The Office of Worship's primary purpose is to serve the Bishop of the Diocese, "the priestly leader of the diocese, ...he serves as presider at worship, as the moderator-promoter-custodian of the liturgical life of the diocese, and as a colleague with his fellow bishops".1
In serving the Bishop, the Office's functions are basically two-fold:
- Preparing and implementing all Diocesan liturgies; responsibly modeling liturgical practices called for in Vatican II's renewal of the liturgy; and,
- Serving as resource to all parishes, schools, and religious communities on matters of liturgy, prayer, sacraments and the RCIA, providing ongoing, comprehensive educational and spiritual formation programs in these areas.
Services provided by the Office of Worship:
Workshops on the Diocesan, Cluster and parish level on liturgical and
sacramental matters. Topics include planning for the liturgical seasons,
liturgical document series, liturgical ministry training and enrichment
(lectors, cantors, hospitality, ministers of care, eucharistic ministers
extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, presiders), liturgy team
training, RCIA team formation, sacramental programs, catechist formation,
etc.
Worship & Spirituality Commissions/Committees: The staff in the Office of
Worship helps to train worship and spirituality commissions and the
subcommittees of the commission. Staff is always available for assistance
with ongoing formation, evaluation of liturgies, or any other areas with
which commissions/committees are dealing.
Advanced Certificate Programs in Catechumenal and Liturgical Formation.
Coordination with Diaconate Program in liturgical formation of Candidates and current Deacons.
Active participant in the planning and implementing of annual training of Liturgical Ministries, a parish-oriented program of broad-based spiritual enrichment and specialized training for all ministries, with a special focus provided by our shared liturgical life.
Serving as Director and Secretary of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission which serves the Bishop as it examines and formulates proposals for diocesan liturgical programs and policies.
Ongoing consultation as needed, responding to the variety of written and telephoned inquiries from around the diocese regarding liturgical norms and practices.
1 Promoting Liturgical Renewal; Guidelines for Diocesan Liturgical Commissions and Office of Worship; Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, National Conference of Catholic Bishops. |
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