Catholic Review Online: Archdiocese establishes office for worship

George P. Matysek Jr. files this important story in the Catholic Review Online. Monsignor Robert J. Jaskot is stepping down as Chancellor of the Archdiocese and has been appointed as Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Worship by Archbishop Edwin O'Brien. As the story explains:

The new office will provide support and education to parishes in the area of liturgy and worship. Monsignor Jaskot expects to have the office up and running by September after completing his licentiate in canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

In addition to heading the office of worship, Monsignor Jaskot will serve as an adjunct faculty member and teach an introductory sacraments class at St. Mary’s Seminary, Roland Park.

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Monsignor Jaskot said liturgy has always been one of his passions. He holds a licentiate in sacred theology in dogmatic theology specializing in sacraments from the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm in Rome. His bachelor’s degree in sacred theology is from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

“I am continually astounded by the humility of God who loves us so much and seeks so much to be close to us that he has given us the sacraments,” said Monsignor Jaskot. “I love to be able to share that gift, to help others understand and to see what we have so that the sacraments are not taken for granted but seen as a real opportunity to share in the life of God.”

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In response to questions and answers from the Catholic Review, Monsignor Jaskot did make this point concerning the Usus Antiquior:

Given that the pope has allowed for a greater freedom in celebrating the Tridentine rite, will you be working with priests in that area? If so, how?

The Eucharist, because it is the source of activity for who we are as a community and the summit of what we hope to be, will be the primary focus for the office. The majority of this will be about improving the way we understand and celebrate the ordinary form of the Eucharist. But this will include the extraordinary form that Pope Benedict (XVI) gave us recently in the traditional Latin Mass. Here again I hope that education will help all to see the gift we have in the traditional Latin Mass and the proper place that this will play in the life of the church. Pope Benedict made it clear that he wanted to share the gift of our tradition with us but that this should not be separate from the rest of the life of the church.

Read the full story here!

Laus Deo! Godspeed, Monsignor!