LAY DOMINICANS Central Province USA
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This page was originally requested as a way to share ideas and information on lay preaching. It has evolved to its present form which integrates a discussion of how we form ourselves as active preachers and lay people. You may start a new thread or join an existing one.. Our Chairman of Formation suggests you take a look at http://laicatuspraedicans.org/category/articles-in-english/ to see the possibilities.
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PREACHING TO OURSELVES?
We usually think of Preaching as something we do away from our Chapter meeting. However, as it is now suggested: we encourage each Chapter to devote some time having a member give a short "Preachment" on the Sunday scriptures at each meeting. After all, we are members of the Order of Preachers.
We also preach through our example, our charity, our sharing and our contributions at each Chapter meeting. Whether we always agree or not, we marvel at the faith and love displayed by our fellow members.
But what about our absent members? Those who are sick, disabled, elderly, suffering from dementia or in a nursing home who deserve to hear us "preach the good news." I came across a posting at ECLDF (European Council of Lay Dominican Fraternities) by Anne Marie Lee, Formation Officer, which suggests ways of meeting this problem. Check out: http://ecldf/2009/07/31/ongoing-formation-for-lay-dominicans/
There are many suggestions given. All of our Chapters should read this and incorporate some of these suggestions, especially, if we do not feel we are doing enough. She asks us to pray, call, visit and send information about our meetings to our absent members. There are more excellent ideas presented in addition.
Community is one of our pillars and includes those who cannot attend. Also, they have something to give us spiritually; often more than we give them with their years of Faith, Steadfastness and Love.
We usually think of Preaching as something we do away from our Chapter meeting. However, as it is now suggested: we encourage each Chapter to devote some time having a member give a short "Preachment" on the Sunday scriptures at each meeting. After all, we are members of the Order of Preachers.
We also preach through our example, our charity, our sharing and our contributions at each Chapter meeting. Whether we always agree or not, we marvel at the faith and love displayed by our fellow members.
But what about our absent members? Those who are sick, disabled, elderly, suffering from dementia or in a nursing home who deserve to hear us "preach the good news." I came across a posting at ECLDF (European Council of Lay Dominican Fraternities) by Anne Marie Lee, Formation Officer, which suggests ways of meeting this problem. Check out: http://ecldf/2009/07/31/ongoing-formation-for-lay-dominicans/
There are many suggestions given. All of our Chapters should read this and incorporate some of these suggestions, especially, if we do not feel we are doing enough. She asks us to pray, call, visit and send information about our meetings to our absent members. There are more excellent ideas presented in addition.
Community is one of our pillars and includes those who cannot attend. Also, they have something to give us spiritually; often more than we give them with their years of Faith, Steadfastness and Love.
The St Rose of Lima Chapter/Dubuque will include a Preaching segment at each meeting starting this summer. Sr. Marilyn Schlosser, OP, our Relgious Assistant, and I are working together to get it started and be meaningful to our members.
In Europe the Lay Dominicans were interested in the question we have been discussing: How many ways can we preach? They knew that there had to be many more ways to preach than just from a pulpit, although that is an excellent method. So they decided to go to their members and ask them. A novel approach! They set up a website and asked Lay Dominicans to send in their "moments of Preaching." They discovered endless possibilities. Indeed, inspiring possibilities! These examples of mostly one on one or two poured in from all over Europe in many languages. Do yourself a favor and visit the website; you'll be inspired: laicatuspraedicans.org
Terry McSweeney says...
It certainly is true that we preach by accepting our crosses and providing a good example to others. This goes without saying. However, the question arises that as members of the Order of Preachers is something more expected? Vatican II in their document on the Laity requested Catholic Lay men and women to use words when necessary. This is a remarkable document as what it asks of all Catholic Laity applies to and is fulfilled by Lay Dominicans. We, Lay Dominicans, are the embodiment of what it means to be " Catholic." Through study and prayer and reinforced by community we can fulfill the fourth pillar of the Order of Preachers--Preaching (our mission) by spreading the Kingdom. Always it takes example but sometimes it takes words. We must take advantage of these opportunities. After all we are members of the Order of PREACHERS.
It certainly is true that we preach by accepting our crosses and providing a good example to others. This goes without saying. However, the question arises that as members of the Order of Preachers is something more expected? Vatican II in their document on the Laity requested Catholic Lay men and women to use words when necessary. This is a remarkable document as what it asks of all Catholic Laity applies to and is fulfilled by Lay Dominicans. We, Lay Dominicans, are the embodiment of what it means to be " Catholic." Through study and prayer and reinforced by community we can fulfill the fourth pillar of the Order of Preachers--Preaching (our mission) by spreading the Kingdom. Always it takes example but sometimes it takes words. We must take advantage of these opportunities. After all we are members of the Order of PREACHERS.
Reply
Kim Tomasi
07:11 AM on August 18, 2009
Lay Preaching for me is by setting the example, by modesty of dress and actions, by seeing Christ in our neighbors, and showing the joy, and love of having Christ in ones life, even when the cross is heavy in our daily lives. Of never complaining, and accepting God's will, whether it be good or bad.
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Doug Merrill
08:19 PM on August 02, 2009
To Laura Dejmek
Thank you for your preaching for 8/30/09 on word.op.org. I listened to it early - it is the latest one available, so my iPod sucked it in automatically. There are so many good things to say about your preaching, but I'll just say two things. Your point that obedience to God's law is a response to God's love, not a prerequisite for God's love is spot on. We need to hear that over and over. So many of us get it wrong.
I especially want to thank you for cautioning your listeners about taking what the Gospels and Paul say about Jews literally and your warning about the suffering that has caused. I wish every preacher would say something similar every time "the Jews" are mentioned in a reading.
I am a lay Dominican married to an observant Jewish woman, raising 2 Jewish boys. We just celebrated my younger son?s Bar Mitzvah ? a celebration that he is now old enough to observe all the commandments. The image the New Testament gives that the commandments are a useless burden could not be farther from the truth.
I would like to have an email conversation with you about your experiences as Promoter of Preaching in the Central Province. Four of us in my chapter are starting out as Promoter of Preaching for the Southern Province. If you are interested please contact me: dougmerrill (at) hotmail.com
Thank you for your preaching for 8/30/09 on word.op.org. I listened to it early - it is the latest one available, so my iPod sucked it in automatically. There are so many good things to say about your preaching, but I'll just say two things. Your point that obedience to God's law is a response to God's love, not a prerequisite for God's love is spot on. We need to hear that over and over. So many of us get it wrong.
I especially want to thank you for cautioning your listeners about taking what the Gospels and Paul say about Jews literally and your warning about the suffering that has caused. I wish every preacher would say something similar every time "the Jews" are mentioned in a reading.
I am a lay Dominican married to an observant Jewish woman, raising 2 Jewish boys. We just celebrated my younger son?s Bar Mitzvah ? a celebration that he is now old enough to observe all the commandments. The image the New Testament gives that the commandments are a useless burden could not be farther from the truth.
I would like to have an email conversation with you about your experiences as Promoter of Preaching in the Central Province. Four of us in my chapter are starting out as Promoter of Preaching for the Southern Province. If you are interested please contact me: dougmerrill (at) hotmail.com
Reply
Laura Dejmek
12:26 AM on July 19, 2009
KUDOS to the Chapters who are integrating traditional preaching within your meetings! My community--Bl. Fra Angelico (Norridge) does it as well--typically the Sunday readings. The preaching has been well received--both by the hearers and the preacher!
For those chapters that may have difficulty eliciting a reflection--preaching does not have to be spoken--one member painted as her preaching. Perhaps a dialogue to find out WHY members won't start a reflection. Certainly, starting a shared reflection is less threatening than giving a full reflection; but perhaps, still those members may feel threatened / nervous. They may feel that they don't have anything "worthy" to contribute. I can recall my first semester in seminary--I was intimidated. Reassure members, that it DOES get easier with time / practice. Preaching is a skill (as well as a charism & an art form), but--like playing a musical instrument--it must be practiced to gain facility.
(p.s. ALICE--Thank you--Siena--my collie, is smart, lovely, and so gentle!)
For those chapters that may have difficulty eliciting a reflection--preaching does not have to be spoken--one member painted as her preaching. Perhaps a dialogue to find out WHY members won't start a reflection. Certainly, starting a shared reflection is less threatening than giving a full reflection; but perhaps, still those members may feel threatened / nervous. They may feel that they don't have anything "worthy" to contribute. I can recall my first semester in seminary--I was intimidated. Reassure members, that it DOES get easier with time / practice. Preaching is a skill (as well as a charism & an art form), but--like playing a musical instrument--it must be practiced to gain facility.
(p.s. ALICE--Thank you--Siena--my collie, is smart, lovely, and so gentle!)
Joe, we also use the Office of Readings as our liturgical prayer at the beginning of our meeting. We have found this to be a real benefit and encourage others to do the same. Great blog--Joe!
Reply
Joe Komadina
10:41 PM on May 15, 2009
We have encouraged preaching at our St. Louis chapter meetings and use the Office of Readings as our liturgical prayer to provide additional readings. We were encouraged in this by our previous provincial council member, Wes Lohr. We have had very mixed results. We take turns leading the prayer, but some never provide a reflection or even start a shared reflection.
At the Blessed Sacrament Chapter in Farmington Hills, MI we have instituted "Preaching" at our monthly meetings. Each meeting a different member gives a brief 3-5 minute reflection on the scriptures for that Sunday. This has worked out very well as each preacher gives their own reflection on some part of the scriptures. Each has given us something to think about that did not occur to us before. We are truly an "Order of Preachers."
to Laura, No wonder you won. Smart looking Collie. alice
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