Exploring the Ministry of Lay led public prayer (Part 1) - 19 March 2017 (SS102fm programme excerpt)(S07E17b) - a podcast by Come & See Inspirations team

In the excerpt from this programme Noirin Lynch joins us to discuss how as we as Limerick diocese are beginning to explore and think about the Ministry of Public Prayer - the idea of the lay leadership of public prayer where as praying communities we have a few people in the parish who can help us to lead, to start us off in public prayer where the need may arise. 

During Synod 2016, one of the questions which arose was what happens as a praying community when we want to gather prayer but due to circumstances no priest is available to take their role as presider of the praying community could we build up lay people to assist in leading at times of prayer.

The exploration of the Ministry of Public Prayer is looking at the balance between maintaining our sense of community where we gather together but also preserving the understanding of special-ness of the Eucharistic gathering of the community.

During the discussion we explore the idea of what is the difference between public prayer (e.g. rosary, taize prayer, pilgrimages, chaplets etc which can be quite diverse, based on different spirituality's and ways of prayer) and the Liturgy (the core public official rituals of the Church as a faith community).

As a diocese we want to be in a situation where if the need arises that each parish has a few people who are comfortable to be able to lead public prayer and also Lay led liturgies - Liturgy of the Word (maybe with a Communion service) and/or Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office)

The journey of exploration of this renewed type of ministry is first off recognising that in many ways it is already happening already with people who lead rosaries or assist with prayers during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament etc and also resourcing and encouraging members of communities in this role. It is also about creating the backup plan for situations where maybe a priest isn't available at short notice and Liturgies are required. 

Part of the exploration is also about recognising the loss and grief of people will have because we may not be able to attend to daily Mass as often in the future - a loss and grief from love of the Mass. In a sense the journey of exploration is asking how we talk about how can we pray in the morning if we can't have Mass? Lets look at the options and how we as a praying community will still gather to pray.

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