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National Centre for Liturgy |
News and Views for 2006
31 December 2006
Death of Fr Eltin Griffin, O.Carm
Fr Eltin Griffin died 31 December 2006, aged 81. He was a leading figure in liturgical renewal in Ireland, working at Gort Muire from 1972 to 1982 and again for most of the years after 1988. Gort Muire became a centre of excellence and a school of formation in liturgy for many, priests, religious sisters, lay people and those who took part in its famous folk weekends. One of the best known retreat givers in Ireland –and elsewhere- Fr Eltin lectured on liturgy in various institutes over the years, including at the National Centre for Liturgy.
May he rest in peace.
18 December 2006
Visit of Bishop Thomas Mar Makarios
Bishop Makarios, senior metropolitan of the American diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church visited the Centre on 18 December 2006.
The American diocese includes Ireland. Fr Koshy Vaidyan, a student at the Centre, is priest in charge of the Church in Ireland. Bishop Makarios is professor of religious studies at Alma College in Michigan.
6th December, 2006
Guidelines for fees for Church musicians
The update of guidelines for fees for Church musicians for 2007 has been published jointly by the Advisory Committee on Church Music and the Church Music Committee of the Church of Ireland, Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.
Click here for the full statement.
15 November 2006
Annual Reports of National Commissions
The annual reports (dated 15 November 2006) placed before the Episcopal Conference for review at its December 2006 meeting and presented in summary to the meeting at Maynooth College on 15 November 2006 included: Episcopal Commission for Liturgy/Irish Commission for Liturgy/National Secretariat for Liturgy, National Centre for Liturgy, Advisory Committee on Sacred Art and Architecture, Advisory Committee on Church Music, Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge, Schola Cantorum and Irish Church Music Association
The meeting on 15 November 2006 was attended by the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy, members of the various commissions and agencies and representatives from eighteen dioceses. Bishop John Magee chaired the meeting. He opened the meeting with the prayer said at each session of Vatican II. In welcoming all to the meeting, he thanked the members of commissions for their work over the past year in the various aspects of liturgy, music, art and architecture, heritage and RCIA. He asked for a remembrance in prayer for those who have died since the last annual meeting including
Bishop John Magee chaired the meeting. He opened the meeting with the prayer said at each session of Vatican II. In welcoming those present, he also thanked members of commissions and the diocesan representatives for their work in the various aspects of liturgy, music, art and architecture, heritage and RCIA. He asked for a remembrance in prayer for those who have died since the last annual meeting including Fr Tom Egan, priest of the diocese of Kerry, gifted singer and composer. He lectured at the Liturgy Centre on Gregorian Chant from late 1970s to 1994, Sr Clare McGovern, sister of mercy, who taught at the Centre for a few years in the 1990s, Dr Arthur Gibney, architect and architectural historian, Mrs Frances Biggs, artist and Mr Jimmy Phelan who looked after the financial affairs of the Liturgy Centre when based in Carlow for over fifteen years.
ReportsDuring the day the annual reports were presented in summary form by Fr Patrick Jones (Episcopal Commission for Liturgy/Irish Commission for Liturgy/National Secretariat for Liturgy), Sr Moira Bergin (National Centre for Liturgy), Prof. Gerard Gillen (Advisory Committee on Church Music), Mr Gerard Lillis (Schola Cantorum), Fr Paul Kenny (Irish Church Music Association), Dr Jacinta Prunty (Advisory Committee on Sacred Art and Architecture) and an Canónach Tadhg Ó Moráin (Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge). Additional reports were given by Mr Alex White (St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh and the refusal of planning permission by an Bord Pleanála) and Fr Patrick Jones (RCIA). Brief reports were also given by Fr Daniel Murphy (publication of The Word of God in Cloyne), Mr Pádraig McIntyre (funeral booklets in Kerry), Fr Andrew McKenzie and Canon Donald MacKay (national liturgy commission, Scotland).
Canon Ricky Rountree gave a report on the current work of the Church of Ireland Liturgical Advisory Committee.
Special presentations
Fr Brendan Leahy gave a presentation of worship and some of the new situations and people coming to live in Ireland, in particular, Orthodox Christians, Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches, and the Islamic faith and worship.Fr Martin Delaney and Ms Maeve Mahon gave a presentation o n theDo this in memory programme.
Bishop John McAreavey gave a major presentation on the English translation of the Missale Romanum.
Issues and events
Celebrating the Mystery of Faith, prepared by the National Centre for Liturgy and formally launched at last year's annual meeting has proved to be a very useful guide to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
The translation of the Missale Romanum, 3rd edition, is a priority for ICEL and an Coiste Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge.
The "grey book" edition of the English translation of Ordo Missae, dated January 2006, was approved by the Conference in October 2006, with several adaptations and textual amendments as proposed by the Irish Commission for Liturgy. The "green book" edition, of The Proper of Seasons was received by the Conference in April 2006. A response, based on the submission from the Irish Commission for Liturgy, was forwarded to ICEL in June 2006. Two further "green book" segments, Ordo Missae II (dated January 2006) and The Proper of Saints (January-June) and the Commons (dated July 2006) have been received from ICEL.
The pastoral issues on a new translation of the Missale Romanum have to be addressed: the changes in the people's parts, the possible loss of a music repertoire, the new style of language, etc.
The difficulty in providing liturgical texts in Irish and the failure to receive the recognitio of the Congregation for Divine Worship remains a major issue.
The decision of An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for the liturgical reordering of St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh is a matter of grave concern. However, it is noted that the process of applying for permission was carefully and professionally conducted by the bishop and diocese, including the involvement of the Historic Churches Advisory Committee and the following of Architectural Heritage Protection guidelines. It is also noted that the Board accepts the necessity of liturgical reordering of churches, though rejecting a particular design plan for this cathedral.
New arrangements at the Schola Cantorum have been put in place enabling students from outside the Mullingar area to receive accommodation grants.
A statement on the remuneration of church musicians, issued through the Advisory Committee on Church Music, has been widely welcomed. Its annual update is agreed by the Advisory Committee and the Church Music Committee of the Church of Ireland dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.
A successful summer school of the Irish Church Music Association took place in July, with Mr Andrew Mackriell as guest director at very short notice because of the illness of Mr David Saint.
A successful year was reported by the National Centre for Liturgy, including the Diploma/Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy and the M.Th. in liturgy programmes. A one day a week course in pastoral liturgy is being conducted on 20 Mondays.
RCIA and aspects of Christian initiation should be reviewed as a matter of urgency. Each diocese should have a director of RCIA.
Liturgical formation requires a pro-active promotion at national and diocesan levels.
18 September 2006
New academic year begins
The new academic year begins in September and the Centre is busy with a number of programmes.
The One Year Course in Pastoral Liturgy, established in September 1974, continues at Maynooth. The course offers the Diploma/Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy and also serves as the first year of the liturgy specialisation for the degree of M.Th.
Ten students registered in the M.Th. programme in September 2006 –three in the first year and seven continuing into the second year. Five students are taking the one year programme for the Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy while two are taking the programme for the Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy.
Since 2004 a pastoral liturgy and ministry course over twenty Mondays (morning and afternoon) has been conducted at the Centre. Thirteen students are taking the course this year.
The Centre is associated with the Armagh Diocesan Liturgy Commission in an eight night course in pastoral liturgy at the Synod Hall, St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, which takes place October-December 2006. It is also associated with the Dublin Diocesan Liturgy Resource Centre in a twelve night introduction to liturgy course in the Bray and Wicklow deaneries.
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 are continuing their second year this year.
1 September 2006
Churches must be churches
This article written by Patrick Jones was published, slightly edited, as the “Rite & Reason” column in The Irish Times, 3 July 2006. It is also reprinted in the summer issue of New Liturgy and the September issue 2006 issue of Intercom. It argues that a design plan that expresses the liturgy of Vatican II must have overriding weight. In the case of planning situations, as required under the Planning and Development Act, the guidelines produced by the Department of the Environment and accepted by the Churches, remain the best way forward.
Guidelines best way forward
For a church listed in the Record of Protected Structures, the law calls on planning authorities to “respect liturgical requirements” regarding declarations and planning applications. A commentary by officials of the Department at the time of drafting the Planning and Development Act 2000 stated that “respect” carried a note of “heavy obligation,” stronger than the usual “due regard.”
The best way of maintaining a historic church is to maintain it as a church, as a place for today's worshippers, a place of living worship. This must be our common concern.
7 July 2006
Church music summer school
The 37th annual summer school of the Irish Church Music Association was held at Maynooth, 3-7 July 2006. About 250 people took part.The summer school was opened by Colin Mawby, the renowned composer and choral director. The theme of this year's summer school was "Listen to the Living Word of God." David Saint, who was to have been guest director, was unable to travel because of illness. His place as director of the general rehearsals and special choir was ably taken by Andrew Mackriell. Tom Kendzia, a professional liturgical musician for over 20 years and currently director of music ministries at Christ the King Church, Kingston, Rhode Island, made a return visit to Ireland and presented workshops on parish and contemporary music.6 July 2006Three collections of liturgical music launchedA new edition of Responsorial Psalms for Sundays and Major Feast Days by the late Fintan O'Carroll was launched at the beginning of this year's Irish Church Music Association's summer school. First published in 1984, the collection has been very popular and the new edition contains some extra materials, including some additional psalms tones and the entrance song for the Mass of the Annunciation, Praise the Lord, all you nations, based on psalms 116 and 95.The new edition is a tribute to the legacy of wonderful liturgical music given to the Church by Fintan O'Carroll, who died 25 years ago on 16 July 1981.Also launched on the same occasion was Remain with Us, Lord, a collection of Eucharistic hymns from the competition organised by the ICMA to mark the Year of Eucharist last year.
I Sing for Joy, a collection of music from the RTÉ Radio 1 Church Music Competitions was launched on 6 July during the summer school. The music by Irish composers comes from two competitions organised by RTÉ Radio 1 in 1997 and 2001. Two Mass settings are included, Mass of Thanksgiving by Bernard Sexton and A Celtic Mass by Sue Furlong, as well settings for other Mass parts. Fourteen psalms are set to music as well as several hymns, anthems and motets. The book, edited by Paul Kenny in association with Mary Curtin of RTÉ, is published by the Columba Press. An accompaniment book is available. The music is also available on CD on the RTÉ website.
15 June 2006
St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh.
The following statement was issued by the Episcopal Conference on 15 June 2006 after the meeting:
The decision of An Bord Pleanála regarding St Colman's Cathedral, CobhThe Bishops' Conference has noted with grave disappointment and concern the decision of An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for the liturgical reordering of the Sanctuary of St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh.
The direction and order of the Board to refuse planning permission is being studied. The extensive report of the Board's Inspector, who conducted the oral hearing (28 February, 1-2 March 2006), and who recommended approval for planning, is also being studied.
23 May 2006
End of Academic YearThe 32nd academic year at the Centre ended in the customary way: Evening Prayer, recital and reception. At Evening Prayer on 23 May 2006 in St Mary's oratory, Maynooth College, the reading was 2 Timothy 1:6-11: Guard the good treasure entrusted to you. Fr Patrick Jones, who presided, said:
If the American novelist Annie Dillard was here to welcome you, along with the necessary leaflet, she might have given you a life jacket, some flares and then given you instructions about strapping yourself into your chair. Worship is a dangerous activity for she says, "the sleeping god may wake someday and take offence, or the waking god may draw us out to where we can never return."Liturgy is dangerous memory because it celebrates the story of one "who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." We are called to live that gospel light. The gift given us is to give testimony to the Risen Lord. Yet the most important way of ensuring that the memory is kept alive is to take part in worship.Small wonder we say legem credendi lex statuat supplicandi. While our faith does shape worship, even more so, let the rule of worship determine our belief.
Therefore we must promote liturgy in every way possible -its celebration for liturgy well celebrated is our best pastoral care. And its study. It is not another theological subject, it is the most important theology. For the Church's common worship, its public prayer, is the norm of belief. Our liturgy is certainly a good treasure entrusted to us that we must guard.
After Evening Prayer, the Maynooth University Chamber Choir, under the direction of David Connolly, gave a recital of chant and motets. In thanking the Choir for a superb recital, Fr Jones also thanked members of the panel of lecturers. He said, "Let me mention three former lecturers who died during the past year and who were remembered at Evening Prayer: Vincent Ryan, monk of Glenstal, who lectured with us from the beginning, Tim O'Connor, priest of the diocese of Ossory, who lectured with us for 15 years, and John Paterson, former dean of Christ Church Cathedral, who was with us each year from the late 70s until 1997. May they rest in peace."The tenth anniversary of the late Mgr Seán Swayne was noted. Idir dhá laimh Chríost go raibh sé. Fr Jones said, "In our ten years here we have consolidated his work –as a liturgy centre and a liturgy secretariat. We are lucky with the space we have. I think that we have succeeded in making it a place of study, welcome, prayer, reflection and hospitality."He thanked the students, on the one year programme, the two year Masters programme (18 have received this degree in liturgy since first conferred in 2002), the pastoral liturgy and ministry group on the twenty Mondays course and the every second Saturday students of the Diploma in Church Music, a course of the Department of Music, NUIM with which the Centre is associated.The work of fellow staff members was acknowledged: "Liam Tracey, who, as well as being professor of liturgy, has taken so much responsibility for the Masters programme. And Moira Bergin, who does so much to enable us to celebrate well the liturgy but who also does so much to ensure that liturgy continues after the liturgy."
A reception concluded the End of Year celebration.
2 May 2006
A Remembrance at Today's Mass
Today is the 10th anniversary of the death of Mgr Seán Swayne. He died on 2 May 1996, one week short of his 63rd birthday. He made a remarkable contribution to liturgy over 30 years.
After ordination in 1957 and serving for 9 years as curate in Naas parish, Seán studied liturgy in Paris. He loved the tradition of Catholic worship but always desired a liturgy ever new. Quoting the Book of Revelation, he wrote, "Our liturgy is a new liturgy of the Christian dispensation which keeps the Church ever young and fresh and beautiful as a bride." He spent his life working for the renewal of worship as revised by Vatican II.
Seán was appointed national secretary for liturgy in 1973. It was for him an opportunity to work for the renewal of liturgy which the Council called "the summit and source of our Christian activity." He established the Liturgy Centre; its courses and programmes of liturgical formation still continue today. He saw the Centre as a place of study, reflection, welcome, hospitality and celebration. We maintain it like that today.
Being a priest was important to Seán. He was proud to be a priest and hurt by the scandals in the Church. Being a priest meant visiting the sick, encouraging young people, burying the dead, praying with people. He believed what the great liturgist Jungmann said: the liturgy well celebrated is our best pastoral care. That is how he is remembered from his days in Naas and his ten years as parish priest of Graignamangh.
Diagnosed as seriously ill in February 1996, Seán spoke of death openly. He said that he did not fear death –he feared dying. He fought and waited until Easter to die. Easter was his favourite time. He knew that the joy of Easter is intimately linked with suffering and death –with Christ's, his own, our own.
Idir dhá láimh Chríost go raibh sé. - Patrick Jones
22 April 2006
Music and Liturgy of the Medieval Irish Church was the topic of an interdisciplinary symposium conducted by the Department of Music, NUI Maynooth and the Faculty of Theology, St Patrick's College, Maynooth in association with the National Centre for Liturgy and the Society for Musicology in Ireland. It took place at Maynooth on Saturday 22 April 2006. The symposium began with an overview of research by Dr Anne Buckley, Department of Music, NUIM and was followed by a keynote paper by Professor Jean-Michel Picard, U.C.D. Scholars from U.S.A., Scotland, Wales as well as Ireland, including Professor Liam Tracey, staff member of the National Centre for Liturgy, contributed to the symposium. The event concluded with a recital of plainchant from Irish manuscripts and a reception at the National Centre for Liturgy.
Easter 2006
Christ is risen, Alleluia.
He is risen indeed, Alleluia
□ □ □
Each year Easter marks a 'turning point' in our daily living. The darkness of evenings gives way to the brightness of setting suns, nature itself takes on a refreshing aspect with its colours and sounds and outdoor activities speak of a healthy life-style that is uplifting and invigorating. The freshness of new life and the prospects of the summer months are reflected in our personal encounters and conversations. Yes, a 'turning point' has been reached.
This Easter we all need to experience a 'turning point' in our personal lives. We have been weighed down by so much 'bad news' recently that we need to be able to breathe again the oxygen of the 'Good News'. We need to believe that there is 'Good News' for all of us. We need to believe that, despite the infidelities and abuses, the violence and the wars, there is the 'Good News' of forgiveness, healing and love. Easter is that 'Good News', that 'turning point' from death to life, from hate to love, from sin to grace.
As we set out on our Lenten journey we were reminded of the appeal God continues to make to each one of us: "Come back to me with all your heart, for I am all tenderness and compassion" (Joel. 2: 12-13). This 'coming back' is the 'turning point' to which we are called this Easter, rising above our doubts and fears, our weaknesses and frailties through the grace of the Resurrection. We are invited to live the new Life won for us on the Cross and to walk in newness of life in the Risen Christ.May this Easter celebration bring about a change in all hearts, a healing of all hurts and a cessation of all violence so that truly the 'Good News' of salvation may be experienced by all mankind and the Kingdom of God on earth may permeate the realities of our daily living.+John MageeBishop of Cloyne
Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy
17 March 2006
Lá le Pádraig
A Thiarna,
trí shaothar Naomh Pádraig in Éirinn
admhaímid rúndiamhair an aon fhíor-Dhia amháin
agus tugaimid ár mbuíochas as ár slánú I gCríost.
Deonaigh go gcoinneoimidne, a cheiliúrann an fhéile seo,
tine an chreidimh, a d'adhain sé, beo I gcónaí inár measc.
Sin é ár nguí chugat trínár d'iarna íosa Chríost do Mhac,
a mhaireann agis a rialaíonn leatsa,
mar aon leis an Spiorad Naomh, ina Dhia,
trí shaol na saol.
Amen.
10 March 2006
Are we caring for those with coeliac condition?
"Let me return to this question once again and in particular asking what arrangements are in place for those who coeliac condition to receive Communion. This condition affects many people, possibly as high as one in 200 in Ireland. Simply put, this condition is an intolerance of gluten and, therefore, raises the difficulty for people receiving Communion in the breads or hosts usually used. For some, the simplest solution is the provision of low-gluten hosts (sometimes mistakenly called ‘gluten-free') –but this is only for those who are able to tolerate some gluten.
"I know of two suppliers of low gluten hosts in this country. They are: Altar Bread Supplies Ltd., Northside Community Enterprises, Sunbeam Park, Millfield, Cork (telephone 021-4300227) and Kathleen Thornton, c/o Blessed Sacrament Chapel, 20 Bachelors Walk, Dublin 1 (telephone 01-8724597).
"For those who cannot take these hosts, the provision of the chalice is the answer, making sure that it does not contain any particle of bread, e.g. from the small piece placed in the chalice by the priest or from Communion by intinction. As often said, if Communion under both kinds were more common, this solution would be quite easy for everyone, including visitors. Some churches have placed notices which indicate that people with a coeliac condition are welcome to receive from the chalice at any Mass and are invited to come forward to a certain place."
(reprinted form the Liturgy Page in the November 2005 issue of Intercom)
24 February 2006
Survey of Artists
The Advisory Committee on Church Art and Architecture is engaged on a survey of artists and their liturgical and religious work. Some of the data collected will be placed on this website, enabling people to know the artists who are contributing to liturgy through their art in various media.
Artists engaged in this area are invited to be part of this survey through applying for the introductory information material from Dr Jacinta Prunty, Department of Modern History, NUIM, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Some years ago the Advisory Committee conducted a survey on 20th century churches. The total built in the parishes of Ireland amounted to 902. Of these 443 (49.11%) were built in the period after Vatican II's Liturgy Constitution, that is, between 1964 and 2000. These include 89 churches in Dublin diocese, 65 in Down and Connor, 29 in Derry, 20 in each of three diocese: Tuam, Meath and Killaloe.
30 January 2006
Second Semester at Liturgy Centre
The second semester at the National Centre for Liturgy begins Monday, 30 January. Six students are registered for first year Masters in Theology, specialising in liturgy; three more are taking the course for the year, as a Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy (2) or Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy. One student is auditing the course.
Fourteen students are taking part in the course in liturgy and ministry conducted on 20 Mondays, morning and afternoon.