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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton ChurchValparaiso, IN. |
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Spirituality and Worship Commission
When a parent(s) who wishes to have a child baptized calls the Faith Formation office, an appointment is arranged. The main purpose of the initial interview is to begin a time of awareness and preparation for the parents so that when their child is baptized, it may also be an event that celebrates their own faith. At this interview, basic information is obtained and retained on file. Parent(s) who have a general awareness of their faith, who gather with the community regularly for worship, and who proclaim faith in Jesus by their words and actions are invited to attend the evening of Baptismal Preparation. This is a very important session. It is here that the parent(s) are asked to think about their decision to have their child baptized. The ritual of Baptism as celebrated at St. Elizabeth Seton parish is explained. Proclaiming the Word for people of all ages! The Church shows special concern for her children who have yet to be fully initiated through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. · To open the Word of God with children · To situate the ritual life of children within the context of Liturgy · To speak of God in a language appreciated by the child It cannot be expected that everything in the Liturgy will always be intelligible to children. The Church follows its Master who “puts His arms around the children...and blesses them.” (Mark 10:16) So that the Liturgy of the Word is more available to the children and to allow the adult community to be open to the Word, at the time of the Opening Prayer, right before the Liturgy of the Word during the Mass celebration, the Presider calls forth the children and their leader for the day. They are sent forth to read and break open the Word in a manner that is appropriate and intelligible for their ages. They return to the Liturgy of the Eucharist during the Presentation of the Gifts. The only requirement is that the children come with the intention of opening themselves to hear the Word of God. People who are in the various liturgical ministries also serve as representatives to the liturgical team. These include: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers/Greeters, Choir, Environment, Liturgist/Musical Director, Deacon and Pastor. Couples need to notify the parish office six months prior to the date of the wedding. In preparation for their marriage, couples meet with their parish priest and the liturgist. In addition, couples attend a series of evening sessions, hosted by a married couple from the parish, which looks at the many and varied aspects of married life OR attend a pre-Cana weekend offered by the diocese. Saturday weddings can be arranged up to and including the 2:00 PM hour. The Eucharistic Minister shares in the work of the Lord’s Spirit Who makes of us one bread, one body, and the cup of blessings, which we bless. The calling is to minister Christ’s body and blood to the body of Christ, the Church. Ministers of the Eucharist are many. Truly, a Eucharistic Minister is what one must become. The Eucharistic Minister is able to see in the eyes of the elderly, the young, the lonely, the rich and the poor, that these are also the presence of Christ in their midst. The Eucharistic Ministers’ gifts are those of hospitality, compassion and love of people. They are host/hostess to all who feed at the Lord’s Table. Service at the Lord’s Table makes life a table of mercy and welcome for all we meet and know. Preparation for this ministry is done as a group in the fall of the year. The acolyte serves at the Eucharistic celebration, taking care of the various needs before, during and after the celebration. Acolytes make sure that all things are ready prior to the beginning of the liturgy, and then greet the people as they arrive. The acolyte holds the Presider’s book of ritual prayers. Acolytes assist at the Table of the Lord. Children who love to help mom or dad at home will understand and enjoy the Ministry of Acolyte. Girls and boys who have received the Eucharist are individually prepared to serve in this ministry. This ministry dates back to the Old Testament where we read about those who were the “gate keepers’, those who welcomed people in and kept enemies out. The greeter’s/usher’s primary role is to welcome all to the celebration and to assist the community in finding a place to sit. They give guidance to all processions celebrated at Sunday Eucharist. As the community leaves the church, the greeter/usher sends all to take Christ to the world. Women, men and youth who are welcoming and caring of others and their needs would find this a rewarding ministry. Some individuals, couples or families prefer to serve solely as a greeter, welcoming the community to celebration. Greeters and ushers should arrive early and be comfortable welcoming others into the house of God. Music engages the community in sung prayer and creates an environment for prayer. Music ministers pray with the community through their gifts of voice and instrument resulting in one grand choir of praise. Those in the music ministry serve in the same manner as those who proclaim the Good News to the community. It is a ministry that reaches the deepest recesses of the human heart -- one that becomes soul stirring. Cantors lead the community in sung prayer and the choir assists the cantor and community. Both cantors and choir must give the necessary preparation time during the week to perform this ministry well. Cantors practice seasonally and are scheduled for various masses. Choir meets weekly, September through May and sings at the 9:00 AM Sunday liturgy. Skilled instrumentalists play seasonally and at varying times throughout the year. The Lector proclaims the Good News to the community of God. Through his/her own spiritually filled life and love of the Word, the lector gives us hope, peace and comfort in a world that defies the presence of the Word and holds us captive. Proclaimers of the Word must have, foremost, a love of scripture within their own personal lives. Good speaking skills are required so that the message of the Good News can be proclaimed clearly and meaningfully. Lectors must take the time for private preparation of the Word for the upcoming Sunday’s scripture throughout the preceding week. A workbook that contains the year’s cycle of readings as well as suggestions to proclaim the Word well is provided. All lectors are encouraged to attend scripture sharing sessions held throughout the year, which focus on the next Sunday’s readings. Before beginning this ministry, lectors prepare a reading and practice in the church to become comfortable with the setting. Members of the community and visitors to our parish are welcome to add names of their family or friends who are ill or deceased. These names are then read during the Liturgy and those present are invited to pray for the names read aloud. This book is located in the vestibule. Members of the community are invited to set the Table by placing on the altar cloth, the chalice and sacramentary. Preparation to celebrate the Eucharist is done by members of the community. The Sacristan is responsible for making sure that the necessary elements are present at the liturgy. |
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