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Liturgical Ministry Schedule 2011 4:00 p.m. Vigil
Liturgical Ministry Schedule 2011 8:00 A.M.
Liturgical Ministry Schedule 2011 9:30 A.M.
Liturgical Ministry Schedule 2011 11:30 A.M.
Rosary Vs. Vigil...
There have been some questions raised about the difference between a Rosary (prior to a Funeral Mass) and a Vigil Service.
Here are some interresting thoughts:
For generations the Rosary has been an anchor of the Catholic funeral rite. It will surprise many that the word 'rosary' does not occur in the official Order of Funerals for Catholics. Nowhere does the rite suggest the rosary for wakes. The omission is nothing new. The funeral rites for the Catholic Church throughout the world were revised in the 1969 Rite of Funerals. It notes that the first time the community gathers for prayer is usually the night before the funeral Mass at a 'vigil'. Instead of mentioning the rosary the rite suggests a celebration of God's word the night before the burial in the home or at the church. Even so, the custom of praying the rosary in a funeral home has prevailed. Since 1969 many communities have substituted a Scripture service in place of the rosary. With the publication of the new Order of Funerals for the United States in the early 1990's, the use of the Scripture service will hopefully become more popular. The reason is simple. For the first time there is a complete service of the Word available for the vigil. The new rite suggests a service which will resemble the first part of Mass: a greeting, a hymn, a prayer, readings from Scripture, a homily, more prayers, and a closing blessing are all parts of the vigil. The vigil service holds some advantages over the praying of the rosary. First, the vigil enables the community to hear and reflect upon the Word of God. It is there where one finds the heart of Catholic Faith: the death and resurrection of Christ. The readings will stir up faith at the moment it is most needed. A second advantage is ecumenical. The rosary, is unfamiliar to people outside the Catholic Church. Since people of many faiths frequently attend this service with the family, offering the vigil service provides a form of prayer all can readily enter into and understand. The vigil service in the funeral home is only one option for prayer that evening. Another is to celebrate the same service in the parish church of the deceased - the same place where the funeral will be celebrated the next day. If the vigil takes place at church, there is one addition. The prayers which normally begin the funeral Mass begin the vigil in this case. The community greets the casket at the door, it is sprinkled with Holy Water, and the white pall - a reminder of the white garments we wear at baptism - is placed on it. (Paul Turner) Be a Blessing to your
Community: Inquire about
our Parish Liturgical
Ministries!
Youth (boys and girls) as well as youthful Adults are encouraged to participate in Liturgy by assisting at the Altar.
To continue the assurance of a sensual and affectionate experience of Liturgy: worship and praise, it is important that an "environment" conducive to the liturgical season and its celebrations be fostered and maintained. It is so much more than flowers!
Eucharist Ministers assist in distributing the Body and Blood of Jesus during Liturgy as well as to the sick and homebound.
A confirmed Catholic who fully practices his/her faith is welcomed into this ministry. The prospective Eucharist Minister should have the maturity to appreciate and demonstrate the sacred nature of the ministry of the Eucharist. Commitment includes training and commissioning in our parish.
The main tool of extending Christ's welcome and love to our worshipping community are the members of the parish family, as well as the joyful and enthusiastic Ministers of Hospitality. Specifically, our Hospitality Ministers greet the Assembly before Liturgy, ensure the comfort of our worshipping Assembly, receive the offering/tithing of the Assembly, and assist in many other ways.
The ministry of Lector is for all who find it a joy and honor to proclaim with their person and their spirit the Sacred Scriptures at Daily and Sunday liturgies. Regular gatherings provide spiritual and practical support for a soulful proclamation of the Word!
Unique in providing an affectionate worshipping experience, the mountain churches of Our Lady of the Sierra know how to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." Additional information can be located at the following link:
The sacristan assures that all of the practical needs for worship are provided and set in place.
Guidelines for Receiving Communion For Catholics — As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion.
We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion,participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (Code of Canon Law, canon 916). Persons conscious of grave sin must first be reconciled with God and the Church through the sacrament of Penance. A frequent reception of the sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all (we recommend seasonal reception - Advent, Lent, summer, autumn.) As per the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Chapter II, ¶42; Chapter IV, ¶160 & 161) the proper Posture and Veneration for Reception of Holy Communion reads:Standing is the norm for receiving Holy Communion (#160) “The faithful are not permitted to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves, still less to hand them from one to another. The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should be addressed pastorally, providing the faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for the norm.” Uniformity by all in receiving Communion standing serves as a “sign of unity of the members of the Christian community for the sacred Liturgy” and it “both expresses and fosters the spiritual attitude of those assisting”
(42). A lack of uniformity can serve as a sign of disunity or even a sense of individualism. Kneeling to receive Communion, besides interrupting the flow of people receiving Communion, draws attention to oneself rather than having an emphasis on the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. Standing for us in our Christian tradition is a sign, not only of being one with the risen Lord, but a sign also of being sent forth by Christ in the Eucharist to bring Him and serve Him in the lives of those around us. Sign of Veneration before receiving Holy Communion (#160) When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister.When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.” The bow before receiving Communion should be done as the person in front of you is receiving the Eucharist. For the actual reception of communion, the option to receive on the tongue or in the hand is left to the individual communicant.If the person receives Communion by hand, no one is to take the host from the priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and “communicate” themselves in that manner. The person is to extend their hands outward in front of theirbodies and upward, approximately shoulder height, the left hand on top of the right hand, forming a “throne” for the priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to place the host in the communicant’s hand. When the priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion says, “The Body of Christ,” you need to respond with a firm “Amen.” Let that be a prayerful response, with strong and grateful voice. (For too many, this response has become almost inaudible or is even omitted.) The person should step aside, take the host by his or her right fingers from the left hand, consume the host entirely, and then go to receive from the cup, or return to one’s place. Please don't consume "on the run." And there should be nothing in your hands, (rosary, gloves, etc.) if you choose to receive communion in the hand.For those who wish to receive on the tongue, extend your tongue so that the consecrated host may be placed on it and consumed in the presence of the priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (Cf. above, stepping one step to the side, etc.) For our fellow Christians — We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one (John 17:21). Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).For Those Not Receiving Communion — All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.For Non-Christians — We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family. The Liturgy Board
As of May 1, 2010 I have assumed the dual responsibilities as
Director of the Office of Liturgy and Music for the
parish of Our Lady of the Sierra,
serving the needs of the churches of
Our Lady of the Sierra, Oakhurst
St. Dominic's, Bass Lake
St. Joseph's, North Fork.
This position of responsibility to the people of the parish is only possible with the help of the entire parish ~ all of whom take on the responsibility of Liturgy.
Some take on roles of liturgical ministries; such as Altar Attendants, Art and Environment, Eucharist Ministers, Hospitality Ministers, Lectors, Music Ministers and Sacristans.
Some take on leadership roles for the above-mentioned ministries.
Some take on the role of the Assembly.
All of us have a role in the full, active and conscious participation in the liturgical life of the parish.
Because our liturgical life is so vitally important, I am creating a Liturgy Board that will serve the needs of the parish.
It will consist of three (3) Commissions:
I. The Liturgy Preparation Commission will set the goals and needs of the parish liturgy for a period of 3-5 years. Of prime importance is the catechesis of our new Roman Missal (The Sacramentary) which will debut Advent of 2011.
   On this Commission will be the Pastor (Ex-Officio); The Director of Liturgy and Music; the Directors of Catechetical and Youth Formation.
II. The Liturgical Ministry Commission coordinates and integrates all of the liturgical needs of the parish of Our Lady of the Sierra for all regular and all special liturgies.
On this Commission will be the Pastor (Ex-Oficio); the Deacon (Ex-Oficio); The Director of Liturgy and Music; the Recording Secretary and a member of each of the following ministries: Altar Attendant, Art and Environment, Bereavement, Weddings, Sacristan, Hospitality, Lector.
III. The Liturgical Prayer Coordination Commission will be the "Prayer Partners" of the parish and Liturgy Board. They will pray for the success of the parish Liturgies; for the work of the Liturgy Board. They will also compose the Prayer of the Faithful which is prayed at every liturgy; they will also be responsible for choosing Opening and Communion Prayers, and other optional prayers for Sunday Liturgy when there are options.
On this Commission will be 5 members of the parish who have been selected because of their profound prayerfulness.
We ask the entire parish to pray for our success and our work. You are always more than welcome to email me with your thoughts and prayers; concerns and challenges. They will be most happily received and shared.
Kevin Jonas
Director: Office of Liturgy and Pastoral Music
Contact: 559-642-3452 (Office)
Cell: 213-910-7252
Email: kevin.jonas@comcast.net Art and Environment In
Catholic Worship
Much of what you will hear when discussing Art and Environment in Catholic Worship is that it is essential that it flourish in an environment of hospitality.
Our parish churches are naturally beautiful, nestled in the amazing mountains.
Seasonally, we add interior decor to our worship spaces to highlight the season. For that, we need talented artisans and hard workers. If you are willing and able, your talents are welcomed!
Call Kevin!
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