February 2022 Praenotanda

Liturgical Preparation for the Paschal Cycle 2022

You’ll find a multitude of resources to assist in preparing the liturgies of Lent, Triduum, and Easter on the ODWS website, including:

Annual preparation resource from the FDLC in both English and Spanish
Sample Lenten communal penance service
Music suggestions
Preparation checklists for Holy Week liturgies
Updated rubrics for the Mandatum and text for the presentation of the sacred oils
Resources for encouraging the faithful to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance
And more!

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear friends and colleagues,

As we continue making our way through an unusually long stretch of Winter Ordinary Time, I hope these weeks have been a respite from the busyness of the Advent/Christmas cycle as we prepare for the Paschal Cycle beginning on Ash Wednesday. Thank you for everything you do for our schools, parishes, and other institutions as we recognize and celebrate Christ’s presence in our worship and sacraments.

In this month’s Praenotanda, you’ll find resources for encouraging the faithful to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance, a reminder about signing up for the Rite of Election, and other important resources to support your liturgical and sacramental ministries.

Above, you’ll find a link to a variety of resources for preparing the liturgies of the upcoming Paschal Cycle (Lent/Triduum/Easter). Please let us know what other support we can offer as you prepare and celebrate these holy seasons.

Please check out information about some liturgical considerations during Phase 0 of pastoral planning. Consider joining us for the Beacons Roundtable on Feb 15 as we look at the first principle, Eucharist, and how to foster vital liturgical life in our Families of Parishes.

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

Jeremy Helmes
ODWS Director

FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR

One of the facets of a church musician’s job is to worry about humidity levels in the church, especially in the winter months. As heating systems kick on, indoor humidity drops to sometimes dangerously low levels for the church’s instruments. An indoor Rh level below 25% risks cracking windchests on pipe organs, soundboards on pianos, and any other instrument containing wood.

One leading American organ builder lamented about how instead of planning and designing great instruments for churches, he spends an inordinate amount of time talking church leaders through the shortcomings of their HVAC systems and why it is vitally important to make improvements. A cracked soundboard on a grand piano is not cheap to replace. A cracked windchest on a pipe organ can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars to repair. If your church is looking at upgrades to the HVAC system be certain to mention humidity control.

Check out the Archdiocesan Beacons of Light webpage and sign up for the newsletter to stay informed. As we continue on the Beacons pathway, remember to pray daily for our Archbishop, priests, and parish leaders.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Matthew J. Geerlings
Music Director

Shop Catholic AOC

Thanks to everyone who ordered annual liturgical resources last fall. We served over 120 parishes or regions, saving them over $13,000 off retail. Don’t forget that you can shop all year online for archdiocesan resources to assist bereaved families, engaged couples, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and more. You can also find resources from national liturgical publishers at deep discounts. Parishes, schools, and other non-profits can always shop tax free .

Our formation, training, and archdiocesan policy book for EMsHC This Holy and Living Sacrifice is a great resource to offer those who minister Holy Communion in your parish.

Q. May baptism be celebrated during Lent?

A. Yes. In fact, Lent is a season focused not only on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, but also on baptism: both the preparation of those to be initiated at the Easter Vigil, and also the preparation of all the faithful to renew our own baptismal promises at Easter. This is why the Church forbids the emptying of baptismal fonts and holy water stoups during Lent (only during the Triduum).

Baptism is not prohibited, and in fact, delaying baptism for 6 weeks may be pastorally undesirable. That being said, it would best respect the nature of the Lenten Sunday liturgies to celebrate baptism outside of Mass rather than during in this season.