Lay-Led Liturgy:
Over the past number of years, we have witnessed significant growth in lay participation in the church’s ministerial life. In the 1960s, lay readers or Ministers of the Word (Lectors) were introduced. This was followed in the 1980s by the introduction of the office of the Ministers of the Eucharist.
We now have a new ministry to add to these. It is the Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion. It is a Lay-Led Liturgy. Over the past few months, parishes across the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly have participated in a formation course to enable them to lead a liturgy in the absence of a priest.
I am very grateful to those who have trained for this new role. I ask people in our parish who will experience this new ministry over the coming weeks and months to welcome the new lay Lay-Led Ministry Team and to prayerfully support them in their work.
This ministry has already been introduced in other dioceses throughout Ireland. There are fewer priests available now. As we move forward, we need to prepare for a time when, even if priests are not available, each parish will be ready to arrange moments of public prayer for various occasions. No parish should find itself in a position where it is not prepared for such a possibility.
In the parish of Moycarkey/Two-Mile Borris/Littleton, the Lay-Led Ministry team comprises men and women who are trained as Ministers of the Word (Lectors) or Ministers of the Eucharist. The team will lead a Lay-Led Liturgy in our three Churches once every month.
The Lay-Led Liturgy is composed of five sections:
The Gathering Rite – Opening Hymn and announcements.
The Introductory Rites – Sign of the Cross, Greeting, Introductory Remarks, Opening Rite, Confiteor, Gloria (omitted during Advent or Lent)]
The Liturgy of the Word – First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel Acclamation, Gospel Reading, Reflection on the Readings, Profession of Faith, Prayers of the Faithful.
The Rite of Distribution of Communion – The Lord’s Prayer. Distribution of Holy Communion. Silent Individual Prayer, Prayer After Communion.
Concluding Rites – Announcements, Blessing, Dismissal, Concluding Hymn.
‘The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the font from which all her power flows. For the aim and object of apostolic works is that all who are made sons of God by faith and baptism should come together to praise God in the midst of His Church, to take part in the sacrifice, and to eat the Lord’s supper.’ – Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10.
Lay-Led Liturgy:
Churches: Dates: Time
Our Lady & St. Kevin, Littleton: 1st Monday 9 am
St. James’ Two-Mile Borris: 2nd Monday 10.00 am
St. Peter’s Moycarkey: 4th Monday 10.00 am
Liturgies to commence on Monday, 2/3/2026.
Lay Led Liturgy Team
Mary Hillery 087-4407935
Donnacha Commins 087-7913785
Margaret Carignan 087-6526526
Rita Dee 086-0587066
Helena Mullaney 086-1667162
Peter O’Brien 087-0549438
NB: Where a Monday is a Holy Day of Obligation, Mass will be celebrated, with the Lay Minister acting as Minister of the Word.
Parishioners who have attended formation gatherings will lead the prayer services, using agreed resources available in parishes or downloaded from the website of the diocese of Limerick. The resources include a full service for Tuesday, including readings and questions to help the participants explore the readings in more depth.
“Our Diocesan Synod last year strongly encouraged this,” Bishop Leahy told the Limerick Leader. “As we move forward, we need to prepare for a time when, even though priests are not available, each local community will be prepared to arrange for moments of public prayer for various occasions.”
He said that “No parish should find itself in a position where it is not prepared for such a possibility so it makes sense for us to begin right now.”
Lay Led Liturgy:
This initiative aims to support parishes with fewer priests, fostering greater, active participation of the laity in the Church’s life.
Key Aspects of Lay-Led Liturgies in Clogher
- Funeral Ministry: Initiated by Bishop Larry Duffy, trained laypeople (40 in the first cohort) are authorized to lead the liturgy of reception for the deceased and the rite of committal.
- Weekday Services: Training for lay-led weekday liturgies, supported by the Diocesan Liturgy Commission and resources like ‘It Is Good For Us To Be Here’ (Veritas), is being implemented, with pilot programs in areas like Aghalurcher Parish.
- Purpose: This shift is framed as a response to the baptismal calling to serve, rather than solely a reaction to the declining number of priests, aimed at fostering a more synodal, participatory Church.
- Support: The initiative involves ongoing formation, training, and public commissioning of volunteers.
rayer for those in Ministry Loving God, strengthen and sustain all those who minister in our churches; that with patience and understanding they may love and care for your people; and grant that together they may follow Jesus Christ, offering to you their gifts and talents; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lay Ministry in the Synodal Pathway In both the Diocesan and National reports there is a calling for greater involvement of the laity. “Throughout the submissions, we heard similar calls that lay people, should be involved in other more significant leadership and teaching roles … not just because it will take some burden off the priest, but because it is part of each person’s mission as a baptised Catholic.” S
Lay liturgy: ‘You miss Communion. You have to have a slice of bread’
Apart from that reservation, the laity who went priest-less in Limerick were enthused
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Lay ministers at St. John’s Cathedral offered a liturgy of the Word and public morning prayers for regular mass-goers in the city as no mass was available on Tuesday morning in the entire diocese of Limerick. Video: Brian Gavin/Press 22
David Raleigh
Tue Apr 25 2017 – 17:37
About 150 lay people replaced priests on altars on Tuesday morning across the Catholic diocese of Limerick for the first time in its 900-year history.
The entirely lay-led Liturgy of the Word morning church events took place in the diocese’s 60 parishes, as every serving priest in the diocese attended a clergy conference with Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy, to discuss, among other things, a more inclusive church fractured by abuse scandals.
Masses took place later, on Tuesday evening, in three parishes.
The practice of lay-led liturgy ceremonies are commonplace in other European countries, but Tuesday marked the first time it involved an entire diocese in Ireland.
Each service saw lay ministers lead congregations in 20-25 minutes of prayer and hymns. The sacrament of Communion was not permitted, as no priest was present.
The seeds of change in the church began at 10am at the 158-year-old St John’s Cathedral in Limerick city. As the church bell sounded, the 200-strong congregation stood up from their seats. But, instead of a male priest presiding from the altar, as has been the norm for more than a century and a half, three local women appeared in front of the marble and alabaster table to lead the congregation.
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It was a “proud” moment for all three.
“I love every block, and brick, and blade of grass here,” said Caroline McDonagh (55), who was now helping to lead her congregation in their faith from the same altar where she was baptised.
It was an honour to be asked to do it . . . and the reaction we got from the congregation, with a round of applause at the end, I think, said it all
Along with her fellow lay leaders and Eucharistic ministers, Sharon Collopy and Trish Kennedy, she returned the applause the three women received from their fellow parishioners afterwards.
“It was an honour to be asked to do it . . . and the reaction we got from the congregation, with a round of applause at the end, I think, said it all,” said McDonagh.
They were “nervous” ahead of their task, but “pleased” that their roles were “met with such approval”.
Time for female priests?
No one in the all-female trilogy would go so far as to give their blessing for female priests.
“I’d rather not get into that one at the moment, to be honest. I’m just very happy that, as a lay minister, I’m fulfilling what I need to do at the moment,” McDonagh said.
Could she see a day when lay people would fill the entire role of priests, saying Mass, serving Communion and hearing Confessions? “I don’t. But, again, you never know. The day might come, but I don’t think it will in my lifetime.”
Whatever we can do to support the priests, we are very happy to do it
For Collopy, it was “a privilege to be part of it”. She felt no pressure to perform the role of a priest but also said “it is important for us to be here to support the priests, and for me being a woman, being part of this morning’s liturgy, isn’t it wonderful I can be here within my own role – as a woman, as a layperson – who is here to support the priest and support the community?”
Ms Kennedy (52), a Eucharistic minister of 25 years, agreed. “Whatever we can do to support the priests, we are very happy to do it.”
However, Kennedy believed the congregation missed receiving the Eucharist.
“They are so used to coming to their daily Mass and having Communion every day, [so] it would have been very strange for them. But, I’m sure that, going forward, there will be a case where you could have a daily liturgy where we won’t have Communion, so unfortunately it’s something that is going to happen down the line.”
Missing Communion
The majority of the congregation, a mix of middle-aged and older people, did indeed miss holy Communion. One of the longest-serving parishioners, Mary Reale, who also performed a Gospel reading, felt the liturgy was “beautiful . . . but there’s nothing on earth that would replace the holy Mass”.
She described the downturn in priest numbers as a “wake-up call” for the church. We need more vocations; we’ll have to pray hard.”
Jonny Brennan, Ger Cowhey and Salvador Slattery after the service. Photograph: Brian Gavin/Press 22
Dominick Lipper (81) was in agreement: “It was lovely, but you miss the Mass, in particular going up to get holy Communion.”
John Brennan (67) didn’t miss the presence of a priest. “It was excellent, a change from the ordinary Mass . . . We still prayed. You miss holy Communion all right; you have to have a slice of bread.”
Often the priest goes on too long too. I prefer the short sermon, about 10 minutes
Ger Cowhey, (85), favoured a “traditionalist” Mass format. “I liked that, but I’d rather have the priest. There was no man there preaching . . . What does that say?” However, he was still impressed with Tuesday’s format, and quipped: “I’ll come again. It might not be my thing, but I’ll go along with it.”
Salvador Slattery (78) was undecided on the “strange” in-service. “Yes I liked it, it was strange . . . but, I suppose it’s going to be [the] thing down the line. You miss the Communion, the body and blood of Christ, and the priest. Often the priest goes on too long, too. I prefer the short sermon, about 10 minutes.”
A diocesan spokesperson said “there are 108 Limerick diocesan priests; 73 are in active ministry, 65 of those in parishes (eight in non-parish roles) and 35 are retired”.
Speaking on Limerick’s Live 95FM, Bishop Leahy acknowledged Catholics “will feel the pain of not having the Mass”, but he said he expected more lay-led services becoming the norm into the future.
“This is a step that we know we have to start moving into. It’s a first step and a small step; it’s not going to happen every week. It’s a first step to training for the future.”
Back to the future in Limerick diocese
By Susan Gately – 22 April, 2017
Bishop Brendan Leahy
All over the world, when priests are not available, the Liturgy of the Word is celebrated in parishes without the distribution of Communion. “We are, in many respects, going back to the future, as not that long ago people would attend weekly Mass without receiving Communion, which was largely a sacrament received only occasionally,” the Bishop of Limerick has said.
Bishop Brendan Leahy was answering questions in relation to an initiative next Tuesday which will see the laity gather to pray in parishes all over the diocese of Limerick while their priests meet together with Bishop Leahy for a clergy conference.
On Tuesday 25 April every parish in Limerick diocese has been asked to host a lay-led liturgy, without the distribution of Holy Communion. Formation and resources have been offered to all parishes via the diocesan website so that “everyone is included in this moment”.
The website explains that in every diocese lay people already lead a ‘ministry of public prayer’ – such as “family prayer (Grace before meals), personal or group prayer (pilgrimage, prayer group or devotional prayers) and public prayer (the Rosary before Mass, Adoration)”.
At the diocesan synod, it continues, “the people of this diocese asked that every parish would support and develop local leadership, to lead public prayers and liturgies, so that every parish can say with confidence, ‘When we needed to gather together and pray, we were able to.’”
Every parish will now have a clear group which offers a Ministry of Public Prayer, it continues, including liturgy when a priest cannot celebrate weekday Mass in the parish – “but each parish group will be different, according to the resources and needs of the parish itself”.
Bishop Leahy said that Communion will not be distributed on Tuesday next, though he stressed that this does not mean it will never be distributed at future lay-led liturgies. It is believed to be the first time a Catholic diocese in Ireland will be without Mass for a day.
The diocese has appealed to people to support the prayer leaders “by joining prayerfully with them on April 25th – in person if possible or through your prayers at home or work that morning”.
Meeting of Church Synod for Limerick Diocese
Parishioners who have attended formation gatherings will lead the prayer services, using agreed resources available in parishes or downloaded from the website of the diocese of Limerick. The resources include a full service for Tuesday, including readings and questions to help the participants explore the readings in more depth.
“Our Diocesan Synod last year strongly encouraged this,” Bishop Leahy told the Limerick Leader. “As we move forward, we need to prepare for a time when, even though priests are not available, each local community will be prepared to arrange for moments of public prayer for various occasions.”
He said that “No parish should find itself in a position where it is not prepared for such a possibility so it makes sense for us to begin right now.”
Lay led Liturgy:
Provisional List of Leaders:
Moycarkey:
Frank O’Regan June Doherty Ann Marie Greene
Michelle Flanagan Mary Kinane Edel Costello
Margaret Carignan Pat Hogan Philip Kinane
Rita Dee Gerard O’Hara
Two-Mile Borris:
Donnacha Commins Patricia Commins Mary McKenna
Bridget Kirwan Catherine McCormack Martha Fitzpatrick
Margaret Cantwell Helena Mullaney Catherine Hayes
Littleton:
Mary Hillery Emma Hayes Sheila O’Brien
Ellen Cass Peter O’Brien Thomas Bracken
Lay-Led Liturgy Team:
May 7th/14th 2025:
Littleton Church:
Moycarkey/Two-Mile Borris/Littleton Parish:
Mary Hillery 087-4407935
Donnacha Commins 087-7913785
Margaret Carignan 087-6526526
Rita Dee 086-0587066
Helena Mullaney 086-1667162
Peter O’Brien 087-0549438
Sheila O’Brien 086-4081792
Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion:
This Liturgy will replace the daily Masses on Wednesdays, May 7th and May 14th, at 9 a.m. in Our Lady and St. Kevin’s Church, Littleton. It will be led by a Minister of the Word and a Minister of the Eucharist.
Lay-led Liturgies:
Moycarkey:
12 liturgies.
1 per month.
6 in the morning.
6 in the evening.
Two-Mile Borris:
12 liturgies.
1 per month.
6 in the morning (Third Monday at 10 am)
6 in the evening (Wednesday at 7 pm)
Littleton:
2 liturgies per month (on the First and last Monday at 9 am).
Lay-led Liturgy:
Glanmire Parish has started making provision for lay-led liturgies one day a week.
These services are led by a lay minister, with 15-20 minutes of prayers, readings, and, where possible, hymns.
The lay-led liturgy occurs at St Joseph’s on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. A similar service will be introduced at St Michael’s in 2022.
Where a Wednesday is a special day of devotion in the Church, e.g., Ash Wednesday or a Holy Day of Obligation, Mass will be celebrated, with the lay minister acting as Minister of the Word and delivering the reflection at this Mass.
Lay- Led Liturgy: St. Joseph’s Church, Glanmire.
Every Wednesday at 10 am.
Outline:
Introduction
I Confess
Readings:
Reading of the day and Gospel of the day.
Homily:
Bidding Prayers
Our Father
Memorare -Month of May
NO Communion distributed
Concluding Hymn
Prayer Service when we cannot attend Mass:
Introduction:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
“In truth I tell you once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I am there among them.”
(Matthew: 18:19-20)
As you light a candle pray:
Lord Jesus, you came as a light that shines in darkness and a light that darkness cannot overpower. Enlighten our hearts and minds to your presence in our midst.
Act of Penance:
For the times when we have failed to love God and to love each other
we ask for God’s forgiveness.
Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.
We pray. (pause for Silent Prayer)
Almighty and merciful God look with compassion on our concerns,
and so lighten your children’s burden and confirm our faith that we
may always trust without hesitation in your fatherly providence.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God
for ever and ever. Amen
God’s Word:
A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 4:17,20-24.
I want to urge you, in the name of the Lord, not to go on living the aimless kind of life that pagans live. Now, that is hardly the way you had learned from Christ unless you failed to hear him properly when you were taught what the truth is in Jesus. You must give up your old way of life and put aside your old self, which gets corrupted by following illusory desires. Your mind must be renewed by a spiritual revolution so that you can put on the new self that has been created in God’s way, in the goodness and holiness of the truth.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm:
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters, he leads me to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along what he knows to be right.
If I walk in the darkness, no evil would I fear.
I know he will be there, with his crook and staff.
The Lord has prepared such a banquet for me.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow after me.
I shall dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life. (Psalm 23)
A Reading from the Gospel According to Matthew (Mt 11:26-29)
“At that time, Jesus exclaimed, I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven, and
of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and
revealing them to little children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased
you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father, and no
one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father
except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give
you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is
easy and my burden light.'”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
(Pause for a moment of silent reflection on the Gospel)
Intercessions;
We bring our needs and prayers before our heavenly Father.
We pray for our world at this time (pause for silent prayer)
Lord, grant healing and comfort to those who are sick at this time.
We pray for all who work in our health care system, carers at home, and clergy working with those sick. (pause)
Lord, protect them and strengthen them as they care in your name.
We pray for our civil leaders (pause)
Lord, inspire them to make wise decisions these days.
We pray for our scientists (pause)
Lord, enlighten them as they work to understand what is happening – guide their work as they strive to find ways to treat and protect us.
We pray for those who are anxious in these days (pause)
Lord, ease their fears and grant them the consolation of your presence.
We pray for our families and friends – name those you wish to pray
for – Lord protect and care for them.
We pray for a spirit of charity among our fellow citizens (pause)
Lord, at this time of national crisis, help the people of Ireland to be generous and look out for and care for each other.
We pause to pray for our own private intentions (name your intentions in silence)
Lord, hear my prayer.
Father, we ask you to hear these our prayers and, if it be your will to
answer them, for we make them in faith and trust, through Christ our
Lord, Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father …
While we cannot receive communion at this time, we can make an act of Spiritual Communion, in which we express our faith in Jesus and in his
presence in the Eucharist and invite him to unite himself with us.
Act of Spiritual Communion: (St Alphonsus de Liguori)
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things and desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly with you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
(pause for silent prayer)
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine,
all praise and thanksgiving be every moment thine!
Concluding Prayer:
Let us pray (pause for silent prayer)
Merciful Lord,
You know the anguish of the sorrowful,
you are attentive to the prayers of the humble.
Hear your people who cry out to you in their need,
and strengthen their hope in your lasting goodness;
we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayer of Blessing:
The Lord bless us and keep us;
The Lord make his face shine on us and be gracious to us;
The Lord turns his face toward us and gives us his peace both now and forever. Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lay Led Liturgy:
The Lay Led Liturgy is composed of five sections:
- The Gathering Rite – Opening Hymn and Announcements
- The Introductory Rites – Opening Hymn, Sign of the Cross, Greeting, Introductory Remarks, Opening Rite [choose one of: Sprinkling of Holy Water during Easter, Confiteor, Sung Kyrie, Litany of Praise, Gloria (never during Advent or Lent)]
- The Liturgy of the Word – Procession of the Word, First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel Acclamation, Gospel Reading, Reflection on the Readings, Profession of Faith, Prayers of the Faithful, Proclamation of Praise, Sign of Peace
- The Rite of Distribution of Communion – Bringing the previously consecrated Blessed Sacrament to the Altar, The Lord’s Prayer followed without pause by the Concluding Doxology, Distribution of Communion, Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Silent Individual Prayer, Prayer After Communion.
- Concluding Rites – Announcements, Collection, Blessing, Dismissal, Concluding Hymn.
Nothing proper only to the Mass, particularly the presentation of the gifts, and the Eucharistic Prayer is inserted into the celebration. The texts for the prayers and readings are taken from the Roman Missal, the Sacramentary, and the Lectionary for Mass. The layperson who leads the assembly acts as one among equals and does not use words that are proper only for ordained ministers such as priests or deacons. He or she does not use the ‘presidential chair’ but a chair positioned outside the sanctuary. Since only a priest or deacon may give a homily, a lay person may only read a Reflection on the Readings prepared previously by the priest. Since the altar is the table of sacrifice, its only use during a lay-led liturgy is when the Blessed Sacrament is placed on it before distribution to the faithful.
Lay Led Liturgy
The Lay Led Liturgy is composed of five sections; the Gathering Rite, the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the Rite of Distribution of Communion, and the Concluding Rites. Nothing that is proper only to the Mass, particularly the presentation of the gifts, and the Eucharistic Prayer is inserted into the celebration. The texts for the prayers and readings are taken from the Roman Missal, the Sacramentary, and the Lectionary for Mass. The lay person who leads the assembly acts as one among equals and does not use words proper only to ordained ministers such as priests or deacons. He or she does not use the ‘presidential chair’, but a chair positioned outside the sanctuary. Since only a priest or deacon may give a homily, a lay person may only read a Reflection on the Readings prepared previously by the priest. Since the altar is the table of sacrifice, its only use during a lay led liturgy is when the Blessed Sacrament is placed on it prior to distribution to the faithful.
- Gathering Rite – Gathering Hymn and Announcements
- Introductory Rites – Opening Hymn, Sign of the Cross, Greeting, Introductory Remarks, Opening Rite [choose one of: Sprinkling of Holy Water during Easter, Confiteor, Sung Kyrie, Litany of Praise, Gloria (never during Advent or Lent)]
- Liturgy of the Word – Procession of the Word, First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel Acclamation, Gospel Reading, Reflection on the Readings, Profession of Faith, Prayers of the Faithful, Proclamation of Praise, Sign of Peace
- Rite of Distribution of Communion – Bringing the previously consecrated Blessed Sacrament to the Altar, The Lord’s Prayer followed wihout pause by the Concluding Doxology, Distribution of Communion, Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Silent Individual Prayer, Prayer After Communion
- Concluding Rites – Announcements, Collection, Blessing, Dismissal, Departure Hymn
LAY-LED WEEKDAY LITURGIES – PROGRESS REPORT
July 18, 2019
Clogher Diocesan Liturgy Commission
Progress Report from the Subcommittee on Lay Led Liturgies
Background:
In Clogher Diocese there has been a growing awareness that it timely for us to give active consideration to making provision for Lay-Led Liturgies on weekdays. Bishop Larry Duffy encouraged the Diocesan Liturgy Commission (DLC) to move forward with its plans to offer a workshop to explore the mood across the Diocese and to promote a guided reflection. The workshops were held on 26 and 27 February and drew some 140 people in all. The mood was positive and the participants engaged very warmly in the process. The closing Liturgy of the Word (Lay Led) was very well received. This report wants to honour the contribution of those who attended the workshops and to indicate some initial steps to move things forward.
The Workshops
The purpose of Questions 1 and 2 in the workshops was to open the conversation on the topic and to hear something of the experience of those attending. The feedback to those questions served its purpose in the gatherings themselves, and is not reproduced here.
The intention of Question 3 was to name some possibilities that people might consider as ways to move forward. The combined feedback to question 3 from both workshops is given below.
Q3 AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN CHANGING PASTORAL SITUATIONS, WHAT OPTIONS OR STYLES OF LAY-LED LITURGY/PRAYER SHOULD WE BE ENCOURAGING / DEVELOPING / SUPPORTING?
5 of the responses seemed to suggest priority for the work of the DLC in this area:
- The importance of faith formation and training
- Develop focus on the Word of God
- Lay led Liturgy of the Word, with music
- Face the challenge of confusion – catechesis for clarity
- Enable wider parish participation in preparing and delivering Prayer of the Faithful
Four responses focussed on Youth:
- Foster teen and children’s liturgies
- Youth led liturgy and music
- Involve young people – eg through music
- Foster youth-to-youth ministry
The other responses were:
- Liturgy of the Hours
- Lay-led liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion
- Communion services – why not?
- One participant recalled an experience they had once in Africa: ‘a full lively mass led by a lay person and we realised afterwards there had been no consecration’.
- If no Communion people don’t come as readily
- Develop the role of women
- Taizé-style prayer
- New initiatives in sacramental prep (1st Communion, Confirmation) outside school
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Meditation
- Lectio Divina
- Foster renewal of family prayer (lay-based, by definition)
The subgroup encourages Parishes / Pastoral Areas to reflect on what they might themselves do to address any of these points, to find where they have energy or resources to move these forward.
We next present the full feedback from both workshops in response to Question 4, which was aimed ‘towards next steps, for consideration by the Diocesan Liturgy Commission’.
Q4 WHAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL AT PASTORAL AREA AND PARISH LEVEL?
The 21 points from the flip charts are here grouped by the subcommittee under 5 headings.
Provide resources
- A resource book for Clogher Diocese
- Provide a model prayer/liturgy
- Formation groups
- Proper formation programme to develop confidence
- Catechesis will be vital
Approaches
- Spread the news that this work is beginning
- Dialogue in parish and a wider dialogue in diocese – let people know
- Build this gradually
- Keep up the momentum
- We would be wise to expect and be prepared to meet resistance
Begin from where we find ourselves
- Parishes are at different starting points – perhaps an audit of where parishes are at?
- Take stock of what is already happening in the diocese
- Accurate information about the situation and needs – not ‘scaremongering’
Role of the clergy
- Step by step approach, beginning with priest
- Priests to inform and encourage ‘from the altar’
- Support from PP
- Leadership from the Bishop
Wider matters (beyond the scope of the Liturgy Commission)
- Adult Faith Development
- More involvement of youth
- Bring in priests from outside
- More Deacons
Towards the end of the workshops, participants were given a short presentation on what has been prepared at national level on this topic. The full material is published in a book entitled ‘It Is Good For Us To Be Here’, and this includes a training programme for lay leaders of liturgy at parish level.
The presentation also highlighted that this book raises particular concerns to be noted in relation to a Liturgy of the Word with the distribution of Holy Communion. In the practice of the universal Church through the ages, such liturgies are considered exceptional. Church Law makes it clear that they are not the norm, that it is for the diocesan bishop to decide when they are permitted, and that they must be clearly regulated. The reasoning underlying this restriction may be highlighted by noting the four key actions of the Lord at the Last Supper, which are repeated sacramentally in the Eucharistic Liturgy: took, blessed, broke, shared. For all the apparent similarity between a Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion and Mass, when Communion is distributed outside Mass we only enact the final moment: ‘shared’. This is not faithful to the Lord’s command: Do this in memory of me. Clearly in this there is potential for confusion in the name of devotion. Significant catechesis will be essential around this vital point.
What has happened since the workshops?
The feedback above was shared with Bishop Larry, who had attended both workshops.
At the Pre-Lent Deanery Conferences in early March, priests were offered an opportunity for a first response / comment on the workshops and their response was largely positive and encouraging. Bishop Larry encouraged priests to keep this conversation alive at Parish and Pastoral Area level. It was noted that at the Enniskillen workshop the venue had been overcrowded – because of a bigger uptake than we had anticipated in our planning. This resulted in a noisy experience, and in difficulties hearing what was being said.
The subgroup met twice, 29 March and 07 May, to reflect on the workshops and on how best to move forward. A progress report was brought to the DLC at the end of May.
Aghalurcher Parish (Lisnaskea-Maguiresbridge) has approached the DLC through the subcommittee to say it wants to begin a training and formation programme with a view to developing weekday Lay Led Liturgies as a regular part of parish worship.
The subcommittee is delighted to support the parish in delivering the formation programme published in ‘It Is Good For Us To Be Here’ (published by Veritas). The dates are yet to be agreed. If any other parish would like to be part of this pilot or to take a similar initiative we will be glad to hear from them.
This report will be shared with those who participated in the workshops, using the contact email or postal addresses most of them gave on the night. It is being circulated also to parishes and to priests, particularly for sharing with participants who may not have left us their contact details.
On behalf of the Subcommittee:
Eileen Gallagher,
Paul Flynn,
Gary Carville,
Deacon Martin Donnelly,
Fr La Flynn.
Liturgies in the Absence of Priest;
Liturgies in the absence of a priest
Fr. John Columba McCann O.S.B. suggests some possibilities for those who must organise weekday liturgies in the absence of a priest and recommends other options besides Communion Services
While daily Mass is a feature of parish life everywhere in Ireland, it is becoming increasingly common to find that the celebration of Mass on every weekday is not always possible. By and large such situations are by way of exception, but they are likely to occur more frequently in the future. The need for a daily liturgy remains, whether it be Mass or not.
The question arises as to what kind of liturgy might be best planned for such occasions. Should it be a communion service, or something else? The answer is not at all obvious. I believe it is important for those engaged in pastoral planning to reflect carefully on a number of pastoral issues, before presuming that the Communion Service is the obvious answer.
Liturgy of the Hours?
Although it has taken various forms over the centuries, the Liturgy of the Hours has been considered the daily liturgy for Christian people from the earliest times. It predates the Mass as a daily liturgy.
Although various trends in the Middle Ages tended to confine its usage to the ordained and those in religious life, the reform begun by Vatican II has encourages its adoption once again as a liturgy for the whole people of God. Through this liturgy all the baptised exercise their priesthood on a way that has an impact on all people and contributes to the salvation of the whole world. A growing number of parishes have already begun celebrating Morning Prayer before morning Mass.
Perhaps the occasional day without Mass presents an opportunity for this practise to grow, and for a fuller celebration of this liturgy. A Shorter Morning and Evening Prayer (published by Collins) is a modest volume which could be bought in sufficient quantities for use as a weekday liturgy. Perhaps a simple adaption of Morning Prayer would be a good start.
Simply a liturgy of the word?
In many parts of the world a liturgy of the word is the celebration chosen where Mass is not possible, even on a Sunday. Recent Church documents underline the importance of appreciating the real presence of Christ in the proclamation of the Scriptures. Vatican II stated it eloquently: ‘The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord, in so far as she never ceases, particularly in the sacred liturgy, to partake of the bread of life and to offer it to the faithful from one table of the Word of God and the Body of Christ.’
In our own country we have a long way to go when it comes to a deep appreciation of scripture as ‘the bread of life’. Perhaps the occasional absence of a priest presents a pastoral opportunity to help people take more time with the scriptures and begin to appreciate the nourishment that they provide. There is a ‘real presence’ here to be discerned and ‘tasted’ in our parishes. A liturgy of this form will also heighten people’s appreciation of the Liturgy of the Word as an important part of the Mass itself, and will thus enhance their Eucharistic participation as well.
A communion service?
Another option which is proposed in some places is a communion service. This is a service in which people receive Eucharist that has been consecrated on a previous occasion and reserved in the tabernacle. It usually includes a Liturgy of the Word, often drawn from the weekday lectionary.
There is without doubt some precedent for a communion service outside Mass. In the early Church, especially in times of persecution, lay people regularly took the consecrated elements home to consume them on days when Eucharist was not celebrated. The eastern liturgy has the communion service of the ‘presanctified’ on days when the Eucharist is not traditionally celebrated.
The Roman Rite on the other hand has always been more cautious about such a rite, a communion service for the sick was developed in the Middle Ages, and in 1600 priests were also permitted to hold communion services outside Mass for those who were not sick, although many local diocesan rituals discouraged this practice.
There are, however, problems with this kind of service, particularly around its relationship with the Mass. Pastoral experience has shown that, in practice, many people who attend these services find it hard to distinguish them from the Mass. And yet such a service is very much a derivative celebration, which is incomplete when compared with the Mass itself.
The Eucharistic sharing which takes place in such a service has been detached from the organic whole to which it belongs: taking, blessing, breaking and sharing the elements in memory of Jesus. The fact that many people don’t even notice the absence of the taking, blessing and breaking shows how little they have been helped to really participate in these essential elements of the Mass. To do without these aspects completely on a regular basis only compounds the difficulty.
The difficulty here is that in the Mass our people still need to be educated into a sense of ownership of the Eucharistic prayer. The elements are taken and blessed by the presider in the name of all the community. The Eucharistic prayer, though proclaimed for the greater part by the priest, is a prayer that belongs to all.
Further, the content of the blessing-thanksgiving prayer brings to the fore the sacrificial meaning of the sacred meal. Receiving Communion in a rite that is detached from this aspect will tend to empty it of much of its meaning.
Similarly, the sign of the breaking of the bread continues to be performed in such a minimal way in our celebration of Mass that the symbolism of unity in the breaking and sharing of one loaf is largely overlooked by participants. If they find in a communion service that the sign is entirely absent, their Eucharistic sharing is more likely to be individualistic.
An occasional communion service is perhaps a good case of sensitivity to the devotional desires of parishioners, but if this becomes the normal experience (and there is every likelihood that in a few years time this could happen, as it has everywhere) our lived theology of Eucharist will become skewed
Because people have for so often received pre-consecrated hosts from the tabernacle at Mass, it is harder for them to perceive that their sharing in this food is a real participation in the sacrifice of Christ, made present at the altar. When this Communion is completely detached from the Mass, the relationship between communion and sacrifice becomes still harder to perceive.
An adaptation of Morning Prayer
Perhaps an adapted version of Morning Prayer could be used initially, for example:
· Opening Verse: ‘O God, come to our aid…’
· A well known hymn
· A carefully chosen psalm, which could vary according to the seasons. e.g. Pss 62 (63), 56 (57), 91 (92), 148, 149, 150.
· The Benedictus canticle, recited or sung by all. Perhaps a metrical version, set to a well known tune would be best here
· A short litany of intercession, perhaps like those in the back of the breviary.
· The Lord’s Prayer, sung or recited.
· A concluding prayer, which might vary according to the season.
A Liturgy of the Word
· Opening Hymn, during which the Lectionary is carried in procession to the ambo.
· Opening Prayer.
· First Reading, followed by a short silence.
· Responsorial Psalm, with a simple sung response.
· Gospel Acclamation sung by all.
· Gospel, followed by a short silence.
· As appropriate, a short reflection might be read from one of the many commentaries on the daily readings which are now available
· Prayer of the Faithful.
· Our Father.
· One might conclude with a simple gesture of reverence towards the scriptures. All present could, for example, kiss the book or make some other sign of reverence.
A Communion Service
1. Such a celebration ideally involves a number of ministers: a leader, a reader, a minister of communion, and a music minister.
2. In order to lessen any confusion between this service and the Mass, ministers should avoid any distinctive vesture, they should avoid using the presidential chair and they should only stand at the altar when the Blessed Sacrament is brought to it. Any prayer texts that are taken from the missal should be carefully checked to ensure they do not make any direct reference to a full Eucharistic celebration.
A possible outline
· Opening Song.
· Sign of the Cross.
· Penitential Rite, using one of the forms given in the Missal.
· Liturgy of the Word, as outlined above (Reading, Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, Gospel, Reflection, Intercessions).
· A minister of communion brings the Sacrament to the altar from the place where it is reserved. The leader goes to the altar and genuflects.
· The Lord’s Prayer, with its embolism ‘Deliver us, Lord…’
· The leader invites all present to exchange a sign of peace.
· The leader takes some of the consecrated bread and shows it to the people with the usual invitation. ‘This is the Lamb of God…’
· Communion takes place in the usual way, and may be accompanied by a suitable song.
· Silence, Psalm or Song of Praise.
· Concluding Prayer (e.g. Missal p.349).
· Blessing: The leader signs himself/herself with the cross, saying, ‘May almighty God bless us, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.’
· Dismissal: ‘Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.’
May 13, 2017 | Useful Liturgy Texts |
« A Fresh Look at Lent 2017Fruits of the Spirit
Letter to be read out at all Masses on the weekend of 22nd/23rd April 2017:
Dear Sister and Brother in Christ,
Easter greetings on this Divine Mercy Sunday!
I write to let you know that I have asked that every parish in the Diocese of Limerick host a lay-led liturgy of the Word on the morning of Tuesday, April 25th, a day when priests will be away on important in-service formation. It will be led by parishioners who have attended formation and are using agreed-upon diocesan resources. Information leaflets are available at the back of the Church. I am grateful to the laypeople who have engaged in the preparation for this initiative.
In promoting this initiative of lay-led public prayer, I am conscious that our Diocesan Synod strongly encouraged formation in lay-led liturgies. As we move forward, we must prepare for a time when, even though priests are not available, each local community will be prepared to arrange for moments of public prayer for various occasions. No parish should find itself deprived or ill-prepared for public lay-led prayers. Each parish should be able to say with confidence, “When we needed to gather together and pray, we were able to”.
I have specifically asked that the lay-led liturgy not include the distribution of communion. I’m not saying we might never have such, especially on Sundays, in the future, but on this occasion, I feel it is appropriate for a number of reasons.
Firstly, it should be remembered that the primary celebration of the Church is Sunday Mass, which is the distribution of communion. Normally, all over the world, when priests are not available, the liturgy of the Word does not include the distribution of communion. That can be seen, for instance, in mission territories where priests are not available even for Sunday liturgies.
Lay people lead liturgies of the Word, and the Eucharist is not distributed. This Eucharistic “fasting,” of course, can be painful. Still, it is essential to remember that this is because the distribution of communion is intimately linked with the celebration of Mass. We should remember that not long ago, many people attended weekly Sunday Mass without receiving communion.
We need to be careful not to introduce any practice that would damage, in the long term, the Catholic appreciation of the Mass. The Eucharist/the Mass is a celebration, and an action of the community gathered around the priest who sacramentally represents Christ. The reception of Holy Communion must not become an object separated from this celebration.
In some places abroad, where the practice of celebrating the Word with the distribution of communion has grown, people are trying to reverse it as they see it has not been as helpful as they initially thought it would be and has, in fact, created confusion.
There is another reason why I want us to focus, on this one occasion, on a public prayer that does not include the distribution of communion. In recent years, there has been a risk that when we think of public prayer, we think immediately of Mass. We forget that the Church has many forms of public prayers – the official morning and evening prayer of the Church, the Rosary, Holy Hours of Adoration, reading of Scripture, and Benediction. There is a risk that as we think about lay-led liturgy, we will automatically try to maintain a certain status quo by having an “alternative” to Mass that could end up being seen as a mini-Mass. And that could lead to great confusion. The Church has many forms of public prayer, which should be valued.
There are new challenges facing us. This requires us to be creative in finding new ways to be a Christian community, and we must avoid the temptation to pretend that things can continue as they have been. As an act of solidarity throughout the Diocese, I ask that each parish choose one form of public prayer for this Tuesday morning (prayer cards have been published and distributed for the Liturgy of the Word) and gather together for that moment of worship. This is only one small step that we are taking to help us all recognise the change and prepare for it.
Change is never easy. However, I’m sure this experience will deepen our awareness of the gifts the Church offers. Let’s enter into it with mutual encouragement and support.
With kind regards
+Brendan Leahy
Bishop of Limerick
The first ever Limerick Diocese lay-led liturgies of the Word will take place this Tuesday, April 25.
Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has confirmed that, with priests across the diocese attending an important in-service formation gathering, there will be lay-led public prayers in Churches across the diocese on Tuesday morning.
The move is on foot of a range of proposals voted for at last year’s Synod in Limerick which acknowledged the need to move towards lay-led prayers given the decline in vocations and the greater appreciation, since Vatican II, of the priesthood of the baptised.
The Synod was attended by 400 delegates, over 300 of them lay, and saw 97 proposals endorsed across a range of themes that will provide a pathway forward for the diocese as it meets the challenges and opportunities of the future. Among the specific lay led liturgy proposals adopted at the Synod were to develop and support lay leadership in public prayers.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s initiative, Bishop Leahy said, “It’s inevitable with the fall off in vocations that we need to explore new and exciting opportunities to celebrate the Word and one of the ways will be through lay-led times of public prayer.