Changes are Coming: But We will Survive and Thrive – Beginning this Sunday and throughout the Sundays of October, we will be talking in our homilies about the upcoming changes to the Roman Missal that will take place on the First Sunday of Advent (Nov. 27, 2011). This Sunday, we will talk about how we deal with changes in our lives, and the next four (4) Sundays we will go over the 4 different parts of the Mass: The Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites. An unknown author wrote: “Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.” And another unknown author wrote “The key to success is often the ability to adapt.” Lastly, a third unknown author wrote “Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.”
We all know that changes can be difficult and they are not always for the better. But change is the only constant in life, just as women’s fashion is always changing. But we’ve always survived change. The only thing that ceases to change in life are things that are dead. I was reading about the last major change that happened in the liturgy and that was back in 1965. In some parishes, the change came even later. Some of you may remember with fondness those days before the change. Mass was in Latin. The priest celebrated Mass with his back to the people. There was a certain mystery to the Mass as women and girls wore white veils in Church, communion was received on the tongue, while kneeling. There were 40 hour devotions, meatless Fridays, collections in school for pagan babies, “JMJ” spontaneously scrawled at the top of your homework papers. The bus driver put his hand over the fare box whenever a priest or Sister entered the bus. We crossed ourselves each time we passed by a Church. Even firefighters with axes and poles, while fighting a fire inside the church, would genuflect each time they passed back and forth before the Blessed Sacrament. It was a time when Catholic culture in the City was strong.
However, the changes that the Second Vatican Council brought changed many of that. Besides the changes in the liturgy, Catholics were able to attend Protestant churches for weddings and funerals. There is a greater sense of collegiality as lay Catholics are invited to participate in the leadership and ministry of the Church. These days, men and women serving as Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers are the norm. Lay people serve in all levels of parish ministry from the advising the pastor regarding the mission of the parish, to finances, the care of the property and teaching and administering our Catholic Schools. Girls, too, are now able to serve alongside boys as altar servers. And the reason is not simply that the Church is running out of priests and sisters to serve the Church. There was a fundamental change in the Council’s view of the laity. No longer are you uneducated, unable to read or write, simple farmers. But many of you are now even more educated than the priests and are invited to use your gifts and talents not only for the growth of the Church, but to serve God in the world where you live, work and play.
So in every change, there is a bit of a loss. But similarly, there is a world of opportunities. Although the upcoming changes in the Roman Missal seem small in comparison to the changes brought about by the Second Vatican Council, but my point is simply that we’ve survived and good things came as a result of it. Similarly, the small changes will lead some of us to grieve the loss of the familiar. (Note: the changes are only in the wording and there are less than 50 changes in the people’s response. However, the structure of the Mass remains the same). So let us entrust the future of the Church into God’s hands and that God will bring about a blessing out of these changes. Jesus taught us, “do not be afraid.” So we have nothing to fear, because He said “I will be with you all days, even until the end of the world.”
Altar Server Installation – I want to acknowledge and thank our newest 7th grade altar servers. Last Spring they’ve shadowed with an experienced altar server to learn their role and throughout the Summer, they’ve practiced serving at the weekday and Sunday Masses. Now they are ready to make a commitment to serve God and His Church. We will accept their commitment and dedication at this Sunday’s 9:30am Mass. I also want to thank Mr. Bolden who prepared them and for their parents who assist them by getting them here on time for their Masses.
Gratefully,
Fr. Dan
