Catholic Identity 2011-2012

Tuned Into Worship . . . Broadcast to the World

In dialoging with our Pastor, Fr. Gunderson, the Religion Curriculum Team discussed the Austin Fleming Book, Preparing for Liturgy.  In the article, we were asked to consider three questions: Whom do we worship?  Why do we worship? and How do we worship?  With a focus on worship and the upcoming changes to the Roman Missal, our theme for this year will be: Tuned Into Worship . . . Broadcast to the World.

During each trimester, we will explore one of the three parts of the mass: the Introductory Rite, the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  Each month we will study the significance of each part and discuss the textual changes that may be found in the new Roman Missal, Third Edition.  Throughout the three trimesters, the development and expression of worship, personally, communally, and universally, will be woven into monthly discussions and activities. 

Because our church is rich in rituals as an outward demonstration of our prayer and worship, each trimester we will focus on a different form of prayer.  In the first trimester we will learn about and pray the rosary.  In the second trimester, we will explore the Canticles from the monastic tradion of prayer called the Liturgy of the Hours.  In the third trimester, we will pray the Stations of the Cross.

This year our class visual will be a radio and microphone, symbolizing our focus on personal and community worship and subsequent broadcast of our faith to the world.  Musical notes, depicting readings from the Advent and Lenten seasons, will be added to the display.

Trimester One: We will explore the Introductory Rite of the mass, focusing on the Greeting, Penitentional Act, and Gloria, with special notice of the changes found in the Roman Missal, Third Edition.  To support our understanding of these changes, we will study the scripture passages that inspire and inform these revisions.  Journal entries and activities will provide an opportunity for students to connect, extend, and broadcast their faith and worship. The ritual for this trimester is the rosary, a treasured prayer of the Catholic Church, that helps us to understand the mystery of Christ's life and to pray to him through Mary. 

Trimester Two: We will explore the Liturgy of the Word.  In general, the Liturgy of the Word will remain constant, because the Word of the Lord remains the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  In particular, we will focus on the changes in wording in the Nicene and Apostles Creed.  The ritual for this trimester will be the introduction of the Liturgy of the Hours, a form of prayer used extensively in a monastic setting, yet valuable for us as a means of worship.  It has formed part of the public worship of the Catholic Church since the earliest times of the Christian community.  This form of worship is a beautiful way for us to integrate prayer throughout the day.  It is an affirmation that we may encounter God's grace in our daily routines.  The Canticles of Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon are the core prayers from the Liturgy of the Hours that we will be introducing. 

Trimester Three: We will explore the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  In this part we recall the words and actions of Jesus at the Last Supper.  The bread and wine will become Jesus' Body and Blood.  In general, most of the changes to this part of the mass will be with the priest's part.  The ritual for this trimester is the Stations of the Cross which represent events from Jesus' passion, death and resurrection.  After Jesus' ascension into heaven, early Christians used to visit Jerusalem, where Jesus died, to walk in his footsteps.  They marked the places where they stopped so that others may follow.  These places became the Stations of the Cross.