Formation for Liturgical Prayer
2003 Indianapolis, Indiana
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
Convener 2003
Convener: Gerald Chinchar, S.M. (campus minister for catechetical programs at the University of Dayton, part-time instructor in the Religious Studies Department)
Seminar Participants 2003
Seminar members: Stanislaus Campbell, F.S.C.; Gerald Chinchar, S.M.; Joseph Dougherty, F.S.C.; Peter Fink, S.J.; Jeremy Gallet, S.P.; Kenneth Hannon, O.M.I.; Donna Kelly, C.N.D.; Jeffrey Kemper; Theresa Koernke, I.H.M.; Jovian Lang, O.F.M.; Lawrence Madden, S.J.; Anne McGuire; Sharon McMillan, S.N.D. de N.; Scott O’Brien, O.P.; Roc O’Connor, S.J.; Sr. Mary Alice Piil, C.S.J.; and Joyce Ann Zimmerman, C.PP.S.
Visitors: Paul Colloton, O.P.; Patricia Hughes; David Lysik; Michael Prendergast; Patricia Sandall; Michael Woods, S.J.; Peter Zografos
Seminar Report 2003
This seminar has devoted itself to the work of breaking open the meaning of the paschal mystery in the various forms of liturgy. Most of the discussion, as indicated below, related to the paschal mystery. We also discussed a paper by Theresa Koernke on the issue of the language that is used in and around the liturgy
Papers
Jeffrey Kemper presented the first draft of a column entitled “Paschal Mystery and RCIA: Some Connections.” This paper helps the reader understand that initiation leads to living the paschal mystery; baptism alone is not the goal of RCIA. The evangelization component of the RCIA touches both those in the initiation stages and those already initiated; formation by the gospel message is for the whole Church, an on-going journey. Encountering the mystery by means of the rites leads the entire assembly to make choices for salvation leading them to change both thinking and behavior based on the gospel. Thus the purpose of the RCIA relates to the entire assembly (beginners and seasoned members) toward a transformation of consciousness and of disposition to living the self-giving of Jesus that is encountered in the liturgical acts.
Theresa Koernke presented a paper entitled “Shifting Language and Liturgical Catechesis” which addressed the ways language and uses of terms have shifted in the past thirty-five years, forcing us to try to articulate new ways of understanding and speaking about the realities we encounter in the celebration of the sacraments.
Other work of the seminar
Jeffrey Kemper also presented the outline of a proposed column entitled “Paschal Mystery and the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation.” This outline generated a lot of discussion. Out of this discussion ideas for three forthcoming columns were generated.
- Peter Fink will present a proposed column entitled “Christ Our Passover: Ecclesial Reality.” This column will address the issue of how we are a people drawn into Christ and how this this is an ongoing process even for those already initiated.
- Paul Collotin will present a proposed column entitled “Initiation IV—Paschal Mystery and the Sacraments of Initiation.” Among other issues this paper will address questions such as “What are the beliefs and values we are initiating into?” and “How does the symbolic action of the sacraments draw us into the life of grace?”
- Rodica Stoicoiu will present a proposed column relating the paschal mystery to eschatology.
Further, Anne McGuire will present two proposed columns: one on Holy Week (which she introduced to us at this meeting) and one on liturgical time, writing both columns from the point of view of connecting God’s people to the paschal mystery.
Two other columns are proposed for 2005: Peter Fink and Jeremy Gallet each writing on aspects of reconciliation.