Our Lady of The Valley

Liturgy Committee Meeting

January 25, 2006

              Our Lady of the Valley Liturgy Committee met on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at 7:15 PM in the St. Joachim Parish Center with the following members present: Father Pat VanDurme; Bill Loree, Chair; John Bartell, Secretary; Audrey Tilden, Margie Terry, Mary Sullivan, Connie Shephard, Mary Theresa Purtell, and Ann Conklin.

An opening prayer was let by Father Pat. 

A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve minutes from the November 30th. Meeting. 

Christmas 2005 was reviewed in detail.  Overall approval of decorations by everyone present.  Creche in Marian Chapel received praise by all.  Some discussion as to whether to continue with St. Ignatius figures or alternate with St. Ann figures minus the stable house. The Mass Schedule deemed satisfactory. At the 4:30 PM Mass, additional chairs in Crucifixion Chapel were well utilized as were chairs in back of pews.  The 10 PM (Midnight Mass) was well attended and received as was the 10 AM Christmas Day Mass.  Penance Services held in both churches worked well.  Just the right number of services.   Will carry over same scene for next year.  Christmas Party at Canisteo Parish Center   - enjoyed by small group in attendance;  It might have been more successful if held at a time when fewer conflicts with other activities/parties, etc.   Suggestion was made to replace this event with an Epiphany Party next January. 

Welcome Package  Update  - Mary Ann Sullivan updated the group on progress to date.  A Calendar is in the process of being assembled.  Father Pat noted that a new parish website was being set up and will include such items as an archive of minutes from all parish committees, etc.  Site address is:  www.ourladycv.org.  

John Lusk Presentation­ – Dec.1st.  Committee requested to give Father Pat suggestions following presentation.  He hopes to share this information with parishioners,  hopefully, around Easter.  Some discussion entailed handicapped ramp(s) to be installed in the future. 

New Mass Schedule  -  generally accepted, especially folks at St. Mary.  It was noted that its impossible to please all. 

Communion Distribution reconfiguration – Complaints have been made by some that receiving Holy Communion facing the back of church was bothersome.  Bill Loree came forth with a “well received” suggestion for removing the center pews on either side of the center aisles and placing them in the back of church.                                     In that way communicants in the back can receive Eucharistic Sacraments facing the front of church.  Eucharistic ministers would distribute from the area opened following removal of pews.  The committee overwhelming accepted that proposal “do it” following presentation of plan.  This plan now must come  before Pastoral Council. 

Holiday/Holy Day Mass Schedule – following discussion, committee agreed that one Holiday Mass; e.g. 4th. Of July, Thanksgiving, etc. would be held only at St. Ann Church at 9:00 AM with exception of Memorial Day where Mass will be held at both St. Mary and St. Ann.   Holy Day Mass – Schedule will be as follows: 5:15 PM Vigil Mass at St. Ann. Holy Day Masses – 7 AM at St. Ann, 9 AM at St. Mary; 12:10 PM and 5:15PM at St. Ann. 

*SPECIAL ITEM*  Reopening St. Ignatius for Daily Mass in the Spring.  The motion was made, seconded and carried that St. Ignatius NOT be reopened in the Spring for daily Mass; use only for Weddings and Funerals.   Rationale included cluster plan and Mold problems at St. Ignatius.  Father indicated that the mold problem is being addressed and will be resolved. 

Feb. 2nd. Feast – Presentation of The Lord – Blessing of Candles 

Feb. 3rd. – Feast of St. Blaise  - Throats will be blessed on this day only. 

Rite of Sprinkling  - While it is more usual to do this during Ordinary Time, we will do this during Easter Season. 

Lent begins March 1st. 

March 5th. (first Sunday in Lent)  - Bill requested that we sing as an Entrance Hymn Processional, the Litany of the Saints.  Accepted. 

Something New; singing responses—greeting, end of readings, petitions, preface, etc.  Suggestion well accepted by committee.  Bill, John and Father will discuss further. 

Other:   Father Pat noted that he had heard from some parishioner that don’t understand the Latin Mass Ordinaries (Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei).  John Bartell has had the choir and congregation sing these  in Gregorian Chant during the season of Advent and Lent for the past 10 years.  Discussion on the issue pursued with suggestions made to perhaps place inserts in the hymnals with both Latin and English words, instruction from the ambo and bulletin during the Lenten Season, reduce the frequency of Masses with Gregorian Chant and possible use of selected  Mass Ordinaries.  According to John, initial purpose was to use the chant to awaken people to a change in season, i.e. Lent and return to a limited use of Chant as recommended by liturgical literature. 

Next Meeting—February 22nd. – entire meeting focus to be on the General Instruction from the Roman Missal – liturgical instruction/implementation.

The meeting adjourned following a closing prayer by Father Pat at 9:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted:

John R Bartell, Secretary