September 29, 2010

Workshops to prepare parish leaders for new Roman Missal

By Julie Filby

On Oct. 28 and Oct. 30 the archdiocese’s Office of Liturgy will sponsor one-day workshops to help prepare clergy and parish educators for the new edition of the Roman Missal.

The “Mystical Body, Mystical Voice: Christ in the Words of the Mass” program is designed for priests, deacons and Church professionals such as directors of liturgy, faith formation, religious education and music, to help provide them with the tools needed to explain the “what’s and why’s” of the liturgy and words said at Mass.

“The program brings a unique approach to this special opportunity the Church has been given,” said sacramental theologian Father Douglas Martis, co-developer of the program. “We see the implementation of the missal as a chance to enrich the lives of the faithful with a deeper understanding of the sacramental nature of worship, whose purpose is to glorify God and sanctify his people.”

Father Martis, a priest from the Diocese of Joliet, Ill., will lead the workshops. He is director of the Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and chair of the Worship Department at Mundelein Seminary of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Workshops will be held at St. Thomas More Parish, 8035 S. Quebec St. in Centennial. All clergy in the archdiocese are expected to attend the Oct. 28 session, scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The workshop will be repeated 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

“This is one of the many things we’re doing, and will continue to do, to help the clergy and faithful experience a smooth transition to the new missal,” said Deacon Charles Parker, director of the Office of Liturgy.

First use of the new text will be Nov. 27, 2011, the First Sunday of Advent. To learn more about the “Mystical Body, Mystical Voice: Christ in the Words of the Mass” program visit www.mbmv.org. Continue to read the Denver Catholic Register for coverage on the new Roman Missal and future educational opportunities.

For more information on the workshops or to RSVP, contact Tony Schoenberger at 303-715-3156 or tony.schoenberger@archden.org.