New guidebooks help Catholics with RCIA, music and lectoring

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard recently approved a handbook on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and two guidelines: one for music at weddings and another for lectors.

The three publications, which were prepared by sub-committees of the Albany Diocesan Liturgical Commission, offer basic information, such as who may read at Masses and when, and rules for music at wedding liturgies.

Elizabeth Simcoe, director of the diocesan Office for Prayer and Worship, said the documents respond to numerous requests from parishes for updated procedures, based on recent revisions in the Lectionary.

Regarding the guidelines for lectors, "the new guideline reaffirms the importance of proper training for lectors, parish leaders and [the relatively new position of lay] parish life directors," she said.

The guidelines for music at wedding liturgies, she noted, were adapted from directives developed by the Archdiocese of San Diego and "build on previous guidelines developed by the Albany Diocese back in the 1970s and in 1986."

The guidelines include an explanation of the different parts of the wedding liturgy, recommended resources for engaged couples to use, and a planning guide for their personal choice of music.

The RCIA handbook was adapted and extensively revised from a handbook published by the Diocese of Rockville Centre in downstate New York.

"It defines the distinctions between catechumens and candidates, addresses marriage questions and questions concerning the initiation of children, and record-keeping issues," Mrs. Simcoe noted. "It provides basic information drawn from the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and the Code of Canon Law."

"Our hope is that these guidelines will serve as an aid to those who serve in parish ministries," she said.

(To obtain copies of the guidelines or the RCIA handbook, contact Elizabeth Simcoe at 453-6645.)

(8/14/03) [[In-content Ad]]