Whirlwind of a Weekend

This past weekend was quite the busy one for us in the Liturgy Office with regard to liturgical formation opportunities. Last Friday, about 30 musicians from all over the archdiocese gathered at the Chapel of St. Ignatius for a two-day intensive for certification in the Liturgical Ministries Institute. Dr. Jerry Galipeau from World Library Publications came out for one of the sessions and then led a "Sing the Seasons" choral reading session with an additional 25 musicians.

On Saturday, in addition to being the second day of the certification for the LMI musicians, there was also a gathering for about 90 RCIA team members. Jerry posts about his experience in Seattle in his blog, "Gotta Sing Gotta Pray." I joked with him that he brought the Chicago snow to us, because as the group came out of the Cathedral after the 5:30pm Mass, it began to snow right as Jerry was to begin leading a mystagogy session with the group.

In addition to the sessions with Jerry, Andrew gave a presentation on Saturday, titled "Catechesis during the Catechumenate."

 

Overall, I learned a lot this weekend from top names in both liturgical music and the RCIA and initial evaluations are looking as if many folks greatly appreciated these opportunities and look forward to future similar gatherings. Looking forward to additional opportunities of liturgical formation and to continue building relationships with fellow colleagues in liturgical ministry. 

LMI week three

The Liturgical Ministries Institute courses are going strong with a steady group of about 15 attendees at each of the courses...there are still a few more courses left if you're interested in registering.

Just this morning, Fr. Bryan Dolejsi, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese and chaplain for Kennedy Catholic High School gave an informative and engaging presentation on the Theology of the Eucharist. He is one of the (if not THE) humorous and dynamic presenters I have experienced. Next week, he'll be tackling the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and outlining specific parts of the Mass. All are welcome to register, or you may simply show up and register on-site at Holy Family Parish in Kirkland.

"A Stewardship Parish"

As I opened my outlook calendar this morning, a meeting reminder popped up. But this meeting was not like any other meeting. This meeting was going to be at Holy Family parish in Kirkland.

Holy Family parish graciously agreed to host our next series of Liturgical Ministries Institute (LMI) courses. Thanks to Norm Bross, Holy Family's Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy and Sacramental Preparation, this meeting was convened to discuss preparations for the LMI series. Two parishioners were present as well: Sid and Pat, who will be handling registration and hospitality for the eight courses.

I began the meeting with a simple prayer, then we all engaged in a dialogue about how to handle registration, refreshments, even the handouts. After the brief 20-minute meeting, we spent another 35 minutes touring their campus. Norm showed me their 24-hour Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Pat talked about her family as we walked down the hallway of the school. Sid was proud of their new social hall with a commercial kitchen, while Norm gave me the history of their wall-to-wall painted mural in their school nursery --- handpainted by one of their parishioners! We discussed the parish campus map and how to lead LMI participants to the meeting room ahead of time. Because it may be a challenge to find. Have you seen Holy Family campus? It's great! Huge, but great! The morning renewed my spirit. It is meetings like this that remind me of our common mission in ministry: to build up God's kingdom, to give God glory, to serve God's people.

Thanks to Reverend Kurt Nagel, and Norm for opening up Holy Family parish for the LMI, and also to Sid and Pat who so graciously volunteered their time and talent. The parish of Holy Family truly are, as it says on their parish bulletin,  "a stewardship parish".