National Centre for Liturgy


                                                          Liturgy News and Views

8 November 2008

Conferring of degrees and diplomas in liturgy

At the conferral ceremony of the Pontifical University of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth on 8 November, five students of the Centre were conferred with the degree of Masters in Theology, specialising in liturgy by the chancellor, Cardinal Seán Brady:

-Nuala Dockry, Ballymote, Co Sligo and Ballsbridge, Dublin,

-Rosemary Lavelle, Firhouse, Dublin,

-Zuzana Mihalčíková, Kilcock, Co. Kildare,

-Fiona Minogue, Clondalkin, Dublin,

-Fr Koshy Vaidyan, Indian Orthodox Church at Church of St George and St Thomas, Dublin.

Three students who spent last year at the Centre received the Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy:

-Fr Joti Bilowalu, CM, St Vincent House of Formation, Samabula, Suva, Fiji,

-Martin Hanley, Galway,

-Seán Lawton, Tramore, Co. Waterford.

Sr Moira Bergin, Rosemary Lavelle, Zuzana Mihalčíková, Fr Koshy Vaidyan,

Nuala Dockry, Fiona Minogue, Sean Lawton, Fr. Patrick Jones

21 October 2008

Death of Fr Austin Flannery, OP

Fr Austin Flannery, OP died 21 October 2008, aged 83. As editor of Doctrine and Life and through Dominican Publications he introduced people to the documents of Vatican II. He published one of the first commentaries on the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and his collection Vatican II: Constitutions, Decrees, Declarations has become the standard English-language version, often cited simply as ‘Flannery.’

He had a life long interest in religious art. He introduced the work of the Korean Dominican artist, Kim En Long to Ireland and elsewhere. He was a member of the Advisory Committee on Sacred Art and Architecture from its establishment after Vatican II until 1984. During this time the first national directory on church building and reordering (now in its third edition as The Place of Worship) was published.

May he rest in peace.

7 October 2008

Liturgy and Law

Professor R. Kevin Seasoltz, OSB, St John’s Abbey, Collegeville, editor of Worship magazine, gave a special lecture on ‘liturgy and law’ at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth on 7 October 2008. The lecture was sponsored by the National Centre for Liturgy.

22 September 2008

New Year at Centre begins

Eleven students registered in the MTh programme in September 2008 –five in the first year and six continuing into the second year. Three students are taking the one year programme for the Higher Diploma/Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy with four more auditing as occasional students.

The Diploma in Arts (Church Music) course is conducted by the Department of Music, NUIM in association with the National Centre for Liturgy, as two-year part-time programme. Eight students graduated in September 2007. Twelve students are currently enrolled in the second year

16 September 2008

Worship in Our Cathedrals

Over sixty people, representing 22 of our 26 cathedrals, attended on seminar at Maynooth College on Tuesday, 16 September on ‘Worship in Our Cathedrals.’ Professor Gerard Gillen, chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Church Music, welcomed those taking part who included administrators of cathedrals, liturgy and music people of the cathedral and the diocese. The seminar, the first of its kind, was conducted under the auspices on the Advisory Committee on Church Music.

The day began with a celebration of Morning Prayer in St Mary’s Oratory. Dr John O’Keeffe, director of music at St Patrick’s College, arranged the celebration with music, as he explained, according to a formula that he had developed from the time that he was an organ scholar at Westminster Cathedral and from working in the seminary at Maynooth.

The opening paper on the ‘Cathedral as a Place of Worship’ was given by Dr Liam Tracey, osm, professor of liturgy at Maynooth College. He took as a key text the opening sentence from the chapter on cathedrals in the Ceremonial of Bishops: ‘The Cathedral church is the church that is the site of the Bishop’s cathedra or chair, the sign of his teaching office and pastoral power in the particular Church, and a sign also of the unity of believers in the faith that the Bishop proclaims as shepherd of the Lord’s flock.’

Benjamin Saunders, director of music for the diocese of Leeds was guest speaker. In the five years that he has been director, the diocese now has become the largest church music programme for young people in Britain. Ben is responsible for three choirs in the cathedral and over forty other choirs, including two youth choirs in Bradford, 21 primary school choirs and five secondary school choirs. The cathedral musicians –Ben and three other full-time staff and some part-time musicians- come in contact with 1500 to 2000 children each week. Contact through the Catholic schools was the key to this programme. When Episcopal and diocesan liturgies are celebrated outside of the cathedral, the choir is made up of the school choirs of the local area.

At the cathedral, there are ten sung services a week: Vespers and Mass are sung Sunday to Thursday. The services are sung on a rota basis by the choral scholars (18, boys and girls), the boys’ and girls’ choirs and other adults singers. The choirs combine for the special occasions.

The music used on the schools programme has a strong liturgical music repertoire, including much of the Latin tradition. This also has established a common diocesan repertoire, including Latin Mass XVIII and vernacular settings.

The new Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, was consecrated in 2002, the first major metropolitan cathedral of the Third Millennium. Fr Michael Gilroy, diocese of Killala, did a study of this cathedral as part of his doctoral work on liturgical space. He presented an illustrated paper on the new cathedral that serves as a ‘model for all parish churches’ in a diocese of 287 parishes and communities. Its design, art and furnishings reflect the cultural diversity of a city where Sunday Mass is celebrated in 42 different languages.

Time was given to discussion this gave several participants an opportunity to present aspects of the work of Irish cathedrals and set many issues that participants agreed could be the focus of future seminars.

15 September 2008

Day for RCIA Directors

A gathering of people with diocesan responsibility for RCIA took place at Maynooth on Monday, 15 September. The day was organised by a working committee of the Irish Commission for Liturgy: Jane Ferguson, Julie Kavanagh, Fr Patrick Jones, Fr Danny Murphy and Sr Moira Bergin.

The day offered an opportunity to see how RCIA is working in our dioceses and, though there is a great unevenness of practice and understanding, progress has been made and many good experiences were told during the day. Julie Kavanagh, at the beginning of the day, outlined the principles which make RCIA "the normative –and only- way that adults are ‘made Christian’ through the sacraments of initiation, baptism, confirmation and Eucharist."

Another feature of the day was a presentation of the story of one parish as told by a member of its RCIA team. Sr Olive Cullen, interviewed by Jane Ferguson, told how Mfoneo and Sawako journeyed from enquiry to Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil to mystagogy.

21 August 2008

Death of Fr Kevin Donovan

Fr Kevin Donovan, SJ died 21 August, aged 76. A member of the Society of Jesus for almost 60 years, Kevin taught liturgy at Heythrop College, London for almost four decades and had a long association with Sacred Heart parish in Wimbledon, South West London. He was well know as a disciple of Joseph Gelineau who died earlier this month. He had studied under Gelineau, worked in his parish and often acted as his English interpreter. As news of his death on the English Jesuit website noted, "he was an accomplished flautist, and, he was fluent in several languages, including Greek, Latin and Russian, was an enthusiastic jogger and a popular raconteur."

Kevin was the presenter of the annual May Seminar in 1975. He stressed the importance of music and encouraged the ministry of cantor. He highlighted the singing of acclamations and music noted for its simplicity of melody, repetition and strong rhythm. "Christian liturgy was born singing," he declared.

May he rest in peace.

8 August 2008

Death of Joseph Gelineau

Fr Joseph Gelineau, SJ, composer of the "Gelineau Psalms" died in Sallanches in the French Savoy Alps, on 8 August. He was aged 87 and had been a Jesuit for 67 years. He devoted his life to liturgy and its music and was renowned for his psalm tones, inspired by Gregorian Chant and first composed for the Bible de Jérusalem and later adopted for the Grail Psalter. He also wrote music for the Taizé community.

Requiescat in pace.

12th June, 2008

New National Commissions

At a meeting following the Episcopal Conference meeting in June 2008, the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy nominated new commissions for a term of three years. New members are noted by *

Irish Commission for Liturgy

*Sr Moira Bergin RSM, National Centre for Liturgy, Maynooth

*Fr Brendan Coffey, OSB, Glenstal Abbey, Co. Limerick

*Fr Peter Conaty, CSSp, Holy Ghost Provincialate, Dublin 6

*Ms Giovanna Feeley, Ashbourne, Co. Meath

Ms Jane Ferguson, Cappaghmore, Dublin 22

*Ms Colette Furlong, Chapelizod, Dublin 20

Fr Patrick Jones, National Centre for Liturgy, Maynooth

Ms Julie Kavanagh, Springhill, Carlow

Fr Hugh Kennedy, St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast

*Ms Rosemary Lavelle, Firhouse, Dublin 24

Fr Patrick McGoldrick, Moville, Co. Donegal

*Fr Damian McNeice, Archbishop’s House, Dublin

Fr Daniel Murphy, Castlelyons, Co. Cork

Canon John Terry, Kanturk, Co. Cork

Fr Liam Tracey, OSM, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth

Fr Tom Whelan, CSSp, Milltown Institute, Dublin

Advisory Committee on Church Music

Prof Gerard Gillen (chairperson), Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Sr Moira Bergin, RSM (secretary), National Centre for Liturgy, Maynooth

Fr Turlough Baxter, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim

Ms Regina Deacy, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Fr Patrick Jones, National Centre for Liturgy, Maynooth

Fr Paul Kenny, Francis Street, Dublin 8

*Ms Bernadette Kiely, Meelick, Co. Clare

Fr J Columba McCann, OSB, Glenstal Abbey

*Ms Deirdre Macklin, Ballinode, Co. Monaghan

Fr Pat O’Donoghue, Dublin Liturgy Office

*Dr John O’Keeffe, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth

Advisory Committee on Sacred Art and Architecture

Mr Alexander White (chairperson), Monkstown, Cork

Fr Patrick Jones (secretary), National Centre for Liturgy, Maynooth

Mr Kevin Clancy, Ennis Road, Limerick

* Cliodhna Bhean Cussen, Bóthar Bhinn Eadán, Baile Átha Cliath 13

Mr Tom Glendon, Ballybrack, Co. Dublin

*Fr Michael Gilroy, Newman Institute, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Fr Hugh Kennedy, St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast

*Mr John Lynch, Donoughmore, Co. Cork

Mr Paul O’Daly, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Dr Jacinta Prunty, CHF, Dept. of History, NUIM

Mr Brian Quinn, Belfast

Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge

An Mgr Pádraig Ó Fiannachta (cathaoirleach), An Daingean, Co. Chiarraí

An Can. Seán Terry (rúnaí), Cluain Uamhaí , Co. Chorca

*An Can. Micheál de Liostún, Naomh Mainchin, Luimneach

*An tAth. Micheál Mac Craith, OFM, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh

An Dr Próinséas Ní Chatháin, Baile Atha Cliath, 14

*An tAth. Pádraig Ó Baoighill, Na Doirí Beaga, Co. Dún na nGall

*An Dr Tadhg Ó Dúshláine, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Má Nuad

An Dr Cathal Ó Háinle, Coláiste na Trionóide, Baile Átha Cliath 2

*An tAth. Seán Ó Meachair, Ceatharlach

An Can. Tadhg Ó Moráin, Corr na Móna, Gaillimh

*An Dr Marie Whelton, Marino Institute of Education, Baile Átha Cliath 9

The Episcopal Commission expressed its gratitude to those who retired from membership:

Irish Commission for Liturgy: Sr Bríd Liston, FCJ, Fr Dermot Meehan, Fr J Columba McCann, OSB, Fr Edward McGee.

Advisory Committeee on Church Music: Mrs Nancy Long, Sr Perpetua McNulty, RSM.

Advisory Committee on Sacred Art and Architecture: Mr Eamon Hedderman, Bríd Bean Ní Rinn, Mr George Walsh.

Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge: an tAth. Seán Ó Duinn, OSB, an Mgr Micheál Ó Mainín, an tAth. Edmund Ó Cuilleanáinn, an tAth. Aoidh Mac Suibhne.

Gratitude was also extended to some members who had resigned in the past year:

Irish Commission for Liturgy: Dr Margaret Daly-Denton, Fr John Keating, OCarm.

Advisory Committee on Church Music: Máire Bean Ní Dhuibhir

Remembered in prayer are two members who died recently:

Fr Seán Collins, OFM who served on the Irish Commission for Liturgy (2005-2006) and an Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge (2005-2006), died on Christmas Eve 2007;

An tAthair Micheál Ó Meachair, MSC, who was a member of an Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge from 2002 until his sudden death on 1 November 2007.

Idir dhá láimh Chríost go raibh said.

4 June 2008

St Columba (Colum Cille) abbot and missionary, secondary patron of Ireland

Feast day: 9th June

St Columba, also known as Colum Cille, was born in Gartan, County Donegal in 521 and was of royal lineage. He studied under Finnian of Moville and Finnian of Clonard. He founded monasteries in Derry, Durrow, Iona and possibly Kells. From Iona, which became his principal foundation, missionaries undertook the conversion of Northumbria. Columba is noted for his great love for people and for all living creatures. He died in 597.

New Mass texts for the feast have been approved. They will be included in the full publication of the National Proper for Ireland. The texts draw inspiration from Columba's monastic life and from his departure from Ireland to establish a new foundation in Iona. He is said to have asked God for three things: virginity, wisdom and pilgrimage.

His joy, his delight in God’s creation and his reputation as a poet are also reflected in the texts, as are his dying words of advice to his community, that they preserve sincere charity and peace.

The Responsorial Psalm - Ps 33 (34) - is the text that he was transcribing just before his death, and the words of the verse of response, “Those who seek the Lord lack no blessing”, were the last that he wrote.

The final blessing is from an ancient blessing attributed to the saint.

The official texts may be found here or downloaded (in pdf format) here.

22 May 2008

Sing to the Lord

Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worshipis a new document from the United States Conference of Bishops. Issued in November 2007 it is a revision of the two documents, Music in Catholic Worship (1972/1983) and Liturgical Music Today (1982).

It is available electronically on www.usccb.org/liturgy/SingToTheLord.pdf

19 May 2008

End of Year at National Centre for Liturgy

The end of the academic year at the National Centre for Liturgy was marked in the customary way of Evening Prayer, Recital and Reception.

A packed St Mary’s oratory celebrated Evening Prayer, with the hymn Praise my soul, followed by psalmody by three Irish composers: Ps 84 –Roan McDonagh, Ps 137 –Margaret Daly-Denton, Rev 19 –John O’Keeffe and the Magnificat setting by Joseph Walsh. Referring to the reading Col 3:12-17, read in Irish, Fr Patrick Jones, who presided, said,

Our lives are to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and, above all, with love. But the list is still added to: forgiveness, thankfulness.

We continually try to shape our lives accordingly. And that thankfulness brings us to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God.

At this time of the year we are conscious of our investment in liturgy, God’s gift to us. For though our liturgy adds nothing to God’s greatness, it makes us grow in God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

The life of the God’s chosen ones must always include worship. Liturgy is for doing. We do liturgy -we glorify God and we are sanctified. It remains the summit and source of all our Christian activity. We also study liturgy. It is primary theology and we place it at the beginning, the centre, and the end of the study of theology.

This evening we celebrate our work conscious that St Paul says: agus bígí buíoch. Above all, we are thankful to God.

The intercessions were spoken in Fijian, Slovak, Malayalam, Burmese and Ibo, languages of the students.

Later, Fr Jones recalled the beginning of the Centre in April 1973 when the late Mgr Seán Swayne was appointed national secretary for liturgy and his untimely death on 4 May 1996. Idir dhá laimh Chríost go raibh sé. Also remembered was Fr Seán Collins. “Seán was national secretary and director of the Centre from 1986 to 1992. After that, most of his work was with his beloved Franciscan Order but he maintained strong links, through teaching when he was in Ireland, membership of national agencies and, above all, in friendship. Diagnosed with cancer he came back to Ireland last July. He died on Christmas Eve, aged 62. Sólás na bhFlaitheas dá anam dílis.

News of the death of Fr John Fitzsimmons had just been received. John had given the first class when the course first began on 30 September 1974. Also remembered was Fr Lucien Deiss, who gave the first and seventh May Liturgy Seminars and whose simple “Thanks be to God” ended Evening Prayer.

The recital this year was given by the Schola Cantorum, under the director of Mr Gerad Lillis, its director. The programme in voice –solo and choral- and instrument –organ, oboe, clarinet, flute and trumpet- by the student of the Schola Cantorum was much appreciated.

The evening concluded with a reception in the Crolly Room.

National Centre for Liturgy

The National Centre for Liturgy, St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co Kildare Email us at: liturgy@may.ie

The National Centre for Liturgy, St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co Kildare
Email us at: liturgy@may.ie