Mutual dialogue is touted. But dialogue, by definition, is mutual. Preaching is one-way. Usually. Anyway, the bishops suggest the pastor, parishioners, and hired professionals all get along in such a way so as to fashion a place of “sacred beauty.” I’d say it’s quite possible. You?
§ 205 § Collaboration is essential to every architectural project, but it is even more so in architecture at the service of liturgy, for cooperation reflects the very nature of the Body of Christ. The members of the parish community along with their pastor, the liturgical consultant, the artist, the architect, and the contractor are all called to a collaborative effort, whose goal is to summon forth the finest expressions of faith within their means. Mutual trust and openness are central components of the collaborative effort. The parish, represented by its pastor and committees, the architect and liturgical design consultant, the artist, and the contractors should strive to listen to each other with careful attention so that a place of sacred beauty will emerge from their mutual dialogue.
All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
A message to bishops, and from there, the whole Church:
8. On this happy occasion, I wish to invite my brother bishops from all over the world to join the Successor of Peter, during this time of spiritual grace that the Lord offers us, in recalling the precious gift of faith. We want to celebrate this Year in a worthy and fruitful manner. Reflection on the faith will have to be intensified, so as to help all believers in Christ to acquire a more conscious and vigorous adherence to the Gospel, especially at a time of profound change such as humanity is currently experiencing. We will have the opportunity to profess our faith in the Risen Lord in our cathedrals and in the churches of the whole world; in our homes and among our families, so that everyone may feel a strong need to know better and to transmit to future generations the faith of all times. Religious communities as well as parish communities, and all ecclesial bodies old and new, are to find a way, during this Year, to make a public profession of the Credo.
Naturally, the Holy Father wants the Year of Faith to be a fruitful endeavor. I think he touches on some benchmarks: a more intense reflection, centered in churches and homes, as well as among different groups of people, developing motivation for knowing and sharing the Faith in the laity. And this “public profession” of faith–in religious communities, parishes, and “all ecclesial bodies,” which I presume would include hierarchical institutions.
In the posts to follow this week, sections 9 through 13 of the document, Pope Benedict goes into some detail as to what sorts of activities, attitudes, and initiatives will be suggested in the Year of Faith. I’ll suggest some, also. I encourage your suggestions, too.
