In this edition:
19 November 2017

The Book of Blessings

Welcome to this fortnight's edition of LITed: Liturgical Education News. 
In this edition of LITed, we look at what is possibly our best kept secret: the Book of Blessings. Don't forget our previous two editions on Advent and the the Christmas Season. Our list of recommended resources and curated reading from other publications appears below. 
​James Robinson
Education Officer, Liturgy Brisbane
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Feature Articles

The Book of Blessings

As with any liturgy, a blessing is a celebration of the priesthood of Christ. We all share in that priesthood through our baptism and we can all, when appropriate, give or celebrate a blessing.

A Sacramental Imagination

 Christ's Incarnation brings us to see the world with new eyes. A sacramental imagination shows us the finite world as the bearer of the infinite. It is discovered in the rite of blessing.

The Blessings to use now

The Book of Blessings is a resource that can be put to immediate use. Bless travelers as they commence their journey. There are also blessings for nativity scenes and Christmas trees!
Before I give you a blessing, I ask you for a favor:
​I want you to bless me.

Pope Francis

Recommended Resources

Advent Liturgical Space

The Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has written a helpful series on preparing worship space. The articles offer solid basics that are a good refresher for volunteers and professionals alike.

E-News: In Parish Life

Australian Jesuit Communications have released a new  e-Newsletter that provides news, homily notes, prayers of the faithful and other resources for parish websites, newsletters and liturgy resources for the coming week.

Website: The Text this Week

"The Text this Week" is an online database compiling resources that support the readings of the day. Includes commentaries, comparative readings, art and more. And, wait for it, it is free. Some discernment required! 

The Christmas Story

This short film from New Zealand is a few years old now. I hope you have seen it - it a film of pure joy! For parishes moving away from the traditional Christmas play embedded within the Christmas Eve mass, this highlights an excellent alternative. It is still possible to include kids in the story - just in a new and different way!

Other Publications

ACBC Music Evaluation Criteria

ACBC: In 2015 the Australian Bishops used a criteria to evaluate our liturgical music repertoire. The criteria may be helpful to parishes in discerning future music choice for liturgy.  

Liturgical stage fright 

PrayTell: Liturgy must be spatially activated so that it takes place among the assembly, not before their eyes in some type of retrograde medieval ocular communion.

Why so much Isaiah in Advent?

Busted Halo: Harmony among all peoples and compassion for the poor are the hallmarks of God’s presence. Jesus spoke out of a prophetic tradition that truly began with Isaiah.

In the news

Liturgy Lines by Elizabeth Harrington

Ring out the old and ring in the new!
​Saturday 2nd December was the last day of our current liturgical year and Sunday 3rd December, being the first Sunday of Advent, was the first day of a new liturgical year.

For centuries people have ritualised the end of one year and the beginning of another. While each culture’s New Year celebration has its own flavour, there are certain common themes. The period leading up to New Year’s Day is a time for setting things straight: a thorough housecleaning, paying off debts, returning borrowed objects, reflecting on one’s shortcomings, mending quarrels, giving alms.

In many cultures, people jump into the sea or other body of water, literally washing the slate clean. Ecuadorians make straw dummies to represent the events of the past year and burn them at midnight as a sign of letting go the past. The Jewish New Year is marked by atoning for the transgressions of the past year in order to enter the new one spiritually cleansed. In Japan people spend the last day of the old year cleaning their homes to welcome the New Year’s harvest god.

These customs all stem from a similar belief: by ending the old year with respect and beginning the new one in the way we would like it to begin, we establish our intentions for the future. Whether we gather together to watch fireworks displays or clink champagne glasses with loved ones, we are acknowledging an important transition and welcoming a fresh start.

When observing the end of one year and the beginning of another is such an ancient and widespread practice, it seems strange that a Church with ritual at its heart does not mark the transition from one liturgical year to the next in any way.

Mass on the first Sunday of Advent in many communities will include the blessing of the Advent wreath and lighting of the first Advent candle, so adding more rituals is not recommended. Perhaps there could be a time of silence before Mass during which worshippers are invited to think about the things they wish to leave behind from the previous year and to pray for God’s help in letting go and starting anew.
With water and washing often used symbolically in new year rituals, it would be appropriate sprinkle the assembly with holy water after the Advent wreath has been blessed and sprinkled.
​
The practice of making New Year’s resolutions is said to have begun with the Babylonians as early as 2600 BC. At the start of a new liturgical year we might consider making some new liturgical year’s liturgical resolutions. Possibilities include: to be more hospitable towards all those with whom we worship – not just the people we know; to participate more intentionally in worship by listening attentively, joining in the responses and singing, and being aware of the symbols and sounds of the celebration; to thank often and sincerely those who serve the liturgy as sacristans, readers, musicians, presiders, etc.
May the new liturgical year be a time of blessing for all!

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