Floral Workshop:
Arranging Flowers for
Sacred Places
On Sat. Mar 9, St. Mark's Cathedral will host a workshop for people of all faith traditions on arranging floral arrangements for churches,weddings, funerals, services, and for all occassions.
In a morning session, participants will hear about different styles, designs, and techniques.
In an afternoon workshop, participants will arrange flowers under the guidance of National Cathedral Flower Guild members.
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Liturgical Ministries Institute
On January 12th, a new series of LMI courses began at Holy Family parish in Kirkland.
The LMI is a great way to continue and deepen the work focused on the theological formation of liturgical leadership.
It's not too late to participate in one of the remaining courses.
For more information and to register, view the LMI website.
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Fr. Bryan Dolejsi presenting Theology of the Eucharist on Jan 26 at Holy Family Parish |
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Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood, St. James Cathedral, June 8, 10am
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Fully Conscious and Active Participation | |
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.
"Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people (1 Pet. 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.
In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit; and therefore pastors of souls must zealously strive to achieve it, by means of the necessary instruction, in all their pastoral work."
(Sacrosanctum Concilium, 14)
Below are reflections from members of the Christian Initiation Committee on the above passage regarding full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations.
"Because of the nature of RCIA itself - in its rituals and celebrations, I have found that many in the RCIA process are much better prepared for, and appreciative of, our liturgies. They have been able to immerse themselves deeper into them - more than many who are born into the faith. Being a part of RCIA over the past 16 or so years, I have witnessed many true and deep conversions, it humbles me and helps in my own conscious and active participation."
Deb J. Lyon
St. Francis of Assisi, Seahurst
"We are called as a people of God to provide the catechumens and candidates with an experience of church that transforms not only their lives but our own as well; one that recognizes that the radical call of the Gospel continues to call each and every one of us to ongoing conversion."
Marguerite Main
"Ways to engage into full, conscious, active participation include hosting a tour of the church to help inquirers, (catechumens and candidates), helping them to understand what they see at Mass, talking about posture, gesture, movement and responses - not just how to do them or say them, but unpack the meaning and symbolism behind them all. We may also be intentional with our own posture, responses, singing, sitting, genuflecting, bowing, kneeling and sitting; as well as understanding the meaning of the Priest's role, gestures and movements (e.g. extending hands, laying on of hands, kissing the Book of Gospels, etc.). As others are the examples for those entering into full communion with the Church, they too are examples for us."
Val Keller
St. Benedict, Seattle
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 This rite should be characterized by its simplicity, allowing the beautiful gesture of service to speak to all of ministry in the church. The number is traditionally twelve, though there is no exact requirement. The priest should wash feet. It has become customary in many places to invite both men and women to be participants in this rite in recognition of the service that should be given by all the faithful to the Church and to the world. Thus, in the United States, a variation in the rite developed in which not only charity is signified but also humble service.
This United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has provided direction for this practice on their website.
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"The entire celebration of the Easter Vigil must take place during the night, so that it begins after nightfall and ends before daybreak on the Sunday." (Roman Missal)
This rule is to be taken according to its strictest sense. The Easter Vigil may not be celebrated at the time of day that it is customary to celebrate anticipated Sunday Masses.
The Bishops' Committee on Liturgy (BCL) Newsletter, March 2001, states the Easter Vigil "is to take place in darkness." That is, after the time in the evening when daylight is last visible. This time is roughly equivalent to [the end of] astronomical twilight as defined by the Naval Observatory. The time after which 'the sun does not contribute to sky illumination.'
Thus, each pastor needs to make the appropriate determination for his parish. Pastors may wish to give consideration to establishing a fixed time for the Easter Vigil to be used every year, in which case an appropriate starting time would reflect an Easter Vigil occurring in mid-April.
This year, an appropriate starting time for the Easter Vigil would be 8:00pm for the Seattle area.
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When should parishes receive the holy oils? How is the cross venerated by the assembly? Who may sing the Easter Proclamation?
The USCCB website includes an informative Q & A on the Holy Week and each night of the Paschal Triduum:
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Let us Ever Glory in the Cross of Christ |
It's been a little more than a year since we began praying the words "And with your spirit" at Mass. And many of the liturgical leadership survived the first Holy Week with the revised edition of the Missal. However, it's been almost a year since the first Holy Week celebrations with the Missal occurred. Many probably put all thoughts of Holy Week planning and preparations to the side immediately after Easter Sunday.
Now is the time, if not sooner, to begin thinking yet again about how Holy Week is to be celebrated according to the Roman Missal. Glory in the Cross: Holy Week in the Third Edition of the Roman Missal by Father Paul Turner is a straight-forward guide for liturgical leadership getting ready for the liturgy planning meetings for Holy Week.
Father Turner breaks down each of the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week, beginning with the various entrance options at Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord to the many complex parts of the Easter Vigil, including the baptismal liturgy. The table of contents outlines each of these various parts, so if liturgical leadership have a specific question on let's say the Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament during the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, we can see that on page 73 and go straight to that section.
In his book, Father Turner outlines the specific rubrics and prayers of the Triduum, and he does so with a brief history, and explains where the Third Edition of the Roman Missal has added nuances.
Father Turner not only provides a practical resource, but he does so with a theological interpretation of the rituals with insight, common sense, and grace, relying on his vast experience as a pastor and teacher.
This small paperback 167-page guide, available for $24.95 through Liturgical Press, (or an ebook for only $19.99) will help liturgical leadership, musicians, deacons, liturgy committees, catechists, and all the faithful enter fully into the mystery of the cross of Christ, with all its glory.
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