WORSHIP COMMISSION

I.            PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION

            The Worship Commission promotes and strengthens continuing liturgical renewal.  The Worship commission promotes ongoing education, planning and evaluation in the areas of the liturgy.  The Commission is also involved with liturgical celebrations and is the liaison for relations with other Christian and non-Christian churches and religious bodies.

            The Worship Commission collaborates with the other parish Commissions and the Parish Pastoral Council, Vicariate Worship Commission, and the Office of Christian Worship.  It develops and establishes objectives to realize and accomplish parish and Archdiocesan goals and ecclesiastical norms in the area of liturgy and parish worship.  The Commission proposes and submits its priorities and budget to the Stewardship Commission and develops and oversees the evaluation of its own work as well as that of Parish liturgical life.

II.            FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION

A.            ADMINISTRATIVE

            1. To make recommendations to the Pastoral Council regarding the priorities, policies, guidelines, and directives of the parish, Archdiocese and Church Universal which should be considered in the planning and carrying out of the worship life of the parish.

            2. To coordinate the preparation for the liturgical celebrations for all seasonal and special feasts.

            3. To coordinate and oversee the preparation, functioning and evaluation of all liturgical ministries in the Parish, including Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Musicians, Altar Servers, Ministers of Hospitality (Greeters and Ushers), Sacristans, Members of the Creative Arts Committee, etc.

            4. To insure the integrity of the liturgical year through assisting in the appropriate scheduling of celebrations and prayer services.

            5. To propose a budget to the Stewardship Commission for the needs of the committee and overall worship needs of the parish not already covered by a Commission.

B.            WORSHIP

            1. To discern the worship, liturgical and prayer needs of the parish.

            2. To assist in providing quality liturgical celebrations and prayer services through involvement in the planning and evaluation of these.

            3. To plan and prepare liturgical events and celebrations.

            4. To insure compliance with liturgical directives, guideline, norms and policies of the parish, Archdiocese, and Church Universal.

            5. To collaborate on the liturgical aspects of the rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, infant baptism, sacramental preparation, marriage preparation, communion to the hospitalized and homebound, funeral celebrations and ministry to the bereaved, and with those parish committees and other groups specifically charged with work in these and related areas.

            6. To foster an atmosphere of hospitality and harmony in all aspects of our work.

C.            EDUCATION

            1. To update its members with the knowledge, understanding and expertise needed to function effectively.

            2. To oversee the continuing education of the Parish in liturgical matters.

            3. To support the continuing education and formation of all liturgical ministers according to Archdiocesan directives, guidelines, norms and policies.

III.            STRUCTURE OF THE COMMISSION

            The Worship Commission will include pastoral staff, members from the parish, and a representative from the various liturgical ministries and service. 

            Other ad hoc committees will be established according to need.  These committees will include members from the Worship Commission as well as other members of the parish not on the Commission.

            The Commission chooses one of its members to become a member of the Blue Water Vicariate Worship Commission.