The diocesan Office of Worshipis
dedicated to providing support as well as pastoral and spiritual
resources for parish worship. In the spirit of renewal of the Second
Vatican Council, it encourages the full, conscious and actualizing
participation (interior and exterior) of the people of God at sacred
worship (CSL1963, 14; GIRM2002, 3). Our prayer and daily
efforts serve the revitalization of parish life in the Holy Spirit, the
Comforter, as a new Pentecost for believers and seekers in Western New
York.
You may find this time table helpful in
preparing yourself and your faith communion for receiving the Third
Edition of the Roman Missal or RM3.
The World Library edition of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, will be available in October 2011. Click on Resources for more information and pertinent resources.
Dialogue singing: preferred form of music at Mass
Primitive 11th Century notation for Mass in a Dubrovnic missal
Chant summons to contemplative participation (SL2008, 72).
Dialogue singing between priest/deacon/cantor and assembly is the
preferred worship music at Mass. In second place of honor are
acclamations and Psalm responsories (SL2008, 115, 116, MS1967, 29-31).
Children's Catechesis on Mass
Take time to teach youngsters to sing the dialogue responses. You may be surprised when they start leading the adults.
Practicing dialogue singing directly connects children to sacred
liturgy. Better yet, it is a way they personally encounter Jesus in
group celebration. Children easily learn to respond with priest, deacon,
or lector (much preferred to "kiddy" performance/entertainment songs).
It makes them feel a part of every Mass. They feel special. Mass is not
usually made for kids, however children who know the dialogue responses
which repeat in all worship celebrations naturally are bonded to the
Mass. Many-a-time it captures their distracted attention. Singing
dialogues with ordained ministers will remain as a strong memory in
their hearts for life. These sounds and memories may even bring them
back when they stray later in life. Filling childrens' minds with happy
memories of them participating with the priest, deacon and other
ministers during Church liturgies is one of the main goals of
catechesis. Regular, sustained communal participation will push aside
images of violent cartoons or "terminator-type" computer games. As
Feodor Dostoyevsky said, "At least one good memory can save us from
despair."
Interactive DVD User Guide: Pathway I (available here mid-March) Exploring the Mass There are three sub-sections:
Scriptural Foundations This section provides the texts of The Last Supper, Passion and
Death, Resurrection, Emmaus, and Ascension which are presented in a
visually reflective manner, both in video and illustrative formats.
Take time to teach youngsters to sing the dialogue responses. You may be surprised when they start leading the adults.
