Liturgyplanning.com has emerged from an appreciation of our Catholic tradition of magnificent ritual, symbol and sacramentality, which for many has been long forgotten, and for some, never experienced.
This website recognises that for so many involved in ministry today, there are increasing pressures and demands that limit their time and energy for preparing liturgies, prayer and worship. At the same time, many are searching for resources to inspire creativity and offer practical help in the preparation and celebration of liturgy. There seems to be a great hunger in people for meaningful worship and prayer; for good liturgies that give life and nourish a sense of the Sacred.
In light of this, it is our hope that liturgyplanning.com will:
support those who are responsible for preparing liturgies
provide liturgies, rituals and prayers that nourish the spiritual hunger in people's lives, providing them with an experience of the Sacred and giving them meaningful, life-giving liturgical experiences
re-claim and renew some of the richness of our Church's liturgical tradition in all its Seasons and glory!
provide formative resources that will inform, educate and promote ongoing liturgical formation and renewal
We acknowledge the very real limitations of this kind of approach to liturgy preparation, particularly that technology is in no way a worthy substitute for personal contact and relationship, and that the best liturgy preparation is that which arises out of the life of the community. It is our hope, nevertheless, that liturgyplanning.com will continue to grow and develop as an effective resource that will contribute towards a more creative imagining and realisation of what is possible in our human quest and longing for the Sacred.
Monica Brown
Editor
What does this site offer?
Creative, engaging prayer, rituals and liturgies for children, youth and adults for all major liturgical seasons, feasts and events.
Liturgy resources will be offered in a variety of formats as outlined below:
a) Complete Liturgies:
These will be either a Eucharistic Liturgy or a Liturgy of the Word, depending on the feast and/or the age group of the community. We encourage users to adapt and edit the liturgies to suit the particular circumstances, needs and readiness of their own community and their worship space or use them as inspiration for their own preparation.
Each liturgy includes:
Detailed instructions and notes on the celebration of the specific liturgy - all the "nuts and bolts" on every aspect of the liturgy and its "logistics", including prayers, rituals, readings and music.
New Black & white liturgical graphics ready for photocopying. (These graphics are able to be photocopied for liturgies but not for publishing in any other form - copyright laws apply.)
b) Liturgy Preparation Resource Kits:
Preparation Guide Sheet - outlining the structure and intention of each liturgy.
Ideas and suggestions for all aspects of the liturgy, including prayers, rituals, music and art.
An Interactive Planning Sheet to record and print out the liturgy running order and details.
c) Thematic Integrated Resource Kits (TIRKs):
The TIRK is a special format for presenting our resources to school communities, which we hope will provide members with greater options and save them a good deal of time in searching for the resources that might best meet their needs. The theme for the resource kits will come from specific liturgical feasts, such as All Saints or liturgical seasons such as Lent and Advent, or special interest themes. The TIRK offers ideas and suggestions for integrating the specific theme into various settings within the whole school community.
The TIRK consists of the following components, which members can select from or use in its entirety.
Classroom Prayer & Rituals - simple prayer suggestions and rituals around the theme for use in the classroom setting, to help integrate the theme into the students' life experience.
School Assembly Resources - prayers, rituals and music suggestions for use in whole school assemblies.
Staff Prayer & Ritual - brief prayer rituals around the theme for staff prayer.
Liturgy Resources - for all aspects of the liturgy, including prayers, rituals, homily notes, music and art.
A Word To Take Home - inspirational messages for the school newsletter to help integrate the theme at home.
School Assemblies
Here you will find a variety of resources to assist with your school assemblies
"I Am With You Always" - Scripture Thought For The Week.
Weekly Prayer themes.
Special Events / Thematic Prayers.
Power Point Presentations for Songs & Hymns, Poems & Prayers, Imagery & Scripture available from our image site liturgyplanningimages.com
Community / Staff Prayer Rituals
We provide here prayers and rituals for communities, staff or ministry teams. These resources are scripture based, offering a variety of relevant themes, as well as integrating the liturgical themes for major feasts and events. They are suitable for weekly morning prayer or staff meetings, and come complete with all readings, prayers, instructions and music. They can be lengthened, shortened or adapted as required.
Hospital Chaplaincy & Funeral Resources
Having listened to our members, we are developing prayer and ritual resources to support hospital chaplains and those working with the sick and dying. Some of these resources are already available on our site as part of the Adult Liturgy Resource. As we develop more resources in this area, we will expand into other areas of chaplaincy and set up a dedicated page for them.
Meditations and Reflections
There are regular uploads of meditations, reflections and rituals for children, youth and adults. These are simple and brief, aimed at encouraging sacred moments in the midst of daily pressure and routine.
A specific section has been included for Parents. Here we provide articles to support them with their parenting and in their own relationships and spirituality.
Family Rituals
We are gradually building up our resource of family rituals that can be included in school, parish and community bulletins and newsletters for special events, liturgical seasons and feast days.
Helpful Hints in Liturgy Preparation
This page provides in its Little Gems section, relevant articles and helpful hints to support people in the preparation of liturgy. It offers discussion, reflection and formative input on key issues of liturgical renewal.
Music, Arts & Environment In Liturgy
In this resource we offer insights and helpful notes on music, the Arts and the overall environment in liturgy, in our A Note Or Two... Editorials. We also provide here a Monthly Music Review, featuring new and current liturgical music and offering practical suggestions about its use in liturgy and ritual. An Index of Contemporary Music with Christian Themes for
youth is also available in this section of the site. In addition to
this, you will find here information and links to publishers,
composers and liturgical artists.
Prayers For All Occasions
These prayers are suitable for meetings, community and staff prayer,
and Pastoral Care situations. Prayers are also available in our E-Cards
section on www.liturgyplanningimages.com. Please click here to view the E-Cards.
Notice Board
An exciting space where new resources are featured and announcements are posted.
Calendar
This page will inform you of new resources for up-coming Feasts and Special Events as well as resources already available.
Membership
An annual membership subscription entitles members to access and download all the liturgies and resources on the site. Read our details on membership.
Contact Us - Consultation and Feedback
This is a
chance for you to ask your questions, seek specific support and
consultation and to give us your suggestions and feedback.
