Sample Intercessions for December 3, 2006

First Sunday of Advent, Year C
December 3, 2006

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind:

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• Over 200 civilian Iraqis were killed by car bombs and other attacks in the last week.
• The temperature in Santa Clara County has dropped below freezing during the last several nights. Naval Armories in the county have begun their winter homeless shelter, housing 250 homeless persons each night.
• The Church begins its Advent season and a new liturgical year.
• December 7 is the 65th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
• December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation.
• On December 8, the diocese will honor Mary in the Immaculate Conception and in Our Lady of Guadalupe.
• Celebrating their patron’s feast day this week is Saint Nicholas Parish (December 6) and Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish (December 8).

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions. Read 10 Principles for Writing Intercessions and How To Write Intercessions to help you write your own.

Presider:
The signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars
tell us that Christ is near.
Let us raise our heads and offer our prayers,
for our redemption is at hand.

Reader:
For the Church,
remembering God became human,
remembering Christ’s death on the cross,
remembering victorious resurrection: [pause]
May we remember that God is ever faithful.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For leaders and peoples in every land,
frightened of the things to come,
perplexed by the signs of chaos,
burdened by the anxieties of daily life: [pause]
May they be vigilant and strong in Christ.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the hungry and homeless,
anxious for their daily needs,
unsheltered in the cold,
powerless against the darkness: [pause]
May they be safe and dwell secure.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For our parish community,
mindful of the apostles’ instructions,
striving to please our God,
blessed with many gifts: [pause]
May we increase and abound in love for one another and for all.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the sick and the dying,
waiting for comfort
waiting for results,
waiting for a cure, including those we now name…: [pause]
May Mary strengthen their hearts with the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the dead,
loved ones whom we miss this season,
forgotten ones who died alone,
innocent ones caught in the crossfire of violence,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May they dwell securely in the house of the Lord.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

Presider:
God, our Justice,
you sent your Son to become one of us, one with us,
that we might be one with you.
Make us blameless in holiness and hear our prayer
that our world may be ransomed by the coming of Emmanuel,
Jesus, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.

Catechumenate Support Group - December 7, 2006

Wow! What an event-full November! I hope most of you were able to participate in the Faith Formation Conference a few weeks ago. If you did, you heard Bishop McGrath’s terrific homily encouraging us to be risky in our faith. And just a week later, about 80 folks from all over the region came to share Vino & Vespers with the board members from the North American Forum on the Catechumenate.

With these two events, we continued to focus on the two key factors that catechumenate ministers like you named earlier this fall:

1. Do a better job with mystagogy (here's mystagogy even your mother could do)
2. Catechize the assembly about the rites to get them more involved (here's a handout you can copy to catechize your parish about the Rite of Acceptance).

Some of the topics that came up during Vino & Vespers deserve some further conversation. Let's get together and talk about some of these things:

• How do you know if the catechumens know enough? When are they ready to move to the next stage?
• How do you catechize on the “gray” areas? What’s the difference between “doctrine” and other important Catholic stuff?
• What are we doing to evangelize people in their 20s? What could we do better?
• What are some effective ways of involving the pastor in the rites and the preparation for the rites?
• What did you experience at the Faith Formation Conference and how has it affected you and your ministry?

Everyone who attends the meeting will receive a FREE copy-ready master of a bulletin insert that explains discernment and “readiness” for initiation which you can give to the assembly.

Get some practical answers to these and your other questions at the next Catechumenate Support Group Meeting.

Catechumenate Support Group

Thursday, December 7, 2006

12:30p - 2:00p

Chancery Offices, Third Floor

900 Lafayette Street, Santa Clara

Bring your lunch and your own questions to ask!

RSVP with Bernard Nemis at 408-983-0126

or online here

Other Catechumenate Support Group dates for the year:
Thursday, February 1, 2007, 12:30p – 2:00p, Saint Mary (Gilroy)
Thursday, March 22, 2007, 12:30p – 2:00p
Thursday, June 7, 2007, 12:30p – 2:00p

If your parish would like to host one of these gatherings, please contact Diana Macalintal at 408-983-0136.

Retreat for Filipino Priests - January 15-19, 2007

The Filipino values of pakikisama, kapakumbabaan and family centeredness coupled with the Filipinos’ innate desire for God have become their strong cultural values through the years, even in the varied places in which they have settled. These values are Benedictine values etched in the Rule of Saint Benedict since the sixth century. Let us explore these values together within the context of the monastic community’s daily life of liturgical prayer and how they live out the Rule in a contemplative desert environment. It will also be a time for rest, recreation with Filipino themed movies, and perhaps just being together longer in fellowship and prayer.

Retreat for Priests
Mga Paring Pinoy (Filipino Priests) to the Desert
Jan. 15 – 19, 2007

Saint Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, CA

www.valyermo.com

Led by Fr. Matthew Rios, OSB

Room, board, and tuition:
Private room: $300

Shared room: $250 per person

Fr Matthew Rios earned his masters degree in theology with a concentration in Liturgy and a minor in Monastic Studies at St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary in Collegeville, MN. He is the current Novicemaster of the community. His previous work included teaching at various colleges in Manila and, being a Certified Public Accountant, was an Internal Revenue Service Auditor in the Philippines.

To register: Download this registration form (Word doc.) or call (661) 944-2178 for reservations.

Gospel of Luke - December 15, 2006

You are invited to a spectacular and dramatic presentation of scripture, light, and movement when Michael Reardon and Patrick Lane bring the Gospel of Luke to our community. This is a profoundly moving and totally captivating work of faith, making the Scripture come alive in a fresh way, with music, lighting, and costuming, proclaimed in the oral tradition of the early church.

Gospel of Luke

Friday, December 15, 2006

7:00 pm
Saint Christopher Church
1576 Curtner Avenue, San Jose

This special event will last approximately two hours, and there is no charge for admission.

Michael and Patrick have traveled around the world with this prayerful and powerful ministry of proclamation, and there will be an opportunity to meet them after the performance.

Top-10 List: What Youth Want

On November 10, 2006, youth and youth ministers from all over the Bay Area came together for a Youth Summit to be inspired, challenged, and renewed in their faith.

At the Summit, the youth came up with their own Top-10 List of what they want from their Church. Check out the list here.

Want to add your own entries to the list? Use the comment link below.

Pope Benedict XVI on World AIDS Day

Pope Benedict XVI made the following remarks last Sunday on the feast of Christ the King.

"This coming December 1 marks World AIDS Day. I wish greatly that this occasion promotes an increased responsibility for the care of this illness, together with the pledge of avoiding each instance of discrimination toward the many stricken with it. Calling the comfort of the Lord upon the sick and their families, I encourage the many initiatives that the Church maintains in this area."

Some cheese for Christmas please

In case you weren't listening to Sam and Lissa on 94.5 KBAY on Wednesday morning, November 22, at 8:50a, here's what you missed. (The alto voice is me.)

Alicia Swanson wrote the great lyrics. Sara Folchi is the awesome soprano. We were invited to help promote the Santa Clara Chorale. Come hear us sing on December 9 and 10 at the Santa Clara Mission and on December 14 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph.

Diocesan Wedding Anniversay Mass - February 3, 2007

25 and 50+ Silver and Golden

Wedding Anniversary Celebration
Aniversario de Bodas de Plata y Oro
February 3, 2007 / 3 de Febrero, 2007
10:00 am
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph / Catedral de San José
80 South Market Street, San José

Couples celebrating Silver (25 years) and Golden (50 years or more) Wedding Anniversaries are invited to the celebration. / Las parejas que celebran su Aniversario de Bodas de Plata (25 años) o de Oro (50 años o más) están invitados asistir a la celebración.

Each couple will receive a certificate signed by the Bishop. A reception follows the Mass. / Cada pareja recibirá un certificado firmado por el Obispo y están invitados a la recepción.

For information call / Para su información llame: Sylvia Blanch, 408-983-0128.

Use the form below to register, or click here for a form in Word or a pdf form.

Anniversary Mass Registration Form
Misa de Aniversario Hoja de Registración
Registration deadline: January 25, 2007

Please print names exactly as you wish them to appear on the certificate. / Por favor escriba su nombre como quiera que esté en su certifidado.

Husband's First Name / Nombre del Esposo


Wife's First Name / Nombre de la Esposa


Last Name / Apellido


Anniversary being celebrated / Años de Aniversario


Street Address / Domicilio


City / Ciudad


Zip Code / Codigo Postal


Phone / Número de Teléfono


E-mail Address / Correo Electrónico


Parish / Parroquia


Number of Guests Attending* / Número de Invitados**

*For more than 6 guests, call / **Si tiene mas de 6 invitados llame (408) 983-0128.

We would like our certificate in English.
Nos gustaría nuestro certificado en Español.

We need handicapped parking/seating.
Necesitamos asistencia/estacionamiento para incapacitados.

For American Sign Language Interpretation, call Sylvia at (408) 983-0128.

Donations are optional. Please make check payable to Diocese of San José. / Las donaciones son opcionales. Por favor haga el cheque al nombre de Diócesis de San José.

Mail donations to / Envie donaciones a:

Diocese of San José, Office of Pastoral Ministry
Attn: Sylvia Blanch (Anniversary Mass)
900 Lafayette Street, Suite 405
Santa Clara, CA 95050-4966

Sylvia Blanch from the Office of Pastoral Ministry will contact you to confirm your registration. Please make sure all your information is correct before submitting this form.

What Makes A Parish Catholic?

Find out the seven characteristics of a Catholic institution here [via Ideas for the Whole Community].

Do I need to go to Mass twice on Christmas weekend?

As you know by now, Christmas Eve and the Fourth Sunday of Advent coincide this year, making for a very busy couple of days for all Catholics. Ideally, we would celebrate both the Advent and the Christmas celebrations by participating in Mass on Sunday for Advent and in another Mass for Christmas. But this might not be an obvious practice for your parishioners. Below is a short catechetical "blurb" written by Diana Macalintal that you can reprint for free in your bulletin to help encourage your parishioners to celebrate the Advent/Christmas transition fully.

You can also download this bulletin announcement as a Word file here.

===

Do I need to go to Mass twice on Christmas weekend?

You may be wondering why this is even a question. This year, Christmas Eve (December 24) also falls on the same day as the Fourth Sunday of Advent. They are two separate celebrations in the church calendar. But is it really necessary to go to Mass on Sunday morning, December 24, in addition to a Christmas Mass?

Certainly, it will be difficult for some to come to Church twice between December 24 and 25. Just getting the whole family ready for Church once each weekend is often a challenge. With the added busyness of Christmas, coming to Mass twice in one weekend might even be an impossible task. But striving to make the commitment will teach more about the meaning of Christmas than we might first imagine. Keeping a commitment, especially when it’s difficult, is about making a sacrifice.

When we do all we can to gather with the Church on the morning of the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and when we come back that evening or the next day to celebrate Christ’s birth, we will be teaching our children—and everyone in the community—that we make sacrifices for our faith because we love God and God’s church. We will be encouraging each other to keep Christ always before us even in our busyness.

The story of Christmas is deeply about making sacrifices out of love for another person. Mary so loved God that she said yes to becoming an unwed mother. Joseph so loved Mary that he said yes to being a parent to a child that was not his own. God so loved the world, a world that no longer recognized him in the prophets and all his wondrous works, that he gave his only Son that the world might see in another human being that God was with them. And finally, Jesus so loved us that he said yes to dying on the cross that we might know we have nothing to fear, not even death itself, for nothing will separate us from the love of God through Christ.

Teach your children, the catechumens, estranged family members, and yourself, the value of our faith this Christmas by celebrating it as fully as possible.

A Day of Beatitude - December 3, 2006

Come to a celebration of music and the spoken word and give the opportunity to find a way home. Featuring:

• an interfaith choir and instrumental ensemble in the Palo Alto premiere of a Mass for the homeless - "Beatitude Mass" by Henry Mollicone;
• the world premiere of "BOXES," a narrated play by Fr. Jon Pedigo;
• and vocal selections by soprano Kathy Parmentier and an cappella quintet, The Lyricats.

A Day of Beatitude:

A Benefit Concert for

the Opportunity Center in Palo Alto

Sunday, December 3, 2006
5:00p
Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto

A reception will follow the concert.

Suggestion donation:

$10 in advance; $15 at the door,

but no one will be turned away.

All proceeds from the concert will benefit

the Opportunity Center in Palo Alto,

a new facility that provides housing and services

for the unhoused and those at risk of becoming homeless.

Presented by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Music Committee.

For more information on the concert, email music-info@uucpa.org

or visit www.uucpa.org/choir/about_choir.html.

For more information on the Opportunity Center,

visit www.opportunitycenter.org.

Migrant Posadas - December 16, 2006

Join the Diocese of San José and the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform for a Migrant Posada, a journey of hope with Mary and Joseph and our brothers and sisters in Santa Clara County.

A posada is a pilgrimage that re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem. Posadas are usually celebrated from home to home each night between December 16 to 24. Bring your family and friends and a candle to help light your way.

Migrant Posada

Saturday, December 16, 2006

6:30p

Meet at Catholic Charities John XXIII Neighborhood Center,

5th Street and San Fernando Street in San José

Free parking in the 4th Street Garage at the corner of 4th and San Fernando.

Download a flyer here in English (Word) or in Spanish (Word).

For more information, contact Elizabeth Lilly at Catholic Charities,

or Daniela Santos at CCIR/PACT, 408-835-6708.

Advent Resources from Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform

The Archdiocese of Chicago has graciously offered their Advent resource materials to our diocesan Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform. The resources include the following for each week of Advent:

• homily helps,
• prayers of the faithful,
• children's lessons for school and religious education,
• multicultural Christmas celebrations,
• and additional parish and school resources.

The materials are available for free as Word files in English and Spanish.

Download them here in English (Word) or in Spanish (Word).

Bookshelf: Vietnamese-American Catholics by Peter Phan

One of our Vietnamese priests recommends this book as the easiest book to read about the devotions, celebrations, and lifestyle of Vietnamese-American Catholics.

Get it from Amazon.com here.

Vietnamese-American Catholics by Peter C. Phan is the first in Paulist Press's new Ethnic American Pastoral Spirituality series, which puts practical information at the fingertips of all who engage in pastoral ministry a way to better understand, appreciate, and thereby minister to the new immigrant groups that have changed the face of American Catholicism. This first volume explores the religious and cultural traditions of Vietnamese-American Catholics.

Peter Phan distills in eight chapters essential information:

• the history of Christianity in Vietnam,
• the conditions of Vietnamese Catholics in America,
• their customs and feasts,
• the challenges facing Vietnamese Catholics and suggestions on how to meet them.

Pastoral strategies for assisting Vietnamese-American Catholics in becoming more active members of the Church are included, as are photographs and maps.

Highlights:

• first in a promising series of books
• no other book like this on the market
• concise, information packed, but easy to read
• perfect for pastoral leaders and all who minister to Vietnamese Catholics and Vietnamese-American youth who do not know their culture and history well

Professor Peter C. Phan currently holds the Ignacio Ellacuria Chair in Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown University. He earned three doctoral degrees and is the author of a dozen books and hundreds of articles, several of which have received awards for scholarly excellence.

Immaculate Conception - Holy Day of Obligation - December 8, 2006

The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady is only 151 years old. This teaching professes that from the moment of Mary’s conception, she was free from original sin, preparing her to become the Mother of God, the “God-Bearer” or Theotokos. (Don't forget that the Immaculate Conception is about Mary being conceived from the union of her parents, Anna and Joachim.)

What this dogma teaches us is that all of God’s children are destined to be free from sin and bearers of the divine, for everything that happens to Mary is our destiny as well. Mary is the first of all disciples and the first to taste the fullness of what Jesus’ incarnation, resurrection, and ascension promise us. In a way, Mary shows us what our Advent waiting will transform us into—persons fully alive and open to God.

In 2004, on the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of this dogma, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offered four announcements to be used in parish bulletins about the Immaculate Conception. You can find them here.

Repeat: What is Advent?

According to the Church’s General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar:

#39. Advent has a twofold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s firth coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart ot await Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. Advent is thus a period of devout and joyful expectation.

#40. Advent begins with evening prayer I of the Sunday falling on or closest to 30 November and ends before evening prayer I of Christmas.

#41. The Sundays of this season are named the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Sundays of Advent.

#42. The weekdays from 17 December to 24 December inclusive serve to prepare more directly for the Lord’s birth.

Repeat: Advent - Season of Anticipation

By Brother John Samaha, S.M.

The Season of Advent has a twofold character, a double meaning. Advent prepares us for Christmas, the celebration of Christ’s first coming to us, and it also reminds us to direct our minds and hearts to be prepared for Christ’s second coming at the end of time. In Christian usage the word “advent” (adventus) has a special liturgical significance, but the origin of the word is pagan.

At the time of Jesus’ birth, the pagans observed a manifestation of their divinity that came to dwell in its temple at a certain time each year. This feast was called advent, and it marked an anniversary of the return of their god to the temple. During this special time, the temple was open. Ordinarily the temple was closed.

In the days of the Roman Empire, advent also celebrated the coming of the emperor.

The word “advent” was suitable to describe the coming of the Son of God in the temple of his human flesh. Gradually the use of this word was limited to describe the coming of the Lord. This advent, the coming of the Lord and the anniversary of his birth, replaced the advent and birth of the unvanquished sun of the winter solstice. This use of the word “advent” gained prominence during the reign of the Emperor Constantine (306-337). To grant tolerance to all religions and to allow the open practice of Christianity, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313. Soon Christianity and its celebrations overshadowed pagan symbolism of advent.

The ancient idea of advent underlies the prayers of the season of Advent that call forth the coming of the Lord, often with the same image of the temple.

Generally Advent signals a time to prepare for Christmas, the celebration of the first coming of the Lord. But the prayer texts and Scripture readings of the Sunday Masses and the Liturgy of the Hours give ample attention to the second coming of the Lord to which we look forward.

In reality the three distinct accents of the liturgy of the Advent season are defined by the three comings of the Lord: yesterday, at Bethlehem, when the Son of God was born of the Virgin Mary; today, in our world, where he is incarnate in the Church, in the Sacraments, and in the faithful baptized into grace; tomorrow, when he returns in glory.

This, then, is the rich meaning of Advent. From the beginning of the liturgical year we celebrate the whole panorama of the mystery of salvation history.

The variety of this season is not only desirable, it is truly appropriate because Advent is oriented toward the one who has come once and for all, who is coming, and who will come.

For reprint permission of this article, please contact the editor at Macalintal@dsj.org.

Repeat: Advent Basics - Getting Back to Liturgical Essential

Here's a post from the infancy of this blog.


De-Clutter your church
to let its primary purpose shine through


Clean up the vestibule area of your church.

• Remove old flyers, bulletins, and pamphlets. Organize the area so that the first thing people feel when they walk in is welcome.
• The primary purpose of this area is for gathering and welcoming people. Make sure there is enough room for this purpose.
• Move extraneous things like tables of books and leaflets away from gathering and walking spaces to another area where people can browse and learn more about the community through pictures and announcements. Organize these materials neatly.

Clean up the choir area.

• Avoid storing books and equipment here because the primary purpose of this area is first of all worship.
• Even if the choir is in the loft where no one can see them, the place where the choir exercises its ministry needs to look more like a place that enables reverent worship than a storage area.

Clean up the sanctuary area.

• The primary purpose of the sanctuary area is for the presidency of the assembly’s worship, the proclamation of God’s Word, and the celebration of the Eucharist. Therefore, the primary objects in this area are the altar, the ambo, and the presider’s chair. Everything else is secondary.
• Remove extraneous tables and chairs.
• Put only the altar cloth, corporal, bread and wine, and Sacramentary on the altar.
• Do not put water glasses for the presider, papers with Mass announcements or intentions, candles or flowers, Purell bottles, or envelopes with Mass stipends or prayers on the altar.
• If the presider needs water, use a side table.
• Mass announcements or intentions can be included in the bulletin or in the presider’s or commentator’s binder.
• Candles and flowers work best when they are placed away from the altar so that the celebrant, deacon, and other ministers can easily prepare for Communion without twisting around candle and flower stands.
• Also, be careful that the placement of decorations does not act as an altar rail, dividing the “holy space” from the “not holy space.”
• Read about what to do with Purell bottles here.
• Envelopes with Mass intentions are seen most visibly during November when the dead are remembered. It is good to remember the dead, but using the altar to display these envelopes is not the most appropriate solution. Instead, display these envelopes with the Book of the Dead at a side niche or entry way, or at the baptismal font, on in the shrine of your parish patron saint.

Classifieds: Hispanic Worship Resources Text Editor

Hispanic Worship Resources Text Editor

World Library Publications (WLP), a publisher of worship resources for Roman Catholic parishes throughout the United States, is seeking a text editor for its Spanish-language publications. Both inexperienced and experienced candidates may apply. Position available immediately.

For an inexperienced candidate, tasks include manuscript construction of liturgical and scriptural texts; initial layout, editing, and proofreading of missals to an established style guide; and translation of English to Spanish for missals, parish bulletins, and liturgy planning resources.
A candidate experienced in liturgy and publishing would act as a project manager for Spanish language publications, overseeing outside personnel as they accomplish many of the tasks above. This person would develop publishing projects within the mission of WLP to support the prayer and worship life of Hispanic Catholics in the U.S.

Position Requirements

• Fully Bilingual (English and Spanish)
• Mastery of Spanish language grammar
• Disciplined attention to detail and care for quality
• Ability to translate from English to Spanish with sensitivity to cultures and idioms of prayer
• Familiarity with the Roman Catholic Sacramentary, Lectionary, and ritual books in English and Spanish
• Experience with or aptitude for desktop publishing and design
• Ability to organize and manage time and multiple projects with deadlines
• Computer aptitude (training in InCopy on Mac platform will be provided)

Marketing experience and familiarity with musical terminology are desirable but not essential for this position.

An equitable salary based on skills and experience and generous benefits are offered.

Send resume to:
Mary Beth Kunde-Anderson
Editorial Director
World Library Publications
3708 River Road, Suite 400
Franklin Park, IL 60131-2158

Email: andersonm@jspaluch.com

Sample Intercessions for November 26, 2006 - Christ the King

34th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year B - Christ the King
November 26, 2006

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind:

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• November 27 is the seventh anniversary of Bishop Patrick J. McGrath's succession to the See of San José.
• November 29 is the 26th anniversary of the death of Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker movement.
• December 1 is World AIDS Day. According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, 39.5 million people worldwide in 2006 are living with HIV. 2.3 million of those are children under 15 years. In 2006, 2.9 million people worldwide died of AIDS. 380,000 of those were children under 15 years.
• December 2 is the 26th anniversary of the murders of Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel, and Jean Donovan in El Salvador.
• Celebrating their patron’s feast day this week is Christ the King Parish (November 26).

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions. Read 10 Principles for Writing Intercessions and How To Write Intercessions to help you write your own.

Presider:
The Lord has given us vision, even in darkness.
Let us offer then this prayer of hope.

Reader:
For the church: [pause]
for Bishop Patrick McGrath and all who lead us in faith,
for the baptized, formed into a kingdom of priests for God,
for the catechumens and all who long to see Christ,
for faithful witness to the Spirit of truth.
We pray to the Lord.

For all the powers of the earth: [pause]
for all peoples, nations, and languages,
for peace in every land,
for freedom from terror and persecution,
for an everlasting reign of justice.
We pray to the Lord.

For the persecuted: [pause]
for those falsely accused,
for those awaiting judgment,
for those stigmatized by disease or poverty,
for freedom by the blood of Christ.
We pray to the Lord.

For our families: [pause]
for safe travels during the holidays,
for kind words and loving embraces,
for gentle memories of deceased loved ones,
for forgiveness and reconciliation with those separated from us.
We pray to the Lord.

For our local diocese: [pause]
for all our parishes, missions, campus ministries, and schools,
for our priests, deacons, religious, and lay persons,
for our domestic churches in homes near and far,
for the parish of Christ the King who celebrate their feast day today.
We pray to the Lord.

For the sick: [pause]
for those living with HIV and AIDS,
for those battling cancer,
for a swift return to health and to the community,
especially for those we now name….
We pray to the Lord.

For all who have died: [pause]
for modern-day matyrs and saints,
for loved ones we have lost this year,
for their resurrection in the kingdom of God,
especially for those we now name….
We pray to the Lord.

Presider:
Lord, our God,
your kingship will never be destroyed.
Free us from our sins,
and hear these prayers we offer,
for we ask them in the name of Jesus.
To him be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

The Perfect WIll - December 2, 2006

An invitation from Bernard...

Gawad Kalinga (GK) translated in English means “to give care,” and it is an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but the world. Its approach is integrated, holistic and sustainable – a concrete action plan to rebuild this nation by harnessing the best of the Filipino – our faith and our patriotism.

What started barely five years ago in the Philippines as a simple but daring initiative by Couples for Christ has now become a growing multi-sectoral partnership driven by a vision of a new Philippines with no more slums. Together with its partners, Gawad Kalinga is now in the process of transforming poverty-stricken areas, many of them now empowered to further improve their quality of life! And the heart-work of GK volunteers is evident in the beautiful colors of the GK homes that have been built for and with the poorest of the poor Filipino families nationwide.

See how one parish in the diocese has helped the work of Gawad Kalinga!

But GK is not for Filipinos only. We now have sites in Indonesia, Cambodia, and Papua New Guinea. GK will soon be transforming not just the Philippines, but the world!

Singles For Christ, San Francisco’s production, “The Perfect Will,” is their own contribution to the work of Gawad Kalinga. With your help, they intend to build one village (30 houses) for their less fortunate brethrens in the Philippines!

Singles for Christ, San Francisco presents...

The Perfect Will

Saturday, December 2, 2006

7:00p

Skyline Main Theatre

3300 College Drive San Bruno, 94066

Tickets: $15

Join us as we give you a Christmas production

for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga.

For ticket sales or sponsorship, contact Allan

Below are some videos of GK's work...
2005 year ender
gk1mb (gk isang milyong bayani)


What is the perfect will?

For Jose and Maria, a newlywed couple coping with the harsh reality of married and pregnant life, it is to have the perfect family with their upcoming baby. But with Jose having a hard time changing his lifestyle from a happy go lucky party go-er to a responsible husband and Maria frequently having her mood swings, will these two eventually have the family they longed for?

Jasper, Mel and Bal are trying to work their way to the top of the music industry. But with their group losing its best talent yet, they soon search for their band’s identity through crazy and wacky gigs. Will their personal agendas and distinctive identities hinder them from trusting each other and becoming the stars they proclaim themselves to be?

John, owner of Starcafé, frustrates as his business slowly crashes down. Will he ever be able to pick up and survive his frustrations and debts? Will he find out that the answer to all his problems just lies under his nose?

What is God’s plan for these people? Will they trust in each other and see what He has in stored for them as He brings them all together? What will God’s “Perfect Will” be?

In this musical play, both family and friendships are tested against the natural reaction of humanity when life and love as we know it are tested when we seek to gain true happiness, selfless love and the perfect will.

Thanksgiving prayers for the dinner table

Do you still need a prayer card to give to parishioners to help them pray at family dinner? Below are simple cards that you can print. You'll need Adobe reader.

Click here for English, and click here for Spanish. Print them on card stock and cut them in quarters. There are prayers on each side of the card.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sample Intercessions for November 19, 2006

33rd Sunday Ordinary Time, Year B
November 19, 2006

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind:

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• Almost 1600 people from the Bay Area gathered at the Santa Clara Convention Center for the annual Faith Formation Conference. Bishop McGrath shares an unforgettable story of profound faith in his closing Mass homily.
• The United States Bishops met in Baltimore this last week for their bi-annual meeting to discuss major issues of the Church, such as ministry to homosexuals, catechesis, liturgy, and justice.
• Pope Benedict XVI meets to discuss the issue of celibacy for priests.
• More marines are being deployed to Iraq as violence continues.
• Air strikes between Israel and Palestine escalate.
• November 23 is Thanksgiving Day. Many will travel this week as families gather for the holidays.
• The Church prepares for Advent in two weeks.
• Celebrating their patron’s feast day this week are Presentation Center and Presentation High School (November 21), the Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro House (November 23), and Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish (November 25).

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions. Read 10 Principles for Writing Intercessions and How To Write Intercessions to help you write your own.

Presider:
The Lord has gathered us from the four winds
and the ends of the earth.
Let us now offer our prayer.

Reader:
For the Church: [pause]
for bishops, priests, and deacons, religious and lay persons,
for faithfulness in times of tribulation
and bright wisdom in times of darkness.
We pray to the Lord.

For all the nations of the earth: [pause]
for compassionate use of power and an end to war,
for peace in every land
and firm commitment to lead the world to justice.
We pray to the Lord.

For those in distress: [pause]
for those without shelter from the cold,
for those without food this holiday season,
for those without family or friends,
for the eternal word of God to give them hope.
We pray to the Lord.

For our families: [pause]
for safe travels during the holidays,
for kind words and loving embraces,
for gentle memories of deceased loved ones,
for forgiveness and reconciliation with those separated from us.
We pray to the Lord.

For the sick: [pause]
for the bedridden and their caregivers,
for perseverance in faith,
for escape from suffering,
for recovery and healing,
especially for those we now name….
We pray to the Lord.

For those who sleep in the dust of the earth: [pause]
for those killed in service to others,
for loved ones who died this year whom we will miss this holiday,
for everlasting life and resurrection
on the day when Christ returns in glory,
especially those we now name….
We pray to the Lord.

Presider:
Lord, our God,
you have written our names in the book of life.
We offer these prayers in the name of the one who saves us,
Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

Diocesan Mass in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 8, 2006

Every year, the diocese celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with processions and evening prayer in Spanish.

Because this year's celebration falls on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Friday, December 8, 2006, we will celebrate Mass in Spanish in honor of the Virgin Mary present to all her children in so many different ways. This Mass will take place at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (2020 East San Antonio Street, San Jose). The procession of parishes begins at 6:00p and the Mass at 7:00p.

Here's an article in Spanish by Lupita Vital, the Associate for Hispanic Catechesis for the diocese, about celebrating Advent with Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Read about how the Diocese of San Jose celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Parishes are invited to participate in the procession to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Parishes near and far have walked the distance between their parish home and Our Lady of Guadalupe parish. Some parishes also gather at a closer location and begin their procession from there. However way you do it, it's always a wonderful sight to see people of faith walking together. Parishes should plan to arrive at the church between 6:00p and 7:00p.

Mass in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Friday, December 8, 2006

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

2020 East San Antonio Street, San Jose

Processions: 6:00p

Mass: 7:00p

Click below to get pdf flyers you can print:

• Flyer in English and Spanish, color
• Flyer in English and Spanish, black and white

Flower and Song: How We Celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Diocese of San José

This article by Diana Macalintal originally appeared in AIM Liturgy Resources, Winter, 2006.

Flower and Song: How We Celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe
in the Diocese of San José
by Diana Macalintal

I arrived at the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe at around 5:30 in the afternoon on a crisp December evening. Although the liturgy would not begin for another two and a half hours, people were already starting to gather.

In one corner of the church, mothers with restless toddlers formed a continuous pilgrimage to the image of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. To kneel in prayer before her at this church, one entered a large almost-complete triple circle of candles emanating from Our Lady. Kneeling before her was like stepping into a warm embrace of light.

At the other end of the church, a small cluster of older women dressed in red blazers and red, white, and green sashes circled around a younger woman with a microphone. A blaze of light poured out of a video camera as the younger woman—a popular local television news reporter—interviewed the women in red. These were some of the Guadalupanas of the parish, women who took their name from Guadalupe to continue her work of caring for the poor, the hopeless, and the outcast. (Imagine if Juan Diego had the power of cable and CNN!)

To one side of the altar, several guitarists and a bass player tuned their instruments to a slightly-out-of-tune piano while an organist did last-minute rehearsing of a psalm. A flock of singers, young and old, chatted among the thirty or so chairs set up for the choir, exchanging the twists of last night’s novela (soap opera).

Watching and waiting

Individuals and small families peppered the pews throughout the church, some kneeling with a rosary in hand, others sitting quietly just saving their seats before the crowds appear. A tiny woman who looked to be at least seventy years old inched her way down the length of the main aisle toward the altar on her knees. Her wrinkled lips formed a whispered prayer as her wizened face looked determined to have her petitions answered.

Just outside the main doors, young men sat on the stone walls of the church plaza, not really talking to each other but just looking like they were waiting for something to happen. About half an hour later, it did.

By 6:00 p.m., the skies were dark over the city of San José, or as it was originally called, El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. The church of Our Lady of Guadalupe sits on a busy four-lane street that edges a residential neighborhood on the poorer east side of the city. Street lights, car headlamps, and porch lights dot the darkness while the sound of traffic, street vendors, car stereos, and restaurants remind you that you are in the most populous city of northern California. Yet that night, off in the distance, you could hear a faint beat of a drum and the muffled sound of singing.

A few minutes later, I could see down the street the tall outline of a banner followed by dozens of tiny lights which swayed from side to side as the singing grew louder: “Ven con nosotros al caminar; Santa María, ven,”—“Come with us on the way; Holy Mary, come.” Car horns added to the melody as forty or so pilgrims crossed the street toward the church carrying tea lights in clear plastic cups. The procession was led by a banner with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the words, Ruega por nosotros—Pray for us—lovingly embroidered around her. Behind the banner, a young man with a bull horn led the singing while several children helped to keep rhythm on hand drums.

“Vienen con alegría, Señor, cantando”

As the group reached the front doors of the church, a person with a clipboard asked the banner carrier what church they were from. La Santissima Trinidad—Most Holy Trinity—was the reply. The clipboard person then stood at the inner doors of the church and held up a cardboard sign on which was printed the number that signaled to the animadora—the animator—that Most Holy Trinity parish had arrived. The animadora stood at a microphone near the altar and greeted the people already in the church—about 100 of them. “¡Que viva el Señor!” she cried, and they responded, “¡Que viva!” “¡Que viva la Señora de Guadalupe!” “¡Que viva!” they yelled even louder. Then she asked them all to stand and welcome the peregrinos, the pilgrims from Most Holy Trinity.

The choir began singing, and the whole church started clapping to the rhythm of the song: “Vienen con alegría, Señor, cantando”—“They come with joy, Lord, singing.” I stood in the vestibule as the crowd of people walked by me into the church—babies wrapped up tightly in the arms of young mothers; older men dressed in modern-day tilmas; youths straining to see their friends already waiting for them in the church; Most Holy Trinity’s pastor singing loudly amid the people; even several non-Latino parishioners, like myself, were swept up into the procession by the movement of the crowd and the joyful lure of music they did not understand.

The pilgrims found seats reserved for them in the church as their banner was placed in a stand along the church wall, one among many stands that would soon be filled with similar banners from parishes across the diocese. Most Holy Trinity parish is the closest to Our Lady of Guadalupe, about two and a half miles away down the same busy street. The next parish to arrive would be Saint Julie Billiart, eleven miles away. They had begun their pilgrimage on foot several hours earlier, winding their way from the streets of suburban south San José where white-collar executives lived, worked, and prayed with migrant workers and newer immigrants.
During the next hour, several more parishes arrived at the doors of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to the same church where Cesar Chavez bolstered the farm workers and parishioners built the church with their own hands. Over twenty parishes in all came that first year I attended—almost half of the parishes in our small diocese. Some parishes came on foot, others arrived by car or bus, still others did a mix of both, parking their cars several blocks away and joining the pilgrims on the street. Each one was greeted with the same joyful song until the church walls were lined with banner after banner and people standing shoulder to shoulder, filling the church to over-capacity. Most who came were Latino/a, but there were many like me who spoke little or no Spanish yet understood what was taking place that night.

Vísperas

At 7:00 p.m., the bishop with several other priests began their procession into the church, and the same musical greeting welcomed them. Into the arms of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Diocese of San José truly was being gathered. Then the bishop began the liturgy, not with the words of the sign of the cross as one might expect, but with, “Dios mío, ven en mi auxilio”—“My God, come to my aid.” The assembly replied, “Señor, date prisa en socorrerme”—“Lord, quickly help me.” That night, we would pray Evening Prayer, Vísperas, in honor of the Lady robed with the stars of the night who gave us the Sun that never sets. Our celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe has always been in the form of the Liturgy of the Hours, a conscious decision made several years ago to help our young diocese grow in this form of prayer.

The liturgy follows a simple Cathedral-style format of Evening Prayer with some added elements. After the Lord’s Prayer, a collection is taken up for a specific organization or cause that is chosen by the planning committee. Last year, almost $2000 was collected for Catholic Relief Services’ aid to victims of the Pakistan earthquake. The year before, money was collected to assist a San José organization that had been guided by a beloved gringo, James McEntee, who had died earlier that year. James had dedicated his life to helping diverse communities overcome conflict. One year, the collection was given to parish food banks, and another year, it supported the work of catechists throughout the diocese.

Gifts given and received

The collection is then brought forward along with a gift of roses, the sign first given by Our Lady to the indigenous peoples of Mexico to confirm her promise to give them hope and console them in their suffering. As we do this, we sing, “Desde entonces para el mexicano ser Guadalupano es algo esencial”—“Since that time [of Guadalupe], for the Mexican, to be a Guadalupano is essential.” For us who follow Christ, to bring hope and care for the suffering is essential. The bishop then blesses the roses (hundreds of long-stem red roses are donated by our local florist), and the bishop gives roses to invited guests who represent the organization or group for which the collection is taken.

Although the majority of participants in our celebration are Mexican, Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Mother of all the Americas. Our liturgy testifies to this in the intercessions which is a litany calling upon the many names of Mary who gathers us all under her cloak—Madre de Mexico, Madre de Colombia, María del Salvador, María de Ecuador, María de Sud América, Estrella de Canada, Madre de Estados Unidos, etc. But Mary’s universal care is also seen in the many colors mixed in with the brown faces of the Latino/a—white, yellow, black, mestizo/a, male and female, young and old. Like San Juan Diego who represented those who sought hope amid oppression, we who live in what can often be a hope-less world are drawn by Guadalupe’s mystical signs of flower and song, surprises in the midst of darkness that remind us of God’s promise. With her as our companion on our pilgrimage, we are able to confess with faith, “My God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.”

Come to this year's diocesan celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

Diana Macalintal is the director of worship for the San José diocese and holds an MA in theology from Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minn.

An Advent Penitential Prayer Service

To set the preparatory character of Advent (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 39) apart from the more penitential character of Lent (GNLYC, 27), you might consider celebrating a penitential service in addition to, or instead of, your sacramental communal reconciliation liturgy.

“Penitential services are gatherings of the people of God to hear God’s word as an invitiation to conversion and renewal of life and as the message of our liberation from sin through Christ’s death and resurrection” (Rite of Penance, 36).

If you decide to do a penitential service, remember that “[c]are must be taken to ensure that the faithful do not confuse these celebrations with the celebration of the sacrament of penance. Penitential services are very helpful in promoting conversion of life and purifcation of heart” (Rite of Penance, 37). Further, “[i]t is desirable to arrange them especially for these purposes:

• to foster the spirit of penance within the Christian community;
• to help the faithful to prepare for individual confession that can be made later at a convenient time;
• to help children gradually form their conscience about sin in human life and about freedom from sing through Christ;
• to help catechumens during their conversion” (Rite of Penance, 37).

Below is a script for an Advent penitential liturgy prepared by Diana Macalintal. Because the liturgy uses much Marian imagery, especially the Magnificat, it would be appropriate to use this liturgy especially during the final week of Advent (December 17 to 24) when the Church focuses it attention to Mary and Joseph. Please feel free to copy, adapt, and use the text free of charge for your own parishes.

Download a Word file of this liturgy here.


Advent Penitential Prayer Service
© 2005, 2006, Diana Macalintal


Items needed:

• Lectionary
• Binder with intercessions on ambo
• Presider’s script and binder
• Candle and stand
• Matches
• Worship aids
• Presider’s chair / cantor’s chair
• Singing bowl and mallet

Ministers needed:

• Presider
• Cantor
• Lector
• 2 Readers

GATHERING

(all stand)
Call to Worship
Cantor rings singing bowl.

Introductory Dialogue
PRESIDER:
God, come to my assistance (+)…

ASSEMBLY:
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn
any appropriate Advent or Marian hymn

Opening Prayer
PRESIDER:
Let us pray. [silence]
Gracious and merciful God, your love for us knows no bounds.
Open our eyes as we come before you now,
that we may see ourselves as you see us.
Give us wisdom that we may recognize our need for your forgiveness.
And grant us courage that we may forgive others as you forgive us.
May our lives always be a sign of your reconciling peace.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.


(all sit)
LITURGY OF THE WORD

Reading
1 John 1:1, 5-7, 2:1 or another appropriate Advent reading

Silence
at least one minute of silence is observed

Response
any appropriate psalm or hymn


PENITENCE

(remain seated)
Examination of Conscience
PRESIDER:
Dear friends, with faith in God’s mercy,
let us lay bare our hearts to the Word,
and let it pierce us that we may ever be changed by it.

READER 1:
Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. [pause]
Have we greeted one another with curses instead of blessings?
Have we borne bitter fruit in our thoughts, words, and deeds? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 2:
And how does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [pause]
Have we denied our own worth or the worth of others, disbelieving that God is present in ourselves or in others?
Have we missed the presence of God because we are too busy, too hurried, or too anxious? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 1:
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. [pause]
Have we closed our ears to the sound of God’s voice coming from unexpected people, places, and encounters?
Have we grown so serious that we cannot leap for joy? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 2:
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. [pause]
Have we lost hope and faith in each other, in ourselves, in our church, in our world, in our communities?
Do we prevent the Word from being fulfilled by our apathy, passive-aggressiveness, despair, or complacency? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 1:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. [pause]
Does my very being, my very presence preach the goodness of God?
Do I sing, dance, play, and rejoice with others as often as I can? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 2:
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. [pause]
Who have we looked down upon because of their particular spirituality, lifestyle, political party, educational background, or economic wealth or poverty?
How has our need to help the lowly dominated their need to know the dignity of helping themselves? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 1:
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. [pause]
When have we taken credit for what we have not done?
When have we denied our own participation in the evil that our communities, church, families, countries, or other associations have done? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 2:
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. [pause]
Have we lost our sense of mercy and compassion so that nothing ever angers or sickens us?
Have we lost our sense of fear, awe, and reverence that nothing ever moves us at our core? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 1:
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. [pause]
Have we been secretly arrogant?
Have we used our own power, status, education, or religion to put others down, even in the silence of our hearts? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 2:
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. [pause]
Have we done all we can to participate in and influence the political life of our cities, states, and nations?
Have we been afraid to be prophetic and revolutionary even at the cost of our own comfort? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 1:
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. [pause]
Have we become gluttonous for praise, solitude, piety, or the safety of those who are like us?
Who have we sent away empty, without our acknowledgment, thanks, care, or gratitude? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


READER 2:
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. [pause]
Have we refused to give help and mercy?
Have we broken our promises?
Will we leave this world a more merciful, just, and beautiful place for our descendants? [pause]
Holy Mary...
ALL: Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.


(all stand)
Confession
PRESIDER:
Let us stand and place a hand on the shoulder of those next to us,
and let us bow our heads and pray.

ALL: I confess to almighty God…


Lord’s Prayer
PRESIDER:
Let us pray for forgiveness in the words that Jesus taught us.

ALL: Our Father…


Song of Praise
PRESIDER: Together let us give thanks to the God.
A setting of the Magnificat is sung by the entire assembly.


Closing Prayer
PRESIDER:
Gracious and loving God,
you show us mercy and make us a new creation in the image of your Son.
Make us living signs of your love to all those we meet.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Closing Blessing
PRESIDER:
a lay minister concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying:
May God bless us and keep us. (+) Amen.
May God smile upon us and be gracious to us. Amen.
May God look upon us kindly, and give us peace. Amen.

The Puzzle of Pastoral Planning

This article by Diana Macalintal originally appeared in Today's Parish Minister, Vol. 38, No. 7, November/December, 2006.

Two-Minute Training Tips: The Puzzle of Pastoral Planning
by Diana Macalintal

When you begin a new puzzle, the type with a thousand pieces, what do you do first? If you’re like me, you find all the edges and put those together so that you’ll know the shape of the picture you’re working with. Pastoral planning is a bit like putting together a 1000-piece puzzle—overwhelming, but easier if you start with the edges.

The Church’s “edges,” the four sides that define the shape of Christian life, are a starting point for pastoral planning because they are the “rulers,” the straight edges that remind us of the goal of parish life: progressive maturing into the life of Christ that draws others into his mission. We find these edges defined in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults where we learn how to form the puzzle-picture that is Christian life, for “the catechumenate means not simply a presentation of teaching and precepts, but a formation in the whole of Christian life…” (Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity, Ad gentes, 14). Spend a few moments with these four edges each time you begin to form and assess the pastoral picture of your parish.

Word
The edge we might call Word is “a suitable catechesis…planned to be gradual…accommodated to the liturgical year…that leads [us] to a profound sense of the mystery of salvation…” (RCIA, 75.1). This catechesis is not for catechumens (or children) only. Throughout our Christian life, we are fed by the mystery of salvation found in the living Word. Whenever two or three gather—at the dinner table, to count the collection, at choir practice or staff meetings, to decorate the Church or clean the parking lot—include in your gathering a reading from the Sunday Scripture and/or a story of faith from the week or from your experience of doing the task at hand. How can the Word and faith be shared in places other than Mass and catechetical gatherings?

Community
The rule of community teaches us that through “the example and support of…the entire Christian community, [we] learn to turn more readily to God in prayer,…to bear witness to the faith,…to keep [our] hopes set on Christ,…and to practice love of neighbor, even at the cost of self-renunciation” (RCIA, 75.2). This reminds us that community isn’t simply about feeling good, but it is learning how to die to ourselves for the sake of the other. Anyone who has ever lived in a family knows that there needs to be a lot of dying to self. How does your parish deal with conflict? Does it bring its divisions readily to God in prayer? Does the staff model love of neighbor amid discord? Do the parish leaders keep their hopes set on Christ in times of crisis? Evaluate if your parish’s community life is focused only on avoiding conflict.

Worship
Our weekly Eucharistic sacrifice and the daily and yearly rituals of prayer align us to live “in a way worthy of [our] calling, [so that we] will carry out the divinely appointed offices of priest, prophet, and king” (Ad gentes, 15). Our worship “purifies [us] little by little and strengthens [us] with God’s blessing” (RCIA, 75.3). When the baptized gather to pray, especially in Mass, they exercise their priestly office through their offering of intercessions and their participation in the sacrifice of praise that is the Eucharistic Prayer. In your parish, how well do these two parts of the Mass enable the baptized to participate fully in their rightful role?

Service
The last edge called service draws us out of the confines of our parish. “Since the Church’s life is apostolic, [we] should also learn how to work actively with others to spread the Gospel and build up the Church by the witness of [our] lives and by professing [our] faith” (RCIA, 75.4). This rule of service, however, is different than charity that keeps us unchanged or unaffected by those we are serving. Assess the types of service opportunities your parish offers, and develop ways to make these more into opportunities for evangelization, conversion, and faith for all those who are touched by it.

Diana Macalintal is the director of worship for the San José diocese and holds an MA in theology from Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minn.

Communion Minister Training Guidelines

Communion Minister Training Guidelines
Prepared by the Associate for Liturgy
of the Diocese of San José
November 2006

Most Communion ministers want to do a good job, and they put a lot of effort into doing their ministry well. These suggestions will help pastors, liturgy directors, and Communion ministry coordinators assist Communion ministers, both ordinary and extraordinary, who strive for excellence to refine their skills and become even better ministers.

For a Word file that you can download and reprint for free for use in your parish, click here.

For more information on guidelines for Eucharistic ministers, see: http://www.nccbuscc.org/liturgy/girm/lit4.shtml


The Basics

Focus on the right things. The focus of the Communion minister’s attention is always on the two aspects of the Body and Blood of Christ:

• that is, the consecrated bread and wine, and
• the People of God who stand before them.

Communion ministers should try to minimize all other distractions and focus on the interaction of the Holy Spirit, through the minister, with each person who comes forward for Communion.


Take enough time. Communion is a moment of profound sharing. Communion ministers should let that moment linger with each person, sharing as much of themselves as possible in that brief moment. If there are a great number of communicants and time is usually short, the solution is to add more ministers and not hurry past this important moment in the liturgy.

There should be enough Communion ministers available so that Communion can be distributed in a reverent and orderly way (Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Diocese of the United States of America, 27). Good equations to use are one Communion minister of the host per 100 communicants, and two Communion ministers of the cup per one Communion minister of the host.


The Communion Rite. The best time for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to come forward from the assembly is at the beginning of the Communion Rite. The Communion Rite begins at the conclusion of the Great Amen. Communion ministers would come forward just before the Lord’s Prayer is prayed. Alternatively, they may also come forward during the Sign of Peace.

When they come forward, they come to a convenient place in the sanctuary. They would not approach the altar at this time. However, they may approach the altar after the priest has taken Communion (Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Diocese of the United States of America, 38).

Communion ministers ordinarily share in Communion after the presider and before the assembly. This should be facilitated in such a way that the full and active participation of the assembly is neither diminished nor delayed. Therefore, this portion of the Communion Rite (the taking of Communion by the celebrant and concelebrants, the giving of Communion to the deacons and any extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion by the celebrant and concelebrants, and the giving of vessels by the priest or deacon) must be well-choreographed and rehearsed. In addition, the Communion song must begin immediately as the presider receives Communion (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 86).


Sharing the Body and Blood of Christ. The Communion minister follows these procedures:

• Make good eye contact with each communicant.
• Smile.
• Hold up the host or Communion cup.
• Say in a strong, clear voice, “The Body [Blood] of Christ!” Do not add any other words.
• Wait for the communicant to say, “Amen.”
• Reverently place the host or Communion cup in the communicant’s hands.
• If ministering the cup, unfold your purificator fully, wipe the rim inside and out with it, and give the cup a quarter turn before sharing it with the next person.

Purifying vessels. After all have shared in Communion, any hosts that are not consumed are reserved in the tabernacle, and Ministers of the cup consume any of the consecrated wine that remains. So as not to unduly delay the Mass or highlight the purification of vessels, cleaning the vessels is best done after the Mass. Therefore, once all remaining elements have been reserved or consumed, the empty vessels may be brought to a side table and suitably covered and placed on a corporal.

Right after Mass, these vessels are purified by ensuring that any small particles from the consecrated host or any residual consecrated wine are consumed. This is done by using a corporal or one’s fingers to wipe any particles from the plates (patens) into one of the Communion cups. Make sure any particles left on purificators or your fingers are also placed into the cup. Then put water in the plate to gather any remaining particles, and pour that water into one of the cups. Swish the water in the cup to gather all the particles and residual wine, and then drink it. Do the same with all the vessels. Once this is done, rinse the vessels with water over the sacrarium, then wash them with soap and water over a different sink. Dry them well with a clean towel. Rinse used purifcators with water over the sacrarium. These are then laundered.

Never pour consecrated wine directly into the sacrarium or onto the ground. Consecrated wine should be consumed. Never bury consecrated hosts into the ground or drop them into the sacrarium. Hosts or wine that cannot be eaten or drunk because of decay or contamination by inedible particles should be completely dissolved in water and that water poured into the sacrarium.


The tabernacle. Communion is not to be distributed from the tabernacle. “The reason for which the Church reserves the eucharist outside Mass is, primarily, the administration of viaticum to the dying and, secondarily, communion of the sick, communion outside Mass, and adoration of Christ present in the sacrament” (see Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass, 5; General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 85). Only under rare circumstances of necessity should the assembly at Mass receive Communion from the reserved sacrament in the tabernacle.


Dress. Standards will vary. Therefore it would be wise for each parish to discuss what is appropriate dress for their ministers. Generally, Communion ministers “should show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine” (Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Diocese of the United States of America, 29). Their attire should convey a sense of reverence, dignity, and importance of the ministry they do. Liturgical ministry is a sacred action, and our dress should reflect that.

“In the dioceses of the United States of America, acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 339).


Frequently-Asked Questions

Is it OK for Communion ministers to not drink from the cup?
The General Norms listed in the newly revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal say the following about Communion from the cup:

Holy Communion has a fuller form as a sign when it is distributed under both kinds. For in this form the sign of the eucharistic banquet is more clearly evident and clear expression is given to the divine will by which the new and eternal Covenant is ratified in the Blood of the Lord, as also the relationship between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the Father's Kingdom. (281)

…The faithful should be encouraged to seek to participate more eagerly in this sacred rite, by which the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is made more fully evident. (282)

No one is required to share Communion from the cup. However, since the faithful are to be encouraged to do so, part of the ministry of the Communion minister is to offer that encouragement by example. If a Communion minister is unable to drink from the cup on a regular basis, some discernment with the Communion minister, the pastor, and other parish leaders might be needed to determine if this is the best ministry for that person to exercise.


Should Communion ministers sing during Communion?
The obvious answer to this question is, “Yes, of course.” However, Communion ministers have several duties to attend to, and singing while doing them is not always so simple. So how important is it that Communion ministers sing during Communion?

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says this: “While the priest is receiving the Sacrament, the Communion chant is begun. Its purpose is to express the communicants’ union in spirit by means of the unity of their voices, to show joy of heart, and to highlight more clearly the ‘communitarian’ nature of the procession to receive Communion” (86). It would seem that if the purpose of singing is to express the very unity Communion is meant to accomplish, then the ministers of Communion would regard singing as one of the highest priorities of their ministry. At the very least, Communion ministers would sing the Lamb of God, at the beginning and end of the Communion song, or whenever they are not attending to their ministerial duties. It would be best if Communion ministers sang the Communion song whenever they were not speaking as part of their ministry.

To sing well, however, requires the cooperation and assistance of the parish musicians. Obviously, the Communion ministers will not be able to hold song books during their ministry, so the musicians must choose music that is well known and can be sung by heart. If this isn’t the case in your community, perhaps a gentle encouragement to those who are in charge of the music will help so the Communion ministers can participate as fully as possible in their ministry.


What is the minimum age to become a Communion minister?
There is no universal minimum age to become either a lector or a Communion minister. Some dioceses have a policy regarding age; the Diocese of San José does not. The overriding standards for all liturgical service are competency, maturity, and readiness. Those who are competent in the tasks of the ministry, who show the maturity required to perform the tasks with dignity and grace, and are properly formed in the duties and spirituality of the ministry should not ordinarily be excluded from serving in liturgical ministries because of age. In the Diocese of San José, Communion ministers must be fully initiated (through the celebration of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist). In some circumstances, pastors or designated pastoral ministers (e.g., school principals) may make pastoral exceptions for otherwise-qualified parishioners or students who have not yet celebrated confirmation, but are receiving Communion, to become a Communion minister for their community.


Can a lector also serve as a Communion minister?
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy says: “In liturgical celebrations each person, minister or layman, who has an office to perform, should do all of, but only, those parts which pertain to his office by the nature of the rite and the principles of liturgy” (28). What that means is, if you hold the “office” of lector, you would not ordinarily also hold the “office” of Communion minister or any other liturgical ministry. Many parishes do not really think of the roles of liturgical ministers (other than the priest) as “offices,” and so many people serve in more than one ministry during a liturgy. However, a central goal of the Second Vatican Council was to distribute the liturgical roles as widely as possible among the assembly to create a more powerful symbol of the various members of the Body of Christ working together to do the action of the liturgy.

There is no strict prohibition against lectors serving as Communion ministers, but it goes against the spirit and intent of the liturgical norms. The ideal would be that lectors would only be lectors, and other persons would be Communion ministers. But, unlike a priest, you aren’t necessarily bound to your office for life. After serving as a lector for a few years (or a term of “office”), a lector could resign his or her role as lector and be trained to be a Communion minister, and vice versa.


What do I do if someone who is not Catholic comes to me for Communion?
In most cases, you should give them Communion. As Communion ministers, we are not responsible for judging who is worthy of sharing in Communion with us. We cannot know the heart or conscience of the person standing in front of us. Our primary obligation is to act as Jesus would and to be as hospitable and welcoming as possible. If you have serious concerns, speak to your pastor after Mass. But do not cause a disruption during the Mass by refusing Communion to anyone. If the person is unsure of what to do with the host after receiving it, kindly ask them to consume it.


What should I do if I drop a host or spill some wine?
First, don't panic. It's not the end of the world; everything will be fine. Simply pick up the dropped host. Be careful not to spill anymore hosts while you are retrieving the dropped one. You might have to stop the procession before you can pick it up. Do so courteously, remembering that Jesus is also present in the members of the assembly whom you are stopping.

If you spill some consecrated wine, and if you can manage the cup with only one hand, wipe the wine off the floor with your purificator. If your floor is carpeted, place the purificator on top of the spill and try to soak up as much of the wine as possible. If your cup is too full for you to manage this gracefully, ask another Communion minister, an acolyte, an usher, or the next person in line to hold your cup while you take care of the spill. After wiping or soaking up the spill, ask an acolyte or other assistant to get a clean purificator from the sacristy for you. If someone if unable to do this for you, you may need to kindly ask the next person in line to wait while you get a clean purificator. (It may be a good idea to have a few extra purificators on-hand at a nearby side table for these occasions.) Or you can direct those in your line to another nearby Communion minister. Make note of the place where the wine was spilled. After the Mass, this area should be washed with water and the water poured into the sacrarium.


Do I need to wash my hands?
Of course. The most appropriate time for washing your hands is before leaving your home for Mass or just before Mass begins. The usual practices of good hygiene should also be observed, such as washing your hands after using the restroom, avoiding touching your nose, mouth, or eyes with your fingers, and not coughing into your hands. Wash your hands well and often.

Some parishes use a liquid anti-bacterial gel, such as Purell. If your parish decides to have your Communion ministers use this, the washing must be done as discreetly as possible. The bottle of Purell should not be part of the liturgical space by placing it on a side-table or the altar. The most discrete way to use such kinds of cleansers would be to give all Communion ministers a small bottle of their own which they use at their place before they come forward to distribute Communion.