Catechetical Mass Workshops

As our diocese prepares to implement the new translation of the Roman Missal, the Office of Worship and the Diocesan Liturgical Commission are presenting Catechetical Mass Workshops that will be presented in nine parish churches throughout the diocese, including one presentation in Spanish. Each Catechetical Mass Workshop will have a priest presider who will demonstrate the celebration of Mass in all its parts. The workshop will include a theological and historical background of the Mass from liturgical documents and other resources, an explanation of the meaning of the postures and gestures in Mass that are part of the Revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal, and a preview of the new texts that will eventually be used in Mass by the faithful and the priest presider.

The workshop will be presented in six segments corresponding to the six elements of Mass. Each segment will be an explanation of an element of Mass prior to its celebration so the experience of the celebration itself will not be interrupted by narration. The six elements are: Gathering/Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Presentation of Gifts and Preparation of the Altar, Eucharistic Prayer, Communion Rite, and Concluding Rites.

Handouts will be provided for all in attendance. Participants will have an opportunity to write any questions they may have on a Q&A form. The questions and answers will be posted on the Office of Worship website.

Pre-registration is required and will be handled through the Office of Worship ONLY. No registrations will be accepted by parishes. Sign-in the day of the workshop will be from 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM. The workshop will begin promptly at 10:00 AM and end at 12:00 Noon.

Following is the list of host parishes and their locations, dates of each workshop and the priest presiders. Anyone from any parish is invited to any workshop.

• Saturday, November 20, 2010, St. Jude Thaddeus Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont. Rev. John Hughes, Presider.
• Saturday, December 4, 2010; St. Pius X Church, 5075 Bigner Road, Beaumont. Rev. Joseph Dang, S.V.D., Presider.
• Saturday, December 11, 2010; St. John the Evangelist Church, 620 53^rd Street, Port Arthur; Rev. Sinclair Oubre, Presider.
• Saturday, January 15, 2011; Blessed Sacrament Church, 780 Porter Street, Beaumont; Rev. Henry Davis, S.S.J., Presider.
• Saturday, February 5, 2011, Our Lady of the Pines Church, 1601 Pine Street, Woodville; Rev. Michael Strother, Presider.
• Saturday, February 19, 2011, St. Henry Church, 475 W. Round Bunch Road, Bridge City; Rev. Steve Leger, Presider.
• Saturday, March 5, 2011, St. James Church, 3617 Gulfway Drive, Port Arthur; Rev. J. C. Coon, Presider.
• Saturday, May 7, 2011, Sacred Heart Church, 3730 FM 160 N., Raywood; Rev. George Okeahialam, M.S.P., Presider.

~~please include the following information upon registration~~

• Your full name
• Your complete mailing address, including zip code
• Your contact phone numbers
• Your parish
• The workshop date and location you will be attending

The Eucharistic Liturgy is the center of the life of the Church, and the celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Christ is the center of the liturgy. How often do we reflect upon the meaning of this celebration as a whole, of its development and growth over the centuries? What do we understand of all we pray and do in Mass? How do modifications, changes and adaptations in postures, gestures and texts affect the Mass? It is our hope that a better understanding of this great gift of the liturgy will lead to a deeper appreciation of and a greater love for the Mass.

Come join us for one of the Catechetical Mass Workshops!