Liturgical Guidelines for the Diocese of Juneau

Adopted 2011, Revised 2013, 2015

GENERAL NORMS

Introduction

  • The way in which the liturgy is celebrated witnesses to what we believe.

Liturgical Unity and Consistency

  • Liturgical unity and consistency throughout the diocese of Juneau is an important way that we maintain unity with the Church of the United States and with the universal Church.

Deportment and Reverence

  • Be sensitive to the fact that there is a fine line between being pastorally sensitive and allowing behavior prior to, during and after Mass that is too casual and irreverent.

Appropriate attire for Mass

  • How members of the assembly, and especially liturgical ministers dress for the celebration of Sunday Mass is an outward sign of reverence for this sacred gathering and conveys the importance of this day and celebration and sets the Lord’s Day apart from the remaining six days and events of the week.

Extra-Liturgical Prayers and Devotions

  • The Roman Rite is known for its simplicity. Ordinarily we do not add prayers, devotions or processions to the Mass. Caution should be given prior to adding any extra liturgical prayers or devotions]

Practices Acknowledging the Real Presence

  • More reflection is needed regarding how we acknowledge the Real Presence of the Lord in the reserved sacrament. In particular, guidelines for the use of the Shrine chapel and the closing off of the sanctuary when the nave or the narthex is used for receptions after Mass at St. Ann’s Yakutat; Sacred Heart, Haines and Sacred Heart, Hoonah. Our Chapels and Parishes are sacred space and should be respected with a sign of reverence in particular that acknowledges Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.]

Eucharistic Fast

  • All those who intend to receive the Eucharist should fast for one hour prior to the beginning of Mass. The Church’s teaching on the Eucharistic fast should be taught and respected.

THE CELEBRATION OF THE MASS

INTRODUCTORY RITES

Announcements

  • Before Mass begins is the appropriate time for certain announcements and introductions if this is the local custom.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful, General Intercessions)

  • Petitions should be limited to six.
  • Petitions should be in this order:

-For the needs of the Church;

-For public authorities and the salvation of the whole world;

-For those burdened with any kind of difficulty

-For the local community.

However, in particular sacramental celebrations, such as baptisms, confirmations and marriages, as well as funerals and in other situations, the intercessions should reflect the particular occasion being celebrated.

  • Priests and deacons should exercise prudence in inviting members of the assembly to add their own personal intentions to the Universal Prayer for the following reasons:

-Personal petitions are not in keeping with the universal and communal nature of the General Intercessions.

-Some petitions voiced spontaneously from the assembly are counter to Catholic doctrine, ecclesiology or spirituality or directly contradict Church teaching.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

Collection

  • A weekly collection for the needs of the church and of the poor should be taken up at Sunday Masses or Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest. Second collections should also be taken up from time to time as directed by the USCCB and the bishop or in response to local need at the direction of the pastor.
  • The custom in some communities requiring the entire assembly to walk in procession to the altar with their monetary offerings runs the risk of embarrassing those who are unable to contribute as well as creating discomfort for visitors who are not accustomed to this practice. Henceforth, in all of the parishes and missions of the diocese, ushers or other members of the faithful will take up the collection.
  • Those responsible for arranging for the Procession with Gifts should insure that representative members of the assembly, and not the ushers, bring up the gifts. Seeking to increase the participation of the faithful, they should invite a different family or group of individuals to bring up the gifts each Sunday.

COMMUNION RITE

Rite of Peace

The Rite of Peace follows the Our Father, by which the Church asks for peace and unity for herself and for the entire human family, and the faithful express to each other their ecclesial communion and mutual charity before communicating in the Eucharist. The manner in which the sign of peace is offered should reflect the solemn nature of the Mass and the norms of the Church.

  • Duration

The Sign of Peace is intended to be brief and extended to those in their immediate area. Musicians, altar servers and other ministers should refrain from leaving the sanctuary to exchange the sign of peace with those in the nave of the church. It should not be prolonged so as to interrupt the Communion Rite or be experienced by the assembly as an “intermission” in the celebration of Mass. Children and adults in the assembly should receive instruction that the sign of peace is intended only for those immediately around one. The sign of peace should conclude at the beginning of the Fraction Rite (Lamb of God).

  • Participation

The sign of peace should only be extended to those nearest one in the sanctuary or the nave. Ministers and members of the assembly should not, ordinarily, leave their places at the altar or in the assembly (with the exception of weddings, ordinations, funerals and other special occasions.)

  • Gestures

In order to respect the sacredness of the Mass, the sign of peace should be shared in a solemn manner. It may be expressed with a handshake, an embrace, a slight bow and/or in words, such as “Peace be with you.”

Communion of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)

The General Instruction on the Roman Missal directs the EMHC to approach the altar after the priest-presider has received communion.

COMMUNION PROCESSION

Posture Before the Communion Procession

  • The faithful should ordinarily kneel after the singing or recitation of the Agnus Dei.

Posture for Reception of the Eucharist

  • Standing is the customary posture when receiving Holy Communion in the Diocese of Juneau.

Signs of Reverence when Receiving Holy Communion

  • The GIRM directs that communicants should make a bow of the head before receiving the Body of Christ or the Precious Blood.
  • A profound bow, from the waist, is not necessary.
  • They should approach the minister prepared to receive.

Mode of Reception of the Consecrated Host

On the Tongue

  • With mouth open, tongue outstretched and head still: not with the lips.

In the Hand

  • The dominant hand should be placed under the receiving hand with the palm open wide facing upwards.
  • When the communicant has received the Eucharist, he/she should step aside .
  • He/she, with the dominant hand should take the consecrated host from the palm of their other hand (except in circumstances which prevent this – holding a child, walking with a cane, for example), and place the host into their mouth

Mode of Receiving the Precious Blood

  • Communicants who desire to receive from the chalice are to reverently receive the chalice from the minister and consume a small amount of the Precious Blood.
  • Note that under no circumstances should communicants receive the Precious Blood by themselves dipping (intincting) the consecrated host into the Precious Blood. Those preparing to receive the Eucharist should be informed that the practice of self-intinction is not permitted and communicants should not approach the Precious Blood intending to do so.

Communion for the Sick and Homebound

  • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) should not be coming forward with the pyx during the Communion procession. Ministers to the sick should be trained and dismissals from Mass arranged for the benefit of both the assembly and the homebound. Catechesis and careful selection are needed to avoid the impression that this ministry is a chore or a burden.

Posture After Holy Communion

  • The faithful are to kneel or sit after they receive Holy Communion according to their individual choice.

Reservation to the Tabernacle

  • The utilitarian action of bringing the reserved Eucharist from the tabernacle to the altar should not become a occasion for additional ritual or for a procession. The Blessed Sacrament should be brought out prior to the Communion procession by the deacon or sacristan and be placed on the corporal in the event that it may be needed.
  • To the greatest extent possible, the Eucharist consecrated at Mass should be distributed at that Mass to the assembly. The presider, concelebrating priests and deacons must always receive from the newly consecrated Eucharistic elements and never from the reserved sacrament.
  • At the end of Communion, the deacon or sacristan should return any consecrated hosts to the tabernacle. Again, this activity is not a ritual moment but should be done in a discrete, simple and sober manner .

CONCLUDING RITES

Purification of the Sacred Vessels

  • Priests, deacons and instituted acolytes alone are responsible for purifying the sacred vessels. This may be done at the altar or on a side table after communion. The vessels may also be purified after Mass. They should be covered with a purificator and left on a corporal on the side table.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS

Deacons

  • In the Mass with a deacon, it is always his ministry to carry the Book of the Gospels (evangeliarum) in the entrance and gospel processions.
  • At Masses with a deacon, it always his ministry to proclaim the Gospel.
  • After receiving the blessing, he should go to the altar, bow to the altar and carry the Book of the Gospels , elevated, directly to the ambo.
  • It is not customary to raise or present the Book of the Gospels to the assembly at the conclusion of the reading.
  • At Masses with a deacon, it is always his ministry to announce the petitions of the Universal Prayer.

Preparation of Liturgical Ministers

  • Pastors need to verify that all liturgical ministers are practicing Catholics in good standing.

Lectors

  • Lectors should complete a diocesan-approved preparation program prior to serving in this ministry or to update their formation.
  • Lectors, deacons and priests should not raise the lectionary or the Book of the Gospels at the conclusion of the reading.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)

  • Extraordinary Ministers should complete a diocesan-approved preparation program prior to serving in this ministry or to update their formation.
  • Only the priest or deacon should impart the Trinitarian blessing and trace the with sign of the cross on those who come forward in the Communion procession who are not receiving communion. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are to say, without gesture: “May God bless you and keep you.”

Altar Servers

  • In all celebrations of the Ordinary Form of the Mass in the diocese of Juneau, boys and girls and men and women may serve in this ministry.
  • Altar servers should complete a diocesan-approved preparation program prior to serving in this ministry or to update their formation.
  • Altar servers must have received their First Holy Communion.
  • Altar servers should know who to properly place and center the corporal, sacred vessels and Roman missal on the altar .

Ushers

  • Ushers (also known as greeters) should complete a diocesan-approved preparation program prior to serving in this ministry or to update their formation.

Ushers should:

  • Greet visitors and parishioners as they come to Mass and direct them, as necessary to their places in the church.
  • Invite members of the assembly to bring up the gifts at the Offertory Procession.
  • Arrange for taking up the collection(s) and overseeing it (following the diocesan norms.)
  • Be ready to respond to emergencies by knowing where the first aid kit is located in the church building and being able to use it.

Pastoral Musicians

  • Pastoral musicians(also known as music ministers) should, in addition to their musical training, complete a diocesan-approved preparation program prior to beginning this ministry or to update their formation.
  • Pastoral musicians should understand and faithfully follow the norms and guidelines for music in the GIRM, Sing to the Lord (STL) and other liturgical documents.
  • Just as timing is crucial in music, so too, timing is key in the orchestration of the flow and movement of the liturgical action.

-The entrance chant (gathering song) should conclude as soon as the presider has reached the presidential chair.

-The offertory chant (song at the Preparation of the Gifts) should begin immediately after the Universal Prayer (General Intercessions) has ended.

-The litany “Lamb of God” should begin in a timely fashion after the beginning of the Rite of Peace so as to prevent the appearance of an “intermission” in the Eucharistic celebration.

Preparation for Mass by Liturgical Ministers

  • Altar servers should be present and vesting at least 15 minutes before Mass begins.
  • Lectors and EMHC should be present at least 10 minutes before Mass begins.
  • Hospitality ministers should arrive 20 minutes before Mass begins to assist the celebrant in miscellaneous elements including special collections, setting up additional chairs, seating children/families in special areas for 1st Communion or baptism,etc…

THE CHURCH BUILDING: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR

Personal Piety Within the Church Building

  • As the faithful enter or leave the nave of the church building they should genuflect (touch the right knee to the ground) in the direction of the tabernacle (if the tabernacle is located in the sanctuary).
  • If the tabernacle is not in the sanctuary but in a separate chapel, the faithful, upon entering or leaving the nave of the church should bow towards the altar as a gesture of reverence to Christ.

Exterior

  • The church building is the visible sign in each community of Christ’s presence . The exterior should be maintained in such a way as to reflect a positive, clean and well-presented image of the Catholic Church to the community.
  • The interior and exterior of our church buildings should be well-maintained.
  • If possible, signs should be professionally made and well-presented.
  • The name of the parish or mission should be clearly marked and visible.
  • Signs should clearly state the accurate Mass schedule.

Interior

  • Framed photographs of the Holy Father and local bishop should be properly displayed in every parish and mission church or chapel.
  • The flags of the United States and the Holy See should be displayed in the narthex or vestibule.
  • An inventory of sacristy items should be established to assure consistency for visiting priests/deacons and other ministers who serve in the various parishes and missions around the diocese.
  • Flowers and other decorations before and around the altar and ambo are to reflect the dignity of the Eucharist and are always to be based on approved liturgical norms and practices.
  • They should reflect the colors of the liturgical seasons.
  • Decorations should be in keeping with the sacred rather than the secular calendar and seasons.

ALTAR AND SANCTUARY

The Altar

  • It is desirable and appropriate to have a fixed, free-standing altar in every church.

Altar Cloths

  • The altar should always be covered except for its dedication and from the end of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper until the Easter Vigil (the altar is covered with a cloth during the Communion rite on Good Friday and then uncovered after the communion procession.)
  • The uppermost cloth covering the mensa of the altar is always to be white. However, cloths of the seasonal liturgical colors or colored cloths proper to a particular culture may be placed under white cloth on the mensa (top surface of the altar)

Processional Cross

  • The processional cross should be a crucifix, that is, a cross with the figure of the crucified Christ. The cross should be placed on or near the altar [GIRM no.117] where it may serve as the crucifix in the sanctuary and as the altar cross [GIRM no. 188].

Sacred Vessels

  • Sacred vessels (paten, chalice, ciborium) should be made from precious metal All ministers should handle them with care and reverence.

Corporal

  • The corporal should not be left on the altar but should be removed from the altar with the chalice, paten and purificator after Holy Communion
  • The corporal is folded in such a way that tiny fragments of the Lord’s Body (hence, the name ‘corporal’) that might fall upon the altar during the eucharist can be easily secured and reverently disposed of. Proper folding of the corporal helps to accomplish this purpose.
  • A sufficient supply of corporals and purificators should be on hand in the sacristy.

Altar Wine