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Office for Divine Worship and Sacraments
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FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear friends and colleagues,
I hope that the summer has afforded you some time away, at least from some of the busy day-to-day of liturgical and sacramental ministry: sacramental prep, choirs, big liturgies, liturgical seasons, and on and on!
As we prepare for the National Eucharistic Congress, the pilgrimage route that began in Baltimore makes its way through our archdiocese this week. You can find information about how to participate in Jesus is Here! below, as well as other opportunities to deepen our faith and participation in the Eucharist.
In fact, this summer’s Bread of Life discourse from the Gospel of John is a perfect time to lean into more catechesis for your parishioners on the Eucharist. Check out our TOGETHER resources to assist you in this regard.
As always, if there’s anything that Matthew, Monica, or I can do to assist you in your worship and sacramental ministries, please let us know.
Jeremy Helmes
ODWS Director
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FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
Many Families of Parishes are about to embark upon Phase 3 of Beacons of Light. Phases 1 and 2 were about developing leadership teams and a vision for evangelization. Now we begin by looking at how to implement this vision into the culture of our Families of Parishes. How does music play a role in evangelization? I believe it can be a two-edged sword.
On the one edge our music can be dull, uninspired, stale, off-key, not really in harmony with the liturgy (ask me about a parish in Iowa that was doing music by Cindy Lauper!). Sometimes it is too easy to sing and pray the same list of 80 or so songs year after year. And why not? The readings are basically the same every three years. Ritual is at its core familiarity. ‘We should only sing songs people know’ is a trope I have heard year after year. Ugly liturgies will drive people to seek beauty.
On the other edge one can find inspiration from centuries past all the way to new compositions. Parody masses of the Renaissance still have a home in our churches as do hymns and songs that are meant for congregational singing. So much has been written about singing the propers that a simple Google search will yield a plethora of resources from which to draw. I highly recommend the communion propers of Columba Kelly, OSB published by OCP – the refrains are short and easy to sing while the verses are paired with his simple yet beautiful St. Meinrad tones. Beauty brings people together.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Matthew J. Geerlings
Music Director
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TOGETHER Bread of Life Discourse
The resources of TOGETHER can be used during the summer weeks of July 28-Aug 25, as we hear the Gospel readings commonly referred to as the “Bread of Life Discourse”. Especially during the National Eucharistic Revival, TOGETHER is a way to help your parishioners deepen their belief in the Eucharist and their experience of Sunday Mass. You’ll find bulletin articles, social media posts, discussion guides, homily helps, and other resources for catechists, preachers, communicators, and worship leaders on TOGETHER.
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Jesus is Here!
As part of the National Eucharistic Revival, Mass will be celebrated on July 6 by Archbishop Schnurr at the Cathedral Basilica, followed by a Eucharistic procession to Fountain Square and a Eucharistic Festival including praise and worship music, Benediction, confessions, food trucks, and more!
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Our Eucharistic Mission in a Polarized World
For the 2024 election cycle – both the election year and the time that will follow – we have decided to lean into both our reliance on the Eucharist (especially in this year of the National Eucharistic Congress) and our call to heal the deep divides that exist in our country and abroad. This powerful series with Fr. Aaron Wessman, GHM will consist of six distinct talks – each focusing on a different challenge with polarization and how the Eucharist can address it – held at different locations around the archdiocese as well as live streamed. You’ll find more information online and we invite you to explore both this page and iVoteCatholic to explore how you and your community can live out our call to be faithful citizens.
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Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery outside Mass New Ritual Books
The new translation of Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery outside Mass is now available for pre-order through the ODWS online shop. It will begin shipping August 1, with optional use on September 14, and mandatory use by December 1.
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FDLC National Meeting: Worship in Families of Parishes Oct 1-3, Pittsburgh
Join other parish worship leaders in Pittsburgh October 1-3 to discuss worship in merged/clustered/Families of Parishes. This three-day national meeting is for directors of worship and music, pastors and vicars, and any leader of worship.
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OCIA/RICA and National Statutes on the Catechumenate
The newly-translated Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (along with its Spanish counterpart) is now available for pre-order through the online shop of the Office for Divine Worship & Sacraments. It will begin shipping November 1, with optional use on December 1, and mandatory use by March 5. Learn more about formation efforts and pre-order your books now!
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2025 Annual Publications Available to Order on August 1st!
It's almost that time when parishes order their supply of annual publications for the next liturgical year, such as the Workbook for Lectors, At Home With the Word, Sundays & Seasons, Year of Grace Calendars, and more.
You can always visit our Shop for archdiocesan resources to assist bereaved families, engaged couples, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
Remember that parishes, schools, and other non-profits can shop tax free by sending us your sales tax exemption number in advance!
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Q. What is the difference between a “vigil” Mass and an “anticipated” Mass? Which is the best word to describe a typical Saturday evening Mass in a parish church?
A. While we tend to use the word “vigil” to describe a Mass on Saturday evening that fulfills the Sunday obligation, this Mass is (more often than not) merely an “anticipated” rather than truly a vigil Mass.
It is traditionally part of observing the liturgical calendar to begin a feast day the evening before (based on the similar Jewish tradition of marking a day from sundown to sundown rather than Midnight to Midnight.)
Some solemnities and feasts are so important and significant that they have multiple Mass formularies for their celebration, often including a Mass on the day itself and a Mass to be celebrated the evening before as a “vigil”. Some of these are familiar to us (e.g. Easter, Christmas), and some are not as well known (e.g. Pentecost, Ascension, Epiphany, even the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.)
Most Sundays (unless they are solemnities or feasts like those listed above) do not have a “vigil” Mass. We simply “anticipate” their celebration with Mass on Saturday evening after the hour of precept. If one is unable to participate in Mass on Sunday, they can attend Mass Saturday evening to fulfill their obligation, and the orations and readings for that Mass are the same as those used on Sunday.
The average Saturday evening Mass is “anticipated” rather than a “vigil” Mass.
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