Year of Mercy Overview

Year of Mercy Pilgrimage During the Year of Mercy

Catholic Worship Book II

Orders of Confirmation and Holy Matrimony A look inside the new Orders

Save the Date! Dates for your Diary

Office for Worship

DirectorVery Rev. Peter Williams Administrator of the Diocese of Parramatta

Liturgy Educator Sr Mary Louise Walsh ISSM

Assistant Adelle Lobo

Office Details 1-5 Marion Street Blacktown NSW 2148 Ph: 9831 4911 E: ofw@ifm.org.au

Issue 14December 2015Office For Worship

Pope Francis has called on the whole Church to celebrate an extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. The jubilee commences on 8th December 2015.

The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the Holy Year, because it represents the journey each of us makes in this life. Life itself is a pilgrimage, and the human being is a viator, a pilgrim travelling along the road, making his way to the desired destination. Similarly, to reach the Holy Door in Rome or in any other place in the world, everyone, each according to his or her ability, will have to make a pilgrimage. This will be a sign that mercy is also a goal to reach and requires dedication and sacrifice. May pilgrimage be an impetus to conversion: by crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, we will find the strength to embrace Gods mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father has been with us. Misericordiae Vultus, 14

Pilgrimage during the Year of MercyCatholics are encouraged in this extraordinary jubilee year to make a pilgrimage to a place of a designated holy door. The four holy doors in our diocese during the Year of Mercy are at the St Patricks Cathedral, Our Lady of Czestochowa Chapel in Marayong, the Shrine of the Holy Innocents in Kellyville and Mt Schoenstatt Shrine in Mulgoa. There is great value in groups making a pilgrimage together, and parishes are encouraged to consider organising a pilgrimage as an activity to mark the year.To gain a better sense of the prayerful journey that a pilgrimage is, it would be beneficial for at least part of the journey to be made on foot from a nominated starting point. Even if this is not possible, the group of pilgrims should begin together in prayer at a set location. The Book of Blessings provides an Order for the Blessing of Pilgrims on their Departure, which can be used for this purpose.

Those preparing the pilgrimage should take time to consider what opportunities for prayer will be provided on arrival. Celebrating the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance could be arranged, particularly for seeking the grace and mercy of God through the plenary indulgence offered in this year. Groups could participate in the Liturgy of the Hours, Celebrations of the Word, or in devotional prayer (eg the Angelus, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, etc). The Stations of the Cross may be particularly suitable for a pilgrimage during Lent, prayed either at the site, or along the pilgrimage route. With the assistance of a suitably skilled leader, opportunities could be provided for reflection on Mercy through scripture texts or other writings, including the addresses and writings of Pope Francis. Time can also be made for individual reflection, silent prayer and contemplation.It is also valuable to pilgrims to meet again after the pilgrimage to share and reflect on their experience. Again, the Book of Blessings provides texts for blessing pilgrims on their return.

After a decade-long period of preparation, Catholic Worship Book II (CWB) is due for release early next year. It has been endorsed by the Australian Bishops as the official liturgical music resource for the Catholic Church in Australia.CWB II is designed to be a comprehensive resource, including several hundred works that have been carefully selected to support all of the Churchs liturgical seasons and rites. It includes traditional and contemporary material in a range of styles by Australian and international composers. In this way, it seeks to provide parishes with a shared repertoire of music that honours the broad musical treasure of the Church.Music ministers will appreciate having a single point of reference for leading sung prayer in liturgical celebrations, as well as the thorough indices that will assist them in their preparation. Furthermore, parishes can be confident that the music in CWB II is theologically, musically and liturgically sound, as each item has been carefully selected by the National Liturgical Music Board in accordance with specific criteria.CWB II is being made available in a full music edition (for organists and other musicians) and a peoples edition (for the assembly), and bulk pricing is available. To find more information, download the provisional contents or order online, visit the publishers, Morning Star Publishing, at morningstarpublishing.net.au

Catholic Worship Book II

Orders of Confirmation and Holy MatrimonyAs Fr Peter advised clergy in October, the Australian Bishops have approved for use new editions of the Orders for the sacraments of Marriage and Confirmation. While those who are involved in preparing and leading these celebrations will want to spend time thoroughly reviewing these rites themselves, we seek to support that study by providing here an overview of matters that are worthy of note.

When are These Orders to be Used?The Orders may be used now, and have been optional since the First Sunday of Advent. Both the orders are mandatory from the First Sunday of Lent (14 February 2016). After this date, the former rites cannot be used. It is important to take note of these dates, as given the upcoming summer holiday period, it is possible that parishes will celebrate these sacraments rarely, if at all, between now and mid-February.

How May I Obtain Copies of the Orders?St Pauls Publications is publishing the official ritual editions for use in Australia, with their release expected soon. More information is available at this link: http://www.stpauls.com.au/search?search=the+order+of+cUsers of the online version of LabOra Worship and LiturgyHelp.com will find that the digital editions of the Orders have already been updated.

Why an Order and not a Rite?The first obvious difference with the new Orders is the titles themselves. Not only do they more closely match the Latin, but the use of the word order more accurately reflects the fact that these texts contain several rites that apply in different circumstances. We see this already in the Order of Christian Funerals.

Alignment with the Roman MissalRelevant aspects of new Order of Celebrating Matrimony had already been included in the current edition of the Missal (eg. the rubric specifying the praying of the Gloria at a nuptial Mass). Both the prayer texts and rubrics of the new Orders match what is provided in the Missal.

The Order of ConfirmationThis is a new English translation of the typical edition released in Latin in 1971. Therefore, while there are changes to the English texts we have used until now, the ritual order and structure remain the same.It will be important to ensure that projection slides, liturgy booklets and any other resources that parishes use to encourage the participation of the assembly at Confirmation celebrations are updated to match the new texts. Also, sacramental coordinators and those who prepare candidates for the sacrament may wish to note

that the translation of the prayer at the Laying on of Hands has changed, meaning that the gifts of right judgement, knowledge, reverence, and wonder and awe are now named in the prayer as counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord respectively. The text of the baptismal promises has also changed.

The Order of Celebrating MatrimonyThis is the English translation of the second typical edition of the Ordo Celebrandi Matrimonium; released in 1991. Therefore, this English edition not only reflects changes in texts, but also some revisions to the 1969 version of the rites that we have been using until now. Notable changes to the rites are outlined below. Blessings for an engaged couple and a married couple have been included in this Order; as newer versions, they should be used instead of those provided in the Book of Blessings. The new blessing for a married couple provides a text for those who wish to publicly renew their marriage commitment.

The Introductory RitesTwo clearly outlined forms for the Entrance are provided; the second most closely reflecting the prevailing cultural and ritual practice in Australia. The rubrics now clarify that the priest meets the couple and greets them, then goes to the altar, venerates it, and goes to the chair to begin the liturgy. Possible words of introduction are provided. The Gloria is to be sung or said when marriage is celebrated within Mass.

The Liturgy of the WordThe rubrics indicate an expectation that the first reading during the Easter season should be from the book of Revelation (it was previously described as being appropriate).

The Liturgy of the SacramentThis retains its existing structure and place in the liturgy, following the homily. The Reception of Consent now has two texts for the presider to choose from; it is also important to note that the conclusion to the reception has changed. After the presiders words, which end with let no one put asunder, the reception of consent concludes in this manner:65. The Priest invites those present to praise God: Let us bless the Lord.

All reply: Thanks be to God. Another acclamation may be sung or said.The conclusion of celebrations that take place without Mass is more clearly described.

The Liturgy of the EucharistMass continues as prescribed previously, with one exception. After the nuptial blessing, the priest immediately follows the blessing with The peace of the Lord be with you always, and invites everyone to share a sign of peace (the same rubric is given in the Missal).

The Concluding RitesA new rubric is provided here that clearly states that the signing of marriage documents takes place once the liturgical celebration has concluded. This may be done in the vesting room or in the presence of the people, but is not to be done on the altar.

The Order of Celebrating Matrimony Between a Catholic and a Catechumen or a Non-ChristianThe former Introductory Rites, which more closely mirrored the Introductory Rites of Mass (and of the other marriage rites), have been replaced with a simpler Rite of Reception, which is focussed on greeting the couple and inviting everyone to participate in the Liturgy of the Word. There is now to be a maximum of two readings (not three), without the requirement of a reading from Revelation during Easter. The Lords Prayer is no longer optional (but is only to be said by the Christian faithful who are present), and comes before (rather than after) the nuptial blessing.

Mr Robert Barden Acting Chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission

Save the Date!

Please Note: Roll Call for the Rite of Election will be sent to parishes during mid-January

Rite of Election SUN 14th February

2pm | St Patrick's Cathedral Parramatta 2150

Reflection Day for Candidates and CatechumensSAT 20th February

10am - 3pm | Diocesan Assembly Hall Blacktown 2148

Penitential Service FRI 11th March

7:30pm | St Patrick's Cathedral Parramatta 2150

Mass for Neophytes FRI 13th May

7:30pm | St Patrick's Cathedral Parramatta 2150

RCIA Dates for 2016

SOI Dates for 2016 SOI Meetings - February:

TUE 16th: PenrithWED 17th: IFM Library

THU 18th: Wentworthville

Lenten Reflection Day for SOI teams'His Mercy Reaches From Age to Age'

MON 29th February DAC Hall | 1-5 Marion Street Blacktown