Dear Friends,

For many of us, summer is a time of extending hospitality. During these warm months, we invite friends and loved ones for barbecues on our patios, outings at the beach, and picnics in the park. As we gather with those close to our hearts, let us remember to embrace those who seem to be unlike us. In the "Preparing for Sunday" article, "Seeking to Grow in God's Love," Jerome Hall, SJ, writes of the importance of an awareness of the presence of God. "In a society in which there is polarization," Hall writes, "it is important to look for God at work everywhere, and to expect that many of those different from us are doing the Lord's work." Be sure to read the "Preparing for Sunday" article for insights into the liturgy's prayers and readings. And be sure to welcome those who attend your parish this summer.

Reflection on the prayers and readings will aid in the development of an interior life that embraces the riches of the eucharistic liturgy. In the study guide on Sacramentum Caritatis, Mark Wedig, OP, points out that the Pontiff emphasizes that "participation is more than 'mere external activity' and demands a full awareness of the sacred action and a deep consideration of the roles it must play in the lives of the faithful." You will find that gathering with other liturgical ministers or fellow parishioners to reflect on the papal exhortation will increase your understanding of the sacrament. The questions at the end of the article will help you probe the document.

In the "Liturgical Environment" article, "The Place of the Assembly," Carol Frenning addresses how churches are designed to bring the faithful into full, conscious, and active participation. She explains that there is not "one perfect model that accomplishes both the gathering of an ever larger congregation and supports the ritual action of the congregation."

As we approach the solemnity of the Assumption, we may find it fruitful to consider the many journeys of Mary. In the "Children and Catechesis" feature, Suzanne M. Lewis tells of Mary's destinations and how each prefigured the Church. This article will help catechists teach both the faith of Mary and of the Church.

Lisa Calderone-Stewart writes in the "Youth and Liturgy" piece that we need to continue rituals that have been started and begin new rituals, sometimes replacing those rituals that are unhealthy and do not transmit our values. Through the experience of rituals, Calderone-Stewart notes, youth can gain more of an understanding of the scriptures and many facets of our faith.

Through rituals, we experience a deepening of our faith lives during each liturgical season. Although the heat of summer is upon us, it is not too soon to consider how to help the parish grow in their faith during the Advent and Christmas seasons. In the feature, "Living Life Liturgically," David Hankus, DMin, presents an Advent-Christmas program that aims to transform participants.

Finally, the sixty-fifth anniversary of the beheading of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter at the guillotine will be observed August 9. The "Holy Men and Women" feature tells how, just before Jägerstätter died, he wrote to his wife, "May God accept my life as expiation, not just for my sins but also for the sins of others." Jägerstätter is the patron of conscientious objectors and of civic-responsible citizens.

May your summer be one in which you invite many into your open heart!

Bishop Joseph N. Perry
Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago

Using the liturgy as its source, Pastoral Liturgy™ has been intentionally designed to be of service to the whole parish with resources for leaders and parishioners, those who are just beginning to learn about liturgy, and those who are seasoned volunteers and professionals.

The six 32-page, full-color issues follow the course of the liturgical year to provide guidance for liturgy preparation, faith formation, liturgical art and architecture, and the many areas of parish ministry that flow from the liturgy to witness the Gospel and build the kingdom of God.

Pastors, parish staffs, liturgy committees, catechists, musicians, architects, and everyone seeking to learn more about how the liturgy forms and informs all of parish life will find this resource a valuable support to understanding the liturgy more fully and incorporating it as the source for all they do. That's why Pastoral Liturgy™ magazine is the liturgy magazine for the whole parish!