Greetings to all from Liturgy Brisbane.
This issue is dedicated to the establishment and flourishing of parish liturgy committees.
Good liturgy doesn’t just happen.
Every event of worship requires someone to select and play music, write the Prayer of the Faithful, get the liturgical space ready, choose texts, prepare a homily, manage the rostering of liturgical ministers (readers, communion ministers, etc) and so on.
Special liturgies such as confirmation and first communion, and seasons such as Lent, Easter, Advent and Christmas require extra preparation.
In addition to Sunday and weekday Masses, there are other rites that need to be arranged: weddings, baptisms, funerals, and anointing of the sick.
The work of preparing liturgy is guided by important principles to be found in the rites and their introductions, and in other Church documents.
So who does all this organising?
Dealing with all these dimensions of parish liturgical life cannot depend on the efforts of the parish priest alone.
In many parishes a Liturgy Committee assists the priest in preparing for liturgical events and shares responsibility for fostering good liturgy whenever members of the parish gather for prayer. While the texts of the rites are set out in ritual books, something more is required to bring life to these printed words in a particular space and time.
To do this well, members of liturgy committees need to have a love for the liturgy and an appreciation of its central place in the life of the parish. They should also be familiar with the rites of the Church, the liturgical tradition and the official liturgy documents.
Liturgy celebrated well helps us grow in holiness, builds up the body of Christ and gives glory to God.
We hope you enjoy this edition of LITed.
Blessings and very best wishes from all of us.
This introductory material has been adapted from Liturgy Lines, written by Elizabeth Harrington.
This issue is dedicated to the establishment and flourishing of parish liturgy committees.
Good liturgy doesn’t just happen.
Every event of worship requires someone to select and play music, write the Prayer of the Faithful, get the liturgical space ready, choose texts, prepare a homily, manage the rostering of liturgical ministers (readers, communion ministers, etc) and so on.
Special liturgies such as confirmation and first communion, and seasons such as Lent, Easter, Advent and Christmas require extra preparation.
In addition to Sunday and weekday Masses, there are other rites that need to be arranged: weddings, baptisms, funerals, and anointing of the sick.
The work of preparing liturgy is guided by important principles to be found in the rites and their introductions, and in other Church documents.
So who does all this organising?
Dealing with all these dimensions of parish liturgical life cannot depend on the efforts of the parish priest alone.
In many parishes a Liturgy Committee assists the priest in preparing for liturgical events and shares responsibility for fostering good liturgy whenever members of the parish gather for prayer. While the texts of the rites are set out in ritual books, something more is required to bring life to these printed words in a particular space and time.
To do this well, members of liturgy committees need to have a love for the liturgy and an appreciation of its central place in the life of the parish. They should also be familiar with the rites of the Church, the liturgical tradition and the official liturgy documents.
Liturgy celebrated well helps us grow in holiness, builds up the body of Christ and gives glory to God.
We hope you enjoy this edition of LITed.
Blessings and very best wishes from all of us.
This introductory material has been adapted from Liturgy Lines, written by Elizabeth Harrington.
Articles
Liturgy Committee GuidelinesThese practical and comprehensive guidelines from the Archdiocese of Brisbane offer suggestions for establishing a liturgy committee, tips for preparation based on principles of good liturgy, and some basic resources.
The Ministry of the Parish Liturgy CommitteeKathy A. Lindell provides a thorough and thought-provoking explanation of the pivotal work of a liturgy committee as it takes the people of God beyond texts and rubrics to an experience of encounter in the liturgy.
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Guidelines for Parish Liturgy CommitteesThese guidelines offer a focused look at the qualities, responsibilities and formation required for liturgy committee members, as well as setting out the purpose of a liturgy committee and the principles of liturgical prayer.
The Liturgy Committee: Composition and FunctionsThis document from the Diocese of Edmundton, Canada, outlines the function of a liturgy committee, mentioning the need for education and evaluation, and highlighting aspects that ensure its effectiveness.
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Masses with Children and Families
An important resource for liturgy committees to have, along with the ritual books, is the Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children.
Approved by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and confirmed by the Holy See.
Approved by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and confirmed by the Holy See.
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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.