December 8th
Immaculate Conception
This year, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on a Saturday. Because Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, is honored as the Patroness of the United States, this holyday does not come under the Monday and Saturday dispensation.
In other words, December 8 is always a holyday of obligation.
However, please note that Masses on the evening of December 8 are that of the Second Sunday of Advent.
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 Liturgical Ministries Institute
On January 12, a new series of LMI courses will begin at Holy Family parish in Kirkland.
click here for a detailed schedule and to register | |
"Lamb of God..."
The USCCB Administrative Committee approves revisions to the  document "Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship" which affect the Agnus Dei.
Additional tropes for the Agnus Dei, such as:
"Bread of Life,"
"Prince of Peace,"
"Son of God," "King of Kings," etc.
may no longer be used.
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Mass for the
New Evangelization
On June 18th, the Holy Mass for New Evangelization has been approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments with the hope that it be celebrated during this Year of Faith.
This Mass may be permissible whenever a Mass for Various Needs and Occasions would be allowed, per the Ordo.
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National Association of Pastoral Musicians
Seattle Chapter
St. Cecilia Sing!
Save the Date:
Fri, May 3 - Pastor and Pastoral Musicians Dinner.
visit the NPM Seattle Chapter's website | |
Mark your Calendars
Dec 1
Dec 15, St. James Cathedral, 11am
Jan 19, St. James Cathedral, 11am
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(note time change for evening Rites of Election)
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The Treasure of Sacred Music
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 During this Year of Faith, each issue of Liturgy Line will feature a passage from the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, and a reflection on its ongoing relevance to what we do, Sunday after Sunday.
In this issue, we reflect on the Council's teaching on our Catholic musical tradition.
It seems to me that in every profession - whether you are a teacher, lawyer, bus driver, social worker, nurse, contractor, custodian, or a pastoral musician - there is certain credo that we try to live by. A set of a few principles, beliefs, norms...a philosophy if you will...that help us to keep our eyes on the prize, and focused on where we are going. They can help us to avoid getting sidetracked by those little crises that arise regularly, and, most importantly it seems to me, help us to remember what brought us to this particular ministry...this particular work...in the first place. All of us who are involved in church music know that there is a tremendous amount of administration that we need to engage in to keep the music ministry flowing and organized so that the parishioners who offer their gifts of music can do so freely and without undue anxiety. These administrative tasks can easily crowd out the more important, big picture tasks, such as being a good steward of your parish's repertoire, practicing (!), looking ahead to the next liturgical season, nurturing your own spirituality and finding ways to do the same within the small faith community of your choir/schola/ensemble(s).
 For the pastoral musician, a central part of our credo since Vatican II has been the "full, active and conscious participation" of the church...the "People of God." The council's teaching is that "the musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art" (#112). That fostering, developing and building a wonderful choir to augment the song of the main choir...the people...is important. The Constitution goes on by saying that "the treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care" (#114). When we read what the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy has to say about music and the pre-eminent position it holds in the liturgy...indeed in the church...I am emboldened to continue to believe that gathering regularly to celebrate well...to celebrate with "great care" is worthy and important work. I try to always keep in mind the repertoire of our parish, for it is their song...our song...of faith and they can't sing it well until they know it by heart. Father Ed Foley OFM Capuchin from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago is fond of reminding pastoral musicians that we are, by definition, "Practical Theologians." That is, we who choose the music that our communities sing each week are placing on their lips words of faith. As such, we are contributing to the process of faith formation. What a gift and what a responsibility! At St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill in Seattle, where I have been the director of liturgical/music ministries for the past four years, we have a simple but powerful mission statement: "IGNITED BY THE EUCHARIST TO LOVE AND TO SERVE." May the coming Advent season be a time for us to take stock of our hopes and desires as pastoral musicians called to love and service of God's people. Robert McCaffery-Lent Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy and Music St. Joseph Parish, Seattle return to top
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During the Year of Faith, all parishes are invited to make a pilgrimage to our cathedral church, which is one recommended way to obtain the special plenary indulgence for the Year of Faith. Parish groups are especially encouraged to come for Evening Prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, celebrated in the Cathedral every Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm.
Other kinds of visits can be arranged as well, and tours of St. James Cathedral are also available in connection with your visit. This is a wonderful experience for parish RCIA groups, elderly, Confirmation candidates, liturgical ministers, or any other parish group. Please contact Corinna Laughlin or call 206-622-3559, for more information.
Read the full guidelines which includes other ways for obtaining the Plenary Indulgence.
Find more suggestions for parish activities and resources in this Year of Faith on the Archdiocesan website for the Year of Faith.
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Early winter is upon us, which means great change: leaves fade and fall, days grow shorter, weather gets colder. The coming season of Advent is similar to winter. Scripture readings look toward the end times, various reminders to be alert and repent, and a sense of longing. But at the same time we are invited to look to Christ for comfort and hope. This Advent, the Archdiocesan Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and Simbang Gabi celebrations offer us opportunities to celebrate the joy and hope we have in Christ.
NUESTRA SEÑORA de GUADALUPE: MADRE DE LAS AMERICAS
On Saturday, December 1, people from across the Archdiocese will gather for the Madre de las Americas celebration, commemorating the appearances of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Juan Diego in 1531, whose own tilma bore (and continues to bear) the miraculous imprint of Our Lady's image with roses that bloomed in December.
Our Lady appeared not to the wealthy or powerful, but to a humble farmer. Through St. Juan Diego, Our Lady brought comfort and hope to the people of Mexico. This was a prophetic moment for the people of Mexico, a moment in which God, through the mother of His son, brought comfort and hope to a people who had suffered from the conquest of Spain. Our Lady brings us together from various cultures and countries as the people of God and comforts us all in our sufferings and trials.
A Rosary will begin at 9:30am at St. Mary Church in Seattle, followed by a procession to St. James Cathedral for Mass at 12:10pm.
Have you ever walked the road at night with a path lit only from the sky? One morning at a five-day Ignatian Silent Retreat during the great Seattle black-out of December 2006, I felt called to walk the outdoor Stations of the Cross. Although afraid, I still felt the presence of the Christ light with me, which gave me the strength needed to walk the stations.
 The Parol, a Filipino star-shaped lantern, represents this Christ light in our lives. Catholic Missionaries in the Philippines would celebrate Mass in the early morning (hence the name, Simbang Gabi which means "Mass at Night/Dawn") to accommodate farmers and fisherman to celebrate the novena of Christmas. These Parols lit their way to the Church in the dark of night.
On Saturday, December 15 at 11:00am, those coordinating the Simbang Gabi celebrations in parishes across the Archdiocese will gather at St. James Cathedral, where Archbishop Sartain will bless them and their parols.
These Advent multicultural celebrations are just a few ways to celebrate Christ in our midst; the one who is light. The one who brings comfort, hope, and of course, joy.
Jennifer Gramaje
Archdiocesan Liturgy Office
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On the Rite of Dedication | |
Did you know that the anniversary day of the dedication of your parish church is supposed to be observed as a solemnity in your church? And what is more, December 22, the Anniversary of the Dedication of St. James Cathedral is ranked as a feast day in the Archdiocese. On that day, the prayers for the anniversary of the dedication of a church are said, white vestments are worn and a Gloria is to be sung or said. Why does the liturgical calendar place such significance on these anniversaries? The answer lies in the fact that these celebrations are not so much about the building, but the Church made up of living stones, fashioned together into one body, with Christ Jesus as the head.
The ritual actions of the dedication liturgy reveal a great deal about the significance of these anniversaries. The following notes are adapted from the Introduction to the Rite of Dedication of a Church and an Altar.
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Holy Redeemer, Vancouver |
DEPOSITING OF THE RELICS
Usually relics of the saints are placed beneath the altar. This is one of the oldest portions of the rite, dating back to the early fourth century and referenced in the writing of Saint Ambrose:
"Let the triumphant victims take their place where Christ is the victim. He who suffered for all is above the altar; those redeemed by his sufferings are beneath the altar."
The antiphon sung while this takes place proclaims: "Saint of God, you have been enthroned at the foot of God's altar: Pray for us to the Lord Jesus Christ."
ANOINTING OF THE ALTAR
After the Prayer of Dedication, the high point of the rite, the altar is anointed. The anointing with chrism makes the altar a symbol of Christ, who, before all others, is the Messiah, which means "the Anointed One." The bishop prays: "We now anoint this altar and this building. May God in his power make them holy, visible signs of the mystery of Christ and his Church." As the bishop generously pours oil upon the altar, the choirs sings the antiphon: "See the place where God lives among his people; there the Spirit of God will make his home among you; the temple of God is holy and you are that temple."
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Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Woodinville |
INCENSATION OF THE ALTAR
In the Rite of Dedication, the altar is incensed in a unique way, quite different from how incense is used at ordinary times. Incense is burned on the altar itself to signify that Christ's sacrifice, which will be perpetuated in mystery upon the altar, ascends to God as a fragrant offering. The incense also signifies that the people's prayers rise up, pleasing and acceptable, to the throne of God. The prayer of the bishop beautifully expresses the meaning of this rite: "Lord, may our prayer ascend as incense in your sight. As this building is filled with fragrance so may your Church fill the world with the fragrance of Christ."
COVERING OF THE ALTAR
Finally the altar is prepared for Mass. This rite indicates that the Christian altar is the altar of the eucharistic sacrifice and the table of the Lord; around it priests and people celebrate the memorial of Christ's death and resurrection and partake of his supper. For this reason the altar is prepared as a table of the sacrificial banquet and adorned as for a feast; it is the Lord's table at which all God's people joyously meet to be refreshed with divine food: the Body and Blood of Christ's sacrifice.
LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR
The last part of the rite before the celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the festive lighting of the candles of the altar and dedication candles. The lighting of the altar candles reminds us that Christ is "a light to enlighten the nations." His brightness shines out in the church and through it in the whole human family. The bishop gives the deacon a lighted candle, saying: "Light of Christ, shine forth in the Church and bring all nations to the fullness of truth."
Be sure to make plans to observe the anniversary of the dedication of your church as well as the dedication of St. James Cathedral on December 22. These feasts help us recall what God is doing in and through the Church.
Reverend James Johnson, Jr.
Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, Seattle
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Liturgy, A School of Prayer |
Vatican City; September 26, 2012 (VIS)
The liturgy as a school of prayer, as a "special place in which God addresses each one of us ... and awaits our response", was the theme of Benedict XVI's catechesis during his general audience, held this morning in St. Peter's Square.
The Pope explained how, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "we read that the word 'liturgy' originally meant a 'service in the name of/on behalf of the people'. If Christian theology took this word from the Greek, clearly it did so thinking of the new People of God, born of Christ Who opened His arms on the Cross to unite mankind in the one peace of God; 'service in the name of the people', a people which exists not of itself but which has come into being thanks to the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ".
"The Catechism also states that in Christian tradition, the word 'liturgy' means the participation of the People of God in the work of God". In this context Pope Benedict recalled how the document on the liturgy had been the first fruit of Vatican Council II. "By beginning with the issue of liturgy, light was very clearly thrown on the primacy of God, on His absolute precedence. ... Where the gaze on God is not decisive, everything becomes disoriented. The fundamental criterion for the liturgy is that it should be oriented towards God, in order to ensure we participate in His work.
"Yet, we might ask ourselves", the Holy Father added, "what is this work of God in which we are called to participate? ... And what makes the Mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ, Who brought salvation, real for me today? The answer is this: the action of Christ through the Church and the liturgy; in particular the Sacrament of the Eucharist which causes the sacrificial offer of the Son of God Who redeemed us to be present; the Sacrament of Penance in which we pass from the death induced by sin to new life; and the other Sacraments which sanctify us".
Quoting again from the Catechism of the Catholic Church the Pope affirmed that "a sacramental celebration is a meeting of God's children with their Father, in Christ and the Holy Spirit; this meeting takes the form of a dialogue, through actions and words'. Thus", he explained, "the first requirement for a good liturgical celebration is that it be prayer and dialogue with God, first listening then responding. ... Sacred liturgy offers us the words, it is up to us to enter into their meaning, absorb them, harmonise ourselves with them. ... One fundamental and primordial element of dialogue with God in the liturgy is concordance between what we say with our mouths and what we carry in our hearts", he said.
 The Pope then referred to a particular moment in which the liturgy calls upon us and helps us to find such concordance: the celebrant's invitation before the Eucharistic prayer: "sursum corda", meaning "let us lift up our hearts"; lift them up, that is, "out of the mire of our concerns and desires, our worries and our distraction. Our hearts, the most intimate part of us, must open meekly to the Word of God and join the prayer of the Church, in order to be oriented towards God by the very words we hear and pronounce".
"We celebrate and experience the liturgy well", the Pope concluded, "only if we maintain an attitude of prayer, uniting ourselves to the mystery of Christ and to His dialogue of a Son with His Father. God Himself teaches us to pray. ... He has given us the right words with which to address Him, words we find in the Psalter, in the great prayers of sacred liturgy and in the Eucharistic celebration itself. Let us pray to the Lord that we may become increasingly aware of the fact that the liturgy is the action of God and of man; a prayer that arises from the Holy Spirit and from us; entirely addressed to the Father in union with the Son of God made man".
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New Series of LMI seminars
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Jaime Cortez
LMI seminar ~ Liturgical Music
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The Liturgical Ministries Institute (LMI) offers educational opportunities for all members of the assembly and for liturgical leadership. These seminars are intended to help form liturgical leaders and to enrich the understanding and active participation of all Catholics.
On January 12th, a new series will begin at Holy Family parish in Kirkland.
Topics include Liturgical Basics, Scripture, Music and Theology of the Eucharist.
Check out the LMI website for a detailed schedule and to register!
WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LMI:
"For those who want to enrich their participation in the Mass, explore the sacred mysteries of our faith, and deepen their relationship with Christ, I highly recommend the LMI courses."
"This was a wonderful and very informative seminar."
"Digging deeper into the rituals and traditions gave me a greater appreciation for the Mass."
"One of the unexpected benefits has been that in my role as a youth minister, I was able to share with the students more of our Catholic tradition and show them just how alive each and every Mass can be."
"Taking the foundational courses has enriched my personal growth and my ministry."
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