TopLiturgy Line
A Seasonal Liturgical Resource
from the Liturgy Office | Archdiocese of Seattle
Advent 2015
In this Issue
 
 
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
 
As the patronal feast day of the United States, December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a Holy Day of Obligation.

 

 
 
From Womb to Tomb:
Baptisms and Funerals as Instruments of the New Evangelization


A virtual workshop presented by Timothy Johnston, Director of Liturgical Programs at Marquette University.

As a follow-up from the recent Christian Funeral workshop, here's a great virtual workshop that you can register for.

Participants in this Virtual Workshop will discover how the art of collaboration, prayer, catechesis, and an atmosphere of trust and hospitality can help you to prepare liturgies that are inviting to those who may be visiting for the first time, or returning to the pews after a long absence.
 
Nov 18 at 4:30pm    OR
Nov 19 at 10:00am

 
 
 

Saturday, December 5      
Sábado, 5 de Diciembre

St. Mary, Seattle
9:30am
Rosary       Rosario
10:30am
Procession       Procesión
  
St. James Cathedral, Seattle
12:10pm
Mass       Misa
1:30pm
Reception       Recepción

 
 
 
SIMBANG GABI
 
On Saturday, December 12 at 11:00am hundreds from all over the Archdiocese will gather at St. James Cathedral for the annual Simbang Gabi celebration. Simbang Gabi is a novena of Masses which lead up to the celebration of Christmas and the nativity of Jesus as the light of the world.
  
This Mass also includes a blessing of the coordinators of the Simbang Gabi celebrations throughout the Archdiocese.
 
 
 
 
 
The NPM Seattle Chapter plans to hold local "Eat and Read" gatherings throughout the Archdiocese - hopefully one in your area! This will be an opportunity for music directors to gather for social time, then convene at a host parish to have music sharing and reading of favorites from your music library.                               
                   
Email Paula Schmitz, Director of the NPM Seattle Chapter, to be added to the chapter's mailing list and stay connected for more information about future events.
 
 
 
MASS AND MARCH FOR LIFE
 
Tues, Jan 19, 2016

Mass - 9:30am at Marcus Pavilion at Saint Martin's University in Lacey.

March - Washington State Capitol in Olympia following the Mass.
 
 
 
Lecturas del día
 
The USCCB website now has the daily readings,  las lecturas del día en español.
 
 
 
 
Rite of Election and Chrism Mass
 
Mark your calendars:    
  

Chrism Mass - Thurs, March 17, 2016 at 7pm

 

 
 
Year of Mercy
This liturgical year, which begins with the First Sunday of Advent on November 29, 2015, marks a special time in the life of the Roman Catholic Church.  Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has called an extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in his bull Misericordiae Vultus.  This Jubilee Year of Mercy officially commences on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8, 2015 marked by the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.  Then, the following Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, known also as Gaudete (or Rejoice!) Sunday, will include the opening of a Holy Door of Mercy in the cathedral church of each diocese in the world.  Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome, will open a Holy Door at the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome and Archbishop Sartain will open our local Holy Door at Saint James Cathedral in Seattle on December 13, 2015. The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization has published eight pastoral resources for living the jubilee Year of Mercy (through Our Sunday Visitor) which could be used for study and faith sharing in the parish especially, for example, taking one volume per week during the forty days of Lent.  The first, "Celebrating Mercy," provides the ritual for the opening (and subsequent closing) of the Holy Door; though this rite will only be celebrated at the cathedral by the archbishop for the opening of our archdiocesan Holy Door the beautiful text is worth study and reflection in order to make its riches known to the faithful.  This opening (and closing) of the Holy Door is the principal way in which the Archdiocese of Seattle will mark the Jubilee Year of Mercy together with the observance of "Twenty-Four Hours for the Lord" (on March 4-5, 2016), several additional archdiocesan Jubilee celebrations scheduled at Saint James Cathedral (see complete schedule online), and parish pilgrimages to the Holy Door. "Celebrating Mercy" is not, however, limited to cathedral celebrations and includes recommended liturgical celebrations of mercy you may want to consider for your parish. 

Read Andrew Casad's full article on the Year of Mercy and ways parishes may celebrate this Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Liturgical Resource
The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions has provided a free resource which includes music suggestions, sample penances, the complete text of a Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution, a liturgical calendar advisory for the Advent and Christmas seasons, and more. 
 
We remain very grateful to the FDLC, USCCB, and ICEL for their careful review and generous permissions of this resource.  
 
Bulletin Inserts
Corinna Laughlin from St. James Cathedral created a couple of bulletin inserts for the Year of Mercy that might be helpful for parishes. 
 
These bulletin inserts and additional resources, including pilgrimage information, details about the Holy Doors, prayers for the Year of Mercy, and a full calendar of events, are available on the St. James Cathedral's Year of Mercy page.
 
Official Hymn for the Year of Mercy
There have been so many requests for the music of Paul Inwood's Year of Mercy Hymn that he has put all the music files into a public folder for use in parishes and faith communities. All Year of Mercy Hymn resources, including a Spanish-language version, are available on the Liturgy Office website.
 
Living the Jubilee
Our Sunday Visitor has published a series of eight short books, the official catechetical resource for the Jubilee Year of Mercy, by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization for Living the Jubilee, at the request of Pope Francis.
 
Any or all eight may be purchased through the Our Sunday Visitor website.
 
365 Days to Mercy App
There is a Year of Mercy app that is available for parishes, which includes information on the Year of Mercy, daily meditations and scripture. Scan this barcode for more information.


La especial celebración del Año Litúrgico y de los sacramentos, la animación de las devociones populares y la práctica de la lectio divina, harán viva y presente la misericordia del Padre en nuestras comunidades. El presente subsidio nos permitirá lograr una rica participación activa de pastores y fieles, en diócesis, parroquias y santuarios. Nos ofrece sugerencias a fin de que nuestras celebraciones de la Misericordia de Dios, puedan transmitir el amor infinito que el Padre nos tiene.

A Year of Mercy with Pope Francis
A great Christmas gift idea for your family, friends, catechists, and parish volunteers! This small prayer book includes brief, daily quotes from Pope Francis and reflection questions for the entire year. These bite-sized quotes and engaging questions will fit easily into your busy schedule.

Our Sunday Visitor Resources
Additional resources on the Year of Mercy have been published by Our Sunday Visitor, including prayer cards, a bible study guide on mercy, and resources on scripture and healing.

Visit Our Sunday Visitor's website on the Year of Mercy to see the wide variety of resources available.
 
 
 
Advent Liturgical Notes

THANKSGIVING TABLE BLESSING

On Thanksgiving Day, as families and friends gather to give thanks to God for the many graces received, a Thanksgiving Table Blessing, from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers may be used.
 

BLESSING OF AN ADVENT WREATH

The use of the Advent Wreath is a traditional practice which has found its place in the Church as well as in the home. The blessing of an Advent Wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or on the evening before the First Sunday of Advent.
 

When the blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family.


 

BLESSING OF A CHILD IN THE WOMB

As we honor the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary within the womb of St. Anne, it is fitting to remember this Blessing of a Child in the Womb. This blessing supports parents awaiting the birth of a child and encourages the parish community's prayers for - and recognition of - the gift of human life in the form of the child in the womb. It may be offered within Mass as well as outside of Mass.

View the ritual text from the USCCB Website. 


 

BLESSING OF A CHRISTMAS MANGER OR NATIVITY SCENE

The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time.


When the manger is set up in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another family member.
 

View the ritual text from the USCCB website.
 

BLESSING OF A CHRISTMAS TREE 

The use of the Christmas tree is relatively modern. Its origins are found in the medieval mystery plays that depicted the tree of paradise and the Christmas light or candle that symbolized Christ, the Light of the world.


 

According to custom, the Christmas tree is set up just before Christmas and may remain in place until the Solemnity of Epiphany. The lights of the tree are illuminated after the prayer of blessing.


In the home the Christmas tree may be blessed by a parent or another family member, in connection with the evening meal on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time on Christmas Day.
 

View the ritual text from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.
 

BLESSING OF THE HOME AND HOUSEHOLD ON EPIPHANY

Although the traditional date of Epiphany is January 6, this year in the United States it is celebrated on Sunday January 3.

 

View the ritual text from the USCCB website.
 


 

 
"This is the Night:"
Preparing the Liturgies for the Sacred Paschal Triduum.
 
"Clip Art for Year A" by Steve Erspamer (c) 1992 Liturgy Training Publications.

The sacred Paschal Triduum is the summit of the liturgical year and of utmost importance in the spiritual life of Christians.


In these holiest of days, we not only celebrate the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord but we also enter into his Paschal Mystery.


The liturgies of these days are marked by rites of such solemnity as

the Washing of Feet at the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday,

the adoration of the Holy Cross at the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday,

the annual renewal of the Church with the Lucernarium and initiation of the elect at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night,

and the renewal of the baptism of the faithful on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection.

 

Priests, deacons, liturgists, RCIA coordinators, sacristans, and MCs are invited to this two-day workshop in order to:

 

-        deepen your understanding of Christ's presence in these liturgies,

-        dive into the details of arranging your parish's celebration liturgy in accord with the third edition of the Roman Missal,

-        immerse the elect, newly baptized, and your whole parish into participation in these sacred rites,

-        and answer your questions on why and how the Church intends us to pray in these three days.

 

          Friday, January 8          2pm - 9pm     and 
          Saturday, January 9        9am - 4pm
  
Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church
          1121  228th Ave SE
          Sammamish, WA 98075

A suggested donation of $100 per person (checks payable to CCAS) includes workshop materials, Friday dinner, Saturday light continental breakfast and lunch.
  
Presenter: Andrew Casad, Director of Liturgy.
  
More information is available on the Liturgy Office website.
  
  
  

 

 

Eco-Palms: Harvest for Justice
"Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor" (Pope Francis, Laudato Si, 49).
 
Indigenous Communities at Risk
More than 300 million palm fronds are harvested each year for U.S. consumption alone - most of them for Palm Sunday. Yet for the communities who harvest these plants year after year, palm fronts rarely represent jubilation. Although U.S. palm purchases may reach as high as $4.5 million each year, the palm harvesters themselves earn very little. Indigenous families and communities, who rely heavily on palm harvesting for income, represent the poorer segments of the rural populations in the palm-producing areas of Mexico and Guatemala.
 
Environment at Risk
Typically, palm harvesting is done by community members hired by local contractors, who then sell palms to large floral export firms. Payment is based on volume, so harvesters are motivated to gather a large quantity of palms without regard for quality. As a result, up to half the palms harvested are usually discarded due to poor quality. Many palm producing areas are important biosphere reserves, and the harsh harvesting techniques are rapidly depleting the forest's rich biodiversity.
 
Harvest for Justice
Help build support in the U.S. for eco-palms by introducing your parish or faith community to this social and environmental justice project and as a way to walk humbly with the Lord in justice and right (Micah 6:8).
 
Eco-palms are harvested in a more sustainable way - harvesters are paid on the quality of their palms rather than the quantity. These communities are also committed to using harvesting practices that minimize the impact on the natural forest.
 
Eco-palm harvesters and community members sort and package the palms themselves and sell them directly rather than relying on middlemen. In this way, eco-palms improve local communities' standard of living and ensure that the money paid for the palms benefit those who labor.
 
Consider ordering eco-palms for your Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord celebration as we remember the important role we play in protecting forests, local jobs, and sustainable livelihoods in harvesting communities.
 
Visit EcoPalms.org for more information and to order your eco-palms.
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