Are you involved in the liturgy at your church?

[lachrymosa]

I used to be a lector, but now sing in a couple of the choirs. I never thought I would enjoy choral singing so much, but I especially enjoy when I get to be a "soloist" and chant the psalms.

I had at one time considered being a Eucharistic Minister (or more correctly, I believe, an "Extraordinary Minister&quot , and went through the training. But after I learned I had to down the remains of the Precious Blood I was too squeamish to go through with it. I didn't (and still don't) like the idea of drinking half a cup after 40 or 50 people have drunk from it, but I've been told the risks are minimal.

Anyway, just curious about what others might be doing and what it means to them.

[hrmjustin]

1. I am in my Episcopal parish.

I am a chalice bearer, MC, acolyte, thurifer, and a sub-deacon (lay position).

[No Vested Interest]

2. My living habits don't lend themselves to being scheduled on a regular basis.

I have lectored on various occasions, most recently on retreats.

I distributed communion once, when the Social Service Committee on which I was serving was highlighted that Sunday and committee members were asked to distribute communion. I was uncomfortable physically doing this. I think basically I prefer being part of a group and not the object of any possible attention.

Also, I'm now a senior, with vision and balance irregularities.
I enjoy singing in the pews, and do join in with hymns, etc.

[lachrymosa]

3. I confess I am a ham...

I'm sorry you have health issues.

And I respect that you don't want to be an object of attention. Some day I hope I can be like that too, but I admit that I like being in the "spot light." I'm not saying that's good. That's just how it is. But I do my best to suppress that and be mindful of the greater purpose of what I'm doing.

[No Vested Interest]

4. You're putting your time and talent to good use.

Churches are always looking for volunteers for the various ministries and more and more depend on them to function in all the ways necessary in today's world.

I do wonder about your name, though. It sounds as though you've had a sadness, or do you cry easily?

[lachrymosa]

5. Yes, I've had some sad times the past few years.

But who hasn't? You say you are a "senior," so you must have lived long enough to experience that yourself. But unbelievable as it might seem, I used to think I was the only one--until I began having more heart-to-heart talks with people at church, and then I realized I wasn't alone in my suffering and hardships.

But the sadness that somewhat underscores my life at this stage is not so much because of personal problems but because of coming to face the reality of death. I was in denial about it most of my life, but I've seen too much of it lately and have seen too many years slip by so quickly, and can no longer believe that I somehow have an endless supply of days ahead of me. Life now seems ridiculously short.

But I still have fun and enjoy myself.

Anyway, I love "Lachrimosa" from Mozart's Requiem. For anyone not familiar with it:

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[No Vested Interest]

6. "coming to face the reality of death" - Ain't it the truth! LOL

Not too easy or pleasant for any of us.

I've come to believe we need to have a "mission" in our lives. Sort of like a business mission statement. Our reason for living, that which keeps us going day after day, year after year, despite that knowledge of the "reality of death."
I've identified mine; it has to do with family, and I'm glad for it.

Thanks for sharing the Lachrimosa.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

7. Mozart's Lachrymosa is one of my favorites as well

Apparently, the last thing he ever wrote. Another great piece of religious music from Mozart is the Laudamus Te from the Great Mass in C, K427 (he wrote it shortly after he was married, and Constanze Mozart sang it at the first performance)

Actually, my current favorite piece of Mozart is the Romanze from the Piano Concerto #20, K466

I'm a lector, a Eucharistic Minister and I used to be the head of the adult education program until I got into an argument with the pastor over exactly the same issue I have with you: Changes in Catholic doctrine. He fired me because I would not accept what I consider to be fantasy over facts. The adult education program in my parish is now essentially dead.

[nxylas]

8. I help out here and there

Carrying candles, reading the odd prayer in English (our parish liturgy is mostly in Greek) and so on.

[No Vested Interest]

10. Agree that there are certain skills to effective lectoring.

Pre-reading should be a must, except on the battlefield! I don't know that pre-reading has to be for an hour, but preparation does improve the product.
Proper enunciation and timing, and voice volume are all parts of a reading well-delivered.
Proper pronunciation of people and place names is important.
I understand why at times children and young people are selected for readings, but, most of the time, those readings are ineffective.
Alas, we are all imperfect and not-so-good readings will happen.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

12. I completely agree

I would never consider doing a reading without having read it at least once beforehand, preferably aloud.

[TommyCelt]

11. EMHC

I am currently an "Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion" in my parish.

lachrymosa mentions feeling squeamish about the wine; I'm squeamish about it myself, but because I am an alcoholic in recovery. As I ordinarily work with the same "team" of EMHC's, I've simply made them aware that I will only administer the bread, and do not take the wine after consecration, because of my status.

On occasion, I also bring the consecrated bread to the homebound, which I find the most regarding aspect of my ministry.

[No Vested Interest]

13. You are very wise re communion wine. I imagine priests who

are alcoholics must have a bad time having to experience wine usually on a day-to-day basis. Hopefully, priests have a way to make it easier for themselves.

What a privilege to bring communion to those who cannot get to church.

[Peregrine Took]

14. We have a woman who does the readings and she is very dramatic.

I get a kick out of her as she puts so much emotional freight into them that I feel as if I'm in a theater watching a play. I think she may be an actress as she has a very nice, low toned voice.

It just seems a tad odd as I'm a lifelong Catholic and I've never heard anything like it. Usually just the same old monotone.