GUIDELINES FOR LITURGIES

Opening song,

Greeting,

Penitential rite,

opening prayer,

reading,

reflection,

prayers of the faithful,

closingsong

A Liturgy of the Word is structured celebration that leads us to the
Eucharist, even though the Eucharist is a long way off for these children.
Therefore it has a definite structure, which allows greater flexibility.
The Sign of the Crosshappens after the introduction and song, and is always led by
the celebrant.
If the children are at the age to begin to know right from wrong, there
should be an age sensitive Penitential Rite. You will know the correct words
to use for this level, but I suggest that some of the children can read
these:
Lord Jesus, you respect all people, Lord have Mercy
Lord Jesus, in you we are all equal, Christ have mercy
Lord Jesus, your Spirit helps us to respect each other, Lord have Mercy
The Opening Prayer needs to: 1.Be addressed to God; 2.To concisely summarise our request
of God for this celebration; 3.Have a conclusion. I suggest:
e.g. Lord our God, you create each person differently (uniquely?) and love us
equally (all the same?). May we grow to respect the differences among us and
learn about you form each other. We make our prayer through Christ Jesus,
your Son.
There should be a Reading .. it doesn't have to be much, even one verse.

It is usual to include parts of a psalm or canticle. e.g. Ps 100 :
Response: We are God's people
Shout praises to the LORD, everyone on this earth.
R: We are God's people
Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the LORD!
R: We are God's people
You know the LORD is God! He created us, and we belong to him;
R: We are God's people
We are his people, the sheep in his pasture.
R: We are God's people
Gospel Acclamation needs to be included:
Alleluia Alleluia, your heart will be where your riches are, Alleluia
Gospel is good.
The reflection after the Celebrant's reflection is fine and an area for
flexibility.
Prayers of Intercession should be short, sharp, age specific and directed at
God (who is the one being asked for our needs). .
Closing Prayer:

Final song

Liturgical Planning

Prayer always recognises our need for God and our trust in God’s mercy and care for us. Prayer is always addressed to God, not to ourselves. Liturgical prayer is the most common formal way of the Church communicating with God. We come together to name God, to remind ourselves of our sinfulness and need for mercy and to ask God for our needs, finally asking God’s blessing upon us all.

Liturgical follows a particular format which loses its integrity when changed.

There are two forms of Liturgy celebrated at St Mary’s School:

  • Liturgy of the Word
  • Mass (Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist)

The Mass involves both the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Usually class groups that have made their First Communion will celebrate Mass, and lower grades celebrate a Liturgy of the Eucharist.

There are many resources available in the library and online to assist in the preparation of Liturgies, however, not all follow the correct form of liturgy that is in use here at St Mary’s. Additions should be kept to a minimum. If the liturgy is understood, planned and celebrated well, the less need there will be for additions can eclipse the centre of the celebration.

All proposed liturgies need to come through the Cathedral Presbytery Officeon the Monday prior to the celebration, no matter who is the proposed celebrant. This enables sufficient time for changes to be made if necessary. If the Bishop or another priest is to celebrate the liturgy, it will be forwarded to him from the Parish Office.

The basics pattern of Liturgical Prayer is:

  • GatherIntroductory Rites
  • ListenBeing nourished by the reading of the Word of God
  • Do Our response tot God’s Word by Prayers of Petition, Eucharistic Offertory Gifts of bread and wine, Offering of drawings, songs or actions
  • Go Final prayer, blessing and dismissal

Please adhere to the following plan when preparing class liturgies.

Schema for the Liturgy

  1. Introductory Rites
  2. WelcomeParticipants (especially visitors) are welcomed and prepared for the liturgy by one of the children. People are urged to participate fully in the liturgy. The welcome usually ends with the Opening Hymn.
  3. Sign of the CrossLiturgical prayer always begins with the Sign of the Cross led by the presider, who in the case of class liturgies, will be a priest.
  4. Penitential RiteAfter of our liturgy we remember why we are there and that we need the mercy and love of God in our lives. The three petitions follow the general pattern of the Roman Missal and recall Gods mercy and our sinfulness.
  5. Opening PrayerThis is prayed by the priest and is usually taken from the Roman Missal. Under certain circumstances they may be composed. If this is to happen, the structure of the prayer is:
  6. YOU begin by addressing God
  7. WHO we name who God id for us
  8. DO we ask God for something
  9. THROUGHwe pray to God “through Christ our Lord” or similar words.

(with thanks to the Liturgical Commission, Brisbane)

  1. Liturgy of the Word The readings are always taken from the Scriptures.
  2. First ReadingAn appropriate reading chosen from the Lectionary. If the day chosen is a feast day, the readings of the day are to be used.
  3. PsalmAs the ancient songs of the Church, the psalms are appropriately sung. There are many modern arrangements appropriate to primary school children.
  4. Verse before the GospelUsually found with the Gospel and said before the Gospel.
  5. GospelProclaimed by the priest. It may be acted out by the children and accompanied by the priest.
  6. HomilyPreached by the priest
  7. General IntercessionsThe Prayers of Petition follow a particular pattern. Students or teachers may compose them, but in doing so they need to follow these basic guidelines:
  8. The opening prayer situates the celebration and calls on God to hear us. In this part of the liturgy we are asking for the needs of the Church, world and this particular group. Prayers of thanksgiving and blessing are appropriate elsewhere in the liturgy.
  9. The first prayer is for the Holy Father and leaders of the church.
  10. Subsequent prayers bring in special needs such as the students, school, local church, family, current events etc.
  11. The petitions are to be concise, directed and clear.
  12. The ending for each petition is the same (i.e. Lord hear us OR We pray to the Lord)
  13. The Prayers of the Petition are addressed to the Father, as stated in the opening prayer.
  14. The use of ‘dear and ‘please’ in petitions is not appropriate for older children or adults.
  15. The closing prayer reiterates out trust and calls on God to listen to our prayers.
  16. Liturgy of the Eucharist
  17. Preparation of the GiftsWherever possible the gifts are brought to the altar
  18. Eucharistic PrayerIt is advisable to use the second Eucharistic Prayer for children, but only when the children are familiar with the responses.
  19. Communion Rite
  20. Lords PrayerIt is always preferred to sing the Lord’s Prayer. The Missa Kimberely version (‘You are our Father’) is appropriate.
  21. Sign of Peace
  22. Breaking of the Bread
  23. Holy CommunionAll students and teachers are invited to come to receive the Sacrament or a Blessing. Those coming for blessing cross their hands on the shoulders.
  24. Who can receiving Holy Communion?
  25. A baptised Catholic who has
  26. made their First Communion and are in Communion with the Church (ie. No serious sin or need for Confession) and has
  27. Made suitable immediate preparation for receiving Holy Communion
  28. Silence
  29. Prayer after CommunionPrayer by the priest
  30. Concluding Rite
  31. BlessingOccasionally it is appropriate to sing this blessing
  32. DismissalThe priest dismisses the congregation.

A Few Basics:

SilenceA quiet demeanour demonstrates our respect for our places of worship. The time before a liturgy is best used to prepare ourselves for the prayer which is to follow. Any unnecessary noise is inappropriate in the Holy Place, Chapel or Cathedral, so any necessary communication should be in hushed tones. Sometimes some sacred music played quietly helps encourage this atmosphere.

SingingLive music accompanied with singing is the best, but not always possible. CDs can fill the gap but only if people are prepared to sing them.

PostureThe way the congregation sits during prayer is very important. If students are sitting on the floor it is best to have them remain in place for the whole liturgy. If they are in chairs, they should stand/sit/kneel as if they were in a normal Church.

Food/DrinkIt is highly inappropriate for any food or drink to be present in the Holy Place/Chapel or Cathedral. Obviously parents with infants need to provide for them.

VerbosityEffective prayers are concise. More words and more songs do not make better liturgies!