IN THIS ISSUE WOMEN AS LECTORS AND ACOLYTES SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION – ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL MUSIC AUSTRALIA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AS COMMUNITIES OF THE WORD BOOK: AWESOME GLORY AND ALL THE LATEST LITURGY NEWS scriptures at Mass and to distribute when the archdiocese was divided in holy communion, not as permanently 1986, decided to discontinue having instituted ministers, but on a Acolytes a few years ago. The Diocese ‘temporary’ basis. When the of Wollongong has set a five-year limit permanent, instituted, male-only on the ministry and treats the ministry ministries were established, many seamlessly with adult altar servers and dioceses in Australia preferred to lay ministers of communion. DIFFERENT ANIMALS continue with their rostered lay Negative aspects of the institution have ministries. They were open to all and by Tom Elich appeared from time to time. Perhaps could be undertaken for a suitable because they are vested on the period of several years. This seemed to sanctuary during Mass, perhaps N MID-JANUARY 2021, Pope Francis articulate well the idea that all the because it is a permanent ministry, I adjusted Canon Law to allow women baptised share an active role there is an unfortunate tendency on to be instituted as Lectors and Acolytes. participating in the liturgy. the part of some to feel as though they Perhaps the most common reaction in Pope Paul’s 1972 document, are ‘set apart’ and should receive some the news media was a ‘ho-hum’, saying Ministeria quaedam, went to some precedence. Requests have been made that this is what we already do – the trouble to articulate the relationship for Acolytes to vest and sit together as pope is just making it official. between instituted Lector and lay a group at diocesan liturgies. I have However, an instituted Lector is not the reader, between instituted Acolyte and had a visitor on holidays from Perth same as a lay reader; and the Acolyte lay communion minister. The present himself at the sacristy in and lay minister of communion are instituted Lector not only reads the Brisbane announcing that he is an likewise two different animals. scriptures but has greater oversight of Acolyte, implying that space should be To understand why this is so, we need the Liturgy of the Word, trains lay made for his ministry. I am not to go beyond the liturgical ministry readers and takes part in sacramental suggesting that these things are they are seen to carry out and look at preparation. Thus he was expected to common, but they have happened. the background. study and meditate on the word of Normally now, where Acolytes exist, God. The instituted Acolyte not only their ministry is restricted to their own The twentieth century inherited helps with the distribution of holy diocese, oversight is given to the parish liturgical structures called ‘Minor communion inside and outside the priest, and arrangements are made to Orders’ which were steps on the way liturgy, but is involved in a broader refer those who move to another to ordination as deacons and priests. ministry of the altar and in training lay diocese. After the rite of tonsure, candidates ministers of communion. He was to It is, of course, essential that we take would be ordained in turn as porter, devote himself to a deeper lector, exorcist, and acolyte as well as steps to include women in Church understanding and care for the leadership and ministry. This is the sub-deacon. Only seminarians were Eucharist. In practice, this often given these offices as they proceeded most positive aspect of the new seemed to embrace the duties of a disposition about Lectors and Acolytes. through their training. In 1972, Pope senior server or sacristan. Paul VI suppressed these minor orders We keep taking steps towards and left in their place two lay Fifty years ago, two areas in Australia inclusion, albeit tiny ones! Women ministries of word and sacrament: embraced the institution of Acolytes – who were readers were allowed to use Lector and Acolyte. He made it clear dioceses clustered around Perth and the ambo in the sanctuary after 1970. that these were lay ministries into Sydney. Perth currently has two Female altar servers were permitted in which one would be ‘instituted’ (not thousand Acolytes on the books and 1994. In 2016, women could even take ordained) and new rites were prepared. still runs training courses. Most part in the Holy Thursday ritual of the But because of their strong connection parishes there have them. They serve washing of the feet! Now the instituted with the minor orders, these ministries in tandem with lay ministers of holy ministries of Lector and Acolyte are at the time were still reserved to men. communion (indeed a single set of equally open to men and women. It Forty-five years ago, many of us were ministry guidelines in the archdiocese certainly removes a major stumbling thinking this would soon change, but it covers Acolytes, lay ministers of block to the adoption of these never did until now. communion and altar servers). The ministries, but I wonder if this is rules indicate that only one Acolyte sufficient reason to reactivate them in Several years earlier, with the should be vested and serve at any the 21st century. At a time when the appearance of the General Instruction particular Mass. In the Sydney area, Catholic Church is constantly of the Roman Missal, lay men and the Diocese of Parramatta which challenged by the ordination of women women had been allowed to read the inherited the institution from Sydney in other Churches, is it enough? At a 2 LITURGY NEWS Autumn 2021 time when major research and discussion within the Catholic Church SACRAMENTAL is addressing issues surrounding women in the diaconate, is it not far too little too late? PREPARATION Why would we want to adopt the institution of Lectors and Acolytes when most dioceses have been functioning well for decades with lay ministers of word and holy communion? I would certainly resist the wholesale institution as Lectors and Acolytes of everyone on our parish rosters for readers and communion ministers. The rite of institution is not just a blessing or commissioning. On the other hand, I see a possibility for careful and judicious use of these formal ministries. A parish might decide, for example, that a lay person who has studied Scripture, who trains One size doesn’t fit all parish readers, who organises and leads bible discussion groups, who by Mary Anne Baillie leads Sunday Liturgy of the Word, who is involved in sacramental preparation, Part of the rhythm of parish life, like the movement through the might be a suitable candidate for liturgical seasons, is the parish sacramental program that culminates in institution as a Lector. It would be the celebration of Confirmation, First Communion and First good if their ministry was officially Reconciliation for children of the parish community. What is not so expanded to include preaching. evident is the partnership of family, school, catechist and parish that come together in this time of preparation. Likewise a person who has studied theology and takes the lead organising We have probably all heard at some time that parents are the first holy communion for those in hospitals teachers of their child. This is very true: it is in the family that the child and nursing homes, who fosters first learns about God and their Catholic faith; it is in the family that the eucharistic devotion in the parish, who child sees Christian values lived out. However it was never meant to imply trains and coordinates communion that parents are the only faith minister and altar servers, who educators. As both a teacher in prepares children for confirmation and Catholic schools (now retired) and first communion, who is the chief currently a catechist for our parish sacristan… such a person might be sacramental program, I have found the suitably installed as an Acolyte. It understanding of Patricia Malone and would give our common baptismal lay Maurice Ryan of the different roles ministry a stability, formal public and played by parent, parish and ritual recognition, along with an school/catechist in a child’s faith episcopal mandate. development very helpful. Each has its own particular role; each is necessary. Pope Francis’ change in this ministry is undoubtedly a positive thing, but it In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis speaks of personal accompaniment in processes of growth. The ‘art of accompaniment’, should be seen as just a small step to a the pope says, teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred much more inclusive future for the ground of the other (Ex 3:5). The pace of this accompaniment must Church and its leadership. be steady and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life (EG 169). In reflecting on my ministry as a catechist in our parish sacramental preparation, I have come to understand my role as that of accompanying. Autumn 2021 LITURGY NEWS 3 From the many rich images and learnings that Canadian publisher Novalis has a variety of resources emerge from the Emmaus story (Lk 24:13-33), we can for sacramental preparation. For first Communion discern four movements in a catechetical process. and Reconciliation, our parish has chosen to use the On the road to Emmaus, the two disciples are series On Our Way with Jesus (We Prepare for discussing the events of recent days (their lived Reconciliation and We Share in the Eucharist). experience). A companion joins them on their These programs see the role of the catechist as one of journey and through his teaching and explanation of working and walking with parents and their the scriptures, they come to understand what has children as important guides and mentors in happened (Scripture, doctrine, Church teaching).