Liturgical Minister Training
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1) Caring with Faith: Training Ministers to the Sick. Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 41:20 min.
"A video resource for the preparation of those who visit the sick at home or in healthcare facilities. Three story segment vignettes provide fictional "case studies" of pastoral visits. Situations include visits to a nursing home and a terminally ill patient and a Communion call to a homebound parishioner. In the witness segment following each vignette, a trio of veteran chaplains offer their critique of the positive and negative aspects of the pastoral visit depicted. In the teaching segment, chaplain, author and educator Patti Normile provides a grounding for the ministry to the sick, question to examine the minister's motivation, and suggestions for evaluating pastoral visits. The program concludes with a music video reflection that serves as a prayer for ministers to the sick as they set out for their pastoral visits."
Reference Number: 01036
2) Training Bereavement Ministers: Funeral Planning. Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2003. 48 min.
“Has Leader's Guide. Funeral Planning explores how the church's funeral rites can help the bereaved in their journey from grief to hope. Three story segment vignettes provide fictional "case studies" of different circumstances of grief and options for the funeral rites-Vigil for the Deceased, Funeral Liturgy, and Rite of Committal. The stories also reflect different reactions and emotional needs of family members at the time of loss. (3-5 minutes each). In the witness segment following each vignette, a panel consisting of a liturgist and bereavement ministers comments on the different funeral rites as well as the positive and negative aspects of the pastoral visit depicted. (5 minutes each). In the teaching segment, chaplain, author and educator Patti Normile offers bereavement ministers suggestions for using the funeral rites of the Church to lead the bereaved from the great sorrow of loss toward the healing of our loving God. (8 minutes). Our program concludes with a music video reflection, a prayer invoking God's help for those serving as bereavement ministers. (2 minutes).”
Reference Number: 01238
3) Training Bereavement Ministers: Responding to Grief. Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2003. 47 min.
“Has Leader's Guide. Responding to Grief introduces bereavement ministers to the context in which they will minister, with emphasis on the emotional and spiritual needs of the bereaved. Three story segment vignettes provide fictional "case studies" of grieving families. Situations include death after a long illness, the sudden death of a child, and death related to addiction. The stories also reflect different reactions and emotional needs of family members at the time of loss. (3-5 minutes each). In the witness segment following each vignette, a panel of bereavement ministers comments on the situations of grief as well as the positive and negative aspects of the pastoral visits depicted. (5 minutes each). In the teaching segment, chaplain, author and educator Patti Normile ground bereavement ministry in the call of Baptism, through which we are "buried with Christ," to rise through Resurrection to new life. A bereavement minister's presence to the bereaved in their suffering can help them find God's love in the midst of pain. (8 minutes). Our program concludes with a music video reflection, the song "Live in Me," which reminds bereavement ministers that God is present in and through them as they reach out to console others. (3 minutes).”
Reference Number: 01241
4) Preaching the Just Word. Chicago, Illinois: Liturgy Training Publications, 1995. 40 min.
“Here is excitement and enthusiasm about preaching. This montage of presentation, conversions and interviews will expand the viewer’s vision of justice and provide practical pointers for honing and improving preaching skills. It inspires homilists to give the assembly what it is entitled to, desires and needs. How can our homilies both encourage and challenge our communities to live justly in a challenging time? How can we preach about justice without using jargon and cliché? How can we recognize and name the power of sin and injustice in the world? Where do we find the even greater power of grace, love and reconciliation? These and other questions are explored by Walter J. Burghardt, John L. Carr, Kathleen Hughes, Raymond B. Kemp, Leo Murray and Sarah A. Sharkey in a “Preaching the Just Word” retreat/workshop. We are presented with a biblical view of justice—the right ordering of all relationships: with God, with our brothers and sisters, and with the earth. Beginning with the scriptures and building on the Catholic tradition of social teaching, we see how justice takes shape in daily life.”
Reference Number: 01037
5) Preaching the Just Word: A Biblical View of Justice. Chicago, Illinois: Liturgy Training Publications, 1995. 85 min.
“What is the biblical notion of justice? Where can we find it? How does it relate to people at the end of the twentieth century? Sarah A. Sharkey, associate professor in the department of biblical studies of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, explores biblical justice beginning with creation and sin in Genesis, through the exodus and Sinai traditions and the eighth-century prophets, culminating in the message and example of Jesus as found in the Gospel according to Luke. This is not only a scholarly exegesis but a lively, inspiring, humorous and image filled trek biblical justice is the right ordering of all relationships: with God, with all people and with the earth. Every viewer—from the preacher, liturgist or social justice activist to the simply curious—will discover the deep roots of justice in our scriptures. We meet a dangerous God who is justice and who calls us to that justice, not our own. We come to realize that justice is the heart and soul of the gospel message, especially as portrayed by Luke in Jesus’ dining and feeding. This video inspires and challenges the viewer not only to name injustice in the world but also to become a proclaimer and sign of God’s hope.”
Reference Number: 01038
6) Preaching the Just Word: Catholic Social Teaching. Chicago, Illinois: Liturgy Training Publications, 1995. 100 min.
“What is the current social and political context for our preaching? What are some practical strategies to convey Catholic social teaching and to implement the social mission of the church in the parish? John L. Carr, secretary of the department of social development and world peace for the United States Catholic Conference, outlines the social dimension of our mission as found in the gospel and in our long tradition. Here faith is social and justice is integral to our message. With lively stories and startling examples, Carr presents the “signs of the times,” the cultural and political world in which we live our faith. What unique response and vision can the Catholic community of faith give? Answers come form years of experience: the practical direction for preaching and actions, dangers to avoid. Preachers, social action committees and parishioners in general can benefit from this clear, lively overview of our Catholic social ministry, which flows form a faith that is social and a Eucharist that is just.”
Reference Number: 01039
7) Preaching the Just Word: The Liturgy that Does Justice. Chicago, Illinois: Liturgy Training Publications, 1995. 90 min.
“What is the connection between liturgy and justice? Does the God of justice speak only through the word and homily or rather throughout the entire liturgy? What is the role of liturgy in the process of conversion? Kathleen Hughes, author and professor of liturgy at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, explores the meaning of the dominical command, “Do this in memory of me,” and its implications for a way of life. She traces the concurrent development of the liturgical and Catholic social action movements in the United States and their eventual divergence. She explores how these activities are essentially related and explores the formative role of liturgy. Because the homily is integral to the liturgy, she presents a method of preparation and reflection based on the liturgy itself. Preachers, presiders, liturgists, social justice committees and members of the assembly will find their participation in liturgy enriched through the insights presented in this video.”
Reference Number: 01040
8) Preaching the Just Word: Preparing the Homily. Chicago, Illinois: Liturgy Training Publications, 1995. 85 min.
““An unprepared homilist is a pastoral peril” says Walter Burghardt. What is adequate, appropriate preparation? How can the radical dimension of the gospel as it touches society be heard in the church? Burghardt leads us step-by-step through both remote and proximate preparation for effective preaching. He explores the role of scripture, theology and tradition and demonstrates how to translate these into popular language. Biblical justice based on fidelity with God, our sisters and brothers and the earth is contrasted with ethical justice. From the example of this master preacher we learn the role of imagination and rhetoric in preaching. Burghardt shares with the viewers a practical, realistic approach to preparation and gives suggestions for homilies on special occasions. Anyone who preaches, either regularly or occasionally, including those who preach to children, will be enlightened and encouraged by these wise words.”
Reference Number: 01041
9) Dufner, Delores, OSB. Training for Hospitality: The Ministry of Ushers and Greeters. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1989. 40 min.
"Designed to train parish greeters and ushers--singly or in groups--this video will also help parish administrators create a far-reaching parish program of ministry through hospitality. The video begins with an explanation of what hospitality is, its scriptural basis, and its importance tot hte parish. More specifically, the social aspects of running a parish, working in a parish, ans simply beloningin to a parish are related. Then detailed examples and explanations are given of the verious tasks of ushers and greeters that further the hospitality and communal worship of the assembly. Ushers and greeters learn...How and where to greet worshipers as they arrive. How to assiste in seating them. How to handle disturbances. The importance of participating in the lituryg as memebers of the worshiping community. How to facilitate the presentation of gifts. How and when to guide the communion procession. How to send the assembly on its way with a warm "farewell". Ushers and greeters--and, through them, the parish at-large--will benefit from this important presentation."
Reference Number: 01110
10) Hansen, James. Training the Parish Cantor. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1991. 52 min.
"Well-trained cantors don't fall form heaven like manna. Instead they are scouted, recruited, trained, apprenticed, and finally commissioned or installed. This program will help the pastor or liturgist with the selection process while also providing a clear consistent teaching tool for new cantors. Cantors learn their role as teachers of new music, ministers at the Eucharistic liturgy, and ministers at other liturgies such as weddings and funerals. From opening song to responsorial psalm to communion song and beyond, cantors are given full, detailed examples and descriptions of their duties, as well as basic guides for selecting music appropriate to the celebration and season. The history of cantoring is also given as a means of demonstrating the important role of this ministry within the larger framework of liturgical ministry."
Reference Number: D-00105
11) Kwatera, Michale, OSB. Training the Eucharistic Minister. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1987. 24 min.
"Finally, a clear, concise video program for training Eucharistic ministers. Now these special ministers can not only hear but see what their role is in the liturgy and how they can best perform it. The program explains the responsibilities of the Eucharistic minister when ministering within the assembly, to the sick and confined, and when leading communion services. Correct as well as incorrect methods of distributing the bread and wine are enacted, so that the ministers will see which habits to practice and which to avoid. The theology of this ministry will see which habits to practice and which to avoid. The theology of this ministry of Communion is presented simply and understandably. The program also provides answers to such questions as: What do I do if I drop the host or spill the wine? How do I minister to a handicapped person? How do I administer the Eucharist when no priest is available:? How will I know whether to place the host in the person's hand or on the toungue? How should I minister the Eucharist to the sick and confined? Both new and veteran Eucharistic ministers will benefit from thsi instructional program."
Reference Number: K-00056
12) Kwatera, Michale, OSB. Training the Mass Server. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1989. 41 min.
"The young people who are Mass servers perform an essential ministry to God and God's people. You can help them to serve their best by offering them this clear, concise, well-organized training program geared especially to them. The video, based on the best-selling booklet, The Ministry of Servers, presents those duties servers perform for the Eucharsitci celebration. Divided into three parts, Part I explains how young people should prepare; Part II gives directions for serving during the Liturgy of the Word; and Part III, for serving during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Objects and terms that servers will encounter are explained. Most importantly, the video reinforces the value of this ministry and encourages young people to serve with willing hearts and minds. Pastors, associate pastors, liturgy directors, and anyone entrusted with the training of servers will welcome this practical encouraging video."
Reference Number: W-00084
13) Prendergast, Michael R. Music in the Liturgy for Small Parishes. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1996. 52 min.
"Provides basic guidelines and suggestions for ritual music in the Church's liturgy. It offers practical ideas for supporting the sung prayers of the community, particularly for small parishes eith limited resources. The video calls for all faith communities to prepare liturgical music with care, both for the given season and for the years to come."
Reference Number: H-00294
14) Wallace, James A., C.SS.R. Training the Parish Lector. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1991. 47 min.
"See and hear how to read the Word of God effectively to the Parish community. This new instructional video program, based on the best-selling booklet The Ministry of Lectors is an invaluable visual resource for pastors and those they are training for this important ministry. The program demonstrates both right and wrong methods of delivery, and provides a step-by-step approach to preparing for the ministry of lectoring. Fr. Wallace suggests ways not only the congregation but also the lectors may spiritually benefit from increased preparation. The theology of this ministry is presented, as well as the answers to practical questions such as... How can I reflect the tone and message of the reading? How can I overcome my nervousness? How do I know if I'm reading too fast or too slow, and what can I do about it? How can I get more out of the readings to give more meaning to what I read? When and how long should I pause? Am I speaking clearly? Can they hear and understand me? Lectors will gain both the knowledge and the skills necessary to bring forth the message of God clearly and convincingly."
Reference Number: K-00059