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Author Archives: Craig Colson

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Bishops Approve a Gradual Introduction of New Mass Settings

By | June 28, 2011

This past week on June 17, 2011, the president of the USCCB authorized the gradual implementation of the new Mass settings and left the final decision up to the Bishop of each Diocese. This however does not mean we can implement any other changes in September, just the sung Mass settings. This is good news as it will allow us all to teach these new settings as we normally would and not have to worry about teaching new responses at the same time.

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Planning Ahead for the New Missal

By | May 19, 2011

Well the Triduum has ended, Jesus has risen from the dead and our churches are probably a bit quieter than they were on Easter Sunday. Although many of us are still busy with graduations, Confirmations and First Holy Communions, all the busyness of the spring is coming to a close and we should all be able to take a deep breath…right? Well, not exactly.

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Liturgical Language

By | May 10, 2011

At a recent Roman Missal workshop I attended, several people asked about some of the language we will be using when we adopt the new Missal this coming November of 2011. Some in attendance said that the language was foreign to them and that the words we will be saying are not the words we [...]

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Never Too Early To Start

By | April 4, 2011

So with less than nine months to go before we will implement the New Roman Missal in our parishes, how are you doing? Have you begun to find out what the changes are? Have you started to do any education in your parish in regards to the new translation that will go into effect on [...]

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New Roman Missal Websites For Youth Leaders

By | March 4, 2011

As I’m sure you have heard already, come this Advent there will be some major changes to the liturgy coming on November 27th 2011. This time of preparation can be a fruitful time for our parishes and our young people.  We at Life Teen want to do our best to equip you with the resources [...]

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The New Roman Missal: An Opportunity for Education

By | February 9, 2011

Although I wasn’t alive when The Second Vatican Council finished in 1965, I have heard from many people who were active Catholics in that time of change within the Catholic Mass. Many whom I have talked to were very confused when the changes in the liturgy began taking place. Some were barely told anything about what was changing or why it was changing and just all of a sudden experienced a different liturgy and really didn’t understand why. Some were happy about the changes and others were not so happy.

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A New Missal, But the Same Mass

By | February 3, 2011

On November 27, 2011, we will begin using a new translation of the Roman Missal, which will change the words we use to pray the Mass. That date will be the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new Church year, so it was chosen as a good day to make these text changes. Let me stress a key point right up front: the words we use in the Mass are changing, the structure of the Mass is not.

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What Instruments Can I Use at Mass?

By | January 14, 2011

In recent months I have received many questions from Liturgical Musicians as to what Instruments are appropriate for Liturgy and which are not? Some people feel that only the Organ is appropriate for the Liturgy while others feel it acceptable to use any instrument that can produce a sound. Whenever a question like this comes [...]

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Engaging Busy Teenagers in the Ensemble Without Sacrificing Quality

By | January 3, 2011

Today I would like feature our guest music ministry blogger Angus McDonnell. I asked Angus to talk about how to get teens involved with music at Mass while keeping things sounding good.

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How to Shorten Music Practice

By | December 20, 2010

Well I hope this title caught your attention and no, I’m not just going to tell you to make your practice shorter by practicing fewer songs. Today, most people have access to the Internet and, as we know, are spending a lot of time surfing the web, watching videos and listening to music. Well, why [...]