I.
BACKGROUND
Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church is a multicultural community of faith, a parish family comprised of “many nations united by God's
Holy Spirit, who strive to be witnesses of God's love to all people” (Parish Mission Statement).
Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church is blessed with an active consort of ministries that live the gospel mandate to witness the gospel to every corner of the world, but whose point of unity and home is Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church.
As a parish, our communal celebration of the liturgy is our primary focus. The Eucharist, above all else, is the “source and summit”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324) of our Catholic faith, and the way in which our relationship with God and with one another is strengthened.
Saint Philip Benizi Parish is committed to fostering fully active and conscious participation in the liturgy. (See Sacrosanctum Concilium:
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 14)
Our parish is gifted and blessed with a rich diversity of cultures, each of whom bring diverse customs and devotions that are of great beauty and importance.
Saint Philip Benizi Parish honors and encourages the appropriate sharing of legitimate cultural expressions of faith as a means of growing more deeply in our relationship with God and one another.
A “special” liturgical celebration is defined as a liturgical celebration outside of the church calendar as published by the Vatican, USCCB,
Conventual Franciscan Friars, and the Archdiocese of Atlanta. This document governs those celebrations requested by a specific parish group. It does not govern the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, Weddings, Funerals, or parish-wide celebrations.
II.
OBJECTIVE
The Guidelines for Special Celebrations are meant to orient and to focus celebrations toward the Eucharistic Feast. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide an organized way that allows for the appropriate inclusion of customs into the worship life of the parish, while still ensuring the fully active and conscious participation of all the faithful, and the integrity of the liturgy.
III.
PROCESS FOR PLANNING LITURGIES FOR SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS
1.
All groups wishing to have a special celebration, regardless of whether it is to be on a Sunday or at another time shall meet with the Director of Liturgy at least six months prior to the date of the celebration. a.
This is to be done every time the celebration is to take place. b.
This is to be done before requesting or reserving the church or parish hall.
2.
For groups wishing to establish a new celebration: a.
The group wishing to establish a new celebration would first meet with the Director of Liturgy, who will take the request to the Pastor and then inform the group of the pastor’s decision.
3.
For groups who wish to continue celebrating a particular celebration: a.
Complete request form with 3 choices of dates, which is to be completed at the time of the initial meeting with the
Director of Liturgy. The 3 dates may be chosen at the initial meeting. The group will be informed of the date chosen in a timely manner. The dates will be selected based on the liturgical day, and other events happening in the parish.
Please keep in mind that there is no guarantee that a particular date will be available from year to year. b.
The group will then plan the liturgy and complete detailed planning sheet at least three months before the celebration.
IV.
WHEN THE CELEBRATION TAKES PLACE AT A SPECIAL MASS OTHER THAN A SUNDAY MASS
1.
Be approved by the Pastor (See III.2 above)
2.
It is the particular group’s responsibility to contact liturgical coordinators (i.e. Eucharistic ministers, lectors, etc) to schedule liturgical ministers a.
Only those who are trained and commissioned ministers of Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church can serve in these particular ministries.
3.
Please keep in mind that all archdiocesan and parish liturgical norms apply.

4.
It is possible to celebrate a special votive mass and choose particular readings and prayers. If this is to be the case, please consult with the Director of Liturgy.
5.
SPB provides standard worship aids. If special, commemorative booklets are desired, they should be provided by the group. a.
A group may submit a request for black and white printing by the parish. b.
The parish does not print materials in color.
6.
Preapproval must be obtained in order for any collections to be taken up. a.
Archdiocesan and parish regulations apply concerning the manner of taking up a collection.
7.
The Director of Music must be consulted before asking any group to provide music or planning any music. All musical norms apply. Only sacred and liturgical music is allowed. a.
Approval from the Director of Music must be obtained BEFORE asking musicians outside the parish to participate.
Stipends are the responsibility of the group, not the parish.
8.
If any changes to the church environment are desired (flowers, icons, statues, etc), preapproval is required. a.
Any expenses incurred from decorations outside the normal parish decorations are the responsibility of the group.
9.
Visiting deacons, priests, and bishops must be pre-approved by the Pastor and Archdiocesan rules must be observed regarding the Archbishop’s permission. Submit a request through the Director of Liturgy. A statement of the ordinary (bishop/religious superior) of the visiting clergy is required. Visiting priests must go through the bishop’s office.
V.
WHEN THE CELEBRATION TAKES PLACE AT A SUNDAY MASS
1.
The integrity of the parish Sunday Eucharistic celebration is to be preserved. This includes deference to the liturgical day and the liturgical season. a.
Given the unique character of Lent, special celebrations during Lent are discouraged.
2.
“Full, active, and conscious participation is the aim to be considered before all else.”
3.
Special awards and presentations should be presented in the hall or in the church if available, but at times outside the liturgical celebration.
4.
Only the presider will make any introductions or special recognitions.
5.
All liturgical norms are to be maintained.
6.
All prayers and readings come from the Sunday or feast as outlined in the ORDO (church calendar).
7.
Music can reflect the nature of the celebration but planning should keep in mind the need for full and active participation of the assembly. a.
Given that the special celebration takes place during a regularly scheduled Sunday Liturgy, music will be provided by the regular ensemble for that particular mass. All musical norms apply. Only sacred and liturgical music is allowed. b.
Approval from the Director of Music must be obtained BEFORE asking musicians outside the parish to participate.
Stipends are the responsibility of the group, not the parish. c.
To foster and encourage fully active participation, the Gloria, Gospel Acclamation, Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation,
Amen, Our Father, Lamb of God may not be changed from the regularly sung settings. d.
The group, in consultation with the Director of Music may choose a gathering song, psalm, offertory song, communion song, and a sending song.
8.
Given time constraints, no added processions other than the liturgical processions will be allowed during the liturgy. a.
A procession may take place prior to the gathering procession (color guard, etc). i.
If a thanksgiving procession is part of your cultural tradition, this may be integrated into the liturgical celebration, namely during the offertory procession. Care should be taken to include the entire gathered assembly ii.
Preapproval must be granted before any elements such as a procession are added to the liturgy.
9.
If ministers other than those regularly scheduled ministers are desired, it is the particular group’s responsibility to contact liturgical coordinators (i.e. Eucharistic ministers, lectors, etc). a.
Only those who are trained and commissioned ministers of Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church can serve in these particular ministries
10.
Art and Environment (see IV.8 above) a.
Given that there are multiple masses on a weekend, changes to the environment in the sanctuary must be minimal, giving deference to the liturgical day. b.
A statue or icon relating to the special celebration may be placed in the gathering space for the entire weekend. c.
Consider brochures, prayer cards, monitor slides, etc. about the celebration to pass out at weekend masses as a way to catechize and share the special celebration.
11.
Worship Aids- see protocol above