Last month we were flashed by Sarah Ryan-Purcell about a bold, courageous, and merciful church.

Sarah referred to a Times report in 2024 that, while Britons are more likely than ever to be non-believers, a “quiet revival” in Christian faith is taking place among congregations under the age of 25.

In similar vein, on 9 March 2025, the Archdiocese of Sydney “joyfully embraced a remarkable milestone, welcoming a record 380 converts and catechumens into the church at the Rite of Election”.

On 30 August, for the first regional synod consultation in the Archdiocese of Sydney, Bishop Daniel Meagher touched on the three longings identified by the people of Sydney over 15 years of consultations; for a more “mission-oriented church, for more prayerful liturgies and for a more Christ-centred church.”

Journeying together

In a synodal church, where we are re-learning to walk together and listen actively, there is clearly room for a rejuvenation in ars celebrandi and participation, the art of celebrating Eucharist and the way we assemble and participate as the People of God.

“The source and summit of the Christian life,” as Vatican II teaches, at the heart of this good news, must enhance the faith experience for the new and welcome groups but for all of us.

Every effort must be made to fully communicate with the People of God and unfold the mysteries of the Eucharist as Christ intended when he said, “I have longed to share this Passover with you (Luke 22:19).”

As we focus on the importance of walking together as Church and listening to each other, with all the implications that has for a hierarchical church, communication with the people in the pews is vital.

Despite the best efforts of the Council Fathers at Vatican II, we mostly gather in a large auditorium, as beautiful as many are, with people widely dispersed throughout the half empty spaces.

Gathering around the table

Altars are located in the center of the sanctuary but not in the center of the building so that parishioners can gather around the Lord’s table to celebrate Eucharist. Too often, the presiding celebrant is as removed as the altar.

He processes to the altar with dignity, but too often proceeds to adopt a remote and excessively formal demeanour. The Mass is commenced with the opening greeting as if the people ahead are strangers, without any sign that a community is gathered to worship our shared God and celebrate the memorial of the Last Supper.

In a time when many people are thirsting for connection and real encounter with God, it is essential that ars celebrandi for all priests and the way we assemble be re-visited.

To those who do this well, we thank you. But to presiders, on behalf of the People of God, we ask: preside in persona Christi as he presided at the banquet table, eager to share the Passover and reveal its full meaning in the new dimension of his body and blood, soon to be given at Golgotha.

Sharing in communion

Please share communion with bread and wine offered and consecrated at the celebration that all have participated in, and avoid the far too common practice of preferring to go to the tabernacle for sacred hosts from a prior occasion.

Let’s gather around the banquet table with greater deliberation to “participate fully, consciously and actively” in the liturgy of the Church.

• Justin Stanwix is an active permanent deacon in the Diocese of Wollongong, Australia. After 40 years in commercial law practice he was ordained deacon. He has a love for liturgy and especially for its artful practise dating from Vatican II deliberations. He presents and writes on current Church topics including for some years in La Croix International.