 LiturgyLine
A Seasonal Liturgical Resource from the Archdiocese of Seattle Liturgy Office February, 2011 - Vol 2, Issue 2 |
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| LMI Update |
 Did you know that it's easy to learn more about the Liturgy?The Liturgical Ministries Institute will be scheduling a new series of Saturday morning four hour seminars this Fall. If you are receiving this newsletter you will get an announcement for dates and locations.
On February 26th the first group of LMI participants who have completed eight basic courses and an additional special emphasis track will be celebrating this special accomplishment with Archbishop Sartain. Congratulations to all who will be receiving their certificates. This is an exciting and historic moment for the Institute! Perhaps you could be one of the next group?
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| ROMAN MISSAL UPDATE |
 Now that the first phases of preparation have been completed with priests and liturgical leadership, the Liturgy Office will be announcing soon the next Phase of preparing to receive the newly translated Roman Missal. This next Phase will include regional seminars for pastoral musicians, catechists, Catholic school leadership, and others. This series of workshops will begin after Easter and continue through the summer. Keep an eye on your email during Lent for announcements of dates and locations. |
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| Caring for the Liturgical Minister during Lent |  Lent can be a Kairos Time, a quality "moment" in contrast to a "chronos" moment that measures days, weeks and months. In a Kairos Time we are challenged to become more centered and perhaps even stretched in the call in response to that Lenten Journey into deeper prayer. Consider some of these ways prayer. Remember that even in a busy season the Liturgical Minister (as is every Christian) is called to focus on Christ who loved us so deeply that he became one of us so that we may have life! Lectio Divina the Divine Lesson -The Church's mode in reading and praying with Scripture. Here the Scriptural passage is read once, reflected upon for 2-3 minutes and then read again, this time out loud and then a pause for 3-5 minutes as one listens to words, phrases, and concepts that draw one into imagination and prayer. This time the pause is 5-8 minutes. Lastly, one reads the passage for a third time and reflects from 5-8 minutes again...Here spontaneous prayer may hold one there in conversation with God, perhaps in Christ Jesus, Mary or a saint...but, here one may be led simply to "let go" and listen in surrender to the Divine Presence within. Here one may receive the gift of wordless, contemplative prayer. Spiritual Reading -The writings of Henri Nouwen, Fr. Ron Rolheiser, Joyce Rupp, The Lives of the Saints by Fr. James Martin, or other noted spiritual writers. Simply reading a chapter or page each day of Lent may deepen one's knowledge of worship, prayer, devotions, or stories that may linger in one's mind and heart during those moments when driving, walking, working. The St. James Bookstore can be very helpful with suggestions. The Rosary -especially the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. In this very historical and familiar devotion of the Church throughout the centuries, the Mother of Sorrows can become one's mentor, guide and truly a mother who journeys with you as you simply finger the beads with simple mantra of living in each scene with heartfelt moments of being with Mary in the Passion and death of her Son, truly God and truly human  Walking Prayer - As one exercises or walks one can choose a word or phrase, a mantra, repeated prayerfully over and over. An example is the Jesus Prayer, "Lord, Jesus Christ, be merciful to me a sinner." One may be surprised how this humble response to the Presence of God within can become a familiar friend on one's lips throughout the walk or exercise. Daily Mass - the singular heart and soul of Catholic worship. Perhaps making a habit of choosing one area of the Mass especially the Liturgy of the Eucharist in which one "steals" oneself to listen most attentively to the prayers of worship. The Eucharist, source and summit of Christian life, may help make more clear the love expressed to the whole world and each individual. Perhaps offering the Mass each day for a world wide intention. With so much suffering and chaos in our world today, so many people struggling simply to live, one can find the closeness of brotherhood and sisterhood that touches each of us with compassion and care. The Liturgy of the Hours - More and more lay men and women are praying the Hours of the Church..This is the official prayer of the Church wherein the ordained, religious, or Third Order Associates pray using the ritual that divides the day into specific "hours" or prayer, rituals designated or centered on psalms and other Scriptural readings with vocal prayers of gratitude and praise. One can choose the entire seven hours (about ten minutes of prayer in each at special times during the day)or pray the Morning Prayer-Matins and Lauds and then pray Vespers and Compline in the evening. The special significance of The Hours is not only are they reminders of one's union with God throughout the day or at least twice a day, but, the thought that throughout the world The Hours are being recited/prayed with countless groups of ethnic and cultural origin....praying with the same prayers only in one's own language or Latin. Sister Joyce Cox, B.V.M.
Palisades Retreat Center For more information about upcoming retreats click on the link above. |
| Ideas for the upcoming seasons | The Lenten season has a dual character: to prepare catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. Catechumens will focus on the rite of election, the scrutinies, and the other rites and catechesis that will prepare them for the sacraments of Christian initiation. The faithful, ever more attentive to the word of God and prayer, and supportive of the catechumens and candidates, prepare themselves by penance for the renewal of their baptismal promises.
To find out more about planning the Lent and Easter season or maybe you just need a short update. Check out the Liturgy Office web site.
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| The Rite of Election |
 WHAT IS THE RITE OF ELECTION? At the Rite of Election, "the Church makes its 'election,' that is, the choice and admission of those catechumens who have the dispositions that make them fit to take part... in the sacraments of initiation" (RCIA, 119). For the catechumens, the Rite of Election marks the end of the catechumenate. From now until Easter, they are the "Elect."
WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE RITE OF ELECTION? The Rite of Election is for catechumens preparing for the sacraments of initiation. By the time they participate in the Rite of Election, they have already been transformed by faith in Jesus Christ: they "are expected to have undergone a conversion in mind and in action and to have developed a sufficient acquaintance with Christian teaching as well as a spirit of faith and charity" (120). Accompanying them in the rite are their catechists and sponsors, who testify on their behalf. Accepting their testimony, the Archbishop admits them for election. Those who are admitted inscribe their names in the Book of the Elect that lists those who have been chosen for election.
WHAT ABOUT CANDIDATES FOR FULL COMMUNION? Only Catechumens participate in the Rite of Election. In the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Rite of Election is combined with another rite, specifically for candidates: the Call to Continuing Conversion. Because the Candidates are already baptized, they do not enroll their names in the Book of the Elect. Instead, their sponsors testify to their readiness for the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, and the Archbishop welcomes them and invites them to join the Church.
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN THE RITE OF ELECTION? At the heart of this rite is the "enrollment of names," when the catechumens write their names in the Book of the Elect. This enrollment of names and the subsequent election by the Archbishop are the most ancient and the most important parts of the rite.
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| The 3rd Edition of the Roman MIssal |
 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has given permission to begin accepting advance orders of the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal as of February 1 with expected delivery of October 1, 2011.
The catechetical preparation for receiving the newly translated Missal is well underway in the Archdiocese of Seattle. The first two phases of preparation were focused on the needs of priests and key parish liturgical leadership. Over 1,000 participated in a series of workshops throughout the Archdiocese. During these workshops participants received materials and tools for assisting their work in the parish. Most importantly, strategies for integrating the texts were suggested and explored in small work groups.
As parishes now continue their preparations to receive the new Missal, it might be helpful to review the next steps. More detail about these steps can be found in an excellent resource titled Parish Guide to Implementing the Roman Missal, Third Edition. This resource recommends that the period of April - June of 2011 should remain focused on preparing parish leadership and liturgical ministers for their roles in the process, with major preparation for parishioners beginning in September, 2011.
These are some suggestions to consider for your parish for this period of time: 1. Form the necessary work groups, and identify specific tasks and responsibilities. 2. Identify, purchase and gather resources such as first-use service music, catechetical lessons, and people's participation aids. 3. Distribute resources to appropriate work groups so they can begin preparations for the fall and first implementation on November 27, 2011. Now is the time to explore available resources. There are many, so it's important to verify the source. Make sure the organization offering materials is established and well-respected. The Archdiocese of Seattle Liturgy Office Website features links to resources that we feel are of high quality and appropriate for use in parishes of the Archdiocese. Be sure to check our website. The Archdiocesan Liturgy Office considers these next months of April 2011 through June 2011 as Phase III of the process of assisting parish leadership with receiving the new Missal. Phases I and II focused on the unique needs of priests and key parish paid and volunteer staff. Now, during this phase, parishes are beginning to take on a more active role in working within their own parish. During this Phase III, we recommend that pastors engage in collaboration with the person responsible for faith formation and/or initiation (adults and children). Decide how liturgy and music staff can help support the implementation process during the RCIA process, sacramental preparation, and other faith formation sessions. In late October and early November, as focus turns towards preparing members of the assembly, a significant effort will be needed in teaching new Mass settings. So be sure to encourage your music director, choir leaders and other key pastoral musicians to start reviewing and deciding which settings will be used beginning this Advent of 2011. These music leaders will need to decide when it is best to begin introducing the new Mass settings to choirs and ensemble musicians. The Archdiocesan Liturgy Office has already scheduled one workshop for pastoral musicians and will be announcing a series of workshops for musicians at regional locations soon. In addition to these musician workshops the Archdiocesan Liturgy Office will be announcing within weeks the many other regional workshops designed specifically for Priests, Catechists, Initiation teams, and other key ministry leaders. If you received this newsletter, you will also receive announcements for these regional workshops.
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| THE FLOWERS THAT BLOOM IN SPRING | 
In 2011, Easter falls on April 24. It won't be this late again until 2038! A late Easter can have a major impact on the preparation of the liturgical environment. The nurseries will certainly have a large supply of Easter lilies as usual, but if you incorporate flowers and plants that grow naturally in your area, you will encounter some unique opportunities.
The Archdiocese of Seattle is an extremely varied geographical region, so much so that there can be a 5-week difference in the blooming season for the same flowers or plants from Ocean Shores to Sequim to Concrete. Depending upon which Climate Zone you live in, you can expect to find a much richer selection of flowering plants than in other years when Easter occurs earlier. The Master Gardeners in your parish will know what will be in bloom in your area by Easter. A partial list would include:
· Currant, clematis
· groundcovers, rockgarden perennials, larger perennials such as: ajuga, iris, bleeding heart, campanula, phlox, primula, saxifrages,
· daylilies, violas, forget-me-not
· bulbs, such as tulips, trillium, muscari, hyacinths, ranunculus
As you plan your Easter decorations this year, you might call a local nursery, or talk to an experienced gardener in your parish, to find out what's likely to be at its best at the end of April.
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| THE EASTER VIGIL: Remembering |  We asked members of the Christian Initiation Committee to share their experiences of the Easter Vigil from last year. This could be a helpful reflection as teams are preparing for this year's Celebration. It doesn't seem to matter whether there were many to be initiated or just a few, the Easter Vigil is always very moving for new Catholics, godparents, sponsors, and RCIA directors and team members. Assembly members are affected by the beauty of the ritual of the celebration, whether family members or parishioners. "It seems that every moment of the Vigil was special to someone!" (Kelly Gardner, Tacoma) The growing anticipation for the Vigil among the Elect was incredible. (Jame Raymond, Olympia) The Elect, their godparents and sponsors were filled with eagerness, excitement, anticipation. The Holy Spirit was at work! (Robbie Alba-Estrada, Longview) The Elect, brown-robed, "had visions of finally, after all this time, wearing the white baptismal robe."(John Miles, Lynnwood) Months of preparation and prayer had fostered the spiritual and fraternal bond between the Elect, which could be equaled only by what happened in the small communities of the early Church. Though not really knowing what was coming, each was ready, wanting God to become an even more integral part of their life. (John Miles, Lynnwood) RCIA team members were also both expectant for the Vigil and blessed by the experience. "After walking with these people over the past year of learning, discernment, and growth in their relationships with God it was rewarding to participate in their initiation."(Robbie Alba-Estrada, Longview) "I feel so blessed to be a part of the Church especially 'on this most holy night' when the Church recounts her history and her mysteries. Being on the RCIA team, I had tears and a feeling of spiritual pride in the fact in the fact that I was given the opportunity to walk with our Elect on their journey to the baptismal pool. The Easter Vigil is truly the Liturgy of all liturgies. It renews me and just feels so right, you can feel the presence of Christ." (John Miles, Lynnwood) A communion minister said that knowing that this was the first time the neophytes were receiving the Body and Blood of Christ added a deeper dimension to her ministry. (Kelly Gardner, Tacoma) New Catholics in their turn appreciated RCIA directors and team members: "The RCIA team was incredible. I can't tell you how fortunate we are to have so many committed parishioners who are willing to give so much of their time to help those of us who have chosen to become Catholics." (James Raymond, Olympia.) There was great appreciation for the priests, for taking such care with the celebration. Another pastor took "palpable joy in celebrating the sacraments of Initiation. He radiates the joy of the resurrection and it is infectious!" (Kelly Gardner, Tacoma) Emotions ran high as the baptisms took place. Later, the neophytes described their baptismal experience as suddenly being at peace as the water was poured. "In an act of fellowship, each delayed getting changed into dry clothes while they watched the others receive the newly blessed waters of Baptism. (John Miles, Lynnwood) "Father put each of us under water. It was great to have my family there at the font to welcome me. I think I was so excited afterwards that I gave Father a hug before I left the font." (James Raymond, Olympia) First Holy Communion: "This is most wonderfully celebrated by the initiates who have hungered for this moment for so long and are finally having their hunger satisfied." (Kelly Gardner, Tacoma) A Neophyte said that he had waited all his life to receive the Eucharist for the first time. Another, as he watched the community go forward to receive the Holy Eucharist, with tears in his eyes, said "these are all my brothers and sisters now." (John Miles, Lynnwood) And the time flew by. One neophyte "could not believe that the Vigil was so short, when everyone warned her how long it was." Another said, "I can't believe I feel so good, I can't explain the feeling, or put my finger on it, I just feel great.'" (John Miles, Lynnwood) "I think we finished at about 1 a.m.., but it sure didn't seem like it was that late." (James Raymond, Olympia) "Worshipers come to this celebration because of the beauty and majesty." (Bill Hamlin, Bremerton) "Different people from the assembly commented that they were glad they came and can't believe how the time passed so fast. Several parishioners brought their young children and the children loved it as well." (Robbie Alba-Estrada, Longview) The environment for the Vigil was important: The first part of the Mass celebrated in the dark by candlelight made the experience so much more intimate and moving. "When the lights finally came up and the banners dropped down from the rafters, and the music sounded, I just could not believe what I was feeling. The music was phenomenal." (James Raymond, Olympia.) A common thread in all the comments [of initiates, assembly] was that this celebration, more than most, stirred all the senses. The visual beauty of the church was enhanced by extra flowers, more candles, the Easter banner and the other decorations we use to mark this special occasion. Afterwards: We gathered 10 days after reception for a potluck for all neophytes, their families, sponsors, and godparents. Neophytes led the discussion and talked about their entire experience of preparation and reception. (Bill Hamlin, Bremerton) "I remember the next day going for a walk and feeling so content, so relaxed and so happy. The mundane tribulations of my daily life had literally been washed away the night before and I truly felt like a new person." (James Raymond, Olympia)
Thanks to these contributors:
Mrs. Robbie Alba-Estrada, St. Rose de Viterbo, Longview
Ms. Kelly Gardner, St. Patrick, Tacoma
Deacon Bill Hamlin, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bremerton
Ms. Luciann MacDonald, St. Thomas More, Lynnwood
Mr. John Miles, RCIA Team, St. Thomas More, Lynnwood
Mary Anne Pitchford, St. Michael's, Olympia
Dr. James F. Raymond, Neophyte, Olympia
Special thanks to Sandy Dresbeck
Member of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission |
| Music of the Season | |
How can a parish community imbue the season of Lent with a distinctive musical character of its own? Find a simple yet dignified musical setting for the Mass, and make this setting the one which the parish employs each year to sing its way through Lent. Choose one of the four options for the Memorial Acclamation and use it for the entire season of Lent. (You might consider Option C, "When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.")
Priests and presiders might switch to a simpler chant pattern for the singing of the presidential prayers and the prefaces to the Eucharistic Prayer. If it is has been the practice to recite these portions of the liturgy, consider singing them during Lent (and, of course, Easter).
The Ordo specifies that during Lent "musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing." John Huels has noted that we should "attend to the purpose rather than the strict letter of this law." While one certainly wouldn't want to "pull out all the stops" in Lent, there are certain situations when quieter, more meditative instrumental music would enhance the spirit of the Lenten season.
In addition to reducing and simplifying the instrumental accompaniment to the Lenten music, choirs might hold back by singing only the melody line to hymns and songs, rather than the whole of the four-part harmony. Descants might be eliminated or at least noticeably reduced. I have heard of parishes that sing all their Lenten music a cappella, eliminating entirely any instrumental accompaniment for the entire 40 days. What a dramatic way to render the sung prayer of God's people during Lent! While singing all the music in this fashion might be too much of a stretch for most parishes, selecting certain portions of the liturgical music to be sung a cappella might be within the reach of most assemblies.
Remember, while Lent does have a penitential character, it is also meant to be a joyful season, not a somber one. Its joy might be marked by a certain degree of restraint and sober simplicity-the joy of Laetare Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent) is different from the jubilation that characterizes Easter-but it is not the time for being dour or sad.
Reverend Kevin Duggan
Pastor, Mary Queen of Peace
and Member of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission
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| HAPPENINGS IN THE REGION | |
3rd Edition of the Roman Missal for Pastoral Musicians
9:00 AM-2:00 PM
Sat., Feb 19
Holy Disciples, Puyallup
More details
Rite of Election
Thurs., March 10
7:30 PM
South Seattle Deanery and part of South King Deanery
Host Parish: St. James Cathedral
Teresa Chudecke (206) 382-4878
Rite of Election
Fri., March 11
7:30 PM
Northern Deanery
Host Parish: St. Joseph Center, Mount Vernon
Ed Anderson cell # (360) 333-0890
Rite of Election
Sat., March 12
11:00 AM
Olympic Deanery
Host Parish: Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bremerton
Deacon Bill Hamlin (360) 479-3777
Rite of Election
Sat., March 12
Noon
Hispanic Faith Communities
Venue: St. James Cathedral
Teresa Chudecke 1-800- 473-5657
Rite of Election
Mon., March 14
7:30 PM
Eastside Deanery and part of South King Deanery
Host Parish: St. James Cathedral
Teresa Chudecke (206) 382-4878
Rite of Election
Wed., March 16
7:30 PM
North Seattle and Snohomish Deaneries
Host Parish: St. James Cathedral
Teresa Chudecke (206) 382-4878
Rite of Election
Thurs., March 17
7:30 PM
South Sound Deanery
Host Parish: St. Edward, Shelton
Mary Chapman, (360) 426-6134
Rite of Election
Fri., March 18
7:30 PM
Southern Deanery
Host Parish: Holy Redeemer, Vancouver
Jessica Gustafson, (360) 885-7780
Rite of Election
Sat., March 19
11:00 AM
Pierce Deanery
Host Parish: St. Charles Borromeo, Tacoma
Patricia Gleason, (253) 564-5185 x3018
Liturgical Music Reading Session
Fri., March 25
7:00 PM
Sponsored by the Seattle Chapter of National Association of Pastoral Musicians
Presented by Jerry Galipeau, Associate Publisher World Library Publications
St. Rose de Viterbo, Longview
Email for more details
Stirring the Waters of New Life
Sat., March 26
Registration & Hospitality 9:15 AM
Program 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
A day of reflection & discussion especially for RCIA teams
Presented by Jerry Galipeau
St. Patrick Parish, Tacoma
More details
Chrism Mass
Thurs., April 14th
7:00 PM
St. James Cathedral
Email for questions
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT EVENTS OF THE ARCHDIOCESAN LITURGY OFFICE WHICH HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED
David Haas and Lori True
Sat., March 12
Workshop: 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Concert: 7:00 PM
Grace Lutheran Church, 9625 N.E. Eighth St., Bellevue, WA 98004
More details
Handel's musical compositions in the context of Evening Prayer
Fri., March 18
7:30 PM
Our Lady of Fatima
Chamber Choir and Baroque Orchestra
For more details
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| LITURGY OFFICE STAFF AND LITURGICAL COMMISSION |
 LITURGY OFFICE
ARCHDIOCESAN LITURGICAL COMMISSION
Ms. Michelle Clinton
Deacon Robert Dolan
Ms. Sandra Dresbeck
Rev. Kevin Duggan
Very Rev. James Johnson
Ms. Corinna Laughlin
Deacon Juan Lezcano
Mr. William McNamara
Rev. Steve Sallis
Ms. Rose Shandrow
Sr. Beth Taylor
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