Greetings to all from Liturgy Brisbane.
In his most recent declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, Pope Francis explores the theme of blessings, distinguishing between ritual, liturgical blessings, and spontaneous ones more akin to signs of popular devotion.
As the New Year begins, it is helpful to pause and bring to mind the many blessings we receive and also to appreciate the blessing that we are to others.
The articles in this issue reflect upon what it really means to be blessed, and remind us that it is often in moments of struggle and trial
that God's blessings can be most richly experienced.
Also in the information below, you will find a blessing for your home to mark the New Year, as well as some exciting new releases for 2024.
Due for release in February 2024 are two new resources: a Children's Mass Book with exceptional illustrations by Giuseppe Poli that depict a child's viewpoint of the liturgy, and a colourful resource for children aged 4-7 who are preparing for baptism.
Finally, some preliminary information is included about an upcoming lecture by Fr Richard Leonard to be held in Brisbane in March. Digital access to this lecture will also be on offer.
Blessings and very best wishes for the year ahead.
From all of us at Liturgy Brisbane.
In his most recent declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, Pope Francis explores the theme of blessings, distinguishing between ritual, liturgical blessings, and spontaneous ones more akin to signs of popular devotion.
As the New Year begins, it is helpful to pause and bring to mind the many blessings we receive and also to appreciate the blessing that we are to others.
The articles in this issue reflect upon what it really means to be blessed, and remind us that it is often in moments of struggle and trial
that God's blessings can be most richly experienced.
Also in the information below, you will find a blessing for your home to mark the New Year, as well as some exciting new releases for 2024.
Due for release in February 2024 are two new resources: a Children's Mass Book with exceptional illustrations by Giuseppe Poli that depict a child's viewpoint of the liturgy, and a colourful resource for children aged 4-7 who are preparing for baptism.
Finally, some preliminary information is included about an upcoming lecture by Fr Richard Leonard to be held in Brisbane in March. Digital access to this lecture will also be on offer.
Blessings and very best wishes for the year ahead.
From all of us at Liturgy Brisbane.
Articles
What Does It Really Mean to Be #Blessed?While the use of the term #blessed on social media can be a subtle way of boasting, Vaneetha Rendall Risner observes that it is in life's most painful events, that God’s blessings can be most richly experienced.
Things to Know and Share About BlessingsJimmy Akin sets out some clear premises for defining what a blessing is, explains who or what can be blessed and describes the effects that blessings can have.
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The Power of BlessingJill Fisk explores the transformative power of blessing as being closely aligned with the psychological context of belonging within the context of Catholic Health Care.
‘Fiducia supplicans’ : What does it say?Luke Coppen offers a summary guide to Pope Francis' recent declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, addressing the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples.
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THE EPIPHANY BLESSING
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Marking Homes with Blessed Chalk for the New Year The ancient custom of marking the door of the home with blessed chalk is a way of incorporating the liturgical feast of the Epiphany as a domestic ritual into the prayer life of the family. Chalk is first blessed in the parish church at Masses for Epiphany and then people are invited to take some home and to mark the lintel of their front door as follows: 20 C+M+B 24 The letters C, M and B stand for the traditional names for the Three Wise Men who come seeking Jesus: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. The letters also represent the words Christus Mansionem Benedicat (May Christ Bless this Abode). |
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PARISH BLESSING OF CHALK:
Introduction: On this feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, we rejoice that the light of Christ has come into our world. Today, we invite families to take home a piece of this chalk to mark the front door of your homes as a blessing for the New Year.
Prayer of Blessing: Let us pray. Lord our God, we praise you for the light of creation: the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night. We praise you for the gift of Jesus, your Son, the Light of the World. May your blessing be upon us as we carry this chalk to our homes. May its mark on our doorposts be a sign of your protection and of the presence of the Light of Christ in our homes. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
WORDS TO BE SAID AT HOME WHILE MARKING WITH CHALK:
Introduction: On this feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, we rejoice that the light of Christ has come into our world. Today, we invite families to take home a piece of this chalk to mark the front door of your homes as a blessing for the New Year.
Prayer of Blessing: Let us pray. Lord our God, we praise you for the light of creation: the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night. We praise you for the gift of Jesus, your Son, the Light of the World. May your blessing be upon us as we carry this chalk to our homes. May its mark on our doorposts be a sign of your protection and of the presence of the Light of Christ in our homes. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
WORDS TO BE SAID AT HOME WHILE MARKING WITH CHALK:
CHILDREN'S MASS BOOK
Coming soon!
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LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS - A Children's Mass Book
This new publication from Liturgy Brisbane gives children all the texts which the assembly say or sing, along with short and easy-to-understand descriptions of what is happening. Illustrations have been drawn from the child’s perspective, and emphasise that Mass is not something the priest is doing, but something that the priest is leading the people in doing. The liturgy is conveyed as a joyful event for families and communities to participate in together. Ideal for children preparing for first communion. Due for release in February 2024. |
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SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION - BAPTISM
for children ages 4-7
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Many will be familiar with the Our Family Prepares series which prepares children for the sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist and Penance. The newest addition to this suite of resources prepares 4-7 year children, and their families, to celebrate the sacrament of BAPTISM. This bright and colourful activity book is designed to be used in a family setting with the child and parents working together. Due for release in February 2024. |
SAVE THE DATE
Liturgy in Focus
Lecture & Discussion Series
Fr Richard Leonard SJ
Living Liturgy: Being Sent Out on Mission to the World
Nourished by word and sacrament at our weekly Eucharist, the gathered community is sent out to live and proclaim our faith, hope and love in Christ.
What does the world look like to which we are sent?
What liturgy might enable us to reclaim a missionary energy that is hospitable, bold, inclusive and Catholic?
Wednesday, 13 March 2024
7:00 pm – 8:45 pm
Hanly Room beside St Stephen's Cathedral
(Digital tickets also available for those outside Brisbane - more information coming soon)
Jesuit priest Richard Leonard has degrees in arts and education, as well as a Master’s degree in theology.
Fr Richard did graduate studies at the London Film School and has a PhD from the University of Melbourne. He directed the Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting for 22 years. Dr Leonard is an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Catholic University and has been a visiting scholar within the School of Theatre, Film & Television at UCLA and a Visiting Professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Fr Richard has served on juries at the Venice, Berlin, Warsaw, Hong Kong, Montreal, Brisbane and Melbourne International Film Festivals and he has lectured on faith and culture all over the world. He is presently the parish priest of North Sydney.
Fr Richard has been published in America Magazine, Eureka Street, US Catholics, is regular columnist with The London Tablet and is often on ABC Radio. He is the author of 13 books including:
Where the Hell is God?
Hatch, Match Dispatch: A Catholic Guide to Sacraments
What are we doing on earth for Christ’s sake?;
What’s it All About? Living lives of faith, hope and love.
The Law of Love: Modern Words for Ancient Wisdom
His latest book, "Why God?" will be released early in 2024.
NOW INCLUDES READINGS FROM THE NRSV LECTIONARY!
Subscribers receive immediate access to all Sunday readings and commentaries for the liturgical year.
Each week is presented as a webpage with:
Subscribing parishes may download the PDF for each week and send this resource to Ministers of the Word as part of their preparation for proclaiming the readings.
Each week is presented as a webpage with:
- the Collect of the day
- the Sunday readings from the JB lectionary
- a commentary on the readings
- the Sunday readings from the NRSV lectionary
- a concluding blessing for those who might use the resource for a Liturgy of the Word in small groups
- a downloadable PDF version of the webpage.
Subscribing parishes may download the PDF for each week and send this resource to Ministers of the Word as part of their preparation for proclaiming the readings.
Bring the liturgy to life for children!
Ideal for Children's Liturgy of the Word in parishes, and weekly classroom prayer in schools.
Subscribers receive immediate access to all weekly liturgies for the liturgical year.
Each week is presented as a webpage with:
- a gospel reading from the Children’s Lectionary (for the upcoming Sunday)
- a short video
- a song (mp3 and PowerPoint of lyrics)
- reflection questions
- craft activities
- downloadable PDF worksheet
A subscription to Praying with Children is only $145 for the entire liturgical year.
To view some examples, click on the links below.
http://www.yearaprayingwithchildren.org/h01asi8h.html
http://www.yearaprayingwithchildren.org/gpl3h4lm3.html
http://www.yearaprayingwithchildren.org/h1b12d4y.html
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! NEWLY REVISED !
Praying Together With Young People is a daily prayer resource for weekdays designed to help teachers, parents and catechists to lead prayer with a class or family. Designed to be used in its digital flipbook version for easy display on screens, with hyperlinks that allow easy access to online videos, reflections and songs. Hard copy book also provided for display on prayer tables. |
Annual publications for 2024
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MORE FROM LITURGIA
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ONLINE LITURGY TRAINING COURSES
Liturgy Brisbane Learn & Discover offers online training courses for all involved in liturgy and liturgical ministry
and for teachers.
View all available online courses here.
Each comprehensive course contains videos, readings, quizzes, course notes and provides a certificate on completion.
New courses are being developed and will be added as they become available.
Use this link and click on the course graphic for details of each course.
and for teachers.
View all available online courses here.
Each comprehensive course contains videos, readings, quizzes, course notes and provides a certificate on completion.
New courses are being developed and will be added as they become available.
Use this link and click on the course graphic for details of each course.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION RESOURCES
Contact Us |
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Images used under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0. Full terms at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0.
Other images from Unsplash.com and Pixabay.com. Used under license. Full terms and conditions.
Other images from Unsplash.com and Pixabay.com. Used under license. Full terms and conditions.