By Marco Ceccarelli
The Archdiocese of Perth’s Centre for Liturgy is making preparations to hold a workshop presenting music for celebrations during the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
The workshop will feature quotations from Pope Francis’ encyclical Misericordiae Vultus and will offer participants the opportunity to learn new songs relating to each quote.
Run by the Centre for Liturgy’s Music Coordinator, Chris deSilva, and Music Field Officer, Alessio Loiacono, the workshop will cover music suitable for any Year of Mercy event, as well as music that can be played for Responsorial Psalms, for gatherings and during Communion.
This is not the first time an informative music workshop is being run within the Archdiocese of Perth.
In October 2015, renowned American composer of liturgical music, Marty Haugen, facilitated a workshop at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, and Infant Jesus parish centre, Morley, featuring music for the Year of Mercy based on Misericordiae Vultus.
According to Mr deSilva, Marty Haugen’s insightful presentation took participants through the background of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, underscoring three central points in the Bible that surround this term “Mercy”.
The first of these focused on the Old Testament, delving into the meaning of God’s mercy as a steadfast loving-kindness for the people of Israel.
The second point singled out Jesus Christ as the embodiment of that mercy, and as the means through which God manifested His mercy to the gentiles.
The third and final point was directed at the Church and its members, the people of God, and their responsibility to follow the example of Jesus and make God’s mercy known to the world.
Mr deSilva also stated that, in the aftermath of Mr Haugen’s workshop, there was a perceived need in the Archdiocese to educate parish and school musicians about the themes for the Jubilee Year of Mercy and to introduce songs related to those themes which could be used in their parishes and schools.
The upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy workshop will be held on two different dates and in two locations:
Saturday, 13 February from 10.30am-12.30pm – Centre for Liturgy, 28 Marda Way, Nollamara
Saturday, 20 February from 10.30am-12.30pm – Holy Family Catholic Church, 45 Thelma St, Como.
It is essential for intending participants to register with the Centre for Liturgy by the closing date of 29 January 2016.
Further info and to register please visit the Centre for Liturgy’s new website: liturgy.perthcatholic.org.au.