Liturgy - Mass Research Essay
Liturgy Assessment – Research Essay
1--Scenario: You are a teacher in a Catholic school and your principal has discovered parents of your students who do not take their children to Mass because they themselves “get nothing out of it.” These parents have been invited to an adult continuing education evening. You are to pastorally explain God’s Saving Plan and the place of the Eucharist within that Plan. The paper should be written in the style you would speak to them, but referenced appropriately. (Should be in first person voice) What is the Mysterion? What is Christ’s Paschal Mystery and how does the Eucharist participate in it and make present God’s saving plan? What is the role of members of the Church at Mass? You might find it useful to describe various parts of the Mass, which allow your listeners to see the Mysterion at work such as through the principle of lex orandi, lex credendi. You might also discuss why the Church encourages to individuals to go to Mass even if they don’t receive Holy Communion.
Ask a dozen Catholics and you will get a dozen answers explaining why they go to Mass1. Some answers will be good; others not so good. Each one of you here have different opinions, different traditions and hold certain beliefs that affect the way we think about ourselves, other people, the world around us, the Mass experience and what it means to you. There are many facets to the Mass, for some it may be a meal, for some it is a sacrifice. Others like to emphasise the community aspect and for some it is a deep personal prayer or the very essence of the coming together expressed in communion2. I am here to give an overview for people coming in touch with the church, perhaps for the first time, or refreshing their acquaintance with Catholic tradition. My hope is that through listening here tonight, I may touch your curiosity and help you find a warm welcome and satisfying environment in which your child can learn and grow in the long and
1--Scenario: You are a teacher in a Catholic school and your principal has discovered parents of your students who do not take their children to Mass because they themselves “get nothing out of it.” These parents have been invited to an adult continuing education evening. You are to pastorally explain God’s Saving Plan and the place of the Eucharist within that Plan. The paper should be written in the style you would speak to them, but referenced appropriately. (Should be in first person voice) What is the Mysterion? What is Christ’s Paschal Mystery and how does the Eucharist participate in it and make present God’s saving plan? What is the role of members of the Church at Mass? You might find it useful to describe various parts of the Mass, which allow your listeners to see the Mysterion at work such as through the principle of lex orandi, lex credendi. You might also discuss why the Church encourages to individuals to go to Mass even if they don’t receive Holy Communion.
Ask a dozen Catholics and you will get a dozen answers explaining why they go to Mass1. Some answers will be good; others not so good. Each one of you here have different opinions, different traditions and hold certain beliefs that affect the way we think about ourselves, other people, the world around us, the Mass experience and what it means to you. There are many facets to the Mass, for some it may be a meal, for some it is a sacrifice. Others like to emphasise the community aspect and for some it is a deep personal prayer or the very essence of the coming together expressed in communion2. I am here to give an overview for people coming in touch with the church, perhaps for the first time, or refreshing their acquaintance with Catholic tradition. My hope is that through listening here tonight, I may touch your curiosity and help you find a warm welcome and satisfying environment in which your child can learn and grow in the long and
Bibliography: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd edn. (Strathfield: St Paul’s Publications, 2004). Catholic Education Office, Primary Curriculum and Resources: Unit 3.7 Eucharist: Jesus Is With Us, (Sydney: Catholic Education Office, 2013), http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/Parents/Religion/RE/Pages/Primary.aspx (accessed on 14 October 2013). Doherty, Tony, A Friendly Guide to The Mass, (Mulgrave: John Garratt Publishing, 2010). Doherty, Tony, So You’re Sending Your Child to a Catholic School, (Mulgrave: John Garratt Publishing, 2008). Doherty, Tony, So You’re Working For The Catholic Church, (Mulgrave: John Garratt Publishing, 2008). Gooson, Gideon, Tomlinson, Margaret, Studying the Gospels an introduction, Revised Edition. (Sydney: HarperCollinsReligious, 1999). Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1966). Kreeft, P, You Can Understand the Bible, (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2005). New Catholic Encyclopaedia. 2nd edn, (Catholic University of America: Gale, 2003). Reverend Peter Klein, The Catholic Source Book, 3rd edn, (Florida: Harcourt Religion Publishers, 2000). Sister Moira Debono, Unpublished TH209 Lecture Notes, Week 3, (2013). Sister Moira Debono, Unpublished TH209 Lecture Notes, Week 7, (2013). Spadaro, Father Antonio, Interview with Pope Francis, 25 September 2013, http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/september/documents/papa-francesco_20130921_intervista-spadaro_en.html (Accessed 15 October 2013). Woods, Laurie, A Dictionary For Catholics, (Pymble: HarperCollinsPublishers, 1999).