Liturgy Lines

LITURGY COMES OUT ON TOP

As a liturgist who believes passionately that liturgy is central to all we do as Christians, I am naturally delighted at the outcomes of the recent Synod voting and prioritising processes.
All six items listed as being essential 'To make liturgy the SUMMIT toward which all Church activity is directed and the SOURCE from which its power flows' received strong support from Synod Assembly members.
The Outcomes Statement responding to the call to 'Celebrate Liturgy Well', which was presented to the Archbishop at the conclusion of the Synod, reads:

With a desire that parish liturgy becomes more vibrant, meaningful and inclusive, this Synod Assembly strongly recommends the actions designated to:
· increase and support the number of people qualified to prepare good liturgy in parishes
· provide experience of liturgy in Catholic schools which prepares young people for active participation in parish liturgy
· create a sacred environment for worship in parish churches
· ensure parish liturgy is inclusive of all people.
With a desire that Catholics experience preaching which informs, challenges and gives life, this Synod Assembly strongly recommends the actions designated to:
· support the ministry of preaching
· provide training for the ministry of preaching
With a desire that Catholic people experience the full repertoire of liturgical celebrations, this Synod Assembly strongly recommends the actions designated to:
· encourage parishes to use a variety of liturgical celebrations in addition to the Mass.

The Synod members gave the desired outcome "That parish liturgy becomes more vibrant, meaningful and inclusive" the highest ranking of all 21 presented.

The strategies proposed by the Writing Team for achieving these outcomes include:

1. Parishes ensure that there is a functioning liturgy committee collaborating with the pastoral leadership team.
2. The Liturgical Commission produces guidelines for a parish liturgy committee setting out its role, membership and sources of support.
3. As a priority, parishes sponsor liturgy training for key parish people (liturgy committee members, musicians, pastoral associates, presiders, etc) by making budget allocations for training and by inviting suitable people to undertake training.
4. Parishes provide resources for key liturgy personnel; for example, copies of the liturgical books, music resources, journal subscriptions, and other resources – printed and online.
5. Deaneries or clusters of parishes nominate a qualified liturgy consultant to assist parishes in their liturgy preparation and in sharing resources.
6. The Liturgical Commission establishes a network of these regional liturgy consultants and supports their work.
7. Ensure liturgical cooperation between parish and school by establishing a joint committee of Brisbane Catholic Education and The Liturgical Commission.

8. Provide regular liturgical in-service for RE coordinators, teachers of religion, and campus ministers.
9. Parishes review the quality and sacredness of the church building, its arrangement and its fittings.
10. Parishes establish a structured plan to arrange each church to support the liturgy in the best way possible.
11. Parish liturgy committee ensures that the liturgy includes women in its ministries and language.
12. Parish liturgy committee ensures that the liturgy is welcoming of different ethnic groups, of young and old alike, and of people with disability.