Preparing for the Liturgy
NLC ARTICLES
A practical guide outlining the purpose and content of parish liturgy committee meetings to support effective planning.
This article offers foundational principles and tips for preparing liturgies that are faithful, participatory, and pastorally sensitive.
DIOCESAN RESOURCES
Adelaide
This downloadable resource offers guidelines on the use of visual display systems, including what to consider when installing them in a church. It describes how to prepare a presentation for use in the liturgy and how to operate the display during liturgical celebrations.
Ballarat
This downloadable PDF provides guidelines for preparing and using visual displays in the liturgy for the Diocese of Ballarat. It provides some general principles for encouraging active participation and outlines the preparation of different materials and some of the technical considerations. A list of the types of displays in relation to different parts of the mass are included. The guidelines also include sections for Funeral liturgies, Confirmation and First Communion. The Appendices include guidelines for installing a visual display system in a Church and copyright considerations.
Hobart
This downloadable short pamphlet describes the importance of worship booklets and how they aid the participation of those who celebrate the liturgy. It offers some advice about their preparation, including considerations such as the font, layout, copyright, checking the contents and what to include and exclude.
Perth
This resource for the Archdiocese of Perth is a guide for parish liturgy teams in their formation, management and planning. It contains some background information on liturgy, suggests ways of implementing the directives of the liturgical documents and poses questions for reflection and discussion
These downloadable resources provide guidelines for those who minister audio-visual worship aids. They describe how projection equipment can aid participation, rather than overwhelm the liturgical setting. They provide a list of key considerations for those who create presentations and operate them during the liturgy.
This downloadable PDF is a resource for parish priests, liturgical musicians and others who are responsible for preparing and presenting music in the Sacred Liturgy of the Mass. It explains the role of music in the liturgy and active participation of the faithful and describes the structure of the Mass and the elements that are sung. The judgements for choosing music are examined and the importance of developing a parish repertoire and working together are explored.
This downloadable PDF is a resource for all those who are responsible for preparing young people to participate with mind, heart and voice in the Sacred Liturgy of the Mass. It explains the role of music in the liturgy, the seasons of the Church's Year and describes the structure of the Mass and the elements that are sung. It examines each element in detail and offers suggestions as well as outlining the judgements involved. The role of the assembly and music ministers are explored and some suggested resources are offered. It describes the differences between catechetical music and liturgical music.
Toowoomba
These downloadable guidelines provide an overview of how data projectors can be used in the liturgy. They list each part of the Mass and describe the focus of the rite and indicate what would be displayed visually for each element.
OTHER RESOURCES
Journal Articles
Synodality refers to the involvement and participation of all the baptised in the life and mission of the Church, each according to their particular gift and vocation, under the action of the Holy Spirit. The diocesan liturgical commission encourages synodality by establishing clear communication with clergy, parishes and parish liturgy groups, keeping up to date with liturgical directives of the Holy See, and being easily identifiable and contactable.
The liturgy has a fundamental contribution to make to our deliberations on governance, as the idea that the liturgical assembly is congruent with the organisation of the whole Church is embedded in the teaching of Vatican II. Governance concerns authority, leadership and accountability, including the relationships of responsibility and the centres of agency within the Church.
The way liturgies are celebrated and prepared give expression to the understanding of ourselves and the Church. Collaboration between the people and the priest is essential in building a community where all can be a part of Christ's work and all can experience Christ in their lives.
A liturgy team collaborates closely with the parish priest and takes on responsibilities in the preparation of the liturgy while adhering to and being respectful of the basic elements of the liturgical ritual, preparing them well and taking care to be welcoming and inclusive for the worshipping community.
