The liturgy of the hours is the official prayer of the Church.  It is prayed at certain times of the day called hours.  It’s purpose is to sanctify the entire day and make every moment dedicated to God. It is called the Divine Office.  The clergy are obligated to pray the office.  Lay people are encouraged to pray the office.  It is not a private devotion, but a public prayer.  Even when prayed alone, ones prayers are united with the universal church throughout the world and those praying the same prayers at the same hour.
There are seven offices. They are: Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, Mid-morning Prayer, Midday Prayer, Midafternoon Prayer, Evening Prayer and Night Prayer.  This form of prayer came about out of the Hebrew tradition.  It is the prayer of Jesus himself who prayed seven times a day.  The apostles also prayed seven times a day in the temple.
The seven offices are prayed in a four volume set, but lay people can pray from the one volume Christian Prayer book.  This book is simplified.
At Seton Catholic High School, from 1981 to 1991, an abbrieviated form was prayed by the entire school assembly at the beginning and end of each school day instituted by our principal, Michael A. Morgan and superintendent Fr. Ernest P. Floreen.  This is where I learned to pray the hours. 
Since my mom managed the religious goods store at the school, I purchased from her the one Volume Christian Prayer book and the guide that taught me to pray the morning and evening prayer.  I have faithfully continued this form of prayer to the present. 
Morning Prayer was prayed after the 6:45 a.m. Mass at the cathedral by a small group of lay people in the side chapel through the decade of the 90’s when Fr. Beavers was pastor. 
St. Mary’s middle school students prayed an abbrieviated form of the morning prayer every Tuesday and Wednesday morning when Fr. Gary was pastor from 2000 to 2012. 
It is true that some lay people pray the office at home and several more use the Magnificat  or other simpler forms of prayer at various times of the day. 
Currently, I am offering training on how to pray the hours to parishoners involved with various groups including the Cathedral Guild, the Bishop’s Guild, Proclaimers of the Word and Music Ministers. 
Advent Morning Prayer will be prayed in the Marian chapel at 8:00 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays of Advent beginning on Monday, December 2 and continuing through Monday, December 23.  A worship aide will be provided. Pray as a parish community this important liturgy with the universal church throughout the world.   
If you are interested in being presider, lector, prayer leader or participant in the Advent Morning Prayer, please fill out the form found on the parish website and scan to pstolz@stmarycathedral.com or bring it by the parish office by Wednesday, November 20.  There will be an instructional and organizational rehearsal in the Marian chapel for those participating at 7:30-8:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25 or Monday, December 2. 
 
 
Before Thanksgiving, an assignment schedule will be e-mailed to you.  The parish has subscribed to the e-breviary and so materials will be provided.  The presider will need to pick up from the parish office 10 copies to distribute on the morning they are scheduled.  The first 10 people will receive the worship aide and share with others.  I will oversee this process. 
My hope is to involve women, men, youth and our parish staff in this activity.  Perhaps college students can pray on the way to school. 
I realize this form of prayer is not for everyone, but since it is the official prayer of the church,  it should be prayed so that this form of prayer is not lost, and that people will learn how to pray this prayer and continue for generations to come.  Our world certainly can use this form of prayer. 
The prayers for now will be recited with an opening hymn. The Canticle of Zachariah will also be sung.