Louis Erbs, one of the most progressive members of the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission last year, has been appointed chairman of the new commission, Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan announced.

Erbs, a member of Our Lady of Assumption parish, will be the first lay chairman of the commission. Father Henry Gracz, assistant at St. Joseph’s in Athens, is priest-secretary. The archbishop said through Erbs and Father Gracz, the Pastoral Council, headed by James W. Callison, will have the services of the liturgists.

Other members of the Liturgy Commission are Dr. William Thompson, professor of sculptor at the University of Georgia; Dr. Joseph Wilber; Mrs. Paul Traina; Sister Louis Mary, R.S.M., of St. Joseph’s Infirmary; Sister Mary de Montfort, G.N.S.H., of Immaculate Heart of Mary; three pastors—Fathers John McDonough, Eusebios J. Beltran, Ellis DePriest; two assistants—Fathers Conald Foust and Matthew Robbins.

“Atlanta’s liturgical leadership is reflected in this membership,” the archbishop said. “We look to them to be a body of resources on this subject, activators of good programs of parish worship, and conductors of the new experiments.”

A new liturgical directory for all, the study of the samples of the international English text, and guiding the “new funeral rite” are the immediate tasks on the agenda.

Archbishop Hallinan also announced a new Commission on Music with Father DePriest as moderator. It will be a subcommittee under the Liturgy Commission and will develop an art-sculpture-architecture subcommittee at a later date.

Members of the subcommittee are Hamilton Smith, Robert Krick, Mrs. Frances Edward, Keith Langworthy and Father Methodius O.C.S.

Members of the Liturgical Commission will be available soon to speak at parish meetings, and aid pastors and assistants with programs that will deepen and vitalize the parish liturgy.