Hello everybody. I apologize for the long delay in between blog postings - I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me. I do not foresee another delay like this happening.

I’m using today’s blog to tell you about the upcoming Salzmann Selections book discussion, to take place Thursday, May 30th starting at 6 p.m. The book that the group will be reading is “Rafael, Cardinal Merry del Val,” by Marie Buehrle. It is an older book, written in 1957.

This book looks at his life and the influences he had in the Vatican during his time there, and also shows a little background into some of the processes of deciding a new pope, granted decades ago. Here is a short summary of who Merry del Val Cardinal Rafael was:

Rafael Merry del Val y de Zulueta (10 October 1865 – 26 February 1930), Servant of God, was a British-born Spanish Roman Catholic cardinal. Before becoming a cardinal, he served as secretary of the conclave that elected Saint Pius X, who is said to have accepted his election as Pope through Merry del Val's encouragement. Pius X later appointed him as the Cardinal Secretary of State. Merry del Val composed the Litany of Humility. A cause for his canonization was opened in 1953. (information from Wikipedia).

We hope to see you there. 
Also, two of our patrons are looking at setting up another book discussion as more of a weekly or biweekly event, with Pope Benedict’s “Introduction to Christianity” as the first book. They are thinking right now of doing a chapter or two each discussion in order to break down the book and reveal the teachings hidden within. If you are interested in that, please leave a comment on the blog or contact me, my email address and phone number are listed below.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated - anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

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Time for another book review! Although David Hartline wrote “The Tide is Turning Toward Catholicism” in 2006, I am writing about it now because he recently had his second book, “The Catholic Tide Continues To Turn,” published at the end of 2012. So consider this a sort of double review.

David Hartline is the founder and editor of the Catholic Report website (http://www.CatholicReport.org). The first paragraph of the introduction explains his reasons for writing this book: “The idea for this book came to me during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and is an extension of an article I wrote for my CatholicReport.org website. The night before I wrote this article, I thought, “Catholics need to hear all the ‘under the radar’ good news happening in the Catholic Church.”

Written during the time after the election of Pope Benedict XVI, David writes with a straightforward style that I find refreshing. He comes at this book with, as he describes it, an orthodox view of the faith, not to be confused with Traditional view. He has a solid amount of footnotes and notes included, however, coming from a historian background, I wish he would cite a little more evidence in some areas when discussing some dissenting and conforming views. I enjoyed this book immensely, and am looking forward to reading the continuing story, to see the advances of the past six years. Very rarely in this day and age do we hear the positive things that are happening in the Church; David recognized that and did something to change that tendency. For that, I say this book is a definite read.

This book is available through Amazon, however, his new book is unavailable due to the recent closing of the publisher for the book. I was able to acquire it by contacting David directly, and he gave me permission to put out his email address if anybody does want a copy of his newest book - he will be happy to make arrangements to get the book to you. His email address is dhartline@columbus.rr.com.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated - anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

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Our next Vatican II lecture is almost here, have you signed up yet?

It will be this coming Thursday, April 11th, at 7 p.m. Salzmann Library is proud to sponsor Bishop Richard J. Sklba on that day, who will be speaking on Vatican II. His lecture, “Vatican II: Grace and Gift/ Event and Process,” will be in Henni Hall – Inner Commons at the Saint Francis de Sales Seminary. If you are unsure where that is, when you get to the seminary grounds, go to the large building, and there will be signs to help you.

As a seminarian and newly ordained priest, Bishop Sklba spent time in Rome during the Council, and so brings a unique perspective to his talk.

If you are interested, please make sure to contact us. We have more than 70 people signed up already, looking forward to our best talk yet.

You can RSVP either through kfrymark@sfs.edu or by calling at (414) 747-6479. If nobody answers, leave a message with the name and number you are calling for – we want to be sure that we have enough coffee and small treats for everyone after the lecture.
We look forward to seeing you there. My next blog will be a book review.

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“Habemus Papem!” This was my first conclave working at the seminary. In 2005 I was sitting alone in my apartment when the announcement of Pope Benedict XVI happened, lucky enough to be in-between classes so that I could watch the excitement. Unfortunately I was watching the excitement on TV in my quiet house.

It was different this time. We were eating lunch together with a phone on so that we could watch a bird sitting on a chimney. As the time passed nothing changed.
And then the white smoke. Excitement ensued. Who is it? The bells were ringing, and everybody was gathered, waiting to see who our next “Papa” would be. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis.

I would have liked to use this paragraph to mention the many books we have by and about him. I would have liked to write to come in and check them out. I would have liked to say that I knew more about him than his name and that he was from Argentina before he was elected.

Alas, this time it is not the case. A keyword search for Bergoglio brings up nothing. However, I can say with certainty, that that will quickly change. He has written books, although again, as of Wednesday none were available on a quick search on Amazon. On Friday several were available in Kindle format. The publishing world will make up for lost time.  In the meantime, you can learn more about the history of Argentina and the church there, the Jesuits, and St. Francis of Assisi, the saint whose name Pope Francis selected. Pope Francis told thousands of journalists March 16 that he took to heart the words of his friend and chose to be called after St. Francis of Assisi, “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation,” the same created world “with which we don’t have such a good relationship.”

While you’re reading about St. Francis of Assisi, why not learn more about the other St. Francises: St. Francis Xavier and given where I work, St. Francis de Sales should be mentioned as well.

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So much for all the pre-conclave speculation and scenarios. For those of you who view papal elections in terms of brackets, e.g., Religious News Service's "Sweet Sistine, the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is even bigger than a play-in team upsetting a #1 in the first round, and then going on to win the championship.

When will we learn? The conclave isn't over until the Holy Spirit votes. If anyone tells you that he/she predicted Cardinal Bergoglio would be elected pope, he/she is either a. a member of the Holy Trinity, or b. a liar.

By the way, those who participated in the RNS bracket had Cardinal John Onaiyekan of Nigeria winning it all. And www.paddypower.com, mentioned often prior to and during the conclave, had Cardinal Bergoglio at 40-1.

What's not to like about Pope Francis? Simple lifestyle, served among the poor, humble, defender of the faith -- sounds like the job description for the Vicar of Christ, doesn't it?

Calls to mind that Jesuit cardinal and eventual doctor of the church, St. Robert Bellarmine, who, when he resided at the Vatican in the early 1600s, tore the tapestries from the walls of his room in order to clothe the poor. He was said to have remarked, "The walls won't catch cold." 

If they had such an honor... We'll never know, but if Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan was as kind to his brother cardinals in the conclave as he was to the media and others to whom he spoke prior to the conclave, he certainly would have won Cardinal Congeniality.

Great date: March 13 was the date on which our 48th pope was elected. In 483, Pope Felix III on chosen on that date. And, Pope Innocent XII, was born on that date in 1615.

Down in the mouth: Root Canal Awareness Week begins this Sunday.

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Today I have a shorter blog, but one with an important update regarding our technological capabilities at the library - we have a second public computer! *So this might not seem the biggest news, but it is good news for us.*

We have been able to acquire a second public computer, for our patrons to use for online research or typing in the downstairs study room. It has Microsoft Office, and is capable of printing through our network computer. We still have the first computer, located near the library entrance, which we plan to keep available as a catalog search computer, or something else that might just take a minute or so.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated - anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

Comment (0)

Now that the cardinals have agreed to begin their conclave this Tuesday, March 12, one can only hope that it will go quickly, as in, "We're done talking; let's elect a pope and go home to our people." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLrIXfLYsqM

Since they have been meeting formally since Monday, and informally since last week, each cardinal should have a good idea who among them should be the Vicar of Christ. What else could they possibly learn from and about each other?

When the election is over, I would like to hear from the U.S. cardinals as to why they had to stop talking to the media even though information from the congregational meetings was being leaked to the Italian media. My guess is that it wasn't the Americans leaking the information.

It was great seeing and hearing Cardinals Dolan, O'Malley, DiNardo, George and Wuerl talking so openly about the congregational discussions in which the cardinals were engaged. The Americans were practicing the transparency they've been preaching.

Given the reports we've been hearing about different groups favoring one cardinal or another, do you think there will be chants of "USA! USA!" in the conclave if the support for Cardinal Dolan or Cardinal O'Malley grows?

Speaking of March 12, that's a holy day in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. It is Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki's 64th birthday.

Remember, a lot of Vatican watchers have said we would have a new pope by Easter; none of them said which year.

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It is time for my monthly book review! Anne Bender, a longtime user of the library, recommended this next book on the Salzmann Library Facebook page a month ago (I invite you all to follow her blog, “Imprisoned in my Bones”). The book Anne recommended, “The Church Building as a Sacred Place: beauty, transcendence, and the eternal,” by Duncan Stroik, Liturgy Training Publications, is a little bit on the pricey side, but an excellent read.

Here is the review from the Amazon website: “For decades, Duncan Stroik has led the renewal movement in Catholic church architecture and its reengagement with tradition. Once a lone voice crying in the wilderness, he has since become a leading educator and practitioner, a man whose name is almost a household word and has proven that large, beautiful, traditional Catholic architecture is indeed possible today. For this reason, this book is almost as much a collection of primary source readings about Stroik's role in the New Classical movement as it is a primer on church architecture itself.” - Denis R. McNamara.

The book has 23 essays, covering topics ranging from church modernism and modernity, to renaissance and renewal, also, principles of church design, and a critique of modern iconoclasm. Richly illustrated, the pictures allow you to follow along, and sing praise. One of the author’s architectural examples is not too far from here either, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse.  So please find a copy, and enjoy the sacred architecture.
As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated - anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.
Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

Comment (0)

The Salzmann Library book discussion at the end of January, about “Falling Upward” by Richard Rohr, was a success. A lively discussion was had by all.

Mark your calendars for the next book discussion on Thursday, March 14 at 6:30pm. Anybody that can make it is invited. Two books will be discussed; you only need to have looked at one of them. 

One of the books that will be featured at the next discussion is “Hope is an Open Door,” by Mary Luke Tobin, a nun who attended Vatican II, and the teachings and the doors that Vatican II opened up in her life. Her book, published in 1981, is 140 pages - perfect for a short read and then to attend the book discussion. We have two copies available here at the library.

The second book, “Remi de Roo: Chronicles of a Vatican II Bishop” by Bishop Remi de Roo, is a memoir from the last surviving English Canadian bishop who participated in Vatican II. His book offers an intimate, insightful perspective on how Remi de Roo has kept the vision of Vatican II alive. De Roo's memoir provides an exceptional firsthand perspective of the Council as well as the many joys and challenges implementing its reform of the church in the years after. This book, published in 2012, is 208 pages, an, again, not a long or difficult read.

We hope to see you on March 14th at our bimonthly Salzmann book discussion!

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated - anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.
Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

Comment (0)

Since the pope wears white, a reporter recently asked Vatican spokesman Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi what a pope emeritus wears. The spokesman didn't know, but my son, Aaron, who is not a member of the Vatican press corps, suggested that Benedict could wear off-white.

Papabili by the pack: Catholic News Service has compiled a "12 to watch" list of cardinals as the conclave approaches. You can read it at http://www.chnonline.org/news/nation-world/11954-twelve-to-watch-as-cardinals-gather-in-rome.html. No surprise that Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is listed. If he were to be elected pope, don't you wonder who he would name as his successor in New York?

There are no "prop" bets for this, but if Cardinal Dolan were elected pope — Paddypower.com has him at 33-1 — I'm convinced that his first words, in Italian or English, to the multitudes gathered in St. Peter's Square would be, "How you doin' everybody? Great to see you!"

Pastorally speaking: Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki has written his first pastoral letter titled "Who Do You Say That I Am?" Having heard on several occasions during my 35+ years of church work that bishops write pastoral letters for other bishops, I asked the archbishop if he had sent it to his brother bishops.

"I didn’t write it for my brother bishops. I wrote it for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. My brother bishops are welcome to read it; they can steal it if they want. They can use it, reformulate it," he said. "I wrote it for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee; this is where we are; this is what we need to address, with an eye toward the possibility of a synod."

Pastors have received the letter; parish staffs will receive it in March. The rest of the faithful will have access to it by fall.

Party time: Saturday, Feb. 23, the Feast of St. Polycarp, is the birthday of internationally renowned anthropologist and former stand-up comedian, Jesuit Fr. Ray Bucko. http://puffin.creighton.edu/bucko/

Papal postscript: Fr. Domenic Roscioli is out front on the whole conclave. He offers papal pancake mix. As he says, "You know they're done when you see a wisp of white smoke." Order yours at HolySpiritsWine.com


 

 

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