Are you aware of these changes in the Mass that are on the way?

[hedgehog]

1. A new translation that selects English words that sound more like the Latin words. The criticism here is that the new translation uses obscure words that the typical English speaker doesn't use or understand and that the new translation actually is farther from the meaning of the original Latin.

http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=New-Mass-translation-approved.html&Itemid=127

http://examinelife.blogspot.com/2006/05/new-mass-translation-coming.html

http://ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2006b/063006/063006h.php

2. Moving the Kiss of Peace away from communion, because, well, all those people forget that they are in the presence of the Eucharist and start acting like they like or even love each other!

http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/2780

http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/2742

I'm interested in your comments, but more than that, where you aware of these proposed changes Is the average Mass attending American Catholic aware of these proposed changes?

[47of74]

1. Heard of it for the past several years

I've heard of this being done off and on for the past several years - where they were going to make these changes. The Cathedral parish I belong too has two sacramentaries. One that's used on a daily basis, and a larger one that's used on special occasions - such as Masses presided over by the Archbishop. The one used on a daily basis is really showing its age and ought to be replaced. They want to wait for the new translation before getting new ones.

[hedgehog]

2. I assume you're referring to a hardcover edition? My parish uses a soft cover

edition from the Oregon Press that's slipped into a plastic cover. It's replaced annually every Advent.

[47of74]

3. Are you referring to the Missals?

Are you referring to the Missals people use to follow Mass? I looked on the OCP site and didn't see a Sacramentary like you described. Our parish also uses soft cover Missals from OCP that are placed inside covers along with another book of hymns - the Missals are replaced a couple times a year and the hymn book once a year.

What I was referring to before was the Sacramentary which is used by the pastor during Mass. Like I said, we've got two, both of which are hard cover.

[hedgehog]

4. OK, Now I understand - I just didn't knwo what the big Gospel book was called!

Maybe you could have someone make a brocade book cover until you replace it. If there are pages falling out.....

[47of74]

5. We have several books in use during Mass

The sacrementary is the book that contains all the prayers and instructions for all the Masses throughout the year. We have several lectionaries, one for each year in the three year cycle used by the church. We also have a book that has all the Gospels readings for all three years in the cycle. That's the book that we process up with and it's the book the pastor or deacon reads from when reading from the gospel.

We do have the binding taped with red tape, and it's holding together OK for right now.

[DemBones DemBones]

6. It's not that difficult to say "consubstantial."

The Sign of Peace would be better off at the Offertory -- too many people get up and run around the church shaking hands, which is hardly appropriate.

I wish the congregation didn't participate in the Sign of Peace at all because it spreads germs and because I have arthritis in my hands, have had them crushed often enough that I just keep them folded and nod and smile at people while wishing them the Peace of Christ.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

7. I don't particularly mind these changes.

I enjoy traditional worship and orthodox theology, even to the point of considering the Eastern Orthodox Church.

I just wish the Church would ease restrictions on contraception, female ordination, and celibacy of the clergy.

[hedgehog]

8. The changes in the Mass are not a mere matter of taste.

The question is, are we children of God welcomed to a supper table or are
we dirty sinners barely tolerated at the court of a king?

If the Mass and the presence of the Eucharist means we are at the court of a king, then of course there are courtiers who are more worthy than the rest of us to approach closer to the king. Hence, the altar rail, the use of esoteric language, the exclusion of all but celibate males. The exaggerated focus on sexuality is part of this.

If we are children of God welcomed to a supper table, we are family, beloved of God, surrounded by others who are beloved of God.


Some complain that the shaking of hands, exchanging of hugs, waving across the church at the Sign of Peace detracts from the solemn respect for the Eucharist. There are opportunities for solitary prayer at times other than at Mass. But how do we show disrespect for Christ when we acknowledge and embrace (sometimes literally) the members of His Mystical Body? Christ is present in the Eucharist AND whenever two or more of us are gathered in His name. Did not Jesus say that whenever we feed someone, we feed Him, that whenever we give a drink to someone who is thirsty, we give a drink to Him? Isn't turning to someone who is alongside us at Mass at least a beginning of recognizing that we must be Christ to the world and that we serve Christ when we serve others?


Truthfully, would Jesus be happier today if you spent two hours in Eucharistic adoration or if you spent two hours wrapping donated presents down at Catholic Charities?

This is not a new or even modern opinion. What was St. Francis trying to teach when he set up a living creche?

http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0238.html

[Celeborn Skywalker]

9. Oh, I absolutely agree with most of your points,

And I'm sure Jesus would be much happier with someone helping the needy rather than attending Mass.

I just enjoy the traditional Mass. I get my personal time with God during the week when I pray and when I am able to do things like charity events and helping the needy.

I do agree with you that these changes in the Mass will likely drive US Catholics away from the church.

[hedgehog]

10. Even Jesus set aside times for prayer. There is a time for community

prayer and a time for private prayer. How the community prays together is determined by the value placed on the community.

[pnwmom]

13. My 80 yr. old mother was very upset with the changes a couple years ago

that require more standing and kneeling.

She knows that it's fine for her to sit -- but she's uncomfortable doing that when everyone else is kneeling or standing for extended periods of time. And until these changes, she could participate like everyone else.

[pnwmom]

12. Well said, hedgehog. I'm afraid things seem to be going the other way,

however. I don't know how much longer my fingernails are going to last, as I've been hanging on by them for years now.

[pnwmom]

11. Are people aware that the changes in the Mass a couple of years ago -- all

that jumping up and down and kneeling -- were made ONLY for U.S. Catholics?

The idea being to assert authority over the laypeople, after the pedophilia scandal (which of course was the fault of the lay people's American culture.)

Basically, they tell us to jump -- and we jump -- just because they CAN.

Am I getting more and more irked with the leadership of the current Pope?

Guess.