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Reviews
BooksGuide for Ushers & Greeters,Lawrence E. Mick Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60622-1101; 1997; 72p; $5. Did you ever want a booklet or guide to put into the hands of ushers or greeters for liturgical services? This practical and easily readable book is perfect. It answers frequently asked questions, describes common and not so common situations, suggests responses, and offers challenging questions which can be used for training or group sessions. -- Mary Jane Treichel Sermon Seasonings: Collected Stories to Spice Up Your Sermons, Ralph Milton Wood Lake Books, 10162 Newene Rd., Winfield, BC, Canada V4V 1R2;1997; 192p; $11.95. The first requirement of a homily, sermon, conference, talk or class presentation is to "Get their attention." This is the value in the more than 150 selections in this book. Two indexes point to appropriate Scripture references and general subjects. Each story selection has its proper category but suggests several other possibilities. "Marriage," for example, adds "Easter," "hell," "hope," "resurrection," "suffering" and "wedding" as possibilities. There are four sections on humility, six on humor. This book will help homilist, preachers, catechists and teachers "spice things up." -- David O. Brown MusicHow Awesome Is This Place: Morning and Evening Prayer for the Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church,The Schola Cantorum of St. Peter's in the Loop Liturgical Press, St. John's Abbey, Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500; 1998; cassette $11.95; CD $14.95. When it comes to tending the tradition of sung prayer in the Catholic church, The Schola Cantorum of St. Peter's in the Loop stands out not only for its superb musicianship but also for the care with which it approaches the liturgy. This collection of Gregorian chant is comprised of the entire text of morning and evening prayer for the anniversary of the dedication of a church. Sung entirely in English, this recording demonstrates most clearly the value and power of the Liturgy of the Hours sung with prayerful conviction. In a time when chant has become something of a popular music fad, The Schola Cantorum, under the expert direction of J. Michael Thompson, clearly distinguishes the music that connects the Catholic Christian people throughout the ages from the music form presented for the purpose of entertainment. Although this recording purports to demonstrate "the access that an assembly can have to Morning and Evening Prayer sung in this manner, even without the service of an organist," it is doubtful that the average assembly would find this material easy to sing, especially without an organist. It does, however, demonstrate that such a possibility exists. Regardless of its ultimate application, this recording is outstanding and is a more than worthy addition to the musical library of any community. -- Donna Cole ReviewersMary Jane Treichel, PhD, is a pastoral counselor and a pastoral associate at St. Patrick (Bridge Ave.) Church in Cleveland and a high school mathematics teacher at Thomas W. Harvey High SchoolDavid O. Brown, OSM, is a minister in a downtown city parish in Chicago. Donna Cole is a liturgist and liturgical musician in the Diocese of Newark. She is the author of Liturgical Ministry: A Practical Guide to Spirituality (Resource Publications, Inc., 1996). What do YOU Think?
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