Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan has encouraged the formation of liturgical committees in every parish where they do not exist “so that there may follow the spirit of rebirth which is the most basic concern of the Church in this post-conciliar era.”

Writing all pastors, the archbishop asked that they write by July 1 to Liturgy Commission Chairman Lou Erbs giving the names of their committees.

The action was lauded by Erbs and Father Henry C. Gracz, the commission’s priest secretary.

“For any commission to function, it needs contact with people on the grassroots level,” said Erbs. “The Archdiocesan Synod recognized this fact in recommending the formation of parish liturgy groups.

“We look forward to working with these groups with the hope that there will follow a continued vigorous growth in our parishes.”

Said Father Gracz:

“Or liturgical renewal often has become a rather heady affair which never reaches the layman with all the factors that have gone into its formation.

“If our worship and renewal is to be deep and penetrating, then we have to operate in contact with the man-at-large. This should give a broader base of operation to the work of the commission.”

The Archbishop’s letter:

Dear Father:

The Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission has been placed again in a position which will enable the group to assume a leadership role in the matters of Liturgy and celebration within our archdiocese. There is no activity of the entire people which is so essential to the spirit of the archdiocese than the life of worship in which our people engage. Here they express in action, in word, and in song the mystery of Christ which makes all of us one.

“There continues to be growth and development in the knowledge of the various forms of worship, all of which should be shared by everyone, so that there may follow the spirit of rebirth which is the most basic concern of the Church in this post-conciliar era. Communication at all levels are, therefore, essential. In this regard, the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission proposes to establish a regular preparation and mailing of a “newsletter,” which will provide information on current liturgical matters. This mailing will be directed tot he clergy and religious of the archdiocese. Communication also must be initiated with the people at large. While you yourself can contribute significantly in this, the suggested ideal for such contact within each parish committee was called for in the Decree enacted by the first Synod of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 1966, the Church of Christ, where it is stated: it is recommended that in each parish the laity be given a voice in implementing the directives and recommendations of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission. This could well be accomplished through a liturgical committee of representatives from the various parish groups.

“Several of our parishes have such a liturgical committee. Based on their experience, membership usually includes: the parish director of music; the head of the lectors; a person responsible for servers and ushers; a sister; a representative of the education program in the parish; a representative of the major parish organizations and the parish priest. The chairman of this group may be a lay person, who should be appointed to this position based on his or her knowledge of and interest in the Liturgy. It is important to insist on this type of lay involvement in order to make it clear that the Liturgy is essentially a function of the people—not a specialty for a limited few.

“I, therefore, encourage the formation of parish liturgical committees where they do not now exist. This should be accomplished within the next sixty days. By the end of July, I will appreciate your directing a letter to the Chairman of the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission, Mr. Lou Erbs, Tucker, Georgia, listing the name, address, and telephone number of all the members of your committee. The archdiocesan commission will then proceed to meet with and establish contact with the various parish chairmen. In this manner, we should be in a position to do much to reactivate and unify our efforts in this most vital area of the life of the Christian community.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Thomas A. Donnelllan

Archbishop of Atlanta