Liturgical Ministry: Living the Hospitality of Christ

One of the enduring fruits of the Second Vatican Council has been the restoration of the liturgy and a deeper appreciation of worship and its role in the life and mission of the Church. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) stressed the communal nature of liturgical worship in that it is a priestly function belonging to the entire people of God, ordained and lay people alike. The liturgy is the living expression of the Church as the Body of Christ, gathered in his name, and celebrating his life, death and resurrection. The Council Fathers saw the critical need for fostering the full, conscious and active participation of all the faithful and asserted that this aim was the one to be considered before all else, for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit (SC 14).

Recent popes have reiterated this point. Pope John Paul II wrote in Christifideles Laici: …. the lay faithful themselves have acquired a more lively awareness of the tasks that they fulfil in the liturgical assembly and its preparation, and have become more widely disposed to fulfil them: the liturgical celebration, in fact, is a sacred action not simply of the clergy, but of the entire assembly (23). In an address to the Diocese of Rome in May 2009, Pope Benedict XVI urged lay people to exercise their pastoral ministry in the Church as mature and committed Christians. He stressed the need for them to move forward from seeing themselves as collaborators of the clergy to recognising themselves as truly ‘co-responsible’ for the being and action of the Church … united in the common mission of all the baptised.

Loughlan Sofield and Carroll Juliano describe ministry as an embodiment of our Christian spirituality. Ministry is an expression and an overflow of one’s relationship with God. Through our baptism into the mystery and mission of Jesus, Christians are called to holiness and to ministry, that is, to a spirituality which has two dimensions, a deepened relationship with God and an expression of that relationship in action (Collaboration: Uniting Our Gifts in Ministry, 2000).

The Assembly

The faithful’s participation in the liturgy has brought forth a variety of ministries in the service of the liturgy and the worshipping community. The ministerial priesthood of the ordained and the royal priesthood of the faithful each have particular roles to fulfil in the liturgical action of the entire Church (GIRM 5).

Although there is a variety of liturgical ministries, one that is often overlooked is the primary liturgical ministry of the entire assembly. The liturgical assembly, by its presence, participation and responses, fulfils its primary duty of gathering in the name of the Lord and doing what the Lord commanded us to do in his memory for the salvation of all the world. As the Body of Christ in the world, the assembly bears witness to the living Spirit of Christ in the home, workplace and wider community. In the liturgy, it brings the needs and hopes of the world to the altar of the Lord, so that the world may be sanctified by the saving action of Christ.

We can make a long list of specific ministries: acolytes and servers, readers, communion ministers, commentators, music ministers, ministers of hospitality, lay leaders of the liturgy, leaders of children’s Liturgy of the Word, and members of the liturgy preparation team. However, when we speak of liturgical ministry, we acknowledge that it is the work of the entire people of God, not just the select few. All ministry emanates from the Lord Jesus himself, whose mission and ministry is the basis and model for the evangelising work of the Church. The particular and complementary roles of the ordained and laity are both joined to the one mission and ministry of Jesus Christ (USCCB, Called and Gifted, 1995). Jesus’ ministry enabled people to experience God’s abundant love and mercy. God’s lavish hospitality was demonstrated by Jesus in his healing ministry to the poor, the lost and vulnerable, the sinners and those on the fringes of society. How well do our faith communities and our liturgies reflect the generous hospitality of Christ?

The Ministry of Hospitality: it’s everyone’s business!

So liturgical ministry involves all the baptised and liturgical ministry is a sign of Christian hospitality. It is an expression of who we are called to be – a welcoming community of faith that embodies and proclaims Christ who died and who is risen and living. By celebrating the Eucharist, we are transformed into people living and alive in Christ, aflame with the Holy Spirit.

Many of our parishes today face challenging times: fewer priests, an ageing faith community, and a lack of young families and young adults in the Sunday assembly. How do we maintain a vibrant faith community with a full complement of liturgical ministries? How do we encourage our parishioners to participate in ministry?

Active liturgical ministry requires committed leadership and encouragement from the clergy and pastoral team. Some catechesis may be necessary in assisting the parish to understand its co- responsibility to foster the Christian awareness that God-given gifts are for use in service of the community. The faith community, in turn, offers support and prayer for its ministers.

The first impressions of a parish are often the most lasting for the Sunday visitor. Does your parish have welcomers at the door to greet everyone as they arrive to celebrate Mass? Welcomers have a special care for the first-time visitor or the newly-arrived parishioner and welcome them with particular concern, ensuring hospitality both before and after the liturgy. It is good to try to introduce new arrivals to a couple of other parishioners. Perhaps some of the families who have children preparing for sacraments may be invited to join other parishioners in greeting worshippers, handing them hymn books or bulletins. There may be other members of the parish who can welcome worshippers, such as family groups, youth groups, prayer groups, and the members of various councils and parish committees. Welcoming rosters may be arranged so that each group takes responsibility for greeting people for a specified time. In addition, staff and students from the local Catholic primary and secondary schools may be invited to offer their assistance in being part of the welcoming roster. It would be a wonderful sign of the unity of the faith community to experience the ministry of all these constituent parts of the Body of Christ at Sunday Mass.

Commentators too, for parishes that have them, have a particular function in introducing the day’s liturgy at the beginning of Sunday Mass. While the ritual greeting at the commencement of Mass is properly the role of the presider, the commentator often includes a welcome within the introductory remarks. At other times, for particular liturgies, commentators may assist the flow of the celebration with brief introductions and explanations for parts of the liturgy where it is deemed appropriate.

In addition to Sunday hospitality, I wonder if we ever consider a ministry of hospitality for the celebration of marriages, funerals and other liturgies at which Catholics and the wider community may be present. Funerals, in particular, present privileged opportunities for the ministry of Christ’s care for others. Rather than leaving hospitality entirely in the hands of funeral companies, Catholic parishes can reclaim the Christian understanding of hospitality, with the heart and attitude of Christ. Bereavement teams and hospitality ministers have an important role to play in welcoming both the mourners and the body of the deceased to the church (escorting the coffin in a dignified manner to the foot of the sanctuary and spending some time in prayer for the deceased). The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults emphasises the ministry of hospitality, encouraging Christians to spread the good news of the Lord’s Gospel in word and deed and to draw others into the ‘spirit of the Christian community’. This is an invitation to Christian ministry by everyone for everyone.

Some key considerations for developing and nurturing parish liturgical ministry.

• INVITE

Suggest to others that they ‘come and see’. Spend some time in reviewing the Sunday liturgy celebrated in your parish. Are all welcome? Does your liturgy reflect the diversity within the faith community and the rich cultural and linguistic variety of its members? Is the music and singing a sign of a vibrant community, alive in the Lord? It is important to have some honest assessment about various aspects of the liturgy: the quality of proclamation of the Word, the preaching and the assembly’s participation through word, gesture, song, posture and silence. Does the worship space invite participation or hinder community spirit? In Masses with few attendees and large worship spaces, pastoral leadership teams may consider ways to foster a sense of community. Celebrating Mass in a smaller chapel or re-arranging seats in a more intimate setting around the altar may enhance people’s sense of belonging and participation in the Mass.

We sometimes lament the lack of people willing to volunteer for liturgical ministry. How well do we know the people who make up our parish community? Do we take time to get to know them a little better? Do we seek out potential ministers and invite them personally? Do we follow up the personal invitation with encouragement and conversation? Do we give others a chance to tell their story and take the time to listen?

How ready are we to seek out those who are missing from our Sunday worship and invite them to participate? How committed are we to seeking out parents and their families? This section of the Catholic population is often the one we miss seeing at Sunday Mass. All are lacking when they are not with us and they miss out on experiencing the warmth of gathering as one people in Christ. As a parish, what are some of the ways in which young families and those with teens could be invited to take their places in the liturgy? What gifts can parents, children and young adults bring to our worshipping assembly? How prepared are we to welcome them, try new music, listen to their ideas and be inspired by their zest for life and their passion for justice and peace?

• DISCERN

Every person has gifts given by God. In each community there are a variety of gifts (Rom 12:1-8; 1 Cor 12:4-12). If it is serious about its communal life in Christ, the faith community will endeavour to identify and celebrate the gifts of its members. How committed is your parish community seeking out those who have gifts to share but are just waiting to be invited? Many Catholic schools have established liturgy and ministry teams where students work with the staff and clergy in planning liturgies and in preparing students for participation in the liturgy as readers, music ministers, servers and hospitality ministers. Secondary schools may appoint Liturgy Captains whose specific role is to help with the promotion and celebration of the liturgical life of the school. By fostering the relationship between parish and school, the parish can benefit from the wonderful initiatives by which schools invite their students to participate in the life of the Church. The whole school community can become more involved in the wider realm of parish life. The school community, for its part, welcomes the parishioners at every opportunity to the liturgical celebrations which mark the passage of the school year. Close collaboration between clergy, pastoral teams, principals and religious education coordinators can contribute to the strengthening of the life of the Christian community.

• PREPARE

Review the preparation and faith formation processes that your parish has in place to assist your liturgical ministers. This is not the role of one person but several. In preparing people for liturgical ministry, ask for assistance from the pastoral leadership team and others in your parish, your deanery and your diocesan consultants. There are many resources available which parishes may use to prepare their prospective liturgical ministers with some basic theological understanding, spiritual reflection and pastoral skills. Above all, liturgical ministry must emanate from a deep faith and an active prayer life. Prayer is an essential element of any ministry and practices such as lectio divina and other forms of prayer and spiritual discipline are important for ministers to develop a deeper personal relationship with God.

• COMMISSION

After the preparation process is completed, formally commission your liturgical ministers at Sunday Eucharist. A ritual of commission is a wonderful way to give thanks to God for the commitment of ministers in their service of the faith community and to celebrate this life together in Christ. Some parishes post photographs of their liturgical ministers with their respective roles on the church noticeboard and in the church magazine or weekly bulletin.

Does your parish specify the length of commitment required from its ministers or does it have an open- ended approach? It is preferable to specify a length of commitment such as two or three years. This enables either the parish or the liturgical minister to end their commitment at the given time. Sometimes people are reluctant to serve because there is no fixed term for ministry and they can begin to feel trapped and then guilty if they wish to withdraw from ministry. Setting a term of ministry provides the parish with the option of either renewing a person’s ministry or letting it lapse.

• AFFIRM

Recognition of liturgical service is desirable. Although people do not generally want public thanks, there are appropriate ways of doing this. It is important for the faith community that ministerial service is recognised. Giving thanks and praise to God for the witness of all liturgical ministers (clergy and lay people) can be done, for example, by hosting an annual Mass and celebration for liturgical ministers and parish volunteers, by including special prayers in the General Intercessions, or by recognition in parish publications or on noticeboards. Social occasions and informal thanks are also part of affirming the work of the people in your faith community.

Once your ministers have signed up for service, ensure that they are not neglected but follow up at regular intervals, with phone or personal calls. Email is another useful way of keeping in touch – parish rosters, Sunday readings (for all ministers, not just readers!), prayer points, spiritual readings, and useful religious web sites can be included in regular email updates or published in the parish bulletin. Parish websites can offer a variety of on-line resources, such as the Sunday scripture readings, prayers and general information.

Regular contact is not only desirable from the ministry coordinator’s point of view, it also provides individual liturgical ministers with the opportunity to voice concerns, to request help, and to debrief. As with community and business organisations, intentional and regular follow-up by the parish is essential. Make sure that your ministers receive ongoing support from a supervisor whether priest or pastoral associate or ministry coordinator. Without complicating things, it is desirable for the minister to have more than one designated person with whom to communicate in case of concern or anxiety about their ministry.

• RENEW

Ensure that your liturgical ministers are offered on- going opportunities for spiritual renewal and formation. Retreats, scripture and prayer workshops, updates on the Eucharist and other sacraments enable faith to be deepened and the life of the community enhanced. If your liturgical ministers have re-committed to another term of service, ensure that this is recognised and that they are remembered in prayer. In addition, the term of renewal may involve a spiritual retreat such as a half day event or a ‘Retreat in Daily Life’ or other opportunity for refreshment and faith development.

It is true that all of this requires some solid work. Indeed it does! Active, lively parishes have lots of volunteers. How did they get people involved? Generally, by lots of preparatory work, by personal contact and invitation, by follow-up and review.

Vibrant parish communities have a clear shared vision of what they need to do in order to fulfil Christ’s mission, a commitment to invite and recruit co-workers, the will to persist in spite of difficulty or refusal, and faith that the Holy Spirit is guiding their endeavours.

How can your parish grow its liturgical ministry? Your priest and pastoral associate are not able to do it on their own; a committed band of helpers (starting with the pastoral council and a few extras) is required. Perhaps there are active retirees in the parish who may have professional and organisational skills to offer. When you call a meeting, ensure that you begin with prayer asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The business of the meeting is about discernment – that will only come with a devoted and adequate prayer time. You should also ask your parish community to pray for the success of the work being undertaken. Perhaps you can establish a parish ministry of prayer, inviting particularly the sick and the housebound to pray for the parish that God will raise up people for ministry.

The foundation of all liturgical ministry is the ministry of Jesus Christ. Every Christian person is called to minister Christ and to exercise hospitality in his name. Embodying the hospitality of Christ and living as his disciples lies at the heart of the Church’s ministry and mission. The more the faith community mirrors the hospitality of Christ, the more people will be eager to belong.

This article was originally published in Liturgy News ​Vol 39(3) September 2009. Reprinted with permission.