For more information regarding the Worship Commission, please contact Antoinette LaCinski 

Courtesy of the Diocese of Lansing:

INTRODUCTION

"The wonderful works of God among the people of the Old Testament were a prelude to the work of Christ the Lord. He achieved his work of redeeming humanity and giving perfect glory to God, principally by the paschal mystery of his blessed passion, resurrection from the dead and glorious ascension, whereby, dying he destroyed our death and rising he restored our life". (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 5).

Christ continues to redeem God's people and remains present in his Church, especially in its liturgical celebrations. With Christ as our high priest, we celebrate this same paschal mystery and offer thanks to God for the great gift of our salvation. All liturgy, then, is an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. "...Every liturgical celebration, because it is an action of Christ the priest and of his Body the Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others; no other action of the Church can equal its effectiveness by the same title and to the same degree". (CSL 7; canon 834.1).

The word "liturgy" is derived from the Greek word, litourgia B "the work of the people". Our Christian liturgy, however, is really God's work. We cooperate in God's work. At his invitation, we gather together to worship him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).

And in this worship, we both express and foster faith. "Faith grows when it is well expressed in celebration. Good celebrations foster and nourish faith. Poor celebrations may weaken it" (Sing to the Lord, 5). Therefore, it is with the utmost pastoral concern that pastors and parish leaders must prepare liturgies that are in accord with the liturgical books and documents, bear fidelity to the rich heritage of the Church, and enable "the full, active and conscious participation of the assembly". (CSL 14, 42).

These goals are best served when dedicated persons are attentive to how liturgy is celebrated. Therefore, each parish should develop and maintain a Parish Worship Commission, who works in collaboration with the bishop and the pastor.