Anything but this
Readings for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Take up your cross and follow me. We may have heard these words many times, and we might easily say yes to this invitation. In reality, these words aren’t calling … Read More
Faith by heart
Readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Have you ever met someone who responds to questions of faith with answers that sound like they come from a textbook? They may have a deep personal faith, but they … Read More
Does liturgy have anything to do with justice?
I am saddened that some who love the liturgy and love the church and care deeply about the injustice that plagues our world today still believe liturgy has no connection to justice. Some of them say things like, “Liturgy is … Read More
The courage to speak and the courage to be changed
Readings for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A The healing given to the Canaanite woman’s daughter is certainly a key focus for today. Yet we have clues in the first reading and responsorial psalm that draw our attention … Read More
Marian songs and devotions at Mass
Before you schedule the “Ave Maria” or plan to pray the Hail Mary during Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption (or any Marian feast day), read the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments’ document called … Read More
Six places in the Mass to make liturgy more reverent
If you ever feel that your parish Mass isn’t reverent enough, a good way to assess what’s wrong is to see if you’re observing the prescribed silences. The General Instruction on the Roman Missal, #45, says there should be silence: … Read More
A plea to listen to the tiny whisper in the storm of racism
A plea in light of Charlottesville, Virginia, and the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Dear bishops, priests, and deacons, and any who will be preaching this Sunday, I know you’ve worked hard already on your homily for … Read More
A Sample Lenten Reconciliation Service
“When a number of penitents assemble at the same time to receive sacramental reconciliation, it is fitting that they be prepared for the sacrament by a celebration of the word of God. Those who will receive the sacrament at another … Read More
Music Ministry – Tip #2: Receive Communion with the Assembly
Here is one simple thing you can do to make your parish’s celebration of Mass even better: Share in Communion when the Assembly is sharing Communion. Long ago, when I was still a baby music minister, our choir would finish … Read More
Music Ministry – Tip #1: Start the Communion song immediately
Here is one simple thing you can do to make your parish’s celebration of Mass even better: Start the Communion song immediately. When I first became a music minister, our choir didn’t want to begin the Communion song until “after … Read More