Recognizing that the celebration of the sacred liturgy is the source and summit of our life in the church, the purpose of the Parish Liturgical Commission is to broaden and deepen the liturgical life of the parish, encouraging the full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy by all of the faithful.
News and Announcements
Become a "Host Family" for the Family Mass!
Sundays at the 8:45am Family Mass - a wonderful way for your family to participate! We will provide you with all the information you need. We would love your participation. The Sign-up chart is located in the Church Social Hall, or even better, contact Sr. Evelyn at Evelyn_Ronan@comcast.net.[...]
The Inauguration of the New Roman Missal
This weekend, November 27, marks the beginning of Advent and the inauguration of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. Materials will be available in the Church to explain the changes and to assist you during Mass. This booklet, called A Guide to the New Translation of the Mass, will help you understand why the Mass is changing and what those changes will be. It is available at the back of the Church. Parishioners are welcome to take a guide home, however, we ask that these booklets be limited to one per family. Pew cards are also available to assist you during the Mass. Mass Prayers and Responses have been placed in each pew. These cards should remain in the church pews after each Mass and are not to be taken home. [...]
From the Parish Liturgical Commission 11/13: "Behold the Lamb"
When we finish exchanging the sign of peace with each other and singing or speaking the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God prayer, the faithful kneel in preparation to receive Communion. Since 1975, the year when the current Sacramentary became normative for the Masses offered in the United States, priests have prayed the following words: “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.” The priest is joined by the faithful in the response, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” HERE IS WHAT IS CHANGED (words in italics): On November 27th, the First Sunday of Advent, we will begin to pray from the Roman Missal, Third Edition, the following revisions. The priest will begin with the prayer: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.” Then the priest will be joined by the faithful and together they will pray, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Again, as with the other[...]
From the Parish Liturgical Commission 11/6: Memorial Acclamations
After the priest celebrant places the chalice containing the Precious Blood of the Lord on the altar and genuflects, he stands and announces, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith,” to which all of the faithful respond either by singing or speaking the Memorial Acclamation prayer. Currently, the Sacramentary provides four options for the Memorial Acclamation: “Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.” “When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.” “Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Savior of the world.” “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” When we begin to pray the Mass of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, beginning on the First Sunday of Advent, the priest will proclaim a shortened declaration: “The mystery of faith” (translated from its Latin source Mysterium fidei), will replace “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” This not only invites the faithful to acclaim the sacramental truth, but it also acclaims the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice already present on the altar (Mystical Body, Mystical Voice, 193). Responding to the priest’s new acclamation, the faithful will pray one[...]
From the Parish Liturgical Commission 10/30: The Sanctus: Holy, Holy, Holy
Beginning last weekend, we had the opportunity to hear and to sing the new translation of the Gloria and the Sanctus. Although the textual changes are minor, they are more closely connected to both the Latin words they are derived from as well as the Scriptural passages they refer to. We will continue to practice these two sung prayers up until the beginning of Advent. The revised Roman Missal will be inaugurated at all masses in all the English speaking countries on Sunday, November 27th. Since the Gloria is not sung during the season of Advent, we will not have another chance to sing this song of praise and glory until Christmas. In the meantime, let us be bold with our voices and sing with all the voice God gave to each of us ! The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the offertory presentation of the gifts, which profoundly signify the gift of ourselves. At the Invitation to Prayer over the Offerings, the priest celebrant will say: “Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.” The italicized words are in the new translation. The “Pray brethren” asks intercession for the priest himself[...]
