Worship
Office for Worship
The Office for Worship promotes and supports liturgical life in the Diocese of Grand Rapids by means of ministry training and catechesis. It also collaborates with the staff of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, the mother church of the diocese, to host liturgical celebrations that unite Catholics from throughout the diocese in prayer.
Decree of Promulgation of Diocesan Liturgical Norms for Eucharistic Worship
During the National Eucharistic Revival we are all called to deepen our faith and renew our worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Complementing parish faith formation and additional opportunities for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, Bishop Walkowiak has carefully reviewed and revised diocesan liturgical norms for Eucharistic worship. The updated norms, published on September 14, 2023, begin to oblige on November 1, 2023. The decree of promulgation and the norms themselves can be found HERE. Or by clicking the title above.
Upcoming Events:
Training for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
As part of the Eucharistic Revival, all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will undergo training on these Diocesan norms:
2023 Norms for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy CommunionNormas 2023 para Ministros Extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión
Diocesan training for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will continue to be offered on approximately a quarterly basis. See below training dates and locations. Check back periodically as new dates are added.
Thurs. April 11 - 7:00 PM
Cathedral Square Center
Room D/E (2nd Floor)
360 Division Ave. S, Grand Rapids
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Certificate of Mandate
In addition to diocesan training, potential ministers must receive formation provided by their parish or institution specific to their desired mandate and the customs and procedures observed where they will serve. Those who have been trained will receive a certificate card from the diocese. Names should be submitted either by the pastor or director of the parish in consultation with those in charge of training new ministers.
Cards can be produced in English, Spanish, or both. Please specify your need.
Submit the names of your newly trained extraordinary ministers of holy Communion to receive a certificate of mandate.
Celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation:
The Cathedral of Saint Andrew hosts a series of confirmation liturgies for candidates from every parish in the diocese in the fall and spring of each academic year.
Spring 2024 Confirmations
See the schedule below. When you have received your parish's liturgy assignments, click on your parish's assigned date to sign up liturgical ministers for your Confirmation liturgy. Please sign up by the date designated. All parishes must check back with Sign-Up Genius before the deadline to make sure all positions are filled. If any openings exist, fill in all remaining positions to ensure a seamless and reverent celebration. Confirmation Coordinators and Liturgical Ministers, please use the following documents to prepare:
Confirmation Preparation Documents - English | Spanish
Confirmation Readings* - English | Spanish
Presentation of Candidates - English/Spanish
Parish Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion - Instructions | Chart
Parish Ministers of Hospitality - Instructions | Chart
*Confirmation liturgies taking place on Sundays during Lent will use the readings of the day from Year A. Confirmation liturgies taking place on Sundays during Easter will use the readings of the day.
3 PM - Sunday, March 17
- St. Francis de Sales / St. Michael, Muskegon
- St. Mary, Spring Lake
- St. Patrick-St. Anthony, Grand Haven
- St. James, Montague
- SIGN UP BY MARCH 3
7 PM - Tuesday, March 19
- St. Mary, Lowell / St. Anthony, Saranac
- St. Thomas the Apostle, Grand Rapids
- St. Patrick, Parnell (Ada)
7 PM - Wednesday, March 20
- St. Jude
- St. Stephen
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Holy Family, Caledonia
3 PM - Sunday, April 7
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- St. Joseph, Wright / St. Catherine, Ravenna / St. Francis Xavier, Conklin
- St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Muskegon
3 PM - Sunday, April 14
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. John Paul II / Mary Queen of Angels
St. Mary-St. Paul, Big Rapids
St. Charles / St. Jospeh-St. Mary, Belding
3 PM - Sunday, April 28
St. Joseph, Pewamo
St. Mary, Marne / St. Michael, Coopersville
St. Patrick, Portland
7 PM - Martes 30 de abril
Santuario de San Francisco Javier / Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
3 PM - Sunday, May 5
Cathedral of St. Andrew
Christ The King / St. Francis de Sales, Howard City / St. Bernadette
St. Joseph, Weare / St. Vincent, Pentwater
St. Gregory-Our Lady of Fatima, Hart
Parish Resources
Communion of the Sick
English Leader card
English Participant card
Spanish Leader card
Spanish Participant card
Instructions for Deacons Assisting at Mass
View bookletChurch Art and Architecture Commission
The Church Art and Architecture Commission is a committee of Catholic professionals that serves the bishop by helping to create appropriate spaces for Catholic worship in keeping with Church guidelines and liturgical principles.
Part of the Office for Worship, this commission is the primary review body and resource for the construction and renovation (including restoration) of churches and chapels in the diocese, from the early discernment process to the completion of the work. The committee meets as needed, generally on the second Thursday of the month.
Church Projects
Pastors considering projects involving their parish worship space, please contact Dr. Aaron Sanders, director of the Office for Worship.