How to Fix a Bad Liturgy Planning Committee

The Vatican

Imagine.  Mass is about to begin. As you kneel down to say your prayers you look up and see a multicolored sheet placed over the alter, 100 candles placed below the tabernacle, 25 sets of flowers, and all the statues removed from the Church.

Ok a little much, but we have all seen some pretty crazy things at a Catholic Mass.

The Liturgy Committee

First the need the right leadership, second members, third formation, forth prayer

Where is the committee going?  Who ever leads the committee should have a solid understanding for liturgical norms.  They should also have the intention to follow them.  In addition they should be able to relate the intentions of the Church to the other members.

Members of the committee also need to have some understanding of liturgical norms, but be willing to listen and follow direction.  These members are essential to the parish because without them who would help prepare for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

The leader and members must be formed in the truths of the Church.  It is important that the pastor selects members who desire to follow the Church’s rubrics and not create their own.

Without prayer the committee will run astray.  Prayer is essential to participating in the liturgy.  Asking the Lord for his grace and guidance will provide a more productive committee.

The Bad Committee

If you are so unlucky to have a ‘bad’ liturgy committee let’s go over some remedies.

First – Start with the prayer element.  Begin the meetings with the rosary.  It’s an easy prayer and will bring many graces.  In addition the priest could offer a reflection on scripture or could offering a teaching as the beginning of each meeting.

• Monthly Holy Hours
• Weekly Mass attendance
• Frequent Confession
• Yearly Retreats

Second – Personal Formation.  The leader should know a little bit about each person.  Does someone have an agenda or are they just misinformed?  Is it time for someone to retire or just change their role?  Helping someone understand the liturgy and grow in their prayer life should be essential to the role of the leader.  If the committee members have a deeper faith life and understanding of Mass they will be more willing to follow liturgical norms.

Third – Resources.  The Vatican and many diocese offer extensive documents on do’s and don’ts of liturgy.  Start reading and following them.  Don’t go astray.  Check your local seminary and see if they have courses on Catholic liturgy.

Fourth – Disband. Yes it’s an extreme, but sometimes you just have to start on a new foot.

What do you think are some remedies to making Sunday Mass more beautiful?

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