Inside ML

ML by any other name

To mark the beginning of its second 25 years, ML will be changing its name. ML has always made the case that the work of the liturgy does not belong to the liturgist or to the pastor or to any one caste within the church. The work of the liturgy belongs to all the faithful and to all the ministries of the parish. The content of ML has reflected that notion for all of its first 25 years. To more accurately match the title to the editorial content, MODERN LITURGY will become MINISTRY AND LITURGY starting with the first issue of the new year (Feb. 1999).

Long-time readers should be assured that they will still find the same quality and kind of material they have come to depend upon. New readers will find content that will help them do their ministry better.

For example, if you are a catechist or director of religious education, you will find help for your ministry in articles such as "How should we receive baptized Christians into full communion?" on page 16 and Year of Luke on page 32. Catholic school teachers may want to look at the Planning Checklist on page 30 to plan their schedule of classroom prayer. Youth ministers might find help in articles such as "Faith-Sharing Programs: Blossoming into Small Communities of Faith" on page 18 and Bulletin Inserts on page 46. Pastoral workers will see how liturgy can link with the lives of their parishioners by reading Home Church on page 34 and "Liturgical Spirituality" (in the Planning Guide) on page 22. Parish administrators will find assistance within articles such as "Getting the Most Out of Your Liturgist" on page 14. ML's interview with Monica Brown on page 10 can help any minister understand better how the liturgy works to give their parishioners a fundamental experience of God.

These are only a few examples of what is available in this one issue of ML. Over the course of a year, ML provides a wide range of practical, sound advice for all of the various ministries of the church. What makes ML unique is it examines these ministries through the lens of the liturgy. ML is not exactly a journal about liturgy; it is a journal about how liturgy can help you with your ministry -- whether that is catechetical ministry, youth ministry, pastoral ministry or liturgical ministry.

If you have ideas, suggestions or comments about how ML can be more helpful to you in your ministry, please send them to me at 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112; MdrnLitrgy@aol.com.

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