Office of Divine Worship

Greetings and Blessings,
As we continue in these uncertain times, we know that one certainty remains – Christ is with us.

“And behold, I am with you always”   Matthew 28:20                                          

The Office of Divine Worship is working diligently to keep you informed of the latest developments regarding changes in liturgy and worship as they are issued from our office and the office of our Bishop in line with the directives from the Holy Father, the Sacred Congregation of Divine Worship, and the  USCCB. We will be placing all important directives below with the most recent updates on the top for ease of access. Please know we share your concern and desire to continue to minister to your flock. We ask for your patience and prayers as we all continue through this unusual time and we welcome your questions via phone or email.

Shaun Johnson, Director of Divine Worship and MC

Liturgical Updates

• Parish Reception of Holy Oils
• Blessing of the Paschal Candle on Easter Sunday for parishes with multiple Worship Sites
  
• 2021 Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion 
• Holy Hour Guide For Parishes for 2021 (Dec. 18, 2020) 

  • 2021 Eucharistic Holy Hour Guide For Parishes 

  • 2021 Guía de la Hora Santa Eucarística en Español para parroquias

  • 2021 Eucharistic Holy Hour Booklet for Assembly

  • 2021 Folfolleto de la Hora Santa Eucarística para el pueblo
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Indulgence (Dec. 12, 2020)
  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Pope Francis has granted a Plenary Indulgence connected to the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Please see the following communication from the USCCB for the details.
  Our Lady of Guadalupe Indulgence 
• All Souls' Day Celebration: An Outreach of Hope to the Community 
  As a way for our parishes and the faithful of Green Bay to join together, especially in this year that has proven to be somewhat difficult and unpredictable, the Parish Life and Evangelization Mission Team of the Diocese has created a special resource that may be used for communal prayer on the Feast of All Souls.  Please see the resource below for a bit of background on the Feast and some ideas and resources for prayer.  If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Rosenthal, 920-272-8329 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• • All Souls' Day Leader Guide
  • All Souls' Day Worship Aid            Dia De Todos Los Fieles Difuntos Servicio Oración 
• Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Loreto Liturgical Supplements   
  Optional Memorial of “Our Lady of Loreto” was added to the Universal Calendar on November 1, 2019 by Pope Francis, but does not currently have Propers translated in English.  While we await the approved translations, parishes may use the Mass texts from the Commons of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Advent.  The citation in the Lectionary is no. 689-B 
• Optional Memorial of St. John Paul II Liturgical Supplements
• Optional Memorial of St. John XXIII Liturgical Supplements
•  St. Peter Claver Memorial Letter
•  St. Peter Claver Memorial Resources

Liturgical Updates Regarding COVID19

• Updates as of August 18, 2021
  • Lifting the Dispensation Guidelines
• Updates as of February 20, 2021
  
  • 2021 Guidelines for Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum
  • 2021 Pautas Litúrgicas Para la Semana Santo y el Tridua Sagrado
  • 2021 Spring Confirmation Faculty
• Updates as of January 7, 2021
  • (Updated Jan. 13) Liturgical Guidance During Lent

  • (Revisado el 13/01/2021) Pautas Litúrgicas Para Las Celebraciones Litúrgicas Durante El Tiempo De Cuaresma 2021

  • Bulletin Inserts and Pulpit Speaking Points
    

  • Borrador del Inserto del Boletín
    

• Updates as of December 2, 2020
  
  • USCCB Indult to allow  four Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 2020
• Updates as of October 13, 2020
  • USCCB Permissions for use of Mass Readings and Prayers
• Updates as of October 7, 2020
  • Bishop Rickens Letter Regarding Fall Confirmation Cancellations
• Updates as of October 5, 2020
  
  • Bishop Ricken's Letter on Dispensation Decree
    
  • October 2020 Dispensation from the Obligation Mass Decree
  • Guidelines for Public Masses During Very High Alert
• Updates as of September 9, 2020
  • The Return of the Sunday Mass Obligation Decree
  • Guidelines for Public Masses with the Reinstatement of the Sunday Obligation
• Updates as of August 11, 2020
  • Temporary Allowance for Outdoor Mass during COVID-19 Pandemic
• Updates as of June 2, 2020
  • Bishop Ricken Video on Holy Communion Services
• Updates as of May 27, 2020
  • Re-engagement Resources 
  • Phases for Returning to Mass
  • Phase II Guidelines: Public Mass with Moderate Limits
  • Phase II: Safety Protocol Checklist
  • Phase II: Bulletin Announcements and Social Media Suggestions
  • Phase II: Parish Signage;   8.5 x 11 Example;   11 x 17 Example
• Updates as of May 26, 2020
  • Suggestions for cleaning and disinfecting church furniture
  • Suggestions for cleaning and disinfecting pews
• Updates as of May 13, 2020
  • The Distribution of Holy Communion Outside of Mass During the COVID19 Pandemic
  • Rubrics for Holy Communion Outside of Mass During the COVID Pandemic
    
• Previous Updates
  Special Easter Vigil Faculty for 2020
  Instruction on the Celebration of the Sacraments for RCIA Participants for Easter Vigil 2020
  Blessing the Oil of the Sick in Emergent Circumstances
  How to Care for Palms to be Distributed Later
  Liturgical Directives Concerning COVID-19 and the Celebration of the Sacraments of the Church
  Canonical Directives in Time of Crisis

Virtual Opportunities to Worship

The link below to the Diocesan newspaper, The Compass, offers additional links to virtual offerings from parishes throughout the Diocese of daily Mass, Sunday Mass, the rosary and many other ways in which your parishioners may stay connected to their faith from the safety of their homes. Please feel free to share this link and its information.

The Compass Virtual Event Calendar

 Diocesan Holy Hour Resources

2020 Eucharistic Holy Hour Guide For Parishes

pdf 2021 Eucharistic Holy Hour Guide For Parishes (2.16 MB)  (English)

pdf 2021 Guía de la Hora Santa Eucarística en Español para parroquias (2.21 MB)  (Español)

Our Purpose

The Office of Divine Worship, part of the Parish Life and Evangelization Mission Team, works to provide liturgical and catechumenal (RCIA) resources for parishes, formation opportunities, and overall support for the liturgical and sacramental life of the parishes and agencies of the Diocese. In serving Bishop Ricken as the chief liturgist of the Diocese The Office also coordinates Diocesan and Episcopal liturgies throughout the year.

We recognize the vital role of worship within our Christian identity as we and our worshiping communities continue to be formed as true disciples of Christ through 'full, active, and conscious participation' in liturgy and our rich tradition of prayer.

Contact Us

Phone: (920) 272-8341 | Fax: (920) 435-1330
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Bona Hall
1825 Riverside Drive
Green Bay, WI 54301

Regular diocesan office hours are: All offices are closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions but we are working remotely from home so please email or call us if you have questions or concerns.
Monday through Thursday: 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Friday: 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. 

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 23825
Green Bay, WI 54305-3825

Shaun Johnson | Divine Worship Director

Phone: (920) 272-8311
1-877-500-3580, ext. 8311 (920/715 area codes)
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Arvilla Rusnak | Divine Worship Administrative Assistant

Phone: (920) 272-8341
1-877-500-3580, ext. 8341 (920/715 area codes)
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Other Links

For additional information/resources on worship and liturgy, please visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB].
The Office of Divine Worship is a member of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions [FDLC]. 

Email Updates and Announcements

To subscribe to email updates and announcements from the Office of Divine Worship, send your email address and contact information to  worshipThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 
Major announcements and important information from the Office of Divine Worship are also distributed through the Parish Pages (Department of Communications) and the Chancery Bulletin (Chancellor's Office).