Support Your Entire Parish with a Center for Learning Formation Event
What have we learned after accompanying pastoral ministers and leaders like you over the past 18 months? You wear a lot of hats: musician, manager, liturgical expert, teacher, colleague, cheerleader, encourager, recruiter, referee, confidante, strategist, organizer, firefighter (figuratively), and more. Of course, we already knew this, but the stories and experiences shared by our participants has confirmed it. You work hard to meet an increasing number of demands on you and your ministry.
With all that you are tasked with, it is easy for the formation of your musicians and liturgical ministers to fall to the wayside. Yet, formation of those who serve the liturgy is critical. As the Bishops of the United States wrote in paragraph 50 of Sing to the Lord(2007): “The community of the faithful has a right to expect that [liturgical ministry] will be provided competently. Pastoral musicians should receive appropriate formation that is based on their baptismal call to discipleship; that grounds them in a love for and knowledge of the Scripture, Catholic teaching, Liturgy, and music; and that equips them with the musical, liturgical, and pastoral skills to serve the Church at prayer.” While this document is specifically directed toward pastoral musicians, it can be readily applied to all liturgical ministers.
In the midst of your planning, rehearsing, scheduling, and crisis-management, how are the musicians and liturgical volunteers in your community formed and trained? Do you have the time (or resources) to equip them as the Bishops envisioned and as the community expects?
Enter the newest offering: Formation Events. The Center for Learning’s flagship English-language offering, Formation Events are in-person programs led by expert presenters to develop practical skills, knowledge, and spirituality necessary for effective liturgical preparation, leadership, and participation.
Formation Events provide an opportunity for Center for Learning presenters to work with members of your ministry directly and in-person. This usually takes place over one full day, often a Saturday, though the schedule can be adapted to suit your schedule. While each Formation Event program uses unique content, the structure of the day is the same:
o Morning prayer
o A plenary keynote session grounded in the Church’s liturgy documents.
o Track sessions by ministry area (musicians, liturgical ministers, assembly)
o A visioning and implementation session to develop an action plan
o A commissioning prayer service
These days aren’t just for pastoral musicians, mind you. A parish that hosts a Formation Event can scale the program to include pastoral musicians but also all liturgical ministers (i.e. lectors, ushers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, etc.) and members of the assembly. Imagine the impact that whole-community liturgical formation and catechesis can have in your parish.
While each Formation Event is tailored to the needs and goals of your parish, host parishes make a topic selection from the following menu:
“Find Us Ready: Preparing to Minister During Advent and Christmas”
This Formation Event addresses everything pastoral musicians, liturgical ministers, and the assembly need to know to fully enter into the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas. Using these seasons as our guide, participants journey on a theological and liturgical overview, exploring the symbols, imagery, scripture, texts, music, and other important aspects from this part of the liturgical year. In doing so, participants examine the ways their ministry and participation can enhance the community’s observance of the season.
“Glory in the Cross: Preparing to Minister During Lent and Easter”
This Formation Event addresses everything pastoral musicians, liturgical ministers, and the assembly need to know to fully enter into the liturgical seasons of Lent and Easter, including the Paschal Triduum. Using these seasons as our guide, participants journey on a theological and liturgical overview, exploring the symbols, imagery, scripture, texts, music, and other important aspects from this part of the liturgical year. In doing so, participants examine the ways their ministry and participation can enhance the community’s observance of the season.
“Become What You Receive: Connecting the Mass to Discipleship”
This Formation Event focuses on the Mass itself. Following the structure of the Mass, participants journey on a theological and liturgical overview, exploring the symbols, imagery, scripture, texts, music, ritual, and other important aspects of the Eucharistic liturgy. In doing so, participants examine the ways their ministry and participation can enhance the community’s celebration of Mass, but also the ways that participation in the Mass calls us to lives of missionary discipleship.
“Sing a New Song: A Hymnal/Missal Bootcamp”
Focusing on pastoral musicians, this Formation Event focuses on the core repertoire of liturgical music in the parish: the hymnal or missal. Using it as our “textbook” and guide, participants explore the importance of music and singing to liturgical prayer. Using the hymnal or missal, participants journey through the structure of the Mass, Liturgical Year, and other Rites to better understand the role that music plays in our celebrations. Participants also examine musical considerations necessary to promote the full, conscious, and active participation of the assembly. If you’ve ever wondered how to get more out of your hymnal or missal, this Formation Event is the one for you!
Part liturgical catechesis, part ministry formation, and part retreat, these event topics prepare participants – pastoral musicians, liturgical ministers, and the assembly – to experience the liturgy in new and deeper ways.
So, as you’re looking for new and creative ways to form your pastoral musicians, liturgical ministers, and assembly, let us help. Formation Events are an impactful, cost-effective opportunity to provide meaningful and long-lasting formation, right in your parish. Reach out and schedule an exploratory conversation today!
