New title picture

After travelling through Latin America where most of the liturgies made things in Australia look good, I happened to be in Medellin in Colombia (drug and fashion capital of Latin America) where the Mass was totally Reform of the Reform. The 12 Noon Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Medellin Arzobispo Señor Ricardo Antonio Tobo'n Restrepo, assisted by two deacons in Roman Dalmatics, one assistant presbyter, and servers. Unlike most liturgies in Colombia which are all happy-clappy Hillsong style, this had a single cantor in the Choir singing in a vernacular chant (in Spanish of course). There was a Confirmation with one single boy who sat in choir.



Although the Eucharistic prayer was celebrated versus populum, the other parts of the liturgy pertaining to the Altar were celebrated ad-orientem, and if there was the desire to celebrate that way it certainly could be done. Other key things to note were:

• the Ciborium Magnum over the High Altar


• the Archbishop's throne in its original position


• the original High Altar, which for this Mass was adorned by 7 candlesticks, being for this Mass celebrated by the ordinary, placed at the back of it


• Deacons proclaiming the Word (no lay people reading)


• the ringing of the bells; not only the bells within the sanctuary being rung 4 times at each elevation (three at the elevation and once at the genuflection) but also the outside bells in the bell towers to proclaim to the city that the sacrifice had been made


• male only servers


• no communion in the hand (with some members of the congregation kneeling at the Communion rails to receive)

You can see what the outside of the church looks like here.

I have therefore made the interior shot the master pic to be more symbolic of the reform-of-the-reform ideal.

St Augustine and the Confessions

One of my favourite books is "The Confessions" by St Augustine. It is particularly relevant as it speaks to our own age as late Roman societiy was heavily urbanised, family structures were breaking down and co-habitation was commonplace as it is in our own day.

For the feast of St Augustine (28 August) someone in Italy has put together a comic-book deptiction of his life which you can find here. I found it interesting that Fr Finigan wanted some edits to some pages that he obviously thought were too racy such as here. Well I reckon why not? This shows more truly the struggle we have between pagan sensuality that we are so addicted to and the real deal with our souls, that is to live lives of holiness and oriented to God - our origin and destination.

Jan Riser Housewife

The green wool is dyed with osage orange sawdust and over dyed with logwood by Anne Ramsey.

All interior pieces are old homespun fabric.

Pin cushion at bottom is stuffed with feathers from an old feather tick.

Now in the collection of Jacob Scurlock.

Photos by Jan Riser.

Brad Mills Measures

Photos by Jan Riser.

Artist and Displays at the CLA Show 2010

The Beauty of IRON

By Bob Roughton

1. Bob Harn - This piece is done in the Carolina style with the traditional toe plate with six silver inlays and a total of fourteen, including three silver eagles. 45" barrel, Cal .40

2. Ian Pratt - This graceful rifle is done in the Virginia School with hand forged iron work. It is signed "I. Pratt CLA 2008", and is shown in many publications. Six silver inlays and generous silver wire work with a long 45 1/2" barrel, and .45 Ca.

3. Bob Harn - Classic Bob Harn, done in the Virginia School. Raised carved and engraved w2with a silver flower finial. Ot also has a patriotic inlay on the cheek, with the words, "Join or Die". 44" barrel, Cal .58

4. Frank House - This Virginia style rifle contains an abundance of silver inlays, a total of thirthy, plus three pieces of gold. Aged to perfection. It has a 42" barrel, Cal .32

5. Monte Mandarino - While not flashy, this gem shows the work of a master builder. Raised carved and engraved with nice silver wire work, and a hand maded lock. Dated 1979. 38" barrel, Cal .54

1. Bob Harn - Beautiful Virginia style, this rifle was pictured on the cover of "Muzzleloader" Nov. 1987, and is the sister on #3 on the left side. Raised carved and engraved with typical Harn aging. 42" barrel, Cal 50

2. Gerald Neaves - This beauty has a combination of browned, aged and bright iron work, in a early style with sliding patch box. Raised carved and engraved in a most delicate manner. It also features a nice handmade lock. 42" barrel, Cal .54

3. Bob Harn - This delicate little rifle is done as a Virginia school, with moderate embellishments. It is nicely aged and distressed giving it a very authentic appearance, circa 1983. 42" barrel, Cal .50

4. John Bivens - This rifle is serial number one of a pair originally made for the movie, "The Last of the Mohicians". The work was a joint effort of a group of builders, Jim Chambers, Bob Harn, M Ehinger and others. Unfortunately, the director objected to the shorter barrels and neither rifle was used in the movie. It is the only one signed by Bivens. It remains a beautiful example of the Christian Springs style. 37" barrel, Cal .58

Bill Reynolds

 Elizabeth Lee Gaul and Bill Reynolds

Photos by Ron Brimer, Ken Gahagan and Jan Riser. Copy on "The Beauty of IRON" by  Bob Roughton.

Handy, Dandy Accessories

The bag mold and the two-piece combination worm/ball screw are by Larry Callahan. The trekkers bag oiler is by Randy Hedden. The brass primer is by Charlie Wallingford. Bob Wiegand made the bullet board. The powder (goat) horn is from Shea's Mountain. Jim Hays forged the turnscrew and Curt Lyles made the tool and patch bag. The folder is an old original.

Copy and photo supplied by Dave Beaman.

Scott and Cathy Sibley Horn

Photos supplied by Scot Sibley.