The NEW Missal Makes a Direct Hit

This past weekend, the New Roman Missal made a direct hit on english-speaking parishes around the world. A new and what is thought to be a more vibrant and formal translation of the Mass landed in a pew near you. I am sure that some of my initial observations in my own parish are very similar to what greeted the Church around the world...

A LITTLE CONFUSION, BUT CERTAINLY NOT CHAOS:  Like most parishes, ours has a new hymnal with everything you need to follow along.  We've even added the follow along,  "red letter marks the changed language" script and the Mass Music Assembly Booklet.  Its all there, and its probably a tad too much to navigate, but it seemed to have taken only a small portion of the hour for folks to figure out where to look and what to follow.  The fun part was watching the faces of many, many well intended people simply fall back into the routine... "The Lord be with you"... And also with y--, oh.. um... your... And with your spirit!" :)

EVERY BIT OF THE PREPARATION WAS WORTH EVERY SECOND:  I'm sure many parishes within the Church worked very hard for many, many months to prepare for the weekend debut of the New Missal.  Some chose to begin practicing months ago, and others have been studying the reasons behind the changes for a year.  Our parish, like many others, worked throughout the last year praying and deciding on what to do, but began the using the new translation only within the past few weeks, focusing on the Gloria, the Confiteor, and the Nicene Creed.  We made the decision not to debut any new music until this past weekend as well.  I believe that like us, the parishes who waited until the official start time of this past weekend to "do the new Mass" were treated to the value of what comes with that newness and how it compliments the season of Advent.

"WHAT ABOUT THOSE BELLS?"  There a certainly a few nay-sayers in the pews, and some people that just aren't happy with the changes in the New Roman Missal.  Our parish has maintained a relatively "middle of the road" approach when it comes to celebrating the Mass.  The ringing of the bells has not been a usual practice at my parish.  While the use of the bells is certainly NOT part of the change of the Roman Missal, in other words, it is not a required element within the liturgy; adding the ringing of the bells at the two "elevations" of the Eucharistic Prayer came as a little bit of a shock to many in our congregation.  I would say that 85%-90% were pleasantly shocked, and enjoyed or could live with their return.  But like the usual "Bell Curve" (no pun intended), 10% just couldn't believe it.  When confronted by the unhappy, I was challenged to have to defend their re-placement within the liturgy because frankly I don't lose too much sleep over such things, but this is a great example of just how much we have to respect the 10%.  No, this isn't some "Occupy Rally", it's just a simple fact.  Many of our faithful, truly thought through, and have owned their style of worship.  No amount of training or prep classes in understanding the "New Stuff" was gonna make things any easier for these folks.  Their Mass was giving way to a new Mass!  One of our staff members put it quite nicely.  "I am now feeling what some of the older folks must have felt when I was younger, and those changes in the Missal "turned everything around".

So, I'll end by saying that while change is difficult, it is a part of growth, and that is exactly what's happening here... We, the living Body of Christ continues to grow!  We seek to perfect our worship because that's what is asked of us... Not by the Vatican, but by God.  We were created to love and worship Him.  He who fashioned us from the dust, and gave us the breath of life, has given us a chance to express our faith in the best way we know how... And that is what we'll do!

Pierce the Veil!

I have been participating in a wonderful Discussion Board on helping Catholic Youth understand the New Translation of the Mass that is coming later in the Fall. This is a closing thought that I shared with the group...

Our young people are being called FROM where they are; that is, their starting points vary, but all lead to the same joy and Truth in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Welcoming them into this journey, at whatever starting point they might be coming from, keeps them closer to the Church, calling us to be patient, and hopeful. I've heard it said that "no matter their tattoos, or dress, or opinions [at this point in their journey], as long as they are sharing those things HERE, in the Church, we have a better chance at putting them in a position to experience the Spirit, and begin their personal relationship with Christ. With that said, the rules, the gestures , the real expectations of what it means to mature in life and in faith are certainly crucial in our mentoring these youth to progress and move forward!

Now, with respect to the liturgy and the New Translation o

f the Mass, where are they headed? Why is it worth the effort? I asked my own Spiritual Director a very specific and pointed question this weekend. "Why do we go to Mass? Is it to receive the Eucharist, or hear the Word, or offer God our prayers and worship?" I expected an answer like "All of the above!" But what he said was, "We go to Mass to participate in the sacrifice given to us by our Lord, Jesus Christ. We pierce the veil that seperates time, heaven and earth, and we share in the love of God!" He went on to add that in the Mass, "when that veil is pierced, it is not Christ who comes to us, but it is we who are invited and able to come to Him!"

In the spirit of this past Sunday's readings, and with respect to what it is that we YM's do so well, we need to keep inviting young people to "come and see", knowing that where they are going, God's love is there to greet them! So be it Youth Group, or Bible Study, or retreats, or in this case Mass... Let us lead them to the sacrifice and the celebration of the love of God that is the Body of Christ. Remember to stay relaxed, for we are trying our best to attach words and gestures to that which we can never comprehend, but through our faith we can always attain.

I have enjoyed presenting, reading and participating in this experience with you, and I again thank Charlotte and Leigh and MTS for ALL of their amazing efforts and strength in bringing you this opportunity, because that is exactly what it is; an opportunity to come to a fuller understanding of what it is that Christ has in store for US! God bless you all, and good luck in your ministry this coming season. I look forward to our continued worship together, as the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church" celebrates the love of God, yet again, at a Mass near you!

FRIDAY

Finally, another week is over!

Really, was it that bad?

I actually lived a little this week!

Didn't get to do all that I wanted!

Another day would have been nice!

You know, I'm gonna miss this week...