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Category Archives: The Armchair Liturgist
The Armchair Liturgist Gets One Livestreaming Mass
My parish has fielded several negative comments about our livestreaming Masses the past three weekends of our “soft reopening.” We also see our numbers dropping in both attendance and in the internet experience. The reason given? The poverty of the … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, The Armchair Liturgist
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The Armchair Liturgist: Pandemic Gloria
Looking to a return to Mass in public, we are getting the first guidance for parish worship from our bishops in Washington state. I dreamed last night that people in the hundreds crashed our “private” livestream recording. It was tense. … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Music, The Armchair Liturgist
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The Armchair Liturgist Masks The Ministers
I know that the upper level liturgical muckety-mucks have weighed in against face masks for clergy. I confess our livestreaming priests don’t wear them. One, who shall go unnamed, has lost the spongy guard on the mic, leaving today’s presider … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist: Good Friday Communion This Year
The question, as of late, has been more me to my boss, “How are you doing?” Yesterday, she beat me to the punch. I was quiet during our Good Friday walk-through, which is unusual for me. I certainly have opinions … Continue reading
Posted in Holy Week, The Armchair Liturgist
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The Armchair Liturgist: January Baptisms
Few parishes celebrate baptisms during Advent. There’s not a particular prohibition against them. December tends to be busy, if you didn’t notice lately. Church life operates at a slower pace after December 25th. If the clergy haven’t gone off the … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist: Who Welcomes Whom
I don’t travel much on weekends, but occasionally I find myself in a church where some announcer (lector, songleader, or priest) welcomes me. I appreciate the thought. Even in the rare non-Catholic service I might attend, I strive to make … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist: Food and Drink In Church
A few of my choir members have small children. Now that we’re incorporated into the back two to three pews, families are somewhat integrated into the music area. And I’ve noticed that ubiquitous church breakfast cereal, like what is described … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist: St Blase On Sunday?
What do you do every fifth, sixth, or eleventh year when the third of February falls on Sunday? Liturgy geeks know that the memorial of Blase, Bishop and Martyr, just vanishes when the observance falls on a Sunday. But there … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist: How Much Mass To Miss?
This post isn’t about the more ordinary worshiper. It’s more about those more in the servant role. It’s been many years since I’ve been in a parish with multiple preachers who were assigned three to five repeat homilies on a … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist: Blessing The Advent Wreath
Like it or not, nearly every parish seems to have an Advent wreath. Homes, not so much. The US bishops give this home ritual, in case you and your household are sticklers about it. If you’d like something special for … Continue reading
Posted in Advent, The Armchair Liturgist
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The Armchair Liturgist Seats Latecomers To Mass
On a friend’s facebook feed, I noted a link this op-ed from last month’s edition of US Catholic. I confess I don’t get trussed up about people arriving late for Mass. I commented on the link that (I think) I experienced … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist: Starting a Wedding Liturgy
With wedding season in full flower, how about some questions about the Rite of Matrimony? In my current parish, the pastor emeritus gave couples the option of making a brief welcoming statement after the entrance procession. It’s still on the … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist: Colors For Choirs
At choir practice last night, a few members asked me about what to wear at Mass this coming weekend. I don’t like advising people on fashion, but as you might suspect, the question of color came up. Again. I hope … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist Forgets To Light Candles
Things get busy at a parish before a weekend Mass. Every so often, something gets missed. I’m sure your parish never has to trouble over this problem, but what would you do if the sacristan forgot to light the candles … Continue reading
Posted in Holy Week, The Armchair Liturgist
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The Armchair Liturgist: Greater Works On Mother’s Day
If your parish has a lot of funerals, today’s and Sunday’s Gospel may be the most proclaimed reading you offer at Mass. Funeral celebrants don’t get to this piece in verse 12, which has made me wonder since my college … Continue reading
Posted in Scripture, The Armchair Liturgist
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Catholic Sensibility 