Focus on the Liturgy

The Book of Blessings is one of the best kept secrets of the Church. In reality it can be one of the most helpful resource for the liturgical life of any parish! In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss this treasure of the Church's liturgical life, talking about the various Orders of Blessing, and when various blessings can be used throughout the liturgical year, in the life of the parish and in the lives of parishioners!

This month, Focus on the Liturgy is broadcast on Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 27 and again on May 30. Because of that, we talk to Catholic Cemeteries about the Archdiocesan Field-Masses being held outside in all the Catholic Cemeteries on Memorial Day. In the second half of the show, given that June is right around the corner and is one of the busiest months for weddings, co-hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss the revised Order of Celebrating Matrimony, which will be promulgated in the United States this Fall.

It's the Fifth Week of the Easter Season! So in this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss the various aspects of "The Great 50 Days!" They talk about what it means to have renewed our baptism at Easter, what it calls us to and how we live that out from Sunday to Sunday, Week to Week, Season to Season!

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss the great Liturgies of Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum. They look at and break open the dynamics and symbols of the Liturgies of Palm Sunday, the Chrism Mass and, of course, the profound Liturgies of the Triduum: The Mass of the Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday), the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion (Good Friday) and the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday).

Co-hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson explore the great and joyful Season of Lent. They spend the first part of the show discussing the focus and the purpose of Lent as, the 40-day period to prepare to renew our Baptism at Easter! The second half of the show is given over to exploring the Lenten Rites of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss Ordinary Time and the whole idea of "From Mass to Mission," which is actually the title of brand new resource from Liturgy Training Publications. They talk about this new resource, which has versions for Children, Teens and Adults.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson begin the show talking about three upcoming opportunities for Liturgical Ministers of the Archdiocese: The Ministry Enrichment Gatherings, a collaborative effort between the Office for Divine Worship and Liturgy Training Publications scheduled for January 23, April 9 and April 16 of 2016. Michael Ruzicki, from LTP is a guest in this first part of the program. In the second half of this show, Danielle and Todd discuss the liturgies and rites of the Christmas Season!

It's Advent, and in this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss all the various aspects of the Season. They talk about the symbols of the season as well as the Rites and the Prayers that help give focus to this season of "Expectant Joy!"

As the end of the Liturgical Year approaches, Daniell Noe and Todd Williamson discuss this Late Ordinary Time Season. They spend time breaking open the great feast days of All Saints and All Souls, and end the show by talking about the Year of Mercy and some of the liturgical rites that surround the start of the Jubilee in December.

During this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Pope Francis was just beginning his Apostolic Trip to the United States. Prompted by that, Co-hosts Danielle Noe (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss the topic of Joy in the Liturgy - following on Pope Francis' Encyclical, The Joy of the Gospel. Danielle and Todd are joined by Michael Ruzicki, also of LTP.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Noe (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss the Liturgy of the Hours. The daily prayer of the church for all Catholics, the Liturgy of the Hours is a rich prayer, steeped in the Psalms, which orders our days. The Second Vatican Council sought a renewal of the Liturgy of the Hours, which to this day still needs to be realized!

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss the season of Ordinary Time during Summer. They also discuss brand new books from Liturgy Training Publications (LTP), an agency of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

During this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Noe (Liturgy Training Publications) and Todd Williamson (Office for Divine Worship) discuss the Pope's encyclical on the environment through the lens of cosmic liturgy.

During this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Noe (Liturgy Training Publications) and Todd Williamson (Office for Divine Worship) discuss the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. They break open the liturgies and the Feasts that help us mark the passing of these summer months. They also discuss a number of special liturgies that will be celebrated this summer in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

This broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy reflects on Cardinal Francis George following his death.

In this Broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson discuss the great season of Lent. They spend time talking about the theology and spirituality of the season. There is a special discussion of the Stations of the Cross in the second half of the show: Guest Michael Ruzicki will joins them in the studio to talk about his new edition of the Stations, "A Light for My Path," published by LTP.

In this Broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson are joined by guests Michael Ruzicki (from Liturgy Training Publications) and Wendy Silhavy (From the Office for Divine Worship) to discuss the topic of Liturgical Music. Michael is Music Director at Notre Dame de Chicago, and Wendy is Director of Liturgies and Music at ODW. They explore the role of Liturgical Music and Music Ministry in the liturgical life of the Church.

This broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy airs on the Morning of December 24, Christmas Eve. It's the perfect time for hosts Todd Williamson (ODW) and Dannielle Noe (LTP) to discuss the Liturgical Season of Christmas! They break open the structure of the Season, highlighting the 3 "moments" of the Nativity (Christmas), the Solemnity of Epiphany and the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which closes out the season. They also explore the symbols of the season and the various Rites and rituals that mark the Christmas season.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Noe and Todd Williamson talk about the great season of Advent. Among other things they discuss the theology of the Season and how that plays out in the Liturgies and Rites of Advent.

In these final week of the Liturgical Year, the October broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy deals with late Ordinary Time. Co-hosts Todd Williamson and Danielle Noe discuss the liturgies of this season and spend a good deal of time exploring the great feasts of the Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls).

In this episode of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss the Installation Liturgy of Archbishop Blase Cupich, scheduled for November 18th of this year. They break open and explore the Rite of Reception of the Bishop, and other aspects of this special Liturgy. They also talk about the Revised Rite of Celebrating Marriage, which is awaiting Approval in Rome.

On this month's broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson talk about the Rite of Peace which is a part of every celebration of the Eucharist. The Congregation for Divine Worship recently called for a greater understanding of the Rite of Peace and so Danielle and Todd explore this rite, its theological principles and its implications for how we are to live as Disciples of Christ.

In this broadcast of "Focus on the Liturgy", co-hosts Danielle Knott (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss the sacramental life of the Church. They also explore The Year of the Sacraments - the fourth year of the Archdiocesan five- year Strategic Pastoral Plan.

In June's broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss the season of Ordinary Time and some of the Solemnities and feasts that mark the Summer portion of Ordinary Time. In the second half of the show, they explore the whole idea of the Liturgy as a School of Discipleship.

In these last days of the Easter Season, Focus on the Liturgy Co-Hosts Danielle Knott (from LTP) and Todd Williamson (from ODW) discuss the Great 50 Days. In doing so they explore the culminating Solemnities of the season: Ascension and Pentecost, discussing their significance, their texts and the liturgies by which we celebrate them.

Office for Diving Worship Director Todd Williamson is joined by Vicky Tufano, Liturgical Consultant and Senior Editor of Liturgy Training Publications, for a lively discussion of the liturgical significance of the Easter Season.

Program hosts Todd Williamson and Danielle Knott talk about Lenten rites and liturgies with Vicky Tufano, Liturgical Consultant and Senior Editor of Liturgy Training Publications. The discussion focuses on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and its significance during Lent.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Knott (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) talk about the Great Season of Lent! They discuss a bit of the history of the season, and spend a good amount of time talking about the real purpose of Lent: To prepare us to renew our baptism at Easter! Along the way they talk the Scriptures of the Season and much of the spirituality and theology of what the Church calls, "this joyful season of Lent!!"

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss the season of Ordinary Time. This year Ordinary Time in winter is 8 weeks. As part of their discussion, Danielle and Todd look at the Liturgy of the Hours as a "The Prayer of the Church."

This month's broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy was recorded for Christmas Day...so it seemed rather obvious what the topic would be!! So, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss Christmas and the Christmas Season. They explore the Feasts, traditions and celebrations that help us to mark this glorious season of the Incarnation!

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss the Liturgical Year and its renewal, stemming from the promulgation of The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. December 4, 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of The Constitution. In addition, Danielle and Todd discuss the upcoming season of Advent, which begins a new Liturgical Year.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson continue their discussions on the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. The Constitution noted that "The treasures of the Bible are to be opened up more lavishly" during the Liturgy (no. 51). This month, Danielle and Todd explore the this call for the renewal of the Role of Scripture in the Liturgy.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Co-Hosts Danielle Knott, of Liturgy Training Publications, and Todd Williamson of the Office for Divine Worship continue a discussion on the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the first document to come from the Second Vatican Council. This coming December 4th marks the 50th anniversary of that document's promulgation and Focus on the Liturgy is taking a look at some of the main governing principles from that historic document. In this show, Todd and Danielle discuss the principle of "Full, active and conscious participation" in the liturgy; a principle, the Constitution says should be considered before all else in the renewal of the Church's liturgical life (no. 14 in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy).

On December 4, 2014, the Church will mark the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the very first document that came out of the Second Vatican Council. This was the document that called for the renewal of the whole liturgical life of the Church. In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson begin discussing this foundational liturgical document. Be sure to stay tuned, as future shows of Focus on the Liturgy will continue to break open various aspects of the Constitution!

It's a potpourri of topics in this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy. Co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson talk briefly about Ordinary Time; they explore the Catholic Funeral Rites and the upcoming revisions of The Order of Celebrating Marriage and the Rite of Confirmation and they look at new liturgical resources from Liturgy Training Publications.

With the "Wedding Season" upon us - and the fact that co-host Danielle Knott recently got engaged!! - June's broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy explores the Rite of Marriage. Danielle and Todd Williamson discuss the theology of the Rite, it's symbols and ritual signs. Join them as they break open the texts and other elements of this Sacramental Celebration!

In this month's Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss the season of Ordinary Time. The longest season in the Liturgical Year, Ordinary Time gives the opportunity to discover the extraordinary presence and action of God in our lives. Danielle and Todd also discuss the closing of the Year of Sunday Mass and the world-wide Eucharistic Adoration on June 2 in observance of the Year of Faith.

In this month's show, Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss the great, 50-Feast of Easter. As a season in which we are called to live with Baptism renewed, the observance of Easter is truly an experience of Mystagogy (listen to learn more about this ancient art in the Church!). In addition they discuss the readings and texts of the Season as well as some of the key Easter symbols!

This month on Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum - the great days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. They explore the central Liturgies for each of these days, noting how all of them call us to "Glory in the Cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ" (Entrance antiphon for the Mass of the Lord's Supper).

In this month's Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson talk about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the interregnum and Conclave that will elect a new Pope. In addition, they discuss the great season of Lent and the liturgies that accompany our journey to the Font, where we will baptize the elect and renew our own baptisms this Easter!

This year, the season of Ordinary Time between Christmas and Lent is very short - just one month long. This is unusual, as this section of Ordinary Time is usually closer to 7 or 8 weeks in length. In this month's Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss this aspect of the season, why it's so short, and what it calls us to as a preparation for the Great Season of Lent, which begins just 3 weeks from the airing of this show!

The day after Christmas, Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Danielle Knott (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss the great season of the Nativity! Looking at the movement of the season, from Christmas Day, to the high point of the Epiphany and through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Danielle and Todd explore the symbols, the theology and the spirituality of the Season of Christmas.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss the Year of Faith, the Year of Sunday and Mass and the new Liturgical Year that begins this weekend. As we prepare for the great season of Advent, Danielle and Todd explore the liturgies, devotions and observances that mark the season. From its eschatological elements to the Advent Wreath to the Christmas Novenas, it's the Advent show!

October 11 marked the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, arguably the most significant event in the life of the Church in the modern era! Co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss the spirit and work of the Second Vatican Council.

The show for September takes up a very fundamental topic in regard to the Liturgy: The sacramental sense with which Catholics view and understand life and the world. Co-hosts Danielle Knott, from Liturgy Training Publications, and Todd Williamson, from the Office for Divine Worship, discuss this sacramental sense, and how it governs a Catholic understanding of the world and God's action in it (i.e., that God is not distant to us, but rather is intimately engaged with His creation). God breaks into our world and our own personal experience in so many ways and through so many means (family, relationships, nature); this is sacramental, and it is the context for our understanding of Liturgy - one of the primary means through which the Father, through Christ and in the Holy Spirit, encounters us and saves us.

In this episode of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson talk about a brand new opportunity for Liturgical Musicians in the Chicago area. The new Chicago Series in Liturgical Music, an 18-month course of study, will begin in September, co-sponsored by the Office of Divine Worship (Archdiocese of Chicago) and the Rensselaer Program of Church Music and Liturgy (St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana). Anna Belle O'Shea, from ODW, and Steve Janco, Director of the Rensselaer Program, join Todd and Danielle to discuss this exciting new series.

This month, on Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives as Catholics; we look at the current Liturgical Season - Ordinary Time in Summer, and we spend time looking at the Bread of Life Discourse from John's Gospel, which will mark the next 5 weeks of our Liturgical Lives!

The Archdiocese of Chicago is about to enter the second year of 5-year Strategic Pastoral Plan. Each of these 5 years focuses on a particular aspect of parish life; for example, the first year was dedicated to Teens and Young Adults. The second year, which goes from July 2012 - June 2013, is dedicated to Sunday Mass. In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson discuss the Year of Sunday Mass, and highlight a specific resource for any Catholic interested in deepening their awareness and appreciation for Sunday Mass: Blessed John Paul II's Apostolic Letter, Dies Domini.

In this months Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Knott (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) explore the season of Ordinary Time. Primarily looking at the Summer portion of this liturgical season, Danielle and Todd discuss upcoming solemnities and other liturgical observations, highlighting the liturgies and rituals by which we as Catholics mark the passing of time.

On this month's broadcast, co-hosts Danielle Knott and Todd Williamson focus on the Easter Season. They discuss the overall theology of the season and then explore how that theology is made evident in the liturgies of Easter. They look at the unique quality of the Liturgy of the Word and they discuss the special Solemnities and feasts that help mark this 50-day celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Christ.