Online Survey:
New Archdiocesan Magazine
The Archdiocese of Seattle will launch a new, monthly magazine in the fall of 2013.
Responding to this survey will help us design editorial content that meets the needs of our faith community. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and your responses will be strictly confidential.
Thank you for your assistance in making this exciting new venture in evangelization successful.
Greg Magnoni, Director Office of Communications Archdiocese of Seattle | |
Pentecost:
A Celebration of Ministry
Fri., May 10th
An Archdiocesan gathering of clergy and lay ecclesial ministers, with keynote presentations and breakout sessions, followed by Mass at 2:30pm with a special blessing for lay ecclesial ministers at St. James Cathedral. | |
Calendar of Events
around the archdiocese |
Pentecost: A Celebration of Ministry, May 10
Transitional Diaconate Ordination of Brian Thompson, May 24, 7pm, Holy Redeemer, Vancouver
LMI Webinar:
Celebrating the Mass
May 29 & June 5, 7pm-9pm
Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood of Mark Kiszelewski, June 8, 10am, St. James Cathedral
Transitional Diaconate Ordination of Anthony Lezcano, June 16, 5pm, St. Vincent de Paul, Federal Way
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In the Spirit of the Liturgy | |
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.
All the faithful need to learn the liturgy
(Sacrosanctum Concilium 14, 19) and those who serve in the various liturgical ministries especially need to be formed "in the spirit of the Liturgy" (SC, 29)
Below are reflections from various liturgy coordinators in the Archdiocese regarding how they form liturgical ministers "in the spirit of the Liturgy" as well as some recommended resources for instructing the various liturgical ministers.
"We offer workshops, retreat and refreshers, and gatherings for each of our ministry groups. These times are an opportunity to reflect on the blessings of liturgical ministry, to review what it is that the liturgical ministers do, and to introduce changes that may affect the ministry groups. We have large gatherings and invite all liturgical ministers to celebrate and share our appreciation for the times and ways that they share their gifts with the parish during Mass.
Resources we use include:
This past fall, mindful of the beginning of this Year of Faith, Father Mike Raschko shared some reflections on the Second Vatican Council.
I also collect a number of pamphlets, articles and online columns that I share with our liturgical ministers to continue their formation and growth. I do particularly enjoy the times when the liturgical ministers gather. The sharing and reflection that takes place reminds everyone that the Spirit is what breathes life into the Mass. We are only vessels through whom God acts!"
Patrick Barredo
Holy Rosary, Seattle
"We have a staff member to which each of the lay ministry leaders reports. Names come to us from several sources including parish registration forms, other lay ministers, the parish welcoming team, ministry leaders or staff members. Once the individual is cleared for ministry (including SEP if required), the ministry leader is notified and they conduct individual training. Once a year (usually in the fall) each group of ministers meet with the pastor and staff for spiritual formation and ministerial updates."
Deacon Bill Hamlin,
Pastoral Associate, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bremerton
"We offer a one-on-one training for our ministers. Our ministers to the homebound meet twice per year, on a Saturday morning in the fall and again in the spring, for a "refresher." We all touch base on a few 'housekeeping' matters such as scheduling, procedures, and such during these meetings. Then we have brief Continuing Education piece for the ministers. We've had presentations about Hospice care, on ministering to those with dementia, and on caring for the caregivers of our homebound folks. We've been able to utilize the expertise of some local professionals. Typically, our pastor joins the group for questions and answers about their ministry as well, focusing on catechesis."
Kathy Warcup,
Pastoral Assistant for Outreach, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bremerton
"As part of our training for all liturgical ministers I distribute a booklet called Giving Life by Eugene A Walsh. The emphasis of the booklet is the role of the whole parish assembly in creating liturgy. It focuses on hospitality, word, eucharist, and mission. Our ministers need to be formed as active participants in the liturgy first and then trained to serve the worshiping community in a specific role. Once they recognize the importance of everyone's contribution to the liturgy it makes sense to them that their specific role is to draw out and enhance the participation of the whole assembly, by skillfully executing their assigned duties. This understanding underlies everything we ask of our liturgical ministers. It dignifies the ministry of the greeters and ushers, it motivates the Lectors proclaiming the Word, it inspires the Eucharistic Ministers distributing the blessed sacrament, and it connects all of us to our partners in mission. The booklet was published in 1993, so it is not the newest work out there, but I still find it useful. It is available from OCP for $2.00. "
Kelly Gardner
St. Patrick, Tacoma
"We have formal initial and refresher training sessions for Lectors, Communion Ministers and Altar Servers. Monthly meeting are held with choir directors and we have specialty sessions such as cantor workshops.
We use locally developed training materials based on source documents such as the GIRM, Norms for Distribution of Communion, Sing to the Lord, etc., and from the USCCB website and other online sources. Update materials and information are e-mailed to all ministers as necessary. Our Hispanic Communion Ministers meet weekly to pray and study and the Hispanic Lectors meet every other week to pray and study the upcoming scripture readings. In addition, all liturgical ministers (and parishioners in general) are catechized by means of a Liturgy column in the parish bulletin every week. We have also conducted what we call Pre-Mass Catechesis where, just before Mass starts, we have a 3-5 minute teaching on a specific part of the Mass.
We've found the LTP guides series to be very helpful for developing liturgical minister training materials and all our lectors are provided the LTP "Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers and Proclaimers of the Word" in English or Spanish."
An Anonymous Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy
from a parish in the Archdiocese
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Finding the Right Liturgical Ministry | |
Saint Paul wrote that God provides all the gifts the community needs for its life, including gifts for the community's worship. No one person has every gift necessary, and these very differences can unite parishes by welcoming the gifts of each member, a way of promoting cooperation for the wondrous unity of worshiping as a Catholic parish community. The pastor invites and orchestrates the gifts of his parishioners for the sake of the community.
What are the general qualifications for serving? They should be lay Catholic men and women who attend Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days, who receive Holy Communion, who live in accord with the teachings of the Church, people of prayer, maturing and continuing to grow and learn the faith and the develop the skills to express it. They are Catholics who participate in parish life. Some liturgical ministries require that one be fully initiated (i.e., be confirmed); others do not. New Catholics, especially newly-baptized Catholics who have completed their formation in the RCIA process, should take some time before jumping into a liturgical ministry. They need to be "seasoned" and grow comfortable with their place in the midst of the assembly before they participate in a liturgical ministry.
How do I discern what my gifts are and where I should serve? Prayer is necessary, and meditation on one's life with God and in the community. Consult your pastor. At the same time, listen to friends, members of your family, and other lay ministers, who can affirm your quest and your gifts. Sometimes this quest will help you identify a new way of seeing your abilities, but it may confirm what you have already known about yourself for a long time.
What gives you joy? What are your strengths? Those can lead you to the right liturgical ministry for you.
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Would you enjoy preparing the beauty of the church environment for worship? (Liturgical environment ministers) - Is welcoming and serving the comfort and safety of your fellow parishioners and newcomers a joy for you? (Hospitality: ushers and greeters)
- Can you rejoice in musical skills that deepen the worship and prayer of the people? (Music ministers)
- Do you take joy in the Scriptures and long to deepen your familiarity with and knowledge of the Scriptures? (Readers)
- Do you desire to share with reverence the Eucharist in the Body of Christ that is the Church? (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion)
- Do you wish to assist the clergy at the altar and learn more about the Mass? (Altar servers)
- Does preparing books, vessels, and linens, and helping the clergy and people to worship in an orderly way appeal to you? (Sacristans)
- Do you have experience and organizational skills that could help the pastor to guide the liturgy according to the standards set by the Church? (Liturgical committee)
- Do you want to support others to come to know and love the liturgy and participate fully in it? (RCIA sponsors)
New liturgical ministers can prepare for ministry, and veteran ministers can keep their skills sharp by participating in the Liturgical Ministries Insitute (LMI). It's a comprehensive program for growth and continued development of your knowledge and skills.
Sandy Dresbeck
Liturgical Commission member
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A New Vision for LMI: Long-Distant Learning | |
Would you like to help us take the Liturgical Ministries Institute into the future of technology? LMI is experimenting to add a distance opportunity for learning in liturgy. A webinar program for our offerings using the excellent Blackboard Collaborate program will allow you to take an LMI course with others in a nearby parish site or in your own home or office.
A pilot experience for credit of one of our regular LMI courses, "Celebrating the Mass," in this new format will be offered over 2 - two hour sessions by Father Steve Sallis. This course is one of the foundational courses in the LMI. The two sessions will be on Wednesday, May 29th and June 5th from 7pm-9pm. The number of registrants is limited for this free one-time only opportunity.
In addition to taking this course in the comfort of your home or office, you also have the option to participate in four locations throughout the Archdiocese, which will soon be announced.
Requirements:
- Register by May 24th
- Participate in both sessions
Complete a brief survey about your experience to provide feedback for the LMI after the second session
If you complete these requirements:
- There will be no cost to you
- You will receive full credit for this 2-part course
Check if your computer can run Blackboard by clicking on this link
(you will only need to do this the first time you access the room.) The page will indicate if you need to download additional software for Blackboard to run on your computer.
To participate more actively during the presentation, use a PC headset (with microphone.) If you are unable to acquire a headset, please use headphones/earbuds during the session to minimize the feedback echo from your computer speakers.
More information, the four locations, and registration will soon be made available, so stay tuned or you may email Jennifer Gramaje to be contacted once the information is available!
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Celebrate your Patron Saint | |
From St. Anne in Blaine to St. Thomas Aquinas in Camas, most parishes in the Archdiocese are named for a saint or blessed, for the Blessed Virgin Mary, or for Christ under a particular title -- Sacred Heart, Christ Our Hope, Christ the King. The saint's name often reflects the location of the church (Our Lady of the Olympics, Our Lady Star of the Sea) or the community that worships there (St. Paul Chong Hasang, Vietnamese Martyrs).
Do you celebrate your patron saint, or the titular of your parish, on their feast day? (In parishes named for Christ, the Holy Spirit, or the Holy Trinity, the proper term is not "patron" but "titular.")
Here are some ways you can celebrate:
- At Sunday Mass. Did you know that in your parish, the memorial or feast of your patron saint ranks as a solemnity? That means that in Ordinary Time, it can be transferred to a Sunday, and the readings and prayers for the saint take the place of the ordinary readings and prayers of the day.
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With stories of your patron saint. There are many great resources available on the saints. Monthly missals like Give Us This Day from Liturgical Press or Magnificat include wonderful short biographies of saints for each day, and there are great permanent resources as well: Companion to the Calendar from LTP, Saint of the Day from St. Anthony Messenger Press, and many more. The Patron Saints Index is a wonderful online resource of literally thousands of saints, which includes biographies, quotations, images, and links to other resources. Some parishes are blessed with prolific patrons - St. Augustine, St. Ignatius, St. Paul, St. Therese. Dedicate a box in the bulletin to your patron, and include quotes, prayers or tidbits of information to help people come to know and love their patron saint. -
With an image or icon. Do you have an image of your patron in the church? If not, consider commissioning one. If you do not have the budget, you need not wait to have an image of your patron: let the children of the parish research stories and artistic representations of the saint, and create their own "icons" of your patron. You can share their creations in a special place of prayer in the church or the vestibule.
 | | St. Benedict parish picnic |
- With a celebration for the parish community. A patronal feast day is like a birthday: it's a day to give thanks for all your community has done and is doing in the name of Christ. Host a picnic, a breakfast, a luncheon. Bring people together to give thanks and celebrate.
Corinna Laughlin
St. James Cathedral, Seattle
We asked a number of parishes in the Archdiocese to share with us ways in which they celebrate their patronal feast day.
Here is what they had to say:
 | | A traditional Filipino dance performed at Family Fun Fest |
"For St. Augustine's Feast Day, August 28th, we celebrate by having our Family Fun Fest. After the last Mass on the closest Sunday, part of the parking lot is closed off to allow for tables to be set up for a BBQ lunch and there are many games for the kids. On the other end of the parking lot we set up a stage for entertainment while folks are eating and visiting. We also have Bingo in the parish hall."
Father Phil Raether
St. Augustine, Oak Harbor
"St. Michael parish in Olympia celebrates their parish feast day each year on the Sunday closest to September 29th. The readings of the feast day are used and the color for vestments is white. Since this is a high ranking feast for the parish, the best altar linens are used along with six
 | | Making candles with the image of St. Michael |
candles at the altar, and beautiful fall flower arrangements. It's a good time for the parish to celebrate as school has just begun and most have settled in after the summer activities. A special dessert is always served after each Mass, often it has been angel food cake with a fruit topping.
This past year, all were invited to make special candles with the image of St. Michael to take home and burn throughout  the year.
One of the little parishioners dressed up as an angel to pass out holy cards as people entered for Mass."
Michelle Clinton
St. Michael, Olympia
"We process in with our St. Benedict icon (pictured below) on a pole with ribbons and bells. We place special flowers and candles at the St. Benedict statue. In some years, I have handed out St. Benedict medals, and had information available on St. Benedict Cross (many folks have the cross as a medal, key ring, or rosary/finger rosary), and I've included
 | | Badminton at St. Benedict parish picnic. |
quotes and prayers from the Rule of St. Benedict in the bulletin or made them available as handouts.
Thomas Allsopp has written a hymn for St. Benedict based on the Rule, which we sing.
Then, on the Sunday close to the feast, we have our parish picnic at a nearby park/pavillion - we provide refreshments, paper products and the meat (including veggie burgers, burgers, and hot dogs) and everyone who wishes brings a dish or item to share. There are also games for the kids.
Val Keller
St. Benedict, Seattle
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