Introduction and Welcome

This introduction to LCCI was read before the Eucharist at Dignity/Dallas; August, 2003.

Father Tony Howard is the celebrant for today's Eucharist. Father Tony is pastor of St Clement of Alexandria Church in Frisco. He is also the dean of St Alban Theological Seminary.

The Mass is from the Liberal Catholic Church International... or "LCCI".

The LCCI is catholic but not Roman Catholic. The orders were derived through the Old Catholic Church of Holland, which separated from Rome over 2-centuries ago. The LCCI priesthood traces its lineage all the way back to the Apostles, just like the Roman and Orthodox churches.

You will note differences in the Mass. The LCCI Mass is much older than the one used in the Roman Rite. Some parts can be traced back to the earliest surviving written liturgies.

Please follow along in the booklet that you've been given. Where it says to kneel, just sit... as we have no kneelers here.

The Liturgy this evening may seem old fashioned. Yup: it is. There are always six candles, and we always use incense. You can think of the six candles plus the altar cross as relating to the seven major Chakras. The sanctuary and nave are always blessed and sprinkled with water. There isn't a single motion done by the priest that isn't choreographed and done for a reason.

But don't be put off by what may seem to be rigid and formal. You will find tonight's Eucharist uplifting and inviting. You may feel energies in the room that you've not felt for a very long time.

Communion is open. You do not have to be an LCCI member to receive communion. You are welcome to come for communion when the celebrant invites you. Father Tony will place the Sacred Host, dipped in the chalice, directly on your tongue. Out of deep respect for the Blessed Sacrament, individuals do not touch the Host... not even our highest ranking bishop, unless he is the celebrant. It is a respect thing, and has nothing to do with rank or gender or anything else. Don't worry about remembering everything: you will see the servers receive communion first. It's easy: folks have been doing it this way for 2-thousand years.

Please stay put until the server extinguishes the candles. That isn't clear in the booklet. After the candles are out, let's all adjourn to the break room for discussion and questions. If you want to stay in here for a few moments to meditate after communion, we will try to keep the church quiet for your meditation.

If you have any questions about the Eucharist, feel free to ask Father Tony or Gary or myself in the break room after the liturgy. We will be most happy to answer your question... or at least come up with a plausible cover story. In fact, Father Tony knows everything that can possibly be known about the liturgy... and I know everything else.

We believe that saying Mass is helpful to those present as well as for the community at large. We're just glad to be here and to be celebrating with Dignity/Dallas for a day. Our primary purpose isn't to get a bunch of new church members, but you are most welcome to come to Frisco. If you are interested in knowing more about the Liberal Catholic denomination, we have plenty of printed materials. We also have web sites. You can get all that information afterward in the break room. I promise not to push you or mention this again.

Now, please join us... collecting your thoughts... grounding and centering... to celebrate as we have been commanded by our Master: this Holy Eucharist.