CHANGES
Last month our family purchased a new refrigerator, with side-by-side doors and a freezer on the bottom. Our old unit, noisy and leaking, was a few years past its usefulness. The week that we were waiting for the new one to arrive, our 12-year-old daughter began to get sentimental about our old appliance. “I like our old fridge” and “I am going to miss our old fridge” were her daily laments.
Change is difficult, whether the change is seemingly simple or one that concerns our employment, occurs at school or affects our life at home. Change is especially hard for us when we do not understand why the change is happening. How do we explain to someone that what he or she knows and loves has to end? Our daughter understood well that the new fridge was energy efficient and would have a quiet hum instead of the constant clamor and racket; but that did not help her to let go.
This next year will bring changes to all of us in how we worship at St. Pius. Our first change will be in the language found in the Revision of the Roman Missal, which contain the prayers used at Mass, which we will begin using on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.
Our second change is in the age when our young people will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
AGE for CONFIRMATION
You may have read in the most recent issue of the Catholic Mirror that Bishop Pates has decided that the celebration of Confirmation be moved to the 10th grade year effective July 2012. We have determined that this year’s 7th grade will be the last class to celebrate Confirmation in the 8th grade.
One of the main reasons behind this significant change is the recognition that a meaningful celebration of the sacrament comes with a good understanding and participation in its celebration, something more achievable at the age of 15 or older.
All of our high school youth (those attending Dowling Catholic, public high school and those being home schooled) are included in this. Many of the advantages and challenges of this change and the transition are known, and other impacts will be discovered.
We appreciate your prayers and a willingness to support and assist (when the time comes), which will allow us to emphasize the benefits of what parish-based high school faith formation has to offer.
Please direct any questions or concerns to the Faith Formation Office at 278-5684.
ROMAN MISSAL
Beginning with Advent 2011, we will begin celebrating the Mass following the English translation of the new Roman Missal, third edition. It is important for us to remember that the Mass itself is not changing. The English translation of the words we use in the Mass will be changing. In upcoming posts, we will examine the new Roman Missal changes in more detail, beginning with why the translation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal is different from the previous translation.
Last May I had the opportunity to attend a workshop sponsored by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. I ran in to a friend that I had not seen since college. She is teaching religion to 7th and 8th graders at a Catholic school in Minnesota. This is what Sara had to say to her students about the Roman Missal, “Just as a baby does not have the same language skills as a 2 year old, 4 year old or a teenager, the church is growing and developing in her language. That shows that the church is alive, growing and guided by the Holy Spirit. This is a once in a generation opportunity.”
In the coming months you and your children will be hearing more regarding the Roman Missal. For now, please check out the link from Liturgy Training Publications @ www.revisedromanmissal.org/
Change. It is difficult to avoid, whether it is a new kitchen appliance or the New Roman Missal. It has been two weeks and Clare has adjusted and delighted in the new refrigerator. In the coming months I hope that we are able to delight in the changes in our Liturgy, or as Bishop Pates says, to "fall in love with the Mass". New words, same meaning – I look forward to praying them with you.
-Mary Heinrich
Director of Faith Formation
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