Inside ML

The extremes of human emotion challenge us to be our best in ministry. Journeying with people who are in the depths of grief, struggling with the uncertainty of living after loss, or coping with issues surrounding the death of a loved one calls us to be a very real light in darkness. “When a member of Christ’s Body dies, the faithful are called to a ministry of consolation to those who have suffered the loss of one whom they love. Christian consolation is rooted in that hope that comes from faith in the saving death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Order of Christian Funerals, General Introduction 8). The horrific effects of Hurricane Katrina brought loss and despair on a scale of enormous proportions. We are all called to the ministry of consolation to the tens of thousands who suffered such great loss, to those who tended to them in their time of need, and to all who have been touched by such profound devastation. We at Resource Publications offer our promise of continued prayer for all left in the wake of Katrina. 

In this issue of ML, we explore ministries embracing not only those who suffer loss but those whose painful struggles are so great that they have no words for them. Elaine Stillwell describes how bereavement ministry was literally born out of great loss, has evolved and continues to grow in response to the needs of those who grieve. Joni Woelfel shares how writing as ministry can bring forth inspirational work out of tragedy and grief. Ron Raab has devised a powerful ritual by which people who have held painful experiences in silence are able to give voice to them and so begin the process of healing. Also in this issue, ML tackles the complex issue of vesting lay liturgical ministers by considering symbolic and practical perspectives. As leaders in liturgy and in life, these ministers are frequently the first and last contact a grieving family will have with a parish community around the time of death. How they are perceived is no trivial matter — not only in this circumstance but in all times and places. Finally, the winners in our Visual Arts Awards Art Glass category offer the essence of light in darkness with designs channeling light into visual prayer by revelation, inspiration, and transformation. 

How we care for one another as we journey through the mountains and valleys of this life say a great deal about who we are and what we believe. If we are the Easter people we say we are, then not one of us should suffer the loss of a loved one alone, no funeral liturgy should be without community participation, no silent burden should crush a lonely spirit. “If one member suffers in the body of Christ which is the Church, all the members suffer with that member” (1 Cor 12:26). We know with hearts and minds that Christ is risen and that death has no more power over us. That is the good news, the promised light that we bring into the darkness of this world with every new day.

Welcome, Liturgical Catechesis readers!

With this issue we are beginning an exciting transition in the history of Ministry & Liturgy and Liturgical Catechesis magazines. Recognizing the critical need for an integrated approach to all aspects of community formation and worship, and understanding the need to maximize resources, we are merging the two magazines into one under the banner of ML. We welcome former LC subscribers to the expanded ML, confident that you will find the same commitment to faith formation that was the hallmark of LC. Since educating about worship has always been a cornerstone of ML’s mission, this is a natural and powerful moment in the evolution of liturgical-catechetical dialogue. With this melding of features into a single resource, our light shines a bit brighter. 

The transition process will take place over the next few issues, but readers will continue to find the same quality of timely, challenging, and professional material. In that spirit we welcome from LC the voice of Eliot Kapitan in his column, Pray, Believe, Learn, & Live. In this issue, Eliot illuminates the role of incense in the church’s prayer. Also familiar to LC readers is Leisa Anslinger, who will author Keeping the Faith, a new column beginning with our February 2006 issue. Leisa will explore with us the various dimensions of community faith formation through a guided process of catechetical discovery.ML

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