A contribution to Digital Liturgy from: Fr. Tom Cox <tcstmary@iol.ie> Athlone, Ireland
An ecumenical blessing I composed, and a Grace at Meals that the great Irish liturgist, the late Fr. Sean Swayne composed for a gathering where people of all and no faiths are gathered. Also, notes taken at a Liturgy conference.
AN ECUMENICAL BLESSING I CELEBRATED ON JUNE 8th 1997
Blessing of New Premises of Athlone Credit Union on the occasion of their 30th Anniversary
We welcome Members, Officers and Guests of the Athlone Credit Union as we gather to celebrate their 30th anniversary and the Official Opening of their New Premises in Northgate Street.
Greeting: Our help is in the name of the Lord. Who made heaven and earth.
Introductory Prayer: Father all that lies ahead of us is yet unseen. May we come to know one another and the service we have been called to. Let us not forget you have asked us to be the servants and not the masters. We are here to work for the common good. Be with us as our counsellor and our support as we open this Office. Let us pray then for the Lord's richest blessings on the Members and Officers of the Credit Union, who are devoted to helping their brothers and sisters. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother. Amen.
Reading of the Word of God I Corinthians 12:4-7
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Responsorial Psalm
Give success to the work of our hands, O Lord.
Before the mountains were born or the earth or the world brought forth, you are God, without beginning or end.
Give success to the work of our hands, O Lord
You turn men back into dust and say: "Go back, sons of men." To your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday, come and gone, no more than a watch in the night.
Give success to the work of our hands, O Lord
Make us know the shortness of our life that we may gain wisdom of heart. Lord, relent! Is your anger for ever? Show pity to your servants.
Give success to the work of our hands, O Lord
In the morning fill us with your love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Show forth your work to your servants; let your glory shine on their children.
Give success to the work of our hands, O Lord
Prayers after Reading
Let us pray for the men and women of our community, in work, recreation and politics, and in the use of our resources - for greater respect for those from whom we may differ and a greater resolve to seek the common good and play our part for this together, in our town, in Ireland and in the wider world. We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer
Let us pray for our town. Lord grant that the opening of this Credit Union may be a symbol of the unity and harmony between all who dwell here. May the town prosper and grow; may its citizens be proud of their town and work together to make it a happy, peaceful and caring community in which to work and live. We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer
Let us pray for all the peoples of the world: may the Lord unite us in peace and harmony. For all those in need: may we be attentive to their call for help, for ourselves and for our communities: may our lives be an acceptable sacrifice to God. We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation, whose goodness fills our hearts with joy. Blessed are you, who have brought us together this day to work in harmony and peace. Strengthen us with your grace and wisdom. We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer
In joy we gather this evening, bonded together in our work and our goals, bonded together in our love and our dreams, bonded in festivity and thanksgiving, bonded in celebration. May the joy of our togetherness rise above all sadness. May the kindnesses we share rise above all harshness. May the unity for which we long rise above all divisiveness. And may all that is restless within us lead us one day to the ultimate Good, the ultimate togetherness.
(Fr. Cox) Gathering all our prayers and praises into one, we pray as our Saviour Christ has taught us:
Ár nAthair atá ar neamh, go naofar d'ainm, go dtaga do ríocht, go ndéantar do thoil ar an talamh, mar a dhéantar ar neamh. agus maith dúinn ár bhfiacha, mar a mhaithimidne dár bhféichiúna féin, agus ná lig sinn I gcathú, ach saor sinn ó olc.
Lord, may everything we do begin with your inspiration and continue with your help, so that all our prayers and works may begin in you and by you be happily ended.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Benediction (Ministers together)
May God strengthen you and bring your work to completion. May hope accompany your journey through the days to come. May God's abiding presence be with you all the days of your life.
The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for ever. Amen
GRACE AT MEALS- FOR GATHERINGS WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL AND NO FAITHS ARE GATHERED
In joy we gather this evening, bonded together in our work and our goals, bonded together in our love and our dreams, bonded in festivity and thanksgiving, bonded in celebration. May the joy of our togetherness rise above all sadness. May the kindnesses we share rise above all harshness.
May the unity for which we long rise above all divisiveness. And may all that is restless within us lead us one day to the ultimate Good, the ultimate togetherness.
NATIONAL LITURGY SEMINAR - ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE MAYNOOTH
MAY 31st 1997
Fr. Brian Magee C.M. ON FAMILY MASS in Drumcondra
In Dublin, some 47 parishes regularly have a family Mass in which children are welcome. PARENTS WANT IT. Fr. Magee's experience is that parents will help. There is a sense of everyone belonging. Their Mass in St. Patrick's Drumcondra, began as an experiment for Lent. It was extended when parents requested.
-It is a family Mass, not a children's Mass.
-Priests don't seem to appreciate how incomprehensible the liturgy is to a child, or the sheer nervous & physical energy expended by parents in supervising child.
-The formation and education of children is everyone's responsibility
-The l goal is full, active and conscious participation.
Children are subjects of worship, not objects of catechesis. Liturgists accuse catechists of "using" liturgy for didactic purposes. Catechists accuse liturgists of being rubrical and not being in touch.
Children want to celebrate. Initially all the usual bad behaviour, but involvement and jobs to do take care of that. New families are noticeable by the high-jinks of their children.
-Children don't listen to words and sit down. They don't deal in words e.g. you'll see on holidays, children of different nationalities happily playing together. They'll sing and sing, in church and in the car on the way home.
The Orthodox initiate children as infants. The Orthodox child becomes familiar with candles, incense, icons, colour & movement.
-In Drumcondra, there's always use of incense. (One child was disgruntled after mass in another place with his family "I'm not going there again, there's no singing and no smoking.")
-In Drumcondra, the music has been the same for 12 years. Children have no problem with repetition. Adults do, but they'll row in with their child. There is no choir - where you have adults listening to a children's choir.
No child readers. Six children process with processional candles for the Gospel. Two families form the Offertory Procession.
The "Our Father" is gestured. Overall - children run to church for jobs to do at this stage. Families meet and talk. The power of the Liturgical Year becomes alive. Easter Eggs, Colouring pictures, Chocolates at Christmas essential.
The priest has the power of life and death over a family mass. It is difficult for priest. Children can be threatening. But you can be sure that during a homily to the children, the parents are listening. Especially if you drop in a line like; "ask your mum and dad about that." The art is communicating simply to children so that parents learn.
FR. JOHN McCULLOUGH ON "THE WORD"
George Bernard Shaw said "By the end of the Century, it will be in the theatre not in the church where the expression of the soul of man is."
-"Dancing at Lughnasa" recently in the theatre, there was 12 seconds of silence. 5 minutes of applause.
Friel's "Freedom of the City" Scene where a woman with 8 children, boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl - like patterned wallpaper. She is asked why did she march in the Civil Rights March. She goes on to explain that the last is not the same. He is handicapped. I march for him. Irish people are a Nation of great talkers. The Irish language declined.
People with a future went to the English Language. Our colourful use of language e.g. one man described drinking a shot of whisky instead of stout "went down my throat like a torchlight procession"
Or one man who with electrification took to more reading. He read the first five books in the bible. "I tell you Father there were quare boys in them days too."
In these days of Email, fax, faster communication - the art of writing has died and the skill of crafting words with it. Listen to a teenagers average conversation and you'll hear words like "aye" "cool" "awesome" "Video" "go tonight" "yeah" "bye".
-The emigrant letters scripted by a half literate people are steeped in meaning. One emigrant described the moment when the Irish Coast disappeared from view; "I felt as though the country had pulled the mat from under my feet."
-If the words of Friel can bring to an attentive silence an audience, what about the Word of God. The human word is powerful e.g. J.F. Kennedy "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but never fear to negotiate. .....Ich Bin Ein Berliner" J.F. Kennedy again said of Winston Churchill; "He mobilised the English Language and sent it into battle".
We should be able to do just that with the Word of God. After all we're told "the word of God cuts more finely than any double edged sword." How is it that in many a presbytery in a parish, the Word is in its scabbard and it hasn't drawn blood.
Seamus Heaney described Kavanagh as the "poet at the back of the kitchen" He used words of a type and in such a way that people would say "Why didn't I think of...."
-We have to try and reach that beautiful spot where Christ's story and my
story meet.
- Fr. Ned Crosby "Blessed be the house, the street, where I grew up...Blessed be the day the Oul Fellow and herself met...Blessed be the day they said "yes."
- Fr. McCullough quoted one experience of where a funeral took 20 minutes, from the reception at the door to the clay on the coffin.
- We live in an age of Information, what with the Internet. But this type of information doesn't touch the heart. Cardinal Basil Hume at a Mass for mental Handicap said to the young people; " I hear you know God". They said "yes" and told him how they knew God. Cardinal Hume turned to their escorts and families; "But you, do you know God" A question he addressed to himself.
-The only decent response to true beauty is silence. But there is no silence in the Ecclesiastical Supermarket, and there's not even time to clear the shelves. Yet, under all speech lies a silence which is greater. Silence is as deep as eternity Speech is as shallow as time."
Chaplin wrote on the development of the Motion Picture "they are ruining the greatest beauty of all, the art of pantomine and silence."
- Fr. McCullough quoted a letter of a friend of his, who wrote while ill of cancer. Friends laugh too much, priests reminisce too much. During his illness he said; "It's easier being a shepherd than a sheep." People would not just simply sit and be silent with him. His final greeting to his friend was Rev. 8:1
"then the lamb opened the 7th seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour."
FR. PATRICK JONES- New Agendas on the Liturgical Horizon The main evolving areas and agendas of concern are
1. The Missal (Lectionary & Sacramentary) entering a crucial phase. A. Looking at lectionary, changing and making it more friendly. It is possible that the new lectionary will use the New Revised Standard Version
(NRSV) of the Bible. B. Sacramentary: Irish Bishops and all Episcopal Conferences have concluded their vote on the texts, which are now referred to ICEL (International Commission for English in the Liturgy). It could go for publication in November. But there was a long process involved in the Order of Christian Funerals.
2. Reordering the reordering. Work in some churches being done, for the first time since the initial reordering. Strength of conviction is needed in moving forward. Heritage issues are involved, but at the same time, churches are not museums but places of living worship.
3. Music We're in a new era of composition. Hymnody and Liturgy of the Hours could be the new focus.
4. Liturgical Formation Need to strengthen our structures.
5. Language and Adaptation Inclusive Language.
THOSE WITH OTHER AGENDAS!!
The mainstream are in the Advancing Official Reform Group. But there are others;
1. Restoring pre-conciliar group associated with Lefebvre and Ecclesia Dei
2. Reforming the Reform group Gamber in Germany and his ilk propose a "let's get back to one eucharistic prayer and priest with back to people."
Approach. Groups like Adoremus in America refer to liturgists in the Advancing Official Reform Group as terrorists, not liturgists.
3. Inculturating the Reform Read articles 37-40 of Sacrosanctum Concilium
4. Recatholicising the Reform Main plea is for richness, and rooted in tradition. They propose that it's about beauty, majesty, solemnity, "spiritual" reform, Not more change but depth. Examples would be expanding the Gregorian chant range of choirs.
SEAN MacREAMOINN "LITURGY & CULTURE"
Vatican II in using the word "inculturation" was first to give unreserved approval to human cultures in their diversity. St. Patrick was a model in accepting cultural context. No record of martyrdom in Irish Church.
Culture = Whole way of life, and how we use our human resources. Our culture is the matrix into which things have gone.
-Cultures continually change.
-The recent death of Noel Browne, led many to review a person who was both a good and difficult man, perhaps a prophet (they're usually good and difficult). The events of 1951 were harbingers in the cultural revolution, and not least in position of Catholic Church. Dominant position of power and influence waned. This happened everywhere, it was later in Ireland.
-Every culture has had a religious element eroded by de-sacralisation, and psychological and material development.
-Historically, people found Christianity to be liberating from the tyrannies of the day. The danger of influence is that it can be a temptation.
Cultural decline has removed scaffolding and contributed to a decline in religious observance. Decline in this area is among intellectuals, urban poor and especially adolescent young. While there is some sporadic success and ventures, widely speaking, faith is not be handed on.
The Tasks ahead 1) Minister to those whose faith and devotion has not been eroded.
2) Evangelisation and re-evangelisation. We all know that the task is to bring Good News to the world, but the world sets agenda for church.
-We're in a period of transition. Worshipping community is not co-termonous with Irish society as it was. Way forward = Build community and communities. Much to learn from South America. Basic community of Worship and Word of God. They have made this the dynamo of social endeavour. Liturgical community depends on faith in that HE IS AMONG US and that by our showing this in our lives and liturgy. Liturgy is a much greater thing than kneeling down to be counted!!
-Liturgical Celebration = 1) Commemoration or 2) To be glad about it. Roots of our joy and hope.
- IT MUST INVOLVE GENUINE PARTICIPATION. It must show hospitality, part and craft of presider is crucial. JJ McGarry said once; "we have reached the point where the art of the presider must be considered." This is both for the Lord's sake and the people's sake. Job of Presbyter Gather the People - Tell the Story - Break the Bread Tell the Story Word itself is a sacramental encounter. Language is essence of communication. Language is most basic system of symbols we possess. Constant renewal is needed in this area. Economics dictated to people, many learnt English. But many threw the baby out with the bathwater, by dropping Irish. We need to get rid of the "either-or" approach. We need to honour the Mystery of God's presence. We are always in a state of mission. We need to communicate clearly and directly, not to omit poetry which is in our heritage. LIVE NOT IN THE PAST BUT WITH THE PAST, FOR THE PRESENT AND INTO THE FUTURE.
Ms. JULIE KAVANAGH "A NORTH AMERICAN PARISH"
The experience is of one parish: Grand Forks, North Dakota. Though it's only one parish in North America, there are universal lessons to be drawn. Ms. Kavanagh's role in that was of being the Parish Liturgist. There is a sense in that of the parish being your employer, and of being accountable to the people - a people who knew their theology and liturgy.
- Church is being itself in liturgy. Richness in music, dialogue and symbol, the hospitality and inclusiveness is vital. Faith formation is done by the community. In Grand Falls, Sacramental Preparation is done by the community, by sponsoring families. Baptism is celebrated within the Sunday Liturgy.
In Grand Falls there are 200 Eucharistic Ministers, 60 readers, 30 bread bakers, 15 Children readers, 50 ushers, Gifts & Hospitality done by families. For each ministry there are nights of formation and appreciation. Composition of Art and Environment committee. Music committee rep., Eucharistic Ministers rep, Lectors, RCIA, Children's Liturgy of the Word. Composition of Liturgical Commission: Made up of the DREAMERS, the DOERS, the EXPLORERS, the COMMITTED, the CRAFTS PEOPLE.
Functions of Liturgical Commission Vespers at Advent/Lent. Initially a priest presider. Then lay people took over, after a training workshop on presiding, to which the priest was invited and attended! 2) Policy preparation e.g. Booklet for engaged couples.
3) Faith Statement for every season.
- Those who don't know their history fall victim to the latest cliché.
- Poor celebration weaken faith, good celebration strengthen faith.
If Employing a parish liturgist. Some tasks to do are;
1) Ensure competency for sake of parish, liturgy and person themself. The parish deserves better, liturgy is too important. Liturgy is not a hobby, good-will isn't enough.
2) Define roles and boundaries
3) Define Terms and conditions
4) Give training and support
5) Liturgist in many ways has a ministry of presence. To sit and journey with people in their life moments.
6) Litugist should have respect for life of parish.
7) Liturgist should share out the ministering responsibility.
8) Liturgist should share the knowledge
TOM WHELAN CSSP - LITURGICAL FORMATION AND THE SEMINARY
Purpose of Church is kingdom.
Purpose of Liturgy is Church.
Liturgy is summit and source of Christian activity, celebrated by Community.
Prosper of Aquitaine "The way you pray, constitutes the way you believe." In other words LITURGY FORMS Bad liturgy deforms. In liturgy you do and you reflect on what you have done.
In Sacrosanctum Concilium 14 "The liturgy is the primary and indispensable source from which people derive true Christian spirit.
Liturgy celebrates our life as Christian Community, it sides with Christ's concerns. Focus is on God's kingdom, not the Church.
-In Seminaries, courses in Liturgy tend to be of a "Cinderella" nature i.e. they're sidelined. Compulsory - yes, but not important. A degree course of 40-50 hours is what is needed. Liturgical Theology is rarely taught. What is taught is the Liturgy of the Hours, something on liturgical history, symbol, rite & movement. Quite an anaemic theology.
Presiding Grace of ordination does not confer presiding skills. It's a learned art form. Gestures and non-verbal communication vital, use of body, learning how to be private in public. Being at home with language of symbol. There is a need to know liturgical law - which guides but doesn't constrict. Creativity is essential at the same time. Protect congregation from clerical idiosyncrasies. Seminaries are hothouses of clericalism.
"Spirituality" needs "materiality" Christian faith has the incarnation at its heart. It is a bodily thing. Ritual is a dangerous thing. We do not need people who play with fire - who are not good flame-throwers. Also, we don't need safe, cautious people either.
Visits so far:
THIS ONLINE COLUMN IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY
YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMERETURN TO DIGITAL LITURGY HOME PAGE
