It’s interesting to see opposing trends happing simultaneously. It’s a shame that these trends are also splitting much of the country in two. There’s the left and the right. Nearly all Christians aline more to the right. I don’t think that has changed over the years.
Before we get too far into today’s rant, there is no judgement here, only observations. While I watch the secular world embracing an acceptance of things I cannot understand, I also see within the Catholic Church a widening division. There is a push within the Vatican for the LBGTQ community to fully participate in the Mass while still living a gay life style. However; these same activists remain dead set against divorced people participating fully without first having their marriages annulled by the Church. There are those within the Vatican that are also pushing for women to be ordained into the priesthood or serve as Deaconess. Interestingly enough, there is no push that I am aware of to have men join religious orders that are women-only. It seems to me it has very little to do with equal representation and more to do with where perceived power lay. Women within the church are often seen as submissive, with men holding all the cards. All the while, the largest growth among lay people isn’t happening in more progressive fractions but rather in the Latin or traditional Mass. Within the Latin Rite there is a dress codes not imposed by the priest, but rather by those drawn to the rite in the first place. People wear their Sunday best, men in sports coats if not suits, the women in modest attire, almost never in pants. The majority of women and girls are veiled, members participate in more days of fasting while abstinence is practiced on all Fridays throughout the year. I truly don’t know what will become of the Church in this tug of war. At our parish we are fortunate to have the Pastor we do. He does not impose his sense of fashion on the congregation (although I wish he would), but he does encourage modesty, fasting and abstinence. We have a traditional Mass on Sundays for those who prefer the Latin Rite. When the pandemic shut down many churches, he understood that remote worship does not work for Catholics. We need to receive communion. It’s much like breathing to us. We also need to attend confession. Our pastor held Mass in the parking lot, including communion. He also set up a chair behind the church on Saturdays to hear confession. He was and continues to be a wonderful shepherd.
If I had it my way, we would have the Mass in English, but with all the formalities of the Latin Rite. And since today is Friday, it’s a day of abstinence.
Gemelli Bake with Tomatoes and Basil
16 oz Gemelli Pasta
5 firm Roma Tomatoes, divided
20 fresh Basil Leaves
1/2 cup Italian Cheese Blend
4 tablespoons Butter
4 tablespoons Flour
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Dried Oregano to taste
2-1/2 cups Milk
4 tablespoons Italian Breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
Heat oven to 350-degrees.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a full boil for the pasta. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions, about 10 minutes. Drain well.
Bring a second pot to a boil. Blanch tomatoes. Drain, cut, seed and dice the flesh of the tomatoes, place in a large mixing bowl. Chiffonade the basil leaves, scatter in with the diced tomatoes. Add Italian Cheese blend, set bowl aside. Slice remaining 2 tomatoes into rounds; set aside.
Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, salt, pepper and oregano; cook for 1 minute or until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk, cook over low heat for about 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove the white sauce from heat. Taste, adjust seasoning as desired; set aside
Combine breadcrumbs with olive oil in a small bowl; then add Parmesan. Mix well; set aside.
Assemble Gemelli Bake:
Once the past has fully drained, place in the bowl with the tomato-basil-cheese mixture. Pour white sauce over the pasta. Stir to blend, season again with salt and pepper if needed.
Transfer to 2-quart baking dish; arrange tomato slices on top, then scatter breadcrumbs over the tomatoes. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.
Serve with a Toss Salad of tender spring greens and warm garlic bread.
Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
Welcome to Rosemarie's Kitchen 