I think most of us would agree with the statement the liturgy requires humility — until it is required of us. I remember the first liturgy committee I formed after I was hired as a parish liturgist. The pastor had … Read More
Yesterday someone from my homeowners association taped a flyer to my door listing 16 things we’re not supposed to flush down the drain, including bandage wrappings, car oil, paper towels, and toys. I assume the reason they did that is … Read More
I don’t think we can understand liturgy until we understand that it is a storytelling process. And then we have to understand the story liturgy tells and what the story does. Why understanding liturgy as “story” is so important It … Read More
One of my biggest gripes is the use (or misuse) of the “teaching Mass.” To me, it feels like preparing a feast for your beloved — perhaps for a significant anniversary or to celebrate a big promotion — and then … Read More
Sarah, a lifelong Catholic, was feeling a little awkward and confused. She had invited her friend, Julie, to go to Mass with her. Now they were having coffee after the liturgy, and Julie had asked why Catholics did all that … Read More
Mark Twain once wrote, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” In liturgy, if you are trying to get lightening to strike, … Read More
In my first year of college, just 15 years after the close of Vatican II, I volunteered to be a communion minister at our campus ministry center. I had served as a communion minister in high school, but only at … Read More
This is an excellent summary of why we do not have eulogies in Catholic funerals. The speaker is Fr. Bill Burke, Director of the National Liturgy Office of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
One of my first jobs after college was in campus ministry. The Newman House was an actual house just off campus. It was also the residence for the priest-director. The most memorable feature of the house was its red door. … Read More
Why do people go to Mass? Why do you go to Mass? If you ask people — or yourself — that question, you will likely hear that people are in church to receive comfort, to be with friends, to receive … Read More