Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011, Catholic Churches throughout the United States will begin using the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal. The Church urges the faithful to begin preparing for this change now. What exactly is changing? The Mass as we celebrate it today is not changing. The flow of the Mass will remain the same. However, what is changing are the words to many of the prayers and responses that we have grown quite accustomed to over the last 40 years. The reasons for the change are several. Pope John Paul II called for a revision of the Roman Missal during the Jubilee Year in 2000. We have grown as a Church over the last 40 years in terms of understanding how to better translate our Latin texts into the vernacular language of the people, and the rules for translating the texts have changed as a result. All of this has led to a need for a better translation. The new translation brings with it a deeper and more profound meaning of the mystery we have gathered to celebrate at Mass.
While change can be difficult and challenging, it can also be wonderful and exciting. The new Roman Missal is a mixture of both. It will be a challenge for the people to learn the newly worded prayers that were once so familiar we could say them from memory. Now we will all need a little time to grow in our familiarity with the new words before we return to the point where we can once again say them from memory. The changes also bring with it a wonderful opportunity for us as a Church to delve more deeply into the mystery of Christ Jesus and the praise and thanksgiving we offer to God, our Father, during Mass. The new words help us to make connections with Sacred Scripture and provide better insight into what we are doing at particular parts of the Mass and why. The new Roman Missal is an opportunity for us to grow in our knowledge of and appreciation for the Eucharist.
With that in mind, we are making available to our parishioners a variety of resources and materials to help prepare them for the change so that when November 27, 2011 arrives, we as a parish community will be fully prepared to welcome the new Missal. It is important to remember that these changes will affect everyone who attends Mass. It is important, therefore, that everyone begin now to prepare for these changes. We are hopeful that you will take advantage of the various offerings we are making available to you. Should you have any questions, please contact us.
