Liturgy flows. It can flow like a stream on a summer day, or it can flow like molasses that has just been pulled from the refrigerator. How well or badly liturgy flows depends upon the skills of the pastoral leaders … Read More
The suspension of our normal liturgical life has caused two general reactions. On the one hand, there has been an effort to energize Christian households as domestic churches, resourcing them for the celebration of full, conscious, and active participation in … Read More
This article was co-written by my friend, Terry Burrows, and me. Terry is the associate director of catechesis for the Diocese of Monterey. As we search for ways to stay connected to each other and our faith practices, many are … Read More
Large numbers of dioceses in the United States are banning communion from the cup for the faithful at Mass. While the reason given for the ban is to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it seems to me that there … Read More
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Liturgical music communicates the story of the mystery of Christ, and the assembly in whom the Spirit dwells is the principal storyteller. The primary way they tell that story is by their “fully conscious, and … Read More
Father Augustine was sluggish getting ready for Mass. The strain of last night’s Easter Vigil—his 34th or 35th; he couldn’t remember—had significantly weakened him. But he had to celebrate Easter morning with the neophytes. After his brief homily, the catechumens … Read More
We said earlier that there are three levels of liturgical participation: what happens, what gets accomplished, and why we do what we do. These three levels overlap, and everyone present is participating at all three levels all the time. But … Read More
In a previous post, we talked about how our liturgical ministry changes the world. We change the world by changing hearts. We change hearts by celebrating liturgy so authentically that it reveals the very nature of God and God’s love … Read More
Once upon a time, I knew a young priest who didn’t really like presiding at liturgy. He did a good job when he did preside, and he preached pretty well. But what he really wanted to do, what he said … Read More
My grandmother’s kitchen was the kind of place where the family would gather when we went to visit. The kitchen was too small for all of us, but it was where Grandma spent most of her time. So if you … Read More