In the Catholic Church, Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. Liturgy directors and parish volunteers are busily preparing buildings and worship spaces for a prayerful Advent season and anticipation for Christmas.
At St. Joseph Parish in St. Joseph, Amy Kluesner has led the liturgical environment initiatives for 25 years after she received a nudge from the Holy Spirit. Her studies in art history and theology paired with her background in interior design help guide her ministry.
When she first began serving the Church in this way, Kluesner found herself following in the footsteps of her predecessor, Scotty Jerzak. She also recalls how, as a child, she witnessed her mom, Betty, decorating their home with religious art and themes for holy days.
As Kluesner gained experience, she questioned how often she should change the way the church looks for each liturgical season. Guided by general norms of the Church General Instruction of the Roman Missal, she has developed her own style to accentuate the beauty of the liturgy, often using greenery and plants from her own gardens and fields of prairie grasses and flowers.
“I thought, ‘You know what, everybody at home puts up the same Christmas décor every year, and they are happy to have it out,’” Kluesner said. “I figured if I liked the way it looks andthe process is going well, why not just keep doing it?”
This consistency has allowed Kluesner to establish one of her primary resources, a photo album with numerous photos of the items placed in various areas of the church for each of the six liturgical seasons of the Church: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Triduum, Easter and Ordinary Time.
David Orzechowski, who serves as director of liturgy and music at the parish, recognizes the extensive thought Amy puts into her work.
“She’s very aware that the whole place should speak of the season and recognizes that the environment should reach and touch people where they are at,” he said. “It must be bold and brave enough to speak. We don’t just plop an Advent wreath in the sanctuary and call it a day. We want the whole building to speak. Even outdoors she allows the season to speak before people even enter church.”
At the change of liturgical seasons, sometimes with only a day to transition, Kluesner gathers volunteers. The work requires a team of 10 or more and includes many who have worked with her for years and others who have recently shown interest.
Deb Reber has worked with Kluesner for four years and assists with updating the seasonal decor. Preparations for Christmas are Reber’s favorite.
“It is so tranquil in the church, so I like to step back to appreciate its beauty. It allows me to slow things down for the holiday season,” Reber said. “I hope people come to Mass early to sit in the church and take it all in.”
The camaraderie of the group is something Kluesner is most grateful for in her work. She shared that the greatest gifts of her work have been meeting new people of the parish and her, often daily, interactions with the parish staff and pastor.
All the while, Kluesner leads her team recognizing the real purpose of their work.
“It’s so important to me that the environment is nice because it’s giving glory to God,” she said. “Beauty is so important. The Catholic Church has always been big on beauty, with all the beautiful churches and sacred art. It all leads us
to God.”