Home
Pastor's Corner
Parish Life
Family Faith
Middle School
Life Teen
Liturgical & Adult
Sacraments
Ministries
 
 

Ministry Spotlight

Columbiettes
ImageA Catholic women’s service organization affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. For information, call Teddie Swain 770-923-6633 x 865. Craft fair info, ext 860.
 
Incense
Saturday, 25 November 2006
The book of Revelation (8:1-4) gives us a description of a heavenly liturgy in the presence of the Lamb---sitting on the throne---as soon as he opened the seventh seals. Seven angels were given seven trumpets and another one came in with a censer of gold.  He was given a large amount of incense “together with the prayers of all of God’s holy people. From the angel’s hand the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God’s people”

That is why we use incense. Its smoke takes our prayer to God and expresses our desire to be united with him. As a religious ritual is an ancient one and precedes Christian times. It is also a connection with the past, near and distant, and reminds that one day we will be in heaven, in front of the throne of the Lamb.

The use of incense then contributes powerfully to a sense of mystery. We are approaching the season of Advent and Christmas which tells us of the biggest mystery of them all---the coming of the Son of God to live with us.

The use of incense in our worship is very appropriate at this time of the year. We will use at two masses every Sunday and other celebration. The exact times are indicated in another section of this bulletin.

May our prayer rise to God as the incense.
 
[ Back ]
Forms
Registration forms. Right-click to save to your desktop:
 
Celebrating Liturgy

Our word “liturgy” is derived from a Greek word that literally means “public work.” Most of us probably consider this “liturgical” work to be much different than our usual notion of work – practicing law or medicine, building houses, or teaching in school. On the other hand, liturgy is very similar to this understanding of work: just as a person’s job is an important part of his or her identity, so too does our public, liturgical prayer truly express who we are and what we believe.


This work of liturgy is common to all Catholics, whatever the time and wherever the place. As such, there are universal principles that all “good” liturgies demonstrate. At the same time, “good” liturgies are unique expressions of the faith of a particular group of people.

A parish’s Liturgy Committee is important for several reasons, all of which are related to this “work” of the parish family. The Committee plans and coordinates; is a forum for the exchange of ideas and information; and should ensure the participation of all in the liturgical life of the parish.

A renewed Liturgy Committee will soon be meeting at St. John Neumann. It will be small, and we will start slowly. We will begin at the beginning, establishing regular membership, meeting requirements, and the like. We will always take into consideration the liturgical norms of the Church as well as the particular needs of the SJN community. We will work hard but with enthusiasm and a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.

Please pray for us as we begin this endeavor, and look for information in the coming months as we work to serve the needs of SJN.