Spirituality of Liturgical Ministers Pat Kerwin 2011 Southwest

Spirituality of Liturgical Ministers Pat Kerwin 2011 Southwest Liturgical Conference Salt Lake City, UT

Spirituality Religious Spirituality Christian Spirituality Liturgical Spirituality

human spirit Holy Spirit

Christian Spirituality • Trinitarian • Christological • Ecclesial

Liturgical Spirituality • Participation in God’s creative and transformative love for the world • Paschal Mystery • Source of spiritual direction –”summit and fount” SC, 10 • “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs…whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ” Col. 3: 16 -17

. • Roots in Jewish spirituality: – Lived awareness that all of life can be a means of becoming holy as God is holy. • All of life as context of and context for living in Christ • At table of Word and Eucharist, liturgy is the privileged place for growing in holiness.

• Full, conscious and active participation SC, 14 – qualitative engagement with the mystery of God by entire assembly – oriented towards spiritual renewal, conversion, and ongoing transformation in the Christian life. Liturgical Year – context for deepening the mystery of Christ • Liturgical Ministry – reveal the presence of Christ through service to the faith community • “We want to see Jesus. ” Jn 12: 21

Jesus • In baptism, we become one with Christ • In confirmation, we are strengthened to be more perfect witnesses to Christ • In Eucharist, we offer ourselves with Christ – broken and given for the life of the world • Initiation into a life of discipleship—share in the mission and ministry of Jesus

Our ministry is…. • a share in Christ’s ministry • flowing from initiation • called forth by the Church • for the sake of others

Ministry & God’s Covenant • God has chosen us • Covenant – our relationship based on ever -faithful love • God’s covenant made visible in Christ • Covenant calls for a response

For liturgical ministers…. . • How does our service at the liturgy transform us / help us grow in holiness? – Personally & individually – Communally • What is the calling we receive from the Church in our installation/commissioning?

Reflect and Share in Ministry Groups • • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Lectors Sacristans / Altar Servers Ministers of Hospitality (Greeters/Ushers)

Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi • The liturgy expresses the faith of the Church. • Enacting the rites (symbols, gesture, posture, movement) deeply embeds the deeper meaning of the liturgy in us. • Through our ministry we are formed and transformed more fully into the Body of Christ.