LITURGY NEWS AND LINKS 2016
6 December, Advent Even Song
On Tuesday, 6 December, the celebration of an Advent Evensong took place in St Mary's Oratory with staff and post-graduate students of the Pontifical University. Fr Luke Macnamara OSB presided. The National Centre for Liturgy prepared the liturgy which consisted of Advent Hymns: O Come, Divine Messiah! On Jordan's Bank; Promised Lord, and Christ is He; Christ Circle Round Us and Tell my People the Lord is Coming which was composed specially by Fr Fidelis Leburi from the diocese of Yola, Africa. The Scripture Readings were taken from Isaiah 11:1-5; 1Thess 5:1-11; Isaiah 2:1-5; Luke 3:1-6. The sung Psalmody: Psalm 95; 84.
30 November, Death of Anne O'Neill
The sudden death of Anne O'Neill, who has been part of the life of the National Centre for Liturgy since 2002 greatly shocked staff and students both past and present. Anne O'Neill came to St Patrick's College in 1999 to study Theology at the Pontifical University and in 2002 began the Masters Programme in Liturgy. She worked in the Columba Centre for some time and then came to the Liturgy Centre where she exercised the ministry of hospitality and welcome which is part of the charism and mission of the Centre. May she rest in peace.
The sudden death of Anne O'Neill, who has been part of the life of the National Centre for Liturgy since 2002 greatly shocked staff and students both past and present. Anne O'Neill came to St Patrick's College in 1999 to study Theology at the Pontifical University and in 2002 began the Masters Programme in Liturgy. She worked in the Columba Centre for some time and then came to the Liturgy Centre where she exercised the ministry of hospitality and welcome which is part of the charism and mission of the Centre. May she rest in peace.
17 November Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the National Centre for Liturgy took place in Renehan Hall, 17 November 2016. Diocesan Representatives of liturgy together with students of the National Centre for Liturgy, Council for Liturgy and its Advisory Committees attended. Following Morning Prayer in St Mary's Oratory, Fr Luke Macnamara OSB, lecturer in Scripture in the Pontifical University gave an input titled Levi's banquet - a model of Eucharist and was followed by Kate Liffey with an exposition of Grow in Love - its Eucharistic Formation. The day continued with reports from the National Centre for Liturgy, Council for Liturgy, An Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge, Advisory Committee on Art and Architecture, Advisory Committee on Church Music and the Irish Church Music Association.
The Annual Meeting of the National Centre for Liturgy took place in Renehan Hall, 17 November 2016. Diocesan Representatives of liturgy together with students of the National Centre for Liturgy, Council for Liturgy and its Advisory Committees attended. Following Morning Prayer in St Mary's Oratory, Fr Luke Macnamara OSB, lecturer in Scripture in the Pontifical University gave an input titled Levi's banquet - a model of Eucharist and was followed by Kate Liffey with an exposition of Grow in Love - its Eucharistic Formation. The day continued with reports from the National Centre for Liturgy, Council for Liturgy, An Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge, Advisory Committee on Art and Architecture, Advisory Committee on Church Music and the Irish Church Music Association.
17 October, Seminar by Michael Joncas
On 17 October 2016, Fr Jan Michael Joncas visited the National Centre for Liturgy and gave a seminar to the post-graduate students of the Pontifical University, St Patrick's College, Maynooth based on his book From Sacred Song to Ritual Music. Fr Joncas identified the shifts in understanding that have led to significant changes in Roman Catholic worship music theory and practice during the twentieth century. He explored What is Roman-Catholic worship music? What is its purpose? What are its qualities? Who makes it? and How should it be played? Father Joncas documented the changing attitudes about Roman Catholic worship music in papal, conciliar, and curial documents for the Roman Rite throughout the world. The nine documents he examined are Tra le sollecitudini, Musicae sacrae disciplina, De musica sacra et sacra liturgia ad mentem litterarum Pii Papae XII "Musicae sacrae disciplina" et "Mediator Dei," Sacrosanctum Concilium, Musicam Sacram, Music in Catholic Worship, Liturgical Music Today, The Milwaukee Symposia for Church Composers: A Ten-Year Report, and The Snowbird Statement on Catholic Liturgical Music. In his expositions and dicussions he also referred to the publication of the National Centre for Liturgy Singing The Mystery of Faith
29 September 2016, Launch of CD
19 September, Academic Year 2016-17
The new academic year began 19 September 2016 with twelve students registering for MTh, specialisation in liturgy, Higher Diploma and Diploma in liturgy. This is the forty third year of the course which was first conducted at the Liturgy Centre, based at Mount St Anne’s. The students come from Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Indonesia and Ireland, a combination of priests, religious, lay men and women.
The new academic year began 19 September 2016 with twelve students registering for MTh, specialisation in liturgy, Higher Diploma and Diploma in liturgy. This is the forty third year of the course which was first conducted at the Liturgy Centre, based at Mount St Anne’s. The students come from Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Indonesia and Ireland, a combination of priests, religious, lay men and women.
6-9 July, Summer School 2016
The 47th Summer School of the Irish Church Music Association was held from the 6th of July to the 9th of July in St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. The Summer School celebrated the liturgical life of the Church in Word, song and prayer with Tony Alonso as guest on the team of directors. 200 people from all over the country attended.
The Music Director Team consisted of Tony Alonso (USA), Fr Paul Kenny, Ian Callanan, Ciaran Coll, Karen O'Donovan, Sarah Waldron and Sharon Lyons. Other Tutors were Regina Deacy, Dominic Finn and Eoin Tierney on the organ.
This year had 'God Full of Mercy' as its focus and introduced the participants to both music and rituals that will be of use over the remainder of the Year of Mercy. The programme included a blend of contemporary and traditional choral pieces with emphasis on Psalms; Sacraments; Ritual and Music for the Liturgical Year in schools. The workshops provided opportunities to develop the skills of cantors, organists and instrumentalists in addition to parish choirs and folk groups. Optional Tutorials such as Choral Singing, Instruments at Prayer and Organ Tuition. The New Generation Youth Choir met each day, providing them with a special time and space to learn and explore explore new music and to pray.
The Summer School was officially opened and the liturgy to bless the Door of Mercy were presided over by Fr Turlough Baxter. Morning Prayer, Liturgy of the Word and Eucharist were celebrated over the course of the four days. Wednesday Evening's Liturgy of the Word to commemorate the 1916 Rising and the Battle of the Somme was presided over by Fr Danny Murphy, director of the National Centre for Liturgy. Bishop Francis, Bishop of Ardagh & Clonmacnois presided over Eucharist on Thursday, 7 July. Fr Paul Kenny presided on Friday, when a special commemoration was made to mark the death of Fr Jerry Threadgold and Grace Lyons who died March and June 2016 respectively.
The 47th Summer School of the Irish Church Music Association was held from the 6th of July to the 9th of July in St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. The Summer School celebrated the liturgical life of the Church in Word, song and prayer with Tony Alonso as guest on the team of directors. 200 people from all over the country attended.
The Music Director Team consisted of Tony Alonso (USA), Fr Paul Kenny, Ian Callanan, Ciaran Coll, Karen O'Donovan, Sarah Waldron and Sharon Lyons. Other Tutors were Regina Deacy, Dominic Finn and Eoin Tierney on the organ.
This year had 'God Full of Mercy' as its focus and introduced the participants to both music and rituals that will be of use over the remainder of the Year of Mercy. The programme included a blend of contemporary and traditional choral pieces with emphasis on Psalms; Sacraments; Ritual and Music for the Liturgical Year in schools. The workshops provided opportunities to develop the skills of cantors, organists and instrumentalists in addition to parish choirs and folk groups. Optional Tutorials such as Choral Singing, Instruments at Prayer and Organ Tuition. The New Generation Youth Choir met each day, providing them with a special time and space to learn and explore explore new music and to pray.
The Summer School was officially opened and the liturgy to bless the Door of Mercy were presided over by Fr Turlough Baxter. Morning Prayer, Liturgy of the Word and Eucharist were celebrated over the course of the four days. Wednesday Evening's Liturgy of the Word to commemorate the 1916 Rising and the Battle of the Somme was presided over by Fr Danny Murphy, director of the National Centre for Liturgy. Bishop Francis, Bishop of Ardagh & Clonmacnois presided over Eucharist on Thursday, 7 July. Fr Paul Kenny presided on Friday, when a special commemoration was made to mark the death of Fr Jerry Threadgold and Grace Lyons who died March and June 2016 respectively.
20-25 June 2016
Jungmann Society
The International Jungmann Society for Jesuits and Liturgists held a congress in Dublin, 20-15 June 2016 on the theme: Made fully into a new creation: liturgy-reconciliation-justice. The congress at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra included a visit to Maynooth College, with Congress Euchairst and banquet. The Jungmann Society is an international professional association of Jesuits with academic training and expertise in liturgy and its allied arts. It has been founded as a response of the Society of Jesus to the Church's urgent call for a new evangelisation of the world's many different cultures through worship, scholarship and dialogue. Its goal is to promote the renewal of the Church's liturgical life as a central dimension of the Church's mission to preach gospel effectively in today's world. Andrew Cameron-Mowat, S.J. Farm Street, London is president of the Society.
Jungmann Society
The International Jungmann Society for Jesuits and Liturgists held a congress in Dublin, 20-15 June 2016 on the theme: Made fully into a new creation: liturgy-reconciliation-justice. The congress at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra included a visit to Maynooth College, with Congress Euchairst and banquet. The Jungmann Society is an international professional association of Jesuits with academic training and expertise in liturgy and its allied arts. It has been founded as a response of the Society of Jesus to the Church's urgent call for a new evangelisation of the world's many different cultures through worship, scholarship and dialogue. Its goal is to promote the renewal of the Church's liturgical life as a central dimension of the Church's mission to preach gospel effectively in today's world. Andrew Cameron-Mowat, S.J. Farm Street, London is president of the Society.
10 May 2016
End of Academic Year 2015-16
The National Centre for Liturgy celebrated the end of the academic year in its usual fashion with staff, students, past students and friends on Tuesday, 10 May: Evening Prayer in St Mary’s Oratory, followed with a recital by the Seminary Choir and a reception in Pugin Hall. The presider of the Evening Prayer was Fr Danny Murphy, director. The Psalms and Canticle were composed by John O’Keeffe and Moira Bergin. The repertoire for the recital comprised of compositions by Ronan McDonagh, Liam Lawton, John O’Keeffe, Peadar Ó Riada.
Fr Murphy thanked the students who had been on the liturgy programme and those who had enabled their studies at Maynooth. He thanked the work of Fr Liam Tracey, Sister Moira Bergin and the panel of twenty four lecturers who had conducted the programme over the past year.
End of Academic Year 2015-16
The National Centre for Liturgy celebrated the end of the academic year in its usual fashion with staff, students, past students and friends on Tuesday, 10 May: Evening Prayer in St Mary’s Oratory, followed with a recital by the Seminary Choir and a reception in Pugin Hall. The presider of the Evening Prayer was Fr Danny Murphy, director. The Psalms and Canticle were composed by John O’Keeffe and Moira Bergin. The repertoire for the recital comprised of compositions by Ronan McDonagh, Liam Lawton, John O’Keeffe, Peadar Ó Riada.
Fr Murphy thanked the students who had been on the liturgy programme and those who had enabled their studies at Maynooth. He thanked the work of Fr Liam Tracey, Sister Moira Bergin and the panel of twenty four lecturers who had conducted the programme over the past year.
26 March - Easter Vigil 2016
‘Fire, Word, Water, Food, substantially food — food with basin and towel — altogether these principal elements this holy night conceal, reveal, the eternal now — Jesus is risen. Christ is here!’
On 26 March 2016, students, staff and visitors of St Patrick’s College Maynooth celebrated in the College Chapel the Easter Vigil of the Resurrection of the Lord. The entire celebration was a feast for the senses; a fitting expression of the Church’s greatest and noblest of all solemnities. The presiding celebrant was Fr Danny Murphy, director of the National Centre for Liturgy. The whole assembly, including the choir, cantors, organist and instrumentalists, was under the musical direction of Dr John O Keeffe.
‘Fire safely burning cultivates community.
The fire of Christ, “this torch so precious”, is unquenchable.
It is ablaze when community, integration are advanced above individualism, ghettoization, neglect.’
On 26 March 2016, students, staff and visitors of St Patrick’s College Maynooth celebrated in the College Chapel the Easter Vigil of the Resurrection of the Lord. The entire celebration was a feast for the senses; a fitting expression of the Church’s greatest and noblest of all solemnities. The presiding celebrant was Fr Danny Murphy, director of the National Centre for Liturgy. The whole assembly, including the choir, cantors, organist and instrumentalists, was under the musical direction of Dr John O Keeffe.
‘Fire safely burning cultivates community.
The fire of Christ, “this torch so precious”, is unquenchable.
It is ablaze when community, integration are advanced above individualism, ghettoization, neglect.’
17 February 2016
Conference at St Mel’s Cathedral
The story of the restored St Mel’s Cathedral begins after the devastating fire of Christmas 2009 when Bishop Colm O’Reilly said, ‘We will restore it.’ The story was told at the Day for Artists and Architects, held in the crypt of the Cathedral on 17 February 2016, organised by the National Centre for Liturgy in association with the Advisory Committee on Sacred Art and Architecture. The conference was opened by Fr Danny Murphy, director of the National Centre and participants were welcomed by Bishop O’Reilly, bishop emeritus of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, and Brian Quinn, chair of the Advisory Committee.
Two artists gave illustrated accounts of their work in the Cathedral. Laura O’Hagan spoke about the octagonal mosaic surrounding Tom Glendon’s designed baptismal font. She also gave an account of her work on other mosaic floors, using mosaic salvaged from fire damage. Vicki Donovan, working with eminent artist Imogen Stuart, described her work as a silversmith on the tabernacle, and in collaboration with Colm Redmond, the lead architect of the restoration, on the sanctuary screen, aumbry for the sacred oils and the evangelarium. Alexander White, as chair of the art procurement committee, described the process of appointing the artists and the commissioning of their work. He paid tribute to the late Dr Richard Hurley, who as the original lead architect before his sudden death on 6 December 2011, had already presented the final part of his planned vision of the restoration and its works of art. The morning session included a paper on liturgical principles involved in church design by Fr Michael Gilroy, finishing with a short presentation on another modern cathedral, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, opened in 2002.
In the afternoon, the story of the overall restoration was presented, with vivid illustrations, by Colm Redmond, the lead architect, and Kevin Clancy, principal engineer. The construction of a temporary roof allowed the new roof to be placed under it, the twenty-eight limestone columns were replaced, and the intricate plasterwork begun and completed. Mention was made of the many firms and individuals involved in the restoration from its beginning until the reopening of the Cathedral at Christmas 2014. The restoration was enhanced by the new stained glass windows of Kim en Joong and James Scanlon, the Ruffati pipe organ, the restored Harry Clarke studio windows, the Stations of the Cross, the work of Ken Thompson and his son Matthew, and many other items of art.
Participants had the opportunity of talking with many of the artists in the Cathedral before the conference ended with a Service of the Word, with Bishop Francis Duffy presiding.
Conference at St Mel’s Cathedral
The story of the restored St Mel’s Cathedral begins after the devastating fire of Christmas 2009 when Bishop Colm O’Reilly said, ‘We will restore it.’ The story was told at the Day for Artists and Architects, held in the crypt of the Cathedral on 17 February 2016, organised by the National Centre for Liturgy in association with the Advisory Committee on Sacred Art and Architecture. The conference was opened by Fr Danny Murphy, director of the National Centre and participants were welcomed by Bishop O’Reilly, bishop emeritus of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, and Brian Quinn, chair of the Advisory Committee.
Two artists gave illustrated accounts of their work in the Cathedral. Laura O’Hagan spoke about the octagonal mosaic surrounding Tom Glendon’s designed baptismal font. She also gave an account of her work on other mosaic floors, using mosaic salvaged from fire damage. Vicki Donovan, working with eminent artist Imogen Stuart, described her work as a silversmith on the tabernacle, and in collaboration with Colm Redmond, the lead architect of the restoration, on the sanctuary screen, aumbry for the sacred oils and the evangelarium. Alexander White, as chair of the art procurement committee, described the process of appointing the artists and the commissioning of their work. He paid tribute to the late Dr Richard Hurley, who as the original lead architect before his sudden death on 6 December 2011, had already presented the final part of his planned vision of the restoration and its works of art. The morning session included a paper on liturgical principles involved in church design by Fr Michael Gilroy, finishing with a short presentation on another modern cathedral, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, opened in 2002.
In the afternoon, the story of the overall restoration was presented, with vivid illustrations, by Colm Redmond, the lead architect, and Kevin Clancy, principal engineer. The construction of a temporary roof allowed the new roof to be placed under it, the twenty-eight limestone columns were replaced, and the intricate plasterwork begun and completed. Mention was made of the many firms and individuals involved in the restoration from its beginning until the reopening of the Cathedral at Christmas 2014. The restoration was enhanced by the new stained glass windows of Kim en Joong and James Scanlon, the Ruffati pipe organ, the restored Harry Clarke studio windows, the Stations of the Cross, the work of Ken Thompson and his son Matthew, and many other items of art.
Participants had the opportunity of talking with many of the artists in the Cathedral before the conference ended with a Service of the Word, with Bishop Francis Duffy presiding.
1 February 2016
Second Semester Begins at the National Centre for Liturgy
The Second Semester of the academic year 2015-16 began on 1 February 2016, the feast of St Brigid. After class there was a celebration of the blessing of St Brigid's Crosses and Evening Prayer. The Evening Prayer was based on material from The Year in Ireland (Kevin Danaher). Saltair (ed. D. Forristal & P Ó Fiannachta), and the newly composed prayer for the feast in the National Calendar.
Fifteen students continue their studies for MTh, specialisation in liturgy, Higher Diploma, Diploma in Liturgy and audit. The students come from Sri Lanka, India, Nigeria and Ireland, a class of priests, religious, lay men and women.
Twelve students continue their first year taking the Diploma in Arts (Church Music) programme conducted by the Department of Music, Maynooth University in association with the National Centre for Liturgy. The liturgy component takes place at the Centre during the twelve weekend programme throughout the academic year.
Second Semester Begins at the National Centre for Liturgy
The Second Semester of the academic year 2015-16 began on 1 February 2016, the feast of St Brigid. After class there was a celebration of the blessing of St Brigid's Crosses and Evening Prayer. The Evening Prayer was based on material from The Year in Ireland (Kevin Danaher). Saltair (ed. D. Forristal & P Ó Fiannachta), and the newly composed prayer for the feast in the National Calendar.
Fifteen students continue their studies for MTh, specialisation in liturgy, Higher Diploma, Diploma in Liturgy and audit. The students come from Sri Lanka, India, Nigeria and Ireland, a class of priests, religious, lay men and women.
Twelve students continue their first year taking the Diploma in Arts (Church Music) programme conducted by the Department of Music, Maynooth University in association with the National Centre for Liturgy. The liturgy component takes place at the Centre during the twelve weekend programme throughout the academic year.
