2009 National Meeting of
Diocesan Liturgical Commissions 

October 6-9
Plymouth, Michigan

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2009 National Meeting

2009 Position Statements 

Position Statement 2009 A:  Mystagogical Catechesis
Position Statement 2009 B:  National Process
ECR 2009/01: Evaluation Committee, Process, And Instruments

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During the 2009 National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions the diocesan delegates passed two position statements that had been formulated during FDLC regional meetings earlier this year and one Executive Committee Resolution.  The text of the position statements and resolution follows.

Position Statement 2009/A
TOPIC: Mystagogical Catechesis

Vote: 84.5% yes, 9.95 no; 6.3% Abstain

PREAMBLE:
Whereas the formation of Christian disciples is a life-long journey;

Whereas conversion does not end with the celebration of the sacraments of initiation;

Whereas the General Directory for Catechesis sets forth the concept of the baptismal catechumenate as a process of formation and as a true school of the faith for post-baptismal catechesis and reflection;

Whereas the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults declares the significance of post-baptismal mystagogy for the entire community of the faithful;

Whereas Sacramentum Caritatis affirms that “a mystagogical approach to catechesis, (which) would lead the faithful to understand more deeply the mysteries being celebrated”;

STATEMENT:
It is the position of the delegates to the 2009 National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions that the membership of the FDLC affirms mystagogy, the reflection on what God has done and is doing in our lives, as foundational and essential to sacramental catechesis, celebration and Christian living. We commit ourselves as individual members and as an organization to apply this methodology in all our liturgical/catechetical work. In the planning for future work of the FDLC we ask the National Board to ensure that this methodology is implemented  in our study days, workshops, resources as appropriate and in particular in the Roman Missal Project.

We request that a time-line and procedure for implementation of this resolution be set by the FDLC Board of Directors by 31 January 2010.

Position Statement 2009 B
TOPIC: National Process

Vote: 83.5% Yes; 14% No. 2.4% Abstain

PREAMBLE:
Whereas FDLC National Meetings in recent years have seen a steady decline in the number of Position Statements presented for consideration;

Whereas there is concern about the effectiveness of Position Statements in achieving actionable conclusions;

Whereas universal use of current technology has dramatically increased the speed by which we can communicate;

Whereas there is widespread and reasonable expectation that leadership in all areas of life will respond to emerging situations and questions as they arise and without undue delay;

Whereas the current deadlines for presenting Position Statements can result in exclusion of emerging issues or the prevention of response and action in a manner that is considered “timely” by current standards;

Whereas Executive Committee Resolutions (ECRs) have recently taken on a greater importance, allowing an effective and timely means for addressing significant or emerging issues

STATEMENT:
It is the position of the delegates to the 2009 National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions that the Board of Directors assign the National Process Committee in consultation with other members of the Federation to evaluate the procedure by which the content for the Business Sessions is solicited from the membership and developed for the National Meeting.

The NPC will then make recommendations to the Board of Directors for amending that procedure in such a way as will preserve our best practices:

a) the scholarly research and careful preparation required by the current Position Statement process and

b) the ability of the ECR process to formulate statements in real time and to take advantage of advanced communication technology.

We request that a time-line and procedure for implementation of this resolution be set by the FDLC Board of Directors by 31 January 2010.

 

Executive Committee Resolution 2009/01
Evaluation Committee, Process, And Instruments

Vote: 93.27% Yes; 4.8% No; 1.92% Abstain

PREAMBLE:
Whereas, the FDLC has invested considerable time, talent, and treasure in preparing for the reception and implementation of the English translation of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia;

Whereas, an evaluation process can aid the continuing development of materials, can assist in effective training and catechesis, and can measure the effectiveness of this formation and its impact on pastoral practice in the dioceses of the United States;

RESOLUTION:
It is the position of the delegates to the 2009 National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions that the FDLC and the Secretariat of the BCDW establish an Ad-Hoc committee to develop evaluation instruments and processes which measure the effectiveness of the preparatory and implementation materials and the overall implementation and the reception of the Roman Missal. 

We request that a timeline for the implementation of this resolution and the appointment of the ad-hoc committee be set by the FDLC Board of Directors by 
31 January 2010.

©2009
Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions
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