Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Program
Inclusion in Worship
Inclusion Awareness Day Workbook 2004
Creating Congregations Where People of All Abilities
Participate
Roman Catholic Congregations: Presentation of Gifts
The Offertory Procession can be a very meaningful part of
our worship service. In Guide for Ushers and Leaders, Lawrence E. Mick
explains how:
“The presentation of the bread and wine for the Eucharist
by the faithful is one of the most ancient customs in the church…Because the
gift bearers represent the whole assembly, those asked to serve in this role
should reflect the diversity of the assembly…Many parishes find it best to
arrange in advance who will bring the gifts forward for each Mass. This allows
people to anticipate their role and to prepare spiritually…Some parishes leave
the altar uncovered until the preparation of the gifts and then have ministers
place the altar cloth and corporal on the altar just before the bread and wine
are brought forward. While the sacramentary does not explicitly provide for
this, it seems an acceptable practice, either regularly or on special
occasions. In such cases, it seems best not to include the cloths and other
necessary items (chalice, book, water, etc.) in the procession. These items are
used repeatedly and do not present the offerings of the assembly in the way that
the bread and wine and money do…One simple, major improvement in most parishes
would be to spread the procession out a bit. Each person carrying something can
move slowly and gracefully through the assembly, with the next person waiting
until a significant space is created before beginning to move forward. This
simple step would transform the movement from a rushed walk into a true
procession. Since this procession is often accompanied by a song or by
instrumental music, the pace of the procession might be linked to the rhythm and
pace of the music…Carried out well, this brief ritual can be a powerful reminder
to all present of why they have gathered and of what participation in this meal
requires of them.”
Presentation of the Gifts for Inclusion Awareness Day
1.
Talk to your pastor, liturgy committee and
music director about a special offertory procession for Inclusion Awareness
Day. Request that the hymn, “We Come to Your Feast”, by Joncas, GIA
Publications, 1994, be sung by the assembly for the offertory procession on
Inclusion Awareness Day.
2. Also
talk to your pastor about leaving the altar uncovered and having the celebrant
place the altar cloth on the altar during the 1st verse of “We Come
to Your Feast”. Ask that the gifts of bread and wine and the collection then be
presented in time to verses 2, 3 and 4. Request that the pastor inform all
parish staff about the special offertory procession on Inclusion Awareness Day.
3.
Invite members of your congregation with
disabilities and their families to serve as gift bearers at each liturgy on
Inclusion Awareness Day. Care must be taken when extending your invitation to
participate. Emphasize that serving as a gift bearer on Inclusion Awareness Day
is a way to celebrate their contributions to your faith community every day of
the year. Start with parishioners you know, and personally invite them to serve
as gift bearers. Perhaps members of your Inclusion Committee would be a good
place to start. Ask if the gift bearers would feel comfortable carrying the
bread, wine and collection basket (if the offerings have been collected) slowly
and gracefully through the assembly to the altar with space between each person
and in time to the verses of the hymn “We Come to Your feast”. Provide any
accommodations needed.
4.
Once you have recruited your gift bearers and
explained the procession, inform the ushers or those in charge of assigning gift
bearers about the plans for Inclusion Awareness Day.
5.
Have members of your inclusion committee assist
with the offertory procession at each Mass.
6.
After Inclusion Awareness Day write thank you
notes to your pastor, gift bearers and others involved.
OR
Begin a permanent gift bearer program like the First Sunday
program at
St. Paul of the Cross,
Park Ridge, Illinois.
|
