“Lift Up Your Hearts 2014” Report #2

Day Two of the “Lift Up Your Hearts 2014” National Liturgical Conference in Wollongong, Australia, dawned bright and early with Mass and Morning Prayer in the Cathedral. Music for the Mass included Jacques Berthier’s “In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful” as the Entrance Song, Robert Kreutz’ “Gift of Finest Wheat” as the Communion Processional and Marty Haugen’s “Bring Forth the Kingdom” as the recessional. The Mass setting and Responsorial Psalm featured compositions by Australian composers, the former, Dr. Paul Taylor’s “Mass of St. Francis,” and the latter, Colin D. Smith cfc’s setting of Psalm 129/130. Music for Morning Prayer included the use of an introductory dialogue and short reponsory setting courtesy of St. Francis Church, Melbourne, psalm verses according to Howard Hughes’ Tone 1, canticle verses according to Mode VI of Conception Abbey, the Opening Hymn George MacDonald’s “O Lord of life, your quick’ning voice” sung to AZMON, the Benedictus in a metrical setting sung to KINGSFOLD, and various antiphons prepared by Robyn O’Dea and Paul Mason. Most interesting was the insertion of a dialogue of praise between leader and congregation immediately after the formal opening dialogue set to fragments of the AZMON tune constructed by Elizabeth Murray SGS.

I presented the second keynote, entitled: “Music in the Liturgy Since Vatican II: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something True.” After a glance at the musical practices marking Roman Rite liturgy and devotions on the eve of the Council and what Chapter Six of Sacrosanctum Concilium taught concerning sacred music, the bulk of my talk traced twelve strategies I have recognized we have attempted over the last fifty years to promote the full, conscious and active participation of the faithful in the liturgy by means of music.

After a break for morning tea, participants could attend one of seven breakout sessions: Fr. Stephen Hackett MSC on “The Liturgical Setting: Shaping Space, Shaping Celebration;” Dr. Paul Taylor on “Liturgical Music for the Prayer of the Church;” Ms Pat O’Gorman and Ms Beth Riolo on “Ordos…Missals…Lectionaries and the Like: Starting Points for Crafting Liturgy;” Mrs Angela Quinn on “An Education Experience Integrating Y7 and Y8 Music with Religious Education;” Mr. Michael Mangan on “Let the Children Come!” Rev. Patrick O’Regan on “Ars Celebrandi: Exploring a Theology and Spirituality of Ministerial Action;” and Dr. Carmel Pilcher RSJ on “Inculturating Liturgy: Is It Still Possible?”

After lunch, participants could attend one of seven breakout sessions: Ms. Cathy Murrowood on “Preparing for Lay-led Sunday Celebrations of the Word;” Sr. Judith Foster SGS on “Lift Up Your Hearts in Blessing” (exploring the Book of Blessings); Ms. Josie Ryan and Ms. Fiona Dyball on “Liturgical Music in Secondary Schools: Connection, Proclamation, Response;” Mrs. Jenny O’Brien on “Catholic Worship Book II: Showcase of New Music Resource for Parish and Schools;” Dr. Clare Johnson on “Celebrating Liturgy with Children;” yours truly on “Exploring Liturgical Preaching: God’s Word in Human Voices;” and Ms. Louise Campbell on “Inculturation of the Liturgy: A Sacred Pilgrimage.”

After afternoon tea, participants could choose between celebrating a Liturgy of the Word in the style of Taize held in the Cathedral or Evening Prayer held in St. Mary’s Chapel.

The day concluded with a magnificent conference dinner in the Novotel hotel, where participants were electronically reminded of their predecessors in the work of liturgical renewal in Australia (figures such as Archbishop Guilford Young and Dr. Percy Jones) and conferred special recognition upon Rev. Dr. Tom Elich for his years of indefatigable service locally, nationally and internationally to the liturgy.