‘The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows. For the aim and object of apostolic works is that all who are made sons of God by faith and baptism should come together to praise God in the midst of His Church, to take part in the sacrifice, and to eat the Lord’s supper.’
– Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10.
The term “liturgy” literally means “work for the people”. The early Christians adopted the word to describe their principal act of worship, the Sunday Mass. Liturgical service, or ministry (from the Latin “ministerium“) is a duty for Christians as a priestly people by virtue of their baptism into Christ and participation in his high priestly ministry.
DIOCESAN LITURGY COMMISSION
The present Clogher Diocesan Liturgy Commission was established on a formal basis by Bishop Liam MacDaid in 2015.
Contacts:
Rev Deacon Martin Donnelly (Chairperson)
St Michael’s Parish Centre,
28 Church Street, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh BT 74 7EJ
Tel. 028-66322075; Email: deacon@st-michaels.net
Dr Gary Carville (Secretary)
Diocesan Office,
Bishop’s House, Dublin Road, Monaghan, H18 PN35
Tel. 047-81019; Email: gary@clogherdiocese.ie
Members:
Fr Stephen Duffy
Monsignor La Flynn
Eileen Gallagher
Deirdre Macklin
James McLoughlin
The Objectives of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission are to
- Develop resources and training for liturgical formation in the Diocese;
- Offer advice and support for particular areas of liturgy, including Parish Liturgy teams, Liturgical Music, and Formation for Ministries
- Foster and promote good liturgical practice;
- Review emerging needs in liturgical development;
- Liaise with the Council for Liturgy of the Irish Episcopal Conference,
the National Centre for Liturgy,
the Irish Church Music Association,and other relevant national and diocesan bodies; - Assure a sound theology to underpin the realisation of these objectives;
- Provide advice to the Bishop in relation to Liturgy, as required.
The Commission liaises with other Diocesan Groups and with the Diocesan Office, as well as priests and parishes, parish liturgy groups, choirs and so on. The Commission has several sub-committees to assist with its work and it is always keen to involve new people in these areas – celebrations, music, weekday liturgies and communications. If you would like to be involved, please email us at liturgy@clogherdiocese.ie
The work and other initiatives of the Diocesan Commission to date include:
- Celebration of Evening Prayer to mark the Year of Consecrated Life 2015-16
- Events to mark the Jubilee Year of Mercy 2016
- Support for the planning of ordinations to priesthood and permanent diaconate in 2016 and 2018 and the Episcopal ordination of Bishop Larry Duffy on 10 February 2019.
- Preparation of various liturgies to mark the journey to the World Meeting of Families 2018.
- Formation of a Diocesan Choir to take part in the Mass with Pope Francis in the Phoenix Park in August 2018.
- Music Days for Parishes in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
- Liaising with other diocesan groups with regard to ongoing future planning for liturgical ministries in the diocese.
- Leading and facilitating a conversation in the diocese since February 2019 on questions surrounding lay-led weekday liturgies in parishes.
For more information on liturgy, visit http://www.liturgy-ireland.ie/
To contact the liturgy commission, please email us at liturgy@clogherdiocese.ie
