1

CHURCH OF THE DIVINE WORD

MARLEY GRANGE PARISH

LITURGY GROUP ANNUAL PLAN LITURGICAL YEAR 2016

2

ANNUAL PLAN LITURGICAL YEAR 2016.

Mission Statement:

“Our aim as members of the Divine Word Parish Liturgy Group is to improve and maintain the quality of worship during our liturgies; to ensure good energetic and meaningful celebrations; to encourage the full and active participation of the entire congregation; and to promote an increased understanding of worship in the Catholic Church” 1. INTRODUCTION

The Role and Tasks of the Liturgy Group are summarised as follows (see also Appendix 8 for composition and meeting schedule.) Role :

Plan and prepare the Liturgy for Sunday masses , for seasonal and occasional liturgies and for other liturgical events arranged at different times of the year and to involve, as appropriate, in the preparation of the services the other groups (e.g. Minsters of the Eucharist, Ministers of the Word, Choirs, Altar Servers, etc) directly participating in the Liturgy:

To assist and support other ministries and groups involved in the Liturgy;

To encourage all those who take part in the Church's Liturgies;

To welcome suggestions from parishioners;

To increase the participation of the faith community in the Liturgy and To contribute to the change in our Dublin and Irish church involving greater cooperation with the parishes next door.

3

Tasks.

To develop the Parish Liturgies including, as appropriate, Introduction and the Prayer of the Faithful for Sunday Masses; for Advent and Christmas Ceremonies; for Lent and Easter Ceremonies; for Healing Services in February and October; for Reconciliation Services during

Advent and Lent; for St Brigid's and St. Patrick’s Feast days, and for Special Events under the umbrella of the JUBILEE OF MERCY

–see 2.1 below - and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Appendix 1 summarises the Liturgical Calendar for 2016.

To promote the Gospel values of love, faith, justice and peace within the Parish and towards the wider world.

To assist, support, involve, as necessary, and give guidance to, as appropriate, the Ministers of the Word, Ministers of the Eucharist, Altar Servers, Storytelling Group (Children’s Liturgy), Communion, Confirmation, Baptismal, and Macalla Groups and Parish Funeral Team.

Liaise with, as appropriate, the various Music Choirs and Groups with a view to enhancing the use of Music in the various ceremonies.

To recruit and train members for the Group, including participation in, and feedback from, Diocesan Liturgy Seminars and other Liturgical Events as organised during the year.

To ensure full use of all available media in communications.

To develop and implement an annual plan and budget for the Group’s activities.

To develop formal liaison links with the Parish Pastoral Council and other Ministries and Groups.

To maintain a record (file) of Liturgies developed and used.

To keep members updated in Liturgical developments as required.

To implement the agreed management structure.

2. CHURCH YEAR 2016:

2.1. JUBILEE OF MERCY.

On March 13th 2015 Pope Francis announced an Extraordinary Jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy to commence on December 8th 2015.

Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought of how the Church may render more clear her mission to be a witness to mercy; and we have to make this journey. It is a journey which begins with spiritual conversion. Therefore, I have decided to announce an Extraordinary Jubilee which has at its centre the mercy of God. It will be a Holy Year of Mercy. We want to live in the light of the word of the Lord: “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (cf. Luke 6:36). And this especially applies to confessors! So much mercy!

4

This Holy Year will commence on the next Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and will conclude on Sunday, 20 November 2016, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and living face of the Father’s mercy. I entrust the organization of this Jubilee to the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, in order that it may come to life as a new step on the Church’s journey in her mission to bring the Gospel of mercy to each person.

I am confident that the whole Church, which is in such need of mercy for we are sinners, will be able to find in this Jubilee the joy of rediscovering and rendering fruitful God’s mercy, with which we are all called to give comfort to every man and every woman of our time. Do not forget that God forgives all, and God forgives always. Let us never tire of asking forgiveness. Let us henceforth entrust this Year to the Mother of Mercy, that she turn her gaze upon us and watch over our journey: our penitential journey, our year-long journey with an open heart, to receive the indulgence of God, to receive the mercy of God. The Jubilee Year will begin with the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, through which pilgrims are invited to enter. To enable the participation of everybody in this Jubilee of Mercy, Holy Doors will be opened in the Cathedrals in every Diocese in the world and in specially designated places.

The official website of the Jubilee of Mercy is: http://www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va

2.2 MAIN TASKS AND PROJECTS FOR 2016:

Parish Liturgies and, in particular, seeking opportunities to link with Diocesan initiatives during this Jubilee year as well as developing our own ceremonies also- e.g. Our Advent Reconciliation Service may be a good starting point.

Prayer of the Faithful. Special Events. Recruitment & Training. Communications/Liaison plan Special Projects:

Strengthening of Liaison with Other Groups and Ministries.

5

3. PARISH LITURGIES.

3.1 ADVENT/CHRISTMAS 2015.

Sunday, 29 November 2015 is the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of the Liturgical Year. –which this year follows Sunday Cycle C –primarily the Gospel of Luke. In our Catholic tradition the Gospel of John is read in Lent and Easter.

Advent is a time of spiritual preparation, both for the birth of Christ at Christmas and for His Second Coming, at the end of time. Over the centuries, the Church has developed Advent activities that help to keep us focused on renewing our spiritual life. (Advent Wreath, Jesse Tree, etc.). Each Sunday of Advent requires the preparation of an Introduction, involvement of parishioners to light the Candles on the Advent wreath and to place symbols on the Jesse Tree, the preparation of the Prayer of the Faithful, as well as appropriate notes for the missalette.

The Reconciliation Service also needs to be developed with appropriate publicity, leaflets for the Service prepared and printed, Music organised, and Roles in the Service assigned (Presider, Readers, Homily, Welcoming Ministers, etc.).

First Sunday of Advent (Sunday, November 29th, 2015. Advent Service – Monday 30th November 2015;

Second Sunday of Advent (Sunday, December 6th, 2015) Immaculate Conception (Tuesday, December 8th, 2015)

A Holy Day of Obligation and the beginning of the JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY.

Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) (Sunday, December 13th , 2015) Reconciliation Service – Monday 14th December 2015 .

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Sunday, December 20th, 2015)

Christmas Eve / Vigil Masses (Thursday, December 24th , 2015)

Christmas Day (Friday, December 25th , 2015)

The Epiphany of the Lord – Wednesday, January 6th, 2016. A Holy Day of Obligation.

6

3.2 LENT 2016.

Lent is a time of preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is a period of 40 days of repentance, with prayer, fasting and abstinence, and Confession/Reconciliation. Key dates for Lent in 2016 are:

Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, February 10th 2016) First Sunday of Lent (Sunday, Februry 14th , 2016) Second Sunday of Lent (Sunday, Februry 21st , 2016) Third Sunday of Lent (Sunday, February 28th, 2016) Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) (Sunday, March 6th, 2016) Fifth Sunday of Lent. (Sunday, March 13th , 2016) St. Patrick’s Day. (Thursday, March 17th , 2016) Passion/Palm Sunday (Sunday, March 20th, 2016) Reconciliation Service (Monday, March 21st, 2016)

Liturgies during Lent are focused on renewing the spiritual life of the faith community, are structured around the Trócaire Lenten Campaign and generally with a “Lenten Garden” constructed at the side of the sanctuary which tracks our journey through Lent with the Gospel and a Reflection displayed on each Sunday. This offers an opportunity for reflection and renewal, and stimulates awareness of relationships with ourselves, with others and with God. The approach for Lent 2016 will be decided and developed when planning these Liturgies.

3.3 EASTER TRIDUUM.

The Easter Triduum is the proper name for the three days that precede Easter Sunday. Starting with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday, continuing through the Good Friday services, and concluding with the start of the Easter Vigil on the evening of Holy Saturday . The Easter Triduum marks the most significant events of Holy Week (also known as Passiontide). The Days of the Easter Triduum are thus Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Holy Thursday, March 24th, 2016: 7.30 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by Adoration until midnight.

Good Friday, March 25th, 2016: 12 Noon. Stations of the Cross. 3.00 p.m. Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

8.00 p.m. Desolata - Meditation

7

Holy Saturday, March 26th

2016: 9.00 p.m. Easter Vigil (beginning in the Piazza)

Easter Sunday, March 27th

2016: 9.00 a.m, 10.30 a.m. and 12 noon Masses (No Evening Mass)

The detailed Liturgies for the Easter Triduum will be planned and developed by assigned sub-groups coming up to Easter 2016.

3.4 ST. BRIGID’S AND ST. PATRICK’S FEASTDAYS.

It is customary to honour these premier Saints of Ireland by the preparation and delivery of Liturgies to commemorate St Brigid’s Feast day on 1st February and St Patrick’s Day on 17th March. St Brigid of Kildare Virgin, abbess, inspirer, is known as the "Mary of the Gael" She founded Kildare Abbey, a double monastery, for nuns and monks, on the plains of Cill-Dara, "the church of the oak". As Abbess of this foundation she wielded considerable power. According to legend, St Mel, as he was blessing her inadvertently read the rite of consecration of a bishop and this could not be rescinded, under any circumstances. Brigid and her successor Abbesses at Kildare had an administrative authority equal to that of a Bishop until the Synod of Kells in 1152. She was renowned for her holiness and good works. This year the 1st February falls on a Monday. . St Patrick, the Patron saint of Ireland, was responsible for bringing the gift of Christianity to the Irish. Note: This year St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Thursday.

The focus is on thanking God for this gift of faith and for the life and example of both St. Patrick and St Brigid.

The detailed Liturgies for St. Brigid and St. Patrick will be planned and developed by assigned sub-groups nearer to these feast days

8

4.0 THE GENERAL INTERCESSIONS (“PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL”).

The Prayer of the Faithful are generally composed with the Liturgies written for the main seasons and feasts - Advent, Christmas time, Lent, Easter etc by the groups assigned to these tasks. For the Sundays in Ordinary time the task of writing the Prayer of the Faithful is assigned to an individual member of the Liturgy Group at the monthly meeting.

The assignee is responsible for producing the Prayer of the Faithful for the Sunday Masses in line with the criteria outlined above and forwarding them to the Parish Office before the Thursday of the previous week (or as otherwise requested by the Parish Secretary). The Rota for the Prayer of the Faithful will be communicated to the Parish Secretary, with a contact number provided, by copy of the Liturgy Group minutes.

APPENDIX 2 DETAILS THE PLAN REQUIREMENTS/PREPARATIONS FOR THE GENERAL INTERCESSIONS DURING THE LITURGICAL YEAR 2016 TOGETHER WITH A GUIDE TO AID IN THEIR PREPARATION.

5.0 SPECIAL EVENTS.

Special Events (e.g. Ecumenical/ Christian unity events, Healing Services in February and October, etc) arise during the year. The Liturgy Group’s involvement in these events will vary from an organising role to a participative and/or liaison role. Each of these events will be dealt with in advance at the monthly group meetings and resources and tasks assigned as appropriate. December 2016 is the 35th Anniversary of the DEDICATION OF OUR CHURCH (Church of the Divine Word) and June 2016 the 10th Anniversary of its REDEDICATION FOLLOWING ITS RENOVATION. We will commemorate these anniversaries as a Special Project – see 8 below.

6.0 RECRUITMENT & TRAINING.

The requirements for recruitment and training will be dealt with on an ongoing basis at the monthly meetings.

7.0 COMMUNICATIONS/LIAISON PLAN.

Developed and delivered on an “ad-hoc” basis during the year as decided at the monthly meetings.

8.0 Special Projects:

The need for “special projects” arising during the year will be dealt with on an ongoing basis.

9

10

APPENDIX 2.

ID NUMBER: 002-LY2016

PROJECT/TASK LEADER: Liturgy Group. ; SCHEDULED COMPLETION DATE: - Not later than Thursday prior to implementation

IMPLEMENTATION DATE(s): - As detailed

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES REQUIRED: Drafter to produce the “PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL” for each Sunday in ordinary time. INFORMATION SOURCES: Dublin Diocesan Liturgy website, Sunday Missal, Book of the Gospels, Internet, Association of Catholic Priests,

INTERCOM magazine (PRIMARY SOURCE), Trócaire Lenten resources, Attached Guide.

PROJECT/TASK DESCRIPTION:

THE GENERAL INTERCESSIONS (“PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL”).

11

GUIDE:

The General Intercessions (Prayer of the Faithful.) Introduction: The Liturgy of the Word concludes with a litany of intentions for prayer. Sometimes called Prayer of the Faithful or the Universal Prayer, the General Intercessions are an important aspect of the Mass.

Services: Requirements: Responsible for Delivery:

Liaison Requirements:

REMARKS:

1. Prayer of the Faithful from

January to November 2016 - as assigned.

.

Prayer of the Faithful to Parish Office

in advance of each Sunday in ordinary time.

Assignee.

- Parish Office.

See attached Guide.

12

In the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and offer prayers to God for the

salvation of all. It is fitting that such a prayer be included, as a rule, in Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that petitions will be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world

The sequence of intentions is normally: • for the needs of the Church; • for public authorities and the salvation of the world; • for those oppressed by any need; • for the local community.

Nevertheless, in a particular celebration, such as Confirmation, Marriage, or a Funeral, the series of intentions may reflect more closely the particular occasion.

“The intentions announced should be sober, composed freely though discreetly, and succinct, and should express the prayer of the entire community”

The presiding minister directs these prayers. After a brief introduction he invites the assembly to pray. Preferably, the intentions are announced by a Reader (Minister of the Word), or a member of the congregation. The actual prayer is “Lord, Hear Us” (or “We Pray to the Lord”) and the response “Lord, Graciously Hear Us” (or “Lord, Hear Our Prayer”) is prayed by the whole congregation, whilst standing. The intentions are announced from the ambo or from another suitable place.

Writing the General Intercessions As the petitions need to be attentive to the current needs of the world and the local community, the Intercessions for Mass are not to be found in the

ritual book. There are Books of Intercessions available and collections on the Internet (of varying quality). These may serve as models. The weekly task of writing intercessions for the Sunday Eucharist will generally be undertaken by a member of the Liturgy Group assigned for a

calendar month or by a group for special occasions. It is desirable to have a linkage to the scriptures of the day. Thus reading and prayerful reflection on the scriptures of the day are encouraged before

writing the Intercessions. The prayers must be capable of being owned and assented to by the whole assembly. That is, the assembly must be able to fully, consciously, and

actively want to pray for the petition being voiced. If they cannot honestly do this, it cannot genuinely be their petition. Shorter sentences and phrases, similar to a litany, have a movement and pace that makes the prayer almost like breathing, impelling us to reply: The structure of the intercessions should be consistent among all the petitions. Petitions usually take one of three forms: 1) “For _____.” 2) “That

_____.” 3) “For _____, that _____.” Whichever form is used, use it for all the petitions. Also, don’t change the congregation’s response every week.

13

Changing it too often, or even once in a while, just confuses people. If you want to use a different response, use that response for at least the whole liturgical season.

The Prayer of the Faithful are generally composed with the Liturgies written for the main seasons and feasts - Advent, Christmas Time, Lent, Easter etc

by the groups assigned to these tasks. For the Sundays in Ordinary time the task of writing the Prayer of the Faithful is assigned to an individual member of the Liturgy Group at the monthly meeting. The Liturgical Year is shown diagrammatically in the following:

The assignee is responsible for producing the Prayer of the Faithful for the Sunday Masses in line with the criteria outlined above and forwarding them to the Parish Office before the Thursday of the previous week (or as otherwise

requested by the Parish Secretary). The Rota for the production of the Prayer of the Faithful will be communicated to the Parish Secretary, with a contact number provided, by copy of the Liturgy Group minutes.

The Paschal Mystery of Christ unfolds in the course of the liturgical year.

symbols, music, words – scripture and texts, silence…

Colors of the Liturgical Year

Green - Ordinary Time

Violet - Advent & Lent, Mass for Life, Funerals (optional)

Red - Passion, Holy Spirit, Martyrs, Pentecost, Confirmation

White - Easter & Christmas, Feasts of Our Lord & non-

martyrs, Funerals (opt.) (o

Rose - 3rd Sunday of Advent and 4th Sunday of Lent (optional)

Black - Funerals (optional) Masses for the Dead and All Souls

(optional)

Prayer of the Faithful

14

STANDARD FORMAT FOR PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL.

PRESIDER: - Introduction.

READER:

1. “prayer” - (Pause for silent prayer.) Lord Hear Us. Lord Graciously Hear Us.

2. “prayer” - (Pause for silent prayer.) Lord Hear Us. Lord Graciously Hear Us. 3. “prayer” -(Pause for silent prayer.)

Lord Hear Us. Lord Graciously Hear Us 4. “prayer” - (Pause for silent prayer.) Lord Hear Us. Lord Graciously Hear Us. 5. “prayer” -(Pause for silent prayer.) Lord Hear Us. Lord Graciously Hear Us.

PRESIDER:

6. We pray for all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith (especially --------------------------- or alternative wording - (Pause for silent prayer.)

Lord Hear Us. Lord Graciously Hear Us. CONCLUSION:

Prayer of the Faithful – Sunday - date - . “xth ”SUNDAY “ in Lent/Ordinary time” etc.

15

APPENDIX 3. PARISH CALENDAR - MISCELLANEOUS DATES.

HEALING MASSES:

1. Sunday, 7th February 2016: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

2. Sunday, 2nd October 2016: Twenty- seventh Sunday in

Ordinary Time. FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH: - 10.00am. St. Peregrine OSM – Devotions and Mass of Healing.

DAYS OF PRAYER IN 2016.

World Day of Peace Wednesday, 1 January 2016

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity- 18th

January – 25th

January

2016.

World Day of Migrants and Refugees Sunday, 17th

January 2016

Catholic Schools Week - Sunday, 31st January – 6

th February 2016

World Day for Consecrated Life – 2nd

February 2016

World Day of the Sick Thursday, 11th

February 2016

World Day of Prayer is celebrated on March 04, 2016

Day of Prayer for Vocations Sunday, 17th

April 2016

World Communications Day Sunday, 8th

May 2016

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation -1st September 2016.

Mission Sunday, 23rd

October 2016.

(St Patrick’s Day (17 March 2016) is a Special Day of Prayer for Emigrants)

D.T.I.M Schedule.

Masses: 25th Oct, 2015. 22nd Nov, 2015. 13th Dec, 2015. 24th Jan. 2016. 21st Feb. 2016. 13th March. 2016. 10th April. 2016. 29th May. 2016.

Date for First Confession:

Wednesday, 24th February 2016 – subject to confirmation.

Date for First Communion:

Saturday, May 21st 2016.

CONFIRMATION.

Friday, April 15th 2016.

ALL SOULS REMEMBRANCE SERVICE 2016 - Monday 7th November 2016 – 8.00pm.

16

APPENDIX 4.

LITURGY GROUP MISSION, COMPOSITION & KEY TASKS.

The Mission Statement for the Liturgy Group is:

“Our aim as members of the Divine Word Parish Liturgy Group is to improve and maintain the quality of worship during our

liturgies; to ensure good energetic and meaningful celebrations; to encourage the full and active participation of the entire

congregation; and to promote an increased understanding of worship in the Catholic Church”

This Mission Statement provide the focus for the Liturgy Group’s efforts, articulate its values -service, integrity, faith, compassion-, its

vision –helping the faith community to grow in the spiritual life- and purpose -to promote an increased understanding of worship in the

Catholic Church and also as an effective tool for decision making and communication.

The Liturgy Group currently consists of the following members:

Fr. Jim Mulherin OSM, Libby Conway (Liaison Officer), Denis Higgins (Chairperson), Noel Keegan,

Alan McPartland, Nalini McPartland, Matt Murphy, Padraic O’Sullivan, Geraldine O’Keeffe, and Declan Scallan.

KEY TASKS.

Plan and prepare the Liturgy for Sunday masses , for seasonal and occasional liturgies and for other liturgical events arranged at

different times of the year;

To assist and support other ministries and groups involved in the Liturgy;

To encourage all those who take part in the Church's Liturgies;

To welcome suggestions from parishioners;

To increase the participation of the faith community in the liturgy and

To contribute to the change in our Dublin and Irish church involving greater cooperation with the parishes next door.

MEETING SCHEDULE.

The Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month, excepting summer months –

17

SCHEDULE OF LITURGY GROUP MEETINGS SEPTEMBER 2015 – JUNE 2016.

MEETINGS ARE ON SECOND WEDNESDAY AT 7.30PM IN PARISH CENTRE.

SEPTEMBER 9TH 2015 7.30PM PARISH CENTRE.

OCTOBER 14TH 2015 7.30PM PARISH CENTRE.

NOVEMBER 11TH 2015 7.30PM PARISH CENTRE.

DECEMBER 9TH 2015 7.30PM PARISH CENTRE.

JANUARY 13TH 2016 7.30PM PARISH CENTRE.

FEBRUARY 10TH 2016 7.30PM PARISH CENTRE.

MARCH 9TH 2016 7.30PM PARISH CENTRE.

APRIL 13TH 2016 7.30PM PARISH CENTRE.

MAY 11TH 2016 7.30PM PARISH CENTRE.

JUNE 8TH 2016 7.30PM PARISH CENTRE.