The Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission has sent priests and nuns a booklet of supplemental scripture readings for weekday Masses in the first of three steps to renew the liturgy. “The changes in the liturgy are not haphazard but rather part of a continuing program to give worship its fullest meaning—in which God’s people clearly speak through Christ and in which God continues to reveal his plans for them,” said Louis Erbs, commission chairman, and Father Henry Gracz, priest-secretary. The book may be purchased by laymen at the Notre Dame Book Store.

Another step planned is that members of the commission will work with a team of seminarians in various parishes of the archdiocese, presenting a seminar program “Life in Today’s Church.”

The third phase has been developed through the music subcommittee with Father Ellis DePriest, S.M., as moderator. A program for parish choirmasters and organists demonstrating musical interludes for hymn singing and choral settings for the meditation (previously called the gradual) will be given at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Wednesday, May 24.

In addition, Erbs and Father Gracz said they hope parish representatives will attend a workshop in Baltimore, June 12-16. They said the workshop will have composers, conductors and organists form several countries to aid in the development of good music in parish workshop.

In a notice to priests and nuns, the commission said it is most appropriate that there be one station (pulpit or ambo) for proclaiming the Word of God. This not only provides for one central point and special place for Scripture readings and homily but also helps to indicate the primacy of God’s Word. As in the past when no men are available, sisters may act as lectors.

The letters also said because of the difficulty in understanding the Epistles at first hearing, the lector should present the brief summary of the passage. For example, “A reading from the Epistle of St. Paul which tells us to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Erbs and Father Gracz said, “The most immediate step is the series of new weekday readings for daily Mass. All parishes in the archdiocese will be using an entirely new selection of passages form the Holy Scriptures.

“The American bishops and our own archdiocesan Synod hope that through these readings and the homilies accompanying them, we will be exposed to Christ’s word here and now; speaking to us, unveiling Himself and the Father about the divine plan for our own salvation and that of all peoples.”

They quoted the Synod which said, “Too much stress cannot be placed on the importance of the continued study of the Sacred Scriptures. This cultivation of Sacred Scripture is required of those who are active in the ministry of the Word lest any of them become ‘an empty preacher of the Word of God outwardly, who is not a listener to it inwardly.” (St. Augustine).

Other members of the Liturgy Commission are Dr. William Thompson, Dr. Joseph Wilber, Mrs. Paul Traina, Sister Louis Mary, R.S.M., Sister Mary de Montford, G.N.S.H., three pastors—Fathers John McDonough, Ellis DePriest, Eusebius J. Beltran, and two assistant pastors—Fathers Conald Foust and Matthew Robbins.