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the impending new translation of the Holy Mass

The Office of Worship for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend exists to help the faithful encounter Christ in the sacred liturgy and through the sacraments. Along with Pope Benedict XVI, we strive to promote mystagogical catechesis, reverence, and an accompanying appreciation for the ars celebrandi (art of proper celebration) within the context of the liturgical rites and our entire life of faith:

“The primary way to foster the participation of the People of God in the sacred rite is the proper celebration of the rite itself. The ars celebrandi is the best way to ensure their actuosa participatio [active interior and exterior participation]. … The Church’s great liturgical tradition teaches us that fruitful participation in the liturgy requires that one be personally conformed to the mystery being celebrated, offering one’s life to God in unity with the sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of the whole world.”
- Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis

Our primary service is to the diocesan Bishop, the chief priest and liturgist of the local Church. With him we foster liturgical practice that nourishes and strengthens the spiritual life of the People of God.

We also serve priests who, at the Bishop’s delegation, preside at liturgical prayer within their parishes and institutions. With them, we encourage authentic worship that is both sensitive to the needs of the parishioners and faithful to the directives of the Church.

A further area of service includes assistance to liturgical ministers, initiation directors, sacred musicians, liturgical committees, and all those responsible for preparing and implementing the various rites of the Church. To these we offer basic training and on-going formation in the art and skills of public prayer.

In this way, we desire to serve Catholics in our Diocese by leading them to a “full, conscious and active participation” that is born from a well-formed interior life of prayer.

Some of the services provided by the Office of Worship include

• Assisting with diocesan Masses and other special liturgical events.
• Serving as a resource on liturgical matters to the priests, religious, and laity of the Diocese.
• Consultation for sacred art and architecture projects, such as issues surrounding the renovation and construction of sacred places within the Diocese.
• Training for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick and Lectors.
• “Afternoon of Reflection” retreats for liturgical ministers.
• A bi-annual “Liturgy Day,” and other educational opportunities for the Diocese.
• Standing Committees associated with the Office of Worship