POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS OF
ST MARY’S PARISH
Principles relating to Special Ministries within the
Church.
Just a
clarification about the principles of Liturgy relating to Special Ministries. The general
principle of liturgy is that a person should only do one ministry within the
Mass. So, if they are Reading, they should not also be the Extraordinary
Minister of Communion in that same Mass. This is a good principle that
allows a wide variety of people to be involved, and to avoid what has
historically happened in some parishes, where one person did all the lay
ministry roles to the exclusion of others.
I am wondering, though, if
some slight confusion may have crept in with this general rule. This guideline
does NOT
mean that a person cannot be both an Extraordinary Minister of Communion AND
a Reader AND a Choir Member. Individuals are welcome to be on ALL
rosters where spaces are available. They are also welcome to be reserve
ministers for occasions of need. There is no problem at all with that. It
simply means that as a general rule they would still only perform one of those
roles in any one mass. Since there are different rosters, though, one has to be
careful to avoid being rostered on for the same day
in more than one ministry.
Again, with any rule,
there are always exceptions in special circumstances. Once we know the
general principle, there are times and situations when this policy can be
overruled. For example, in a funeral or a wedding, where there may be a large
number of visitors and there may be a shortage of regular ministers, it is
quite acceptable and advisable for the Priest to override the usual rule. In
addition, the Parish Priest is permitted, when needed, to ask and commission a
person for a special event even though they do not ordinarily perform that
ministry. For example, if there was a wedding ceremony and we can’t find a
communion minister, the priest is perfectly able to ask a reader to be a
communion minister if that person feels familiar enough with the procedure. In
that case, this would be a one-off commissioning for this special event. In all of this the discretion and careful judgement of the Priest is used.
If in doubt, please speak
to the Parish priest about this if you have any questions or worries about
this. Please do not approach another minister about any issues you have
relating to this matter. Any confusion re this can be dealt with in discussion
with the Parish priest.
FOR ALL MINISTERS -
UPDATE Sunday, February 12, 2012
Thanks for the wonderful
way that you perform this very important ministry.
For security sake, please
don’t leave any bags or any of your possessions or valuables lying around
unattended. If possible, leave your items in the care of someone else. Having
said this, please don’t carry anything else up with you when doing your
ministry.
PRAYER BEFORE SUNDAY MASS
-
Prayer with people doing
various ministries is at ten minutes before mass starts. We will pray
together with everyone who is present at that time. If anyone arrives after
that time they are free to pray a little private prayer before mass that up on
the sacristy wall near the sign-up book. The reason the prayer is now 10
minutes before mass is twofold: This allows Fr Paul to be at the door in the
last ten minutes before mass, to welcome people as they arrive. It is an
important moment of contact. In order to achieve this, and also to free up the
mass coordinator to be able to move around the church looking to fill any
vacancies in ministries, the prayer is early.
It is too rushed and too
late to be doing the prayer only a minute or so before mass is due to start.
The sign-up sheet now has
a space for every minister to write their name down, to indicate they
are present. Readers and welcomers sign in on the
same sheet as the Eucharistic ministers. There is a sample sheet attached.
Also, just a reminder,
that if a minister is unable to be at their rostered
Mass, it is really important that they arrange a replacement themselves.
If this doesn’t happen it causes confusion and delays. The coordinator of the
mass does not know whether someone is simply running late or is not coming at
all, so the preparations for mass stall while we wait to see if (or when) a
person is coming. If a rostered person is not there
at five minutes before Mass is due to start, the coordinator will find a
replacement. We ask everyone to be understanding of this arrangement. If you
have been replaced, please don’t be offended. It is just reasonable that a
replacement be found in proper time. If you have been delayed just check to see
if a replacement has been found, and if they have and
all positions are filled, then you can have a break for that mass.
Could Mass
coordinators ensure that all positions are filled, (Readers and Eucharistic
ministers) before mass starts.
MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
o
At the faction
Rite, (that is, the ‘Lamb of God’) could communion minister number eight (8), who
is one of the ministers of the plate, please go to the tabernacle and get the
ciborium of hosts and bring it up to the altar and place in front of the
Priest. The ciborium is now brought to the altar at this time at every mass,
whether we have enough hosts or not. The hosts are not necessarily used from
the ciborium for this mass but they are handy if we run out, and also it makes
for ease of returning unconsumed hosts at the end of communion.
o
The priest
gives the hosts to everyone on the sanctuary. He then ONLY gives the cup to
those who are ministers of the Cup. These ministers then turn to those around
and minister to anyone who has not yet received the cup. For example cup
minister seven (7) takes the cup and turns to their left and ministers the cup
to everyone to their left (including altar servers). Cup minister six (6) turns
to their right and ministers to the person beside them and takes the cup back.
Communion minister One (1), ministers the communion cup to Minister number three (3) after you are given the cup. Minister one
(1) then takes the cup back. The Priest gives Minister Two (2) their cup which
they hold. Normally Minister 2 won’t need to minister to anyone else as all
should have received communion from someone else by then.
o
After that, the
Priest will hand out the bowl of hosts. Then everyone takes their positions for
communion.
o
Communion
minister eight (8) takes communion to people unable to come to the altar. Cup
minister seven (7) goes with them. Minister eight (8) does not need to come to
the front near the priest after they have taken communion to the sick.
o
The Ministers
of the cup can stand closer to the corners of the sanctuary, spaced reasonably
apart.
o
The Musicians
come up for communion first and then go back to their place and begin the
communion hymn. So, ministers one (1) and three (3) give communion out to the
Choir and musicians before taking their position at the front.
o
The ciborium
stays on the altar, and if anyone runs out of hosts they can go back to the
altar and re-fill their plate.
o
As each
minister of the hosts finish, they put the remaining hosts into the ciborium on
the altar and move back to their place.
o
Communion
minister eight (8) can ensure that the ciborium goes back to the tabernacle as
they were the one who brought it over. Communion minister eight (8) makes sure
all remaining hosts are returned to the ciborium. The minister then genuflects
and takes the ciborium back to the tabernacle. Could another minister ensure
the empty communion bowls are taken from the altar to the side table (credence
table).
o
Please ensure
that you take the cup from the minister in a different place from where the
minister is holding it. For example, the communion minister of the cup will be
holding the chalice in the middle and (possibly) at one side of the base, which
means the person receiving takes the chalice from near the top and the
opposite side of the base. This is important. Occasionally people try to take
the cup from the middle, which is exactly where the minister is holding
it. This results in the person who is receiving accidentally pinning the hands
of the person giving the cup. The minister of the cup finds it very awkward to
release their hand from the cup. This could easily lead to an accident, with
the cup being dropped.
o
For ministers
of the cup, when the chalice is handed back to you, wipe the cup firmly and
then turn the chalice so that a new surface is showing to the next person
receiving. Also, rotate the purifier (cloth) as you give out the cup each time
so that you are using the whole cloth and not wiping the chalice with the same
small part of the purifier.
o
For ministers
giving out hosts and ministers of the cup, whilst it is not the encouraged
practice for people to ‘intinct’ (take the host and
try to dip the host in the chalice) there are some parishes and Dioceses that
allow such a practice. To prevent any unpleasantness at this important time,
just let the matter happen and we will periodically advertise the practice in
the newsletter hoping that this may be the most helpful way of encouraging the
accepted procedure here.
o
It is very much
appreciated if communion ministers either consume all the contents of the cups,
or come back at the end of mass and assist the sacristans in consuming the
remaining contents of the cups. The more people who help in this the more we
distribute the alcohol consumption which is safer for those who have to drive
afterwards.
For Readers
·
In the role of welcomer. The usual signal to start is the ringing of the
church bell. Occasionally there is no one to ring the bell. If it’s the
appointed time for the mass to start and the priest is waving, please start.
·
As a general
rule, the reader should speak slower than normal conversation speed, this allows
for the reverberation of a big building and makes it clearer for an assembly to
hear and understand.
·
The lectern
microphone is now flexible and can be moved so that it is pointing towards the
reader, depending on their height. It is very sensitive, so no need to talk
right into it, but do please ensure that the microphone is pointed in the
direction of one’s mouth when you are proclaiming the readings. Please also be
careful of “plosives” - the words such as “p” that cause a pop in the
microphone when the breath from the voice hits the microphone. This can be
avoided either carefully pronouncing such words in a way that directs breath
downward, or ensuring the microphone is not right near ones mouth. [1]
·
The Gospel
acclamation is not normally read out. It is either sung by the choir, chanted
by the priest or deleted. Please don’t worry about this part.
·
The psalm is
not spoken unless the choir is not singing it. Please confirm with the
musicians PRIOR to the start of mass whether they are singing the psalm or
would like to have it spoken. (It is too late to be looking over trying to
signal at the choir to see if they are going to sing it after you have read the
first reading).
·
Copies of the
reader resource “Break Open the Word” are available for all readers. This
resource has all the readings for the Sundays and Feasts of the year and a
pronunciation guide and background material. You are welcome to take a copy
home to prepare in advance. Please prepare your reading at home. Unless you
have been called in as a late replacement, reading one’s
text for the first time just prior to mass should be avoided at all costs.
·
Could the
person taking the lectionary in and out of the church in procession, please
note the following items: Please ensure
that the Lectionary (Bible) is facing the right way up and that the front is
facing forward as your walk forward. Please carry it at about chest level so
that it can be seen by people as you walk past. Please do not carry anything
else in your hands. Please don’t have hymn sheets or hymn books or any other
item. This is a formal procession of the Lectionary, and it is being
highlighted in the procession and needs to be clearly seen without anything
else obscuring it.
·
When a person
is reading the psalm, it is sometimes confusing as to when a verse is
finishing, especially if it is more than the usual four lines long. If a psalm
is longer than expected, readers can signal this by using at the end of the
(for example) the fourth line in an upward inflexion, indicating that something
is to follow. The last few words of a whole paragraph can be noticeably
measured and said “at --a----slower-----pace”. This will indicate to the
assembly the end of a paragraph. At the same time, the reader looks up towards
the congregation. If people still haven’t realized its time for them to say the
response, a gentle upward hand motion would be suffice. Naturally, the reader
does not say “response” at the end of a paragraph, as this should never
be necessary.
For Sacristans
o
Thanks for all
you do to keep the mass flowing wonderfully.
o
In relation to
hosts for mass, could you please estimate how many hosts are needed for each Mass. Even though we bring forward the ciborium at communion
time, this is a practical back-up for shortages and to prevent long delays in
re-filling one’s plate if a minister runs short. It is still very much
desirable that all people receive the host from that which is consecrated at
the mass they attend. Occasionally we might put out only a few hosts for a mass
if we are holding a large quantity in reserve, but this not the everyday
procedure.
o
With the water
cruet, please fill this up with a lot of water, not just a little bit at the
bottom. A generous amount of drinkable
water is needed, requiring the cruet to be filled to its maximum point.
o
The paschal or
Easter candle has a glass guard at the top of it. This is to prevent a breeze from
extinguishing the flame. This is also to slow down the evaporation of wax and
allow for the longer life of the candle. The candle wax that has melted and
re-dried within the glass guard is of a weaker consistency than the rest of the
candle, so it needs the
strength of the glass guard to support it. The way this guard is designed is
that it becomes part of the candle, thus creating a seal with the candle so
that the wax can re-dry and be re-used. It is essential that the glass is NOT removed. The glass needs to
stay permanently attached to the candle. There is no need to remove it for
trimming or cleaning. It doesn’t matter if wax dries on the glass and clouds
it. The light of the candle can be seen through it. (Ps. Fr Paul has an
eagle-eye and he can SENSE when someone has removed this guard and cleaned it.
He is asking that you please avoid doing this. Every time the glass is removed
and cleaned and the wax trimmed, it defeats the purpose of the seal). The glass
is effective against heat but extremely weak against even the slightest
pressure. When the candle is extinguished, it might need for the wick to be
held for a short few moments in an upright position to present the drying wax
from submerging the wick. This can still be done with the glass guard remaining
in place. If possible, please use the long extinguishing stick to put out the
paschal candle, as this allows the candle wax to dry before there is any
movement to the candle.
o
At each mass,
please ensure that the corporal (a large white ‘handkerchief sized’ cloth that
is placed on top of the altar to catch excess elements of the host) and the
pall (a hard cardboard square with cloth covering it) are available. This can
be placed at the start of mass and put away after mass or it can be placed on top
of one of the chalices.
o
*** It is
important that there is a pall available for each and every chalice used. This
is placed over the cup during mass to prevent flies and bugs from dropping into
the cup during mass.
o
Thanks to Ross
Keys who has kindly installed hooks in the Priests Vesting Sacristy to allow
the windows to remain open. If a widow cannot be hooked into an open position,
then please keep that window shut at all times. They tend to easily blow shut
if not hooked open. You are most welcome to open the windows. Please hook them
open whenever they are opened, or else they can blow shut and appear locked
when they are not. Naturally it’s always good to check to see if the windows
are locked but if we use the hooks it will prevent a mistaken assumption when
we are all busy with closing up and other duties after mass.
Many thanks for this. If
you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask myself or Kathy Banney or
one of the Sacristans or Mass coordinators.
Thanks,
Fr Paul.
(sample
sign-up sheet)
SATURDAY
NIGHT 6PM
SPECIAL
MINISTERS OF COMMUNION:
1 (CHALICE)________________________________________________
(****Special
Minister one, please minister your communion CHALICE to number 3 after you
receive the CHALICE. Please give communion to Choir first.)
2: (CHALICE)________________________________________________
3: (Hosts)
_____________________________________________
(##
number 3, please give communion to choir first)
4: (Hosts)____________FR PAUL________________________
5: (Hosts)
______________________________________________
6: (CHALICE)
________________________________________________
7: (CHALICE)
________________________________________________
(Number 7 takes the
CHALICE to those who are unable to come forward)
8*: (Hosts)
__________________________________________
(* NUMBER 8 obtains the
ciborium with Hosts from the tabernacle at the fraction Rite, ie., Lamb
of God, and brings it to the altar. This is for all masses.Number
8 also takes communion to those who are unable to come forward. Thanks).
READERS :
WELCOMER/ INTERCESSIONS:
_____________________________
(**Welcomer
Reads psalm if it not sung)**
READER ONE:
_____________________________________________
READER TWO:_____________________________________________
++++++
Reflection and Silence in and around the Mass
The Vatican has recently
made some revisions to the Introduction to the Roman Missal. This is the book
that helps us know the principles behind why and how we do things at Mass.
Silence
The Revision on sacred silence has been
expanded, recommending that
"even before
the celebration itself, it is praiseworthy for silence to be observed in
church, in the
sacristy and adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves for
the sacred rites
which are to be enacted in a devout and fitting manner." (45)
Admonishing that the Liturgy of the Word
"must be celebrated in such a way as to
promote
meditation," (56) the Institutio cautions
against "any kind of haste which
impedes
recollection" and recommends brief moments of silence throughout the
liturgy,
especially after the readings and the homily so that the word of God may be
"taken into
the heart by the fostering of the Holy Spirit." (56)
To assist with this, you
will no-doubt notice that there are generous opportunities for silence within
Mass. Plenty of space for silence and reflection is integral to good liturgy.
When the Priest at Mass says "Let Us Pray",
we pause and pray silently for a period of time. Before and after the Readings
and the Homily there are significant times of silence for silent reflection.
This gives time for the Word of God to go deep into our hearts and give us time
to ‘digest’ the word and pray quietly. Because we live in a world of noise and
busyness, this silence can seem unsettling and long, at first, but eventually
creates a wonderful oasis of quiet reflection.
Years ago, many would
recall that Church was mostly a place of quiet, silent prayer. People would not
tend to speak in church. Nowadays, there is a slightly different focus. We
recognize that Eucharist is a communal liturgical celebration, a gathering of
the Body of Christ, to Worship God and gain strength for one another for one’s
daily vocation. We emphasise in our worship that Mass
is not merely a solo prayer experience. It is the Church community gathering to
celebrate God’s love and action in the community and in their lives and to
recognize God’s presence in the Word, in The Sacraments, and in the assembled
people. So, there is a bit more talk and conversation than in the past. There
is a joyful greeting of eachother as members of the
Body of Christ and a recognition that our daily lives are as much part of the
vocation of a Christian as the celebration of Eucharist we are about to engage
in. Whilst the church is a place for prayer, the Eucharist is the time for
Liturgy which is a communal action, so private prayer is best done well prior
to the celebration of liturgy so that one can fully engage the communal aspects
of public, liturgical action and prayer. Having said this, there is still a
different quality to the conversations we have in church. It is nice to greet
and speak with those around us, but we also take care that our conversations
are not the same volume as we might be talking about at a shopping centre or
prior to a theatre show. Our conversations can still be quieter and perhaps
generalities could be left to after mass or outside so that we take into
account that we are all preparing to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries of the
Eucharist.
We are certainly not
suggesting that people should not speak before and after mass, however, it
would be greatly appreciated if we all kept in mind a slightly different focus
and level to our conversations within church.
If talk during mass could be limited, that would be greatly appreciated.
To assist this, not as a
hard and fast rule but rather as an aid to preparation, we will soon be trying
something new. Two minutes before mass, the Welcomer
will come to the Lectern and say, “Good morning/evening everyone. I invite you
to enter into a time of silent prayer in these couple of minutes prior to Mass
beginning. If you have a mobile phone, could you please turn it off, or to
silent mode. Thank you.”
We are recommending this,
to enhance our experience of liturgy. We are proposing this as a voluntary
practice.
Thanks for your
consideration.
Sincerely
Fr Paul
++++++
Now that the old tabernacle in the Sanctuary has been
re-commissioned, there are
just a couple of minor variations to our usual actions in Mass. When the priest
and any minister is approaching and leaving the Sanctuary for the first time,
when approaching from the centre, they genuflect on one knee towards the
tabernacle. Once upon the sanctuary, though, the tabernacle is not referred to
again unless approaching it to retrieve or replace the ciborium before and
after communion. The side tabernacle will not be in use from now on, except as
a place of reposition for Holy Thursday Night.
+++
PLACEMENT OF THE TABERNACLE
In
recent years, particularly in the present ministry of Pope Benedict XVI, there
has been a clarification of the best position of the tabernacle in the church.
In
Pope Benedict XVI’s letter “SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS” and again in the New General
Instruction on the Roman Missal (2000) the following advice is given.
“In
accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the
Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the
church that is truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated,
and suitable for prayer”
More
specifically: “It is more in keeping with the meaning of the sign that the
tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved not be on an altar on which
Mass is celebrated. Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be
located, according to the judgment of the diocesan bishop, (a) either in the
sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more
appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration; (b)
or even in some chapel suitable for the faithful’s
private adoration and prayer and that is organically connected to the church
and readily visible to the Christian faithful”
In
this Church of Saint Mary’s where there is no actual Blessed Sacrament Chapel,
and the present tabernacle is off to the side in the transept of the church
with chairs for the assembly beside it, facing towards the altar, it has never
really been a satisfactory positioning of the tabernacle.
Following
on from the latest suggestions, I believe it would be best for our Church’s
main tabernacle to again be located in the old High altar as a perfect place
for it to be “truly noble, prominent, readily
visible”. I think it also allows for the central body of the church to have a
beautiful focal point for prayer and adoration of the real presence of
Christ.
In
coming weeks, the High Altar tabernacle will be re-commissioned and the present
side-altar tabernacle will kept for occasional use, such as reposition of the
sacrament on Holy Thursday Nights. The power of placing the host in a different
tabernacle, for that special night Holy Thursday Night, will be enhanced by the fact that this
is not the usual place that the hosts are reserved for the rest of the year.
+++
Speaking of Confirmation, a few years ago it was the norm to choose a
Confirmation name. Today one can still choose a confirmation name but we also emphasise the fact that Confirmation is a ‘confirmation’ of
our Baptism and so its also
an opportunity to affirm the name we were given at Baptism. It is still highly
encouraged that everyone be given a Saints Name as a patronal
name and as a reminder of our identity as brothers and sisters in Christ and
united as Christians with one other and the ancient tradition of holy women and
men from which we have inherited. Do we often think of ourselves in regard to
that Confirmation or Saint’s Baptismal name? Does the name carry any spiritual
meaning for us today? At the time of our confirmation preparation we were then
invited to choose a name that captured something of our spiritual quest. Have
we been true to that quest? Have the hopes of those days borne fruit in our
lives? What would it take to tap into that same spiritual energy that prompted
us to choose that name in the first place? What name would we choose today? The
saints certainly inspire us with their response to the action of the Holy
Spirit. They are our patrons and inspiration.
++++
“Intinction.” You may be
aware of a particular way of receiving communion called “Intinction.” This is where the host is dipped into the
Precious Blood and then both forms are consumed together. This is not the
practice here in this parish. In fact the Liturgical people from Brisbane advise that it is to be strongly discouraged. In some churches this option is a technical
possibility, but it must be under very strictly supervised circumstances, and
requires a paten to catch any possible spillage. Also, when intinction is practised in some church rites, it is the Communion
Minister who dips the host and puts it on the tongue of the recipient. The idea
of “taking a host and dipping it oneself” does not do justice to the
‘receiving’ envisaged in this rite. In communion, we are meant to receive this
precious gift, not take it. Having said this, communion ministers are
advised not to try to stop anyone trying to dip their host, we would prefer to
discourage people by form of information and request in this newsletter.
Many thanks for your assistance in this matter. I do acknowledge that some
people may be confused by this issue, as they may have come from parishes or a
Diocese where intinction is actually encouraged. However, this archdiocese does
not.
In
addition, just to clarify a procedure for communion ministers. Since the
sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ in the form of Bread and Wind
continues to subsist after the consecration, any left over
hosts are always placed in the tabernacle. Any left-over wine must be consumed.
After consuming the Precious Blood, the chalice is washed out with water and
preferably this water too is also consumed. It is vital that the remaining
consecrated bread and wine is consumed as it continues to be the Body and Blood
of Christ.
+++++
ANGLICAN / CATHOLIC
FRIENDSHIP AGREEMENT:
In the name of God: Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit:
We, parish priests for the
time being of the Anglican and Roman Catholic parishes in Maryborough, gladly
make the following declaration and commitment to each other:
In the light of God’s
grace, we celebrate what we have in common and the journeys we share, even
though our emphases differ:
·
the Christian faith,
including the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit;
·
the Scriptures, the
historic creeds, the sacraments;
·
well over 1000 years of
shared history;
·
and a mission to the community
of Maryborough.
In the light of God’s grace
and our shared journeys, we commit our respective parishes to:
·
pray for each other Sunday
by Sunday in our services;
·
hold joint services in each
other’s churches at least once a year;
·
meet for events common to
our parishes, such as Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, etc;
·
respect the depth,
integrity, and value of each other’s traditions while remaining loyal to our
own;
·
and, further, as priests, we
commit ourselves to:
·
meet regularly for
fellowship and support and prayer, and
·
preach in each other’s pulpits at
least once a year.
_____________________ _____________________
Jim McPherson Paul
Kelly
Parish priest Parish
priest
Anglican Parish St
Mary’s
Maryborough Maryborough
Signed in St Paul’s
Anglican Church, Maryborough
at a joint service
9 August 2009