December 2020 Praenotanda

FROM THE OFFICE DIRECTOR

As our new liturgical year begins, the Word of God provides us joy and hope, even in the midst of so much uncertainty and unease in our world. To whatever extent we can join the Church in celebration of the liturgy, the prayers for Advent invite us to continually make a way for the coming of Jesus in our families, our workplaces, our schools, and our parish communities. Thank you for all that you do to bring the presence of Christ to us through your liturgical and sacramental ministries.

This month’s Praenotanda is full of the “notes that come before” about upcoming liturgical celebrations including the balance of Advent, Christmas, the World Day of Prayer for Peace, the 2nd annual Sunday of the Word of God, and more.

As always, if there’s anything that Matt, Monica, or myself can do to assist you in your worship and sacramental ministries, please let us know.

Maranatha: Come Lord Jesus!

Jeremy Helmes
ODWS Director

FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR

Patience is a virtue, and one that I am sure all of us have seen put to the test in recent months. The season of Advent calls us to be patient as we await the arrival of our Lord, but it also calls on us to prepare for his arrival. Maybe this year’s preparations for Christmas have been lessened in some way for you.

Most choirs and ensembles are still on hiatus, and as badly as we may wish to see them return in time for Christmas Eve, the current numbers from the CDC and state and county health departments indicate we should wait. And probably wait some more.

But let us prepare for that day when pews will no longer be roped off, masks will be removed, and hymns and psalms of praise and thanksgiving will again be heard throughout our Archdiocese.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Matthew Geerlings
Music Director

Q. Must the monetary gifts collected during Mass be brought forward with the gifts of bread and wine?

A. No. While the General Instruction of the Roman Missal notes that it is “acceptable” for money or gifts for the poor or for the Church to be brought forward, it is not required. Many parishes find it helpful or more secure to simply put the collected money away. Some parishes collect money and secure it in the safe, bringing forward tangible gifts for the poor (e.g. food, clothing, etc.). In any event, the GIRM directs that money or other gifts for the poor, “given their purpose, they are to be put in a suitable place away from the Eucharistic table.” (GIRM 73). It is also not necessary to unduly prolong the Preparation of the Gifts by waiting for such collected items to be brought forward, but if they are brought forward, it would be undesirable that they are placed in a visible way after the Eucharistic Prayer begins with the Preface Dialogue.