Teaching the teachers

[Hare]

In another topic, Oops wrote: "..... "Who makes these rules?" was asked. Replying that it is Canon Law was probably not helpful in the circumstances, but really..........."

Which ties in with one of the many bees in my bonnet! Namely, the need for ongoing formation of EVERYONE and how this is to be done. I have raised this with many PP's and the general reaction is "I don't believe that people don't know...(whatever)....so I'm not going to do any educating"

I cite some examples from my parish in addition to Oops's question above: (btw-how do you do bullet points on here?)

* People (including a Catechist, and a Deacon-in-training!!!!) kept running to the Sacristan on Good Friday and Holy Saturday to tell them the Holy Water stoups were empty.

* Someone asked before the Easter Vigil: "Does Father know the lights haven't been put on and the candles haven't been lit?"

* Numerous questions as to why the Vigil is not at the usual Saturday time.

* A Reader: "There's a mistake in the Lectionary (on Ash Wednesday)...they've left out the Alleluia and put some different words"

These are just the tip of a very large iceberg.

[musicus]

Spot on, Hare.

The suggestion that follows isn't an original idea - I'm sure I remember it being discussed when I was on the SSG Exec - but howzabout this: SSG writes or commissions a series of 1-page Q&As (or FAQs if you prefer) which set out in very straightforward language the answers to some of these questions. So, there could be ones for Lent, Advent, Christmas, Easter, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday, Pentecost, Triduum (as a whole), Preparing Liturgy, Reading, Singing, etc etc. Hopefully you get the idea. Small print could provide references ("Who makes the rules?") and suggestions for further study (including online). Single copies (with parish copying permission) could go out with M&L, and copies for non-members could be on sale in St Paul's, WH Smith (!), via SSG website etc. Parishes could make copies available or incorporate the material into their own bulletins etc (but always crediting the SSG). I guess an A5 page size would be most useful.

This would have to be done sensitively: I guess that many a PP would forbid it, SSG would be accused of all sorts of nefarious stuff, but it would be worth doing, and very much in line with SSG aims.

How about it Trustees?

[Hare]

Spot on, Hare.

The suggestion that follows isn't an original idea - I'm sure I remember it being discussed when I was on the SSG Exec - but howzabout this: SSG writes or commissions a series of 1-page Q&As (or FAQs if you prefer) which set out in very straightforward language the answers to some of these questions. So, there could be ones for Lent, Advent, Christmas, Easter, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday, Pentecost, Triduum (as a whole), Preparing Liturgy, Reading, Singing, etc etc. Hopefully you get the idea. Small print could provide references ("Who makes the rules?") and suggestions for further study (including online). Single copies (with parish copying permission) could go out with M&L, and copies for non-members could be on sale in St Paul's, WH Smith (!), via SSG website etc. Parishes could make copies available or incorporate the material into their own bulletins etc (but always crediting the SSG). I guess an A5 page size would be most useful.

This would have to be done sensitively: I guess that many a PP would forbid it, SSG would be accused of all sorts of nefarious stuff, but it would be worth doing, and very much in line with SSG aims.

How about it Trustees?

This is an excellent idea. I did suggest to my PP a couple of years ago that perhaps we could do something similar at a a local level, but his views were that
A) It would have to come from him, but he was too busy to do it, and B) He didn't think it was really necessary anyway. In answer to A) I said I would be happy to prepare it and let him approve it, but he felt that was not appropriate as he should do it rather than a layperson - but it wasn't necessary anyway, and in any case he wouldn't have time to look it over!

[John Ainslie]

How about it Trustees?

Noted!

Perhaps readers would like to add questions to the 'starter for ten' list provided by Hare - and don't be put off by apparent daftness. The general standard of liturgical ignorance is profound!

Ideas about how to disseminate any resulting publication also welcome.

[musicus]

(btw-how do you do bullet points on here?)

OK. I did some trial-and-error stuff and it works like this. Here's an example, using a list of names.

[1] Start by typing your list:

Tom
*beep*
Harry

(Notice that you don't have to type the bullet points: the HTML codes we are about to add will do that for you automatically)

[2] Next put [*] in front of each item on your list and [/*] after each item. (The [*] option on the icon bar doesn't work - you have to do this by hand)

[3] Finally, drag-select your entire list and click the "List" icon on the icon bar. (NB Not the "List=" icon.) This puts the right HTML code around your list items.

Here's what you end up with:

• Tom
• *beep*
• Harry

LOL! I have just noticed that the second member (LOL!!!) of our party has been bleeped!
Anyway, you get the idea. Fiddly at first, but it works.

(Similar note to people who have not got the hang of quoting yet (you know who you are!): drag-select the text you want to quote and click the "Quote" icon. Easier still, use the QUOTE button on the original post.)

Please don't think that you have to do this. The important thing is to post your questions.

[Hare]

(Similar note to people who have not got the hang of quoting yet (you know who you are!): drag-select the text you want to quote and click the "Quote" icon. Easier still, use the QUOTE button on the original post.)

I know-I cut and pasted; but how do you quote from a different topic?

[SOP]

I find it frustrating that a course will be put on but only once. Never again. No refresher, not second chance. It has been done. Move on.

Guidelines as suggested would be excellent although I can hear the debates already!!

[musicus]

(Similar note to people who have not got the hang of quoting yet (you know who you are!): drag-select the text you want to quote and click the "Quote" icon. Easier still, use the QUOTE button on the original post.)

I know-I cut and pasted; but how do you quote from a different topic?

I promise you, Hare, I wasn't referring to you But the way you do it is by cutting and pasting the text, selecting it, and clicking the Quote icon on the icon bar. That will put it in quotes and create a coloured background. If you want to ascribe the quote, put ="name_of_the_person_you're_quoting" immediately after the opening "[quote"

However, I suspect that I may not have answered your question.

[Hare]

(Similar note to people who have not got the hang of quoting yet (you know who you are!): drag-select the text you want to quote and click the "Quote" icon. Easier still, use the QUOTE button on the original post.)

I know-I cut and pasted; but how do you quote from a different topic?

I promise you, Hare, I wasn't referring to you But the way you do it is by cutting and pasting the text, selecting it, and clicking the Quote icon on the icon bar. That will put it in quotes and create a coloured background. If you want to ascribe the quote, put ="name_of_the_person_you're_quoting" immediately after the opening "[quote"

However, I suspect that I may not have answered your question.

Er, I think you have - what did you think i was asking?

[musicus]

However, I suspect that I may not have answered your question.

Er, I think you have - what did you think i was asking?

Good - that's OK then.

Now, folks, let's have your suggestions for the Q&As...

[VML]

This year, for the first time I can remember in 26 years of our church bulletin, our PP, 3 years here so far and on track with his work plan, put in a clear explanation of the Church meaning of fasting and abstinence and the ages at which they apply. A number of people commented on how useful this was. He is also very clear in explaining that we do not use 'the A word' during Lent. There is plenty more info we all need, but it's a good start.

[docmattc]

Now, folks, let's have your suggestions for the Q&As...

I once started putting together a set of short 'liturgy facts' for the newsletter, though never wrote many and none went to print. It was prompted the comment of how disgusting it was that there was often a piece of host in the chalice which someone had obviously spat back. The commentator was relieved to learn that it had arrived there by design during the Agnus Dei.

A few of years ago a couple (long standing daily Mass attenders) turned up for Mass on Holy Saturday morning and were surprised there was 'only' morning prayer. They were even more surprised to learn that there hadn't been Mass that morning for at least 50 years. Its amazing what people mis-remember

[musicus]

Thanks people: keep 'em coming. When we have amassed a fair few I will produce a preliminary summary for your consideration.

[Hare]

Here are a few more from personal experience. All true

What is the difference between a psalm and a hymn?

I thought "cantor" was what horses did.

Why does Father wear different colours?

Father forgot the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass on Good Friday

You forgot to play the Gloria (in Advent)

Could the Creed come after Communion so the children will be there to say it ? (they are normally at Children's Liturgy)

Why do we have to sing in Latin? The children don't like it.

From same person as above: Why can't we sing more of those nice Taizé things - kids love them? (after we had sung "Confitemini Domino" - HELLO?)

One year, it rained on Holy Saturday, so the Fire was outside the double doors leading from the Parish hall to the garden, with the people gathered in the hall with the doors open Question: "What idiot opened those doors on a night like this?"

More will occur to me!

[Hare]

Now, folks, let's have your suggestions for the Q&As...

I once started putting together a set of short 'liturgy facts' for the newsletter, though never wrote many and none went to print. It was prompted the comment of how disgusting it was that there was often a piece of host in the chalice which someone had obviously spat back. The commentator was relieved to learn that it had arrived there by design during the Agnus Dei.

A few of years ago a couple (long standing daily Mass attenders) turned up for Mass on Holy Saturday morning and were surprised there was 'only' morning prayer. They were even more surprised to learn that there hadn't been Mass that morning for at least 50 years. Its amazing what people mis-remember

I have often known people turn up for morning mass on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.


(Apologies - slightly off topic- shake, tremble - Bear coming!!)

Conversation overheard concerning former parish Treasurer who had died some months previously:

"I haven't seen that nice military-looking gentleman recently"
"No, nor me - I think he's going to the 6.00pm mass now" !