Review
of the Sunday Liturgy and of the Faith Community
Towards the end of a year it
is appropriate to review the state of your local church community. The review
can be wider than looking at the liturgy, though this is central to the life of
the community.
The questions that follow could
help in that review. It should not be too difficult to formulate other review
questions.
The review could well lead to
resolutions to keep in mind as we prepare to move into 2003. In what ways can
we do things better? How can we improve?
Is our Catholic church community growing or declining in numbers? In confidence and faith? Why?
Does our Catholic church community inspire its members to act in a Christian
way and to bring the gospel to others?
How?
How successful is our local church community in
encouraging people under 40, including teenagers and children, to take an
active part in the life of the local church community?
Is there a good community spirit in our local church
community?
General Questions about Liturgy
Is our Sunday Liturgy well prepared?
Is it a prayerful experience?
Is it joyful and enjoyable? (It is not to be
entertainment!)
Does it nurture our faith?
Attendance? Do younger people come?
Quality of participation?
The music and singing?
The proclamation and acceptance of the Word
Are the scripture texts clearly proclaimed –
communicating understanding and appropriate emotion?
Does the congregation listen attentively?
(A personal evaluation form for readers can be found
at the back of the book “Break Open the Word.)
Is the responsorial psalm led prayerfully, in a
prayerful tone different from the tone of voice used in the proclamation of the
readings?
The homily and reflections: Are
they interesting?
Are
the scripture texts made relevant to life today?
Are
people prompted to think about the proclaimed message?
Is
there any sharing of insights during the time for reflection? If not, why not?
Are the petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful
relevant to the interests of the congregation?
In the Prayer of the Faithful are there periods of
prayerful silence after each intention?
Are the lay led Liturgies done well? Are they supported?
Is there proper support and encouragement given to
readers and leaders?
After the Liturgy
Is the mood of the congregation generally good?
Do most people stay around to engage in conversation?
Is this time after the formal Liturgy understood as an
important part of the Sunday gathering?
Does the community get full value out of this time?