Upcoming Adult Ed Program at St. Agnes Church

Over forty years have passed since the first translation of the Catholic Mass into English was issued.  Generations of Roman Catholics still recall when their priests first turned to face the people in the pews and recited a Mass that had been translated from Latin to English.  Many didn't realize that these revisions rolled out  years ago were only the beginning.  This year a new wave of English translations is taking effect in every English-speaking country in the world.    There will be no change in the Roman Catholic ritual.  Nothing is being added or taken away.  However, what is changing is the translation of the prayer texts to reflect more closely the original Latin texts.

            In preparation for these changes, the combined St. Agnes/St. Athanasius Adult Education Committee of Reading, MA, is hosting a program entitled "Preparing for the New Missal:  New Words:  A Deeper Meaning, Same Mass."  St. Agnes Church's Associate Pastor, Fr. Edward Malone, will be the guest speaker.  His presentation will explore the upcoming changes and the reasoning and meaning behind them.  According to the Vatican Office in charge of such matters, these new translations are more literal and better capture the reverence and beauty of the Catholic Mass.  Pope John Paul II approved this third edition of Missale Romanum during the Jubilee year of 2000, and The Holy See granted the final approval of the revised text in the spring of 2010.

            All Catholic parishes will begin using the revised translation on the mandatory date of November 27, 2011, the first Sunday of Advent.  The language parishioners will hear and pray is more formal than the language of ordinary conversation.  Some of the faithful may prefer to rely on printed texts for a while, and many parishes will offer the benefit of cue cards for that purpose.

            In addition to attending this program and other workshops which undoubtedly will be offered, faith-filled Catholics who wish to be prepared may visit the official Web site for the third edition of the Roman Missal at www.usccb.org/romanmissal to study the new texts and to learn more about these forthcoming changes.  A variety of other resources are offered there as well.  There are numerous ways to prepare for these changes, including making a conscious effort to participate more fully in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days and praying for a renewal of love for the Liturgy in one's own parish and in the universal Catholic Church.

            All Catholic worshippers are encouraged to mark their calendars for WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011 and plan to attend this educational program at St. Agnes Parish Lower Church, 186 Woburn Street, Reading at 7:30 PM.  All are welcome to this free-of-charge event!

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Note:  Information source is web site USCCB.org/romanmissal