Te Koropiko | September Newsletter

Friends,

Our September Newsletter is now available on the link below.
There is plenty to look out for over the coming weeks and months in the diocese.

September 2018 Newsletter

If you would like to receive our newsletter direct to your inbox please email us on liturgycentre@cda.org.nz 

The Privileges and Challenges of using Te Reo in Sunday Liturgy

-   A personal reflection by Fr. James Mulligan

He aha te mea nui o te ao?  What is the most important thing in the world?

He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

When it comes to following the Holy Spirit’s call through the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, to the foster the full, conscious and active participation of all the baptised in the Church’s liturgy, this Māori proverb speaks to me of the treasures that are to be drawn from the use of Māori cultural elements in the Aotearoa-New Zealand liturgical/pastoral context. 

As a diocesan priest currently serving in the Catholic Parish Community of St Mary’s in Papakura, and in the other Parishes where I’ve been, my deliberate use of Te Reo whilst presiding at the Eucharist and on other occasions (especially at Parish School liturgies) definitely has had its blessings and its challenges! 

What are the blessings?  I believe it has given me an appreciation of certain Māori cultural principles and practices that are contributing towards the development of an authentically Kiwi Catholic spirituality that communicates our faith in a way that speaks of what it means to be a part of this land that we all call home. Key values such as Kaitiakitanga, stewardship of and connection with the natural environment that must be regarded as a Taonga (treasure) that is ours only for a time, to be passed on intact and enhanced with future generations in mind and Manaakitanga, the extension of welcome, hospitality and genuine care to attend to the spiritual and material needs of all. The incorporation of such concepts in the liturgical and pastoral life of the local church is not only part of the role, function or mission of the church, but also a powerful reminder of the church’s commitment to bi-culturalism. This in turn can be seen as the springboard for embracing and fostering the riches of other cultural expressions of faith. 

When I was welcomed into our School Whānau of St Mary’s in Papakura in February this year, I participated in a Powhiri that our school had arranged for newcomers, and I had the privilege of delivering the Mihi (speech) to respond to the welcome on the behalf of the newcomers.  This was a wonderful way to become acquainted with and feel instantly at home in a new pastoral setting. The Manaaki extended by the school drew the newcomers into its community.

I have also presided at funeral masses that included Māori cultural protocols for honouring the dead.  They evoked a sense of what the Māori call Tapu - the sacredness of the deceased as a unique individual in his/her own right and the sacredness of his/her inter-personal relationships with the Whanau (extended family), Marae (meeting place of the local tribe), the wider community and the Whenua (the land itself), which just goes to show that we pray with our whole beings, as a unity of mind, body and spirit.          

The biggest challenge is mindfulness of others’ sensitivities!  How can we use Te Reo in a way that creates an atmosphere of Kotahitanga (unity in a common purpose), where the differences we bring to worship won’t cause division but a genuine appreciation of life and faith through another’s eyes?  How can Te Reo be used in a way that brings out the intrinsic meaning of a liturgical action to enhance the full, conscious and active participation of all, without the taint of tokenism or a perception of excessive political correctness?  How do we reach out with aroha, cultural and pastoral sensitivity to our Māori brothers and sisters whose historical experience of church has been rooted in the Marae rather than that of the Parish? 

Such are the blessings and challenges that I experience on a daily basis as an enthusiastic amateur participant in Te Ao Māori, and such are the thoughts and questions that I pose for further reflection and discussion by minds far wiser than my own...

Ki te tangi a te manu e karanga nei, "Tui, tui, tuituia!"

Tuia i runga, tuia i raro, tuia i roto

Tuia i waho, tuia i te here tangata.

Listen to the cry of the bird calling, "Unite, unite, be one!"

“Unite above, unite below, unite within, unite without, unite in the family of all people...”

From Ireland to Aotearoa - Honouring the Reo

A reflection by Mairead Gallagher-Pile, teacher St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Pukekohe

Having moved to New Zealand nearly ten years ago now from the Emerald Isle of Ireland, I noticed many parallels between both Christian countries, which made me feel quite at home.

I took a teaching job in a Catholic primary school in Wellington and felt a real affinity with the school's special character. I particularly enjoyed the waiata for kapa haka and school masses. Interestingly, many of the waiata sung in kapa haka were religious songs. This seemed to me quite fitting since I had learnt that the first book translated to Te Reo was the Bible and the early missionary settlers in Aotearoa really advocated for Māori.

I also learnt about the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles of partnership and active protection. I really feel that encompassing Te Reo in our Church and school liturgies is honouring these principles. Coming from a country, Ireland, which fought so hard for centuries to uphold its language and culture - Gaelic - it makes absolute sense to me that acknowledgement of the language of the land should be a key principle in our prayer and worship. St Patrick's Day mass is celebrated in Gaelic in many parishes of Ireland each year.

When planning school liturgies and masses here in NZ, I would always make sure to incorporate at least one Māori waiata, greeting and prayer. If I didn't, I would have felt the celebration was just a little less rich and I would have regretted a missed opportunity.

I also particularly enjoy the opportunity to do a complete Māori mass where students practise all responses in Te Reo. It instils pride in them for this beautiful Taonga given to them from their Tangata Whenua.

National Liturgy Office Newsletter

Kia ora tātou katoa, 

There are 3 official languages in New Zealand.  The National Liturgy Office provides resources for the celebration of the Liturgy in English, Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.

Of particular interest in this NLO Quick Guide are references for

• Waiata Te Miha Māori: Audio files for the Mass setting composed by Richard Puanaki
• Signed Prayers of the Mass – an invitation to members of the Catholic Deaf community to review the first draft of Signed Prayers of the Mass
• Catechesis from Pope Francis on The Liturgy of the Eucharist, courtesy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

NLO Quick Guide July 2018  

Some of you forward on this newsletter, others cut and paste items into clergy, parish or school newsletters.  Thank you for everything you do to keep others in the ‘liturgy loop’

Yours in Christ, 

Liturgy Centre Team on behalf of: 

Louise Campbell

Director, National Liturgy Office

New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference

Ph:  +64 9 360.3058

Private Bag 47904

Ponsonby

Auckland 1144

E:  lcampbell@nzcbc.org.nz

Te Koropiko Newsletter | June 2018

Friends our newsletter for June has been uploaded and sent out to the liturgy network.

Below is the link to the newsletter.

June Te Koropiko 2018

If you would like to subscribe to receive these newsletters straight into your inbox, please email the Liturgy Centre staff on liturgycentre@cda.org.nz 

National Liturgy Office Newsletter

The National Liturgy Office Newsletter for June has been uploaded to our website on the link below.

NLO Quick Guide, June 2018

Kia ora tātou katoa,

Ordinary Time has resumed.

Of particular interest in this NLO Quick Guide are references for

• The newly published Revised New Jerusalem Bible and Psalms
• Links to several resources and websites encouraging practical growth in holiness.

Some of you forward on this email, others cut and paste items into clergy, parish or school newsletters.  Thank you for everything you do to keep others in the ‘liturgy loop’!

Louise Campbell 

Director 

National Liturgy Office 

If you would like to receive these Newsletters please email us on liturgycentre@cda.org.nz and we will pass it on to the National Liturgy Office.

Liturgy Centre Team

Let us Lament

In the next issue of Liturgy magazine, Judith Courtney writes about the address that was given by Reverend Dr. Michael Trainor on the 27th April 2018 at Holy Cross Seminary in Ponsonby. The title of the address: Towards a Healing Church.

At the end of the article is a liturgy of lament which may be used as it is or altered to suit particular groups or simply used as inspiration to create something new.

The liturgy of lament can be accessed on the link below.

http://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/media/2018/06/Let-us-Lament.pdf

Prayers of the Faithful

The Prayers of the Faithful for the next four weeks have been uploaded to our site.

Follow the link below for more.


Prayers of the Faithful

ANZAC Day Prayers

Poppies in the field

On ANZAC day we are called to remember, the sacrifices, the lives and the cost that war brings with it. We gather to remember the lives of those who have gone on before us both soldiers that served in combat and non combat roles. We also give thanks to those who have till this day survived and continue to serve among us. We also remember in our prayers those who are currently in active duty.

Below are sample prayers of the faithful that can be used for Mass on ANZAC day.

ANZAC DAY

Originally composed by Fr Bill Fletcher

Let us pray for our war dead: in thanksgiving for their sacrifice. May the God of mercy welcome them into lasting peace. Lord hear us.

R: Lord hear our prayer

For our country, Aotearoa New Zealand, in thanksgiving for its influence on us. In times of sorrow and strife, may we find strength and consolation in the love and support of unselfish and brave people. Lord hear us.

R: Lord hear our prayer

For those who have died, since returning from war service. Their influence shapes us still. May we who hold their memory close to our hearts, be comforted in the sure knowledge they are rewarded by a loving and merciful God. Lord hear us.

R: Lord hear our prayer

For all who are sick, May they have comfort of Christ's presence to relieve their distress, remove their fears, give them peace, and restore their health. Lord hear us.

R: Lord hear our prayer

For all our beloved who have passed on from this life. May they be welcomed into the community of saints and share in the joy of heaven. Lord hear us.

R: Lord hear our prayer

Maori Mass Readings

Friends,

The Maori Mass readings for this coming Sunday (Fourth Sunday in Easter) have now been uploaded to our website.

Feel free to use for your parishes. The link to the readings are below.

Maori Mass Readings - 22nd April 2018

Te Koropiko Newsletter | April 2018

Friends, our quarterly Newsletter from the Liturgy Centre 'Te Koropiko' has been uploaded and sent out to all on the Liturgy Network today.

Below is the link to the newsletter

Te Koropiko - April 2018

If you would like to receive our newsletter straight in your inbox please email the Liturgy Centre staff on the email link below to subscribe.

liturgycentre@cda.org.nz

Sacristan | A prayerful Ministry

Marcelles Amiatu

When Jesus sat down to share the last supper with his disciples, someone would have had to set the table, put bowls out, bake the bread, ensure there were enough cups, pour the wine and then of course clear up at the end of the meal.

In every parish and chaplaincy there are a small number of ministers who carry out this prayerful ministry behind the scenes. It is a ministry that very few sign up for yet it is a ministry that can offer the minister the opportunity to pray and reflect while preparing the sanctuary for the celebration of the church’s liturgies. The word Sacristan comes from the word sacristy which means ‘ a place for sacred things ‘. Sacristies came about roughly around the 10th century after churches realized that a cupboard was needed to store all the vestments, chalices, patens and books that were used for Mass. Unlike other ministries of the church such as Ministers of the Word, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Music Ministers; who all minister in full public view, the ministry of the sacristan is carried out prayerfully, reflecting on each part of the preparation behind the scenes and hours before parishioners start to arrive.

By the 15th century, the church became so obsessed with ordinations and clergy that the council of Trent decided that the ministry of the Sacristan should only be for priests in minor orders. Of course that didn’t last long as priests already had so much on their plates to deal with.

As the years went by the role and responsibilities of the sacristan grew and was no longer for the priests. Parishes instead selected from among themselves one person that was trustworthy and well respected in the community to be the sacristan or ‘porter’ as they came to be known. By this time it was the Sacristan who opened and closed the church doors each day, mopped the floors, maintained the church gardens, decorated the church for weddings, dug graves for funerals as well as preparing everything for the celebration of daily and Sunday Masses.

Fortunately today, the Sacristan does not have to do everything mentioned above as parishes are well looked after by volunteers who faithfully give up their time to mop the floors, clean the gardens and decorate etc...

Can I be a sacristan? What skills do I need? Anyone who loves to serve and has a deep interest in the Church’s liturgy can be a sacristan.

A sacristan:
• Is moved by beauty to recognize the abiding presence of God.
• Is able to work well with others and dedicated to serving them.
• Is familiar with the liturgical calendar, its seasons and feasts;
• Is well organized and able to maintain good order, often in limited space.
• Is willing to learn all the liturgical books, vessels, vesture, and everything that is used in liturgies.
• Is able to spend time at the church caring for and preparing the material things for liturgy.

The Liturgy Centre has a variety of resources available for both purchase and study to assist parish sacristans in their ministry and spiritual growth. We also have workshops available to parishes and chaplaincies on request. For more information on these workshops contact the staff at the Liturgy Centre.

Correction: Re Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

In the last post that we uploaded on Monday morning regarding the new memorial which was added to the Church’s calendar earlier this year. We apologise for the miswording of the post that may have caused confusion. The original post has been removed and below is a rewrite of the post with some added information.

Earlier in March the Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments - Cardinal Sarah put out a notification to the universal Church regarding the new memorial. The full text from Cardinal Sarah can be read here

The good news is that this morning New Zealand received the official notification from Rome regarding the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church that is to be celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost.

The below is from Louise Campbell, Director of the NZ National Liturgy Office.

This obligatory memorial, newly inserted into the Roman Calendar, is celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost Sunday, 21 May 2018. Mass of ‘Our Lady, Mother of the Church’, NZ Roman Missal, p.1335; Preface, ‘Mary, Model and Mother of the Church’, p. 1336. Lectionary III: p. 841

The below documents supplied by the National Liturgy Office are also worth reading.

Official Notification Pdf.    

Decree on the Celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church in the General Roman Calendar Pdf.

Copyright Explanation

As you may know, in 2013 the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference requested the National
Liturgy Office (NLO) to host a seminar on Church Music Copyright. This seminar was attended by representatives from each of the six dioceses and was presented by Monica O'Brien who is an Australian Church Music Copyright Advisor.

Since that seminar the Liturgy Centre have been hosting a number of Copyright workshops throughout the diocese in parishes and chaplaincies to ensure that all parishes are using the licenses that are purchased and that everyone is on the same page of understanding when it comes to the subject of Copyright.

If you are having issues with copyright please see the attached document that was put out this morning by the Liturgy Centre.

Copyright Explanation 2018 

Chrism Mass? Never heard of it?

Don't worry, you aren't alone. I was a Catholic for two whole years before i even heard of the Chrism Mass. As a new Catholic i had weekly sessions with my Spiritual Director Monsignor Brian Arahill up in his room at St. John Vianey house in Ponsonby. In his own words he explained that the Chrism Mass is one of the Church's most beautiful liturgies on it's calendar and believe it or not, most Catholics go through life without experiencing a Chrism Mass.

Every year bishop Pat consecrates oils that are to be used throughout the diocese. At this Mass, priests from all over the diocese gather with their bishop and the faithful to remember the day of their ordinations and also renew their commitment to ministry and service to the Church. At this Mass the bishop also asks the faithful to remember him and his brother bishops in their prayers, so that they may remain faithful to the office of the apostle which Christ has entrusted to them.

The Chrism Mass is usually celebrated on the morning of Holy Thursday but can also be transferred to another day during Lent. For the Catholic Diocese of Auckland - the Chrism Mass is always celebrated on the Monday after Palm Sunday every year. So if you haven't experienced the joy of the Chrism Mass, make sure to enter the date in your diary for next year.

The liturgy begins like any other Mass with the Entrance Procession and this year we had 7 Deacons, something like 30 plus Priests - both diocesan and religious and 3 Bishops. Celebrating was Bishop Patrick Dunn (Bishop of Auckland) assisted by Bishop Dennis Browne (Bishop Emeritus of Hamilton) and Bishop Stuart O'Connell (Bishop Emeritus of Rarotonga) all processing in to the hymn "Praise to the Lord the Almighty the King of Creation".

From the very beginning in the collect (opening prayer) through to the readings in the liturgy of the word, the word that stands out the most is "anointed" and "anoint" - which is what we use the oils for.

• Oil of the Sick
• Oil of Catechumens
• Oil of Sacred Chrism

We use the holy oils to "anoint" and those that gather to renew their commitments to ministry are also known as "anointed ones" - (well we are all anointed ones) Except priests and bishops are anointed with the oil of sacred chrism at their ordinations. Bishop Pat's homily focused on the verses from the book of the Prophet Isiah where he speaks of the "anointed ones" and pointed out in the gospel of Luke that same phrase of Isiah's referring to it as the "Mission Statement" for the Church.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

The liturgy continued on to the liturgy of the Eucharist and again the word "anoint" continued to be the on going theme for the night as pointed out in the Preface of The Priesthood and the Ministry of Priests.

"For by anointing of the Holy Spirit you made your only Begotten Son
High Priest of the new and eternal covenant"

and during the Consecratory Prayer when the bishop and all concelebrating priests pray together:

"Pour out the gifts of your Holy Spirit on our brothers and sisters who will be anointed with it." & "Above all, Father we pray that through this sign of your anointing".

At the end of communion, representatives from each of the diocese's parishes and chaplaincies come forward to greet the bishop and collect the oils. So as you can see, the Chrism Mass is a big deal for the priests of the diocese as they come together to one - recall their ordinations and two - renew their commitment to serve the church and the ministry which has been appointed to them. For those who aren't ordained, the Chrism Mass is also an opportunity to renew our commitment to serve the Church and to faithfully serve our bishops and priests as they serve us.

Phot credit: Rochelle Dias - Auckland Catholic Youth Ministry Office.

For a full album of photos from Monday nights Chrism Mass head to the ACYM Facebook page.

Ascension, Pentecost, Holy Trinity, Body and Blood of Christ | Music Suggestions

Music Suggestions for the following have now been added to our website.

• Ascension
• Pentecost
• Holy Trinity
• Body and Blood of Christ

Click on the link below.

Music Suggestions

Why do you go to Mass?

"The Church earnestly desires that all the faithful be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations called for by the very nature of the liturgy". - Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy 14.

Gone are the days where people were expected to just attend Mass to fulfill their Sunday obligation. Some of you might remember what Mass was like pre Vatican II when the assembly had no participation in the Mass at all. The faithful were expected to turn up and watch the clerical show that was going on, in and around the sanctuary and because the Mass was in Latin it meant that a lot more people had no clue on what was being said. Praying the rosary or using prayer books was the only task of the assembly while the priests celebrated the mass quietly to himself.

Of course with the reform of the Church's liturgy, lay people like you and were no longer required just to attend Mass but to fully participate in the celebration of Mass.

You might ask how? Well first of all, following the gestures and postures that we use during the Mass, secondly participate in the singing throughout the Mass, listening attentively to the readings that are proclaimed and the homily that Fr gives, responding to the word of God and affirming your faith in the creed that we recite every week, and responding to the prayers with a meaningful AMEN and then going out into the world and applying everything that you have taken in from the Mass into your daily life to make a difference in the lives of the people that you come into contact with.

Our next issue of "Liturgy" magazine in June will have a deeper look into the role of the assembly and how we are called to participate fully and actively in the Church's liturgies.

If you haven't subscribed the info is below.

Subscriptions

Within NZ
1 copy: $25 per year (4 issues)
3 or more copies $20 per year (4 issues)

Overseas airmail
1 copy: NZ$30 per year (4 issues)

To subscribe email: liturgycentre@cda.org.nz  and receive your first copies free.

Prayers of the Faithful | Holy Week

Prayers of the Faithful for Holy week have now been posted to our website on the link below.


Our Prayers for the Faithful are prepared for Sundays and Solemnities and are available for use and/or adaptation by faith communities.

Liturgy: Prayers of the Faithful

Holy Week and Easter | Fr Rodney Smyth SM

Holy Week & Easter Reflection

PALM SUNDAY

There is a double focus for this celebration:  the procession with palms and the reading of the passion.  While remembering the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem, the procession becomes for us a powerful symbol of the pilgrim Church as we enter the church in procession for the beginning of Holy Week.
The Passion this year comes from Matthew’s Gospel.  Matthew gives us a crowded canvas, full of characters and incidents.  No one seems to behave as one would expect.  The Twelve are scattered; Judas betrays Jesus, while Peter denies him.  Pilate protests his innocence but hands Jesus over to death; and Pilate’s wife pleads for Jesus’ life.  The Roman centurion who is keeping guard at the cross is the first to acknowledge what has happened – that the man who has been crucified was truly the Son of God. 

HOLY THURSDAY 

The evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins in the usual way but ends in silence after the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose.  No blessing and dismissal, no final hymn.  The Gospel is John’s account of the washing of the feet of the disciples at the last supper.  Then follows our own ritual foot washing, celebration of the Eucharist and transfer of the Eucharist to the place of prayer and adoration which extends into the night.  This is the beginning of the Three Days.  As disciples we are people both of the Eucharist and of service.

GOOD FRIDAY 

The celebration of the Passion of the Lord begins and ends in silence.  The key elements for Good Friday are the proclamation of the Passion from John, the General Intercessions in which we remember the needs of all people in the world, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.  The colour of the vestments is red, the same as for Palm Sunday.  We do not try to re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus.  We gather to celebrate the mystery of the cross.
The cross is a symbol both of human torture and suffering, and also of Jesus’ fidelity and surrender to his Father even unto death.  The cross is a symbol of the conflict between good and evil and in this conflict the final word is found in God’s word: goodness overcoming evil and life overcoming death.
As disciples we are a people signed with the cross, for the cross is a central symbol of Christian faith.

HOLY SATURDAY

The Easter Vigil is the climax of the Triduum.  It has four parts.  It begins with the lighting of the fire and Easter candle and the proclamation of the Easter message, the Exsultet.  There is an extended Liturgy of the Word with several readings from the Old Testament.  The Baptism Liturgy is central with the blessing of the Easter water and the baptism of adults together with the renewal of baptismal vows of all present.  The Eucharist is then celebrated.

The strong focus on baptism reminds us that we are plunged into the death and resurrection of Jesus at baptism, and here at Easter we renew our identity as being a baptised people.

BACKGROUND NOTES

• The Easter Triduum is the culmination of the entire liturgical year.
• The three celebrations of the Triduum are distinct but closely related liturgies that form a single unit.
• The mood of these liturgies is solemn but not sombre.
• The Triduum is not a re-enactment of historical events. The purpose of these days is our participation in the paschal mystery through sacramental signs.
• The Easter Season comes to an end with Pentecost Sunday.

Preparing our Easter Celebrations

As Lent slowly comes to an end. Our next big focus should be on preparing the liturgies of Holy Week and the mother of all vigils "The Easter Vigil".
Out of all the church's vigils, our Easter Vigil is when time does not matter, when everything we do in the liturgy should be slowed down for the ministers and the assembly to reflect as the Vigil slowly moves to its summit. All Catholics practicing or not should at least try to attend this wonderful service.

Our Easter Vigil is made of Four Parts

First Part - The Blessing of the Fire and Preparation of the Candle/ Service of Light
Second Part - The Liturgy of the Word
Third Part - Baptismal Liturgy and
Fourth Part - The Liturgy of the Eucharist.


1. The Service of Light
Unlike all the church's other Feast Days and Solemnities this particular night starts off in darkness, to reflect on the light the Christ brought into the world. During the service of light, the holy water fonts should be emptied and all the lights of the church should be switched off. The tabernacle should still be empty after the blessed sacrament was removed during the Mass of the Last Supper or Holy Thursday. The Service of Light starts outside the church and Pascal candle is blessed and lit by the priest.

Christ yesterday and today (vertical arm of the cross)
the Beginning and the End (horizontal arm of the cross)
the Alpha (alpha above the cross)
and the Omega (omega below the cross)
All time belongs to him (numeral 2 in upper left corner of cross)
and all the ages (numeral 1 in upper right corner of cross)
To him be glory and power (numeral 4 in lower left corner)
through every age and for ever. Amen (numeral 0 in lower right corner)
Then the priest may insert five grains of incense into the candle in the form of a cross, meanwhile saying:
1. By his holy
2. and glorious wounds,
3. may Christ the Lord
4. guard us
5. and protect us. Amen.

The priest lights the candle from the new fire, saying:

May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

 After the candle is lit and blessed, those gathered outside should now be starting the procession into the church behind the deacon elevating the Pascal Candle. If there is no deacon then the priest himself will be the one to lead the procession with the Pascal Candle.

Following the procession when everyone has gathered in the church. The Easter Proclamation or the Exsultet is sung. Here is a link to the Exsultet  

2. Liturgy of the Word

During our celebration of the Easter Vigil, a total of nine readings are proclaimed: Seven readings from the Old Testament and Two Readings from the New Testament. Don't worry! not all readings HAVE to be read but if you play a part in preparing for the vigil, at least 3 have to be read from the Old Testament including Exodus 14. The readings that you may choose from are:

1. the story of creation, Gen 1:1-2; 2;
2. Abraham and Isaac, Gen 22:1-18;
3. Crossing of the Red Sea, Exodus 14:15–15:1;
4. Isaiah 54:5-14;
5. Isaiah 55:1-11;
6. Baruch 3:9-15.32–4:4;
7. Ezekiel 36:16-17.18-28;
8. Romans 6:3-11; and
9. Gospel reading Mark 16:1-7.   

Note: The Gloria is sung before the reading of the Epistle of the Romans, and the Alleluia is sung before the Gospel.

3. Liturgy of Baptism
During this time the Easter water is blessed, new members are brought into the Church through baptism, part of the liturgy includes the Litany of the Saints. Afterwards the faithful are blessed with water and all renew their baptismal promises.

4. Liturgy of the Eucharist
So resumes the Mass, with the special prayers inserted during the Eucharist Prayer. The whole church is called to join at the sacrificial table that Christ prepared for us through his death and resurrection.