The Liturgy Preparation Ministry
Liturgy is the source and summit of Catholic Christian life. The mission of the liturgy preparation ministry is to prepare the community celebrations of Sunday, Feast Days, and Holidays in such a way as to promote the full, conscious, active participation of the assembly. We shape the liturgy, which is always the same yet ever new, so as to both reflect and form the faith of this community, leading the entire parish into a deeper sense of itself as the Body of Christ.
Liturgy preparation is one of the ministries in the Worship Community. This ministry affects the entire worshiping assembly of Holy Family, both parishioners and those who come to worship with us. We do not work directly with other parishes or churches, although we participate in networks of liturgical information through the deanery, the archdiocese, and the universal church.Liturgy is the source and summit of Catholic Christian life. The mission of the liturgy preparation ministry is to prepare the community celebrations of Sunday, Feast Days, and Holidays in such a way as to promote the full, conscious, active participation of the assembly. We shape the liturgy, which is always the same yet ever new, so as to both reflect and form the faith of this community, leading the entire parish into a deeper sense of itself as the Body of Christ.
Liturgy preparation is one of the ministries in the Worship Community. This ministry affects the entire worshiping assembly of Holy Family, both parishioners and those who come to worship with us. We do not work directly with other parishes or churches, although we participate in networks of liturgical information through the deanery, the archdiocese, and the universal church.
The time of our church year after the feasts of Pentecost, Holy Trinity and Body and Blood of Christ is called ordinary time. Rather than meaning "common" or "mundane," this term comes from the word "ordinal," which simply means counted time. It is a long stretch of Sundays from June through November, culminating in the Feast of Christ the King. It celebrates the mystery of Christ in all of its aspects. The color green is used during this time. Green came to symbolize the life of the church following Pentecost, as well as symbolizing the hope of new life in the resurrection.
So here we are - in Ordinary Time! However, this July will be anything but ordinary for parishioners at St. Patrick and Cathedral parishes. Fr. Dan Knepper will become pastor of both parishes on July 13 - an historic linking which will bring the challenges of change and opportunities for growth.
One of the main advantages of our linking is the opportunity for our parishes to continue a strong Catholic presence in the downtown area. St. Patrick and the Cathedral and other church denominations downtown have a unique ministry to those in need. St. Patrick serves a meal each Wednesday evening and both St. Patrick and Cathedral receive many persons at their doors who are in need of assistance. We cooperate with such Downtown ministries as the Rescue Mission, Multicultural Center, Hope House, Maria House, Teresa Shelter, Presentation Lantern, St. Mark Community Center, Battered Women Center and more.
St. Patrick and Cathedral Social Justice committees will begin working together on these downtown ministry areas, as will Faith Formation, Liturgy, Parish Life and Stewardship committees. Soon our Pastoral Councils will also meet together and begin to vision , plan and answer the question, “How will we build a stronger community?” This is exciting work and anything but ordinary. What will be your part in strengthening our parishes?