December 2022 Praenotanda

The Mass with Archbishop Schnurr

As part of our participation in the national Eucharistic Revival, Archbishop Schnurr invites everyone in the archdiocese to join him in studying the Mass, using the video series by the same name from Bishop Robert Barron.

For the six weeks between Christmas and Lent, Archbishop Schnurr will send out one short video each week to help us deepen our appreciation for and participation in the Mass.

Parish leaders are asked to publicize this opportunity to the faithful and incorporate it into the rhythm and activity of parish and school life. Resources for publicity on social and print media, as well as verbal announcements, images, and more are available online.

The Mass

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear friends and colleagues,

Happy Advent!

In this month’s Praenotanda, you’ll find many resources for your ministry, including preparing liturgies in January, information on the Rite of Election, and more!

I’m particularly excited to share information about The Mass initiative, featured above, as part of the national Eucharistic Revival. I hope that you will participate yourself, but even more importantly, invite your parishioners, students, and others to whom you minister to join you in this wonderful opportunity in early 2023.

Please remember that the revised Order of Penance can be used as early as Ash Wednesday, and is obligatory by the Octave Day of Easter. You can pre-order the book from the ODWS shop, or other Catholic publishers. Stay tuned for more formation on this sacrament and the new ritual book.

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.

May this Advent and Christmas be a time of great blessing and joy for you, your families, and your faith community!

Jeremy Helmes
ODWS Director

FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR

Among the most important elements of the liturgy to be sung are the dialogues between the priest and the people and the presidential prayers (e.g. the Collect, Prayer over the Offerings, Post-Communion).

Following the principle of progressive solemnity, the solemn season of Christmas is a perfect time for chanting these parts of the Mass. Also, unique proclamations are part of Christmastide, including “The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ” from the Roman Martyrology (sung at the Christmas Mass during the Night) and The Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts (sung on Epiphany).

You can find all of these in the Roman Missal, and to assist the singing priest or deacon, the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) has recorded these chants which can be found on their website for easy listening and sharing.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Matthew J. Geerlings
Music Director

Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion:
Feb. 26, 2023

This important Lenten ritual is for catechumens preparing for full initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion) at the Easter Vigil 2022. Also invited are those baptized Christians who are seeking to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church this Easter and have been preparing alongside the catechumens. (Please remember that non-Catholic Christians may be received into full communion any time during the year.)

Q. Outside of a church, where can Mass be celebrated?

A. While Mass is normally celebrated in a sacred space – a dedicated church, chapel, or oratory set aside for worship – according to church law, the Eucharist may also be celebrated in other “respectable places” when pastoral need requires it, with the permission of the archbishop or vicar general. This might include school Mass in a gym, or Mass in a nursing home, Mass outside at a scout campout, or other unusual circumstances. Whenever possible, there should be a dedicated altar, but if necessary, a decent table may be used, always with a cloth and corporal. For more information, check out the archdiocesan policy on Mass Outside of a Sacred Space.