New Members of the NCCB Committee on the Liturgy

Following the conclusion of the November 1999 meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb succeeded Archbishop Jerome G. Hanus, OSB as chairman of the NCCB Committee on the Liturgy. Archbishop Lipscomb also announced the new membership of the Committee.

The new members of the Committee include: Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of Cincinnati and former NCCB representative to the International Commission on English in the Liturgy; Most Reverend Justin F. Rigali, Archbishop of Saint Louis and a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; Most Reverend Donald W. Trautman, Bishop of Erie, previously Liturgy Committee chair from 1993-1996; Most Reverend Tod D. Brown, Bishop of Orange and chairman of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs; Most Reverend Blase J. Cupich, Bishop of Rapid City, who holds a doctorate in liturgy from San Anselmo's Pontifical Liturgy Institute and Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit and Rector of Sacred Heart Seminary.

Archbishop Lipscomb has also appointed as consultants to the Committee Bernard Cardinal Law, Archbishop of Boston, a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; Roger Cardinal Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles; Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago and NCCB representative to the International Commission on English in the Liturgy; Most Reverend Carlos A. Sevilla, SJ, Bishop of Yakima and chairman of the Hispanic Liturgy Subcommittee and Most Reverend George V. Murry, SJ, Bishop of Saint Thomas, VI and chairman of the Committee on African-American Catholics. In addition, Most Reverend Frank Rodimer, Most Reverend William Friend, and Most Reverend Roger Schwietz, OMI from the Task Force on Art and Architecture will act as special consultants to the Committee on the next draft of the new art and architecture document.

Newly appointed advisors to the Committee include Ms. Anne E. Grycz, Director of Pastoral Services for the Diocese of San José; Reverend John D. Laurence, S.J., Professor, Department of Theology at Marquette University; Reverend Sam Aquila, Secretary for Education of the Archdiocese of Denver; Mrs. Dolores Martinez, Director of the Office for Worship of the Archdiocese of San Antonio; Reverend Virgil Funk, Executive, Director of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians; Brother Joseph Rocco, S.C., Provincial Superior for the Brothers of the Sacred Heart; Reverend Heliodoro Lucatero, chairman of the Hispanic Liturgy Institute; Reverend Kenneth J. Martin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) and Reverend Michael Spillane, Executive Director of the FDLC.


Holy Days of Obligation for the Year 2000

The following information on Holy Days of Obligation is taken from the provisions of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal that govern the celebration of weddings and funerals on Sundays and solemnities. These notes are the application of those principles for the key dates in 2000:

On any day when the Ritual Mass is prohibited, the Ritual of Marriage outside Mass may be used with no restriction. If the marriage occurs in Advent or Lent, however, people should keep the nature of the liturgical seasons in mind when planning celebrations.

Ash Wednesday - March 8, 2000
Ritual Masses, including the wedding Mass, are prohibited on Ash Wednesday (GIRM #330). Since this is a major penitential day and one of the two days of fast and abstinence in the U.S., this would not be an appropriate day to celebrate marriage.
Funeral Masses are permitted (GIRM #336).

Sundays of Lent
Ritual Masses are prohibited. For couples who must plan a wedding that day, there are several options:

1. The wedding ritual outside Mass may be celebrated, keeping in mind the special penitential nature of the season of Lent.
   
2. If the wedding during Mass is chosen, the ritual Mass of the day is used. Presidential prayers, preface, and two of the readings are taken from the Mass of the day (Sunday of Lent). One reading may be chosen from the readings for the wedding Mass, and the Nuptial Blessing is given at the usual time (GIRM #330 and the Rite of Marriage [OM] #11). The general law does not limit which reading may be changed. Funeral Masses are not permitted (GIRM # 336).

1. The wedding ritual outside Mass may be used with no restrictions.
   
2. The Mass of Easter with all its readings is used.
   No readings may be changed. The Nuptial Blessing is given at the usual time.
   Funeral Masses are not permitted (GIRM #336).

1. The wedding ritual outside Mass may be used with no restrictions.
   
2. One reading may be changed for weddings during Mass (OM #11). Funeral Masses are permitted (GIRM #336).

1. The wedding ritual outside Mass may be used with no restrictions.
   
2. For Mass, cf. the options and restrictions for Easter 2000. No readings may be changed where this is a day of obligation.

1. The wedding ritual outside Mass may be celebrated with no restrictions.
   
2. If the wedding during Mass is chosen, the Mass of the day is used (presidential prayers, preface, and two of the readings are taken from the Mass of the day, Mary, Mother of God). One reading may be chosen from the readings for the wedding Mass, and the Nuptial Blessing is given at the usual time (GIRM #330 and the Rite of Marriage #11). The general law does not limit which reading may be changed. Funeral Masses may be celebrated.

Through its Rensselaer Program of Church Music and Liturgy, Saint Joseph College offers an MA, a second Bachelor Degree, or continuing education certificates in church music and liturgy. These programs may also serve simply as a refreshing summer sabbatical. There is a one-month summer program designed especially for non-traditional students. Through this program participants managing a job or with family responsibilities are still able to pursue professional training. The program allows for the study of music and liturgy together in one balanced sequence. The program is pastorally oriented, ideal for church musicians, parish liturgists, and music teachers. There are convenient airline connections via Chicago and Indianapolis, Indiana. June 28-July 28. Gregorian Institutes beginners and advanced, June 21-24,25-27. Contact: Reverend James Challancin, Saint Joseph's College, Rensselaer, IN 47978. (219) 866-6352,or1-800-447-8781;e-mail:jamesc@saintjoe.edu;website: www.saintjoe.edu/˜dept51/


Art and Architecture Consultation

The Committee on the Liturgy is offering interested parties the opportunity to comment on the new document on art and architecture. Copies of the draft can be obtained from your diocesan office of worship. You are invited to offer suggestions and comments on the document by sending or faxing this form to: Sister Ann Rehrauer, 3211 Fourth Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20017-1194; Fax (202) 541-3088; e-mail: domusdei@usccb.org. Comment sheets must be received by February 20, 2000.

1. Suggestions for a title. The present draft is entitled Domus Dei
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What issues are missing or need further development?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Which areas are repeated. Which are treated in too much detail?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Please comment on the readability level and the practicality of the text. (The document is intended primarily for parish worship and building committees)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Other suggestions or comments:

Email us at bcl@usccb.org
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