I hope you have had a good week. We
introduced some of the changes this Sunday. I am sure it is
a little disconcerting that you are not
able to sing the pars of the Mass yet but as the weeks go by, I know you will
learn the new tunes just as well as you know the previous ones. Patience is the
key! As I said last Sunday, it will be refreshing to hear brand new prayers and
responses. Look upon the changes in translation as a breath of fresh air being
infused into the life of the Church. After so many years of hearing the same
prayers, it will be exciting to hear and pray something different. The other word
connected with the changes is Reverence. You have already noticed that there
are pauses after the readings, after the homily and after communion. In order
to create a sense of the sacred in the sacred space, as opposed to the social
space in the hall, The General Instruction on the Roman Missal is also calling
for silence before Mass begins and when it is over, in the church and in the
sacristy. In time we will be able to follow these norms too. This will give
those who wish to pray prior to Mass or directly after, the chance to do so.
Again, wisdom patience and understanding will serve us well as we become
familiar with these changes in Church life. Personally, having experienced the
changes in the 1960’s after Vatican II as an altar server, I feel privileged to
be part of another time of change and renewal.
ROMAN MISSAL 3RD Edition - THE NEW TRANSLATION WHEN AND HOW WILL IT BE INTRODUCED?
Parishes throughout the Archdiocese of
Toronto will begin to use the new translation of the Roman Missal on the weekend
of November 27. Joining us in this journey will be Catholics in all parishes
throughout Canada and the United States. Beginning in September 2011, parishes
in the Archdiocese
Of Toronto will begin to learn more
about the new translation. You will notice many changes in the words that the
celebrant (priest) uses when he celebrates Mass. There are also a few changes
to the words that the congregation will use when they respond, also referred to
as the "people's parts". We will also introduce new musical
compositions as part of the sung Mass settings (Lord of Mercy, Gloria, Holy
Holy, Lamb of God, etc.) It will take
some time to get used to these changes— please pray that we will all make the
most out of this opportunity to grow as a faith community. We will practice
some of these changes before Mass, they may be discussed during the homily and
we'll use other appropriate resources to help each other along the way. For
more information on the Roman Missal and its changes, visit www.archtoronto.org/romanmissal anytime to continue your reflection. I
wish you a good week ahead.
Fr. Phil
