Focus on the Liturgy

In Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter he addresses the “art of celebrating” – the ars celebrandi, in Latin. He writes that celebrating the Liturgy is an art, and that all of us need to master that art. In other words, we don’t mindlessly “go through the motions” of the Liturgy. Rather, we are called to enter into the liturgy with full conscientiousness and awareness. Hosts Timothy Johnston, Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss and explore the “art of celebrating the Liturgy.”

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson continue discussion on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Desiderio Desideravi. In this letter, the Pope emphasizes the importance in liturgy of symbols and symbolic action and symbolic language. Timothy and Todd explore this emphasis and how important it is for the encounter with Jesus that is at the heart of every Mass.

In our continuing exploration of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Desiderio Desideravi, this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy looks at the connection that the Liturgy has to Creation. Pope Francis writes at length of how God uses the very things of his own creation to meet us, to encounter us and to transform us in the liturgy and the sacraments. Hosts Danielle Noe, Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson discuss this theme of the Letter which was issued on June 29, 2022.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson continue delving into Desiderio Desideravi – On the Liturgical Formation of the People of God, Pope Francis’ most recent Apostolic Letter. This month they explore the theme of the Liturgy as the premier way that we encounter Jesus, who longs to eat with us at the Eucharist. They also discuss Pope Francis’ reflection on the importance of Baptism as that which allows us to participate in the Liturgy, “the Christian celebration.” Introduced in last month’s show, future broadcasts of Focus on the Liturgy will continue to explore the themes and nuances of Pope Francis’ letter.

On the Solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul, June 29th, Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter, Desiderio Desideravi, On the Liturgical Formation of the People of God. He writes to all the faithful and addresses such themes as Jesus’ deepest desire to share the Passover meal with each of us; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit’s profound love for us, and how God encounters us in a most unique and powerful way in the Liturgy and in the Sacraments. Todd Williamson, Danielle Noe and Timothy Johnston discuss this document and give an overall introduction to it.

The National Eucharistic Revival began on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord/Corpus Christi. This broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy aired just days after this beginning. Cohosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss the Revival – particularly the role of the Eucharistic Liturgy and it’s relationship to the Revival. The celebration of the Eucharist is, the Church says in its documents, the Source and the Summit of the Christian Life; how then is it the foundation of the Revival and the Missionary Spirit the Revival is meant to renew in the Church?

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Noe, Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson discuss the culminating celebrations of the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost. Each of these Solemnities lead us into a deeper understanding of the Easter Season and what it calls us to as disciples of Jesus. Toward the end of the show they also touch on the Eucharistic Revival and the celebration of the Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord.

In the Second Week of Easter, this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy explores this Great Season, this “Week of Weeks,” this 50-day Feast! Co hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson discuss and break open the liturgies, Mass texts and readings of the season which give us direction on how to live, now that we have renewed our baptism at Easter.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson address the call of Pope Francis to pray personally and publicly for peace in Ukraine. Timothy and Todd look at the rich collection of prayers, Masses and scripture that speak to the sad human experience of war, exile, and civil disturbance. In a special way, they look ahead to Holy Week in this time of war and suffering in the world.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Danelle Noe, Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson talk about the great season of Lent. They break open the theology and spirituality of the season, discuss the liturgies we celebrate during it, and explore the whole role and purpose of Lent.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Timothy Johnston, Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson talk about the importance of Sunday as the The Day for the Body of Christ to gather, around the Altar and Ambo of the Lord, and celebrate the Lord’s Supper. They will explore Dies Domini, St. John Paul II’s great exhortation on Sunday in the life of every Christian. Toward the end, they also squeeze in a discussion on the Orders of Blessings in the Ordinary Time of our sacramental lives.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Todd Williamson (ODW), Danielle Noe (LTP) and Timothy Johnston (Archdiocese of Washington) all gather for a discussion about the Great Solemnity of Christmas and the Christmas Season. The three discuss the liturgies, scriptures and symbols of this well-loved Christian Holiday.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, cohosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson address these last weeks of Ordinary Time. As the liturgical year winds down, Timothy and Todd talk about the Last Times, the Return of Christ in Glory and in particular, the great Feasts of All Saints, All Souls and Christ, the King of the Universe.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, cohosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) are joined by Danielle Noe, Editor at Liturgy Training Publications (LTP), as they discuss the topic of Liturgical Ministries. During the second half of the show, they specifically address the Guide Books, published by LTP. These manuals are recently revised by LTP and they include such manuals as Guide for Lectors, Guide for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Guide for Cantors.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy cohosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) finish the periodic series on the Mass. Last month they broke open the Eucharistic Prayer. In this broadcast, they discuss the Communion Rite and the Concluding Rites. They explore each part of these rites discussing the theology, the symbols and gestures, and how the whole of the Mass, more than anything, sends us out into the world to transform it into the Kingdom of God.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy cohosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) return to a period series that addresses the four main parts of the Mass. In the past, Timothy and Todd have explored the first two parts of the Mass: the Introductory Rites and the Liturgy of the Word. In this show they break open and discuss third main part of the Mass: the Liturgy of the Eucharist. They explore the rites that are part of this liturgy and unpack the texts that we pray during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Specifically, Timothy and Todd address from the preparation of the Altar and gifts through the Eucharistic Prayer.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) talk about the letter from Cardinal Robert Sarah in 2020, then prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, about how we should return to public, communal worship once the Covid-19 Pandemic is over. Cardinal Sarah highlight’s 6 key points to our Sunday Liturgies, which Timothy and Todd unpack: The Word of the Lord, the Sacrifice of the Cross, the Banquet of the Eucharist, the Community of Christ, the House of the Lord, and the Day of the Lord.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) talk about liturgy in the Post-Easter and Post-Pandemic time. They spend the first part of the show discussing the Solemnities that come immediately after the Easter Season (Holy Trinity and the Holy Body and Blood of Christ), and in the second half of the show they address some of the liturgical limitations which the Covid19 Pandemic brought about. What might the Liturgy look like as restrictions are lifted?

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson discuss the life-giving season of Easter. Particularly they focus on the baptismal character of Easter and having just renewed our baptism at the Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday. Together they explore the theology of the season by breaking open the liturgies, readings and celebrations that make up this 50-day Feast.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson discuss the liturgies and rites of Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday they explore the theology and spirituality of the these holiest of days for us as Christians. They give special attention to the liturgies of the Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday/Easter Sunday.

In this broadcast of Focus On the Liturgy, recorded in the first Week of Lent, co-hosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss and explore this great season! They talk about the theology and the spirituality of Lent as well as the liturgies that mark the season. Plus, they spend time exploring the purpose of Lent its history.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) return to a periodic look at a particular part of the Church’s liturgy. Here they spend the hour exploring the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, cohosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) focus on the season of Christmas. They discuss the theology of the season and break open the spirituality of the season from Christmas, through Epiphany to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Along the way they explore the symbols, scriptures and some traditions of the season.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss the new Year of Grace that begins with the first Sunday of Advent. They break open the theology and spirituality of Advent, exploring the liturgies, the prayers and readings of this great season. They also discuss some of the key symbols of Advent: the Advent wreath, novenas and other devotions, and even Advent hymns.

On November 13th, 3 new auxiliary bishops will be ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago: Frs. Kevin Birmingham, Jeffery Grob and Robart Lombardo CFR. In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss and explore the theology of the Office of Bishop and unpack the richness and symbolic profundity of the Order of Ordination of a Bishop.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) pick up their periodic series of looking at various parts of the Mass. In this broadcast they explore the first part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist - the preparatory rites. From the presentation of the gifts and the preparation of the altar, through the preparatory prayers and the prayers over the gifts, they discuss and unpack the actions and the texts of the ritual, uncovering a rich and profound theology and spirituality.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) return to a periodic look at a particular part of the Church’s liturgy. Here they spend the hour exploring the Liturgy of the Word. They look at the theology and spirituality of the Liturgy of Word, its role, its purpose and the image of it being a “dialogue between God and his people” (Saint John Paul II).

During these times we are worshiping and celebrating liturgy in ways we never had before. We have smaller assemblies, we keep distance, we disinfect, and we don’t sing. In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) take a look at these health protocols and discuss some of the spiritual connections that we might be able to make. How can we still be present to one another when we have to keep distance? What implications are there for our understanding of the Body of Christ when the liturgical assembly is smaller? These are the questions that Timothy and Todd discuss in this broadcast.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, cohosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) talk with Sr. Joyce Ann Zimmerman, CPPS about her book, “How Deep the Mystery, Meditating on the Words of the Mass,” which is published by Liturgy Training Publications of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Timothy and Todd talk with Sr. Joyce about using various texts from the Roman Missal as a source of prayer as a way to develop one’s understanding of the Mass, and as a way of developing a spirituality around the prayers of the Mass.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss the last days of the Easter Season. They explore the theology and spirituality of the great Solemnities of the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost and how these celebrations complete the whole of the Easter Season. They unpack the liturgical texts and the readings to plumb the richness of these holy days.

Broadcasted during the Second Week of the Glorious Season of Easter, this edition of Focus on the Liturgy centers on the theology and spirituality of the season. Co-hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson talk about the Triduum in the time of Covid-19 and how, even under a stay-at-home order, Catholics can touch into the rich profundity of this Season of New Life.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss how we can maintain a prayer life and a liturgical life during the shelter-in-place period we are all experiencing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They discuss prayer resources, techniques to use to help us feel connected to one another and the greater Church, and they talk specifically about the liturgies of Holy Week.

Airing on Ash Wednesday, this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy explores all the aspect of the Great Season of Lent. Co-hosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson discuss the theology of the season, the rites that belong to it – including the RCIA – and the spirituality that guides us during the 40 days.

Over the next 6 months of this new year, Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson will explore the 4 main parts of the Mass. In this broadcast they take a close look at the Introductory Rites, exploring how every part of these rites helps, in some way, to gather the Body of Christ for the great prayer that is the Eucharist.

Our Christmas morning program, this Focus on the Liturgy explores all the liturgical elements of the Solemnity and the season of Christmas. Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson look at the celebrations of the season (Christmas, Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord) as well as the traditions and music that mark this wonderful time of the Liturgical Year.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy cohosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) explore the season of Advent. They discuss how the first two weeks of Advent do not point us to Bethlehem, or to the birth Christ, but rather to the return of Christ in Glory at the end of time. In addition, they talk of how this aspect of our faith runs throughout the great season of Advent and is an integral part of the theology and spirituality of the season.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) are joined in the studio by former co-host, Danielle Noe! They discuss the relationship between the Liturgy and Social Justice. The major themes of Catholic Social Teaching are all explored through the lens of the corporate, communal prayer of the Church.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, cohosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson talk about Mary and the Liturgy. Throughout the year there are a number of days on which the Liturgy of the Church commemorates some aspect of the Blessed Virgin Mary – events in her life (e.g., the Annunciation on March 25), or some aspect of Marian Theology (e.g., Mary, Mother of God on January 1) or an apparition of Mary (e.g., Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11). They discuss the liturgical celebration of Mary, a tradition which the Church has held from the earlies years of Christianity.

The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the very first document of the Second Vatican Council, in which the Church first called for the renewal of the Liturgical Life of the Church, notes in the Liturgy, Christ is present in 4 main ways. In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Hosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss those four ways that Christ is present: in the Liturgical Assembly, in the Word of God, in the Minister and especially in the Eucharist and Sacraments.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson discuss the theology and the spirituality that is at the heart of Ordinary Time. They discuss the season as one that directs us to and helps focus us on the role of Discipleship into which we, as Catholics, have been baptized. In addition, they discuss the “Theological Feasts” of our liturgical calendar. That is, the feasts that don’t celebrate a Saint, but rather that celebrates a theological tenant of our faith (e.g, Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi, Christ the King, etc.).

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson discuss the full season of Easter. Exploring the theology of the season, looking at it's structure, and breaking open the great Feasts of Ascension and Pentecost, they reflect on the power and profundity the 50 Day Feast!

It’s Easter Week! Just days ago, the Church has celebrated the most holiest of all our Liturgies – the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson break open these sacred rites and explore the theology and spirituality of them. From the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, through the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and culminating with the Easter Vigil, Timothy and Todd help the listeners to reflect back on what They’ve experience in their parishes.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Timothy Johnston, from Liturgy Training Publications, and Todd Williamson, from the Office of Divine Worship, discuss the rites and rituals of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults that are a part of our Lenten journey. Those who are in their final weeks of preparation, before being baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ or before being received into the fullness of the Catholic Church, need our prayers and support. The rites which we celebrate during Lent help them as they move toward Initiation. Timothy and Todd explore the Rite of Election, which takes place at the Cathedral, and the Scrutiny Rites, which are celebrated at parishes all over the Archdiocese.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Timothy Johnston, from Liturgy Training Publications, and Todd Williamson, from the Office of Divine Worship, discuss the great season of Lent! They explore the theology and spirituality of the season and the journey we are called to make during the 40 days. In addition, Timothy and Todd discuss the Sunday Liturgies, the Mass texts and the readings of Lent, as well as some of the symbols, traditions and other practices of the season.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss the season of Ordinary Time. In the weeks following the Christmas Season, the Liturgy of the Church presents us with a view of what discipleship and the Christian Life should look like now that we have experienced - again - the Great Mystery of the Incarnation.

This broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy aired the day after Christmas, on the Feast of St. Stephen! Co-hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss the Christmas Season, along with Timothy Johnston (from LTP). Together they break open the theology of the Season, exploring the Nativity, Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord. Along the way they discuss the rites and ritual, the symbols, music and texts of Christmas Tide.

We’re on the verge of a brand new Liturgical Year as the first Sunday of Advent approaches! In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss the New Year and the season of Advent. They are joined by Timothy Johnston, also from LTP (Liturgy Training Publications) as they discuss the theology of the season, as well as its liturgies, music and symbols.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss the last weeks of Ordinary Time. As the Liturgical year winds down we prepare to celebrate the great feasts of All Saints, All Souls and the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, all of which are discussed and explored in this show.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson talk all about the theology and spirituality of the Church building and the main appointments needed for liturgy. Among other things, they discuss the Altar and the Ambo; the tabernacle and the space for reconciliation. All of the main items that are part of our liturgical life are examined and broken open.

Pope Francis has recently appointed three Priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago as Bishops of the Catholic Church! On September 17th, Frs. Ronald Hicks, Mark Bartosic and Robert Casey will be ordained Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese. In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson examine the Rite of Ordination of a Bishop. They walk through the Rite and break open the texts, the ancient gestures and the different liturgical elements of the ordination rite.