is far more costly to recover from a broken marriage if the best possible pre-marriage preparation process is not employed.
- All couples must call for an appointment themselves. Great confusion results when other family members phone for the couple.
- The minimum amount of time required for marriage preparation is six months.
- The manner in which a baptized Catholic is to be married (or, the canonical form) is by a Catholic priest in a Catholic Church. Ceremonies out of doors or at other “romantic” locations are not permitted by Canon Law and diocesan policy.
- Each couple is assessed a $50.00 processing fee, payable at their first appointment. (Other fees for the Pre-Cana workshop, Engagement Encounter weekend, stipends for clergy, musicians, etc. are separate.)
- Our parish Pre-Cana Workshop is on Sunday, May 6, 2012. Call the parish office to make your reservation.
- The goal of our marriage preparation process is not to help the couple plan for the perfect wedding. It is, rather, to assist them in establishing a life-long sacramental marriage with faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ and each other at the center of their life together. For more information phone Father Monty.
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