Our intention with the Lay Led Liturgies (LLL) is to develop a method for our community to gather in worship in the absence of a priest. Our desire is that these liturgies will provide continuity for the community to gather on each Sunday of the year. To that end the Lay Led Liturgies will compliment the gatherings on Sundays when there is a priest present therefore enabling a celebration of Eucharist to be included.
Guidelines for those leading Lay Led Liturgies
(Drafted by John Byrne)
In the LLL the community gathers (as at Mass)
- to remember Jesus and how he lived (trusting God and compassionate to the needy)
- to remember that we are called to follow him
- to remember and give thanks for his promise to be with us until the end of time, and
- to draw life from Jesus as he draws life from God (cf Jn 6.57)
At the heart of the LLL are the Sunday readings, and the lectio that follows.
Care should be taken to use inclusive language versions of the readings.
It is up to the leaders to choose other prayers and music to develop the above aims with special reference to the specific themes in the readings of the day and the liturgical seasons.
See here for an outline of a liturgy.
Resources
In the Orlagh box stored in St. Benildus’ sacristy there are some resources that may be of use to those leading the lay led liturgies.
These include
- OPENING PRAYERS (collects in contemporary language, prepared by ICEL)
- GUIDELINES ON LITURGIES WITHOUT A PRIEST (John McCann OSB)
Music
Laudate Hymnal has an index suggesting hymns for each Sunday
The website Liturgy Tools also has links to music for each Sunday. See it here
Pray As You Go website has some good music resources. See it here
WebSites
St. Beuno’s Outreach provides resources for liturgies based on the Sunday Mass readings. See it here
Sacred Space may provide ideas for quietening exercises and reflections. See it here
Contemplative Outreach Ireland has structures for quietening exercises. See it here
A Simple Structure For Any Liturgy
(from the Dublin Diocese Servant Leadership Course, Module 4)
