Going Further
6th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A We come to a section of Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount that scholars call the “antitheses,” marked by the rhetorical pattern, “You have heard that it was said … But I say … Read More
Can we be salt and light?
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A Following on his underlying teaching of the beatitudes from last week, Jesus says to the crowd and to us this week: You are salt and light meant to glorify God by being … Read More
Who is advocating for those in need?
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A You’ve seen wall art and throw pillows displaying the word “blessed.” “Grateful and blessed,” “Too blessed to be stressed,” or just plain “Blessed!” It’s good to feel blessed, but that’s not the … Read More
Bonded to Christ’s Mission
3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A Last week we looked at why you should celebrate the Rite of Reception now so baptized Christians becoming Catholic can be brought to the eucharistic table without delay. In these Ordinary Time … Read More
Deepening the unity
2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time – A With only five and a half weeks before Ash Wednesday, you will want to make sure some important things get done now before you take a quick breather. One of these is receiving … Read More
Starting Over
Fourth Sunday of Advent – Year A Homilists and music ministers will constantly have to fight the human urge to think sequentially and impose a historical lens upon the liturgical year, treating the seasons as a diary of Jesus’s life. … Read More
Looking for others
Third Sunday of Advent – Year A “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” (Mt 11:3). If John the Baptist had doubts about Jesus, what hope is there for us to believe? For … Read More
Enmity is erased
Second Sunday of Advent – Year A The lectionary’s first reading and gospel pairing usually works, but not today. Isaiah’s radical “peaceable kingdom” has been so romanticized in our religious imagination that its eschatological meaning, in light of John the … Read More
Time to Prepare
First Sunday of Advent – Year A In addition to being a time to prepare for Christmas, Advent begins a new liturgical year, inviting us to reflect on the entire Christian journey of faith to its end goal. On the … Read More
We give thanks
Thanksgiving Day It’s fitting we close this basic instruction manual for liturgical music ministry on the day we give thanks as a nation, for giving thanks is the core of what we do as Christians. It is what celebrating the … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day (Canada) – Monday, 10 October 2022 Thanksgiving Day (USA) – Thursday, 24 November 2022 Thanksgiving Day (Australia) – Wednesday, 30 November 2022 So many choices. Pick one of these: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9. Ephesians 1:3-14. Colossians 3:12-17. Let Us … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirty-Fourth or Last Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-Fourth or Last Sunday in Ordinary Time Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Solemnity – 20 November 2022 2 Samuel 5:1-3. Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5. Colossians 1:12-20. Luke 23:35-43. Who Is This Beloved Son? In today’s gospel, we … Read More
Jesus led from the cross
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe We’ve explored some basic liturgical music skills, and with consistent attention, you will master these elements. But there’s one skill that will always challenge you. That is to lead as Jesus led … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – 13 November 2022 and World Day of the Poor Malachi 3:19-20a. Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12. Luke 21:5-19. Why Should We Care for the Poor? The first and gospel readings are responses … Read More
Understanding sacred silence
33rd Sunday Ordinary Time – C One significant element in both music and liturgy is silence. In musical performance and in ritual prayer, silence is more than the absence of sound or a passive pause in action. It is the … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Feast of The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Feast – Wednesday, 09 November 2022 Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12. Psalm 46:2, 3, 5-6, 8, 9. 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17. John 2:13-22. Why Are Churches Important? Today we celebrate the dedication (setting aside for … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – 06 November 2022 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14. Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15. 2 Thessalonians 2:16–3:5. Luke 20:27-38. What Is This Resurrection? The Bible readings have something to say about faithfulness. The brothers Maccabees remain … Read More
The climax of the liturgical year
32nd Sunday Ordinary Time – C My piano teacher taught me that getting the notes right wasn’t enough to make music. I had to keep in mind the musical “line.” Every piece typically begins with a theme, builds it to … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
All Saints, Solemnity – Tuesday, 01 November 2022 Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14. Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6. 1 John 3:1-3. Matthew 5:1-12a. Do We Stand Among the Saints? Saintly, holy behavior is described in the gospel beatitudes today. The Second Letter of … Read More
A solemn litany
All Saints/All Souls The Litany of Saints is not a once-a-year text, but we sometimes think it is because we encounter it most often only at the Easter Vigil. But the Litany of Saints has a rich tradition of being … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time – 30 October 2022 Wisdom 11:22–12:2. Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14. 2 Thessalonians 1:11–2:2. Luke 19:1-10. Whom Does Jesus Seek? The short of stature Zacchaeus runs ahead, climbs a tree, and seeks Jesus as … Read More
Presenting the sequences
31st Sunday Ordinary Time – C One way the church highlights the preeminence of the Easter season in the liturgical year is by prescribing two special sung texts called sequences to bookend the season on Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday. … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 23 October 2022 Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18. Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18. Luke 18:9-14. Does God Have Favorites? The first reading asserts that while God, indeed, attends to everyone, there is … Read More
The Sacrifice of Praise
30th Sunday Ordinary Time – C In the spirit of progressive solemnity, let’s look at texts that are only sung at the most important days of the liturgical year. These texts do not accompany any ritual action because the singing … Read More
Following “Progressive Solemnity”
29th Sunday Ordinary Time – C Not everything that can be sung should be sung, nor should it be sung the same way every time. We need to follow a principle of “progressive solemnity.” Think of it like musical dynamics … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 16 October 2022 Exodus 17:8-13. Psalm 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. 2 Timothy 3:14–4:2. Luke 18:1-8. Is God Slow to Answer Prayer? Moses wearily struggles to keep his hands raised in prayer for the benefit … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 09 October 2022 2 Kings 5:14-17. Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4. 2 Timothy 2:8-13. Luke 17:11-19. How Does Faith Save? In the first reading today, Naaman, the foreigner, wants two loads of earth for his … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – 02 October 2022 Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4. Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9. 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14. Luke 17:5-10. What About Seed and Service? Here are two puzzling teachings for today. One, of mulberry tree and mustard … Read More
What you don’t sing
28th Sunday Ordinary Time – C We’ve focused on what to sing from the Mass ordinary and propers. Let’s take a look at what you don’t sing. This happens mostly in Advent and Lent. For some background, we turn to … Read More
The right thing for the right time
27th Sunday Ordinary Time – C This week, we look at the Mass “propers,” which, as the name suggests, are proper texts for a specific occurrence. In the Roman Missal and the Lectionary, each Mass has specific prayers and texts … Read More
Marking Time
26th Sunday Ordinary Time – C Music ministers are the liturgy’s time-keepers. At the most basic level, making music requires that we “keep time,” establishing pace by the number of beats per minute and dividing beats per measure into rhythms. … Read More
Growing from encounter to encounter
25th Sunday Ordinary Time – C If time is one way we encounter Christ, then that relationship deepens over time even if—perhaps because—we do the same rituals and tell the same stories year after year. It grows because we are … Read More
Becoming an excellent music director
24th Sunday Ordinary Time – C If you want to be an excellent music director, you need to master the Mass’s ritual book, the Roman Missal. Along with the Lectionary, the Roman Missal gives you the structure, rules, and guidelines … Read More
A lens for seeing the liturgical seasons
23rd Sunday Ordinary Time – C Catholics primarily engage the Bible not as individuals but through communal hearing of Scriptures within the assembly on a schedule determined by the liturgical calendar. The Catholic Lectionary organizes three or more biblical passages … Read More
The liturgical calendar is powerful
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time We often fail to realize how powerful the liturgical calendar is. Beyond determining the day’s Mass, it shapes our Christian faith. When we attend to the liturgical calendar, we are formed by the mystery of … Read More
Three liturgical tools
21st Sunday Ordinary Time – C There are three liturgical tools you need to master to be a competent and credible liturgical music director, especially if you are in charge of choosing music for Mass or other sacraments. We’ll take … Read More
More than just religious words
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Songs for Catholic liturgy need more than just religious words. They need a specific “orientation.” Even when we focus on Mary or the saints, our liturgical orientation is always toward Christ in praise of … Read More
Liturgy is bigger than us
20th Sunday Ordinary Time – C With music and prayer, it’s easy to get defensive about our preferences. The mentor who handed me my first copy of the Vatican II documents knew, however, that those who prepare the assembly’s prayer … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 31 July 2022 Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23. Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13. Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11. Luke 12:13-21. About Greed. Family quarrels, regrettably, are often about inheritance, about possessions. That should be mine, we may say. I … Read More
Opening our lives to the stranger
18th Sunday Ordinary Time – C Luke’s Gospel is not kind to the rich. From the first chapter’s warning in Mary’s canticle, the rich and mighty should expect fortunes turned upside-down in God’s reign. However, Jesus does not condemn the … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 24 July 2022 Genesis 18:20-32. Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8. Colossians 2:12-14. Luke 11:1-13. About Praying. Abraham is persistent in his pleading with the Lord. And the Lord listens and relents. A disciple asks … Read More
The meaning of prayer
17th Sunday Ordinary Time – C Today’s Gospel passage is bookended by references to the Father in heaven. This gives us an insight into the meaning of prayer, which is less a set of words than it is an expression … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 17 July 2022 Genesis 18:1-10a. Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5. Colossians 1:24-28. Luke 10:38-42. About Worry and Anxiety. Jesus is invited to a home. Martha bustles about. Mary sits and listens. We do not know … Read More
Hospitality of home and heart
16th Sunday Ordinary Time – C As we reflect on this Sunday’s Gospel, let us avoid putting Martha or Mary into convenient boxes— Martha, the anxious, resentful host; Mary, the attentive but inconsiderate follower. Both are doing the work of … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 10 July 2022 Deuteronomy 30:10-14. Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37. OR Psalm19:8, 9, 10, 11. Colossians 1:15-20. Luke 10:25-37. About Doing Likewise. Question 1: What must I do to inherit eternal life? … Read More
Can we be neighbors?
15th Sunday Ordinary Time – C Nowhere in today’s Gospel passage does Jesus describe the Samaritan as “good.” Instead, Jesus calls him “neighbor.” Similarly, the priest and the Levite were not judged “bad.” They just weren’t neighborly. Each of us … Read More
Leading music and prayer
19th Sunday Ordinary Time – C If you got into music ministry like I did, no one gave you an instruction manual. Maybe you had some musical training already, but you soon discovered that knowing how to make music didn’t … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 03 July 2022 Isaiah 66:10-14c. Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20. Galatians 6:14-18. Luke 10:1-12, 17-20. About Being Disciples. Jesus tells the chosen 72 where to go (ahead of him), what not to take … Read More
The Kingdom of Peace
14th Sunday Ordinary Time – C Our tendency to respond to rejection with force or hostility is strong. Just look at how many Twitter wars and Facebook fights even well-meaning Christians get into. And last week, the disciples would have … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles, Solemnity – Wednesday, 29 June 2022 At the Vigil Mass: Acts 3:1-10. Psalm 19: 2-3, 4-5. Galatians 1:11-20. John 21:15-19. At Mass during the Day: Acts 12:1-11. Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 26 June 2022 1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21. Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11. Galatians 5:1, 13-18. Luke 9:51-62. About Our Journey. After his ministry in Galilee, Jesus sets his face for Jerusalem. Many disciples … Read More
We cannot be half-hearted
13th Sunday Ordinary Time – C We suffer at times from “imposter syndrome.” You know—that feeling you aren’t qualified for the job despite evidence of the contrary. It’s often an excuse to avoid the risk of doing something new and … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Friday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – Friday, 24 Jun 2022 Ezekiel 34:11-16. Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. Romans 5:5b-11. Luke 15:3-7. About Sheep and Shepherd. This Sacred Heart is filled … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Solemnity – Transferred to Thursday, 23 June 2022 At the Vigil Mass: Jeremiah 1:4-10. Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17. 1 Peter 1:8-12. Luke 1:5-17. At Mass During the Day: Isaiah 49:1-6. Psalm … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) – 19 June 2022 Genesis 14:18-20. Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Sequence – Lauda Sion / Laud, O Zion. Luke 9:11b-17. About Dining in the … Read More
Being satisfied
Body and Blood of Christ – C If you like coffee like I do, you know what it’s like after going without for a long time and you take that first precious sip. Especially with fine coffee, but even with … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity – 12 June 2022 Proverbs 8:22-31. Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9. Romans 5:1-5. John 16:12-15. About the News Story. Here is the gospel declaration, the Good News for today. Who? Father, Son, and Spirit – … Read More
A sign of love and service
Most Holy Trinity – C I learned to pray the liturgy of the hours from a priest at the Catholic campus ministry center where I worked as a college student. He taught us how to navigate the breviary with its … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday (at the Vigil Mass) – Saturday evening, 04 June 2022 Extended Form 1. Genesis 11:1-9. Psalm 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15. 2. Exodus 19:3-8a, 16-20b. Psalm: Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56. OR Psalm 19: 8, 9, 10, 11. 3. … Read More
Nothing will ever be the same again
Pentecost Sunday – C Whenever the Holy Spirit is present and active, something changes. In the Eucharist, simple bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. With a blessing, ordinary water becomes a font for eternal … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for The Ascension of the Lord
The Ascension of the Lord – [Thursday, 26 May 2022 – only is some places or] Sunday, 29 May 2022 Acts 1:1-11. Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9. Ephesians 1:17-23. OR Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23. Luke 24:46-53. Befriending God. Saint Luke addresses Theophilus … Read More
The heart of the Eucharist
Seventh Sunday of Easter – C The Easter season invites us to deepen our grasp of the paschal mystery and make it part of our lives. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults gives us four ways to do this: … Read More
Come and fill our hearts
Pentecost Sunday – C Whenever the Holy Spirit is present and active, something changes. In the Eucharist, simple bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. With a blessing, ordinary water becomes a font for eternal … Read More
The slow work of the Spirit
Ascension Sunday – C As a liturgical feast, the Solemnity of the Ascension is primarily the beginning of a nine-day novena in preparation for the Solemnity of Pentecost. (This is clearer in dioceses where Ascension remains on the Thursday of … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Sixth and Seventh Sundays of Easter
PRINTING NOTE: Check with pastor or pastoral administrator about which readings will be used for the Sixth and Seventh/Ascension Sundays of Easter Time in order to choose the appropriate bulletin shorts. The Lectionary for Mass gives this option: When the … Read More
Listen for the Spirit
Sixth Sunday of Easter – C Disagreements in the church are nothing new. Today’s first reading gives us a brief account of one of the first challenges the post-resurrection church faced as it grew beyond Jesus’s immediate circle of disciples. … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
Fifth Sunday of Easter – 15 May 2022 Acts 14:21-27. Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13. Revelation 21:1-5a. John 13:31-33a, 34-35. Loving One Another. The gospel today is short and sweet. Glorify God – Jesus does it first and implies we should, … Read More
Let’s be recognized
Fifth Sunday of Easter – C “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35). If anyone read through some of our Catholic Facebook groups or Twitter feeds, they … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Fourth Sunday of Easter
Fourth Sunday of Easter – 08 May 2022 Acts 13:14, 43-52. Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5. Revelation 7:9, 14b-17. John 10:27-30. Hearing the Voice of the Shepherd. Oh, to hear the voice of the One who keeps us safe. The One … Read More
Move forward with hope
Fourth Sunday of Easter – C In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tries to give the crowd around him some insight into his true identity. But they cannot let go of their preconceived ideas about the Messiah. Even if he can … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Third Sunday of Easter
Third Sunday of Easter – 01 May 2022 Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41. Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13. Revelation 5:11-14. John 21-1-19. Serving Breakfast. In this third appearance of the risen Lord to his followers, Jesus prepares breakfast on the shore … Read More
A direct connection
Third Sunday of Easter – C The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults describes the Period of Post-Baptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy as “a time for the community and the neophytes together to grow in deepening their grasp of the paschal … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Second Sunday of Easter
Second Sunday of Easter (or of Divine Mercy) – 24 April 2022 Acts 5:12-16. Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24. Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19. John 20:19-31. Standing in Our Midst. Sometimes we just want proof. The words and witness of others is … Read More
Embrace the Paschal Mystery
Second Sunday of Easter – C Ask a roomful of average Catholics to describe the paschal mystery, and you’ll get some version of “the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.” This basic definition is certainly true, but what does … Read More
When we bow
Most Holy Trinity – C I learned to pray the liturgy of the hours from a priest at the Catholic campus ministry center where I worked as a college student. He taught us how to navigate the breviary with its … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for Holy Week and Easter
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion – 10 April 2022 Procession: Luke 19:28-40. Mass: Isaiah 50:4-7. Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24. Philippians 2:6-11. Luke 22:14–23:56. Reflecting on the Procession. We read and hear the Passion Gospel today. But first, at … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
Fifth Sunday of Lent – 03 April 2022 Year C readings: Isaiah 43:16-21. Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6. Philippians 3:8-14. John 8:1-11. Reflecting on Shameful Acts. She is caught in adultery. They drag her before Jesus and the crowd, more … Read More
Straining forward
Fifth Sunday of Lent – C Let’s be honest. Many of us who have given our lives to the church are burnt out. We’re done for. Especially for music ministers, these past two years have been brutal. Anyone who has … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
Fourth Sunday of Lent – 27 March 2022 Year A readings: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a. Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. Ephesians 5:8-14. John 9:1-41. Reflecting on Seeing. Since Jesus is the light of the world (look to the … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for The Annunciation of the Lord
The Annunciation of the Lord, Solemnity – Friday, 25 March 2022 Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10. Psalm 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 11. Hebrews 10:4-10. Luke 1:26-38. Reflecting on Speaking Angels. This angel speaks to Mary, not in a dream, but in person. What … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Third Sunday of Lent
Third Sunday of Lent – 20 March 2022 The Readings of Year A: When we celebrate the three scrutinies with the elect, the Church requires we use the Lectionary Year A readings. These ancient biblical texts – Woman at … Read More
The road to conversion
Fourth Sunday of Lent – C “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor 5:17). This Sunday marks a little over two years since the world was … Read More
The Creed enlightens our vision
Third Sunday of Lent – C During the Third Week of Lent, the elect to be initiated into Christ are presented the Creed. Just before the faithful proclaim it to them, the elect are instructed to “listen carefully to the … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Second Sunday of Lent
Second Sunday of Lent – 13 March 2022 Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18. Psalm 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14. Philippians 3:17–4:1. Luke 9:28b-36. Reflecting on Transfiguration. Lent is not an end. It is a necessary transition, as it is every year, to the … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the First Sunday of Lent
First Sunday of Lent – 06 March 2022 Deuteronomy 26:4-10. Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15. Romans 10:8-13. Luke 4:1-13. Reflecting on Baptism and Temptations. Luke’s gospel recounts that Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit at Jordan’s baptism, is led by … Read More
Observe and imitate
Second Sunday of Lent – C “Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us” (Phil 3:17), Saint Paul urges the church at … Read More
The Word of Faith
First Sunday of Lent – C The notes on a page are not the song, the printed rhythms and rests, not the music. No rules of theory or knowledge of music history can be mistaken for the moment a melody … Read More
Authentic Ambassadors
Ash Wednesday – C In baptism, the Spirit makes us ambassadors for Christ. To be an ambassador means we are sent to dwell in unfamiliar environments. Therefore, we are also diplomats committed to working together toward reconciliation through gracious and … Read More
Prepare for the Rite of Sending
8th Sunday Ordinary Time – C Next Sunday, catechumens around the world who are ready for initiation will be sent to the Rite of Election where their bishop will choose them for baptism this Easter. In the United States, the … Read More
The reign of abundance
7th Sunday Ordinary Time – C Luke’s sermon on the plain, begun last week, stretches over three Sundays in the lectionary. Today, Jesus continues teaching about the new kind of community that God’s reign is building. In the old, earthly … Read More
Be aware, be hopeful
6th Sunday Ordinary Time – C At first glance, Luke’s Beatitudes seem to make God’s reign a zero-sum game: if you’re poor now, wait and you’ll be rich in heaven; if you’re filled now, you’ll be hungry soon enough. But … Read More
Don’t miss the boat
5th Sunday Ordinary Time – C To treat today’s Gospel passage as a springboard for a talk on vocations would be to miss the boat, pun intended. The call of Peter, James, and John gives us so much more to … Read More
In line with the prophets
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C Today, in part two of last week’s passage, we hear the crowd’s reactions to Jesus’s one-sentence homily on Isaiah’s proclamation: “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” The amazement of Jesus’s … Read More
Spirit and life
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – C Over the last few years, we’ve learned much about the power of words. When spoken aloud, they can heal or destroy, calm or incite, unite or divide. We have begun to understand as … Read More
Unwitnessed miracles
2nd Sunday Ordinary Time – C Today’s Gospel passage is the third “theophany” in the Epiphany triptych, made up of the divine manifestations to the Magi, at the Jordan, and now in Cana. One thread uniting these scenes is that … Read More
Greeted with blessings
Fourth Sunday of Advent – C The Filipino women in my family tend to be short, which makes some people think we are also quiet. But if you ever get invited to our family parties, you will hear us before … Read More
The Story of Guadalupe
Third Sunday Advent – C The temporal and sanctoral cycles of the liturgical calendar for this Sunday this year provide us multiple facets of the mystery of Christ. On the temporal calendar, it is the Third Sunday of Advent, and … Read More
“I Feel Seen”
Immaculate Conception Today’s Gospel passage focuses on the announcement of Jesus’s conception in Mary’s womb. However, today’s solemnity memorializes the church’s teaching that Mary herself was conceived in her mother, Anne’s womb, without original sin, the “happy fault” we inherited … Read More
Upending the System
Second Sunday Advent – C Unlike a chronology in which events unfold linearly, we hear the Sunday lectionary Gospel stories symbolically through the liturgical year. This is so we might recognize our place and connection to the events of salvation … Read More
The Paradox of God’s Reign
First Sunday Advent – C We Christians love a good paradox. At the start of each liturgical year, we begin with the end. While the world soothes us with serene Christmas images, the First Sunday of Advent warns us of … Read More
Gifts from God
Thanksgiving Day Although Advent begins next Sunday, the commercialized Christmas season epitomized by Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday deals has already started. This time of heightened buying and selling is a good foil for understanding how Christians are called … Read More
Why is a king from heaven different?
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe We move from Mark’s Gospel to John’s on this final Sunday of the liturgical year. The question of kingship is Pilate’s focus in John’s narrative of the passion. But those with faith … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-Fourth or Last Sunday in Ordinary Time Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Solemnity – 21 November 2021 Daniel 7:13-14. Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5. Revelation 1:5-8. John 18:33b-37. Alpha and Omega. Go look at the parish Easter Candle … Read More
Where will you see God’s glory?
33rd Sunday Ordinary Time Didn’t 2020 feel a bit like the apocalypse? The end of days described in today’s Gospel seems to represent that dumpster fire of a year. The tribulations of pandemic, racial injustice, sexism, political unrest, poverty, and … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – 14 November 2021 Daniel 12:1-3. Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11. Hebrews 10:11-14, 18. Mark 13:24-32. and World Day of the Poor Is the End-Time Coming? The liturgical year of 2021 ends in 14 days. … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Feast – Tuesday, 09 November 2021 Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12. Psalm 46:2, 3, 5-6, 8, 9. 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17. John 2:13-22. The Pope’s Cathedral Church. In this celebration of the Church for the … Read More
In line with Christ
32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Today’s Gospel paired with the story of the destitute widow who showed hospitality to Elijah highlights God’s care for the poor and the total trust they have in God. But there’s a more difficult message in … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – 07 November 2021 1 Kings 17:10-16. Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10. Hebrews 9:24-28. Mark 12:38-44. What Bothers Jesus. False piety and arrogant behavior are two things that bother Jesus in today’s gospel. He applauds, instead, … Read More
Imperfect lives
All Saints/All Souls [Content warning: sexual abuse] When an abuse scandal happens in which the abuser is an artist—a filmmaker, painter, writer, or composer—there is often the question of what to do with that person’s work. Toss it or, as … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Solemnity of All Saints and The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
All Saints, Solemnity – Monday, 01 November 2021 Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14. Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6. 1 John 3:1-3. Matthew 5:1-12a. Nine Times Blessed. All the saints, those named as such and those many more known now by name only to … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time – 31 October 2021 Deuteronomy 6:2-6. Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51. Hebrews 7:23-28. Mark12:28b-34. What Matters the Most to God? The answer is simple: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. The practice is … Read More
Jesus is calling you
30th Sunday Ordinary Time The disciples on the road with Jesus, eyewitnesses to his miracles and privileged recipients of his teaching, should have been looking for Bartimaeus, but they were too focused on themselves and their own concerns. They didn’t … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 24 October 2021 Jeremiah 31:7-9. Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6. Hebrews 5:1-6. Mark 10:46-52. Enlightened Sight. The blind man will not be silenced today. Insistently he calls on Jesus by name. He asks for … Read More
No-turning-back moments
29th Sunday Ordinary Time On the way to Jerusalem, between two healings of blind men (in chapters 8 and 10), Mark repeats this pattern three times: Jesus reveals his destiny; the disciples misunderstand what that means; Jesus reorients them to … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 17 October 2021 Isaiah 53:10-11. Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22. Hebrews 4:14-16. Mark 10:35-45. What Do You Wish? We go to Jesus all the time, asking, pleading, wanting. We ask to be healthy; we … Read More
Called into relationship
28th Sunday Ordinary Time It can be comforting to treat today’s Gospel as another of Jesus’s hyperboles about the call to discipleship. However, we should not avoid its truth. The man in the Gospel seeking eternal life had observed all … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 10 October 2021 Wisdom 7:7-11. Psalm 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17. Hebrews 4:12-13. Mark 10:17-30. Living for Eternal Life. Let us put ourselves into the gospel story today. All of us want to “inherit eternal life.” … Read More
God does not want us to be alone
27th Sunday Ordinary Time There is no getting around it. Today’s Gospel will hurt. Let us acknowledge that pain and admit there are no simple answers when families struggle with divorce. The lectionary allows a shorter version of today’s Gospel … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – 03 October 2021 Genesis 2:18-24. Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6. Hebrews 2:9-11. Mark 10:2-16. Making, Testing, and Deciding. There are at least three take-aways from the readings today. In the making of man and … Read More
Avoiding “small-minded” discipleship
26th Sunday Ordinary Time Today, Jesus’s disciples complain about an outsider driving out demons, something they had failed at earlier in the chapter. But their complaint is not that this person was healing or does so in Jesus’s name. They … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 26 September 2021 Numbers 11:25-29. Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14. James 5:1-6. Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48. The More the Merrier. Who cares if other Christians are also doing the good things that Catholics do? … Read More
A shift in focus
25th Sunday Ordinary Time To get the full irony of the disciples’ argument today—who among them was the greatest—we need to know what happened in the section before and what we’ll hear in the following section of Mark’s ninth chapter. … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 19 September 2021 Wisdom 2:12, 17-20. Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6-8. James 3:16–4:31. Mark 9:30-37. “I’m Better Than You.” Our lives are filled with all manner of put down, one upmanship, top dog behavior. When … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Feast – Tuesday, 14 September 2021 Numbers 21:4b-9. Psalm 78:1-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38. Philippians 2:6-11. John 3:13-17. The Cross of Christ. We say: “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by … Read More
At the Crossroads
24th Sunday Ordinary Time Today’s Gospel reading is the turning point in Mark’s narrative, where we hear for the first time since Mark 1:1 Jesus referred to as “Christ” and the cost of following him. From now on, Jesus’s road … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 12 September 2021 Isaiah 50:4c-9a. Psalm 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9. James 2:14-18. Mark 8:27-35. Deny. Take. Follow. On the long journey to Jerusalem, Jesus clarifies that following the Christ (Peter’s response to Who am … Read More
Messy but Life-Changing
23rd Sunday Ordinary Time “Be opened,” Jesus says to the man who was deaf and mute. But be opened to what? First, be opened to fullness of life. The man’s inability to hear or speak cut him off from the … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – 05 September 2021 Isaiah 35:4-7a. Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10. James 2:1-5. Mark 7:31-37. Be Opened! Jesus heals a deaf and mute man today who immediately speaks plainly. Before the Baptism of adults and after … Read More
True Observance
22nd Sunday Ordinary Time – B In Ordinary Time, the second reading usually does not relate to the other readings since it is semi-continuous, proclaimed from one chapter to the next over a course of weeks. On this Sunday, however, … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – 29 August 2021 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8. Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5. James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27. Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. Call to Holiness. Sometimes law and custom can be so onerous, so heavy that we can … Read More
A tedious mission?
21st Sunday Ordinary Time – B Five Sundays ago, the crowd wanted to make Jesus king. Now, most of those who have stayed through his long sermon about bread from heaven and eating and drinking his own flesh and blood … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time – 22 August 2021 Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b. Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21. Ephesians 5:21-32. John 6:60-69. One Last Bread of Life Story. The gospel today is filled with doubt, murmuring, shock, and disbelief. So … Read More
Hope of Change
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – B Virgin Mother, Bride of Christ, Mother of God—these are rich, profound, true titles for Mary. But the Magnificat gives us another, one just as true and deep. [T]he root of the name … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Solemnity – 15 August 2021 At the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening 1 Chronicles 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2. Psalm 132:6-7, 9-10, 13-14. 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57. Luke 11:27-28. Mass during the Day Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, … Read More
Allowing Space
19th Sunday Ordinary Time – B A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing. The knowledge itself is not dangerous—we should always strive to grow in knowledge—but relying on our knowledge alone is. That’s how today’s Gospel begins, with … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 08 August 2021 1 Kings 19:4-8. Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9. Ephesians 4:30–5:2. John 6:41-51. “Stop Murmuring.” Elijah is running for his life from King Ahab and Jezebel because he told the truth. He … Read More
Upending the table
18th Sunday Ordinary Time – B In today’s revelation of Jesus’s true identity, the crowd (who stands in for us) misses the boat entirely. They keep asking Jesus the wrong questions: When did you get here? What can we do? … Read More
Beyond bread and wine
17th Sunday Ordinary Time – B Today we shift to John’s Gospel for a series of Sunday reflections on the bread of life. We will hear these passages as eucharistic, leading us perhaps to focus primarily on Communion. However, John … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 01 August 2021 Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15. Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54. Ephesians 4:17, 20-24. John 6:24-35. More Than Manna, More Than Bread and Fish. During the Exodus, the Lord rained down bread (manna) each … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for The Transfiguration of the Lord
The Transfiguration of the Lord, Feast – Friday, 06 August 2021 Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14. Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9. 2 Peter 1:16-19. Mark 9:2-10. Whiter Than White. Filled with light. Dazzling clothes. Jesus stands before them prefiguring resurrected life. Peter says, … Read More
Choosing your shepherd
16th Sunday Ordinary Time – B Last week Jesus sent out the disciples two by two on mission, and today they return with news of everything they did. But the Sunday lectionary omits an important subplot that takes place between … Read More
We need one another
15th Sunday Ordinary of Time – Year B Sensible shoes. That was the running joke growing up when fewer religious women were wearing habits. You could tell the sisters by their sensible shoes. There’s a bit of theological truth to … Read More
Faithful hearts
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B If we’re in this for fame and glory, then today’s Gospel should set us straight. Earlier in Jesus’s ministry, his family tried an intervention because “he is out of his mind” (Mark 3:21). … Read More
The whole truth
13th Sunday Ordinary Time – B What if we told the whole truth in our preaching, our praying, and our singing? The truth that, in our society, those with status and power can come forward publicly to plead for help, … Read More
To the end
12th Sunday Ordinary Time – B “Let us cross to the other side,” Jesus says to his disciples after a long day of teaching the crowds. This wasn’t just for a change of scenery. They were crossing the border into … Read More
God’s reign is wild
The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B Around the corner from where I live is a farm right in the middle of the city. I know spring has come when everything from cars to sidewalks is coated in yellow … Read More
The mystery of a meal
Body and Blood of Christ – B We spend a lot of time explaining the Eucharist so that those who come to Communion understand what they are receiving. Sacramental law requires that one must have “sufficient knowledge and careful preparation … Read More
Christ our compass
Most Holy Trinity – B In five short verses, the conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel outlines the spectrum of the disciples’ experience so far. Amid the extremes of fidelity and betrayal, worship and doubt, Jesus stands like a center mark fixed … Read More
The Spirit of Truth will not be silenced
Pentecost Sunday – B Last year on Pentecost, protests broke out in Minneapolis and around the world in response to the torturous eight minute and 46 second recorded murder of George Floyd by a police officer. We all heard the … Read More
The Spirit’s Driving Wind
Ascension Sunday – B Today’s Gospel passage was not Mark’s original ending. That may have been lost, or the evangelist may have indeed intended to end at verse 8 with the disciples fleeing the empty tomb in fear and remaining … Read More
We are made holy
Seventh Sunday of Easter – B It’s not unusual to hear some version of “I come to Mass to get away from the world for one hour.” It comes sometimes as homiletic critique: “We shouldn’t be hearing about politics or … Read More
Love, plain and simple
Sixth Sunday of Easter – B Anne Lamott’s priest friend Tom told her, “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do” (Bird by Bird, … Read More
Let us cling to the Vine
Fifth Sunday of Easter – B Today we hear Jesus’s last I AM statement in John’s Gospel: “I am the true vine.” As with last week’s Christological statement, we can fall into the trap of mishearing today’s Gospel as a … Read More
Shepherd to whom?
Fourth Sunday of Easter – B When we hear Jesus say, “I am the good shepherd,” it’s tempting to wander off into bucolic bliss. If we do that, we’re missing the radical point of this I AM statement. The startling … Read More
You are witnesses
Third Sunday of Easter – B Today’s Gospel passage ends with Jesus saying to his disciples (and to us), “You are witnesses of these things.” This is not a hope or desire. It’s not a premonition or an invitation. It … Read More
Resurrection does not erase suffering
Second Sunday of Easter – B On my travels, I often receive many requests from concerned parents asking me to pray for one or more of their children who have lost faith. Their sadness is tangible and free of anger … Read More
The Lord in their midst
Fifth Sunday of Lent – B “We would like to see Jesus.” That is the opening request given to the disciples in today’s Gospel by those from the outside of Jesus’s circle of followers. Throughout John’s Gospel, to see and … Read More
Faith is not a neutral act
Fourth Sunday of Lent – B From the beginning of this Lenten cycle of readings, we have heard a consistent message: faith in Jesus will convict us. Set against the Gospels we have heard this Lent, faith can no longer … Read More
Structures and Systems
Third Sunday of Lent – B The temple cleansing is found in all four Gospels. However, John puts this scene right after Jesus’s miracle at Cana at the start of his ministry. In the synoptics, it takes place at the … Read More
No transfiguration without the cross
Second Sunday of Lent – B The Transfiguration scene midway through Mark’s Gospel is the climactic crossroads where we must choose between staying in Galilee or going with Jesus to death in Jerusalem. In the previous chapter, Peter recognized Jesus’s … Read More
A Communal Effort
First Sunday of Lent – B We can get overly focused on individual sin and personal salvation during Lent. Yet one of the biggest lessons learned from last year’s Lent is that our well-being is intimately tied to the well-being … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 14 February 2021 Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46. Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11. 1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1. Mark 1:40-45. Making Clean. Jesus was not afraid to touch the untouchable leper today. Jesus was unafraid to be cleaning and … Read More
Freed from sin
6th Sunday Ordinary Time This last Sunday before Lent ends the section of Mark’s Gospel in which Jesus’s healing ministry will soon take a turn. Instead of joining the crowd’s amazement in his curing of the sick, the scribes in … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 07 February 2021 Job 7:1-4, 6-7. Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6. 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23. Mark 1:29-39. Pursuing Jesus. After curing Simon’s mother-in-law, Jesus, standing at the door, is teaching, healing, and casting out demons. … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
The Presentation of the Lord, Feast – Monday, 02 February 2021 Malachi 3:1-4. Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10. Hebrews 2:14-18. Luke 2:22-40. Waiting for That Day. In the simple act of bringing the eight-day old Jesus to the temple, Mary … Read More
Exploring the Anointing of the Sick
5th Sunday Ordinary Time Today’s set of readings, including the psalm, gives us an opportunity to explore the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. (The World Day of the Sick, February 11 each year, occurs later this week also.) … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 31 January 2021 Deuteronomy 18:15-20. Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. Mark 1:21-28. Teaching with Authority. Jesus begins his ministry with us this liturgical year doing two things. He is teaching with authority … Read More
Teach with true Christ-like authority
4th Sunday Ordinary Time As a baby liturgist, I was in awe of those who could rattle off quick answers to whatever liturgical challenge you threw at them. They sounded so authoritative, especially when they cited the exact paragraph number … Read More
Be humble, walk together
3rd Sunday Ordinary Time Today is the first Sunday we hear from Mark’s Gospel, which will be our focus this Lectionary year. Mark’s tone and pace are unique. Details are sparse. Dialogues are quick. Jesus is always on the move. … Read More
“What are you looking for?”
2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Today is an appropriate day to celebrate the Rite of Acceptance, which is the first public rite for unbaptized adults (and children of catechetical age) at the beginning of their formation in the Christian way … Read More
Wherever God’s people dwell
Fourth Sunday of Advent From the moment you enter its plaza and step through the main doors of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, you are surrounded by both religious and secular, Catholic and indigenous … Read More
A hard truth about being the true Church
Third Sunday of Advent “[T]he liturgy . . . is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church” (“Constitution on the … Read More
Precious and Known
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Today’s solemnity celebrates the church’s teaching that from the moment of her conception, God favored Mary with the fullness of grace that she may be a fitting mother to the … Read More
Why communion ministers serve — a guide for trainers
One of my very first jobs as a liturgical leader was to train communion ministers. I was a college student in southern Missouri, and the local bishop had given permission for our Catholic student center to have lay communion ministers … Read More
What to say
Second Sunday of Advent One of the most important tools music ministers and presiders use is our voice. We warm up and strengthen our voices with vocal exercises. We practice out loud the prayers and readings and spend hours crafting … Read More
A Thanksgiving Prayer in Time of Pandemic
Click here to download this prayer in English as a PDF file. Haga clic aquí para ver la oración bilingüe en PDF. On this Thanksgiving Day like no other, even now, O God, your name is worthy to be … Read More
The Potter’s Wheel
First Sunday of Advent The start of a new liturgical year can lull us into a cyclical coma. Another First Sunday of Advent, Year B? Great! Guess we can do the same music from our 2017 planner. Copy and paste … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Thirty-Fourth or Last Sunday in Ordinary Time – 22 November 2020 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Solemnity Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17. Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6. 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28. Matthew 25:31-46. Six Grows to Nine. We get … Read More
Five roadblocks to better preaching
If you are a homilist, you know what it is like to look out at the assembly on Sunday and see a sluggish, disengaged assembly. Most people may not even be looking at you. And those who are, are staring … Read More
Do not retreat from the world
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe On this last Sunday of the liturgical year, we proclaim what Pope Francis calls the “Great Criterion” (“Gaudete et Exsultate,” 95) from Matthew’s Gospel. True discipleship is not an ideology or piety … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – 15 November 2020 and World Day of the Poor Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31. Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6. Matthew 25:14-30. Talents Given, Talents Returned. One more Kingdom of Heaven parable today. God … Read More
Train your lectors in this one most effective skill
Every year on the Third Sunday of Advent, I brace myself for disappointment. This day is called Gaudete Sunday, which means Rejoice Sunday. Every year, the readings emphasize rejoicing. And my favorite reading is from Year C, Philippians 4:47. It begins: … Read More
Lifting up the gifts and talents of the community
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time I have a five-year-old nephew whose parents are both music ministers. Even before he was born, Jake was hearing music at Mass every week. Once he began interacting with us, I could tell he was … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Feast – Monday, 09 November 2020 Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12. Psalm 46:2, 3, 506, 8, 9. 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17. John 2:13-22. Church Buildings and the Church. We hold in honor today the cathedral … Read More
Eight ways parishes can engage visitors during the pandemic
This is a crisis of hospitality in Catholic parishes in the United States. The share of Americans who are Catholic declined from 24% in 2007 to 21% in 2014, according to the Pew Research Center. This is a greater net … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – 08 November 2020 Wisdom 6:12-16. Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Matthew 25:1-13. Being with Jesus – or Not. The parable today of the ten lamp bearers is about vigilance. Not an … Read More
Look ahead to prepare
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Like the five wise virgins, the best music directors are prepared and always looking ahead. Here are some ideas to make sure your lamps burn bright all year long. Get your personal liturgical calendar ready. … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) – Monday, 02 November 2020 There are 31 possible Bible texts; check with the parish for the ones to be used. The Dead Matter. It is a good and holy … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Solemnity of All Saints
All Saints, Solemnity – Sunday, 01 November 2020 Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14. Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6. 1 John 3:1-3. Matthew 5:1-12a. Saints Next Door. It can be easy to view the beatitudes as impossible goals for Kingdom of Heaven living. But … Read More
How to prepare the Liturgy of the Hours: Adapt the structure for cathedral style
If you’re like most music and liturgy coordinators, you’re working with a community that does not already have a regular practice of praying the Liturgy of the Hours together publicly. If this is your situation and you’re given the responsibility … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 25 October 2020 Exodus 22:20-26. Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51. 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10. Matthew 22:34-40. Love God, Neighbor, Self. There are 613 Old Testament laws guiding faithful behavior. The Exodus writer tells us some: … Read More
Teaching Mourners the Language of Witness: How to Transform the Funeral Eulogy
As a liturgist, I believe it when the Order of Christian Funerals (OCF) says eulogies are not allowed. But when I die, I plan to have lots of stories told about me at my funeral. When it comes to eulogies, … Read More
More than just being kind
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time With Advent a month away, I remember last year an “Advent of Kindness” calendar on social media. I thought it was a nice idea. Each day suggested an act of kindness to do for Advent: … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 18 October 2020 Isaiah 45:1, 4-6. Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b. Matthew 22:15-21. The Things of God. We often encounter those who set traps for us. They speak in … Read More
Writing invocations for the Penitential Act, Form C
The Penitential Act has three forms: the Confiteor, a brief dialogue, or three invocations which are each followed by the assembly’s response of “Lord/Christ, have mercy” or “Kyrie/Christe, eleison.” We will focus on this third form. In the Roman Missal, … Read More
The Penitential Act
Say “penitential” and most people think of sin and an “I’m not worthy” attitude. Yet, the Penitential Act isn’t really penitential in that way. The Penitential Act and the Kyrie are primarily confessions of faith. Having gathered together to become … Read More
Your Christian responsibility
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time I might lose some readers on this one, but it needs to be said. If you have been given the privilege and duty to vote in a local or national election, it is part of … Read More
Prayers for the upcoming election
Here are some intercessions for the upcoming elections that you can adapt for use in your Sunday and weekday Masses and in your own personal prayers. You can also click on any of the images above, then right-click to save … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 11 October 2020 Isaiah 25:6-10a. Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20. Matthew 22:1-14. Don’t Kill the Messenger. We have another Kingdom of God/Heaven parable today. It is about being gracious and prepared. … Read More
Our call to holiness
All Saints / All Souls With All Saints on Sunday this year, it’s the perfect opportunity to highlight today and tomorrow’s Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed with even more solemnity than usual. First, read or reread Pope Francis’s apostolic … Read More
Preparing for the feast
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time God’s guest list to the heavenly banquet includes those you expect as well as some surprising characters. Every guest, however, should come prepared with the proper intentions, attitudes, and dispositions for the feast. The point … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – 04 October 2020 Isaiah 5:1-7. Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20. Philippians 4:6-9. Matthew 21:33-43. Belonging in the Kingdom of God. Although the parable today is about who properly oversees the work of the Kingdom … Read More
Blessing of Animals
Parishes often use the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi (October 4) as a day to bless animals. The Church says that “according to the providence of the Creator, many animals have a certain role to play in human existence … Read More
How the liturgy teaches us what is most needed today
In a previous post, we began discussing what the new Directory for Catechesis says about our ministry as liturgical minsters. The directory tells us that we have to be witnesses to the mystery of Jesus Christ and lead others to … Read More
More than just singing the right notes
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time The United States bishops wrote: “Charity, justice, and evangelization are thus the normal consequences of liturgical celebration.” They also said that the assembly’s singing shapes how they live their faith beyond the liturgy: “Particularly inspired … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 27 September 2020 Ezekiel 18:25-28. Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9. Philippians 2:1-11. Matthew 21:28-32. I Don’t Want To! Sometimes we bristle at being told what to do. We may say a yes or a no, … Read More
From word to action
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time As music ministers and presiders, one of the main ways we express our faith in prayer is through words. Today’s Gospel, however, reminds us that words alone are not enough. Our actions reflecting our understanding … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 20 September 2020 Isaiah 55:6-9. Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18. Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a. Matthew 20:1-16a. How Things Work in the Kingdom of Heaven. This parable about kingdom living may rile us up. God is as … Read More
What the new Directory for Catechesis says about our ministry as liturgical minsters
The new Directory for Catechesis says some things that should interest liturgists and liturgy planners. For example, it says that all catechesis should be “inspired by the catechumenal model” (2). However, that does not mean that catechesis is supposed to … Read More
Priority Status
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time I’m usually happy to let the last be first and the first go last. But take away one of my hard-earned travel perks that come with my airline’s priority status, and I become a raving … Read More
Forgiving readily
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time One interesting part of traveling to different areas of the country is hearing the variety of speeds assemblies pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Only a liturgist would notice this!) One thing is the same almost everywhere: … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Feast –Monday, 14 September 2020 Numbers 21:4b-9. Psalm 78:1-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38. Philippians 2:6-11. John 3:13-17. The Cross. Not long ago, on 30 August to be exact, we were told by Jesus to take … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 13 September 2020 Sirach 27:30–28:7. Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12. Romans 14:7-9. Matthew 18:21-35. Seventy-Seven Times. When is enough enough? Can we be angry now? When can we stop forgiving? If we have to … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – 06 September 2020 Ezekiel 33:7-9. Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9. Romans 13:8-10. Matthew 18:15-20. Christ Is Present. The readings today lay out our duty to dissuade the wicked from their ways (Ezekiel); to not harden … Read More
Liturgical adaptations during the pandemic
Q. I have two questions about liturgy during the pandemic. The first is about communion from the cup. Our parish has always offered both the body and blood of Christ to the assembly. Now, for safety reasons, we are considering … Read More
Polarization or dialogue?
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time “Will the Catholic Church in the United States enter the new millennium as a church of promise? . . . Or will it become a church on the defensive, torn by dissension?” asked Cardinal Joseph … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – 30 August 2020 Jeremiah 20:7-9. Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9. Romans 12:1-2. Matthew 16:21-27. Overcoming Obstacles. Jeremiah complains that because of the compelling presence of God within, he cannot not speak God’s message. Paul … Read More
The trembling beauty of Christ
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time—A Today’s passage from Matthew is a turning point. It is the first time Jesus reveals the cost of discipleship. From now on, the focus will be on that cross until it becomes the way of … Read More
The four dangers of weak liturgy
Liturgy is weak when it is treated as a production — a show that has producers and consumers. The producers of a movie or a television show create something for an audience to watch. It is not uncommon to find … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time – 23 August 2020 Isaiah 22:19-23. Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8. Romans 11:33-36. Matthew 16:13-20. My Experience. Jesus asks today: Who am I? Peter blurts out: The Christ. In that response, he means the Messiah, … Read More
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time—A As Catholics aligned with Peter, we know the answer to Jesus’s second question: “Who do you say that I am?” However, perhaps the more pressing question today is his first: “Who do people say that … Read More
