Faith and formation flow from Liturgical Conference

Bishop Michael Boulette put the benefits of good worship at the forefront of his presentation at the recent Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week.

“Justice and charity are the rewards for living in the fullness of the worship of God,” Bishop Boulette told those gathered for the conference in late January in Oklahoma City.

The goal of the conference was to provide ongoing formation and resources that parish leaders, staff, and volunteers could take back to their parishes.

Day one featured Timothy O’Malley, Ph.D., who gave the first presentation on “Eucharistic Worship for the Life of the World.” Day two of the conference saw John Norris speak on “The Church Fathers and Augustine: A Dynamic Understanding of the Eucharist’s Power to Transform Us into the Body of Christ.”

The second day also provided conference attendees the opportunity to attend Bishop Anthony Taylor’s presentation at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine discussing “Blessed Stanley Rother’s Life and the Eucharist.” 

On day three, Ximena DeBroeck presented “The Gift Exchange When We Receive the Eucharist: Why Liturgical Sacrifice Matters.”

Bishop Boulette, who helped close the conference, discussed the growing lack of urgency when it comes to basic obligations, like attending Sunday Mass. He said to consider it an opportunity to commit to a more meaningful language.

“We all need to be reminded of the link between the Eucharist and charity, and that a prime example of this is the Sunday Mass,” he said. “After we’re nourished through the Eucharist, we’re sent back to the mission. The eucharist embodies the whole week.

“We are restored to God through the Eucharist, which is offered to us primarily as a sacrament of reconciliation.”

Bishop Boulette also noted that this is a way to practice charity in faith because it demonstrates people’s ultimate reliance on Jesus for mercy. During the end of his presentation, he said justice can only rest on truth. 

“The gift is eternal, so must our thanksgiving there is no peace without justice. The Eucharistic celebration is a commitment to peace,” Bishop Boulette said. 

Bishop Boulette made two final points. He discussed how the Church is mission and the common good.

“God is the creditor of all justice,” he said. “Our justice flows from the Eucharist and to it. Our participation in God’s justice is what makes us become more faithful members of the lamb for the sacrifice. We must tend to the common good of the body because Jesus Christ is the common good.”

The 2025 Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week is scheduled for Feb. 5-8 in the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, with the theme: “Joys and Hopes for Every Neighbor: Care Without Limits.” The theme will speak to the dignity of everyone and will focus on treating every person as a neighbor without any exceptions. 

Courtney Rhone is freelance writer the Sooner Catholic.


Photo: The 62nd annual Study Week of the Southwest Liturgical Conference, “Eucharist: Forming and Transforming” was held Jan. 24-27 virtually and in-person at the Catholic Pastoral Center and Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. Photos Avery Holt/Sooner Catholic.

Timothy O’Malley, Ph.D., gave the first presentation at the 2024 Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week on Jan. 24 at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Oklahoma City.