Office of Worship
Statement of Purpose:
- to provide liturgical assistance to the bishop, the chief liturgist of the diocese;
- to promote good liturgical practice throughout the diocese;
- to provide formation and education for all the Catholic faithful of the diocese;
- to plan and oversee diocesan liturgical celebrations; and
- to assist liturgical ministers and parish liturgy committees throughout the diocese.
Do you have questions about the Liturgy? Email Fr. Victor.
Chairperson: Madeleine Platana
(807) 768-9655
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Members:
- Bishop Fred Colli
- Msgr. Pat Stilla
- Mrs. June Gaw
- Deacon Charles Johnston
- Fr. Victor DeGagne
- Fr. James Panikulam
- Deacon John Myers
Becoming a Roman Catholic
Most adults became a Catholic over a long period of time. Many adults were baptized as infants, spent their childhood in a Catholic home and received their education through the Catholic school system. These people were gradually initiated into the full life of the Church through the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
Some adults who were baptized in a Christian Church which is non-Catholic have become Roman Catholics after making a solemn profession of faith, being Confirmed and sharing in the Eucharist with the Roman Catholic community.
Other adults who have never been baptized have been initiated into the Roman Catholic Church after a process of formation, prayer and discernment by the individual and the community. This initiation is marked by the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the annual celebration of Easter.
The Roman Catholic Church welcomes new members and tries to provide each person with a suitable process for spiritual formation. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process for initiating new members. The process has been in use in Canada since 1974. In 1987 the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops published the Canadian edition of this liturgical rite, encouraging parishes to implement the RCIA. The goal of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is to foster or deepen one’s personal conversion to Jesus Christ, to living the gospel proclaimed by Jesus and to the life of the community.
The Process provides a structure that incorporates the preaching and teaching of the gospel, prayer, spiritual direction, catechesis (handing on the tradition of the church) and personal contact with members of the local parish. The process calls all members of the parish to share their faith with the new members. The women and men as they journey towards full initiation in the Roman Catholic Church. The parish provides sponsors who act as companions for those seeking membership in the Catholic community. There are liturgical celebrations or rites that are celebrated through-out the journey to mark the candidate's spiritual growth and to visibly express the parish's concern and support.
Periods of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The RCIA is organized or divided into stages or periods:
Period of Inquiry and Evangelization
The first period is a time of inquiry for those seeking admission to the Church. This is a time for the Church to evangelize by telling the story of Jesus. It is a time to ask questions about the Church and faith.
Period of the Catechumenate
Those adults who express their faith in Jesus Christ and a sincere desire to enter the Catholic Church move to the second period. This period is know as the Catechumenate which is primarily a time of catechesis. The candidates for initiation are known as catechumens.
Period of Purification and Enlightenment
The third period usually begins on the first Sunday of Lent. Those who are ready to receive the sacraments of initiation enter into a more reflective period coinciding with the six weeks of Lent. The candidates reflect on the meaning of Baptism and being a disciple of Jesus. Through the liturgical rites the parish community helps the candidates by praying for a strengthening of all that is good and protection from that which is sinful and harmful.
This period ends with the celebration of the initiation sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
Christians who already are baptized are received into full communion with the Catholic Church. (They are not rebaptized.) At this celebration the whole Catholic assembly renews their baptismal vows and promises.
Period of Mystagogy or Postbaptismal Catechesis
The 50 days from Easter to Pentecost complete the formal initiation process. During this festive season of Easter the new members with the parish community reflect on and penetrate the deeper meaning of the Easter Sacraments. This is a special time when the new members are welcomed by the community as they begin to discover how they will share in the mission of the Church. In many dioceses during this time the Bishop meets with the new members and their families to celebrate a festive mass of thanksgiving.
This period of 50 days reminds all members that the process of spiritual growth is a lifelong task. Celebrating the sacraments of initiation does not mark the end of our journey in faith. Our faith journey is one which is ongoing and takes place in the company of the community.
For whom is the RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is for any adult wishing to become a member of the Roman Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
For an adult baptized in another Christian Church seeking full membership in the Roman Catholic Church the RCIA will provide suitable catechesis and time for reflection on their spiritual journey. Their religious background and experience is respected during the initiation process.
How long will it take to become a Roman Catholic?
The Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is not a program that begins and ends on a predetermined schedule. Some people will need more time than others to prepare for initiation into the Roman Catholic Church. The usual length of time is one to two years.
Regardless of the length of time needed for preparation, initiation usually occurs at the Easter Vigil each year. The celebration of Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil highlights the focus of our Christian life: the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What is the first step in becoming a Roman Catholic?
Anyone who would like more information on becoming a Roman Catholic can contact the Catholic Parish nearest their home. The pastor will arrange for them to meet with a parish representative who will help them on their journey of faith.
Questions About The Liturgy
(by Fr. Victor DeGagne)
Do I have to drink the Blood of Christ at Mass on Sunday?
No, one is not required to partake of the Blood during communion at Mass, however it is highly encouraged to receive communion under both kinds.
Christ is sacramentally present under each form of bread and wine. In partaking of the Body of Christ alone, the communicant still receives the full grace of the Eucharist. This does not downplay the significance of the Blood of Christ in the spiritual life of the communicant.
At the same time, "the sign of communion is more complete when given under both kinds, since in that form the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly (GIRM 240)" and better illustrates the Lord’s command at the Last Supper to "take, eat and drink...." In the Eastern rites of the Church, it is the common practice to receive communion under both kinds while in the Latin rite many still only receive the Body of Christ.
Some prefer to receive the Blood of Christ by intinction, which is the technical term for dipping the host into the cup. This practice is strongly discouraged in many dioceses for many reasons ranging from hygienic to concern for proper reverence for the Blood of Christ (to avoid drips or spills).
I have Celiac Disease and am unable to receive the Body of Christ at communion. Sometimes at communion, the wine is not offered to the congregation which means that I am unable to receive that day. What should I do?
Your question brings forward a very important reality for some members of our Church who, due to their medical condition, find it difficult to fully participate in the Sunday Eucharist.
Celiac Disease is essentially an intolerance to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, wheat starch, hydrolyzed vegetable and plant proteins and some spices. The ingestion of gluten, by a person who has celiac disease, damages the lining of the small intestine which can cause immense pain, cancer of the bowel, comatose states and even death.
This is problematic for the Church, since according to Canon Law the hosts used for Eucharist must be made from wheat flour and as a result people with Celiac Disease are unable to receive communion under the species of bread and when only the species of bread is offered at Mass, then they are unable to receive at all.
According to a letter published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a person with Celiac Disease has the right to receive communion under the species of wine alone. If this option is not always available in your parish, I encourage you to speak with your parish priest about your condition and about how you can more fully participate in the communion rite.
For more information on Celiac Disease, please see www.celiac.ca.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has put together an information package on Celiac Disease and Communion. It can be viewed here.
Music Resources
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Celebrate published six times a year, available from Novalis This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (613)751-4040 ext. 2200.
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Prairie Messenger Box 190, Muenster, SK, S0K 2Y0
This weekly paper provides music suggestions four times per year. The
music is taken from Glory & Praise, CBW II, CBW III
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Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Licensing to obtain copyright is available to each parish according to
their needs. Diocesan licensing is only available to the diocese for
diocesan events.
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Hymnals for smaller parishes: Oregon Catholic Press
2005 Breaking Bread $2.90 per copy for 50+
Today’s Missal $2.40 per copy for 50+
These annual hymnals have a best known and a balanced selection of music.
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Catholic Book of Worship III is our national hymn book. Parishes may wish
to set into their yearly plan a music budget according to their resources and abilities.
General Resources / Publications
The following pamphlets are available at no charge from the Catholic Pastoral Center by calling (807) 343-9313 or by visiting 1222 Reaume St., Thunder Bay, Ontario, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Comfort & Peace: Catholic Funerals in the Diocese of Thunder Bay
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EnVision Church (Church art, architecture, seasonal environment & liturgy)
Liturgy & Our Spiritual Life