Catholic Sensibility

In BLS 182-195, we’ll cover “Roles Within the Parish,” starting today with the key person, the pastor:

§ 182 § The pastor is vital to the building or renovation of a parish church. The pastor shepherds the community through the various and often lengthy stages of discernment and planning and works with the finance committee in fulfilling his responsibility for the fiscal dimensions of the project. He must open channels of communication with the entire parish so that all voices may be heard. A clear initial presentation on the scope of the project and frequent updates on the progress of the work, especially any alterations to initial plans, coupled with displays of the architect’s renderings, floor plans, and scale models help to involve parishioners as part of the project from beginning to end. With the help of the staff and others in the parish, the pastor arranges for the parish self-study, the liturgical education of parishioners, and the preparation of the building committee as it begins discernment. The pastor is also the connection and communication link with the diocese throughout the process. In the final analysis, decisions concerning every facet of the building program from beginning to end remain with the pastor, in conformity with diocesan regulations. Wisdom, however, requires that the pastor consult broadly with the congregation, the parish staff, the parish pastoral council, the parish liturgy committee, and the parish finance council, as well as with liturgical and architectural experts and experienced diocesan personnel.

In sum, the pastor is leader (not necessarily doer), financial overseer, diplomat and facilitator, educator, spiritual director, liaison with diocese and parish. It might be no single person is good at all of these. In that case, the pastor delegates appropriately to people who are.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Black Friday, then Small Business Saturday make a Triduum. Cyber Monday tacked on, and now a #Giving Tuesday. Naturally, the conservatives will be hopping all over this attempt to get charity out of government hands and into the people’s, where it belongs. If anything, the GOP will need to get way out in front of the 2016 buy-off, eh?

What else can be added to make a neat little octave heading into December?

Starting with today’s post, we’ll look at the various roles within a parish as we examine BLS 180-195 ”The Role of the Parish Community,” a broad introduction to this subsection, gets two relatively brief paragraphs:

§ 180 § The entire parish is an integral part of the needs assessment and the development of priorities, which are the first steps of a process that will lead to a decision about building, renovating, and expending parish resources. While some decisions in the process will be made by committees, the decision and the design should never become the exclusive project of a small select group.

A greater danger is that decisions will be made, without much discernment, by a single individual.

§ 181 § When a parish is determining the need for a new church or for the renovation of an existing church, a thorough self-study and educational program is part of the needs assessment process. In that study the parish community reflects upon what it is, and what it hopes for in a new or renovated church. This is essential to enable the community to give direction to the architect and other professionals who will design the building.

This could be footnoted from the Rite of Dedication of a Church–this thorough catechesis is part of what the univeral church urges of the local faith community.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

A portion (7-11) of Psalm 147 for Thanksgiving Day:

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.
He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Ah! Plucked string instruments. I’m thankful for those, and their long history in Judeo-Christian worship.

Parish communities do not operate in local isolation. It is essential to gain the consent of the local bishop, and to involve him in what the BLS calls a “discernment process.” People who work for the bishop or who serve the diocesan Church can be very helpful to the parish process, providing catechesis, spiritual guidance, and practical contacts. Communication early in the process is also important.

§ 178 § The Apostolic See has provided guidance for designing places of worship that is necessary and invaluable for the local community. In the work of constructing or renewing a place of worship, “primary authority and responsibility for the nature and quality of the church building rests with the local bishop.”(SC 124) As the Code of Canon Law states, “No church is to be built without the express written consent of the diocesan bishop. . . . after having heard the presbyteral council and the rectors of the neighboring churches.”(canon 1215 §§ 1 and 2) Therefore, the building or renovation of a place for worship is a project that belongs to the local parish and the whole diocesan Church.(GIRM 291) Care must be exercised by the pastor and parish to consult with diocesan personnel from the earliest stages of the discernment process through the completion of the work. The diocesan liturgical commission or diocesan commission on liturgy and art assists with liturgical education and the development of the liturgical and artistic components of the building’s design. Some dioceses have additional building offices or similar agencies to help parishes with the selection of architects, engineers, and building contractors, and to provide valuable information about those who have successfully served the Church in the past. In the early stages of the project, the parish needs to be in communication with the appropriate diocesan office or commission in developing the budget for the project and the financial plan, since these require the approval of the bishop and his financial advisors. This document is designed to assist diocesan bishops in developing local norms and procedures to guide parishes in church design and construction and to provide knowledgeable advisors for the local parish, especially in the complex areas of engineering and construction.

§ 179 § In some dioceses the first step in any building or renovation process is a meeting of the pastor, the architect, and possibly, the liturgical consultant with the diocesan bishop or his representative to discuss any diocesan parameters. Such early consultation can prevent confusion and unrealistic expectations or diversions later.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Reading with some lament the abandonment of shared Sunday worship at Holy Apostles in Virginia Beach. The description of two separate altars, one each for Catholics and Anglicans strikes me as somewhat cringe-worthy. But it’s been a liturgical practice there for thirty-four years and hasn’t yet emptied the pews.

It reminds me of the situation my late brother found himself in many years ago. In California, he was a “high-church” Lutheran, and once found himself at a Catholic wake of a friend. The priest didn’t show up to lead the rosary, and my sister-in-law reported that after a brief check-in among those present, my brother drew upon his experience and offered his leadership services to the gathered Catholics.

A bishop is morally and theologically obligated to work for Christian unity. If indeed the time has come to end the Holy Apostles Sunday experiment, it is incumbent upon the bishops involved to forward other substantive ideas.

My wife uncovered this ten-year-old image of naptime. The young miss at age five, I believe. Splinter, our last white cat. Must have been a rough day at the parish, at pre-K, and in the rat race.

Process, not project:

§ 175 § The construction or renovation of a church building is a complex task that demands prayer and reflection, technical expertise and study. A building or renovation project is not the work of the pastor alone, nor is it that of a building committee. Rather, it is an act of faith that belongs to and engages the entire community. To be successful, a building project must be rooted in a proper understanding of the Church and of worship that becomes the point of reference for all future decision making. Creating and articulating this shared vision is a key element of the process.

Naturally, the entire faith community must be prepared to offer substantive input and reflection on the process. It might be suggested this is a required matter, that a community is not ready to build until it is prepared to engage in an act of faith.

§ 176 § Deepening a sense of ownership for the project involves taking the time to educate the parish, to listen to the people’s concerns, and to discuss the vision and values at stake in such a project. The time devoted to communication and education will help make the later stages of the process move more smoothly and will ensure that the relationships among parish members are strengthened rather than strained by the project.

Teamwork implies welcoming people from outside the community:

§ 177 § Since no single pastor or parish possesses the totality of expertise or vision required to execute a project of such great scope, the congregation and clergy will need to recognize the areas of their own competence, the role of the diocesan bishop and diocesan personnel, and their limits beyond which the assistance of experts will be required. Respect and appreciation for the competence of others in their respective fields is essential for good teamwork.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

My wife was feeling unwell most of yesterday, so while I was online in the living room she was catching the History channel’s Secret Access: The Vatican. I was wondering if we would see one of the players in the Vatileaks scandal. I noticed chefs, that Msgr Georg dude, cars, and documents in calligraphy. But no butler. The narration seemed rather hyped to me: information with a somewhat sexy subcurrent. But no background shots of people filching parchment off the Holy Father’s desk.

I perked up when internet commentator and filming consultant David Gibson appeared the first time.

I really perked up with Brother Guy Consolmagno and the Vatican Observatory.

They also mentioned the Borgia popes. I see there’s a reform2 movement afoot for the infamous family. Is that like trying to suggest that once in a while, one of them went to confession, then said Mass, and it was a very good day, in contrast? No doubt the stained reputation of scandal takes on its own life after the centuries and a pay-tv miniseries. Like the Tudors, and many others. What draws us to such viewing? That we will see a public slip? Hence the popularity of unscripted programming, be it game shows or so-called reality tv.

I suppose my consolation prize for semi-distracted tv viewing was not Paolo Gabriele but the Orange Fanta on the pope’s dinner table. I would have thought him a juice man.

Master plan, as in resources, finances, et cetera, not liturgical:

§ 172 § As part of its stewardship efforts, each parish should have a master plan for the current and future allocation and augmentation of its resources. The master plan contains the statement of the parish vision and priorities, the long-range general plan for parish buildings and properties, and the outline for the allocation of financial and personnel resources.

Ideally, a mission statement focuses the parish, allows people to zero in on community priorities, not get distracted by peripherals:

§ 173 § The parish mission statement and its list of priorities can serve as the basis for making decisions about resources and projects. In addition to the mission statement, the master plan includes a current inventory of buildings and property; a site plan; an analysis of the current condition of significant items that impact budget, plans, and priorities; and regularly updated reports on the parish’s financial assets and projections for future growth, or the amortization of debts as well as maintenance and replacement data on major items such as furnaces, roofs, elevators, and other items of capital outlay.

For musicians, maintenance and replacement data for a pipe organ is essential–don’t forget that.

Don’t forget what the larger community is doing:

§ 174 § Since planning is affected by many events, a regularly updated report on area demographics, population trends, and planned growth and development by the municipality’s planning office that could affect parish property and the surrounding area is an important part of the data in the plan. The assessment of potential items of major liability or sources of income are also part of this long-range plan. The decision to build a church or to renovate an existing worship space is made within the framework of the master plan.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

I was noticing up-and-coming blogger, atheist-converted-Catholic Leah Libresco posted on her baptism yesterday. I’m always curious about the choice of a day for adult baptism when it’s off the liturgical year. The Church strongly urges Easter Vigil, of course. It does so with such an insistence that it presumes that if an adult is baptized elsewhere in the liturgical year, that it be prepared by a Lent of sorts. Not only by the elect, but also by the community, or a portion of it.

The 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time is an unusual choice. If Easter Vigil is not possible, there are other baptismal feasts, even this time of year. All Saints Day and Christ the King seem more fitting for this particular month. And a seven-week wait for Epiphany or Baptism of the Lord, is a thought too. The Orthodox embrace the Epiphany/Theophany as an appropriate baptismal feast, along with Easter and Pentecost.

The picture posted is also intriguing, as it features two clerics (plus one in the background) but no sign of a godparent.

I am aware of a conservative or clerical pushback against “RCIA” as it surfaces in parishes. It’s important to keep in mind that RCIA is, by definition, rite. Not a catechetical/faith sharing offshoot on weeknights or during Sunday Mass. One priest I knew commented several years ago, “I don’t do RCIA if it’s not called for.” I could well have commented, “If you’re a Catholic priest you sure should be doing it. What other initiation rite is there?”

Whatever rite was used, congrats to Leah on her baptismal day.

With this post, we begin the final chapter of Built of Living Stones. Sections 170 through 261 should take us through two months of posts, more or less, and give us a look at the practical side of building or renovating a church building. “Building a Church: Practical Considerations” covers the topic of sections 170-171.

§ 170 § Having reflected upon the nature and purpose of a church, having reviewed the activities that take place within the worship space, and having considered the role and importance of the arts as part of the act of worship, we here address the actual task of building. This chapter examines the practical considerations such as who should collaborate in building the church, how to develop a master plan, what kind of educational process will be most helpful for parishes, and how to work with the relevant professionals.

§ 171 § Churches are built to be legacies to a community’s faith. Every parish community hopes that its space for worship will endure long after those who now pray there have joined the Messianic Banquet. Liturgical education is primary in the development of any parish’s plans for the future, since the building is an embodiment of the Church’s transmission of the Gospel. If built wisely and well, the building itself will evangelize the descendants of its builders.

This chapter will be footnoted somewhat less than the previous ones, and the concerns are less theological and more pastoral. Naysayers of bishops might use that as an opportunity to take license with what is presented here. But this part of the document was influenced by many practical consultants, and contains practical, if not theological wisdom.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

For the past twenty years scientists have been finding planets outside the solar system. Michael Lemonick’s book is an excellent introduction to the science, as well as the story behind it: real people conducting extra-solar exploration.

It’s logical that astronomers find larger planets easier to detect. However, Jupiter-sized planets are not thought to be prime abodes for potential life in the universe. As detection methods improve, smaller and smaller worlds are found. The big hope is to find a place like Earth out there. Oxygen in the atmosphere. Water on the surface. Life getting by.

This book captures the effort to refine detection methods, to uncover new ones, and to move the search for life in the universe from the page of science fiction to telescopes and other tools and the application of human ingenuity to the challenges.

Finding that Earth-sized planet just the right distance from a star is the prize. (Not too close so as to be molten or have a steam atmosphere, and not too far away for a freeze-out.)

Mr Lemonick takes the reader through the excitement, planning, and expectations of the past two decades. The science is presented in such a way so as to be easily understandable to the casual reader. The human stories give added interest.

Spoiler: we haven’t found life off-planet yet. The effort continues. But this really good read gets you up-to-date as of early 2012.

Let’s wrap up BLS, Chapter Three with an important question parishes sometimes face: what happens when its time for retirement? First, bishops are responsible:

§ 166 § Sacred art that is no longer useful or needed or that is simply worn out and beyond restoration deserves to be treated with respect. To insure the protection of worn or used sanctuary furnishings, vessels, vesture, and other liturgical artifacts, many diocesan bishops have issued directives about their proper disposition when they are no longer suitable for worship. In addition, with the closing or merging of parishes, vessels and vestments can be available for the use of other parishes and missions. In disposing of such artifacts pastors should consult the diocesan worship office or chancery to learn what directives or procedures are in effect.

Show of hands: parishes that keep an inventory:

§ 167 § In addition, bishops have exercised their responsibility as stewards of the Church’s artistic resources by encouraging pastors and diocesan personnel to consult with experts and to create an inventory of historic churches and of objects in any church that have artistic or historical value. Such inventories are most helpful when they carefully itemize and list each entry’s value and note any changes to the objects since they were acquired.(Opera Artis 3) Usually two copies are made so that one can be kept at the local parish and the other in the diocesan curia, both as an historical record and for insurance purposes. In some cases, copies are sent to the Vatican library if this is appropriate.

Not just any donation, but one attached to a vow:

§ 168 § Objects of great artistic or historical value or those donated to the Church through a vow may not to be sold without special permission of the Holy See.(canon law 1292 § 2) When such objects are not to be sold but disposed of in some other way, the diocesan bishop should be contacted so that the concerns of donors and the requirements of canon law are fulfilled.

Effortless and free is not the way to go …

§ 169 § Every community knows that if its house of prayer is to radiate the beauty of divine presence, effort and sacrifice will be required. Besides appropriate remuneration for the work of its artists, the community must show its respect for these works by maintaining and preserving them as the years pass. In doing so, they encourage those with artistic aptitudes to continue to serve the community and in this way build up and support a local community of artists worthy of liturgical work. A covenant is established linking artists and congregations, an “alliance between art and the life of religion” through which may be heard an artistic voice “that love inspires and that inspires love.”*

*Pope Paul VI, Address to the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Art in Italy (December 17, 1969) (DOL 540, no. 4326): “This leads us to conclude by encouraging you to act in such a way that, under the aegis of the liturgy, that is, divine worship, a bond of union, an alliance, will be reestablished between modern art and the life of religion. This should contribute to restore to art its two greatest and most characteristic values. The first is beauty, perceptible beauty (id quod visum placet: a beauty grasped in the integrity, proportion, and purity of the work of art; ST 1a, 39.1). The second is that indefinable but vibrant value, the artistic spirit, the lyrical experience in the artist that is reflected in his work. The alliance between art and the life of religion will also succeed in giving again to the Church, the Bride of Christ, a voice that love inspires and that inspires love.

“There is a second concluding point to which Vatican Council II attributes particular importance. Before anticipating a new epiphany for sacred art, as though it could spontaneously give itself a new birth and new creativity, we must take pains with the formation of artists. As always we must begin with the education of the person (see SC 127).”

Education is important. But it is usually one of the last stages, not one of the first. Some might suggest that the evangelization of an artist is a beginning, in the sense that an artist must come to know the Church, and to know Jesus Christ before embarking on a work of art. It might be that conversion is part of that evangelization. But it might also be that an artist values the encounter with the inspiration for the art. And by the way, since when are we concerned more with with what people give us, and not the person herself or himself?

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

You can now experience the dress rehearsal of my musical Tobit: The Path of Virtue on YouTube. Sometime later today, I’ll post the timing-starts for the individual songs.