CONGRATULATIONS! WE'VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY

Recently the Parish Worship Commission listed the liturgical successes achieved by the people of St.Malachy. Here's the list.

1. Preparing for Worship. The church building welcomes able-bodied and disable-bodied persons. The buildings and grounds are cared for. Flowers and flags greet all who arrive in ample time before worship begins. Many families consult the bulletin and then read the Scripture readings ahead of time. Some families talk abut the Bible readings together. Many read this column, give it serious thought, and allow it to form their liturgical spirituality.

Inside the church space is clean and handsomely painted. New fans are in place. A fine piano and a superb organ serve the Assembly which makes melody before God. This community can be proud because many generously contributed to purchasing the organ. The Assembly lets piano and organ serve its robust singing.

The environment and art committee attends to colorful fabrics for each season, stout candles, and aromatic incense. Special worship aids allow easy participation. Quality vesture is worn by presiders, deacons, and table servers. Wonderful female and male altar servers carry our newly designed processional cross. Bravo!

2. Liturgical Ministries: People know that this Assembly is responsible for the quality of its public prayer. Various ministers serve those who come to the font, those who listen to the Word, those who receive eucharistic bread and cup, those anointed, and those blessed. More and more people receive communion by taking bread and cup from eucharistic ministers. Bakers grace the table with bread freshly, lovingly baked. Bravo!

Sponsors assist adult catechumens, those hearing the echo of God's call to mature faith and full initiation. New born infants are signed with the cross and named in the midst of the Sunday Assemblies. Afterwards families share a meal and talk about baptism. People welcome instruction which explores the mystery of baptism and expands the horizons of those who belong to Christ. Baptisms are incorporated into the Sunday eucharist. Infants come forth from the watery womb of mother church, are held high, are celebrated, are clothed in Christ. Font and table give this Assembly its identity.

Readers continue to work at skills for proclaiming the Word of God. Better oral communication skills and an improved sound system help people listen to the Word. Less and less do people feel the need for missalettes. Bravo!

Children are treated to children's liturgy of the word every Sunday. Each Assembly gives attentive ear to hear well prepared homilies and well received preaching. A handsome, beautifully covered new Lectionary gives dignity to each Assembly engaged in full, active, conscious participation. Eucharistic ministers graciously and slowly minister the eucharistic bread and the cup. Bravo!

An adult choir and a healthy variety of cantors animate praise filled singing. Presiders, deacons, an outstanding organist, and other skilled musicians encourage vibrant song, the flow and rhythm of graceful ritual, special blessings, and hospitality at the Lord's table and at coffee and donuts afterwards. Bravo! Thank you, God! The worship community of Saint Malachy has come a long way. Bravo!