Liturgy group revived to improve worshipping

After a seven-year hiatus, the Diocesan Liturgical Commission has been revived to bring new ideas on liturgy to the Albany Diocese.

Originally formed around 1971, the commission served in an advisory capacity to the diocesan Office of Prayer and Worship, offering input on everything from what music to use for diocesan liturgies to ideas for parish Masses.

The commission last met in 1990, although some of its members continued independently to offer workshops on liturgy through such programs as the diocesan Formation for Ministry Program (FMP). But after Cathy Lavender was appointed director of the Prayer and Worship office last year, the commission was revived, with five new members.

Work to do

The commission includes Ms. Lavender; Rev. Patrick Butler, pastor of Christ the King parish in Westmere; Beth Simcoe, retreat director for the Jesuit Retreat House in Auriesville; Sister Anna Tantsits, IHM, associate director for adult catechesis for the diocesan Office of Religious Education; and Marie Bernadett, music director for St. Vincent de Paul parish in Albany. All six have backgrounds in liturgy.

Ms. Lavender noted that "we have every intention of utilizing the wisdom and expertise of former members," as well.

The new commission will be actively assisting the Prayer and Worship Office with its tasks: aiding Bishop Howard J. Hubbard in planning diocesan liturgies, helping to train liturgical ministers (such as lectors and Eucharistic ministers), and serving as a resource for parishes that already have liturgy committees of their own.

"One of my biggest hopes is that parishes feel comfortable taking advantage of us as a resource," said Ms. Lavender. "We hope we are able to continue to promote the liturgical renewal."

Areas of interest

The commission plans to form subcommittees to focus on five different issues in the area of prayer and worship: liturgy, prayer and spirituality, arts and environment, Christian initiation, and music. Each subcommittee will be made up of people from across the Diocese and chaired by a member of the commission.

The subcommittees hope to accomplish such goals as:

* fostering communal celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours,

* developing a list of spiritual directors,

* helping with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program,

* providing guidelines for appropriate music for various liturgies, and

* referring parishes to local artists who do quality work with religious themes.

Ms. Lavender hopes to have the subcommittees in place by June. Thus far, she said, working with the other members of the commission and the parishes that request their help "has been a very positive experience. It seems that people feel free to call."

(The diocesan Office of Prayer and Worship can be reached at 453-6661.)

(02-19-98) [[In-content Ad]]