Worship is a word used to describe the visible or outward expression of faith. Human beings are made of body and soul, so our interior faith needs to be expressed in word and sign.
Christian worship is the human response to God’s revelation and communication of God’s own self in Jesus Christ. Our response uses emotions, words, songs, actions and signs. It is the summit of the activity of the Church, as well as the fountain from which grace flows. Christian people participate in worship by right and duty, by reason of our baptism.
Worship is embodied in, but not limited by, the rites of the Church, including the sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders), as well as the celebration of funerals, the dedication of churches, and the Liturgy of the Hours. The celebration of the Eucharist in the Mass is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium 11). Communal participation, encounter with God, and appropriate response are the characteristics of worship.
The term liturgy is sometimes used interchangeably with worship, and comes from the Greek meaning “a public work done for the benefit of the common good”. The use of this term implies that worship is a work performed by the Church for the benefit of others as well as ourselves. The word liturgy reminds us that our worship must be lived out in service to others.
Rite of Election is celebrated annually in the Diocese of Camden by the bishop on the first Sunday of Lent at Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood.
The Office of Worship and Christian Initiation:
· offers formation for clergy and lay leaders regarding current liturgical documents and revisions as they are implemented;
· coordinates liturgy and music for diocesan celebrations;
· reviews plans for building or renovation of churches and worship spaces in the diocese in light of the current relevant liturgical documents;
· advises the Bishop in his role as diocesan liturgist;
· serves as a resource on liturgy, ritual, and music for clergy, musicians, parish liturgical coordinators and ministers, liturgy committees, and other diocesan offices;
· assists parishes in the full implementation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA);
· offers diocesan certification through School of Liturgy training sessions for parish lectors and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion;
· offers certification for parish cantors and supports parish music ministers through the Camden Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM);
· collaborates with and implements the work done by the diocesan Liturgical Commission.