A forum of Catholic Thought

Welcoming Archbishop HenningFather Robert M. O'Grady

Next week there will be another milestone in the history of the Archdiocese of Boston with the installation of our new archbishop, Archbishop Richard Garth Henning. This column is simply a preview of ...

Beyond the parish Father Robert M. O'Grady

Three weeks from the date of this issue, Nov. 1, 2024, this newspaper will have a new publisher, and the archdiocese will have its new archbishop. The columns of this and of next week are inspired by ...

Extraordinary ministers of Holy CommunionFather Robert M. O’Grady

In each parish, the sharing of the "one Bread, and the one Cup" of the Eucharist in Holy Communion is a ministry shared by ordinary and extraordinary ministers. Since the old maxim that words mean something, ...

Readers Father Robert M. O'Grady

''Sacred scripture is of the greatest importance in the celebration of the liturgy. For it is from scripture that lessons are read and explained in the homily, and psalms are sung; the prayers, ...

ServersFather Robert M. O'Grady

More than most teams of liturgical ministers, altar servers come in all sizes and characteristics. Short and tall, narrow and wide, neat as a pin, others askew, some well past retirement age, many six ...

Ministers of music Father Robert M. O'Grady

It was the sainted Pope Pius X who, at the beginning of the 20th century, initiated some reforms of the church's liturgy. One that affected most Catholics was the lowering of the age of First Holy ...

Greeters and ushersFather Robert M. O'Grady

Entering the church on Sunday morning, you will be welcomed by a greeter or an usher. If you need a worship aid, it is likely your greeter would be the one to hand it to you. If you don't get it, ...

Liturgical environment Father Robert M. O'Grady

You probably have walked into a church and thought or said -- "This is a beautiful church." This might be inspired by its architecture, its interior design, its stained-glass windows, or its finely arranged ...