Preparation of resources, protocols and processes for lay-led liturgy implementation in parishes
Team Members
Kurt Challinor, Principal, St Joseph’s Primary, Alstonville
Mahalia Day, St Mary’s Catholic Parish, Casino
Peter McConnell, St Anthony’s Parish, Kingscliff
Angela Orrego, Nambucca Valley Catholic Parish
Fr Michael Roohan, Parish Priest, Camden Haven Parish
Liz Watts, Principal Mary Help of Christians Primary, Parish Finance Committee, Sawtell Parish
September 24 update
Providing parishes with the resources, protocols and processes for lay-led liturgy is a key part of the Renewal Journey. Kurt Challinor, Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School in Alstonville, leads the lay-led liturgy team. “We’re working collaboratively with parishes across the Diocese to discern their immediate and future needs in supporting lay-led liturgies,” explains Kurt.
He notes that while these liturgies provide a spiritual outlet, they are not a replacement for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. “It’s important for communities to know the difference between the two because they are very different.”
Feedback from parishes has been instrumental in shaping what form of support they need for lay-led liturgies. A recent survey had a 90% response rate, highlighting the diverse realities. “Some parishes have been doing this for years, while others are just beginning to explore it,” Kurt shares.
While lay-led liturgies cannot replace the Eucharistic celebration presided over by a priest, they ensure that parishioners continue to gather, worship, and receive Holy Communion. “We come together in the hope of celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist in the future,” says Kurt. Through the Renewal Journey, parishes across the Diocese are ensuring that the spiritual growth of communities continues, even when a priest isn’t available.
July Update
The Lay-led Liturgy Team has created a survey to gain a better understanding of the current status of lay-led liturgies in parishes across the Diocese. The survey was distributed to all parishes and has garnered an excellent response rate. The Team is currently analysing the responses and identifying potential implications to better support parishes in implementing lay-led liturgies in their specific contexts. Members of the Team are also working on providing feedback to parishes on the data collected through the survey.
Some parishes have indicated an openness to working closely with the group on this project. They have particularly expressed interest in the development of processes and resources which can be utilised to prepare the parishioners and potential leaders for undertaking lay liturgies in their parish. The Team has begun approaching some parishes to formalise opportunities to collaborate.
The Team has continued to collate and evaluate resources from across Australia and to develop some draft resources which may be suitable for supporting the implementation of lay-led liturgies in parishes in our diocese.
May Update
The need for the development of lay-led liturgy materials, protocols and processes for parishes emerged as one of the key areas during the consultation process with clergy and parishes. To develop the materials the Lay-led Liturgy team was established. Led by Kurt Challinor, the Principal of St Joseph’s Primary at Alstonville, the Team has been working to finalise a survey to better understand the current realities in relation to the implementation of lay-led liturgies in parishes across the Diocese. We hope to send this survey out to parish priests very soon. Feedback from parishes will be instrumental in guiding the direction of this team, and we hope there are parishes open to working closely with the team on this project. The team has also been collating and evaluating resources to support lay-led liturgies from across dioceses in Australia to determine their suitability to support parishes with implementing lay-led liturgies.
