Mass Coordinator Training

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Mass Coordinator Training MASS COORDINATOR TRAINING Janet Cugini June 2014 Opening Prayer Blessed are you, God of all creation! I thank you for calling me to serve your holy people in your new house of worship. May I see you in them and May they see you in me. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen St. Tarcisius Patron Saint of Extraordinary Ministers 2 AGENDA Opening Prayer Evacuation Procedures Tour of Our New Church MC and Greeter Training Closing Prayer 3 Fire Evacuation Procedures • Side doors and narthex doors have panic bars • Emergency Exits • Location of fire alarms by all exterior doors and in balcony 4 Floor Plan Altar Ambo Baptismal font Communion Paths = Body EM Station Narthex 5 MINISTRY PROCEDURES 6 For All Ministries • Attire is business casual: (no blue jeans, sneakers, tee shirts, sport logos, flip flops) – If at all possible please be “business casual” anytime you attend in case you are called upon to serve • Center aisle will be reserved for processions and Communion only • All other ministers (lectors, greeters for collection, Extraordinary Ministers) will approach the altar from the side aisles not in center aisle in front of tabernacle • MCs enter the sacristy from the ambo side aisle behind the choir chairs: – When setting up the credence table from the sacristy make sure you bow at the altar and genuflect when at the tabernacle • Mass is not broadcast: the sound can be turned on in the narthex 7 Altar Server Procedures – Ideally will have 3 altar servers – Altar servers vest in the coat room – One carries crucifix, others candles – When 3 available one does crucifix, one rings bells, the third holds the book for the Presider check with them before Mass – When fewer than 3 will only carry cross, no candles – Candles get placed on either side of the ambo – Altar server with crucifix leads Offertory procession; comes back at collection time – Rings bells 3 times each at elevation/Consecration – after Mass cross and candles will be in Narthex for next Mass – Make sure altar servers light candles before Mass 8 Lectors – One lector per Mass – Processes in with Gospel book behind altar servers – To read will approach from ambo-side aisle – Make sure lector arrives in time and seats him/herself by the front ambo-side aisle for easy approach – Before Mass MC takes Gospel book from shrine to Narthex before procession 9 Greeters – Will have 4 to 6 greeters per Mass – One Greeter should do Mass count – Greeters hold doors and offer any assistance – Collection will be from side aisles (no bowing in center aisle first) – Latecomers: • Last 2 back pews will be reserved for latecomers with reserved signs • Narthex doors will be closed at start of readings • In-between the readings any latecomers can be seated in those back pews • Doors will remain closed during Mass except for Offertory procession. 10 Greeters cont’d – CLOW: Lead Greeter will ring doorbell (location TBD) during Creed for children to come back to Mass – Same procedure: children do not go back to seats during Offertory procession – Communion: sides approach from wall as indicated in diagram – Greeters assist with making sure Breaking Bread hymnals are in book racks, pews are neat, and kneelers are up – Hand out adult and children bulletins 11 Extraordinary Ministers – Will always approach altar from side aisles – Will bow at steps before going on altar – Will stand in a row in front of tabernacle in the order of assignment: Ambo Side Body, Ambo Side Blood, Center Left Blood, Center-left Body, Presider-side Blood, Font Side Blood, Font Side Body – Will stand in front of tabernacle until clergy receives – Will then in unison step forward towards altar – Font Side Blood EM will give the Precious Blood to the altar servers – If side EMs finish distributing first, will step towards center aisles to assist with Communion 12 Extraordinary Ministers cont’d – After Communion choir-side Precious Blood EMs will go directly to credence table on his/her side, consume Precious Blood, place purificator over chalice, go down steps, turn toward altar and bow before going back to his/her seat – All Precious Blood must be consumed before returning to seats – Body EMs will bring patens to altar. After the placement of extra hosts into ciborium EMs will return patens to credence table on his/her side. Center Body EM will remain to place ciborium back in tabernacle: will genuflect at tabernacle before closing door – One Font-side Precious Blood EM brings cruet to altar; all consume Precious Blood as indicated above then font-side Precious Blood EMs assist with bringing vessels to font-side credence table – To return to seats EMs individually go down steps, turn towards altar, bow, and return to seats by side aisles – Before cleaning Sacred Vessels EMs will use Sacrarium in Working Sacristy (see procedures after Mass) – Make sure EMs know procedures before Mass 13 MC Procedures: Before Mass • Arrive **at least ** 20 minutes early (more like 30) • As per checklist on website: – Unlock Church doors and doors to Parish Center – Turn on sound system, lights, fan – Ensure Lavaliere microphone is in vesting sacristy – Get Gospel book – Etc. – check website • Check MC/greeter notes for any updates for that Mass • Make sure everyone who is serving arrives (EMs, altar servers, lector ) arrives and knows where they will be serving • Select gift family • Place tabernacle key in tabernacle: remember to genuflect when tabernacle door is open! 14 MC Procedures: Before Mass cont’d • Corporal on altar: • Only change between Masses if there is a spill • One corporal only • Offertory Table (in Narthex): – Carafe with only small amount of wine/grape juice) for presider chalice – Large paten with hosts (only new hosts should be counted – see next slide) – Pyx with low gluten hosts (per Mass as needed) – For count adjustments extra hosts (regular and low gluten) will be in the narthex credenza: make sure to restock as needed 15 MC Procedures: Before Mass cont’d • Counting of hosts for large paten: – Consecrated hosts should never be touched or handled for counting! – Can guesstimate number of hosts: • Large gold ciborium holds about 250 hosts when full • Small paten holds about 60 hosts when full – Check red binder to see how many hosts you need in total (in gold ciborium in tabernacle and large paten for Offertory) for each Mass – Make sure there are enough low-gluten hosts in tabernacle; if not have Father consecrate more 16 MC Procedures: Before Mass cont’d • Font-Side Credence table: – Separate (empty) presider chalice and purificator – 4 chalices with wine for parishioners – 2 small patens (if Father Frazier presides small paten over his chalice with large host) – Cruet with water, lavabo – 6 purificators in total: one for presider chalice, 4 for parishioners chalices, one extra – Hand towel, one hand sanitizer • Ambo-Side Credence Table: – Cruet with water – One purificator – Hand sanitizer 17 MC Procedures: Before Mass cont’d Credence Tables 18 MC Procedures: During Mass • Make sure the Mass count gets recorded in the red binder found in the credenza • Assist the parishioners in bringing up the gifts • Oversee the return of the CLOW children so that they don’t interfere with the Offertory procession • Oversee the collection 19 MC Procedures After Mass: Purification All purification gets done in silence at the credence tables: – Vessels will be on both credence tables – “What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that what has been given to us in time may be our healing for eternity.” – If carafe/additional hosts have not been placed on the altar during consecration, they are not consecrated and don’t have to be purified – Water gets poured into each paten, swirled, then poured into chalices where it is again swirled and consumed. Wipe lip of chalices. All vessels are wiped dry with purificators. – If water is low in cruets they should be refilled in sacristy for next Mass (if any) – Patens can remain on font-side credence table until after the last Mass. Chalices will always be brought back to sacristy for cleaning 20 MC Procedures After Mass: the Sacrarium • What is a Sacrarium? – A Sacrarium is a special sink found in the sacristy that drains directly to the earth – It is used as a “first rinse” after purification and for disposing of outdated church oils, dissolved consecrated hosts, ashes, etc. – The Precious Blood never gets poured down the Sacrarium. The Precious Blood must always be consumed. 21 MC Procedures After Mass: the Sacrarium • How to use the Sacrarium: – After purification put water into the Sacred Vessels, swirl, and pour into the sacrarium for the “first rinse” before washing with soap and water and drying with paper towels – For all used purificators: • Put stopper in Sacrarium and pour in water from containers • rinse used purificators in Sacrarium to rinse out Precious Blood • wring out as most of the water out as best you can • If there are any lipstick stains rub in some Shout: do not again rinse • Hang up wet purificators on rack to dry: do not put wet purificators in laundry bag 22 MC Procedures After Mass: Next Mass or Storage – If last Mass put away all Sacred Vessels in locked cabinet; left cabinet gets Father’s vessels – If there is another Mass prepare the credence table and count hosts for the next Mass • See checklist – If at the last Mass put away tabernacle key, lock chalice cabinets, and lock Working Sacristy 23 MC Procedures: Miscellaneous • Baptismal font: – Should be filled before 4:30 Mass, emptied at 10:30 Mass – Holy water fonts at narthex doors should be changed – Should be refilled with warm water before all Baptisms.
Recommended publications
  • B. Consecrated for Worship
    CONSECRATED FOR WORSHIP A DIRECTORY ON CHURCH BUILDING Consecrated for Worship A DIRECTORY ON CHURCH BUILDING SEPTEMBER 2006 Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY PUBLISHERS TO THE HOLY SEE Published 2006, by the Catholic Truth Society and Colloquium (CaTEW) Ltd. The Catholic Truth Society, 40-46 Harleyford Road, Vauxhall, London SE11 5AY; www.cts-online.org.uk Colloquium (CaTEW) Ltd, 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX. www.catholicchurch.org.uk Copyright © 2006 Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored or transmitted by any means or in any form, electronic, mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publishers. ISBN 1 86082 384 X The Liturgy Office of the Bishops’ Conference The Liturgy Office works with the Bishops’ Conference Department of Christian Life and Worship to provide resources to support worthy celebration of the Liturgy. It seeks to promote the full, conscious and active participation of all the baptised in the Liturgy so that they might find there the nourishment and inspiration necessary to sustain them in their Christian lives and witness. Website: www.liturgyoffice.org.uk Contents 7 CONTENTS 3 Coming into the Church: entrance and narthex. 54 4 Proclaiming the Word: the Ambo . 57 5 A holy and living sacrifice: the Altar . 60 FOREWORD . 8 6 A focus for loving service: the Sanctuary . 65 7 Womb and Tomb: the place for Baptism. 69 OVERVIEW . 10 Storage of the Holy Oils. 72 What is this book? .
    [Show full text]
  • Church Building Terms What Do Narthex and Nave Mean? Our Church Building Terms Explained a Virtual Class Prepared by Charles E.DICKSON,Ph.D
    Welcome to OUR 4th VIRTUAL GSP class. Church Building Terms What Do Narthex and Nave Mean? Our Church Building Terms Explained A Virtual Class Prepared by Charles E.DICKSON,Ph.D. Lord Jesus Christ, may our church be a temple of your presence and a house of prayer. Be always near us when we seek you in this place. Draw us to you, when we come alone and when we come with others, to find comfort and wisdom, to be supported and strengthened, to rejoice and give thanks. May it be here, Lord Christ, that we are made one with you and with one another, so that our lives are sustained and sanctified for your service. Amen. HISTORY OF CHURCH BUILDINGS The Bible's authors never thought of the church as a building. To early Christians the word “church” referred to the act of assembling together rather than to the building itself. As long as the Roman government did not did not recognize and protect Christian places of worship, Christians of the first centuries met in Jewish places of worship, in privately owned houses, at grave sites of saints and loved ones, and even outdoors. In Rome, there are indications that early Christians met in other public spaces such as warehouses or apartment buildings. The domus ecclesiae or house church was a large private house--not just the home of an extended family, its slaves, and employees--but also the household’s place of business. Such a house could accommodate congregations of about 100-150 people. 3rd-century house church in Dura-Europos, in what is now Syria CHURCH BUILDINGS In the second half of the 3rd century, Christians began to construct their first halls for worship (aula ecclesiae).
    [Show full text]
  • Narthex of the Deaconesses in the Hagia Sophia by Neil K. Moran Abstract
    Narthex of the Deaconesses in the Hagia Sophia by Neil K. Moran Neil K. Moran received a Dr.phil. from Universität Hamburg, Germany, in 1975, and completed a fellowship at Harvard’s Center for Byzantine Studies in 1978. He also holds a B.Mus. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, and a M.A. from Boston University. He is the author/co-author of six books, and 37 articles and reviews that can be found on academia.edu. Abstract: An investigation of the ceiling rings in the western end of the north aisle in the Hagia Sophia revealed a rectangular space delineated by curtain rings. The SE corner of the church was assigned to forty deaconesses. An analysis of the music sources in which the texts are fully written out suggests that the deaconesses took part in the procession of the Great Entrance ceremony at the beginning of the Mass of the Faithful as well in rituals in front of the ambo. ……………………………………………………………………………………….. Since the turn of the century, a lively discussion has developed about the function and place of deaconesses in the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches. In her 2002 dissertation on "The Liturgical Participation of Women in the Byzantine Church.”1 Valerie Karras examined the ordination rites for deaconesses preserved in eighth-century to eleventh-century euchologia. In the Novellae Constitutiones added to his code Justinian stipulated that there were to be forty deaconesses assigned to the Hagia Sophia:2 Wherefore We order that not more than sixty priests, a hundred deacons, forty deaconesses, ninety sub-deacons, a hundred and ten readers, or twenty-five choristers, shall be attached to the Most Holy Principal Church, so that the entire number of most reverend ecclesiastics belonging thereto shall not exceed four hundred and twenty in all, without including the hundred other members of the clergy who are called porters.
    [Show full text]
  • Liturgical Architecture: the Layout of a Byzantine Church Building
    Liturgical Architecture: The Layout of a Byzantine Church Building Each liturgical tradition has its own requirements and expectations for the liturgical space; here, we will look at the St. Nicholas Church building and its symbolism in the Byzantine tradition. The nave The most ancient plan of Christian architecture is probably the basilica, the large rectangular room used for public meetings, and many Byzantine churches today are organized around a large liturgical space, called the nave (from the Greek word for a ship, referring to the ark of Noah in which human beings were saved from the flood). The nave is the place where the community assembles for prayer, and symbolically represents the Church "in pilgrimage" - the Church in the world. It is normally adorned with icons of the Lord, the angels and the saints, allowing us to see and remember the "cloud of witnesses" who are present with us at the liturgy. At St. Nicholas, the nave opens upward to a dome with stained glass of the Eucharist chalice and the Holy Spirit above the congregation. The nave is also provided with lights that at specific times the church interior can be brightly lit, especially at moments of great joy in the services, or dimly lit, like during parts of the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts. The nave, where the congregation resides during the Divine Liturgy, at St. Nicholas is round, representing the endlessness of eternity. The principal church building of the Byzantine Rite, the Church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) in Constantinople, employed a round plan for the nave, and this has been imitated in many Byzantine church buildings.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluation of the Central Narthex Portal at Sainte-Madeleine De Vèzelay" (2005)
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Master's Theses Graduate School 2005 Evaluation of the central narthex portal at Sainte- Madeleine de Vèzelay Christine Ann Zeringue Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses Part of the Arts and Humanities Commons Recommended Citation Zeringue, Christine Ann, "Evaluation of the central narthex portal at Sainte-Madeleine de Vèzelay" (2005). LSU Master's Theses. 85. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/85 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Master's Theses by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. EVALUATION OF THE CENTRAL NARTHEX PORTAL AT SAINTE-MADELEINE DE VÉZELAY A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in The School of Art by Christine Ann Zeringue B.S., Louisiana State University, 2000 May 2005 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Kirstin Noreen for her invaluable guidance and patience throughout the long process of creating this thesis. Without her continuing support I would never have completed my degree. Drs. Mark Zucker and Marchita Mauck also deserve my thanks for working me into their busy schedules by agreeing to serve on my graduate committee. I would also like to thank Professor H. Parrot Bacot for all the wonderful talks we had during the early preparations for my thesis.
    [Show full text]
  • Church Architectural Notes Stained Glass Windows Narthex The
    Church Architectural Notes Stained Glass Windows The Willet Stained Glass Studio of Philadelphia designed and fabricated the stained glass windows in the Church. To complement the Spanish style architecture (a simplification of certain styles brought into Spain by the Moors) the technique of faceted glass was judged most appropriate. Contemporary faceted glass has strong ties with Moorish "Claires-voies" - i.e. stucco or plaster grilles - into which colored glass was set. That grille style influenced the design of the matrices in the St. Thomas Church windows. Narthex Over South entry door "My Lord and My God" scene Either side of South entry door Artistic symbols of the Parish’s patron saint Eight Clerestory windows - each represents one of the eight beatitudes: 1. Blest are the poor in spirit; the reign of God is theirs. The chi rho symbol for Jesus Christ is on the heavenly throne flanked by palms. 2. Blest are those that mourn; they shall be consoled. The hour glass with the sands run out symbolizes death. The coffin is flanked with two candles. The butterfly represents life after death for all Christians who fly up to Heaven on beautiful wings after a time in the cocoon (grave.) 3. Blest are the meek; they shall inherit the earth. Hands reach up to grasp the globe of the earth. 4. Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill. The cross topped staff and wallet of a pilgrim and the lantern shining its light on an open Bible symbolize the search for holiness. 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Lenten Brochure UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST EAST GOSHEN – MARCH/APRIL 2020
    Lenten Brochure UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST EAST GOSHEN – MARCH/APRIL 2020 In this issue: Pastor’s Message P. 1 Lent Activities P. 2 – 3 Holy Week P. 3 Choir, R&R, Look Ahead P. 4 New staff & Questionaire P. 5 Easter Fun P. 6 Showers for Growth, Planning Feb. 26 - Ash Wednesday I learned the saying as a child in grade school. journey as important as the final arrival at the 7:00 pm Service of Communion Hope“April showers bring May Flowers,” and today empty tomb with Mary telling us the good news & Distribution of Ashes after a night and now day of showers, the “he is not here he has been raised.” crocus, hyacinths and daffodils have green stems Now is the time to plan the journey stops along the Wednesdays During Lent popping up on the side of our church building, th way to Easter. Can you try something new? Will 6-7 pm Lenten Soup & Table Talk (and no, it is not May, it is February 13 !) Climate change and environmental exposure to you go on a detour and discover a new way to 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal toxin and chemicals in the air, ground and arrive at the empty tomb? Will you add a prayer buddy to your journey? Will you read a new April 4 - Saturday atmosphere, have taken the seasons, mixed them all up, and spit them out into something devotional? Will you attend Saturday worship and 1-2:30 pm Egg Decorating & unrecognizable. It is a source of deep sadness the series called “I AM” which is being offered? Cookie Decorating for many of us.
    [Show full text]
  • Holy Week and Pascha Services a Year Ago We Were Required to Do Holy Week Services with Only Two Clergy, Two Chanters, and General Participation by Livestream Only
    I REALIZE THIS IS A LONG EMAIL. IF YOU CAN’T READ IT NOW, PLEASE READ IT SOON FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION. April 15, 2021 Dear Faithful of Saint John’s: Holy Week and Pascha Services A year ago we were required to do Holy Week Services with only two clergy, two chanters, and general participation by livestream only. This year, thank God, we can do much more. Our goal for Holy Week services this year will be to allow as many people as possible to be present and at the same time to respect current Anchorage Municipal mandates. We are encouraged by our Metropolitan to cooperate with local mandates and can do so with a good spirit knowing we are part of a larger community effort. The city mandates most relevant us, and which were renewed just this week by the Mayor’s office, are now very familiar: • Maintain 6-foot social distancing in our gatherings. • Wear a mask inside the Cathedral. Double Groups Beginning Lazarus Saturday, we will double-up the current Liturgy Groups assigned to attend the major services, and make some services open to “ALL.” This schedule is posted on our Cathedral website, but here is a summary. Olivet & Sinai – Lazarus Saturday Divine Liturgy 9:15am; Holy Monday Bridegroom Matins 7:15pm; Holy Saturday Vesperal Divine Liturgy 4:15pm; Saint Thomas Sunday Matins and Liturgy 9am, 10am. Tabor & Zion – Palm Sunday Matins and Divine Liturgy 9am,10am; Holy Tuesday Bridegroom Matins 7:15pm; Holy Friday Vespers 6:15pm; Bright Wednesday Evening Liturgy 6:15pm. ALL – Palm Sunday Bridegroom Matins 7:15pm; Holy Wednesday Anointing Service 7:15pm; Holy Thursday Vesperal Liturgy 6:15pm; Holy Friday Matins 7:15am, Royal Hours 12:15pm, 3:15pm; Holy Saturday Matins 7:15am; Agape Vespers for Pascha 3:15pm.
    [Show full text]
  • Loving God and Neighbor As Jesus Teaches
    REVISED Simple Ushers Guidelines Summer 2021 Post-Covid Return PREPARATION Be here by 9.30am for 10am service, 8.30am for 9.00am service Say this prayer together: “Lord, help us to greet everyone this morning with a smile and a kind word of welcome. May we be the Good News that people need to see and hear.” Open the doors to Highland Avenue using the hex key on the nail up on the right-hand side of the door jamb. Set out the orange barrel in the middle of Highland Avenue. Dodge the occasional bus or car. Open windows if it’s hot. Turn on fans at the corners of the Nave. Bring Nametag cart into Narthex (it’s in the long corridor on the way to the Upper Parish Hall); find your nametag and put it on. Set up the brass alms basin on a table in the middle of the center aisle where it is unavoidable. Seed it with a bill or two and something heavy to hold the money down. WELCOME AND COUNT Hand out service bulletins near the front doors with a smile and a greeting. Indicate that nametags are available and invite people to put one on, as a gift of hospitality to one another. Fifteen minutes after the start of the service, count the people in the church. Fill out the attendance slip on the sideboard in the Narthex (bring it to the office after the service) PRESENTING THE GIFTS At the end of the announcements, listen for this phrase: “Walk in love as Christ loves us, and gives himself for us, an offering and thanksgiving to God.” When you hear this phrase… Bring up the two glass cruets—one with wine, one with water---as well as the alms plate with money in it up to the altar.
    [Show full text]
  • Serving the Mass
    1 Saint Mary Cathedral Cathedral School of Saint Mary Altar Server Training - serving the Mass Preparation for Mass Altar servers should arrive 20 minutes early to give them enough time to vest and finish the preparation for Mass. Each server will vest in a cassock and surplice. Be sure that they fit- not too small or too large. Make sure the vessels are prepared and on the Credence Table. This includes the chalice with a purificator laid over the cup, the water cruet, the lavabo pitcher, bowl and lavabo towel, the Communion cups with their purificators, and extra ciboria. The books should be prepared by the celebrant. When they are ready, the Sacramentary is placed on the crucifier’s chair and the Lectionary on the ambo. Make sure the communion bells are placed on the right or outmost corner of the first step to the High Altar. Make sure the altar candles and ambo candle are lit. During the Easter season, the Paschal candle is lit. The celebrant may pray with you prior to the start of Mass. It is important as you serve Mass, to understand and be familiar with all of the parts of the Mass. The following are a brief description on the parts of the Mass. Procession: The Mass begins with a procession from the Narthex (back of the Church) through the Nave (the main body of the Church) ending at the Sanctuary (the apse or area where the altar of sacrifice is located.) The congregation stands and generally sings an entrance song. What does the Altar server do during this part? The procession is lead by the crucifer, followed by the other altar servers.
    [Show full text]
  • THE NARTHEX Christians in Antioch’ (Acts 11:26)
    May-June 2018 ‘And the disciples were first called THE NARTHEX Christians in Antioch’ (Acts 11:26) The Orthodox Church of St Dunstan of Canterbury, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset BH14 9JG The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland. Archbishop: Metropolitan Silouan The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. Patriarch: His Beatitude, John X Parish Priest: Fr. Chrysostom Tel. 01202-602628 e-mail: [email protected] Deacon: Fr Dc Filip Tel. 01308-868543 e-mail: [email protected] Deacon: Fr Dc Alexander Tel. 07765417610 e-mail: [email protected] Subdeacon David Tel. 01209-217499 Parish web site: www.saint-dunstan.org Archdiocesan web site: www.antiochian-orthodox.co.uk clergy who paid a visit to religious leaders in These verses call to mind the Syria to express their condemnation of what story of the Tower of Babel in the book of Babel our government did. Genesis, contrasting the confusion of There are an awful lot of opinions It is true that, with hindsight, even tongues with the unity brought about by being expressed. It was, no doubt, ever thus. The the most benign governments can make the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the difference today, thanks to the ever-available mistakes or become guilt y of a blind hypocrisy. Church at Pentecost. It reminds us that, public media, is that anyone can now go public Why, for example, did they strike at Syria with having received the anointing of and tell the world what he or she thinks. For a missiles for the use of chemical weapons but Chrismation after our baptism, we each variety of reason s the general public seems to not at Russia? (The answer is, of course, have the grace of the Holy Spirit abiding have lost confidence in (or at least, become tactically obvious!) What we have received in within us, in proportion to our conformity dismissive of) the considered views of experts, return from the governments of Syria and to Christ; we are sealed with the scientists, commentators and pundits of all kinds.
    [Show full text]
  • The Narthex, the Nave and the Sanctuary
    THE NARTHEX, THE NAVE AND THE SANCTUARY As we, the parishioners of St. Matthias the Apostle Catholic Church of Magnolia, are preparing to build our new place of worship, it may be of interest to review how a Catholic Church is organized and the Sacred Objects which go into it. We will publish messages on these subjects in the coming weeks. Those interested in a more thorough look into these subjects might enjoy the book “The Sacred That Surrounds Us: How Everything in a Catholic Church Points to Heaven” by Andrea Zachman. Today we will consider the Narthex and its place in the church relative to the Nave and the Sanctuary. The Narthex is the entry hall we pass through as enter the church. The Narthex is at the opposite end of the church from the Sanctuary and helps us to prepare for the Mass as we leave the outside material world and enter the spiritual world of the Nave. The word Narthex is Greek for “giant funnel”. In the modern Catholic Church it is the entry hall we pass through as we enter the church. It may also be referred to as vestibule or gathering space. Even though it is structurally a part of the church building, the Narthex has a separate liturgical function, to help us prepare ourselves spiritually as we enter the holy church. The Narthex is also a place where the congregation gathers for processions for special celebrations such as Palm Sunday. One purpose of the Narthex in the earlier church was to allow those not eligible for admittance to the general congregation to hear and participate in the service.
    [Show full text]