The Theology of Celebration
(excerpts from the U.S. Bishop's document on "Music in Catholic Worship" )
1. We are Christians because through the Christian community we have met Jesus Christ, heard his word in invitation, and responded to him in faith. We gather at Mass that we may hear and express our faith again in this assembly and, by expressing it, renew and deepen it.
2. We do not come to meet Christ as if he were absent from the rest of our lives. We come together to deepen our awareness of, and commitment to, the action of his Spirit in the whole of our lives at every moment. We come together to acknowledge the love of God poured out among us in the work of the Spirit, to stand in awe and praise.
3. We are cerebrating when we involve ourselves meaningfully in the thoughts, words, songs, and gestures of the worshiping community—when everything we do is wholehearted and authentic for us—when we mean the words and want to do what is done.
4. People in love make signs of love, not only to express their love but also to deepen it. Love never expressed dies. Christians' love for Christ and for one another and Christians' faith in Christ and in one another must be expressed in the signs and symbols of celebration or they will die.
5. Celebrations need not fail, even on a particular Sunday when our feelings do not match the invitation of Christ and his Church to worship. Faith does not always permeate our feelings. But the signs and symbols of worship can give bodily expression to faith as we celebrate. Our own faith is stimulated. We become one with others whose faith is similarly expressed. We rise above our own feelings to respond to God in prayer.
6. Faith grows when it is well expressed in celebration. Good celebrations foster and nourish faith. Poor celebrations may weaken and destroy it. ...
The document then goes on to describe the work of planning for good liturgical celebrations.
LITURGY COMMISSION
St. Martin's Liturgy Commission is a group consisting of various liturgical ministers and parishioners established to create a vision for the prayer and worship of this community. The commission implements its vision by setting long and short range goals which include the education, prayer, and witness of the people of this parish. The vision is translated into liturgical action through the various committees of the Liturgy Commission.
The members of the Liturgy Commission are ministry coordinators and liaisons from various ministries in the parish, who meet monthly (on the third Mondays) except during July, August and December).
Commission Member |
Position |
|---|---|
Evelyn Ortiz |
Commission Chair |
Mario Cavazos |
Eucharistic Minister Coordinator |
Evelyn Ortiz |
Lector Coordinator |
Gerri Nedley |
Secretary/Lit. Environment liaison |
Edward Bellerive |
Usher Coordinator |
Yolanda Tawfik |
Altar Server Coordinator |
Lorraine Shepherd |
School Liaison |
Debbie Reuter |
Music Liaison |
Debbie Rishel |
Children's Programs Liaisons |
Judy Swazey |
Liturgy Director |
CONTACT INFO:
For more information about anything relating to liturgy at St. Martin's Parish or elsewhere, you can contact Judy Swazey, the Liturgy Director, at (408) 289-9614 (PLEASE NOTE NEW LITURGY OFFICE NUMBER). or by email at jswazey@stmartin.org
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