By Rita McInerney

Twenty years after the Second Vatican Council and Extraordinary Synod will be held in Rome from Nov. 24 to Dec. 8 to discuss the application of the historic council convened by Pope John XXIII.

In announcing the 1985 Synod last Jan. 25, Pope John Paul said it would be held “to favor the further study and constant introduction of Vatican II in the life of the Church, in the light also of new needs.” The synod is extraordinary because it is called outside the normal three-year cycle of bishops’ synods. The next ordinary synod is scheduled for 1987.

The Second Vatican Council, held in three sessions, the last of which ended Dec. 8, 1965, resulted in major reforms of liturgy, promoted dialogue with other Christians churches and emphasized collegiality in relations between the bishops and the pope.

On the parish level it challenged and strengthened the Spirituality of many Catholics while severely testing the strong faith of others, especially older Catholics. It brought the laity about the altar, to the pulpit and to partnership in the parish. It called for a new focus on Scripture and made the Bible a valuable prayerbook for many. Adults found new areas of service to the Church; children were led to the sacraments without fear.

The Georgia Bulletin asked Catholics from areas around the Archdiocese of Atlanta to share their thoughts on what Vatican II has meant to them. Here are the questions they were asked: 1. Did the changes brought about by Vatican II help make you a better Catholic or (in the case of priests and religious) help you better fulfill your vocation as a priest or Religious?

2. Is there any renewal or restoration you would like to see?

Their answers begin here and continue on page six inside:

Anne Amerson is a member of St. Luke’s parish in Dahlongea where she is organist, chairman of liturgy committee, editor of “The Epistle,” the monthly parish newsletter, and does “Sunshine” work for the sick in the parish.

1. Not only would I be a worse Catholic today if Vatican II had not happened, I wouldn’t be a Catholic at all! When I accepted a job as choir director for a Catholic church nine years ago, it never occurred to me that I would ever become Catholic, and but for the changes brought about by Pope John XXIII’s vision, I doubt seriously that I would ever have converted. What I found happening in the Catholic Church was a real effort to get back to the essence of original Christianity and to express it in ways relevant for this century. Instead of the rigid, stagnant, dogmatic institution I had expected, I discovered a living, growing faith community.

Coming from a strong Protestant background with recent studies of Oriental philosophy, I was surprised and pleased to discover that my new Catholic associates did not disparage or condemn but rather honored the truth in other religions even as they rejoiced in their own faith. Remembering how my best friend was forbidden to be part of my wedding many years ago because she was Catholic, I was excited about the new spirit of ecumenism taking place. With no need to feel defensive, I became very open and interested in learning about Catholicism. The liturgy, so confusing and repetitious to me at first, gradually became more and more meaningful. I watched the faces of people coming up to receive Eucharist and wondered what they were experiencing that brought many of them back even on weekdays. I began to enjoy greeting and being greeted with the Sign of Peace.

The aspect of the Catholic Church that drew me most and led to my confirmation was the discovery that it is not an institution or a building or a theology or a creed but a people living, loving, worshiping together. I became Catholic because I wanted to be a member of a family so diverse in background, culture, education, etc., and yet so committed to one another.

2. If I read the signs correctly, brakes are being put on the spirit of renewal that came out of Vatican II, and that disturbs me greatly. When I embraced Catholicism, I envisioned that it wouldn’t be too many years before women would be allowed to participate fully in the life of their Church and that members of my family who love and serve the Lord Jesus in other branches of the Body of Christ would be allowed to receive the Body of our Lord Jesus when they worship with me. When I read of women deaconesses and married bishops in the early Church, I wonder at the rationale of the continued prohibitions in our own time.

There is one aspect of Catholicism that has been de-emphasized in recent years, not as a result of Vatican II but of the scientific, rational mindset of this century. I would like to see a restoration of the place of mysticism in our Church, so that we are encouraged to look for and experience the deeper spiritual reality which our sacraments symbolize and point toward, the experience of our Lord living in us and us in him, so that we may “grow to the full maturity of Christ the head.” (Ephesians 4:15)

Msgr. John F. McDonough, vicar general of the archdiocese, has been rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King since 1972. He had previously served as rector there from 1964 to 1966. He is the spiritual moderator of the Archdiocese Atlanta Council of Catholic Women.

1. Looking back, I would say my identity as a priest has been confirmed.

The Church has shown itself open to the future and rooted in the past. Vatican Council II proved that the Church was aware of the changes in the world, and was ready to adjust, wherever it was possible, to these changes -- admit its mistakes of the past and try to better fulfill the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I can’t help being proud of being a priest in such a Church.

2. As far as what should be restored, I would probably say, “A sense of personal sin.” This, it seems to me, has been lost. Why, I don’t know, but there appears, at least to me a diminishing sense of sin in Catholic America. Excuses are made for the sins we commit; peer pressure; strain and stress; it’s not my fault; my genes are not right; there is no sin. All of which have taken away the responsibility of our actions. If this is true, why speak of the last things -- punishment, hell, purgatory, etc. There isn’t going to be any punishment.

Pope John Paul II seems to have this in mind when he speaks frequently of the need to confess our sins.

Teresa Gernazian has been a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, Atlanta, for over 25 years. A widow and the mother of four, she has been active in the Women’s Guild and the mothers group there.

1. I believe the Council documents, as written, were inspired by the Holy Spirit. I’m especially appreciative of Mass in English, the reinstatement of the Prayers of the Faithful, the emphasis on the role of the laity and the emphasis on Scripture. The Document on Ecumenism has humbly reminded us that “whatever is wrought by the grace of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of our separated brethren can contribute to our own edification.” Yes, I think our change in attitude toward people of other religions and other aspects of renewal have helped me in my spiritual growth.

2. Pope John Paul II has displayed strong support for Vatican II yet has patiently upheld traditional teachings. It is my prayer that the Synod will promote avenues of balance to offset the misinterpretations of the Council. According to numerous Catholic newspapers, one area of particular concern in this country, is that of religious education of our youth. I would like to see some “smoothing out” of the “rough edges” of this problem.

A treasured memento in my possession is a post card from Rome dated Dec. 16, 1965: “Greetings from Rome...’The experience of attending the Vatican Council has been truly marvelous. I am fortunate to have had this opportunity!’” signed “Fr. Zeb Beltran”...now Bishop Eusebius J. Beltran of the Diocese of Tulsa.

Father Al Jowdy is associate pastor of All Saints parish in Dunwoody. He was ordained in 1984.

Several months ago our parish Stephen Ministers asked me to make a presentation on a similar topic, a comparison of priestly training before and since Vatican II. I eventually begged out of the task simply because I never experienced seminary life before the Council.

All my adult life has been spent in the post-conciliar Church, in fact, all my education for ministry took place long after its liturgical and pastoral changes had settled. So I’m afraid I take it all very much for granted.

That makes this an exciting time to be alive in the Church. We have two generations whose entire religious upbringing was before the council, one generation that grew up during the changes and the newest generation that can’t imagine the Church in any other way. That calls for a lot of patience and reconciliation.

One of my hopes is that we will continue to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit regarding ministry, both ordained and non-ordained and that of course touches on the issues of ecumenism, celibacy and the opening of roles to women. I also hope we keep in mind the unfinished agenda of the council, which is healing the wounds of confusion and misunderstanding, and reaching out to those who feel alienated from the Church of their youth.

Mike Kelly is a member of St. Philip Benizi parish in Jonesboro where he is director of sponsors for the RCIA and serves on the adult formation committee.

1. Absolutely. The changes brought forth from Vatican II were not really changes but a return to the message of our Lord Jesus. Just as the Pharisees got lost in the law we had gotten lost in the Baltimore Catechism. It’s one thing to memorize a way of life, quite another to live it. Vatican II called me to the Church and created an atmosphere in which I could be Church. Rather than just leading me down the road to Emmaus, it called me to get up on my own two feet and walk the journey for myself. Along the way the richness and tradition of the Catholic faith has supported my journey. Vatican II helped me to appreciated my Catholic upbringing and to realize that I am a part of a universal community of believers helping each other to answer the call to Jesus to “Follow me.”

2. We must continue our renewal process. Conversion is not a one-time occurrence, so the Church must continue to turn and grow. I’m involved as a team member of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and see it as a very basic form of continual renewal within the Church. Not only does it reach out to new members but through its support of the process the entire community is able to grow. I would hope the RCIA continues to be supported by Church hierarchy. I would also like to see the process further developed to reach out to fallen away and back pew Catholics.

As the laity becomes more involved and the fallen away return we must provide for their hunger to grow in faith. I think the Catholic Church has been remiss in adult faith formation and I see this as an important area which needs to be addressed.

Chip Henry, 38, is president of the parish council at the Church of St. Ann, Marietta. He came back to the Church in 1981 after many years away. He and his wife, Toni, are parents of four children.

1. I did not come back to the Church through RCIA. It was largely due to the acceptance of people in the parish who encouraged me and showed me they cared about me. I was invited to make a Cursillo and after that I realized that other people were more important than yourself. I began to realize other people’s needs.

I got involved in the night shelter, in different groups in parish, the prayer group, the Knights of Columbus, inner city building through St. Vincent de Paul. I was elected president of the parish council in January, 1985 and am a Eucharistic minister. I don’t think all of this would have happened to me without Vatican II. The laity would not have been involved as much. The laity is a tremendous part of the Church today. This involvement is two-fold, it gives you the opportunity to know yourself through the needs of others and it’s the grace of God working through you.

2. In answer to the second question, I’d like to see the diaconate program upgraded. We need a lot more deacons to assist priests in the massive job they have to do. Priests can’t be sociologists and everything else they are called on to be. The Church needs so much help now. Highly qualified men and women can do a lot to help meet these needs. I really believe the diaconate program is the biggest factor in aiding the priests, monsignors, bishops.

The second thing the Church needs is Catholic cable television. The Church is losing out to the Protestants. People are sitting in their living rooms being educated by all the Protestant programs. They don’t even know their own faith. We need a fulltime Catholic cable network and we need it now.

Mother Mary Jozefa Kowalewski, V.H.M., is superior of the cloistered Monastery of the Sisters of Visitation in Snellville and president of the first federation of the Visitation order in the United States.

1. The answer would have to be a definite “Yes.” I took my first vows during the second session (of the Second Vatican Council) in 1963 and my final vows in 1966. Thus my ongoing formation was definitely affected by the council. The Divine Office became part of my liturgical life as well as Scripture study and an emphasis on theological studies, not neglecting human development. Also, the council asked us to go back to our roots. St, Francis de Sales, a great innovator, wanted retreats within our cloister available to women back in 1610. Today it is again a part of our apostolate and has acquired an ecumenical dimension. Many non-Catholics making retreats within a strictly cloistered community would have been unthinkable before Vatican II.

The statements in several of the conciliar documents clearly define our role in the Church and the value of our life. The church’s mind, the council’s mind is quite clear, as a daughter of the Church, so is my mind on the value of withdrawal from the world in order to serve in the world. This has confirmed and strengthened my desire to live our form of life to the hilt and help others do the same.

2. I really hesitate to answer this question for I lack words to state what I believe in such a way that would not be offensive or misunderstood. I believe, along with all the various programs, that the documents themselves should be carefully studied. So very many sweeping statements have been made on what Vatican II wants by so-called experts that it appears to me a mere manipulation of the documents for one’s own view or a very selective interpretation.

I would also like to see a greater understanding for our way of life which we love and one where focus is put on us as women who are cloistered rather than on the cloister itself. So-called experts who seem to abound in counseling us how to live our life would do well to read the conciliar documents before quoting them. Most of these counsel us to live the cloister. I know personally that it is possible to live a strictly contemplative life and be very happy about it. And I happen to know many other women who do just this.

Deacon Forrest Briesch is a fulltime pastoral associate at the Church of Transfiguration in Marietta. He is responsible for coordinating instruction for parents of children to be baptized, and RCIA. He works with couples preparing for marriages and counsels couples seeking annulments. He visits the sick, preaches and performs baptisms, marriages, and funerals.

1. Yes, in many ways the new liturgy of the Mass with its use of the vernacular and active participation beyond the traditional usher and altar boy roles gave me a sense of real ownership in the official public worship of the Church that I only minimally experienced before Vatican II in the paraliturgical devotions.

As Catholics, over the past several centuries, our relationship with God to the persons of Father, Son and Holy Spirit had progressively become more vertical, personal, transcendent and unfortunately, apprehensive. I feel this created in me and for many others a false image of God as being aloof, overly demanding, conditionally loving, insensitive and at times vindictive. The focus seemed to me to be more on God’s power, omniscience and his strict sense of justice than on his love and mercy.

The openness, acceptance and understanding flowing from the changes of Vatican II in such areas as ecumenism, marriage legislation, laity involvement in a broad spectrum of Church life and the restoration of the diaconate including admittance of married men to this order has effected in me a better image of God. For me at least there now exists a balance between the vertical transcendental nature of God and his horizontal immanent, incarnational and communal nature as expressed in the humanity of Jesus. The Father for me has become loving, gentle, compassionate and forgiving, more in focus with the image that Jesus taught through his parables and miracles. Jesus has become more approachable due to a better balancing of His humanity and divinity; and the Holy Spirit has become a powerful force in my life as a counselor and guide.

2. I feel much still needs to be done in three areas of concern for the Church. It seems to me we are still too focused on the legal and governing role of the Church. The pastoral role of the Church as exemplified by Jesus towards the women as well, I feel, suffers greatly by this focus. Our mission to evangelize and make disciples of all nations stumbles in “How” to welcome, receive and minister to those whose lives will not fit neatly into the compartments of acceptability that our laws create.

In my life I have encountered many people who have been alienated by an unfortunate perception of us as elitist regarding membership -- preferring only the cream of the crop, so to speak. Jesus simplified the overly burdensome legalistic law of the day by two simple commandments -- love God and love your neighbor. Couldn’t we examine, reduce and simplify our Church code of law in light of these same two commandments?

We have restored many of the practices today that existed in the first five centuries of the Church such as the diaconate, the vernacular, Eucharist as meal, etc. I feel two areas beg for restoration or reform -- optional celibacy for priests, and admittance to Ordered service of all who qualify by virtue of their spirituality, knowledge and sense of commitment to service regardless of sex. Optional celibacy for the Western Church only became the accepted discipline in the year 385 A.D. at the insistence of Pope Siricius. The Eastern Rite never adopted this practice except as it related to its bishops and above.

The Church through the ages has tolerated, endured and worked to overcome many cultural practices and attitudes in society which it denounces today clearly as evil such as slavery, racism, exclusive nationalism, vendetta, unfair labor practices and sexism. Through its faithful proclaiming the message of Christ, many of these evils today have been weakened or eliminated. Areas previously the cultural prerogative of only the rich, the royal or the male are in reach today of the common person regardless of sex, race or culture, such as medicine, law, accounting, etc. I would like to see the Church address these same issues internally that it has so successfully done in civil society. I believe it is the time for cultural chauvinism regarding service roles for all of us and for the unforgiving attitude toward those who challenge or refuse the human disciplines of the Church to be buried in the same grave as their civil counterparts are.

Susan Buckley is director of religious education at Sacred Heart Church in Atlanta.

1. Well, I wasn’t Catholic in 1964, in fact, I became a Catholic in 1975, so changes had already taken place and it was possible for me to join. I was brought up to distrust and be suspicious of Catholics. Everyone in my church at the time knew that Catholics needed permission to do anything and didn’t need to be responsible or held accountable. That didn’t fit the definition of adult.

In 1975, I wanted to be one with my family in faith. My husband was Catholic and my first son was making his first Holy Communion. I decided to join. I also discovered I like hearing the Good News; that life was a journey, that grace was given freely along the way and that adults needed to be responsible, but I feared the faith wouldn’t do for me what I thought it had done for others. At the end of my preparation (one-to-one with a priest), I still had doubts although I was ready for the traditional ceremony. I took a giant step at that point because I couldn’t define or understand “Transubstantiation,” the mystery of the Eucharist was something I didn’t own yet but no one asked me if it was mine either. I decided not to worry about it, accept it and practice using the Eucharist and see what would happen. During my first confession, I remembered sharing my fear that if anything happened to my family, if my husband or children were taken away from me, I didn’t know if I could remain a Catholic. Thank the Lord, that wise priest accepted me with all my doubts.

A short 10 years later, I am a director of religious education, whatever that means! It speaks to me of my journey in maturing and deepening faith, not of knowledge. In fact, God shakes his head and laughs with me in all that I don’t know but He delights in my eagerness to learn.

All that the Catholic Church offered is real and it worked when I let it. It was an invitation I took seriously - to be responsible, honest, explore, examine and grow. I am thankful and grateful for the growth the Church has gone through too. The Church experiences growth pains just like the individual does. It is all so normal and healthy; it needs to be celebrated.

2. Nothing. We need good caring and sensitive leaders in the ecumenical movement. My parents, brothers and sisters did not support or understand my decision to become Catholic then and they do not now and yet I sense that they know I have something special.

Rose Kinkela is a member of St. John the Evangelist parish in Hapeville where she is active in the Ladies Guild and the Ladies Boutique. She is treasurer of the Archdiocese of Atlanta Council of Catholic Women.

1. Well, in a couple of ways yes. Before Vatican II, I just went to Mass and tried to follow the Latin with the English translation. I don’t think I was able to concentrate. I ‘ve begun to realize, since it’s in the vernacular, just what Mass means. I really enjoy it more.

Before Vatican II we accepted whatever our priests and bishops said. Now I appreciate the fact that I can go ahead and talk to my pastor, ask him questions and I can disagree with him without feeling that I’ve committed a sacrilege. I really enjoy the new companionship we enjoy with our priests and nuns. And this new companionship has given me more respect for them.

One of the best results is that we now have more adult education classes. They’ve been very helpful to me, I get much insight into the complexities of our religion and I feel free to ask questions.

2. I do not like the idea of everybody drinking out of the common cup especially since the U.S. Congress passed a law years ago that you can’t have common cups in schools, bus or train stations because of the transmission of disease.

I would like to see the solemnity restored to the Mass without crowding the altars with Eucharistic Ministers and children.

I personally would like to see a High Mass celebrated once in a while and Benediction. And I think they should start teaching children the Baltimore’s Catechism.

Father David R. Kikielski is parochial vicar at the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul in Decatur.

1. What did the changes brought about by Vatican II do for me personally?

-Greater understanding of the church as “community” and greater awareness of my personal need for such.

Greater awareness of all members of the Church as missioned to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.

Greater awareness of the Church as a dynamic entity and not a static one thus always in need of further growth and change.

-Spirit of hope.

2. What renewal or restoration would I like to see?

-Optional celibacy for diocesan clergy.

-Woman deacons, priests and bishops.

-Small parish communities rather than large, with each having but one Mass on Sunday.

-Continued liturgical renewal: design of worship spaces which allow for the entire assembled community (and not only the priest) to move from lectern to altar, as well as the development of a third liturgical center, the baptismal pool, located near the entry way of the church building and around which the entire assembled community gathers for both the introductory and closing rites of each Mass.

-Renewing the practice of not only baptizing, but confirming and giving First Eucharist to infants when we receive them into the Church, thus restoring even here the integrity of the Sacraments of Initiation as a unit.

-Continued justice and peace efforts.

-Continued ecumenical effort.

Deacon Winston Leverett and his wife Dorothy are members of St. Paul of the Cross parish in Atlanta. Deacon Leverett is president of the parish Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Dorothy Leverett is active in SVDP, the Altar and Rosary Society and is a church usher.

1. Vatican II did bring about changes that helped us to be better Catholics as well as better Christians. We became active participants instead of just passive spectators. When the priest celebrated Mass with his back to the people, it was like riding in a bus sitting behind the driver. The changing of the Mass from Latin to English with the priest facing the people gives us a better understanding of the Mass and its true meaning. Sharing both species at communion, being able to receive the bread of the Lord in the hand is very special to us.

Sister Barbara Smiley, R.S.M., is coordinator for adult education and youth ministry, St. John the Evangelist parish in Hapeville.

1. Every decision made before Vatican II was made for us.

I think one of the things happening with Vatican II is that more decision making is given to the individual. I found that helpful to maturity and, looking at my own vocation, as more my making the decision to keep on going in the stages of formation. The changes gave us a lot of freedom and that freedom helped us in doing works of mercy. Before, we were almost cloistered and not able to go out and do works of mercy. You would get up, go to school, come back. Your life was very regimented. I find that the freedom we have now really does help us in reaching out to people and in doing works of mercy.

2. I would like to see Religious women and the laity more involved in decision making, not just on the pastoral level but on the diocesan and the whole Church level. The other thing I would like to see is women’s ordination. I feel there are women who feel called to that. I don’t believe there is anything keeping them from it except tradition. I would like to see it studied and acted on more than it is.

Susan Sendelbach is a pastoral care chaplain at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She is a member of Transfiguration parish, Marietta.

1. Yes, my life has been deeply affected by the renewal in the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council. My profession, my ministry, my faith, and understanding of other faiths and denominations was enhanced.

At the time of the Vatican II Council I was in grammar school. As a child, I remember seeing the changes in the Church. I flowed more easily with these changes and accepted them as the Church authorities around me were quite helpful in educating us through the transition. I feel that I was at a good age to remember the years prior to the Second Vatican Council and through these memories I understand what adults older than me remember well.

As an adult I am profoundly grateful for the changes that Vatican II brought about. My own faith in God and commitment to the Church was deepened through my active involvement on committees, through music, and in the liturgy. I felt my faith expression supported and my propensity for questioning affirmed.

Through my deepened faith in God and increasingly active involvement in the Church I chose to study for professional ministry. I am currently a hospital chaplain and before that I was in Catholic campus ministry. I have served in a variety of professional ministry positions including parish ministry, jail chaplain, psychiatric chaplain, halfway-house counselor, etc. All of these ministries would not have been open to me if Vatican II had not called forth a greater involvement from the laity to leadership. I feel that I can more readily utilize the gifts and talents that God has given me for the service of others and the Church.

2. Vatican II addressed many issues of reform, of which there have been great stories in implementation. I’d like to see a great many more changes, and most of these would come from our taking another look at the documents themselves and seeing what we have done and what still needs to be done. It is my hope that those meeting at the upcoming Synod will utilize the time in this way -- to further enhance the work begun at Vatican II.

I see wonderful reforms that have happened in parishes with increased leadership and use of the gifts of the laity on many levels. Through this shared ministry priests and men and women in religious communities are also more freed to minister more effectively. Yet in many parishes the active participation and the voice of the people could be more greatly enhanced. I’d like for us to move one step further and explore the power of consensus decision making and affirmation of each others gifts of time and talent.

In a similar light we could continue to put new energy into creating dynamic liturgies and prayer services. I feel that our spirituality is the basis from which we all enhance our participation in the community of believers. Active, creative liturgical committees formed from a people of diverse backgrounds who are centered in faith and prayers all help our worship, preaching and liturgical roles enrich ourselves and those who come to the Church.

Christian Catholic education has been emphasized and needs to be more greatly utilized over the next many years. We have formed a vast resource of trained educators to aid us in our spiritual growth. I would like to encourage this advance.

I would like to see a broadening of collegiality on levels of the Church structure. I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to and through each person. We can expand our openness to shared decision making.

Finally, I am personally enriched by the greater openness to a variety of ministerial professions in the Church since Vatican II. I would like for us as a whole Church to seriously consider expanding these opportunities so all people of faith can utilize the gifts of service that God gave us. Sometimes we seem to lock our mind into ideas of what priests can do, sisters can do, what the laity can do, and yes, even what bishops can do and those in those roles may have other gifts to share that are untapped.

Can we freely explore whether priests need to be all celibate males? Can we envision greater roles of leadership for women, married people, the young, the old, the “handicapped?” At this time in our Church, we experience what some would term as a shortage of vocations. Perhaps we can reframe this as a time of opportunity. Maybe the vocations are present in the same or even greater numbers, but we need to open our hearts and minds to see vocations and ministerial expression in a new way.

Robert Montana is a Hispanic Counselor with Catholic Social Services. He is a member of St. Jude’s parish in Sandy Springs.

1. I really think so. The idea of the Church became more of a living community than before, became the product of our interaction with other brothers, the images of Christ.

The major emphasis in the biblical theology looked to me like the return to the true sources and the becoming of a more authentic faith based more on the simple words of the Bible and not in the complicated concepts of the philosophy on style.

The liturgy with the priest facing the participants and the use of the language of the people involved on one side demystified as a great deal the ceremonies and made me more of a celebrant.

2. I would restore the following: In the eagerness for “aggiornamento” certain obligations were suppressed, and unfortunately people do not appreciate too easy things; people get confused and think that they are simply not important any more; examples could be the fasting before communion, the kneeling positions, the environment of silence, respect and meditation.

The religious clothing for priests and nuns; I am very conscious that the habit does not make the monk but it helps both the lay person and the consecrated to be always aware of the transcendental mission and responsibility of the ones exclusively dedicated to the Lord.

The Gregorian Chant, even though it can be representative of an age and culture, for the enormous tradition had become almost a “sine qua non” element of the rituals that gave them an “imprint” of solemnity, respect and simplicity that hardly can be reached by other styles.

Father Gerard F. Gill, M.S.F.S., is pastor of St. Patrick’s parish in Norcross.

1. It’s hard to answer that question as I would have to know the extent to fulfillment I would have attained if there had been no Vatican Council. I know that the changes, particularly those pertaining to the liturgy and the renewed emphasis on sacred Scripture forced me to a greater study of these subjects than I perhaps would otherwise have taken and this has given me a better understanding and deeper appreciation of their value and meaning. This in turn has brought me closer to the Church and made me more aware of the tremendous mystery of God’s love for his creatures and the wonder of God’s giving in the Mass. The true spirit of the Council has been a great inspiration for me and has helped me find fulfillment in my priestly life.

2. There have been many wonderful things happening in the Church since the Council based on the spirit of renewal advocated by the Council. Renewal is the key word and it is to be emphasized. Sometimes it seems that the spirit of the Council is misunderstood and taken to be a spirit of innovation. Thus there is a tendency to see the Council as sweeping away of all that went before and a call to begin in a new way. In reality, the Council was calling upon us to brush the dust and cobwebs off what we had, consolidate and build upon it, expand it and open it up to all the world. Emphasizing a spirit of innovation tends to create an either/or mentality, pre-Vatican II or post-Vatican II. Renewal helps to maintain continuity with the past, expanded and enriched in the post-Vatican II period. The idea of innovation also tends to focus upon the superficial the “how” a thing is done and loses sight of the significance of “what” is being done. Our religion itself becomes superficial and unstable. I would like to see a restoration of spiritual values, of that spirituality which has always characterized the Catholic Church.

Val Vincent Bathea is a parishioner at Sts. Peter and Paul in Decatur, second-year candidate for the diaconate and chairperson on the Archdiocese Religious Unity Commission.

1. When I was first introduced to the documents of the Vatican II Council about five years ago, I was very surprised. As a Catholic, it really confirmed my belief that God’s people in today’s time were still proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ in addition to the Holy Scriptures. This was a pleasant surprise. As I read through the documents pertaining to liturgy, laity, ecumenism, and justice and peace, I knew that we were still experiencing God’s revelation. We were still being inspired by God to communicate the good news to His people via writing and preaching. This helped us to love our faith (the Catholic community) even more than before.

Yes, the Vatican II documents have helped us to become better Catholics. First, although I am glad that it is structured as it is, it created a greater unity between the laity and the Holy Father and his bishops. It opened the door for us to become more directly responsible for the Bride of Christ, and to become more willing servants of the Body of Christ, the Church. Secondly, it brought the liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist to the center of our lives. Finally, it helped us to become better servants to God’s call of unity in His one, holy, apostolic Catholic community (Church).

Vatican II allowed us to exercise the gifts that God has given us in order to serve or proclaim the Gospel. It gave more meaning to the givers and receivers of the gifts of the holy sacraments. It helped us reach out to those who are not in communion with God. And finally, it gave us leadership towards unity among other faiths.

2. Now that we have gotten over the era of Latin liturgies, it would be wonderful to bring it back on a limited basis. The Latin liturgies are so beautiful when you understand the liturgy. We see this being very effective via the direction of the music ministry.

The visibility of the ordained ministers of the Catholic faith has weakened. If we restore its strict dress code for the priests and deacons, in that they should always be properly attired, including a clerical collar when in public and performing God’s work, it will help strengthen that visibility. The priests and deacons are representatives of the Holy Father and his bishops to the Catholic community and representative of the Catholic faith to all other faith communities. It is good to see that the bishops have maintained this one tradition very well.

We need to read God’s words and God’s grace today, not just through liturgy but through Scriptural study and spiritual renewal. It should be standard that each parish have an organized and pastorally supported Scripture study and spiritual renewal program. We need to bring back the work of the Holy Spirit in our Church hierarchy, religious and lay people in all faiths. We also need to see a greater commitment on ecumenism. It also should become another fulltime ministry and teaching in each diocese and parish in an effort to bring all faiths together.

Finally, we need to see the newness of the light of God through the work of evangelization. Today, evangelization is the modern living tool that we should use to teach and maintain the work of God’s love for his people in communion with the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ. This will allow both clergy and laity to see and hear clearly God’s call to maintain his Church through acts of love, faith, caring, and sharing.

Carlene Thomas is a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes, Atlanta, where she is a lector and active in the women’s organization. She is a retired teacher and last served as first vice-president of the Archdiocese of Atlanta Council of Catholic Women.

1. I am a product of the doctrine taught through the Catholic schools by the nuns and priests with deep belief in the precepts of the Church. The precepts have followed me with the Christian influence of my family. Therefore, I can’t firmly say that Vatican II has changed me to a great extent.

2. I would like to see the Sign of Peace removed from the Offertory and placed either at the beginning or end of Mass. I would like to see Benediction celebrated more often.