Liturgical Guidelines
The following guidelines and documents are provided to assist in various aspects of liturgical celebration.
Scale of Payment for Liturgical Musicians
Guidelines for 'Speaking in Remembrance of the Deceased'
Copyright
Parish workers know how convenient the photocopier is for duplicating bulletins, scripture readings, rosters, etc. When it comes reproduction for the liturgy - music, texts, art work - this convenience carries with it a responsibility to ensure that copyright procedures are followed: seeking permission; arranging financial payments to copyright holders or their agents; ensuring the required acknowledgment is included on the copy; and, when required, keeping records of what has been copied.
The observance of copyright procedures is one factor which keeps the cost of books at a reasonable level and means that those involved in the production of liturgical materials, such as writers, composers and artists, can remain employed in their field of work. The provision of the following information, mostly taken from a booklet entitled Music and Copyright (Melbourne: Commission for Liturgy, 1992), might be helpful for people responsible for copyright in their parishes.
Pastoral ministers are also advised to consult Music Copyright for Churches (Sydney: APRA/AMCOS, 2006) which is obtainable from the Australasian Performing Rites Association in Sydney, tel: (02) 9935 7900; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.apra.com.au and Churches and Copyright: Information Sheet (Sydney: Australian Copyright Council, 2008) tel: (02) 8815 9777; fax: (02) 8815 9799; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.copyright.org.au.
Copyright Contacts
Liturgical Texts
Copyright on excerpts from the Sacramentary or one of the ritual books is held by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL). Parishes preparing a service booklet for weddings, funerals or other sacramental celebrations who reproduce any ICEL translated texts (eg. opening prayers, Gloria) are not required to write for permission.
Excerpts from the English translation of the Roman Missal © 1973,
International Commission on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
CEL's contact address is 1522 K St North West, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 2005-1202, USA. Tel : 011 1 (202) 347-0800 or Fax: 0015 1 (202) 347-1839. Copyright permission email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Website: www.icelweb.org
Scripture Texts
According to the Churches' Copyright Directory (London: Stainer & Bell, 1992) extracts of up to 500 words from the Jerusalem Bible translation in the Australian Lectionary (London: Collins Liturgical/Geoffrey Chapman, 1981) can be used with the following acknowledgment:
Scripture readings are taken from the Jerusalem Bible © 1985 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday and Company Inc. Used by permission.
for other purposes, contact Darton, Longman & Todd & Doubleday, 1 Spencer Court, 140-142 Wandsworth High Street, London SW18 4JJ. Tel: 0011 44 (20) 8875-0155 or Fax: 0015 44 (20) 8875-0133. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . www.darton-longman-todd.co.uk/contactus.asp.
Psalms
Gratis permission is given to parishes to include the responsorial psalms in worship aids for one time use. the acknowledgment required is:
Psalm text taken from Psalms: The New Translation © 1963 published by HarperCollinsReligious by permission of A. P. Watt Ltd on behalf of The Grail, England.
When requesting permission to reproduce The Grail psalm translations with responses prepared by ICEL for other purposes (eg. semi-permanent worship aid) write to A.P. Watt Ltd, 20 John St, London, England, WC1P 2DL. Tel: 0011 44 (20) 7405-6774 or Fax: 0015 44 (20) 7831-2154.
Liturgical Music
Copyright on the text, melody and arrangement of liturgical music is normally indicated either at the end of the piece of music or, in the case of a hymnal, within a section of copyright acknowledgments at the back of the collection. To reproduce these for liturgical use, permission is required from the appropriate copyright holder or their local agent.
Music Copyright Agents
- World of Life International- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Christian Copyright Licensing International [CCLI]
PO Box 6644
Baulkham Hills BC NSW 2153
Freecall 1800 635 474; Tel: (02) 9894 5386; Fax: (02) 9894 5701
www.ccli.com.au
Displaying Permissions
Copyright licences require overheads, song sheets and service booklets to display copyright permissions. Acknowledgments should be worded in accordance with the licence agreement. For example, on overheads include the title, author and composer and, at the base of the text/music, copyright date, copyright holder and, where applicable, Australian agent, "All rights reserved," "Used with Permission" and the Licence Number. Acknowledgments in booklets can be included beneath individual items or grouped collectively at the end.
Annual Survey Forms
Copyright licences require a record of parish usage for a period of time, indicating which works have been sung, how many times and the average size of your congregation. It is also necessary to indicate if you have made a photocopy or exact replica of the music/words and to write the name of the hymnbook or publisher from which you made your photocopy.
Duration of Copyright
For up to date information about duration of copyright, please see Duration of Copyright: Information Sheet (Sydney: Australian Copyright Council 2008) [G023v14] at www.copyright.org.au/pdf/acc/infosheets_pdf/G023.pdf
Scale of Payment for Liturgical Musicians
In 2002, the then Office for Worship was asked to investigate the question of remuneration of liturgical musicians for their work in the Church. After consultation with various sources, this payment scale for 2002 is proposed for consideration.
In the following payment scale, different hourly rates are suggested, depending on the range of skills, experience and academic qualifications possessed by a liturgical musician. If the liturgical musician performs more than one function within a liturgy, they are to be remunerated accordingly. The liturgical musician is also to be remunerated for rehearsal time and time spent planning liturgies.
Levels A and B:
Musicians of proven performance ability, experience in liturgy and/or music and/or formal musical or liturgical qualifications. (The recommended minimum level for Levels A and B is Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Grade 6 or its equivalent).
Levels C and D:
Musicians with only a limited level of skill, with no experience or qualifications.
Recommended Hourly Rates of Remuneration:
Level A: 2 Functions $36.00 per hour (eg. as organist and choir leader/leader of song)
Level B: 1 Function $27.00 per hour (eg. as organist or choir leader or leader of song)
Level C: 2 Functions $27.00 per hour (eg. as organist and choir leader/leader of song)
Level D: 1 Function $20.00 per hour (eg. as organist or choir leader or leader of song)
Recommended Rates of Remuneration for Weddings and funerals:
Level A: Weddings 2 Functions $100.00 Funerals1 2 Functions $80.00
Level B: Weddings 1 Function $75.00 Funerals 1 Function $65.00
Level C: Weddings 2 Functions $70.00 Funerals 2 Functions $60.00
Level D: Weddings 1 Function $50.00 Funerals 1 Function $40.00
Further information pertaining to this suggested payment scale is available through the Archbishop's Office for Evangelisation. Comments on this scale can be directed to the AOFE.
In local areas funeral directors may have certain set rates of payment. In such a case, negotiation with the funeral director may be required to ensure the appropriate remuneration of the liturgical musician.
All rates are GST Non-Inclusive
Musicians are reminded that they may need to supply Parishes with ABN numbers
All persons who are engaged in a part or full time position (music, admin. etc) by a Parish should be requested to complete a Taxation Declaration Statement in order to conform with the Income tax Legislation. If the position is of a temporary nature or the person/s are an entity or retired then GST may apply. The Procedure for GST is: a) to request a Tax Invoice from the entity/person who has carried out the agreed work, or b) a Taxation form stating that they are carrying out the agreed work as a part of their "Hobby", if they are doing the work as a hobby and they have completed the form GST does not apply.
If neither of the above are received, the procedure is to deduct the maximum rate of tax, i.e. 48.5% from the agreed payment.
Failure to comply with the above may result in a penalty from the Taxation Dept.
Holy Food for Holy People
Click here to download Communion Brochure
Guidelines for 'Speaking in Remembrance of the Deceased'
The Order of Christian Funerals (OCF) provides that a member or friend of the family may speak briefly in remembrance of the deceased after the Communion Prayer and before the Final Commendation.
- Parishes are to develop clear and helpful pastoral practices regarding ‘speaking in remembrance of the deceased’.
- ‘Words of remembrance’ at the Funeral Mass are to be respected as an option within the rite. In some circumstances it may be preferable that only the liturgical celebrant need to speak.
- There should be only one person to speak rather than a series of speakers.
- The reflection should be about the deceased person’s human qualities (including their life of faith), and how these qualities can inspire the hearers.
- The words of remembrance should speak honestly and compassionately, reflecting the circumstances of the life of the deceased.
- The reflection should be of reasonable length (say no more than 5-7 minutes).
- The reflection should be written out ahead of time and where possible reviewed with the celebrant beforehand.
- Pastors should suggest that the storytelling, anecdotes, poems songs, etc., can well form part of the Vigil Service or be used in a domestic situation.
A Suggested Approach to Preparing the Words of Remembrance
- Characteristics and qualities of the life of the deceased and how these may reflect the deceased’s life of faith or be of inspiration to the hearers.
- How can this person be best remembered.
- How our relationship with this person is maintained even in death and how we look forward to meeting again.
