May 2022 Praenotanda

EMHC Formation & Training

In-person and online formation and training for new and veteran extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion will take place this spring. Some sessions will focus on ministry to the sick, hospitalized, and homebound. Please share with EMHCs in your parish and those looking to join this ministry.

Wednesday, May 11, 7-9p (Holy Redeemer, New Bremen)
Tuesday, May 17, 7-9p (Online)
Thursday, May 19, 1:30-3:30p (Online, focused on ministry to the sick and homebound)
Monday, May 23, 7-9p (St. Francis of Assisi, Centerville)
Thursday, May 26, 7-9p (St. Michael the Archangel, Sharonville)

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear friends and colleagues,

Happy Easter! I hope that your celebrations of the Paschal Triduum and these first days of Eastertide have been spiritually fruitful and invigorating for your parishes and schools. Thank you to all those whose sacramental and liturgical ministries have enabled the faithful to encounter Christ’s presence in sacramental signs.

It was great to see so many of you at the first Beacons of Light Warmup Day last Thursday. It’s not too late to join us on May 9 at UD for a great kickoff to pastoral planning. You can find more information and sign up here.

In this month’s Praenotanda, you’ll find information about formation for EMsHC, upcoming webinars on the new Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, and more.

As we continue in Phase 0 of Beacons of Light, please continue to take advantage of the various resources for liturgical and sacramental ministry, as we work to bring the vision for a Eucharist-centered parish to life. New resources are being added regularly.

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

Now that the Triduum is behind us and First Communions and Confirmations are moving forward, we can turn our thoughts a bit to summer, but also to a new year of ministry as choirs will return in the fall.

Planning ahead is one of the greatest strategies for a music minister. Rather than going week to week choosing hymns and songs “in real time”, carefully thinking at least a few months out, if not by the year, can be a great asset.

This allows for the purchase of music in plenty of time (in a supply-chain challenged world!) Also, the best method of teaching new music with volunteer musicians is slow and steady, iterative, over time, NOT by cramming in just one rehearsal beforehand.

Advance planning also allows for the careful introduction of new congregational singing as well. Think about 2-4 hymn tunes you’d like to add to your assembly’s repertoire next year and carefully choose accompanying texts. Think about one season in which you could use a setting of the Communion antiphon each week and begin preparing your congregation and choirs now.

We know the readings, calendar, and presidential prayers already: let’s be ahead of the curve in carefully preparing our sacred music to make the best contribution to our parish’s worship!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Matthew J. Geerlings
Music Director

REMINDER: Phase 0 Resources for Liturgical & Sacramental Leaders

Those involved in pastoral planning in the areas of worship and sacraments will find resources for the Beacons of Light Pastoral Planning Pathway on the ODWS website. In addition to the slides, video, and other resources from the Feb 15 Beacons Roundtable focused on the Eucharist principle, check out the new Parish Inventory for Liturgy and Sacraments, the vision for a Eucharist-centered Family of Parishes, and more.

NEW: guidance for the liturgical aspects of installation of a new pastor is now available.

Changes to Mass Schedules

Thanks to those pastors and parish leaders who have accepted the invitation to analyze their parish’s current Mass schedule and make critical adjustments even prior to the implementation of Families of Parishes on July 1. This work will strengthen the process and hopefully not saddle an incoming pastor with making such important decisions with undue haste or inadequate consultation among the faithful. In accord with our current Sunday Mass Schedule policy, please send notice of any changes to the parish’s liturgical schedule to the Chancery, accompanied by the written opinion of the local dean. If you have yet to undertake this process but want more information, please contact your dean. You can find more information on this and all aspects of the Beacons of Light Pastoral Planning Pathway at pathway.catholicaoc.org.

BEACONS ROUNDTABLE

MAY 17: EVANGELIZATION
Becoming a Center of Missionary Outreach
1:30 – 3:00pm via Zoom

The vision for Evangelization in the Beacons of Light Pastoral Planning Process is for the parish to become a “center of constant missionary outreach,” by “transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world.” (Evangeli Gaudium) Join us for this webinar as we break open the vision for Parish Evangelization. In particular we will discuss the importance and possible make-up of the Parish Evangelization Team, and the Process of Evangelization & Discipleship that will guide the Evangelization Planning for each Family of Parishes.

FREE WEBINARS ON THE NEW ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (OCIA)
Registration Coming Soon!

The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions is excited to announce our upcoming FREE series on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) September 2022 – February 2023! All webinars will be offered in both English and Spanish. Join us live or by viewing the recording! We are fortunate to be able to have assembled an incredibly talented team of presenters who are ready to assist you as we journey together through the OCIA!

Shop the ODWS

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.

And the Two Shall Become One, our archdiocesan formation and policy book for the sacrament of matrimony, is a handy and inexpensive resource for parishes to provide to engaged couples.
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.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Did you know that one in five adults suffer from mental illness? That number may seem high, but like many other disabilities, mental illness is referred to as an “invisible disorder.” Often people suffer silently due to the stigma that is affiliated with a mental health diagnosis. Mental illness is not often addressed by the Catholic Church, but we are called by Jesus to recognize those who are suffering in our midst and to accompany them on their journey. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this provides us with a wonderful opportunity to shed some light on Mental Illness and to work towards eliminating stigma that prevents people from feeling fully welcomed into their faith communities.

Q. Why is the Ascension celebrated on Sunday in some parts of the world?

A. With permission from Rome, the Catholic bishops of Ohio (along with other states and provinces) decided to move the yearly celebration of the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord from Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. This change has been in effect since the first celebration on June 4, 2000. While the culture in some parts of the world includes civic holidays on holy days enabling the faithful to participate in Mass, in the United States days such as the Ascension are not typically days off work. Thus the bishops chose to transfer this feast (and others) to a Sunday so more people can celebrate this important mystery of faith.