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roman missal workshops begin in the diocese

Story and photos by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

The first weekend of workshops on the use of the revised Roman Missal was held March 26 at St. Clare in O’Fallon and March 27 at St. Dominic in Breese.

At St. Clare, more than 140 people gathered to hear Eliot Kapitan, Director for Worship and the Catechumenate for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Those attending included priests, deacons, parish life coordinators, parish staff, liturgy committee members and others interested in the changes in the liturgy that will be implemented across the United States on the first Sunday of Advent this year.

Many of those attending said the information gained was worth the time they spent at the workshop.
Kapitan talked to the participants not only about the changes that will be implemented but also about the history of the liturgy regarding those changes.

Those attending were given the opportunity to ask questions, and after lunch they could attend small groups dealing with the scriptural base of the changes, how the music will change, and a sessions for parish leaders on how to prepare the people in the pews for change.

Kapitan said people needed a time to “grieve” for those things that will be changed that people would prefer to keep. He quoted a bishop as describing change as a time of loss of some good things so that some, perhaps better things, can be implemented.

“We all need to accept these changes,” one person said.

Parish leaders also appreciated the time that went into preparing the workshops so they could be better prepared to implement those changes in their parishes.

Not only were handouts available for further reading, but the diocesan Office of Worship and the team had examples of books that could be ordered and web sites that could be visited for more information.

Whether the people in the pews see these changes as major ways the liturgy is changing or minor adjustments, the information shared and learned through these workshops and passed on to them will be an opportunity for adult faith formation.

Workshops to come:
April 2: keynote Dr. Judy Bullock, Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky., at St. Mary, Mt. Vernon;
April 3: keynote Dr. Judy Bullock, Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky., at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Herrin;
June 18: keynote Todd Williamson, Archdiocese of Chicago, at St. John the Baptist, Red Bud.
For more information, please call the Office of Worship at 235-9601, ext. 1462 or 1442.