The speaker is Sr Louise Gannon rsj, Diocesan Co-ordinator of Liturgy and Adult Faith Formation. Louise has been at the helm of countless diocesan liturgies – Masses and others – celebrating various occasions in the diocesan calendar. Such events as the opening of the Door of Mercy at Sacred Heart Cathedral and the celebration of the gift of religious life in the 150th year of the diocese owe much to the depth of her understanding and commitment to the Church.
However, you would be mistaken if you imagined Louise’s ‘dreaming’ these liturgies into reality as a solitary practice. She says emphatically, “I love sitting around a table with people who are preparing an important liturgy for their community; I love the sharing of ideas and the work involved in shaping these into a liturgy that celebrates the event in the context of the community’s faith.”
Louise recalls, “The liturgy of thanksgiving for Religious Life in September was prepared by a group, and the liturgy that emerged from the individuals’ shared faith and reflection looked good on paper. However, nothing prepared me for the experience of the liturgy: for what I felt, for the memories it triggered, for its reminding me of the wonderful tradition I belong to and the strength I felt in that. It seized my imagination and renewed my commitment to be the best religious I can be.”
Louise can trace her interest in liturgy back to childhood. Not only was she a member of a committed Catholic family in the parish of Adamstown, but her father, Peter, was an architect. “I grew up exploring church building sites with Dad. I learnt about the church space and the different symbols and I saw the care that went into choosing fittings that suited the space and the community. For big celebrations like Christmas and Easter there was always a rush to get there early for a good seat so we could see everything that was going on.”
While early forays into preparing liturgies as Religious Studies Co-ordinator at St Joseph’s High School, Aberdeen, involved deep fear, there was also much learning that provided firm foundations.
“In those days schools used to have massive productions at the beginning of the year and at Easter and Christmas. I never thought of myself as particularly creative and I had no idea how I was going to cope.
“This was my first conscious entry into liturgical ministry and in spite of my fear, I loved it. And I learned that liturgical ministry is communal. It takes a community with a range of gifts to prepare and celebrate a liturgy. I learned the power of faith and trust. Ideas always come. I remember the first liturgy at Aberdeen used the song “Send in the clowns” to link to the story of the call of Samuel. Who would have thought?”