23
Jan
The Office of Worship fosters the full, conscious and active participation of the faithful in the celebration of liturgy.
News from the Office of Worship
Lector Training 2.0: As a follow-up to the Lector Training that was offered throughout the diocese last year, the Worship Office offers Lector Training 2.0. This skills-based training is offered at individual churches and cover issues such as pacing, vocal energy (volume), tone, inflection, body posture, and microphone use. The material in this session is meant to build on the previous training session which focused preparing the readings for proclamation. Churches that wish to schedule this follow-up session are urged to contact Josh Perry in the Office of Worship.
A Cause for Sainthood – Burlington’s First Bishop: In collaboration with the Diocesan Archivist, Kathleen Messier, a presentation titled A Cause for Sainthood – Burlington’s First Bishop is being offered to parishes this fall. The presentation includes:
– The path to sainthood – Who? Why? What? How? When? Exploring the process of canonization in the Catholic Church
– A biographical sketch of Burlington’s first Bishop, +Louis de Goësbriand
– A curated display of artifacts belonging to or used by Bishop de Goësbriand
– Comments, questions, and answers
Parishes interested in hearing more or scheduling this presentation should contact the Archives at archives@vermontcatholic.org.
Rite of Election & Call to Continuing Conversion: The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion will be celebrated by Bishop Coyne on the First Sunday of Lent, March 1, 2020, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph at 3:00 pm. The ritual marks the end of the catechumenate for those in our diocese preparing to be baptized at Easter, and marks the beginning of a period of final, more intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation. During the ritual, on the basis of testimony from the catechumen’s godparents and their own reaffirmation of their intention, the Church decides on their advancement toward the sacraments of initiation and, through the ministry of the Bishop, “elects” them to complete their preparation and receive baptism at Easter. The Bishop also recognizes the already-baptized candidates preparing to join the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation for the preparation they have made and calls on them to continue their journey of conversion.
Parishes that have catechumens and candidates in the RCIA program preparing for the reception of Sacraments at Easter are asked to send them to the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Formation. More information and a registration form can be found below.
All are welcome to join us for this special liturgy as a pledge of prayerful support for and solidarity with the catechumens and candidates from around the diocese.
Chrism Mass: The Chrism Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 11:00 am at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. Join Bishop Coyne and the priests of the Diocese of Burlington for the annual Mass at which the priests will renew the promises they made at their ordination and the holy oils used throughout the year in the sacramental life of the Church will be blessed. A reception follows in the church hall.
Diocesan Liturgical Policies and Guidelines
The Diocesan Office of Worship and the Diocesan Worship Commission have been charged with working to update various diocesan policies and guidelines concerning liturgy, including guidelines for liturgical ministers, music, the celebration of matrimony and funerals, art and environment and Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. As these policies are approved, they will be posted here.
Liturgical Guidelines for the Diocese of Burlington
- Sacramental Guidelines
- Diocesan Liturgical Calendar
- Diocesan Guidelines for Music in the Liturgy
- Diocesan Guidelines for the Celebration of Marriage
- Diocesan Guidelines for the Celebration of Funerals
- Diocesan Guidelines for Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
- Diocesan Guidelines for Art and Environment in Worship
- Diocesan Guidelines for Confirmation – 2019
- Preparing Parish Masses with the Bishop as Celebrant
Liturgical Ministry Guidelines for the Diocese of Burlington
- Diocesan Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Diocesan Guidelines for Lectors
- Diocesan Guidelines for Altar Servers
Forms
- Planning Sheet for the Celebration of Mass with the Bishop
- Rite of Election Registration Form and Information for 2020
- Adult Confirmation Registration Form
- Order Form
- Prayer for the Return of a Non-Practicing Catholic Pew/Holy Cards
- Bishop deGoesbriand Holy Card
- A Guide to the Celebration of Mass for Visitors and Guests Worship Aid Booklet
Online Resources
Liturgical Catechesis & Formation
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy was the first formal document issued by the Second Vatican Council. The document lays out the vision the council had for the reform of the liturgy which is still being realized today.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal: This detailed document contains the directives for how to celebrate the Mass.
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship: The Bishop’s Committee on Divine Worship is the national committee of bishops responsible for all things having to do with the liturgy in the United States and assists the bishops, both collectively and individually, in liturgical matters. They also have a helpful and extensive Prayer and Worship Page that links to many articles on the Mass and other liturgical celebrations of the Catholic Church.
Resources for Lectors: The preparation that occurs in the week prior to one proclaiming the Word of God at Mass is an essential part of the Lector ministry and is as important as the proclamation itself. Throughout 2018, regional workshops on Preparing, Praying with, and Practicing the readings have taken place throughout the diocese. A video of this two hour workshop is available; email Josh Perry for instructions on how to access the video. A list of additional Lector Resources are also available to download.
Funeral Resources: During the month of November, the Church traditionally remembers in a special way those who have died. This is an opportune time to learn more about the Funeral Liturgy the Church offers to the faithful when they die. The articles below provide some initial background on these liturgies. Please contact the Office of Worship or your local pastor if you have particular questions.
A Personal Reflection on the Funeral Mass
November as a Month of Remembering
The Funeral Rites: Three Stages of Prayer
Gathering in the Presence of the Body – A model prayer service when the family first gathers before a wake or funeral service.
Order of Visiting a Cemetery – A model prayer service that can be used when visiting a grave.
Various Prayers for the Month of November
Liturgical Music and Musicians
Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship is a document that provides guidance for the use of music in the liturgy. The document was approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops in 2007 and is a helpful resource for clergy and liturgical musicians, especially those responsible for coordinating the music at Mass and other liturgical celebrations. A study guide, published by the National Pastoral Musicians group, is also available.
Liturgical Art and Environment
Built of Living Stones, published by the United States bishops in 2000, is a guide that helps parishes plan for the building and renovation of a church. Also included in the document are guidelines and reflections on the use and place of sacred art in worship as well as preparing the church environment for the different liturgical seasons.
