Father Dennis' Message

OUR LITURGIES

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about some of the dimensions of the liturgy of the Mass and the ways in which we participate in our principal act of worship. Not only is this an offering of praise to God but also the receiving of divine grace through the Risen Christ. Full and active participation in the Mass is realized when we are attentive to all of the ways in which the Lord is present among us.

One of the blessings we have at Holy Apostles Parish is the opportunity to worship at any of FIVE Masses that are offered each weekend. You should know that my brother priests think I’m crazy for maintaining such a schedule! Indeed, according to the Church’s Code of Canon Law we have maxed out the number of Masses that one priest is allowed to celebrate on Saturday evening and Sunday. Be that as it may, at this point in our life as a new parish I believe it is practical for us to maintain this practice.

One reason is that it allows us to have a certain variety in liturgical style. The rules governing the manner in which Mass is celebrated are contained principally in the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal” which is regularly revised and updated. Its presentation of the manner in which the rites and ceremonies of the Mass are to be carried out specifies those portions that are always the same in every liturgy and those which can vary depending on the time, place, and setting within which it is offered.

An aspect of the liturgy where such variety is most noticeable is the use of music. The documents are quite clear in stating that music (both vocal and instrumental) has an important role in the Mass. Musicians are understood to be liturgical ministers through whom the Risen Christ gives us divine grace. This is why at our sung liturgies where either the Choir or the Jubilate Singers are present there are times when they are singing and the assembly is listening. Their music is Christ ministering to us, and we need to be attentive to what is being played and sung so that we can be aware of what Jesus wishes to share with us at that moment. It’s different from listening to a concert. Our musicians practice long and hard so that their offering is truly a prayer.

Nevertheless, the documents state that silence too has a place in the liturgy, and the number of Masses we have allows us to have both a quiet and meditative Mass without any music (Sunday at 7:15 AM) and full sung Masses (Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 AM). Our Saturday vigil Masses are further variations with some congregational singing but no choral music.

Because we are all different people we cannot all worship well in the same liturgical style. I believe we are blessed to have a variety in the way Mass is offered at Holy Apostles and I would ask our parishioners to give some thought to the style of liturgy that best allows you to experience the divine grace that the Risen Christ offers us.