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The following is a list of national Catholic conferences scheduled in June and July 2008.

6/1/2008 - 6/4/2008
ACHTUS - Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the US
ACHTUS Colloquium 2008 - Ultura en lo cotidiano: Intersections of Faith and Popular Culture
Miami Beach, FL

A membership association of Roman Catholic Hispanics who possess a doctoral degree in theology, Scripture, ministry or general religious studies and are actively engaged in the North American Hispanic religious experience. The mission of ACHTUS is to promote research and critical theological reflection with the context of the US Hispanic experience.

6/5/2008 - 6/8/2008
CTSA - Catholic Theological Society of America
2008 CTSA Annual Convention - Generations
Miami, FL

The official membership organization of Catholic theologians (professionals with a degree in theological or related studies and who are or have been actively engaged in teaching and research.) CTSA’s mission is to promote studies and research in theology, to relate theological science to current problems, and to foster a ore effective theological.

6/8/2008  - 6/9/2008
CSWNA - Catholic Social Workers National Association
CSWNA’s Inaugural Conference - Catholic Social Work: Living the Mission
Grand Rapids, MI

A national professional association of Catholic social workers. CSWNA’s mission is to promote the implementation of Catholic social teachings in social work practice while supporting competent professional social workers living out their baptismal call by being the hands and feet of Christ.

6/12/2008  - 6/14/2008
USCCB - US Conference of Catholic Bishops
USCCB Annual June Meeting
Orlando, FL

US bishops meet twice a year, in November and June, to conduct the business of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops

6/18/2008  - 6/22/2008
Serra USA
Serra USA 2008 Annual Meeting
South Bend, IN

Serra USA is an organization of individuals that promotes vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Catholic Church.

6/22/2008  - 6/24/2008
CHA - Catholic Health Association
2008 CHA Assembly - The Future of Compassion
San Diego, CA

The official membership organization of Catholic health care sponsors, systems and facilities. The mission of CHA is to support the Catholic health ministry’s pursuit of the strategic directions of mission, ethics, and advocacy.

6/30/2008  - 7/2/2008
NACFLM - National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers
NACFLM 2008 Conference - Bridging Families and Church
San Francisco, CA

The membership association for family life ministers. This includes a variety of ministry areas including singles, marriage prep, respect life, interchurch/ecumenical marriage, families in crisis, separated/divorced, widowed/bereaved, older adults, and special needs families. NACFLM’s mission is to offer support and professional enrichment for those who minister to and with families, to be a voice and advocate for families, to promote the development of family life ministry and to foster a family perspective in Church and

6/30/2008  - 7/3/2008
NPM - National Association of Pastoral Musicians
NPM Convention (Regional) - In the Midst of Change…
East Brunswick, NJ

The membership organization for anyone who recognizes and supports the value of musical liturgy. This includes choir directors, organists, guitarists, pianists, instrumentalists, presiders, cantors, and choral groups. NPM’s mission is to foster the art of musical liturgy.

7/2/2008  - 7/6/2008
Tekakwitha Conference
69th Annual Tekakwitha Conference - One Heart, All Nations
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

A membership organization open to all clergy, religious, all Native People, and all women and men ministering with Native Americans. The mission of the Tekakwitha Conference is to unify the Native Catholic voice, presence and identity while respective the diversity, to empower Native Catholics as Church, and to deepen and affirm Native Catholic identity and pride in their culture and spiritual traditions.

7/8/2008  - 7/9/2008
NAPP - National Association of Priest Pilots
NAPP 2008 Convention
Savannah, GA

An organization of Catholic priests who are also pilots. NAPP assists with continuing flying education to help members in maintaining their skills and keeping up to date on the latest regulations and technological advances. The organization also provides support to members using aircraft in missionary work.

7/8/2008  - 7/11/2008
NPM - National Association of Pastoral Musicians
NPM Convention (Regional)
Cleveland, OH

The membership organization for anyone who recognizes and supports the value of musical liturgy. This includes choir directors, organists, guitarists, pianists, instrumentalists, presiders, cantors, and choral groups. NPM’s mission is to foster the art of musical liturgy.

7/15/2008  - 7/20/2008
The Vatican and Australian Bishops Conference
WYD - World Youth Day 2008
Sydney, Australia

Visit the ActiveParishioner.com Calendar for more details and future events.

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St. Augustine is often credited with saying, “He who sings, prays twice.”  Singing at Mass and other liturgies can be a source of consolation, a prayer, a celebration, or a source of contention.  We all have different tastes and these also apply to music at Mass. What is the role of music in liturgy?

A recent document written by the US bishops, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, provides the answer, as well as lots of great information about music in liturgy.

The document begins by explaining the many reasons why we sing and why it is important for the congregation to participate.  The document admits that “Sometimes, our voices do not correspond to the convictions of our hearts.”  It continues, however, to explain that despite this, “Christ always invites us to enter into song.”

The document gives clear guidelines and explanations for the roles of those participating in the liturgy, as well as for types of music, instruments, languages, and parts to be sung. As with many church documents, this one embraces the old and the new side-by-side.  Although older music, such as Gregorian chant, has a special place in liturgy, the breath of the Spirit continues to inspire musicians and artists to create new music to help the congregation sing and pray at a continually deeper level.

Three criteria for judging the appropriateness of music for liturgy are proposed by the bishops.  These are, 

1) Liturgical Judgment - “Is this composition capable of meeting the structural and textual requireents set forth by the liturgical books for this particular rite?”

2) Pastoral Judgment - Does the music promote sanctification of those gathered “drawing them closer to the holy mysteries being celebrated?”

3)  Musical Judgment - Does the music have “the necessary aesthetic qualities that can bear the weight of the mysteries celebrated in the Liturgy?”

The document also discusses the role of music in other liturgies, including the rite of marriage and the rite of anointing.

Reminder:  If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes now to complete the ActiveParishioner.com Survey.  Thank you.

“What’s your carbon footprint?” is a popular question these days. Our country celebrates Earth Day not just for a day but rather seeks to build awareness year-round.  Given that stewardship of the Earth is a positive value, one wonders what the Catholic Church has to say about this.  Is there anything in our tradition that we can explore?

A new book, Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth, addresses this topic beautifully.  Drawing on the wisdom of the Franciscan tradition which includes a reverence for the Earth and nature, this book brings together the richness of the Christian faith with practical guidelines for everyday Catholics.  This book is gentle, yet powerful.  One example of advice given is to “Start small.  Don’t try to change too much at once. . . Choose one [action] that most connects to your heart, and approach it as a spiritual practice” (p. 147). 

If you are looking for a refreshing book this springtime, this one is a great choice. 

Additional Catholic books on the environment can be found at the ActiveParishioner.com’s Environment section.

For the month of November 2007, the following Catholic organizations are hosting national conferences: 

-  NATRI - National Association for Treasurers of Religious Institutes (11/6-9/2007 in Orange, CA)

- NFCYM - National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (11/8-10/2007 in Columbus, OH)

- USCCB - US Conference of Catholic Bishops (11/12-15/2007 in Baltimore, MD)

- NADDCM - National Association of Diocesan Directors of Campus Ministry (11/13-15/2007 in Baltimore, MD) 

Details for these and future conferences can be found in the ActiveParishioner.com Calendar.