I apologize for not posting this sooner and some will find it too late. But, Fr. Perrone, who held a "Latin Lite" class in the school lounge about 6 months ago, is having another one. This time it will focus on Gregorian Chant.
I believe it is following the 9:30am Mass, which means around 11:00. The lounge is in the school (follow the crowd), and you will find it shortly after you walk through the doors on the left, across from the Gift Shop.
Originally, they had asked for people to call ahead so they would know how many materials to print up. Please call the parish today if you plan on attending, otherwise just ask if it is ok for you to join in late when you get there, and make sure those who called ahead get materials first. You can probably always get the materials at a later date, by calling the rectory at 313-372-0762. It's possible there will be CD's available in the giftshop when it is done, as well. We had them for the original Latin Lite class, and if you ask, perhaps they would order more if there are none left. The first class dealt mainly with pronunciation.
Consider that "Americanized" Latin sounds pretty tacky. Using Domine Jesu Christu as an example, you can hear it this way:
Domeeenay Yeyzoo Chwreestoo.
If you could hear Jerry Lewis reciting Latin, you would understand. Here, the latin "e's" are proncounced like the "a" in "bay", and there is a non-rolling "r", which causes the mouth to contort. Sometimes people will pronounce the "o" like the first one in Dominic.
But it sounds so much sweeter when done in a more European tone:
Dohmeeneh Yehzoo Chdddeesto.
Here, the "e's" are pronounced like the "e" in "bet" and the "r" is rolled (just picture a bunch of "d's" instead of the r). And, the "o" is pronounced almost like in "doh!" But, it is actually more like a cross between that "o" and the "a" in "hall". Perhaps phonetically, we could look at it as dawmeeneh.
Now, the choir will have to sometimes sing the "o" in the manner closer to the first example, but nothing gets Fr. Perrone's dander up faster than when someone in the choir sings that "e" like the "a" in bay. It truly sounds cheesy, once you can hear the difference.
Which sounds more graceful and dignified for Jesu? Yayzoo (phonetically "a" in bay), or Yehzoo ("e" in bet)? Accent was covered in the first class too.
As with all such classes, which happen frequently at Grotto, it is free. However, sometimes, a basket is passed for donations.
If you truly want to learn Latin at your own pace, you have to check "Simplissimus" out at the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales. It uses Ecclesiastical Latin - the kind we use in Church, to teach us authentic Latin, and its not lite by any means, but easy to follow. I keep it in my sidebar, but I suggest bookmarking it.
