 Vol. 2 Issue #1 |
November, 2009 |
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 Come, Emmanuel!
"O, Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel!" We sing this familiar refrain each Advent. But how often are we attentive to the words of the verses? Each verse of the hymn aligns with the great "O" antiphons sung at the Liturgy of the Hours, and echoed at our Advent Masses.
The verses of this great hymn parallel the movement we see in the Lectionary for the Sundays and weekdays of Advent. At the beginning of Advent both the verses of this ancient hymn and the words of sacred scripture speak of a long-awaited expectation that our human exile will end, that our human longings will find their fulfillment in a salvation far more powerful than that offered by the powers and principalities of this world - a world that, in the opening verse of our hymn - waits "until the Son of God appear!"
Then, in the final week of Advent, the readings shift. Instead of a longing for a far-off day we hear of an imminent arrival: Mary is pregnant. Elizabeth in her old age is expecting a child. Mary visits Elizabeth in the hill country. A child is coming. The verses of our ancient hymn give us his titles: The "Stem of Jesse," "Key of David," the "Dayspring from on high," the "Desire of nations," is the one who comes to the city of David wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Jesus is coming!
Our great Advent Marian devotions build on the final days of Advent with their immediate sense of hope and urgency. Both the celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th accent the immediacy of Jesus arrival. The Immaculate Conception speak of Mary who as Mother of God is also Mother of Jesus and, as Mother of God, conceives Jesus without "original sin." Original sin speaks to the obvious human reality that, left to our own devices, we inevitably drift towards sin. The way to salvation comes in our Advent cry, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel!"
 The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe depicts a woman visibly pregnant and about to give birth. The sun and stars so prominent on her mantle and the crescent moon on which she stands are direct allusions to the Book of Revelation's promise of the way salvation is to come into this world.
Likewise the nine-day novena of Simbang Gabi so prominent in our communities of Filipino ancestry purposely builds on the final nine days of Advent where the Lectionary tone shifts from high eschatological language to plain description about the friendship of Mary and Elizabeth and how that friendship allows them to respond to God's Word in their lives embodied in the births of their sons.
The very human details during these final Advent days invite us to attend to the human details of our daily lives too. It is as though the Lectionary text questions us: "How are we open to the Word of God?" "How is God entering our life this Advent?" "What are our long awaited hopes for ourselves and our world?" "Where is Jesus entering our life now?" "What does he expect us in our daily life?" "How do we need to grow in order to become more faithful to him?" "Are we prepared to be converted anew this Advent season?"
This Advent let us pray with renewed fervor the Advent antiphons asking God to draw close to us: "O Come Emanuel!" "O Come Thou Wisdom from on high!" "O Come, Thou rod of Jesse's stem!" ""O Come, Thou Key of David!" "O Come, Thou Dayspring!" "O Come, Desire of nations, bind!" O come and ransom us, free us from our sinful ways, our gluttonous perversions, our tendency towards gossip and backbiting, warmongering and lust! O free us from all that ties us down! O unlock for us the mysteries of your Love for you are Love! O be the path of true freedom that leads to you the source of all Good! O remain for us the gift you are for every age: Emmanuel --- the God with us!
The Most Reverend Joseph Tyson Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle [Return to Top] |
| Advent Questions & Answers |
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Q: What special focus does the liturgy offer in the season of Advent?
 A: The Advent season has a twofold purpose. It calls the Christian community to set aside preoccupations in order to prepare for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus. It also calls us to a deeper awareness of Christ's second coming at the end of time. The readings and prayers of Advent nurture in us a sense of hope - hope for lasting peace and justice, hope for an end to war, starvation, suffering, and pain. Advent is a time of joyful expectation, as we prepare for the coming of God's Kingdom by praying and working for justice and peace in our world. Q: What holy days of obligation occur in this season?
A: Tuesday, December 8, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Q: What are the restrictions on celebrating special Masses during Advent, like weddings and funerals?
A: If a wedding is celebrated on a Sunday or Solemnity in Advent, the readings and prayers of the Advent liturgy take precedence, although one reading from the Rite of Marriage may be used. Funeral Masses are prohibited on the Sundays of Advent and on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, a funeral outside of Mass may be offered even on those days.
Q: What other liturgies are suited to the Advent Season?
A: It is traditional to celebrate the sacrament of penance during the Advent Season, in preparation for the great feast of Christmas. Many parishes offer a communal penance service, with a shared Liturgy of the Word including homily and intercessions, followed by individual confessions. The Rite of Penance includes special texts and prayers specifically for use during the Advent season (see Appendix II, nos. 20-24).
More and more parishes are discovering the riches of the Liturgy of the Hours. Called "the prayer of the Church," the Liturgy of the Hours is prayed daily by bishops, priests, deacons and religious throughout the world. As its name suggests, the Liturgy of the Hours sanctifies time with brief liturgies, consisting of psalms, readings, and prayers, throughout the day. Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer are the most important of the offices. Through the Liturgy of the Hours, the faithful come to treasure the psalms, which nourished the prayer of Jesus and Mary, and continue to nourish our daily prayer today.
The Second Vatican Council envisioned that every parish would pray the Divine Office to the best of their ability, especially the Office of Vespers on Sundays and great feasts (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 100). The Office of Morning Prayer might be prayed before or after an early morning Mass on Sundays or even on weekdays. The Office of Evening Prayer (Vespers) could be prayed on Sunday afternoon, or before an evening Mass.
Q: What is the Advent wreath and how should it be used in the parish?
A: The blessing of the Advent wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or on the evening before. The rite is found in the Book of Blessings, nos. 1509-1540. The Advent wreath may be blessed by a priest or, in his absence, a deacon or lay minister. See below for ideas on how to incorporate the Advent wreath into the liturgical environment.
If the Advent wreath is blessed at Mass, the blessing takes place at the conclusion of the General Intercessions on the First Sunday of Advent. Following the prayer of blessing, the first candle is lighted. On the following Sundays, the blessing is not repeated, and the candles are lit either before Mass begins or immediately before the opening prayer of the Mass; no additional rites or prayers are used.
Q: Is it true that we can use blue vestments during Advent?
A: No, blue vestments are not permitted. The liturgical color for the season of Advent is violet. While bluer hues of violet may be used during Advent, with redder hues reserved to the Lenten season, blue is not an authorized color for vesture in the United States. However, rose-colored vestments may be used on the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday.
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A Season of Hospitality |
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"All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good," we pray on the First Sunday of Advent, "that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven" (Opening Prayer for Advent I).
In the season of Advent, we prepare to welcome Christ, so that Christ, in turn, may welcome us into his kingdom. This focus on hospitality is especially appropriate this year, as our local Church prepares to welcome those who have been away from the Church through the Catholics Come Home program. The saints of Advent have much to teach us about hospitality! The Sunday Lectionary
John the Baptist is our unofficial patron saint in Advent. In the readings from the Gospel according to Luke, John proclaims "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." And that repentance is not only internal, felt in the heart, but lived in the justice of the day-to-day interactions of the people. How do we prepare the way of the Lord? By treating others with justice.
As Christmas draws near, our readings begin to focus on the birth of the Lord. What better Advent saint than Mary, the Mother of the Lord, the first to welcome Christ into the world when she responded to the message of the angel-with fear, yes, but even more with joy, acceptance, and hope. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we hear the account of the Visitation, as Mary goes in haste to her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with the infant John the Baptist. Mary greets her warmly, and at the sound of Mary's greeting the child leaps in Elizabeth's womb, and Elizabeth herself is filled with the spirit. The Virgin's loving hospitality awakens faith in her cousin. And our hospitality - our loving welcome of those who come to us in need - can do the same.
More Advent Saints
In addition to the saints of the Advent readings, the liturgical calendar gives us a number of other observances. There is one solemnity, the Immaculate Conception (December 8); two feasts, Saint Andrew (November 30) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12); and three obligatory memorials: Saint Francis Xavier (December 3), St. Ambrose (December 7), and St. John of the Cross (December 14). There are also five optional memorials: Saint John Damascus (December 4), Saint Juan Diego (December 9), Saint Damasus I (December 11), Saint Peter Canisius (December 21), and St. John of Kanty (December 23). Apostles and missionaries, bishops and contemplatives, the saints are our models for how to welcome others as we prepare to welcome Christ.
Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy
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A Holy Welcome: RCIA in the Advent Season |
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Christ calls us to welcome every person, those known to us and those unknown, in all seasons. Hospitality is vital for our spiritual survival, and the one who accepts our hospitality is by that act becoming reconciled, for survival and reconciliation were closely connected with hospitality in the scriptures. We read, "do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels" (Heb 13:2), and, more urgently: "When did we see you a stranger and welcome you? ... Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matt 25:38-40). Hospitality is a necessity for our salvation.
For one seeking a faith community, a home for heart and soul, hospitality may come through the RCIA. So much about the RCIA process is about acceptance, welcome, inclusion in newness of human experience and spiritual depth. Hospitality is inherent in the rites of the RCIA, and in the processes of catechesis and formation that help people to cross the threshold into the family home of the parish, accompanied by sponsors and in companionship with Catholics of the Body of Christ (RCIA 47).
The Archdiocese of Seattle will express a public welcome through television spots during Lent 2010, inviting absent Catholics to "Come Home." The RCIA teaches us much about how to serve these other seekers, especially Catholics absent for a significant period, or those who are physically present but spiritually disengaged-people who need concrete signs that they are welcome in their true home, the Church. The skills we gain in working with catechumens and candidates through RCIA can be an asset for serving them as well: listening, discerning, faith sharing, companionship on the journey. Seekers need listening companionship, they need their questions addressed, and they need the comfort of hospitality they may never have really known before.
It is not just the RCIA or Welcome Home teams that need to be aware of these matters. This is a time to examine the welcome our community offers to anyone and everyone who walks through our doors. "Ordinary" parishioners can influence the sense of welcome. Hospitality means keeping in mind the divinely given dignity of every human person in our midst, and our awe at all times of Christ, who invites all present, including the stranger, to every Mass, the great sign of our identity as Catholics. The Mass invites our reverence, but reverence is not expressed by indifference to visitors' needs and comfort, nor is it glum faces that shun strangers and members we do not know. We must be the face of Christ to others. Our entryways ought to be places of welcome, where hospitality ministers-ushers, greeters-welcome and assist all who come, and especially the stranger. The way we maintain our entryways can welcome and interest or deter with disorder, clutter, and lack of attention. Do we attend to even simple matters: do we welcome others into seating, help visitors negotiate our worship books? How we welcome at Mass speaks strongly about how seriously we regard this most important element of our identity as Catholics.
The Fall has a way of being the beginning of things, of turning over a new leaf. The warmth and anticipation of Advent offer us new beginning, and a time to resolve-even before the New Year-to look anew at how we welcome both strangers and friends.
Member, Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission
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Singing a Song of Welcome |
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Let's face it, many members of our assemblies will arrive at the Church threshold these December Sundays with a Christmas carol playing in their heads. By the time we're lighting the first candle of the Advent wreath, our culture's "Christmas season" is in full swing, with its requisite festivity, frenzy and stress. How will we prepare music to meet us there, honestly engage our personal and communal longing for something more and re-focus us all on the amazing promise of God's coming among us?
Simplify. Advent is an exceptionally short season, so start by building on the strengths of your parish's existing repertoire. Connect with our communal memory by incorporating time-tested chants like "Creator of the Stars of Night" or "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." Think about adding one or two new pieces, and do so with repetition so that the assembly has time to take ownership of what's unfamiliar. Through simpler accompaniment and instrumentation, create space for reflection, and allow silences to speak.
Unify. Find ways to tie the four Sundays together musically. Many fine arrangements of a common gathering rite exist, including sung settings of the penitential rite. Use common acclamations and choose one or two worthy songs to accompany the Communion procession from week to week.
Embrace the past, present and future. Remember that Advent intends to prepare the faithful for the celebration of the Incarnation, yes, but that it also encompasses a much wider scope. Especially in the first two Sundays, the Word calls us to take the long view, anticipating the return of Christ and fulfillment of the cosmos. Choose solid texts that give voice to the incompleteness, darkness and sin in which we find ourselves, with a strong dose of hopefulness about what is to come. God is trustworthy and will fulfill his promises, working through us who are the body of Christ in this time and place!
Would that the members of our assemblies might be sent forth back onto the roads, into the malls, to every place where sin and fear hold sway, to every person deeply needing Christ's presence, with an Advent carol of longing, hope and joyful expectation on their lips this season!
Liturgical Music Coordinator
Seattle University, Campus Ministry
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HAPPENINGS
in the
ARCHDIOCESE |
These are just a few highlights of liturgical celebrations and other educational opportunities that might be of interest. For more opportunities and events click here.
When: 9am - 1pm, Saturday, November 7, 2009 Where: St. Joseph, Vancouver What: This course is designed for everyone not just pastoral musicians. It introduces the participant to the basic norms and principles applied to the music of the liturgy as articulated in the church's major liturgical documents. Cost: $30.00 More info: Contact the Archdiocesan Liturgy Office at 206-274-3185
Scripture and the Liturgy
When: 9am - 1pm, Saturday, November 14, 2009 Where: St. Joseph, Vancouver What: This course introduces the participant to the relation between the Sacred Scriptures and the Sacred Liturgy, by showing both how the Scriptural text is a source for the Liturgy, as well as how the Liturgy is a source for the Scriptural text. Cost: $30.00
When: 9am - 1pm, Saturday, November 14, 2009 Where: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sedro Woolley What: This course will explore the Christian understanding of sacred space; the historical development of Christian art and architecture; the difference between liturgical and devotional art; furnishings, vessels and vesture used for liturgy; preparing the environment for liturgy for different feasts and seasons including degree of solemnity; and resources and other suggestions for liturgical art and architecture. Cost: $30.00 More info: Contact the Archdiocesan Liturgy Office at 206-274-3185
When: Saturday, December 5, 2009 Where: St. James Cathedral, Seattle What: Celebration Hispanic traditions in a most festive way! If you haven't participated in this Mass...now's the time! More info: Isaac Govea, Office of Hispanic Ministry, 206-382-4825
When: Saturday, December 12, 2009 Where: St. James Cathedral, Seattle What: This Mass is a traditional Philippine celebration. A real festival of light! Processions...ritual ... and tradition in anticipation of the great celebration of the Incarnation of our Lord. Join in the celebration. It just might become part of your annual Advent tradition. More info: Philip Tran, Office of Culture & Ethnic Ministry, 206-382-4828
Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion
South Seattle/South KingWhen: 7:30pm, Thursday, February 18, 2010 Where: St. James Cathedral, Seattle
Northern Deanery
When: 7:30pm, Friday, February 19, 2010
Where: Church of the Assumption, Bellingham
Olympic Deanery
When: 11:00am, Saturday, February 20, 2010
Where: Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bremerton
Hispanic Faith Communities (in Spanish)
When: Noon, Saturday, February 20, 2010
Where: St. James Cathedral, Seattle
More info: Isaac Govea, Office of Hispanic Ministry, 206-382-4825
North Seattle and Snohomish Deaneries
When: 7:30pm, Monday, February 22, 2010
Where: St. James Cathedral, Seattle
Eastside Deanery and part of South King Deanery
When: 7:30pm, Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Where: St. James Cathedral, Seattle
Southern Deaneries
When: 7:30pm, Thursday, February 25, 2010
Where: St. John the Evangelist, Vancouver
South Sound Deanery
When: 7:30pm, Friday, February 26, 2010
Where: St. Edward, Shelton
Pierce Deanery
When: 11:00am, Saturday, March 6, 2010
Where: St. Charles Borromeo, Tacoma
When: 1:00 - 4:30pm, Thursday, March 25, 2010
Where: St. Edwards Church, Seattle
What: A presentation on "Marriage and the Domestic Church" by the Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D., Archbishop of Louisville.
More info: Contact Office of Catholic Faith Formation, 206-382-4096.
When: 7:00pm, Thursday, March 25, 2010
Where: St. James Cathedral, Seattle
What: The annual celebration for the Blessing and Consecration of the Holy Oils for Initiation, Ordination, Dedications and Anointing of the Sick. Come! experience the celebration of the Local Church of Western Washington gathered with their Archbishop.
More info: Contact the Archdiocesan Liturgy Office at 206-382-4878
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| OPPORTUNITIES
for the
PASTORAL MUSICIAN |
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The Seattle Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians is hosting three great opportunities for those who foster the art of musical liturgy!
BRING YOUR OWN GROUP
When: 7:30 PM, Friday November 20, 2009
Where: St. Joseph, 732 18th Ave E, Seattle
What: Local area choirs and liturgical ensembles will be sharing their favorite liturgical music selections for each other. There is still time for your choir to join in the fun. Either by participating as a singing group or attending to get new music ideas for your own group - OR BOTH! All are welcome. Join your friends and fellow pastoral musicians.
Cost: Free will offering RSVP by November 17 More info: Bob McCaffery-Lent 206.324.2522 or rmclent@stjosephparish.org
A LITURGICAL MUSIC READING SESSION
with Jerry Galipeau, Assoc. Publisher WLP
When: 7:30 PM, Friday January 29, 2010
Where: St. Ignatius Chapel, Seattle University
What: A chance to hear and sing music published by World Library Publications with others. Sample packets will be distributed to participating singers!
Cost: Free RSVP by January 25
CLERGY/PASTORAL MUSICIAN DINNER
with guest speakers from St. James Cathedral
Very Reverend Michael G. Ryan, pastor
Dr. James Savage, Director of Music
When: 7:00 PM, May 14, 2010
Where: Isaac Orr Conference Center, 910 Marion, Seattle
What: An opportunity for those responsible for parish music ministry to gather with their priest and celebrate the art of musical liturgy. Time for social, dinner, and a remarkable presentation by the pastor and music director of St. James Cathedral. They will share their experience of working together in a long term professional relationship and offer tips on how they nurtured a world class pastoral music program. Father Ryan and Dr. Savage will also be available for question and answer with the dinner participants.
Cost: $35 per person (dinner and program)
RSVP by May 7
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| Preparing for the NEW Roman Missal |
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The third edition of the Roman Missal - a new translation of the Sacramentary, the prayers of the Mass - is on its way. Though the timeline for implementation cannot be set until the entire text of the Missal has been approved, the Bishops have suggested that now is the time to begin preparing for the new Missal. The text of the Order of Mass, including the four principal Eucharistic Prayers and the various dialogues and responses of the Mass, are already available for review. Download a PDF here.
While the new Missal will not change any of the essential elements of the Eucharistic celebration, this new translation will have a profound impact on the way English speakers throughout the world pray the Mass. To help us prepare, the Bishops have developed a website that features background information on the new translations, side-by-side comparisons with the current texts, and answers to frequently asked questions.
There will be many opportunities for clergy, parish staff, and faithful of the Archdiocese of Seattle to learn more about the new Missal in the months to come. Stay tuned!
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Celebrating the Year for Priests |
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The Year for Priests is underway! The year runs June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010. The Archdiocesan website links to some available resources. 
Your parishioners may ask about the requirements for obtaining the plenary indulgence in this special Year for Priests. The indulgence may be obtained only on the first and last days of the Year for Priests (thus June 19, 2010) and on the first Thursday of each month. The following steps by which the lay faithful may obtain the indulgence are taken from the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
- Attend Mass
- Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Pray for priests
- Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father
The Archdiocesan Liturgy Office offers the following hymn text that you may and use at parish liturgies and other prayer. Parishes have permission to reprint as needed. Please reference the copyright provided below.
In Celebration of the Year for Priests 2009-2010
TUNE: ST. PETER (or any 86 86 meter)
Baptized and formed in Jesus Christ,
And nourished by the word,
Our priests are sent to heal and serve
A broken, hurting world.
With caring hands and loving hearts,
With wisdom sure to teach,
They've listened to the call of God,
To bring Christ's love to each.
In earthen vessels, God has poured
The precious gifts of grace;
In spite of weakness, priests become
Reflections of Christ's face.
To God, the source of every call,
We lift our hearts in prayer,
And sing a song of thankfulness
for God's abundant care!
(c) 2009 Archdiocese of Seattle Liturgy Office
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| LITURGICAL MINISTRIES INSTITUTE Update |
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Participants who have completed the eight foundational courses have begun their sessions leading toward a certificate in one of three areas of emphasis: Parish Liturgical Ministries, Music Ministries, or Christian Initiation. This is a very exciting time for the Institute because the first group of over 40 lay ministers will be receiving certificates in the Spring of 2010!
The Fall 2009 schedule of foundational courses is also well underway! We've already had several offerings with still a few more left to go. It's not too late to register just click here. These four-hour seminar courses are for anyone interested in knowing more about the way that Catholics worship and pray. It's not necessary to take all eight topics or commit to pursuing a certificate. Over 500 individuals have participated in a course of the Institute - and the reviews are great! If you know someone who wants to know more about the Mass...invite them to the Institute!
Associate Director
Liturgy Office Archdiocese of Seattle | |
