The Liturgy Committee

What is the role of a Liturgy Committee? Robert Duggan recently wrote an article in the Fall 2001 edition of the newsletter, "Church", in which he described the role of a parish Liturgy Committee. He said: "The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (n.14) reminds us that the "aim above all else" in the reform and renewal of the liturgy is to achieve the "full, conscious, and active participation of all the faithful" every time the liturgy is celebrated. To the maximum extent possible, every community must do its best to plan, prepare for, choreograph, and celebrate its liturgies in a way -- with a spirit and in a vernacular idiom -- that engages the hearts and minds of parishioners and invites them to worship God -- fully, consciously, and actively."

The Liturgy Committee is also responsible for designing, organizing and hosting all liturgical workshops in the parish, as well as providing assistance, training, and review for all the ministries. The Pastor, Fr. Patrick O'Dea, also works closely with the members of the Liturgy Committee, and attends all meetings.

The Members of the Liturgy Committee

Ralph Bertram (Co-Chair): Ralph has been a member of the Liturgy Committee since its formation. This is also his sixth year as a leader for the RCIA process. He has coordinated the Rites for the RCIA Holy Week Liturgies. He previously served as co-director of the human sexuality group and participated in the first pastoral visitors program. While in formation for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, he earned a Master of Divinity Degree, studied in the Holy Land, and worked as a pastoral assistant in the Western Arctic. He has worked as a pastoral associate, chaplain, and guidance counsellor since returning to Toronto.

Sr. Terry Dalla, CSJ (Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph), has been a member of the Newman Centre community for the past 16 years. She has served as Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister for six years, and as a member of the Liturgy Committee for four years. Sr. Terry is a Certified Specialist in Institutional Ministry. Presently, she also provides counseling for patients at Wellspring Cancer Centre.

Dr. Margret Hovanec joined the liturgy committee earlier this year. She is the Chair of the Pastoral Advisory Coucil and first attended Newman as a graduate student in 1976. Margaret is a clinical psychologist and has for the past severeal years been an instructor and participant in the Visitors to the Sick Program.

Andy Filarski has been a member of the Newman Centre community for a number of years. He joins the liturgy committee this year.

Patrick Kniss has been a member of the Newman community since 2001. Originally from Indiani, he served as a student campus minister from from 2004-2005 and graduated from the University of Toronto in 2005 with a Master's degree in Architecture. Currently, Patrick works as an architect in Toronto and serves as a sacristan at Newman with a special interest in sacred/liturgical space.

Sr. Claire-Monique Lerman is a Franciscan Missionary of Mary and  member of the parish since April 2004.  She has been assisting with the RCIA program.  With an amazing team, she has been asked to lead the program for this year.  This experience and the parish have been a wonderful moment of God for her and she looks forward to being part of such a unique faith experience.

Matthew Otto is Director of Music at the Newman Centre and has been an active member of this community for the past four years.  He is also the conductor of the Sunday Morning 11am Choir.  In his role as Director of Music, Matthew is responsible to ensure a high level of prayerfulness and performance is transmitted through the sacred music of each liturgy, and that active congregational participation is achieved in this music.  Matthew oversees the selection, preparation and implementation of liturgically-appropriate music at Newman’s three liturgies.  He is also the Artistic Director of the Newman Concert Series.

Vivian Kwok has been a member of the parish since 1998.  She has been involved in many different areas in the parish.  These include assisting in decorations for WYD2002, training altar servers, and assisting in the organization of outreach appreciation evenings, retreats, and spiritual programs for the Newman community.  Vivian is currently working in the investment industry and studying towards her Masters of Divinity.  She is very happy to join the liturgy committee this year.

Jason Rodgers is from Belleville, having moved before that from Michigan in 1991. He received his undergrad in Philosophy of Catholic Thought while living at Serra House (with Father Pat as rector). He continued his studies at St. Augustine's Seminary toward his Master's of Divinity, oriented toward the ministerial priesthood. He received the minor order of Accolyte, but after having met his future wife, he left the seminary, got married and had a son.

Joan Gregson is an actor, working in theatre, film, television and radio and living in Toronto since 1995 having moved from Nova Scotia where she was a member of the original company of Neptune Theatre and where she played leading and character roles over a period of 31 years. She was born in Paris, France; lived in Switzerland and England, and then immigrated to Canada. As an Anglican, I first attended mass at Newman Centre around 1998 and was confirmed in the Church in 1999.

Fergal Nolan

Michael Madden

Stacey Allison