 “In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit . . .”
Vatican II, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 14
The Office of Sacred Worship is a pastoral service agency of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and serves as a liturgical resource for the parishes of the Archdiocese. Its administration includes:
- the Office of Worship,
- the Office of Christian Initiation, and
- the Office of Music Ministry.
In addition, the Office oversees three Archdiocesan Commissions which serve the Church:
- Commission for Sacred Liturgy,
- Commission for Sacred Music, and
- Commission for Art & Architecture
The Office of Worship also has available a library and a variety of resources, including publications and music.
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Website Launched to Assist Faithful with New Missale Romanum |
Recently the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has added two very helpful websites to assist the faithful in transitioning to the new "Missale Romanum" (the Roman Missal) due to be published in 2011. This "Roman Missal" contains the prayers, invocations and responses said during the celebration of the Eucharist by both the priest and the people. The last Roman Missal was published in 1975 by Pope Paul VI. The new "Roman Missal" is the result of the request of Pope John Paul II for a more authentic translation of the Latin version used universally in the Church. The English translation presently before the Holy See for approval or "recognitio" will be the definitive translation to be used in all English-speaking countries. Those sites are:
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Influenza and the Liturgy |
A Message from Bishop Hermann:
In light of the possible outbreak of the pandemic flu, H1Ni or “swine flu” within our country, many questions have been asked as to how we can protect parishioners when they gather for Mass.
To help the parishioners of your parish, I ask you to make them more aware of the following:
Within Mass:
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There is no cause for panic, but extra-precautionary measures should be taken at this time to lessen the spread of this flu;
- Take extra-precautionary action to sanitize all sacred vessels after all Masses (soap and hot water), because germs may survive on surfaces up to 24+ hours. You may even want to consider temporarily suspending Holy Communion from the cup at this time;
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Caution parishioners to limit or even temporarily suspend or modify (i.e. bowing at the Sign of Peace) ritual actions such as handshaking, kissing or other close proximity during Mass, confirmation or graduation ceremonies, etc.;
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Encourage good hygiene (i.e. alcohol-based hand sanitizer lotion in restrooms and public areas) and proper cough and sneeze etiquette. It is especially important for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to implement these measures.
Outside of Mass:
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Help to identify people who are more at risk (i.e., elderly people living alone, persons with disabilities, children and teens), and check on them;
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Check in on neighbors and friends;
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Limit social gatherings, or temporarily suspend all non-critical parish gatherings;
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Encourage parishioners to remain at home if ill or suspect they may have any of the symptoms;
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Suggest each household maintain a current list of emergency contacts within the community;
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For additional information: www.pandemicflu.gov.
I thank you all in advance for your work in helping to reduce the spread of this flu and for conveying the above information to your parishioners.
Devotedly yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. Hermann
Archdiocesan Administrator
More information about Influenza and the Liturgy from the USCCB.
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