US liturgist set to visit New Zealand

Liturgist Fr Paul Turner, a consultant to the Vatican and several international groups, will visit New Zealand’s six dioceses this winter to share his expertise with clergy and the lay faithful.

A priest of the Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph, Missouri in the United States, Fr Turner will begin his national tour in Hamilton Diocese on July 21 and conclude in Christchurch on August 8.

The focus of the talks he will give is ars celebrandi, the art of celebrating Mass.

“I hope to give everyone a deeper appreciation of the richness of our liturgy,” Fr Turner said.

While the task of leading the celebration of Mass falls to the priest, Fr Turner said the laity are deeply engaged in the sacred event.

“I think lay people have always had an interest in the liturgy,” he said.

“The focus of their interest may change from time to time, but everyone has experiences and memories they treasure and hopes for which they aspire.”

Asked what advice he would offer clergy, and the laity, in supporting a profound experience at Mass, he offered the same answer.

“Pay attention to everything that happens,” he suggested, adding that one of the priest’s tasks is to “help people engage in the mystery”.

Living in an era when there has been major liturgical change in people’s lifetimes, especially through the reforms of Vatican II, is not all that common in the Church’s history. But that has created opportunities, Fr Turner said.

“The Second Vatican Council paved a way for us to treasure our tradition and to be open to its development in keeping with the times,” he said.

“We stand on the wisdom of the path, which helps us adapt to the present.”

Bishop Steve Lowe, president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, said as a member of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy he has seen Fr Turner’s love for and knowledge of the Church’s liturgy.

“The Bishops Conference is delighted Fr Turner accepted our invitation to speak in 
New Zealand. His visit is a response to Pope Francis’ apostolic letter Desiderio Desideravi, which invites us to contemplate the beauty and truth of Christian celebration.”

“We hope his visit will strengthen the faithful’s understanding of the liturgy and advise our priests on how to celebrate the Mass in ways that enhance the faith of all,” Bishop Lowe said.

“The Mass is the greatest prayer we have, and the Eucharist is our source and summit. I encourage people to take this opportunity to deepen our connection with these treasures of our faith.”

Fr Turner has written several books on the liturgy and won several awards, including from the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions and the Catholic Media Association.

In addition to his liturgical focus, Fr Turner’s priestly vocation has also included prison ministry, supporting the homeless and multicultural chaplaincy.

Fr Turner will lead workshops for clergy in all six dioceses, as well as for laity in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch. See diocesan and parish notices for local details.