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ML, however, has a very definite lens through which readers can view the pastoral effort to know and celebrate our faith. The focus of ML is to continually ask the question, How can the ritual celebration of our faith lead to a deeper and more profound experience of that faith?

This issue is a good example of how that question is dealt with. In the lead article, ML interviews Bishop Remi De Roo, who believes liturgy is a catechetical opportunity. He notes the homily especially must become an opportunity to link the Scriptures with our daily experience and with the paschal mystery.

Jay Cormier offers some concrete help to those who take Bishop De Roo’s critique seriously. In “The Homilist As Storyteller,” Cormier shows how an effective homilist can translate the “facts” of our faith into meaningful connections with our lived experience.

Joseph Martos is also in this issue with a 20-year-old conclusion that is still relevant today: If sacramental celebrations are to be meaningful, they must be connected to actual experience. It seems elemental, but Martos believes we still have a long way to go to achieve that mandate of Vatican II.

Good liturgy reflects daily experience and also reflects the tradition of the apostles as handed down through two millennia of history.  When personal experience and ecclesial tradition don’t seem to mesh, we are provided with what is euphemistically referred to as a “catechetical opportunity.” One of the most common of these opportunities is a request for an outdoor wedding liturgy. Paul Turner gives us some insight on dealing with this common pastoral issue. (For more on how tradition impacts liturgy, see the sneak preview article, “The Law of Liturgy: Interpretation and Implementation of Liturgical Documents” on ML’s website at www.rpinet.com/ml/2904lawl.html.)

This issue is just one example of a 10-times-a-year effort to provide parishes with useful, hands-on tools for liturgical catechesis. ML’s goal is to help parish leaders in their efforts to make liturgy more effective. Check out this issue, and send an e-mail (MLeditor@rpinet.com) to comment on what you think. ML

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