Liturgy Coordinating Group
Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 21st April 2010
Present: Maureen Bannon, Mags Moules, Helen Wellicome, David Spencer, Rosemary Spencer
Apologies: Fr Antony, Audrey Campbell, Steve Deadman, Wendy Whitcher
The meeting opened with a prayer by David
1. Minutes and matters arising
There were no matters arising, except as dealt with under item 2 below
2. Review of Lent and Easter celebrations
Note: Steve Deadman had sent in comments, and these are referred to in the discussion below.
Oscar Romero Mass: This was well attended and the Confirmation candidates were involved.
Stations of the Cross: There was some discussion about using the Stations as the subject of the Penitential Rite on Sundays, and also having the full Stations on Sunday afternoons. Steve considered the Stations Victorian, but many favourable comments had been received about the Penitential Rites. It was agreed that we should carry on with both. R would include the thanks of the Liturgy group to those of the PPC when she wrote to Veronica, but suggesting that the introduction could be omitted.
Covenant events during Lent (Lent Groups, Walk of Witness, Passover Meal): Steve thought they were poorly supported by IC, but numbers were proportional to the number of churches. Steve thought that the PPC should lead us into more effective work in ecumenism; R to write to Steve and suggest he writes to the PPC about this.
Palm Sunday: Steve comments that the procession was a non event. R to point out to Steve that it was agreed 3 years ago to use the ‘Simple’ form of entrance at 10.30, as at 8.30.
Church Decoration and Easter Garden: Thanks to all those involved. (The nuns at Redcote asked for their thanks to be expressed). One small point – there was some objection to the figures in the garden, particularly the faces.
Holy Thursday: Steve’s idea of having an ecumenical Last Supper was discussed. but thought to be complicated and impractical and detract from the Covenant meal, and it may also put the priest in a difficult position.
Good Friday Children’s Way of the Cross: Thanks to Mags and Steve for organising the service and to Sue Earley for the refreshments. Mags reported that all the First Communion children came and all children were involved.
Good Friday 3pm Service: David brought up the subject of the Veneration. He thought, and all agreed, that the Reproaches should start at the beginning of Veneration, and that Fr Antony should not go to get the hosts from the Lady Chapel until the end of Veneration, not during it.
Saturday Vigil: It was generally agreed that the Fire in the church worked well, but that there were too many altar servers actually round the fire (two would be enough, others could be strategically placed), and Fr A needed a torch. David said that according to his missal, people’s candles should be alight during the Exsultet and then extinguished and then the church lights should be put on. He would like this to be done to make it easier for singers and organist. Helen to investigate. Steve commented that the church was only 60% full (and on Maundy Thursday) but Maureen thought this was because a lot of older people did not like coming out in an evening. He also questioned whether we celebrated Easter with ‘joy, passion, excitement, commitment’ etc, but Mags commented favourably on all the services of the Easter Triduum and felt ‘full of the joys of the resurrection’ by Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday morning: Steve was disappointed that the children could not perform what they had prepared because of two baptisms. Mags also commented that she was surprised that the baptisms started before 10.30 when people were still arriving. There was also some discussion about whether having baptisms during mass, when the family were not church goers, was appropriate. There were mixed views on this.
3. Future Events
First Communion: 6th June at 10.30. David and Rosemary confirmed that instruments would play at this mass. Mags said they were hoping to have certificates and cake the following Sunday .
Confirmation: 15th June. Not known yet whether this would be at IC if Christ the King were unable to host it.
Mass for the Sick at St Anne's: 4th July. R to check whether we are required to do anything.
Mass of the Assumption at Netley: August 15th is a Sunday. R to check whether this will go ahead this year.
Harvest Sunday: Date agreed 26th Sept, as in the Ordo. It has been the custom to alternate Harvest and Sunday readings: this year would be the turn of the Sunday readings. Food offerings would be shared between Poitiers and Basics Bank.
5th Sunday: Maureen said there would be no 5th Sunday service in May because of the Big Picnic.
4. A.O.B.
Helen reported that the J&P Group are writing special Penitential Rites for the next two Sundays, linked to the election
5. Date of next meeting
Either Wednesday 29th September or Wednesday 13th October (tbc when Spencers have sorted out their holiday arrangements)
The meeting closed at 9.20pm with the Our Father.