Catholic Mass/Presbyterian Church

OK, maybe 220 years ago, we would be knocking each other on the head for this, but the Presbyterians in Wilmette are showing a real knack for the Catholic Mass.

The First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette performed Mozart's Missa brevis in G this morning, and performed it beautifully and reverentially. I am not familiar enough with Presbyterianism and the teachings of Calvin and Knox to get much historical perspective on this, but logistically it worked pretty well, considering having a Catholic mass sandwiched in a Presbyterian service is a bit unconventional.

Speaking of unconventional, Joe McHale, grandson of Joe McCarthy mentioned that his grandfather most likely built 1st Presbyterian under an assumed name, and it does have all the trappings of the Great Chicago Ecclesiologist.

Quigley in all its Glory

Quite a shot here of Quigley Preparatory Seminary in 1925. UPDATE Zachary Taylor Davis (not Joseph McCarthy's) St. James Chapel just finished, as the highest steeple in the neighborhood, 4 inches above Fourth Presbyterian (so legend goes).

Tonight Cardinal Francis George honors the Friends of the Windows, a group I am proud to be a long time member of, for its restoration of the Stained Glass Windows in St. James Chapel, with a reception at the Cardinal's Mansion, where, not coincidentally, the Cartoon (sample) windows for St. James Chapel are now installed in the Cardinal's Private Chapel.

Neil Ball, the great Presbyterian devotee of the Built Liturgy has lead this effort for over 10 years now, with amazing fortitude and perserverance, culminating in its completion this year. There is no greater supporter of the St. James Chapel than Neil Ball. All signs look good for continued public access to St. James Chapel and the Crown Jewel in Chicago Architecture.

As Cardinal Egan recently said on a visit to his alma mater (Quigley, that is), St. James Chapel has never looked better.

More on Quigley to come.