Liturgy Calendar 2009-2010

North American FORUM on the Catechumenate - Spring 2010 Newsletter

The Office of Liturgical Education is an office of ministries for the Diocese of Las Cruces. It offers resources and training for persons who serve in the liturgical life of the parishes.

1. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Initial Training An eight to twelve hour series on the Mass, the theology of Eucharist and hands-on training for persons who are to be commissioned as extraordinary ministers of communion at Sunday and daily masses.

Sessions include: A Walk through the Mass; Eucharist in the Scriptures; The Church's basic teachings about the Eucharist and Holy Communion; A Tour of a Catholic Church; Qualifications and Guidelines for Eucharistic Ministers.

Communion to the Sick In addition to the above sessions, special training is given for taking the sacrament to the infirmed and homebound.

Commissioning Renewal Persons trained in the ministry as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are recommended to the bishop by letter and are commissioned in the parish for a two year term. This commission may be renewed as often as needed. However, every extraordinary minister is to attend a day of reflection and renewal every year they are active in this ministry.

2. Proclamation of the Word

Proclamers/Lectors/Readers Those persons who proclaim the Scriptures at the Eucharist share in the role of Reader. A guide for the preparation, care and nurturing of these ministers can be found in the introductory pages of a workbook resource called Lector Workbook published by Liturgical Training Publications (LTP). Each fall the diocese provides an opportunity for parishes to purchase these workbooks at a discount.

Training Workshop Parish may request lector training by calling the Office of Liturgical Education.

3. Music Ministry

Among the many signs and symbols used by the Church to celebrate its faith, music is of preeminent importance. As sacred song united to words it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy. Yet the function of music is ministerial; it must serve and never dominate. Music should assist the assembled believers to express and share the gift of faith that is within them and to nourish and strengthen their interior commitment of faith. It should heighten the texts so that they speak more fully and more effectively. The quality of joy and enthusiasm which music adds to community worship cannot be gained in any other way. It imparts a sense of unity to the assembly and sets the appropriate tone for a particular celebration. (Music in Catholic Worship, MCW, #23)

• Training/Workshops
• How to select music according to the seasons of the year
• Advent and Christmas
• Lent
• Easter Triduum
• Easter Season
• Ordinary Time
• The role of the Cantor: skills for proclaiming the psalms
• Basic skills for reading music
  Parishes are encouraged to host clinicians from the publishing companies who offer help in any and/all of the above topics.
• The Office of Liturgical Education can help a parish or cluster of parishes make the contacts and set up the workshops.

Visit these websites for more music ministry resources
Oregon Catholic Press
J. S. Paluch and World Library Publications
GIA Publications

Links

ENVISION CHURCH: Art, Architecture, Liturgy, and Spirituality in the Catholic Tradition
www1.georgetown.edu/centers/liturgy/envisionchurch/

Liturgical Year Calendar
www.webelieveweb.com/liturgical_year.cfm

North American Forum on the Catechumenate
www.naforum.org/new_site/