If you’re happy and you know it…

Something has been bugging me for some time now. The vast majority of Masses I’ve attended in the States have ended with applause. Back in England I encountered this fairly often among non-Catholic congregations, but quite rarely in Catholic parishes.

guitar

Here in San Diego I play the guitar in at a LifeTeen Mass and there is applause every week as we finish the final song. Now, there was a time when I wasn’t fussed about the clapping, but now it really rather bothers me… 

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TOT: Love, Dating and Relationships

Over the course of our “Theology On Tap” series we heard talks from Fr. Matt SpahrCy Kellett and Dr. Karen Saroki. This Thursday the series was brought to a close by the ever-popular Jackie Francois.

Actually, Jackie wasn’t the only one who spoke that night, being supported by her boyfriend Bobby Angel:

Jackie Francois is a full-time, travelling worship leader and speaker from Orange County. Bobby Angel, her boyfriend, is the assistance campus minister at the Servite High School in Anaheim. 

Both of them have studied at the Theology Of The Body institute. They enjoy lengthy books, long walks on the beach, quoting The Office* and preparing together for the imminent robot invasion…

Below is the recording of the talk they gave entitled “Love, dating and relationships: Calling all people wanting to love and be loved according to God’s holy desire”:

                                                            
Jackie Francois & Bobby Angel – Main Talk            Jackie Francois & Bobby Angel – Q&A

Jackie also recently released a follow-up to her debut album “Your Kingdom Is Glorious”.  The new album is called “Divine Comedy”. It includes a cover of one my favourite Hughes songs, “Beautiful One”, as well as Jackie’s own material, “Everything You” and “New Creation” being among my favourites.

Go buy it on iTunes or Spirit & Song 🙂

* The TV show, not the Liturgy of the Hours. I got quite confused there for a while…:-/

“Bears”? 2 Kinds 2:24
“Beets”? Genesis 1:29
“Battlestar Galactica”? erm….