Ministry & Liturgy
magazine was created with integrated ministries in mind. For more than
35 years, ML has been an independent, thought-provoking source of ideas
and solutions for all ministers working in an ever-evolving church.
If you are looking for solid, practical ways to connect your ministries,
you need this resource.
In addition to features and
regular columns on topics of interest to the entire parish team — rites,
music, faith formation, Scripture, art and architecture, hospitality, and
many others — you will find valuable tools and inspiration in every issue.
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February 2008
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April 2008
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& Liturgy magazine has switched to a 100% recycled paper. ML is
committed to saving trees without compromising quality. We appreciate your
support.
May 2008
June/July 2008
August 2008
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
Below
you will find tables of contents of recent issues.
November 2008 Volume 35 Number 9
"I do"
ON THE COVER: Rose Window:
Sister Moon by Elizabeth Devereaux won Best of Show in ML's Visual
Arts Awards Art Glass competition. For details about this piece and other
winners, click here.
From
Inside
ML: "Do you reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God’s children?"
How easily and confidently we respond to that ritual question. One of the
attributes distinguishing us as a Catholic Christian people at prayer is
our ritual dialogue (or at least it will be until our Missal changes
again). We know that the “correct” response to this question is “I do.”
We believe that the faithful way to respond is boldly, with certain knowledge
that we have been redeemed. While gathered around font and table, our courage
comes from voices raised as one. Still, carrying that conviction out into
the world demands much of us. Opportunities for embracing sin abound in
our world, and simply avoiding sin is not enough. We are called to actively
reject that which seeks to disrupt our relationship with God and with each
other, to cast out everything that tears at the fabric of our community
in Christ. We not only choose to reject sin in our own lives, but we also
dedicate ourselves to the rejection of sin in the world. This is the basis
of our social conscience. This cannot be separated from liturgy, and it
cannot be ignored in our personal lives. To remain silent is not a rejection
of sin and, in fact, may prevent us from living in the freedom of God’s
children. We are called in baptism to be living examples of the freedom
promised us when we commit willingly to lives worthy of that call. “Baptism
is the sacrament by which men and women are incorporated into the Church,
built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit, into a holy nation and
a royal priesthood. It is a sacramental bond of unity linking all who have
been signed by it (Rite of Baptism for Children, General Introduction
4). In that unity we find the power to renounce sin and profess faith by
living in a vibrantly Christian way. (More)
FEATURES
What do you ask of God's church? Forming parents and communities for
infant baptism Mary Ann Paulukonis A baptismal spirituality
A companion for the journey David E. Fedor The role of godparents
Rooted and grounded in love Patricia A. Parachini Priesthood of the faithful
About my father's business Ron Raab A baptismal life
From
Inside
ML: Advent was once my least favorite season. It seemed a dreary time
that seemed to transition poorly into the Christmas season. Despite all
the formational work about the unity of the Advent–Christmas season and
the care taken to preserve the unique identity of Advent, it never seemed
to quite work. Over time, though, efforts to preserve stillness and calm
while the “outside” world was all about shopping and carols and Santa Claus
began to make a difference. Still, we talk about all the wonderful imagery
of darkness and light and of the dynamic tension of the season, but plain
old, ordinary tension is what we often get. All of those ideals are wonderful,
and I will teach and preach about the depth and richness of our ritual
tradition until I draw my last breath, but I’m done taking a stand about
things that don’t matter all that much. Purple or blue for Advent? No more
fights about that. Let’s just use a rich, deep color that’s distinctive
from that of Lent. (I draw the line at red for Christmas, though!) Where
do we put the Advent wreath? It seems every parish has a migratory pattern
for that. So long as it does not obstruct ritual action, I’m not arguing
about that either. It can join the nativity scene in the hunt for the perfect
location. (More)
FEATURES
The present: An Adventful time Thomas B. Iwanowski Advent in this day
Gifts from the altar Anne Louise Bannon Work of human hands
A requiem for Advent: Balancing the dissonant and consonant tones
of Christmastime Jean Marie DuHamel Finding Advent harmony
Advent 2008: At-home retreat Ron Raab Advent spirituality
ON THE COVER: Symbolic
Gates, by Alexander Tylevich, is the Best of Show in ML's Visual Arts
Awards Sacred Art competition. To see more winners, click
here.
From
Inside
ML: We don’t think too much or too often about the communion of saints.
We celebrate them individually on our liturgical calendar, and maybe we
seek the intercession of one or another of them on occasion. But rarely
do we deliberately look to find our place among them. Not often do we call
on them as a whole to walk with us, pray with us, be with us. We tend to
envision them on a spiritual plane far above us, and in doing so we miss
the opportunity to interact with them as well as with the saints here on
earth. It is our loss indeed, for there is great wealth there. Surely in
a church in which so many of us are in need of courage and reassurance
that the path to which we have been called is true, the saints who have
gone before as well as those here on earth are a company to which we can
and should turn as we struggle on. There is power in that communion that
spans eternity — past, present, and future. All we have to do is reach
out to it. It is no wonder that we use the Litany of the Saints at liturgies
that form a sacramental crossroads. Not only do we call on the saints for
their intercession and blessing, we invite them to rejoice with us and
to continue to walk with us in our journey of faith. By their example,
we are called to be living saints, true believers, boldly proclaiming our
faith before all the world. Being always open to those graced moments when
we are able to see in ourselves and in others the seeds of holiness offers
us the ability to be true to the people God has called us to be. (More)
ON THE COVER: Tree of
Life
by John Collier (Hillstream LLC) is installed at Sacred Heart
Co-Cathedral, Charleston, W.V. Bronze 8'h. www.hillstream.com
From
Inside
ML: People often ask me about my work as editor of ML, about the process
of constructing each issue as well as planning each volume year. Some people
think that articles just fly in from the ether, I pick the ones I want
for each issue, look them over for typos and doctrinal errors, and send
them on to be published. That’s an interesting scenario, but it couldn’t
be further from the truth.
Each year, in early summer,
we conceptualize the overall focus that ML will take for the following
year. From that general focus, I draw thematic concepts that I feel are
a good match for each of the 10 issues. From those concepts I consider
what types of articles our readers might benefit from or enjoy, and then
I begin the long process of finding writers with the skill and background
to address those areas. I propose titles to them, and they generally tweak
them a little to fit their own style. A similar process exists for recruiting
our column writers. They are challenged to write in a general subject area
but are also asked to focus their attention on the theme of each issue.
This whole process is guided and informed by prayer and reflection by all
involved. (More)
FEATURES
Preaching in many voices Patricia A. Parachini Lay preaching in the
United States
Fancy and fact in liturgical
theology: Getting real about what happens when we worship Joseph Martos Liturgical practice
and theory
Singing always: Building
choir community (part 2) Paige Byrne Shortal Sustaining and supporting
parish choirs
The symbol of the cross Barbara C. Krug Artifact and action
ON THE COVER: Sanctuary
of
St. Joseph Church, Middletown, DE, by Lawrence R. Hoy (Renovata Studios
Inc.), won Best of Show in ML's Visual Arts Awards Sacred Symbols &
Architecture category. For more VAA winners, click
here.
From
Inside
ML: If not for music, how could we communicate as disciples, as Christians,
as lovers of our Lord? Words alone fail utterly to express the anguish,
passion, union, and joy that is our lot. Our worship, our praise, is given
form, texture, color, and life by the music that weaves in and around it.
Our liturgy is whole only when music is an integral part, not adding to
our common prayer nor completing it but rather forming its essence, permeating
its very root. In our sung prayer, we find communion with each other and
with all who have sung before, bound together with the Holy Spirit. “God
has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human
person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver
of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises” (Sing to the
Lord: Music in Divine Worship, 1 [USCCB, 2007]).(More)
ON THE COVER: The Reign
of Christ by Nancy Chinn, part of a series of banners she created for
Washington National Cathedral.
From
Inside
ML: Our homes reflect who we are, how we think, what’s important to
us. They offer insight into how much time we spend there and how welcoming
we are to neighbors, friends, and family. What is given pride of place
shows what matters to us, what we treasure. How our furniture is arranged
speaks of how we regard one another; our décor is a window into
our imagination. Applying these metaphors to our worship and community
spaces is nothing new, but the principle is worth revisiting. Somewhere
along the line we became more interested in where we place the tabernacle
than in the worship needs of the living Body of Christ. Tabernacle placement
is significant, as we are a sacramental people for whom Eucharist is central.
But it is only one consideration in many as our liturgy challenges us to
put our faith to work as we go out into the world to serve as we have been
commanded. Adoration without action in Christian service falls short of
what we are called to be. (More)
FEATURES
Pixels, paint, and print Nancy Chinn National Cathedral's
"banner year"
Church of Corpus Christi:
Reflection of community identity James Hundt Community theology
in design
Green isn't just for Ordinary
Time: How Presentation Retreat
Center uses its green building to demonstrate the importance of all creation Elizabeth J. Asborno Sustainable community
life
ON THE COVER: Station
8 by Michael R. Kapetan won Best of Show in ML's Visual Arts Awards:
Devotional Category. For more VAA winners, click
here.
From
Inside
ML: Some days the work of ministry is easier than other days. Sometimes
what we are called to do and how we’re called to do it seems clear. The
path ahead seems certain, straight, and true. Most of the time, though,
that’s not the case. We walk on a path shrouded in a mist of options. We
know there’s a path and we know we belong on it. We just don’t get to see
much more than one step ahead at a time. We struggle with identity and
relationships in ministry. What do we call ourselves, what do we call each
other, and how do we fit into the grand scheme of discipleship? We grapple
with humility always. Eager to serve, we often find it hard to let others
minister to us. We fill our days with the busy labor of ministry but so
often neglect the quiet time, the retreat time, the just-being-with-God
time. We are good at washing feet but not so good at letting others wash
our feet. Still, we do the best we can, confident that the Spirit will
lead us on. (More)
ON THE COVER: Bridal
Veil Falls, Yosemite National Park. "Water is a sign … [of] the presence
and action of God in our world." (Inside ML, page 4).
From
Inside
ML: We are a sacramental people. Oddly, that sacramental nature both
unites us and divides us. By our sacraments we are initiated, transformed,
reconciled, commissioned, united, and healed. Through these we discover
and are filled with grace. Somehow, though, we find a way to quarrel over
when and how we celebrate them and who may preside over them. Still, they
define and guide us because they form our imagination and help us to grasp
the mystery of a God who is always present if seemingly unseen. Each of
our sacraments transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, taking our
common human experience and converting it into an encounter with the holy.
The imagery of our baptismal rite is rich with words and symbol that swirl
around the paschal mystery. (More)
FEATURES
Set free from sin: Baptism
and reconciliation Paul Turner The grace of baptism
If the sacraments give
grace, how do I know when I've got some? Gary Macy Love as evidence
Not quantification but
transformation in Christ William C. Graham Spirit-filled lives
Forming the "lost generation" Leisa Anslinger Seeking the seekers
To intercede for the world:
The duty and the privilege of all the baptized Paige Byrne Shortal Ministry of intercessor
ON THE COVER:
Monastic Chasuble, by
Dirk Slabbinck and Jeroen Kerre, won Best of Show in ML's 2008 Visual Arts
Awards: Ritual Objects competition. For more VAA winners, click
here.
From
Inside
ML: Ministry & Liturgy follows a deliberate path. That path
is the response to a call to speak words of challenge and passion, of hope
and support. Over the past few years ML has labored in a determined way
to keep the flame that drives us to do the work of ministry burning strongly.
We have drawn on the waters of baptism to strengthen us for the work of
ministry. We listened to the song of the great Vigil and through its imagery
found new light for the work of ministry. Now in ML’s 35th year, we focus
deliberately on how we are challenged to call on the name of the Lord and
how we then do the work of ministry in that name. To do that, we look at
the most powerful liturgies we own. The words we pray and sing throughout
Triduum give us direction and insight about how we are to live and serve.
Those words and the images they convey can be formative tools, and so they
will be our guide throughout this year. (More)
