THE WORSHIP ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
The Worship Environment Committee began its work in
1994. Father Tim invited 5 parishioners to form a committee
responsible for "enhancing the worship space". We thought that
meant decorating the church, but we gradually learned that there
is more to the worship environment that just hanging things on the
sanctuary walls. The liturgical environment is everything that we
hear, see, smell, taste, touch or sense in any way. In the very
acts of listening, eating, walking, drinking, immersing, anointing
and so on, we pray, celebrating and deepening our relationship
with God and each other in the Body of Christ.
We try to find ways of encouraging parishioners to
be active participants in the liturgy, not just spectators. We
have been involved in commissioning the carving of the
reconciliation door and the Marian triptych, and in furnishing the
Marian area. We are always mindful that our role is to enhance the
environment so that the expression of the liturgy can bring the
worshipper closer to God.
With the guidance and support of Father Tim we are
gradually developing traditions of worship that are unique to our
parish. These traditions have their roots in the Church's
liturgical law, but they are constantly being modified to fit the
actions and needs of the liturgy and the people of Holy Spirit
Church. The Worship Environment Committee has come a long way from
the days when we thought that our job was only to decorate the
front walls of the sanctuary. We are still growing and learning,
and by the grace of God, we always will be.
