Nick Wagner - Latest Comments

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 09:32:22 -0000

Hi Annette. I'm glad the class "broke the mold" of what you thought liturgy was. It is scary, but you're going to do great. Blessings.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 09:25:35 -0000

Hi Reina. It's great to hear that you want to get more involved in your parish ministries. I'm sure you are going to be great at whatever you get involved in.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 09:24:13 -0000

Hi Frank. I'm sure you are a big help to your parish. I'm glad the class gave you more awareness and understanding for your work with the liturgy.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 09:22:35 -0000

Hi Carmen. It looks like you have a great plan. I like the sign stating Carmen you have arrived! I'm sure Fr. Thuc will have lots for you to do.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 09:19:51 -0000

Hi Annabel. I'm glad you gained a better understanding of the significance of the liturgy. I'm sure you are going to continue learning a lot. Blessings.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 09:13:54 -0000

Hi Brigitte. I'm glad you were part of the class. I'm glad it was a good experience for you. I'm sure God will call you to something wonderful.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:46:22 -0000

Hi Tim. Great conclusion about liturgy being the framework that forms our life around Jesus. I'm sure you are going to do great work in your parish.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:43:50 -0000

Hi Lou. I'm glad you emphasized the links among liturgy, catechesis, and serving the poor. That's a great insight. Blessings.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:24:58 -0000

Hi Yolanda. I'm glad you had such a positive experience of change. I'm sure Fr. Tito will find a lot for you to do. I wish you all the best.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:22:46 -0000

Hi Irene. I'm glad you didn't miss the class! It was great that you were there. I'm sure your parish is going to benefit from your skills.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:18:00 -0000

Hi Melby. I think you are going to be a big help in leading your parish in lots of ways. Thanks for your participation in the class.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:14:54 -0000

Hi Lerma. You're a great asset to your parish. I'm glad you gained a greater appreciation of the liturgy from the class. Blessings.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Nick Wagner — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:13:09 -0000

Hi Ken. It was a pleasure having you in class. I'm sorry (not sorry) I ruined liturgy for you. :).

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Reina Hollero — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 00:08:10 -0000

Thank you, Nick, for teaching the Liturgy for eight weeks. I am overwhelmed with all the important information that you have shared with us. The 2 books that we used will be great resources for me. I will definitely have to go back and read it again. I grew up knowing the importance of going to Church every Sunday, thinking that as long as I go to mass on Sunday, listen to the homily, and receive the holy communion then that will be enough to fulfill my
role as a Christian. My Sunday mass has changed significantly knowing the new information that I have learned and listened to in class. Where am I now? Now, I am not just sitting in the pew and just concentrating on the homily. I have became more observant of the whole process of the four Liturgical arts, thinking back to the group exercise that we did in class to practice having an active and full participation of everyone in the liturgy. Where do I want to get? I am still currently involved on our Saturday mass choir. I am hoping to be able to join to the other ministries that we have in our Parish. How am I going to get there? Recently, our Parish has used distributing a form with a list of different ministries, and has asked the parishioners if anyone would like information to share their time and talents as one family to get involve. I thought that this will be a time for me to step in to get more involve to share the blessings I have received to those who are in need. How will I know that I have arrived? I will know that I have arrived when I see myself actively participating in the different ministries.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Frank Nguyen — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 16:25:41 -0000

I would like to thank Nick for this great class. I came to the class not knowing what I would expect. But the class interaction is informative, dynamic, and fun.

I come now to Mass with more awareness and understanding, expecting to pay more attention to the words, especially the Eucharistic Prayers. As a lector, I have usually come well prepared,
sometimes having practiced more than a dozen times for one single reading. But I always pray to the Holy Spirit to guide me and use me as an instrument to proclaim the Word of God.

With the documents we learned from the class, I now have resources to refer to when in doubt, especially when I’m involved in the church decoration or helping the sacristans setting
up for Mass.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Carmen Macias — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 13:44:32 -0000

1) WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

My habits, knowledge, and attitudes
about Liturgy, began at St. Catherine’s with my family. I would attend mass
without putting any emphasis on liturgy. The habits I learned from parents and
school, I did not understand what all the motions and signs were about except
for the sign of the cross. It never
occurred to me to ask what it all meant. I became more knowledgeable when my
dad, taught the boys to be altar servers, since I was a girl I could not be on
the altar. However, I would sit or kneel in church watching my dad instruct the
boys; he would explain the liturgy and the how and why our liturgy and rituals
were/are important. I will continue to
grow in my Faith.

2) WHERE AM I NOW?

I am at
Queen of Apostles, and very involved in my parish. I am a Lector, Eucharistic minister, Wedding
Coordinator, Baptismal Team, and Altar Server Trainer. With the knowledge that I have gained through
the Liturgy class; I am aware of how much each individual has the yearning to learn
more, because that is why they are in transition. When I borrowed the Sacramental Book from
Fr. Thuc, I asked him what ideas he had in store for me, when ILM is
complete. He replied we would discern on
the topic after graduation.

3) WHERE DO I WANT TO
GET TO?

To have a deeper one on one with God.

4) HOW AM I GOING TO GET THERE?

With the knowledge which I shown in our Liturgy class, I will not be second-guessing
myself and not feeling anxious about the liturgy. For I understand that the
Liturgy must flow from WORD, MUSIC, MOVEMENT, AND ENVIRONMENT, for without this
flow we miss out on the most integral part the sharing of the BODY AND BLOOD OF
CHRIST.

5) HOW WILL I KNOW THAT I HAVE ARRIVED?

I will feel a different glow in my heart,mind, and spirit. On the other hand,
there will be a sign stating Carmen you have arrived!

Nick, thank you for a great class. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Annette Mo — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 08:18:00 -0000

me too Frank....I just re-posted for the third time now.....

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Annabel Tomacder-Ruiz — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 01:25:03 -0000

Before this class started, I knew a little about what goes on during mass. This class helped me to understand the significance of what is being done during liturgy. So many things I did not understand about mass, but I found a little more clarity through this class. If anything, I find myself being more aware of everything around me: the music, environment, movement, everything. I pay closer attention to the prayers, the music and what is being said knowing that they are all connected to be one prayer. Since I have been in this class, I try to be more “present” during liturgy and understand that God is with us. I’m trying to make it habit to take away one new thing each time I go to mass. In reviewing my learning plan, I realized I have a long way to go. My plan is to go back and review the materials from the class; I will do my best to be present at mass at all times. Thank you so much for everything, Nick!

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Brigitte Chenevier-Donkers — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:34:21 -0000

While, I came to the class with some apprehension on what
the liturgy class will be like, I am blessed that God directed me to this specialization.
It really matures my knowledge of how the mass is prepared and it gave me a
deeper love for the beautiful celebration I am a part of every Sunday and more.
It is so rich in meaning and it is never the same. I don’t know how God will use this experience yet, but I am open to his call. Thank you, Nick. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Frank Nguyen — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:23:44 -0000

Just found out my post was completely gone!

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Tim Logan — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 12:49:50 -0000

I was not sure what this class on Liturgy would lead me, but perhaps today's gospel is a good place to start. It is the story of Zacharias who yearned to see our Lord so much he dared to climb a tree. In doing so, he displayed the desire to love the Lord so much, that our Lord saw him and invited him to come down with haste as he wanted to stay in Zacharias's home.

I think most of us in ILM have this thirst to know our Lord more, we want our Lord to invite himself to our home (read heart) that we may know the heavenly peace as promised in our life time. How can one not want this? If one's life is filled with other things, worldly things that for the present profit, but at the end becomes empty promises.

We are I think also trying to figure out a place in our Church, I know some will pursue becoming a Deacon, others into different ministries or stay with what they have. Each have found a home or are still looking for a home. I would say I am not looking for a new home, but how do I keep the home I have found and make it more bountiful so that when my master comes back, I can show him that I have taken the 5 talents and made them into 10. That I have sown his seeds of new life and given him a 10 fold bounty at the harvest.

While the initial L of ILM is called Leadership, rightful it should be call Servitude, we do not come to lead as much as to serve, to be washers of feet, to care for the poor, to feed the hungry, to cloth the naked, and always work for a just society for all regardless of who they are.

So I have come to the conclusion that Liturgy is the framework to forms one life round Jesus. To live a faith driven life, guided by the Liturgy, blessed by the celebration of the Eucharist and called to go forth and share the bounty of the Church to all.

Thank you Nick for such an enjoyable learning environment. Hope to see you soon. Happy Thanksgiving. -tim

https://uploads.disquscdn.c... This is the image of Our Lady of Fatima in Youngstown, NY

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Barb Villano — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 00:40:32 -0000

Where have I been? When I was much younger, it was seen as my obligation to God and Church, My understanding of the Liturgy was simple, yet from experience as an altar boy and through my schooling, there was a holiness there i could not explain that attracted me to be involved in the Liturgy. ILM and this class have helped me to appreciate the Liturgy in its beauty and order. I learned a great deal about how they work together, from the Penitential Act, to the reading of the Gospel, to the Eucharistic Prayer, and more. Each Mass is now becoming a new event to me. In addition, we have a great gift of the entire Liturgical Year from Advent to the summit of the Easter Vigil. While I will probably refer back to the "Introduction tot he Order of the Mass" more often in my ministry, I want to read and learn more in the "General Instruction of the Roman Missal" and the other documents to deepen my knowledge of the Mass.
Of course, with better understanding, comes more responsibility in bringing Christ to others in our daily lives. The link of Liturgy to Catechesis and helping others, whether poor in material goods or in spirit, was a relationship I never saw before, they were always separated in my mind. Now, i am closer to explaining how this "fount from which all the Church's power flows" sends us out to the world, armed to work for Christ. I want to get to the point where I understand how to put the Liturgy to work in my other ministries. This will be by more reading on the Liturgy, prayer, and discussing this with my Pastor and others for their input. I will know if I have arrived when I see others appreciate the reality of the Liturgy in their lives and the opportunity it provides for the evangelization of others.

Thank you, Nick, for a great class.

Lou Villano

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Yolanda C Garcia — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 22:05:38 -0000

Everything has changed from when I first answered those 5 questions in September, a mere 2 months ago, and I mean EVERYTHING concerning the liturgy of the Mass. I will never look at the components of the liturgy the same way again. I am now more engaged in the Mass like never before. I am more aware of the four liturgical arts: The Word, music, movement and the environment. As I learned, Liturgy is not in the books. Every Sunday at Mass is different and we have a different encounter with Christ each week. I really liked being introduced to all of the liturgical books for different rites, such as marriage. I am very interested in acquiring a copy of the Book of Blessings. That's going to be my Christmas present to myself this year. Learning more about the structure and order of collect prayers was also very interesting to me. I am now in a deeper place in my life where I'm really taking a harder look at the Mass - seems to be more meaningful now after taking this class. I'm going to strive to work and get there with becoming more involved when I finish my final year at ILM. Fr. Tito says he has things in mind for me, but hasn't really shared those thoughts with me yet. I was at Church of the Resurrection yesterday to celebrate Mass with my Mom who lives in Sunnyvale. The church welcomed 8 new catechumens into the faith. After Mass, everyone socially gathered in the gym for coffee and donuts. I noticed two catechumens sitting together and I walked right up to them like I had known them for years and congratulated them on their journey to join our beautiful faith community. They were both beaming with smiles. I told them there's nothing like our loving God and Jesus Christ. I was so happy to have engaged them albeit for a short 2 minutes. I knew that I had arrived just for those 2 minutes when I went up to them to speak to them. I would have not done that 3 years ago. I think I'll know when I have fully arrived when I do more of that - conversing with others about my faith. The power of the Holy Spirit will empower me through those tugs and I must listen when that happens. That is my call to do something. Thank you Nick for teaching us on such an important subject of Liturgy. I learned SO much and want to learn some more. I now have a more deeper understanding of my life in connection with my faith and a loving Jesus Christ in it. This was my first elective, and I just knew it was going to be a great class!

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Irene Dela Cruz — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 20:01:13 -0000

Whew! It was a near miss. I didn’t choose this subject for my elective,
thank God or should I say thank Linda (?) for including me in this class
because this has now become the highlight of my ILM classes. Thank you Nick for
giving us a better understanding and appreciation of how a successful Liturgy
should look like and why it is important that we lay ministers should work hard
to make this celebration truly engaging in order to encourage full and active
participation from everyone. I grew up knowing that one should only miss the Sunday Mass for grave reasons. I’ve gone to mass knowing that doing so would nourish my soul. This class explained to me why. I love how you made clear the relationship between a good Liturgy and justice. It is one thing to say “ Go in peace and serve the world”, but it is another to understand that this is because the Liturgy we celebrate is not just about His passion, death and resurrection. It is the celebration of His whole life, which was geared in serving those in need. That His sense of justice is not that of the Lady of Liberty, but rather His scale favors the oppressed, the marginalized, the downtrodden who have no voice of their own. So at the end of the mass, having listened to every word of the Preface and Eucharistic prayer
(because you introduced to us what they are and am now listening to them
intently), I now ask myself how do I bring justice to this little world of mine? Or as you put it how do I bring the heavenly banquet that I so enjoyed to the street I walk in my daily life? Yes, Nick, I understand now how a good Liturgy can change a person. We just need to get more people to appreciate and fall in love with it too.

Re: Liturgy: The Good News (Nov.15)

Melby Sanchez — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 11:44:19 -0000

Thank you, Nick, for a great class. It was very informative, and there is still so much to learn about Liturgy. This course gave me a deeper love for Liturgy.
I am a parishioner of St Elizabeth Catholic Church in Milpitas Ca. I started my ministry in catechism. I teach first communion candidates for older children - 4th and 5th graders. Preparing the children to receive the body and blood of Christ is a joy, as they learn about the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of Eucharist.
About six months ago, I have also started to be a lector. I always keep in mind that I am not just reading out from the book but I am proclaiming the word of God. To be a more effective reader of the word, I prepare myself spiritually in silence, listening to God’s word, then I rehearse my reading a few times over beforehand. I want to be able to continue sharing my faith in the community. I want to learn more about our faith and liturgy, and how we can lead our community not just to attend mass but to actively participate in our celebration of the liturgy, to be involved in the community and serve the Lord through our parish.
Being a lector and a catechist is a start for me in being a more active member of the community. After I graduate from my ILM program coming May, I am excited to explore other ministries and help be a lead in the parish.