The Worship Commission

I came to my faith by an unusual path. My grandmother was the seamstress for the Archdiocese of Detroit. I followed her endlessly on magical excursions to specialty shops that had drawers and drawers of golden threads from Italy, ornate handmade laces, brocades, damasks, jacquards. She designed vestments: chasubles, cassocks, stoles, albs, altar cloths, all of stunning beauty and exquisite intricacies. My Infant of Prague statue was the best adorned in my family and the envy of all my aunts.

I often accompanied my grandma to deliver these objects of breathtaking beauty to many parishes. She was so proud of her offerings of beauty for the glory of God. I was proud too but didn’t quite grasp yet that her faith was sewn into every fiber of her work. The fruits of her labor were testament to her love and devotion to God. And I was transfixed.

As I got older and attended Mass, I began to realize that all of the offerings, put together, [the Mass, the liturgy, the music, and the homily] are all a labor of love and devotion. The liturgical environment, in particular, was the element that spoke to me, it made me feel that I have a voice and I belong to a community of worship where I have felt at home.

Many years after accompanying my grandmother, I became involved in the transformation of the liturgical environment at St. Ignatius. We do our best to create an atmosphere of reverence for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and my favorites, Holy Thursday, Requiem Mass and the Altar of Repose. This involvement has slowly transformed my faith into true devotion.

An invitation to be on the Worship Commision has made me feel even more strongly connected and in relationship with our community of faith. I am extending this invitation to you. It takes love, devotion, passion and yes, a bit of grunt work, but it is indeed for the Glory of God. It is an opportunity for you to meet new people, to deepen your involvement in the parish, and do new things for our faith community. It is a golden thread in the tapestry of our faith.

Arlo Boyle, parishioner and Worship Commission member

Nomination Season is here, learn more.