August 2024 Praenotanda

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear friends and colleagues,

As we near the end of summer break, I hope your preparation for a fall of liturgical and sacramental ministry is going well! Thank you for all your efforts to help make the presence of Christ known in our parishes, schools, and other institutions throughout the archdiocese.

In this issue of Praenotanda, you’ll find information about the new Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, our upcoming series on polarization and the Eucharist, and other important resources for your ministry.

Of note, 2025 Annual Resources are now available for sale. Offering these at a deep discount to liturgical and sacramental ministers is a service the ODWS is glad to provide.

Finally, I hope to see many of you in Pittsburgh in early October for the national FDLC meeting, this year focused on worship in Families of Parishes. I think this will be a great opportunity for you to connect with peers from around the nation in similar situations.

As always, if there’s anything that Matthew, Gloria Ann, 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

Many years ago, a publisher of Catholic music in the U.S. had lapel buttons made that said “Back off! Let the people sing!” This was a reference to backing off the microphone on well-known songs and letting the voice of the people be heard. In theory I agree, but this is not always an easy proposition.

Too many of our churches are, in many aspects, temples of carpet and drywall. Architects spend zero time thinking of the acoustical properties of these new(er) buildings and instead opt to let sound systems “solve” the issues. Even many modern cathedral-like churches built in the older style have overly amplified these buildings. And in many instances sound systems cannot overcome loud HVAC systems, people who speak too softly or too quickly. The art of acoustical engineering should be championed by our churches. A good acoustical engineer is worth his or her weight in gold. They can work with the sound system company to design a system that works in tandem with the liturgy so that the spoken and sung Word are received well by all.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Matthew J. Geerlings
Music Director

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.

2025 Annual Publications Now Available!

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 are now available at deep discount to parishes and schools.

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!

Q. At what points during Mass should there be silence? Is this required?

A. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal envisions that periods of silence be observed at specific points during each Mass. GIRM 45 states that the nature of silence “depends on the moment when it occurs in the different parts of the celebration. For in the Penitential Act and again after the invitation ‘Let us pray’, individuals recollect themselves; whereas after a reading or after the Homily, all meditate briefly on what they have heard; then after Communion, they praise God in their hearts and pray to him.” And, of course, before Mass begins, silence in the church is helpful as people prepare for the liturgy. We should not simply move from one ritual to the next with no opportunity for silence in between; use the GIRM as the guide for incorporating silence into the Mass. As you consider how the liturgy is celebrated in your parish or school, make sure that silence is observed at the appropriate times to allow God to speak to our hearts!