Did your parish start the new musical texts?

Bishop Quinn has given permission, in concert with the USCCB, to begin using the sung texts of the Gloria, Holy, Holy and Memorial Acclamations. Did your parish begin using them this week? At this week's presbyteral gathering I took a little informal poll and it showed that some parishes have begun using all three texts, some have begun with one text and will add more as weeks progress and others have not yet started using settings of the new texts.

If you did, how did it go? At my 7:30 a.m. Mass I was struck by how fully the congregation was singing the Lamb of God. It was inspiring.

Add your comments about how it went.

In my hands - how exciting

Yesterday I went to a presentation by Frs. Michael Joncas and Anthony Ruff, OSB, on singing in the liturgy, especially as it relates to the new Missal.

Fr. Joncas had a copy of the new Missal, hot off the presses. It was a beautiful looking book. The paper was substantial and the whole thing looked and felt very solid. I believe that the Missals will be shipped next week so that they arrive around October 1. Those who ordered Missals through the Diocese will receive theirs as we are able to get them out. To save on costs we will try to have them at various functions so you don't have to pay postage.

Happy Feast Day

Happy Feast Day to all of the Matthews out there.

From today's Gospel (according to Matthew!)

As Jesus passed by,he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.He said to him, "Follow me."And he got up and followed him.While he was at table in his house,many tax collectors and sinners cameand sat with Jesus and his disciples.The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"He heard this and said,"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.Go and learn the meaning of the words,I desire mercy, not sacrifice.I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Saint John's Bible Complete

Last week, Saint John's Abbey announced that the first hand written Bible in 500 years was complete. This 10 year, multi-million dollar project has captured the imagination of many people. I have featured some of the stunning artwork from this Bible in earlier posts.

An exhibition of the most recently completed pages is at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I saw a similar exhibition of other portions of the Bible some years ago and cannot wait to see the new pages. Pictures do not do justice to the vibrant colors and design. If you get a chance, see the exhibit. You won't be disappointed.

Congratulations to the monks of Saint John's Abbey for sponsoring this incredible project. To Donald Jackson, lead calligrapher, and all those who gave their talents to this work, thank you for committing yourselves to this monumental work.

A great set of videos on implementing the new translation

Vicki Klima, at Pax Christi Parish in Eden Prairie, has put together a great set of videos about the various parts of the Mass and the new translation. Check them out at the link.
http://www.paxchristi.com/ltutpvideolist.aspx

Haven't Ordered your Missals yet?

If you haven't ordered your new Roman Missals yet, you can check with the following sources:

1. Catholic Book Publishing: Altar Cloth bound Edition ($129), Deluxe Leatherbound Edition ($159) and Chapel clothbound Edition ($79)


2. Liturgical Press: http://www.theromanmissal.org/RomanMissal.html


3. Liturgy Training Publications: Ritual edition ($175) and Chapel edition ($95); Regal Edition ($500)


4. Magnificat: http://www.magnificat.com/missal/index.asp


5. Midwest Theological Forum: Missale Romanum ($499)


6. USCCB Publishing: Ritual Edition, ($169) and the Chapel Edition ($115).


7. World Library Publications: left, Value Edition ($195); right, Deluxe Edition ($395)

The Have Arrived!

On the other blog I recommended, Gotta Sing, Gotta Pray, Jerry Galipeau posted some pictures of the pallets of new Missals that had just arrived in their warehouse. The will be sent out soon for arrival in parishes around October 1.