Each year the priests and administrators of our Rochester Diocese gather for a convocation with a featured speaker.\u00a0 Below follows an article I just wrote about the convocation for an upcoming parish bulletin.<\/p>\n
Continuing Education<\/strong> As we gathered earlier this month the speaker was Fr. Paul Turner.\u00a0 He is a well respected author on liturgy and spoke to us on the upcoming new English translation of the Mass.\u00a0 We began introducing the translations to you with bulletin articles in January.\u00a0 You might also remember the homilies in February on the parts of the Mass.<\/p>\n Fr. Turner\u2019s presentations were to help us better understand the new translations of the Mass so that in turn we can help you better appreciate the new translations.\u00a0 For now, I offer a couple of highlights.<\/p>\n One of the common questions people tend to ask when they hear of the new translation is why do we need it?\u00a0 The answer I have always given is that it is not that there was anything wrong with the previous translations but that we seek to always make our words better.\u00a0 In March, I spoke to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at our parish school.\u00a0 I made the comparison that when we write something, we don\u2019t write it through once and hand it in.\u00a0 We proofread.\u00a0 Another example is that for my web site, I reread articles I wrote a few years ago and make changes, having learned something new or found a better way to say it.<\/p>\n The translation of the Mass is no different.\u00a0 We have been using the same translation since 1985.\u00a0 I first heard about the coming translation when I started in seminary in 2000.\u00a0 What I never realized until hearing Fr. Turner was that as soon as the current translation was approved in 1985, they began working on a new translation because they knew it wasn\u2019t perfect.\u00a0 They worked on it till 1998 and then sent it to the Vatican for approval but it never received approval because in 2000, the Pope introduced an updated Latin text which started a new translation.\u00a0 My point being that we always knew a better translation could be done.<\/p>\n One of the oddities in the new translation that puzzled me is right after the consecration.\u00a0 Currently, the priest says, \u201cLet us proclaim the mystery of faith.\u201d\u00a0 In the new translation, it is shortened to \u201cthe mystery of faith.\u201d\u00a0 I have been thinking nobody says a sentence like that.\u00a0 Fr. Turner made the perfect comparison.\u00a0 When the lector finishes readings, they say \u201cThe Word of the Lord.\u201d\u00a0 The people respond \u2018Thanks be to God.\u2019\u00a0 When the priest or deacon finishes the gospel, they say \u201cThe Gospel of the Lord\u201d and the people respond \u2018Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d\u00a0 Those responses are to God\u2019s Word having been proclaimed.\u00a0 The words \u201cThe Mystery of Faith\u2019 follow the consecration when the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood, that is the mystery of faith.\u00a0 We don\u2019t need a complete sentence.\u00a0 \u2018The Mystery of Faith\u2019 says what needs to be said.<\/p>\n Watch for more on the changes.<\/p>\n Peace, Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n P.S. If you missed the previous bulletin cover articles on the new translations or the inserts on the parts of the Mass you can find them on our parish web site at http:\/\/www.ourladyofthelakescc.org\/understandingmass\/understanding.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Each year the priests and administrators of our Rochester Diocese gather for a convocation with a featured speaker.\u00a0 Below follows an article I just wrote about the convocation for an upcoming parish bulletin. Continuing Education There is a saying, \u201cWe learn something new everyday.\u201d\u00a0 We learn at school but we also look at work and …<\/p>\n
\nThere is a saying, \u201cWe learn something new everyday.\u201d\u00a0 We learn at school but we also look at work and with our family and friends.\u00a0 Many fields, such doctors, and nurses require \u201ccontinuing education.\u201d\u00a0 Priests can be counted among those who are called to \u2018continually\u2019 learn.\u00a0 As part of our continuing education, our priests and pastoral administrators gather once each year for our annual convocation.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There are times of prayer.\u00a0 Bishop Clark always has addresses the group..\u00a0 The majority of the time is taken by a featured speaker on a selected topic.<\/p>\n