Catechetical Sunday 2011 Formation for Liturgical Ministries

Formation for Liturgical Ministries:  What’s My Motivation? by Rev. Thomas B. Iwanowski, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in New Milford, New Jersey (in English and Spanish)

Liturgical ministers must do more than learn procedures. They must understand the meaning of the Mass, appreciate their ministry’s role in the Church’s worship, and cultivate the right motivation—love of God and neighbor.

The formation of liturgical ministers must combine:

1. Instruction (what to do),
2. Understanding (why we do it), and
3. Motivation (love shaped by Christ’s example).

When love of God and neighbor is the driving force, “all else will follow,” and ministers help the liturgy become the life-giving worship Christ intends. 

Why Motivation Matters

• Fr. Iwanowski compares ministers to actors: knowing the script is not enough; one must understand the story, the role, and the motivation behind actions.
• Without this deeper grasp, ministers risk “just going through the motions,” failing to bring the liturgy to life authentically.

Understanding the Mass

Ministers must learn:

• The Mass is the summit and source of the Church’s life (Sacrosanctum Concilium 10).
• The liturgy unites the Church most fully and is essential even in crisis—as shown by communities celebrating Mass immediately after disasters.
• The Eucharist is Christ’s sacrificial memorial, covenant renewal, and sacred banquet that nourishes and forms the People of God.
• Understanding the Mass includes:
  • its structure,
  • the presence of Christ in multiple forms,
  • the meaning of Sunday, and
  • the transformative nature of Holy Communion. 

Need for Ongoing Formation

• Proper formation cannot occur in a single session; it requires lifelong catechesis (NDC 35).
• Parishes should offer regular opportunities for adult learning—lectures, Scripture sharing, days of recollection, and updates such as those related to the Roman Missal.
• Ministers must learn why they perform each action at Mass and how their ministry contributes to the unity and prayer of the assembly.
• Even practical roles (ushers, hospitality ministers) require understanding their deeper task: welcoming and recognizing fellow Christians as members of Christ’s Body.

Proper Motivation

Liturgical ministry must be founded on:

• Love of God and love of neighbor (Mt 22:37–40).
• Imitation of Christ, who washed feet at the Last Supper and gave his life in service.
• A desire to serve, not be served—as Christ taught: “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Mt 20:28).
• All ministries—ordained or lay—must flow from this self-giving love; without it, no amount of training is sufficient.

catsun-2011-doc-iwanowski.pdf

catsun-2011-doc-sp-iwanowski.pdf