Diocesan Worship Commission

Vision Statement
When the people of God gather and spontaneously welcome, support and affirm each other, they become a collective presence of believers. Fed by God’s word and sacrament, they then, with God’s grace, carry the spirit of worship out into the world by exemplifying peace and justice.

In response to our baptismal call for conversion, communion, solidarity and evangelization, we seek to recognize Christ in all, and to be companions to the unchurched, the alienated and to each other. We respect and embrace the plurality and diversity which is necessary for unity and essential to the life and mission of the Church.

We, the Diocesan Worship Commission, will work toward this vision by supporting the spiritual development of the people through the liturgical life of the Church.

We will work to build up the Body of Christ by promoting the “full, conscious and active participation of the Christian faithful within the liturgical life of the Church.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #14)

Mike Kiebel, Chairperson
Randy Dennis, Vice-Chairperson

The Diocesan Worship Commission
215 North Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007-3760
(269) 349-8714, ext. 245, fax (269) 349-6440
dreilly@dioceseofkalamazoo.org

Who are they?
The Diocesan Worship Commission is a group of clergy and lay people from various parishes throughout the diocese appointed by the Bishop. The Commission collaborates with the Office of Christian Worship. The primary purpose of the commission is to advise the Bishop in matters related to worship and liturgical renewal in the diocese. They meet five times each year between September and June. The Commission is in its 29th year of service to the Church of the Diocese of Kalamazoo. Presently there are four standing committees of the Commission.

The Music Committee
The members of this Committee focus their time and energy on various aspects of music as related to liturgy and worship. Members assess and evaluate the needs of parish musicians throughout the diocese. The Music Committee also has been directly involved in workshops focusing on organ, guitar, cantors, music for children's liturgies, and the Diocesan Music Festival. The pamphlet for engaged couples Planning Your Wedding Music was prepared by the Committee.

The Education Committee
The task of this Committee is to evaluate the needs of parish liturgical ministries. They have produced guidelines for Readers at Mass, A Resouce Guide for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, a Liturgy Evaluation Tool and altar servers: Norms for the DOK.was also written by the Committee.

The Rites Committee
This Committee assists the parishes of the diocese with the implementation of the various Rites of the Church.Services provided by this committee include hosting various workshops and sharing days for parish leaders.

The Art & Environment Committee
Space and furnishings in a worship setting play an important role in enhancing the effectiveness of liturgy. This advisory Committee attempts to make people aware of the principles of art and environment in worship through their activities.

Publications offered by this Committee include the Diocesan Policy on Renovation and Construction of New Churches, the Directory of Artists and Artisans in Southwestern Michigan and Principles for the Design of a Church Worship Space., workshops for art and environment, education through news articles in the diocesan newspaper on liturgical art and the environment for worship and the awarding of the Reverend George Ross Liturgical Arts Award to an individual or group in recognition of outstanding contributions to sacred art in worship.