215 delegates from 110 dioceses gathered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 2-6, 2001 for the annual National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions.

The meeting, jointly sponsored by the Federation of Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) and the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy (BCL) focused on the theme, “Sunday: Day of Days.”

In light of the tragic events of the past few weeks the delegates offered the following resolution:

Whereas the events of the 11^th of September have shattered the lives of thousands of innocent victims:

Whereas so many more grieve the loss of their spouses and parents and children, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors in this abhorrent act of senseless violence;

Whereas as Christians we look to the promise of God fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ;

Whereas it is our privilege and responsibility as diocesan liturgy personnel to assist the church in its ministry of consolation and hope;

Be it resolved, therefore, that the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, gathered for its annual meeting, stands in prayerful communion with the local churches of New York, Arlington, and Altoona-Johnstown and with all our sisters and brothers who have been affected by this evil. We pledge our continual support to them in the difficult time ahead. 

As the delegates gathered in prayer for the victims at the opening Eucharist at St. Joseph’s University Chapel, with Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua of Philadelphia presiding, with Bishop Frank Rodimer of Paterson as homilist and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio as concelebrant, $1500 was collected for the victims of the tragedy. 

During the meeting the delegates adopted the following resolutions:

Position Statement 2001 A +2.22

It is the position of the delegates to the 2001 National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions that the Board of Directors of the FDLC establish a dialog with the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) to discuss the integrity of the liturgical year and the Sunday Celebration of the Eucharist; and to deepen the understanding of the innate relationship between Sunday Eucharist, discipleship, and stewardship; and to coordinate stewardship efforts with the cycles of the Sunday Lectionary throughout the liturgical year. 

Position Statement 2001 B +2.36

It is the position of the delegates to the 2001 National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions that the Liturgical Arts Committee develop a process and materials which can assist diocesan worship offices and/or commissions in the preparation and implementation of diocesan or regional workshops for architects and other construction professionals regarding the design of new or renovation of existing worship spaces. These processes and materials should allow for the presentation of particular diocesan guidelines and should be based upon Sacrosanctum Concilium, Built of Living Stones, and IGMR, chapter five. 

Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk of Cincinnati was awarded the Frederick R. McManus Award for his leadership in the liturgical renewal in the United States. The award was presented to the archbishop at the Friday evening banquet.

 Father Michael Spillane, Executive Director of the Federation, announced a new publishing partnership with Oregon Catholic Press. Starting with the Philadelphia meeting, OCP will be responsible for publishing and marketing FDLC publications. 

Four keynote speakers addressed the assembly. Father John F. Baldowin, S.J., a professor of historical and liturgical theology at Weston Jesuit School of Theology, inaugurated the meeting with an inspiring outline of Pope John Paul II’s 1998 Letter Dies Domini. Sister Theresa F. Koernke, I.H.M., assistant professor at the Washington Theological Union, spoke of the transforming power of the Eucharist. Father Andrew D. Ciferni, O.Praem., liturgy director and rector of Daylesford Abbey Church, Paoli, Pennsylvania, addressed the texture and time of Sunday in contemporary American culture. Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo of the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, concluded the major addresses with a presentation on the living sacrifice of praise offered to God at each local gathering of Christians for the Sunday Eucharist.

 Three special sessions for the delegates included an evening with the executive director of the BCL, Father James P. Moroney; an Architects Forum moderated by Father Ciferni, and a colloquium on the liturgical formation of seminarians and newly ordained priests facilitated by Sister Sharon McMillan, SND, associate professor of liturgical studies at Saint Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California.

 In addition, six special interest sessions were offered to delegates on the USCCB’s most recent document, Built of Living Stones, the role of the musician in the 2000 revision of the General Instruction on the Roman Missal, guidelines on participation of adolescents at liturgical celebrations, the formation of liturgical leaders for and from multicultural communities, the status of the U.S. appendix of the revised General Instruction, and the results of the national study concerning the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

 Furthermore, twelve special interest sessions were offered by delegates of the FDLC as a service to parish ministers from the local area on a wide range of liturgical topics on Saturday October 6.