Liturgy

“The liturgy is the work of the whole Christ, head and body. Our high priest celebrates it unceasingly in the heavenly liturgy, with the holy Mother of God, the apostles, all the saints, and the multitude of those who have already entered the kingdom.”  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1187)

Links

• Apostlic Letter, JPII, The Real Presence (Mane Nombiscum Domine)
• All the Documents of the Second Vatican Council
• Are there Liturgical Norms or Rules for Decorating the Church during the Seasonal Holidays?
• Blessings During Communion
• Catholic Liturgy and Song Catechetical Article
• Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrasanctum Concilium) (1963)
• Didaché
  • http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm
  • http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04779a.htm
• Documents of the Catholic Church
• Eucharistic Communion Information
• Eucharistic Communion Information (español)
• General Instruction to the Roman Missal (GIRM)
• Instruction on the Eucharist: Redemptionis Sacramentum
• Linen & Sacrarium Procedures
• Musicam Sacram (1967)
• Parish Liturgical Ministry Guidelines
  
• Reading the Liturgical Documents Modern Liturgy (9/1996)
• Rite of Marriage Cultural Adaptations
• Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship
• Tridentine Mass Article
  
• US Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy (BCL)
• USCCB Swine Flu Guidance (English and español)
• What is the Purpose of the Church's Gathering Space?

General Introductory Information

Liturgy comes from the Greek word “leitourgia” meaning "people work" or "the work of the people".  In the Catholic Church today, the word has taken on two meanings.  First, it identifies any planned gathering of people to worship God.  Secondly, it connotes specific written works designed and designated for public services of worship.  By definition within the Catholic faith, “liturgy” has come to mean the official act of public worshipping God by a gathered parish community; normally lead by their priest or deacon.  This includes the celebration of the Holy Mass; Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; the associated rituals of the Sacraments; Liturgy of the Word and Reconciliation Services; etc.

One of the most striking aspects of the Second Vatican Council (SVC) was the reform and renewal of the liturgical life of the Church.  Since the SVC, the entire community has been given the responsibility for preparing and implementing the liturgy (under the leadership, guidance, and authority of their bishop and priests) that celebrates the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states:  “The celebration of the liturgy, therefore, should correspond to the genius and culture of the different peoples.  In order that the mystery of Christ be ‘made known to all nations … to bring about the obedience of faith,’ (Romans 6:26) it must be proclaimed, declared, and lived in all cultures in such a way that they themselves are not abolished by it, but redeemed and fulfilled.”  (CCC #1204)  At the same time, “… it is clear that diversity must not damage unity.  It [the liturgy] must express only fidelity to the common faith, to the sacramental signs that the Church has received from Christ, and to hierarchical communion.”  (CCC #1206)

The revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) notes that since liturgy is the “primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit … the entire celebration is planned in such a way that it leads to a conscious, active and full participation of the faithful body in body and mind (#17)”.  Since the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist is the “source and summit” (Sacrosanctum Concilium #10) of Christian life, the Liturgy Committee is actively and directly connected and concerned with all of the aspects of the liturgical and sacramental life of the Ave Maria Parish. 

Mission Statement

The Liturgy Committee is a consultative body and a standing subcommittee of/to the Pastor and Pastoral Council that is committed assisting the pastor by promoting and strengthening the liturgical life of the parish family.   Ultimately, the Pastor reserves and retains the final decision making authority regarding liturgy within the Ave Maria Parish and School in accordance with Canon Law.

Purpose

The overall purpose of the Ave Maria Parish Liturgy Committee is to promote a worthy, fruitful, and prayerful celebration of the Church’s liturgy within the Ave Maria Parish by promoting and facilitating individual spiritual growth and an increase in holiness.  The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium #10, et al), issued by the Second Vatican Council, reminds us that our “liturgy is the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed … [and] the liturgy is the outstanding means by which the faithful can express in their lives and manifest in others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the Church.”   It does this by promoting, encouraging, and facilitating a more full and active participation by the gathered assembly in the celebration of the liturgy.

To fulfill their role, the Liturgy Committee collaborates with the Pastor, Parochial Vicar, the Parish Council, other parish personnel and committees.  It develops and establishes objectives to realize and accomplish parish, diocesan, and ecclesiastical goals and norms in the area of the Liturgy of the Eucharist and other forms of parish worship. 

The Committee meets once a month (normally on the second Thursday of the month) for a total of nine (9) meetings scheduled during the year (September through May).  There are normally no scheduled Liturgy Committee meetings during the summer months.

The committee’s agenda are published by the parish Liturgist (the Committee Chairperson) at least a week before each meeting.  Meetings generally last approximately 1 hour.  Minutes of the committee’s meeting are published by the parish Liturgist at least a week after each meeting.

Responsibilities

1. Set goals and objectives for the development of the spiritual life of the parish.
2. Carefully discern the parish’s worship, liturgical, and prayer needs.
3. Ensure compliance with established liturgical directives, guidelines, norms, and policies of the parish, diocese, and the universal Church.
4. Develop, plan, and evaluate liturgy and spiritual development programs that will enable the entire parish to grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
5. Periodically analyze and honestly critique the liturgical needs of the parish community; the quality of the liturgy presented; and identify areas in need of improvement.
6. Recommend to the pastor and Pastoral Council appropriate changes to the parish’s liturgical policies, procedures, and worship space to facilitate the liturgical life of the parish.
7. Oversee and furnish, decorate, and maintain the liturgical environment in such a way that it reflects, promotes, and supports the liturgical life of the parish.
8. Ensure that the selection, integration, and performance of music follows universal, national, and regional norms; especially regarding seasonal and thematic appropriateness and its ability to invite and embrace the full participation of the assembly.
9. Educate all members of the parish faithful through study, prayer, and partici- pation in workshops and seminars, and to encourage parishioners to participate in these programs.
10. Assist, if/as needed, the parish Liturgist with preparing an annual budget for the present and future liturgical needs of the parish.
11. Coordinate the planning and scheduling for the liturgical celebrations for seasonal (Lent, Easter, Advent, Christmas, etc) and special feasts, Holy Days, etc.
12. Coordinate and oversee the preparation, functioning, and evaluation of all liturgical ministries in the parish (e.g., Proclaimers, EMHCs, Altar Servers, Ushers, Sacristans, etc).
13. Oversee the continuing education of the parish in/on liturgical matters; through parish bulletins; presentations; informative posters; etc.
14. Other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Pastor.

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

The committee’s membership includes representatives of the parish’s organizations whose missions are of a liturgical nature and directly impact parish liturgy.  Directing the process of liturgical planning, preparation, and review is a core group of Liturgy Committee Members.  These members will include (as a minimum): 

• the Pastor;
• the Parochial Vicar;
• the Deacon(s);
• the parish Liturgist (Chairperson and Recorder);
• a Pastoral Council representative;
• the parish’s Director of Music;
• the parish’s Director of Adult Ministries, RCIA, and Formation (adult, youth, and children) or appointed representative;
• and (as a minimum) one representative for the following parish ministries:
  • the Hispanic Ministry.
  • the Volunteer Ministries (if/as needed).

Additionally, as/if needed, at least one representative from the following parish ministries may be invited as a guest to the Liturgy Committee for a specific topic of discussion, planning, or resolution, if/as needed:

• the parish coordinator of Proclaimers Ministry. *
• the parish coordinator of EMHCs Ministry. *
• the parish coordinator of Homebound/Sick/Hospitalized EMHCs Ministry. *
• the parish coordinator of Altar Servers Ministry. *
• the parish coordinator of Sacristans Ministry. *
• the parish coordinator of Ushers Ministry. *
• the parish coordinator of Funeral Ministry. *
• the parish coordinator of Sound Ministry. *
• the parish coordinator of the Newcomers Welcoming Ministry *.
• the parish coordinator of the Martha’s Ministry *.
• an Ave Maria School representative.
•  the Knights of Columbus Assembly #7880.
•  the Boy Scouts Council #868.
•  the Altar and Rosary Society. *
• the Interior Environment Committee. *

* These ministries will normally be represented by the parish Liturgist; who will include and raise their respective concerns, comments, and questions at the Liturgy Committee meetings.

Changes to and/or additions to the Liturgy Committee ministry responsibilities and duties will be at the sole discretion of the pastor (whether verbally or in writing) and/or parochial vicar.  Resolutions to problems regarding the Liturgy Committee’s mission, purpose, and/or responsibilities will be resolved by the Liturgist, Parochial Vicar, and/or Pastor, respectively.