Proposed chapel for Ave Maria University designed by Notre Dame architecture student Matthew Enquist:
Posted on 05/17/2004 7:27:20 AM PDT by Pyro7480
Monaghan is a Pelagian. He thinks he is going to save souls by spending money instead of by promoting holiness.
While it was a surreal service (imagine the Vatican choir singing in the middle of a windy tomato field) I had very mixed feelings. The priest most definitely a new-ager who during the homily starting talking about our universe was created by the big-bang theory.
I didn't know the big-bang theory was accepted by the church, being that it hasn't even been accepted by much of the scientific community yet.
The "Crystal Cathedral" architecture doesn't exactly speak to tradition. Neither does the fact that from what I've heard, the Latin rite won't be performed at all. Federal funds are nothing but poison in the long run.
I'd be happy to be wrong about all of this, as I live nearby and would love a traditional or orthodox influence. Doesn't look that way though.
I know it is not going to be 'traditionalist', but frankly that's not what I'm interested in. The Latin Mass holds no fascination for me. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Rosary are important, but not all of the devotionals so popular when I was young are particularly crucial. I want our kids to be taught a timeless Faith, not just outward things that can change over theyears.
From what I've read, and I've been a supporter of the University for the last two years, it sounds as though the college will offer Mass with several different worship styles so that not just one style predominates and those who prefer different styles can be accomodated. I like the 'organ music' style with hymns like those sung from the Oxford Hymnal, but I also like the more modern 'Praise and Worship' style like that used in Life Teen Masses. As long as we're praising Jesus and preparing to receive His Body and Blood, that's what's important to me.
Oops! Sorry for the double post. It looked as though the posting page had hung up and not completed the connection.
Thanks for the link. It looks very interesting.
Pelagian might be a bit harsh, but he is certainly a sterling representative of that "Americanism" which was condemned by Pope Leo XIII. Putting projects and activity ahead of contemplation and grace has always been an American temptation. That's why we have lots and lots of buildings (all of them currently suffering under modernist occupation), but no American saints.
Do you mean over the past years, or overall? America has had several canonized saints, including St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton, St. John Neumann, and St. Katherine Drexel.
My son will be spending two weeks this summer at Christendom's 'Summer Institute' for high schoolers. Christendom is one of four or five colleges we've been considering, though, right now, Christendom is his likely choice. One of the things which sold him on it was that Christendom proudly proclaims on its website that it is one of only a handful of Catholic colleges left which accepts no federal funding. Interestingly, last winter, his second choice was Ave. He dropped it down a bit right after seeing the new Crystal Cathedral designs.
Yes, you're right, except that St. John Neumann was born in Bohemia. Mother Cabrini was born in Italy. So I believe it's true that the only American-born saints are Elizabeth Ann Seaton and Katherine Drexel. They are both converts, so that means that the enormous American Catholic machine, with so many schools, so many building projects, so much activity and money, has never produced a canonized saint, if I'm not mistaken. Which points out the danger of "Americanism," as Pope Leo XIII warned us.
I vote for the design from Notre Dame.
I do believe the glass structure would be tough to air Condition and it might be hot as hell.
>>The priest most definitely a new-ager who during the homily starting talking about our universe was created by the big-bang theory. <<
Read "A Brief History of Time" by Steven Hawking. He describes how he presented the Pope with the scientific support for the Big Bang. The Pope asked many questions which, in Hawking's mind, confirmed that the Pope understood the issues with phenominal clarity. The Pope asked to think about it overnight. He returned the next day and answered Hawking, "See, I told you so." (Paraphrased... the Pope doesn't often quote Rush Limbaugh book titles in public.)
Immediately, Hawking understood that the theory he was pushing so hard in fact confirmed the existence of a singular "first thing" (i.e., creator-God) from which all else depended. Ever since then, Hawking has been creating theories to undermine The Big Bang. At just about every turn, however, his theory's predictions turned out 180 degrees from reality, and they grotesquely violate Occam's razor. All this has been done, I believe, out of Hawking's need to invalidate religion. I routinely chortle as I see each one of Hawking's prediction die a fiery death: the greatest mind in physics is now blinded into dysnfunction by an obsessive drive to disprove God.
Neither Monaghan or Fessio are promoters of Latin Masses. Fr. Fessio likes the Novus Ordo but I think more for special occasions, I could be wrong about this point but I have definately been told by several who know him well that he is not a Tridentine Mass kind o guy. As for the New Agey stuff Monaghan is into, unfotunately Tom Monaghan was very influence by Word of God Charismatic Communities in the 1970's and 1980's. He is a close personal friend of Ralph Martin. If you are a fan of Ralph Martin Catholicism you should be fine with Ave Maria.
Pelagius believed that salvation was to be achieved by "doing" things, and not by the grace of God. I fail to see the difference with the essentials of Americanism.
This is not to say that man mustn't dispose what God proposes, but I missed the part were God proposed building new Catholic Universities with an emphasis on football programs and ugly modernist architecture. Does Notre Dame football spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Surely it doesn't, and I can't see how Ave Maria football will either.
The biggest problem in college is a lack of attendance at Mass and Confession, and a total lack of control over morals. I don't believe Ave Maria is proposing any controls in these areas, as used to be present at, say, Notre Dame. Nor is it being proposed as a sex-segregated institution, so that the attendees focus on learning and piety instead of dating and sex.
Its a monument to a man's ego and a sop to his belief that he can save his soul by "doing" things, nothing less, nothing more. Had he really wanted to make a difference, he could have given his scads of money to existing Catholic institutions (you listed them previously I think) anonymously so that they could give out full and half scholarships and expand their campuses and program offerings. He could have given money to diocesean high schools (with strings attached) to reduce their enormous tuition costs. He could have endowed som seminaries like the FSSP's that are bursting at the seams with applicants.
Ave Maria is a Pyramid of Gauis with an external Catholic veneer.
Well, I know the RCC is a big tent, but as for my own preferences, keep the Charismatics away from me. It's just too creepy, smarmy, emotional, etc for me.
I might add though that, in addition my thoughts on the above, I've always found large beautiful Synagouges or Cathedrals (I've seen both) devoid of spirtual meaning. I much prefer plain simple and intimate prayer rooms, where the beauty of the room does not distract me from my prayer, and I get a true communal, humble feel.
Proposed chapel for Ave Maria University designed by Notre Dame architecture student Matthew Enquist:
Some of it can be rather manipulative as well. But, I have noticed in the past few years that there are some Charismatics who are much more sedate in their worship practices. I think they would call their Chrismatic gifts of the interior sort.
"essentially no better"
well, essentially in matters of faith, I think they would be better; but I agree that the "chapel" is impractical, etc. and they would have much more credibility to do it otherwise.
BTW, w.r.t. the Michael Rose bump: I encourage you to buy his books. He tells the truth, because he has the courage to speak out regardless of the fallout. He has a growing home-schooled family. BUY MORE BOOKS! ;)
If you have them, they make great gifts to people who may not be as well informed as you are . . .
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