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Inaugural liturgical conference a success in Rogers

Experts enrich participants’ knowledge of liturgy and music for ‘new evangelization’

Published: August 16, 2014         

By Alesia Schaefer
Rogers Correspondent

Alesia Schaefer

George Hoezelman, artist and owner of G.R. Hoezelman Studios (left) points out details of a wood carving of St. Anne to Kas Taylor, parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul in Rogers. Taylor was one of 550 attendees to the inaugural Ozark Liturgical Conference held in Rogers, Aug. 2. Alesia Schaefer photo

Alesia Schaefer

George Hoezelman, artist and owner of G.R. Hoezelman Studios (left) points out details of a wood carving of St. Anne to Kas Taylor, parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul in Rogers. Taylor was one of 550 attendees to the inaugural Ozark Liturgical Conference held in Rogers, Aug. 2. Alesia Schaefer photo

ROGERS — In perfect tandem, both parish and facilitators united together to help define and illustrate exactly what the “new evangelization” looks like for parish and parishioner.

Under blue skies, more than 550 registrants came from across the United States to attend the first Ozark Liturgical Conference Saturday, Aug. 2 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Rogers.

Fortified with a “host it and they will come” attitude, the organizers of the event were spot-on in their assessment of just how hungry the faithful are for liturgical nourishment.

Around the diocese and in northwest Arkansas, parishioners were invited and encouraged to make the journey in support of a bilingual conference on the caliber of national ones held in locales that would in most cases necessitate a plane ride.

 By all accounts, the event did not disappoint.

“For a first event, in my opinion, it was flawless,” said Janet Vogt, a nationally recognized liturgical music composer and teacher who presented at the inaugural conference. “It had a lot to offer, it was very well-paced, with time to engage and reflect and to relax.”

“As presenters, we come to conferences to teach, but what’s interesting is that we always learn and become fulfilled. People share insights and experiences from their parishes and you find new ways to share.”

The day began with prayer and a keynote address by Father Juan Sosa, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Miami and president of the National Hispanic Institute for Liturgy. Throughout the day, participants chose from a number of workshops to attend with such notable speakers as Abbot Jerome Kodell of Subiaco Abbey, Cackie Upchurch, director of Little Rock Scripture Study, and renowned composers Bob Hurd, Rodolfo Lopez and Estela Garcia-Lopez. Diocesan speakers included Msgr. Richard Oswald of Little Rock, Rogers pastor Msgr. David LeSieur and Rogers music director Lourdes Montgomery.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor delivered the keynote presentation “The Joy of the Gospel” following lunch.

“For Catholics, a big change is in how we understand Scripture in the life of the Church,” Bishop Taylor explained as he reiterated Pope Francis’s call for a “Church that is permanently in a state of mission.”

“The liturgy in all its capacities should always foster an encounter with Jesus, be mission oriented and rooted in the Gospel,” Bishop Taylor said.

Marites Sales, a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Fayetteville, said she learned new evangelization is really the original evangelization.

“It’s going back to basics and following the way Jesus evangelized 2,000 years ago,” she said.

Six Olivetan Benedictine sisters from Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro were also in attendance. Novice Marie Paul Relunia seized the opportunity to try something new and attended the “Building and Blessing Adult Choirs” session with an open mind and willing spirit.

“Evangelization is about attracting others to the faith and when you go beyond your comfort zone, other people see and are attracted to that,” she said after taking a risk singing in the adult choir.

Upchurch instructed workshop attendees on the biblical basis of the Mass.

“Our liturgy is an action,” she said. “There is such a need for proper training in the liturgy and the awesome turnout for this conference shows that people are hungry for this kind of formation.”

Another key element that differentiated this conference from others was the presence of seven vendors, such as Oregon Catholic Press and G.R. Hoelzeman Studios, where participants could peruse music and books and liturgical art for worship spaces.

“I think today made people aware of the joy of the Gospel,” said Father Rick Hobbs, associate pastor at St. Vincent de Paul and workshop presenter, “but also how we are to be engaged in the Scripture and to evangelize. We are all invited to have that personal encounter with Christ.”

“These conferences are so valuable,” added Vogt, who helped with the music at the closing Mass, “because they refresh and renew everyone whatever their ministry or role is in the Church.”

Plans are underway for a second liturgical conference in the deanery, but no decisions have been made as to when or who will host the next event.

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