Liturgy
- Director of the Department for Liturgy: Rev Michael Fountaine MA
- Alexander House, 160 Pennywell Road, Bristol, BS5 0TX
- Tel: 0117 983 3930
One of the most striking aspects of the Second Vatican Council was the reform and renewal of the liturgical life of the Church, as part of its overall agenda of reform and renewal. The Council affirmed in the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy that the public worship of the Church is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the font from which n her power flows." (CSL l0) we recognise that Liturgy, the work of he people "is the outstanding means by which the- faithful can express in their lives and manifest to others the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church." (CSL 2) The goal of the department is to promote and support "full conscious and active participation of the faithful in the liturgy ..... their right and duty by reason of their baptism." (CSL 14).
The Department is charged with the task of implementing the vision of the Liturgy Constitution and all subsequent liturgical documents, by providing formation, support and development to the liturgical life of our parishes, schools and institutions. We strive to further understanding in die areas of liturgical prayer, the sacraments, liturgical music and space, as well as to provide educational opportunities for the development of all liturgical ministers. In collaboration with other Departments, we seek to develop ongoing formation in area of die Rite of Christian Initiation n Adults and the Liturgy of the Word for Children. The Department is responsible for advising the Bishop and our Parishes on matters of Liturgical Art and Architecture: building, re-ordering, alterations and additions and artistic commissions, for all churches of the Diocese.
The department seeks to enable our diocese to grow in our understanding of how the liturgy transforms us into "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Gods own people." (1 Pt 2:9). We strive to ensure that "each community, gathering all its 'members for the 'breaking of bread,' becomes the place where the mystery of the church is concretely 'made present. (Dies Domini. John Paul II, 1998).
