LITURGY MATTERS: Advent’s Coming
Let me declare my prejudices right up front. I LOVE ADVENT! I love the readings. I love the focus on hope and promise. I love the lessons on waiting. I am already getting excited. I have this fantasy of taking Advent off, of withdrawing from the end of year rat race and immersing myself in the season. Maybe next year! Because of the beauty and wonder of Advent it is worth us taking some time to plan ahead so our celebration will shape us and prepare us for Christmas.
LITURGY MATTERS: Reflecting on the Gathering Song at Mass
Diana Macalintal, who with Nick Wagner co-facilitated our recent RCIA Workshop day was one of the keynote speakers at the Australian Pastoral Musicians Network Conference in Melbourne. In the following article Diana considers the nature and purpose of the Gathering Song at mass. Enjoy reading and reflecting on the liturgical wisdom and pastoral suggestions offered.
Liturgy Matters: October 19 - What a wonderful day! Fanning the Flame of RCIA Workshop Day
Well here we are on the other side of Saturday October 19, our RCIA workshop day with Nick Wagner and Diana Macalintal. About 75 people participated from across the diocese and from a range of ministries concerned with Initiation. What a wonderful day we had. It feels like a watershed moment that has indeed contributed to fanning the flame of RCIA in our Church of Maitland-Newcastle. What follows are some beginning reflections.
LITURGY MATTERS: Australian Pastoral Musicians Network Conference 2019 - Reflecting on a wonderful experience
Eight members of the diocesan community participated in the recent Australian Pastoral Musicians Network Conference in Melbourne. It was the fourth national APMN conference and the second one I have been to. It was a wonderful experience: full of faith, energy, insight, fun, networking, singing, prayer and liturgy, new and old friends, conversation and good ideas. While it targets musicians, it is for all who love and participate in liturgy. If you missed it, you missed a most enriching experience. Today I am reflecting on some of the highlights. I hope what follows offers something for you and your community to ponder.
LITURGY MATTERS: Introducing Nick Wagner - Book Review: 'Field Hospital Catechesis: The Core Content for RCIA Formation'
Last week, with a few other members of the diocesan community, I participated in the Australian Pastoral Musicians Network Conference in Melbourne. It was wonderful. I shall tell you more about it another time. There we met Nick Wagner and Diana Macalintal who are facilitating our Diocesan RCIA Workshop Day on October 19. They are as excited about coming here as we are about hosting them. Today I would like to introduce you to Nick via Fr. Andrew’s review of one of his recent books. The review is also a great introduction to our Workshop Day. October 19 is an opportunity for anyone who is Catholic to seize. It is about who we are and how we live. Read on and then ‘come and see!’!
LITURGY MATTERS: Preparing for October 19 RCIA Workshop Day - Let’s get ready! Let’s get set! So we’re good to go!
It is a bit more than two weeks to our Diocesan RCIA Workshop Day with Nick Wagner and Diana Macalintal. As the clock counts down and excitement grows, Nick and Diana have sent some ‘homework’ for us to do in advance. This will ensure we get the most out of the day. So… set aside a bit of time, make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, sit down and engage with the following resources. It will whet your appetite for 10 October.
LITURGY MATTERS: 'Introducing Diana Macalintal - Book Review: Your Parish Is the Curriculum - RCIA in the Midst of the Community'
It is less than a month to our Diocesan RCIA Workshop Day with Nick Wagner and Diana Macalintal. October 19 is the day to be at Hamilton to be part our diocesan wide move to Fan the Flame of RCIA. Nick and Diana are already in the country working in a variety of dioceses. Today I would like to introduce you to Diana via Fr. Andrew’s review of one of her recent books. What follows is a great introduction to Diana and our day on Oct 19.
LITURGY MATTERS: Perpetual Day of Remembrance review - An opportunity to provide feedback on what you did
It is important that we take time to review our experience of how as a Church, we marked the Perpetual Day of Remembrance. We have already received some helpful feedback and some people have sent in ideas and resources for next year. If you used any of the resources, including those for individuals and households, we would like to hear your reflections. Please click here to complete a simple evaluation by September 27. Thank you in advance.