LITURGY MATTERS: Are we truly living as the Body of Christ?
One of the themes emerging in the plethora of theological writing on our experience of COVID 19 focuses on the question of whether we, the People of God, are seizing this moment as an opportunity to live more fully as the Body of Christ, or whether a reliance on streamed masses is reinforcing a dependence on the clergy to be all things to all people. The way we celebrate liturgy matters because it is meant to shape us for the former, not the latter. Fiona Duque, a member of the Diocesan Liturgy Council and the Ministry Co-ordinator at St Bede’s Catholic College Chisholm, has been reflecting on this question in the context of her life and ministry. I invite you to ponder with her and to reflect on your own experience through the lens of this question. Over to you Fiona.
LITURGY MATTERS: The Domestic Church and the Liturgy of Life
One of my fond Josephite memories features our Sr Emmanuel, affectionately known as Manny. One day, long, long ago, in a chapel in the middle of the valley, I was sitting alone praying. Manny came up behind me, and scaring me half to death, whispered in my ear, ‘The team is only as good and strong as its individual members!’ And off she went. It felt like the voice of God!
LITURGY MATTERS: Does COVID-19 hold some opportunities?
Our lives are changing drastically almost daily. Our church buildings have been closed and we have no access to the normal rhythm of gathering as a community to celebrate Sunday Mass. What do we do in these circumstances? Most of us are focusing on live-streamed Masses. While this experience has its place, our current circumstances provide us with an opportunity to reflect on our ‘Mass Myopia’ and expand our liturgical horizons to consider the wider treasury of the Church’s liturgical prayer and Christ’s presence with us in the ordinary – at the moment extraordinary – circumstances of life. I invite you to open your minds and hearts to consider the following reflection by Nick Wagner. It translates easily to our Australian context. What is the Spirit asking of us in these circumstances?
LITURGY MATTERS: Pope Francis COVID-19 Blessing
In the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic, Pope Francis has stood in stunning isolation to share his profoundly moving reflection and blessing in which he entrusts us all to the compassionate care of God.
LITURGY MATTERS: ‘Do you love me?’ A question about participation
How did we get to the fourth week of Lent so quickly? Are you beginning to feel renewed? Any changes in your participation in liturgy? Are you changing? What are you hoping for as we move towards Easter? What new life? What light?
LITURGY MATTERS: The Vatican II take on full, conscious and active participation in the liturgy
And so to the third week of Lent and back to our reflection on our full, conscious and active participation in liturgy and life. How is your journey of baptismal renewal and conversion going? Are you noticing any difference in your participation in liturgy? Is this changing you and how you live your baptism day in and day out?
LITURGY MATTERS: It’s only a Rite, Right?
Remembering the Rite of Election on Sunday March 1
LITURGY MATTERS: An invitation to participate fully, consciously and actively in the very life of God
Here we are in the middle of the first week of Lent at the start of our six week journey of renewal and conversion. What difference did your reflection on last week’s Liturgy Matters make to your participation in liturgy over the weekend?