Diocese to host regional liturgical conference

Intermountain Catholic

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SALT LAKE CITY – In February, Catholics from throughout the region will gather in Utah as the Diocese of Salt Lake City hosts the 49th annual Southwest Liturgical Conference.

"It’s going to be an important educational event to attend. We’re very blessed to have it in Utah; we don’t have to travel out of the state," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City. In addition to the opportunity for Utah Catholics to learn about the new Roman Missal, the conference will be "a moment of grace for all of us to renew our love for – and to deepen in our love for – the Eucharist and the liturgy, and to recognize the importance of the Eucharist in our lives," he said.

Keynote speakers for the four-day event include Father Michael Joncas, who will give the Saturday address in English; and Dominican Father Jorge Presmanes and Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, both of whom will present in Spanish on Saturday.

Fr. Joncas is an associate professor at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn, where he teaches Catholic studies and theology. He also teaches theology at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. A composer of contemporary Catholic music, he wrote "On Eagle’s Wings." Fr. Joncas’ plenary address is titled "Liturgical Catechesis."

Fr. Presmanes is director of the Institute for Hispanic/Latino Theology and Ministry and an assistant professor of theology at Barry University in Florida. His keynote address will focus on catechesis and liturgy in the formation of faith.

The Most Rev. Gomez was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Los Angeles in April. Previously he served as archbishop of San Antonio and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Denver. He will speak about the Eucharist as the source of Christian life.

Archbishop Gomez’s plenary session will be one of the highlights of the conference, said Timothy Johnston, liturgical director for the Diocese of Salt Lake City, although topics for the workshops in both languages will "deal with a wide range of things, from Marian devotions to theology to pastoral care of the sick."

Typically the diocese holds a Pastoral Congress each October, but this year it will be incorporated into the Southwest Liturgical Conference, Johnston said. The conference focus is the changes to the Roman Missal – a critical issue for catechists, musicians and other parish leaders who normally attend the Pastoral Congress. In a sense, the conference workshops on Saturday, Feb. 5 will take the place of the Pastoral Congress, focusing on the relationship between liturgy and catechesis, Johnston said. "The workshops are designed to help those in those positions with their ongoing formation and their religious education certification," he said.

Throughout the four days, many workshops will be specific to a particular ministry, but the conference is open to everybody, Johnston said. "It really is about helping everybody understand the changes in the missal. Everyone is going to be part of the process, not just the musicians or not just the DREs (directors of religious education)," he said.

Not all the workshops are about the Roman Missal. "One of the workshops I’m going to look forward to is on relics, the history of relics in the church," Johnston said. "There’s such a variety (of workshops). I think that no matter what day you come on there’s something you’ll be interested in."

Among those who already have registered for the conference is Father Robert Fisher, pastor of All Souls Catholic Church in Englewood, Colo. A member of the Southwest Liturgical Conference’s board of directors, Fr. Fisher has attended the conference annual for the past several years.

"I go because I am continually renewed and educated in the many facets of liturgy, thus improving my ministry," as well as the networking opportunities, Fr. Fisher said.

Other clergy and laypersons from the Denver area also will attend the conference, he said. "My hope is that they will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the celebration of the Mass, particularly as it relates to the new translation of the Roman Missal," he said.

One of the laypersons who plans to attend is Mary Helen Stricklin, a Saint George parishioner who is a member of her parish’s liturgy committee and music ministry. "I feel the information I will receive is very important to understand firsthand," she said. "This is a perfect opportunity to have a wealth of knowledge in our Utah backyard. This is also an opportunity to increase our knowledge on liturgy and the changes that we will see in 2011. At times change is difficult for individuals to accept, and attending the conference will give us accurate information to understand the change and to provide the same accurate information to others who may be confused or questioning the changes. It is a wonderful way to meet others in our faith and see what God has planned for us as he continues to form us in his image."