Fr. German’s Message
On Saturday, Jan. 15th, at
Our Lady of Angels Cathedral and on Saturday, Jan. 22 at St. John’s Seminary in
Camarillo, there will be a workshop for all who participate in the music of the
liturgy. In this workshop we will prepare ourselves to receive the new English
translation of the Roman Missal that will be used after advent in the year
2011. Beginning in November I have
invited all the musicians in our three communities to participate in this
workshop.
Some months ago the American Episcopal
Conference announced that the new English translation of the Roman Missal was
ready for distribution and noted some changes in the prayers said by the priest
and in the responses and hymns of the assembly.
We can take advantage of this
opportunity to know the Roman Missal better and to discover the richness of the
liturgy that we use to celebrate the Eucharist. Sometime this year, before
Advent 2011, we will invite a speaker to come and help us understand the
changes involved and guide us toward a
better understanding of the new Missal.
The Jan.
15th and 22nd workshops are reserved for
musicians, but will profit the entire congregation. The participation of the
assembly is most dependent on the attitude and quality of the musicians as well
as on the hymns they sing.
It is important to remember that the
Vatican II council insisted on the participation of the faithful in the
celebration of the Eucharist and when we went from Latin to the spoken language
of the country, it was precisely to facilitate that participation as well as
the full comprehension of the liturgy.
May it be that this year of preparation
for the reception of the new English translation of the Roman Missal be for all
a good opportunity for discovering the wealth and beauty of the liturgy and for
participating a little more in the Eucharist so that our celebrations will be
more beautiful and more propitious for prayer.
Frequently people change from one parish
to another because they do not feel at ease in a liturgy where the congregation
does not fully participate; or in a liturgy where only the priest intervenes;
or in a liturgy where the people do not feel confident to participate because
the hymns are unfamiliar or difficult. We want to avoid that. We want everyone at
St. Sebastian to feel comfortable and confident participating in the liturgy.
The way that a community celebrates the
liturgy is important since the liturgy is a missionary tool to attract people
to the community and to help those who come to Church burdened with heavy
crosses to pray.
Let us know the liturgy better so as to
enhance our participation and make our celebration of the Mass more joyful.
Have a great week all.
Fr. Germán January 15th
/16th. 2011