Submission Three - emailed PP.
Could it be that fewer Catholic Christians whom we know feel the need for regular liturgical prayer? They have all been baptised—some as adults—and are unlikely to have repudiated their baptism in significant numbers. Perhaps in their journey of faith, begun at baptism, they have experienced too few opportunities to grow in that faith: too few opportunities to express it in heightened ways? Perhaps their experience of good liturgy has been insufficient to benefit from its formative power?
If liturgy is to be the source of the Church’s worship and sacramental life, should we not look at its effectiveness and our expectations of its effectiveness every time we celebrate sacraments? In its Prayer after Communion on the 30th Sunday of the Year, the Church prays ‘that the communion we share in this sacrament may have an effect in our lives’. Given that this is what the Church prays, it is clearly what the Church believes. The liturgical catechesis we endeavour to provide for people like sacristans, pastoral associates, acolytes, readers, ministers of communion and directors of music seems to be well received. It is hard to imagine how they could fulfil their liturgical roles if it were not so.
The work of the Camino Committee in exposing us to what Elizabeth Harrington and Fr Richard Leonard have to offer is opportune if we are all to participate in the way Vatican 11 expected. Good liturgy is good catechesis.