A Joy to Behold

To everything there is a season And a time to every purpose under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

By Arlo Boyle

It has been an honor and a pleasure for me to serve for the past three years on the St. Ignatius Worship Commission. What exactly (you may ask) is the Worship Commission and what does it do? Well, the Worship Commission has a fairly broad mandate. We are asked to faithfully follow the Liturgical Calendar and to guide the cyclical celebration of each season through both the environment of the church itself and the Liturgy of the Word. During our time together we review the year past and seek ways to further the joy for each season in the new year. Our commission is asked to help give each liturgical season a deeper and more spiritual formation throughout the year and to invite everyone to participate in our faith more fully.

In my experience, it has been especially rewarding to hear what other members of the commission have gained from participating in the liturgy and it has been a wonder to witness the creativity and imagination the members have for the liturgy and the environment of the church. Commission members bring so much enthusiasm to our projects that it is a joy to behold.

Some of my favorite projects our commission has overseen in in the past few years are: 1) The Altar of Remembrance which I think of as a living altar for the dead since the entire parish participates in by bringing photos and creating holy cards with loved ones names. 2) The Lenten Season, for the opportunity we are given to reflect on the Passion and its meaning for our lives. 3) The Requiem Mass for the chance we are granted to showcase our sublime and glorious music program. The worship commission’s role in the Requiem is usually minimal, trying to reach out to the neighbor community outside of our church but the year a Ukrainian composer was selected we created a field of sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine on the altar.

I would like to reiterate how rewarding it has been for me to serve on the Worship Commission. It has provided me with the chance to meet so many giving, creative people who serve our parish selflessly and lovingly. If you have any inclination to spread the joy of the gospel in a creative manner please come join the Worship Commission.

Arlo Boyle, Worship Commission | Liturgical Environment Committee | Liturgical Ministry Greeter 

New members are needed for every commission. Nominations are due by Sunday, March 9. Self nominations are welcome. Nomination forms may be found here.