Summer School 2011

[docmattc]

Online bookings are now open for this year's summer school.

Our leaders this year are Fr Aidan Rossiter CJ and Andew Wright, along with Marty Haugen, Canon Alan Griffiths, Caroline Dollard, Darquise Bilodeau and Christopher Walker.

[presbyter]

I have just browsed the Summer School publicity page and confess to feelings of perturbation and confusion. What is the advertising material trying to say?

The liturgy is always in a state of flux and especially so in the last few years.

A "state of flux" is a state of continuous change, so I disagree with this opening proposition for a start.

Many people can be confused or worried about losing rituals.....

I wasn't aware that Holy Mother Church was about to dispense with any of her liturgical rituals and I know of nobody confused or worried about this matter.

This is the reality of being truly Catholic.

What is? Being perpetually held in a state of tension caused by an anticipated loss of music that has helped form childhood faith and an excess of creativity and innovation? Note to self - remember that the truly Catholic people before me at Mass tomorrow are bound to be in a state of anxiety. Oh come on!

Liturgy should be inclusive and welcoming

To whom? Has the writer never read St Paul upon whom he insists should be expelled? Or the parable of the guest without the wedding garment?

provided we follow some liturgical, pastoral and musical guidelines that allow the liturgy to be the ritual work of the people of God.

And which manual of liturgical theology did this thought spring from? One that fails to acknowledge the work of the Holy Trinity in and through the rites perhaps?

Dearest Trustees - I beseech you - sack your marketing person and replace him/her with someone who can tell us succinctly what the Summer School is really about.

[Nick Baty]

It's about education, information and having a bloomin' good time with some great people; it's about sharing experiences, learning and developing, and being refreshed for the continuing task.

[presbyter]

It's about education, information and having a bloomin' good time with some great people; it's about sharing experiences, learning and developing, and being refreshed for the continuing task.

Can you stick something about God in that statement and something about the celebration of the liturgy being at the heart of it all - and then present your submission to the Trustees? Such would read as something much more attractive than what is presently proffered - imho

[Nick Baty]

I meant "the task in hand" to refer to the liturgy.
Now, where can we pop in God?

[mcb]

sack your marketing person and replace him/her with someone who can tell us succinctly what the Summer School is really about.

Presbyter, I don't imagine for a second the passage you've taken exception to was written by a marketing person. Perhaps this is the director's vision of what this year's Summer School will really be about. To my eye it reads like a serious attempt to reassure those anxious about the prospect of impending change and impending loss. Those look like plausible anxieties to me. I hope this year's Summer School director has some good suggestions as to how to meet with/minister to the people who entertain such anxieties, and allay their fears. It should be good; it should be different from last year. What more could you ask of the publicity material?

[presbyter]

To my eye it reads like a serious attempt to reassure those anxious about the prospect of impending change and impending loss.

OK - so why not "market" the SS simply by a subtitle such as....

The New Translation of the Missal - "Do not be afraid" (Lk 12:7) ? I'd have more idea of the real topic in those ten words.

[mcb]

The New Translation of the Missal - "Do not be afraid" (Lk 12:7) ? I'd have more idea of the real topic in those ten words.

Nice! The Society should snap you up as its new marketing supremo.

[Nick Baty]

OK - so why not "market" the SS...

Because the SS would be a tad tricky to market?

[MaryR]

The New Translation of the Missal - "Do not be afraid" (Lk 12:7) ? I'd have more idea of the real topic in those ten words.

Nice! The Society should snap you up as its new marketing supremo.

Indeed! We have a vacancy, presbyter. We can't pay you anything, and you'll work long hours and be criticised by everyone whatever you do, but if you believe in what the Society is trying to achieve, you won't mind any of that - mostly.

mcb seems to have understood what our Summer School Director is saying, and bookings are flooding in. If we don't fill all the places, then we'll look at our marketing strategy.

[Nick Baty]

Have you ever had any empty places at summer school?
Thought not!
I don't think you even need a marketing strategy.
Keep doing what you do.
The SSG is a superb organisation.
I might not be a member but I do support it financially and promote it where I can.

[presbyter]

I'm sorry if I'm a pain but I'd really like to know not only about the workshops but also who is speaking at the SS and what the lectures are about. The web page does not reveal this information. Thank you.