I have an interesting background. Having grown up in an inner city Italian Catholic neighborhood, attending both a private Catholic grade school & (being bused to a) Catholic high school, I am now seeing the Lord draw me into an awareness of how to minister through dance within the Catholic denomination.
I did not even meet my first Christian until I began attending high school, because I didn't really know of other denominations...by eighth grade, I wanted to pursue becoming a nun, because I thought it was the only way to become as close to God as possible. However, it truly was not the Lord's direction for me, but foundations to appreciate the breadth and depth of who He is today & everyday for His entire church.
As I can gather, and as my mother, a staunch Italian Catholic shared what she finds, I will place some links and information here as examples of what Catholics can develop in parishes ready to receive the gifts through Liturgical Dance Ministry. Personally, at that proper time, I look forward to dancing in my mother's parish where she is located and supporting her in dancing/ministering even at her age even through all related gifts, such as Litrugical Dance Design, flag design, Banners, Ribbons, etc.! Hymns are also wonderful pieces of music to use and often reach older generations due to their popularity.
So far there are two links:
Dee Dee Doell ~ A Time to Dance Studio ~ Tucson AZ
my very first ballet instructor ~
Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church ~ Washington D.C.
Living Saints...Ms Deanne Essian...a woman filled w/ the Holy Spirit
Ms Deanne Essian. She truly is a woman filled with the Holy Spirit. She is a ballet choreographer and is the director of Grace Dance Ensemble.
Russian Orthodox & Melkite Catholics
http://www.scribd.com/doc/52668018/Orthodox-Miracle-Workers
Ministry preparation goes beyond the classroom into different types of study, including Scripture, choreography and mental preparation. This includes all forms of Art as well. Many a ministry combine different forms of art expressions, yet all include the visual movement of dance to touch souls for Jesus! Did you ever think that creative arts in a bulletin, communicating through design, is dance ministry? (or just mere advertising?) With a proper heart, the advertising ministers....every gift contributes into a wonderful tapestry of movement, visual props, colors, song, instrumentation (if live), multimedia if words to songs are displayed enriching through the addition of fully orchestrated choirs, etc. and on & on....depending on what each region is ready to commit to Christ & the message of His gospel!
Please Note: This already exists around the world, it is just simply applicable to any denomination that welcomes it!
P.S. My dad and 2nd mom also attend a Catholic church. So I would want to present something there at that right time as well :)
Comments
~ a link to an online "eChapel" with various resources. It is not all encompassing, but with everything IDC has to offer, it becomes a part of the whole encompassing resource available to all those pursuing Liturgical Dance with integrity, meaning worshiping and ministering a message of Truth through the dance....
Ballet Princess eChapel ~ facebook
an example online resource for Hymns ....
http://ehymnal.com/hymns/