by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
EMPORIA — The work of laypeople in liturgical ministries is truly transcendent service honoring what the Second Vatican Council called “the source and summit of Christian life,” the Eucharist.
This was the message 40 liturgical ministers received at a Transcendent Service workshop on Sept. 9 at Sacred Heart Parish in Emporia, given by Michael Podrebarac, archdiocesan consultant for liturgy and sacramental life.
“[This workshop was held] as a way to help our liturgical ministers and other stewards of the parish liturgy to recognize the need for a transcendent approach to their ministry, that we’re really doing this in God — not necessarily in human function, but God working through us,” said Podrebarac.
Although the workshops are geared toward lay liturgical ministers — lectors, sacristans, altar servers, Communion ministers and ushers — anyone in the parish is welcome to attend.
Workshops for musicians will be presented starting in January.
It was one of approximately 14 Transcendent workshops that will be offered between October and December at parishes throughout the archdiocese. They are part of the liturgy office’s contribution to the archdiocesan initiative, Revival: Eucharistic Amazement.
The archdiocesan initiative is part of the three-year nationwide effort by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to the greater understanding of and belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
“Sometimes, we can be the beneficiaries of a great gift and yet we don’t fully appreciate what we have received, and there may be some among us . . . who don’t return to Our Lord,” said Podrebarac.
“As we look at these next three years — we’re in the diocesan phase, and next year is the parish phase, and of course, there is the national phase — at heart [it] is to increase and rekindle our amazement in the Eucharist . . . so missions are good. That’s what our mission is in this initiative or program — to strengthen in us our amazement at this singular, unparalleled gift,” he continued.
The Transcendent Service workshop was a guided meditation to “plant some seeds” in the participants, said Podrebarac. He organized his presentation under the three transcendentals of our Catholic faith and the liturgy: truth, goodness and beauty. The fourth and final part of the workshop was about the values that are necessary for transcendent service.
We Catholics understand that Jesus’ incarnation continues with us in his word, our fellowship with each other, our memory, our apostolic works, but especially in the sacraments of his church, especially the Eucharist.
“When we gather for . . . the breaking of the bread, we believe that [Christ] is with us in a most august way,” said Podrebarac, “a most real and substantial way.
“Body and blood, even his soul and divinity — the whole resurrected Christ — is with us.”
One of the participants, Sacred Heart parishioner Regina Gieswein, is a cantor and an usher. She attended the workshop to gain a new perspective on her ministries.
“It’s a reinforcement of what we believe in, my faith,” she said. “You’re trying to make sure that you’re doing things the way you should. You’re also always wanting to know more about your faith — how it works with everyone else.”
If there was one thing that Podrebarac wanted participants to take away from the workshop, it was this:
“I would like them to have a renewal of the appreciation of the transcendent qualities of the liturgy,” said Podrebarac, “that the liturgy really is an exercise in truth, goodness and beauty.
“Hopefully, what I presented will plant some seeds in them of seeing the divine mission which their ministry serves as opposed to just human volunteerism.
“We’re missing part of it if we don’t recognize that Christ is working through me when I serve in this ministry.”
