Anne Y. Koester - Böcker

Liturgical celebrations and the work of justice are tightly woven threads of the same cloth. The essays in Liturgy and Justice explore this intrinsic relationship and its promise for the ongoing renewal of church life.The authors write about the vision of the modern liturgical and social reformers, building just communities, reuniting worship and justice, globalization, rural life, church leadership, women in the Church, justice and prayer in Latino and African American communities, liturgy as a school of discipleship, forming catechumens as disciples, the catechesis of liturgy-justice, preparing just liturgies, and preaching justice.Authentic discipleship demands that the already existing relationship between our liturgy and our mission as ministers of justice be lived. Those serving in all areas of church ministry will find this book helpful in striving for justice in the Christian life.Essays and contributors are "Liturgy and Justice: The Legacy that Awaits Us," by Gilbert Ostdiek, OFM; “Rehearsing the Reign of God by Building Just Communities,” by Eleanor Josaitis and Msgr. William Linder; “Worship and Justice Reunited,” by Walter J. Burghardt, SJ; “People of Faith and Global Citizens: Eucharist and Globalization,” by John P. Hogan; “The Lord's Table, the World’s Hunger: Liturgy, Justice and Rural Life,” by Br. David Andrews, CSC; “Church Leadership Today: Building Right Relationships,” by Zeni Fox; “The Injustice of the Lack of Justice for Women in Liturgy,” by Frances B. O’Connor, CSC; “Justice and Prayer in Latino Communities in the United States,” by Daniel Lizárraga; “Liturgy as a Liberating Force,” by C. Vanessa White; “Liturgy as the Church’s Spirituality: A School of Discipleship,” by Mary Alice Piil, CSJ; “Initiation: Forming Disciples for Christ’s Mission in the World,” by James M. Schellman; “Weaving Together Liturgy, Justice, and Catechesis,” by John Roberto; “Forming Youth for Justice and Worship,” by Tom East; “Milling the Wheat, Crushing the Grapes: Justice in Liturgical Preparation,” by Godfrey Mullen, OSB; “Steadfast in Faith, Joyful in Hope, Untiring in Love: Preaching Everyday Mysteries,” by Del Staigers; and “Response to the Michael Mathis Award,” by R. Kevin Seasoltz, OSB

Called to Participate is the late Mark Searle's last testament on liturgical reform. It draws on the teachings, writings, and international lectures of this noted liturgist and professor. Where do we go from here? Seale asks in response to the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council.Searle offers a historical perspective of the roots of liturgical reform during the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. He describes the nature of liturgy as ritual activity, where the people of God are invited to participate in liturgy as sharing in the life of God. Selected aspects of the liturgy are considered, such as the proclamation of the Word. He also comments on the social character of the liturgy, which is to move beyond the assembly to participate in God's work in an outward or public ministry.Called to Participate bids us to form a contemporary spirituality that is firmly rooted in the liturgy. It leads worshipers to find entry points into the mystery of God's work in the world. It is a help to liturgical leaders to grasp the nature and function of liturgy and to inspire faith-filled planning, preaching, and catechesis.Barbara Searle, PhD, is a psychologist at the Madison Center and Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.Anne Y. Koester is associate director of the Georgetown Center for Liturgy in Washington, D.C.