A Dominican Parish Team Mission
James Marchionda, OP & Ann Willits, OP
 
Ann Willits, OP & James V. Marchionda, OP
 
 
 
 

Dominican Mission preaching is Lectionary based. The Church's Lectionary readings serve as the foundation for all preaching. Fr. Jim and Sr. Ann usually team preach at all weekend liturgies, with Fr. Jim presiding at many or all of these liturgies, determined after consultation with the pastor and his staff. The mission then continues Monday through Wednesday with preaching at weekday morning Eucharist on the First Reading of the Day. Evening services are celebrations of Evening Prayer, a penance or healing service, and preaching on the Gospel of the Day. Fr. Jim and Sr. Ann alternate preaching at these times.

Because Fr. Jim is an accomplished musician, this particular Dominican Mission is "musical". This simply means that hymns and songs are a very important part of the preaching. Often, a new song is taught at the beginning of a session, to be used either as part of the preaching itself, as a meditation following the preaching, or at the end of the service. By the mission's end, a congregation has usually learned anywhere from six to ten new songs, making for a most joyful celebration of preaching and parish renewal. Fr. Jim also composes new proper responsorial psalm settings for each day of the mission.

Given the special place of music throughout a mission, another option is for Fr. Jim to work closely with all interested parish musicians, cantors, and choirs. It is wonderful to combine a parish's musical forces, incorporating them throughout the week, and especially for the closing concert. Usually, there are three scheduled music rehearsals for all those involved in music ministry in anticipation of the closing concert. The prayer concert is most often followed by a simple reception during which some of Fr. Jim's CDs and Cassette recordings are made available for purchase. One of his compositions, I WAS HUNGRY, was sung during the communion rite at the funeral of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

If desired, Fr. Jim also celebrates special school and/or religious education program Masses. Fr. Jim and Sr. Ann have a great deal of experience visiting school classes and working with children. They are also available for individual conferences arranged by special appointment.