SCHERERVILLE – Focusing on “the Eucharist as a mystery to be celebrated, believed and lived,” keynote speaker Father Michael S. Driscoll, led almost 200 liturgical ministers to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ at the annual Liturgical Conference ’23 hosted by the Diocese of Gary’s Office of Worship and Intercultural Ministry on Oct. 27-28 at St. Michael the Archangel.
He made a connection between “cult, creed and code” in explaining that how Christians pray shapes what they believe and how they act living in the world, noting that “Faith grows when it is well-expressed in celebration.”
While a “good liturgy” is often attributed to the quality of the homily and the music, Father Driscoll said, “We need to start with the people, who must be active participants.” The music ministry, for instance, “shouldn’t fall only on the shoulders of the musicians.”
“Like drama, music, dance and poetry, the liturgy needs to be choreographed” as another art form, he stressed, suggesting that “music can be used to tell the story” of the liturgy.
Pope Francis, noted Father Driscoll, said there is “an inseparable bond between, truth, goodness and beauty, following an earlier statement by Pope Benedict XVI that “The liturgy is inherently linked to beauty.”
Added Father Driscoll: “No one goes home (from Mass) humming the homily.”
The priest of the Diocese of Helena and professor emeritus in the Theology Department at the University of Notre Dame challenged the liturgical ministers to consider “What can you do to bring more art to your ministry?”
On Oct. 28, after Father Driscoll presented a second keynote, separate sessions were held for a variety of ministries, from Hospitality to Art and Environment, in English and Spanish, and attendees from many parishes compared notes at lunch.
In the Music Ministry session, diocesan leaders David Herr, Tina O’Drobinak and Allison Powell teamed up to explain how the musical component of liturgy needs to be welcoming, offer an invitation and include witness and testimony.
“We are here to be celebratory, to grow the faith of the assembly,” said Herr. “We are providing the spiritual warmth.”
Diane Boyle, a choir member at St. Michael the Archangel for almost 20 years, said she enjoys music ministry “because it inspires you and helps you with your faith. I came (to the conference) to renew and refresh my ministry and help my singing (so I can) spiritually affect the congregation. There is always room for improvement.”
For the first time, a session was offered specifically for deacons and diaconal candidates, presented by Father Julian Peters, OSB, a monk and priest of St. Meinrad Archabbey and director of the Institute for Priests and Presbyterates. “There are simple ways you can evangelize – holding open a door, being welcoming at a wedding rehearsal,” he reminded the deacons. “You don’t know what effect you can have on people.”
Deacon Joseph Stodola of St. Thomas More in Munster said he appreciated the diaconate session “because we are in continuing formation, learning who we are and what God wants us to do.
“Father Peters offered us specific ideas on how to be better at communication, being there and being present, sharing your concern,” Deacon Stodola said. “You may be the bridge that brings (someone) back to where they are supposed to be with God.”
At a renewal session for lectors, Dr. Steven R. Janco, associate professor and director of the Program for Music and Liturgy at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisc., asked his audience to think about their greatest reward and greatest challenge as they proclaim the Word of God.
He offered practical information to broaden their knowledge of their ministry, such as the “architecture” of the lectionary where the readings are found and how the readings are grouped.
On the Road to Emmaus, he noted, “The words of Christ had such an effect that ‘Our hearts were burning within us” according to Scripture. We believe the Word is proclaimed to have a meaning on our hearts.”
Alice Lewinski, a lector for 25 years at St. Michael the Archangel, considers her ministry “a way of praying and a personal Bible Study” that she practices in advance by not only reading the Scripture passages but commentary on their meaning. “I pray to the Holy Spirit to let the congregation hear what he means to convey in my words,” she added.
Madelyn Camacho of St. Bridget in Hobart said he favorite part of lecturing is “proclaiming the Word of God and looking at the reaction of the people as I am speaking,” and appreciated learning “more about where the terms and the readings come from through Dr. Janco’s explanation.”
Father Jeff Burton, pastor at St. John Bosco and St. Joseph, both in Hammond, and head of the Northlake Deanery, offered practical advice as well as inspiration in the renewal session for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
“The closeness and the way it focuses your attention on the purpose of the Mass” is what Marty Lucas, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Michael the Archangel, appreciates most.
“I love that we consume the Real Presence and that he is undiminished, and I love bringing that to our parishioners,” said Robert Ray of St. Bridget. “We have been talking about how to renew and bring people back to the Church through the Eucharist. That’s what it is all about, isn’t it?”
Caption: Music Ministry members (front row from left) Arlene Biocic, Lorna Nietzel, Mary Cusic and Jan Koble, all from St. Edward in Lowell, pair up to "share their story and their goals for their music ministry during their specific Liturgical Conference '23 session on Oct. 28 at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville. "We want to share our witness when we sing," explained co-presenter Allison Powell, director of music at St. John the Evangelist in St. John. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)