LITURGY COMMITTEE of

HOLY TRINITY & ST MARY CHURCHES

SOMERSWORTH & ROLLINSFORD

 

Minutes of the June 9, 2008 meeting

 

June 21, 2008

 

  1. The Combined Liturgy Committee usually meets the 2nd Monday evening of the month. All are welcome to attend. The current members of the committee are: Dcn Bill, Ron Cormier, Beatrice Lachance, Connie Cooney, Gary Hodsdon, Gina Gaughan, John Dube, Lee Reublinger, Lou Michaud, Maggie Roberge, and Wilhelmina Wiegman. Our last meeting was January 21, 2008. Attending this June 9th meeting were Dcn Bill, BL, CC, GH, GG, JD, LR, LM, MR, & WW. Also attending was Fr Mike, Pastor designee of Holy Trinity, St Mary, and St Martin.
  2.  The next meeting will be August 18th, 2008 at 6:30 PM in the parish hall of HT. This meeting will be to develop the calendar for the rest of 2008/2009. The September meeting will focus on Advent.
  3.  There was no specific agenda for this meeting other than to meet Fr Mike and gain his perspective on liturgical celebrations when he becomes Pastor.
  4. Fr Mike opened the meeting with prayer. LR gave a brief overview of the committee and it's development since being formed in 2003. Fr Mike then discussed the proposed merger and likened it to a marriage where husband and wife each bring things to the new union. Some are combined, some are discarded. He sees possible similarities between Somersworth and Portsmouth where three churches were merged but all remain open. Fr Mike does not want to close churches but to build churches and community.
  5. Fr Mike then discussed the new Mass schedule and how it was developed. There is a certain population of parishioners who want a 4 PM Saturday Mass in an area like St Martin. There is another group of parishioners that would prefer a later Saturday Mass and Holy Trinity's location would facilitate them. As to Sunday, Fr Mike wants to have a Mass at each church by noon and the times selected seem to work the best for the most parishioners and the new, one hour Religious Education programs. GH supports Rel Ed at HT from 10:30 to 11:30 followed by Mass at 11:30. Daily Masses will be the same for Monday through Wednesday, with Thursday at 7PM added at Holy Trinity and Friday at 9 AM added at St Martin. Adoration will be from 6 to 9 PM Friday's at St Martin.
  6. The web sites. Fr Mike likes to manage the sites from the office and will ensure they are complete and up to date as a resource for the parishioners and visitors alike.
  7. Confessions. Saturday confessions will be from 2:00 to 3:00 at St Martin. This leaves time to prepare and greet arriving parishioners for the 4 PM Mass. There will also be evening confessions at Holy Trinity from 6 to 6:30 PM on Thursdays once the Thursday evening daily Mass begins at Holy Trinity at 7 PM. Fr Mike is trying to establish a time for confessions at SM.
  8. Fr Mike is working on a new Holy Day schedule. One concept now is to have two vigil Masses at 5:30 and 7 PM and three Masses on the Holy Day; one at 7 AM, one at 12:15, and one at 7 PM. Places have not been worked out and parishioner input will be appreciated. There's time yet to make the best possible schedule.
  9. Conduct of the Mass. a. Fr Mike likes to meet with all the Mass participants prior to the Mass in the Sacristy like we have been doing. The difference, over time, will be the appointment of a Sacristan for each Mass to coordinate the preparations for the Mass and attendance of ministry personnel.

b. The Deacon will serve at all Masses and process with the Book of Gospels.

c. Fr Mike likes to have two Lectors; one for the first reading and responsorial if not conducted by the Music Ministry and the second for the second reading. The Lectors will sit with the congregation until time for their reading. After the reading, the Lector will return to the congregation. We will ease into the transition to two Lectors. BL will coordinate and revise the July schedule as possible to accommodate the new Mass times. Each church will fill it's own ministry requirements.

d. Generally, there should not be “double duty” for Lectors and EME's.

e. The Deacon will give the Prayers of the Faithful.

f. The ushers will ensure the gifts are brought to the altar along with the first collection. We believe we can “bag” the offertory quickly enough so as to not overly delay the presentation of the gifts. When there is a second collection, it will be bagged and stored in the secure area.

g. Communion will be under both species.

h. Music. Fr Mike currently likes OCP missalettes/music and all three churches will use the same source over time. There should be music conducive to prayer, contemplation, and preparation prior to Mass. CD's are fine. The Alleluia will be sung. The Offertory hymn should continue until the washing of hands is complete. Singing of the Lord's Prayer should be investigated. There should be a nice recessional followed by an instrumental while the church empties.

i. Fr Mike will do all announcements. These should be coordinated through Sandy.

      

   

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Lee Reublinger

Chair/Secretary