Update on Implementing the New Music for the Missal

At their summer meeting, the Bishops agreed to allow the introduction of the new sung parts of the Mass beginning in September if approved by the local Bishop. Bishop Quinn as agreed to allow this in the Diocese of Winona. We are looking at a single date in the later part of September so we can learn the new music and all can begin the implementation together.

Don't forget to include your school and religious education programs in learning the new music and planning for the implementation of the rest of the Missal on November 27.

Our music reading sessions are coming soon:
July 9 at St. Joseph's in Owatonna
July 23 at St. Mary's in Worthington
August 6 at St. Francis in Rochester.

We are charging a parish fee rather than individual registration. Each registered parish will receive a packet containing resources from GIA, OCP, World Library and Liturgical Press.

I look forward to seeing you there.

The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

This weekend we celebrate the transferred Solemnity of Corpus Christi. We celebrate the gift of the Eucharist. Blessed John Paul II opens his enyclical on the Eucharist with the words: "The Church draws her life from the Eucharist." In times past processions with the Blessed Sacraments passed through the streets of towns across the world. How many of our parishes have continued this tradition?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjyFJBABHFw&feature=player_detailpage

Trinity Sunday

Today we celebrate Trinity Sunday. While all of the theological details can be difficult to grasp, we very easily invoke the Trinity each time we make the sign of the cross. When Jesus called God, “Father,” he revealed that at the very heart of God’s nature is the fact that God is a family. That is what we mean when we talk about the Trinity. When we name God, Father, Son, and Spirit, we are reminding ourselves that it is of God’s very nature to be in relationship - and not only in relationship within the Trinity, but in relationship with us.

Update on Implementation of the Roman Missal

BELLEVUE, Washington—Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Divine Worship, announced that diocesan bishops may permit the gradual introduction of the musical settings of the people’s parts of the Mass from the new Roman Missal in September. Primarily this affects the the Gloria, the Holy, Holy, Holy and the Memorial Acclamations.
This variation to the implementation of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, set to take place all at once on November 27, was authorized by USCCB president, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, and adopted by the committee to allow parish communities to learn the various parts of the new translation “in a timely fashion and an even pace.”
The Committee on Divine Worship made the decision in response to requests from several bishops, echoed by the National Advisory Council. Some suggested that the various acclamations could be more effectively introduced throughout the fall, so that when the full Missal is implemented on the First Sunday of Advent, the congregation will have already become familiar with the prayers that are sung.“I ask you to encourage this as a means of preparing our people and helping them embrace the new translation,” Archbishop Gregory told the bishops. The announcement took place June 16, during the U.S. bishops Spring Assembly near Seattle.

New Music to be allowed sooner?

I just read a post on Rocco Palmo's Twitter feed from the USCCB Spring meeting which stated that the new musical settings of the Mass will be allowed beginning in September. More when I get confirmation and additional information.

I do wonder though how that will roll out with some parishes not ready to use the new texts and some using them. Maybe there will be a firm implementation date for all to start using them. How will this affect schools and Religious Education programs that begin in September? Stayed tuned.

Music Reading Sessions set

We will gather to read through some of the new music for the Order of Mass in the coming weeks. Come and join us at the following locations:
July 9, 2011, Church of St. Joseph, Owatonna, MN
July 23, 2011, Church of St. Mary, Worthington, MN
August 6, 2011, Church of St. Francis, Rochester, MN

A flyer will be e-mailed soon to all parishes and to our liturgy coordinator and school/Faith Formation distribution lists. If you have questions, please feel free to call Janice at the Diocese for more information.

Happy Birthday Church!

Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost when God sent the Spirit upon the apostles and they went forth to fulfill the Lord's great commission. The Sequence is the Veni Sancte Spiritus. I have always loved the simplicity of the Taize setting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmxXwAgkhWQ&feature=player_embedded

Ordering the Roman Missal

The Diocese will offer an opportunity for parishes to order copies of the Roman Missal from the USSCB at a discount. Because we have a publication membership we are able to get a substantial discount. Information for ordering will be available at the June Ministry Days and will be sent by e-mail to our various parish and litugy distribution lists.

The Ascension

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. The artwork is from the beautiful St. John's Bible and illustrates a section from the Great Commission where Jesus commands his disciples to go "to the ends of the earth" and preach the Gospel.

The link is to the Palestrina setting of the words, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the heavens?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubTFKW24_ZI&feature=player_detailpage