Reviews

Books

The Liturgy Committee Handbook, likely the best manual in this category, was clearly written by people who have extensive hands-on experience with liturgy committees at the parish level. In an easy-to-read, no-nonsense style punctuated with wonderful humor, the authors present the hazards and pitfalls that come with the institution and maintenance of the liturgy committee. Nothing is left out of this guide, from a list of common problems and solutions to a running commentary on resources useful for every topic. Those who are just setting up a new liturgy committee will find this book an invaluable roadmap not only for avoiding the potholes that can stop a committee in its tracks but also for its brilliant vision of what a liturgy committee should be. Folks who have already established a liturgy committee will find fresh ideas about how to solve the problems they have encountered along the way and ways to rejuvenate acommittee that may have become stagnant over time. Having worked with liturgy committees for 20 years, I am currently forming a liturgy committee in a parish that has no experience with this process. I keep this book on my desk and use it as an outline of how I would like this committee to be formed. As we, the church, continue to evolve, we need an increasing number of well-informed people to prepare our worship. This handbook is an essential tool for that task.
— Donna M. Cole

Remembering Women: Women’s Stories from Scripture for Sundays and Festivals compiled by J. Frank Henderson; Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622-1101; 1999; 384p; $25.

This anthology of 250 Old and New Testament stories seeks to lift up Scripture stories of women which have been either shortened or omitted altogether from the Roman and Revised Common lectionaries. A brief selection of psalms illustrative of the feminine image of God is also included. This compilation offers a fine contribution to Sunday worship; however, these women’s Scripture stories also offer a great richness to the ministry of catechists, preachers, spiritual directors, pastoral ministers — all those charged with calling forth discipleship of others.

The three-year cycle arrangement is accompanied by an index applicable to the Roman and Revised Common lectionaries. An excellent introduction unfolds the methodology, and three enlightening essays enrich readers’ perspectives. I highly recommend this collection.
— Donna Marie Bradesca, OSU

A Eucharist Sourcebook compiled by J. Robert Baker and Barbara Budde; Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622-1101; 1999; 145p; $15.

Developing the theme of Eucharist so that we perceive the vastness of what this sacrament means for each of us, several authors contribute to chapters that enable us to reflect, remember, pray and celebrate with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jesus’ gift to us. Using the Emmaus experience to begin the reflections, the authors move us from hunger, gathering, praying and remembering into an understanding of offering, eating and drinking together. Using wisdom words and writings of key authors as well as reflections from the past 16 centuries, we are invited to pause and savor the meaning of both the words and the actions that take place during the celebration of Mass. Ending with the concepts of healing, feeding the world and the Body of Christ for all persons enables us to conclude with a compassion that begins with a common union on a path of solidarity. A useful compendium of resources at the end of the book contains excellent footnotes. There is also a chapter on authors, sources, and resources that stimulates a guided further pursuit of learning.
— Miriam J. Gallagher

The Mystery and Meaning of the Mass by Joseph Champlin; Crossroad Publishing Co.; 370 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017-6550; 1999; 126p; $9.95.

Joseph Champlin outlines the Mass past and present, highlighting the changes that enhance the liturgy and gather us together in a more visible community approach. Each part of the Mass is taken apart, and the meaning of the ritual as well as the actions of the presider and the assembly are explained. The book combines well the why’s and the how to’s of the Mass, thus providing a clearer vision for those people who would otherwise be passive spectators.

Simply written, this book would appeal to initiation groups and other persons wishing to grow in their understanding of the Mass. Easily usable as a teaching text, it will also appeal to parish education programs seeking to provide an opportunity for discussion and greater participation in the Eucharist.
— Myriam J. Gallagher

Experiencing the Reconciling God by Joan McKamey; St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1615 Republic Street, Cincinnati, OH 45210-1298, 1999; 83p; $9.95.

This book is the Program Planner for one or all of the three videos produced by Catholic Update Video Reconciliation Series: The God Who Reconciles (reviewed below), The Church Celebrates the Reconciling God (reviewed below) and Preparing Your Child for First Reconciliation (see ML26:6). Each video has its own guide but this book contains valuable supplementary information.

A brief but thorough and easy-to-read introduction clarifies the role of family and church in preparing a child for reconciliation. There are four alternate plans for a formation program for parents only and for parents with children. Three sessions are included for planning a formation program for catechists. Eight reproducible handouts are provided. Additional resources for further references in Scripture, the catechism, Catholic updates, books, videos and audiocassettes are also given. This book is recommended for directors of initiation programs, for faith-sharing groups and for parish, high school and campus ministry libraries.
— John M. Ebrom, CDP
 

Videos

This 40-minute video is divided into four separate segments. A leader’s guide is included which summarizes and explains each part of the video and provides discussion questions.

The target audience is any adult or teen group that is studying reconciliation either for review or for their initial consideration of this sacrament.

The story segment “Pardon and Peace _ Remembered,” a powerful modernization and re-telling of the prodigal son story, is a well-acted, poignant and engaging presentation. Key characters are the wise grandfather who shares his own painful story of separation and his granddaughter, Jennifer, a teenager who pronounces her parents “too rigid.” By the end of the segment, reconciliation takes place on many levels, an occurrence that allows viewers to relate to similar experiences in their lives. In the witness segment, we hear a touching tale of an alienated family brought to reconciliation through the narrator’s conversion experience.

The teaching segment prompts Tom Richstatter, OFM, to clarify our understanding of sin and reconciliation based on God’s desire for all creation to be at peace. The teaching is thorough and understandable as well as catechetically sound. The final segment is a rousing musical presentation featuring David Haas in concert singing “No Longer Strangers.” An outline for a prayer service includes this song.

Several options for using this video come to mind. Each of the four segments is capable of standing alone and can enhance a class or meeting by itself. Or the entire video can be shown in one setting, with pauses for discussion if desired. Once again, Catholic Update Videos give the pastoral minister an excellent resource for a parent meeting, for an initiation group, or for personal enrichment.
 — Marilyn Peters Krawczyk

The Church Celebrates the Reconciling God, a Catholic Update Video, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1615 Republic Street, Cincinnati, OH 45210-1298; 1999; #V2002, 27 min, $39.95.

The literature that advertises this video says that it “focuses on the history, theology and practice of the sacrament of reconciliation.” That is indeed what it does. Following the general outline of all the Catholic Update Videos, this tape has a story segment, a witness segment, a teaching segment and a music video segment. The story segment is quite different from those on other Catholic Update Videos. Three imaginary representatives of the past tell about how the sacrament of reconciliation has changed with the needs of the church. A fourth-century bishop, a seventh-century Celtic monk and a mid-20th-century person each take a turn to explain the understanding of how the sacrament was viewed in their day and time. The witness section presents several real-life Catholics explaining in their own words what the sacrament of reconciliation means in their live. David Haas and others nicely do the music video segment that finishes off the video, meant to offer a time for reflection and prayer on all that has been seen and heard.

Together with the two other videos in the Catholic Update series on reconciliation, this video serves as are source for initiation, adult religious education and high school groups in coming to an up-to-date understanding of the sacrament of reconciliation.
— John Martin Ebrom, CDP
 

Music

Tom Kendzia gives us a collection of three linked ritual pieces, psalmody, musical settings of others’ text or music, original songs and a Lenten gospel acclamation. I liked the sound of the CD and the approach of the collection. You can tell a real in-the-trenches music director wrote this material — it’s very singable and practical for liturgy. You can also tell an artist with a deft touch for varied American musical styles recorded it. The disc is well produced, relying on the composer’s abilities on piano, jazz organ and synthesizers. Spirited singing from choir and soloists makes this an enjoyable listening experience.

Tom touts creativity as key to successful music ministry. Though not as demanding as some gospel composers, his keyboard arrangements do benefit from a player with a creative feel for contemporary genres. The vocal parts are within the reach of any established choir. To duplicate the soulful feeling of the recording, cantors need a good level of comfort with rhythm and style.

I found it hard to single out any individual pieces; the whole collection is of a high standard. The three psalm settings are gentle, well crafted and melodically good but do not really break any new ground. Tom uses “Lead Us to the Water” three times: as the core of ritual pieces for the gathering rites, fraction rite and communion, and dismissal. If you are looking for music to link related sections of the liturgy, these settings are well done, although presider parts need to be improvised (they are not included).

If your parish is looking for “youth” music, there may not be enough up-tempo selections in this collection to attract them. Tom’s approach to “unified ritual music” is being done elsewhere, but his style makes a unique contribution to the dialogue. I’d recommend this collection for a mainstream parish music program that wants to explore the styles of jazz, gospel and “pop” without getting in over its head.
— Todd Flowerday
 

Reviewers

Donna Marie Bradesca, OSU, is a member of the Ursuline Congregation of Cleveland and a professor of pastoral theology at St. Mary Seminary, Cleveland.

Miriam J. Gallagher, RSM, is a pastoral associate and educator of Scripture and religion programs appropriate for students and their families.

Sister John Martin Ebrom is a Sister of Divine Providence of Texas and is currently serving as director of community services for the Diocese of Alexandria, La.

Marilyn Peters Krawczyk is director of religious education at St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in Palatine, Ill.

Todd Flowerday serves at St. Edward Parish in Waterloo, Iowa, as liturgist and pastoral musician.

ML

What do YOU Think?
Send an e-mail to ML Editor
or post an entry on the ML Current Issue Discussion Board. (All submissions become the property of RPI and may be edited for length.) 

—ML