The Chaplaincy to the Filipino Migrants organised a liturgical seminar on May 1 inside the hall of the Holy Family parish in Choi Hung, Kowloon. The hall was packed with around 450 English speaking community members from different parishes.
The purpose of this seminar is to deepen the understanding of the liturgy and for the awareness of the Filipino liturgical ministers to know the meaning behind the rituals they do.
The speakers were Divine Word Father Jay Francis Flandez, the chaplain of the organising grou; Josephine Basilio who is serving as Eucharistic Minister and catechist at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Wanchai; James Edward Andaya, a covenanted member of Bukas Loob sa Dios and is presently also focussing in Adult Catechism for both English and Filipino communities and the liturgical master of ceremony of the Church of Annunciation, Tsuen Wan.
The topics discussed by Father Flandez touched on the Theology of the Liturgy and the Music Ministry or Choir. Josephine Basilio spoke on the topics about Lectors and Eucharistic ministers while James Edward Andaya discussed about Altar Servers and the Ministers of Hospitality.
Father Flandez mentioned that the Church calls people to the responsible stewardship of their time and talent in support of the Catholic Church. This often takes the form of volunteering for a specific lay ministry, most of which are liturgical, catechetical or involved in pastoral care and social justice. Ministry is its most general sense. Therefore, it is not the privilege of a selected few, but the vocation of all baptised Christians. (Catechism for Filipino Catholics 1420)
Speaking about lay liturgical ministries, Father Flandez focussed on the Music Ministry or Choir. The role of the music ministry must focus in every liturgical celebration, instead of attracting attention too. He gave some pointers of the attitude a choir member must possess, such as being spiritually prepared; learning the structure and meaning of the various liturgical and ecclesial celebrations; deepening the meaning of what they sing; refraining from creating distractions as choir members are singing for the Lord; supporting and encouraging one another; living out what they sing and put music and worship in their daily lives.
Josephine Basilio then talked about the ministry of the Word for lectors and commentators. She mentioned a good lector need to, besides having good public speaking abilities, be prepared and understand the text with love and appreciation of scripture. She also explained the distinct of Extraordinary from Ordinary Ministers. The term “extraordinary” implied that these ministers are not part of the ordinary hierachy of ordained clergy. Ordinary ministers include bishops, priests and deacons who are specifically “ordained” for this ministry. Extraordinary ministers receive training and guidance.
Being an Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion also experience challenges such as maintaining reverence and logistical coordination.
As for the altar servers, James Edward Andaya said that they should have a desire to serve the Lord and be committed to duties, know the meaning and structure of the Holy Mass and have knowledge of the sacred things, vestments. vessels used in the Mass; Participate in the sacramental life of the church such as going to confession regularly snd receiving Holy Communion.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Another topic shared by Andaya is the role and importance of church usher and their duties.
A Mass celebrated by Father Flandez concluded the afternoon’s event. SE
