Saint Paul, Minnesota
2020
To break down barriers to full participation in worship by identifying the ways people may be prevented from feeling welcomed or included and creating new practices that welcome all.
Provide a brief summary of the purpose and goal of your grant.
The purpose of our grant is to examine the worship practices of our Catholic community at St. Thomas More through the lens of "accompaniment", the model of welcome and mercy found in the teachings of Pope Francis, and to allow these principles to transform said practices. The goal then being a worship and liturgical experience that journeys with each person wherever they are in their faith journey.
What are two questions that have generated reflection on worship and helped shape your project?
One question that has arisen is: how to do we accompany those who have little experience with the Catholic church and might feel uncomfortable at a particular liturgy? Are there ways to include them in our community's life of prayer and draw them towards the sacraments without making them feel like outsiders? This relates in some degree to both families at our school and non-Catholic spouses?
What impact has your project had on the worship life and habits of the congregation?
Through our sessions of discussion and reflection around the idea of accompaniment, the Worship Commission has identified the importance of "sending it home". The way in which we journey with others in their liturgical experience cannot stop inside the church walls and so we have implemented practical ways to encourage prayer and devotion within the household. The pandemic has made this all the more pressing.
What have been your greatest challenges (or challenging opportunities)?
One challenge has been the discouragement of fellowship after Mass. The idea of accompaniment really takes off when people are able to share their lives and stories in and around the liturgy. The pandemic has made this challenging.
What would you like to share with other Project Directors?
This has been quite a fruitful process for our group and has given not only those involved in the Worship Commission tasks for the next year, but has supplied our whole leadership structure with language and theology in deepening our ministries.
