Liturgy Lines

LITURGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Liturgy and technology do not often sit comfortably together. Computers can be isolating and ‘distancing’ whereas liturgy, by its nature, is immediate, communal and participatory. It demands that believers gather in one place at the same time to proclaim and hear, to sing and bless, to eat and drink the holy sacrament. When we use technology in worship, it sometimes intrudes, turning participants into spectators, changing the human voice into mechanical sound, and cluttering a sacred space with ‘equipment’.

On the other hand, technology can help us enormously to prepare good liturgy. The Internet cuts through the pressure of time and the tyranny of distance providing instant access to what we need. We have come to rely so much on the resources it provides that we embrace technology and rejoice in its help.

The Liturgical Commission is proud therefore to present to the wide world its new website. For The Liturgical Commission, www.litcom.net.au is just the first step in providing electronic liturgical support. The site makes available such a lot of information and features that you will want to bookmark it and return to it often. Its attractive clean-and-simple design makes it easy to navigate and use.

I get numerous calls from people asking about previous Liturgy Lines columns on a specific issue. I am often asked when they will be published in book form. Now you will find the entire collection of over 250 on our website with the latest one added each week. A word-search will help you find a past column on a particular topic.

There is an online index to articles since 1989 from our quarterly journal, Liturgy News. Visitors to the site can check out the editorial and table of contents in the current issue. It is even possible to take out or renew subscriptions to Liturgy News online.

The site provides a collection of documents and Brisbane Archdiocesan policy statements on liturgy. They cover liturgy in schools, children’s liturgy of the word, sacramental policy, and many more. In addition, with one click you can check the current page in the Ordo.

People in southeast Queensland can get information about seminars and other educational opportunities in liturgy. They can also register online for workshops.

Finally there is a full listing and description of The Liturgical Commission’s publications. They link across to our Online Store where you can browse, select and order our products, arranging on line for payment and delivery. It’s easy, secure and efficient. Amazon, eat your heart out – we’ve got shopping carts too!

We believe that this initiative is an important one for the continuing liturgical renewal in Australia. Many dioceses and parishes do not have access to background material for parish liturgy committees. Now a click on www.litcom.net.au will give them a wide range of free liturgical material and will let them purchase published resources directly.