Priest: The Lord be with you…

You: And with your spirit.

Sound strange? Very soon, it will be our normal response in Mass. As many of you know, change is coming. The 3rd edition of the Roman Missal has been approved and first use of the new text will happen on November 27, 2011 (the first Sunday of Advent). The prayers and responses of our Mass will change for the first time in over 40 years. Among other things, the revised edition of the Roman Missal contains prayers for the observances of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Votive Masses and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass. The English translation of the Roman Missal will also include updated translations of existing prayers, including some of the well–known responses and acclamations of the people.

Change can be difficult, especially change to the celebration of Mass. Changes to the Mass we are accustomed to can be unsettling, but it is also an amazing opportunity to pray Mass with new eyes and ears. Instead of just automatically responding without thinking, these changes to the Roman Missal challenge us to really listen and think about the words we say in Mass. The question is, will we take this opportunity to dive into the beauty and mystery of the Holy Mass or just see the changes to the Roman Missal as an inconvenience, or worse, a detriment to prayer. Our Bishops have created several resources to help you understand and embrace the changes as well as prepare for the use of the new Missal in November 2011. Take some time to explore and read the USCCB’s website: www.usccb.org/romanmissal

And for the young people we serve, this will be the first major liturgical change they have ever experienced. As youth ministers and Core Members, it is our privilege to walk with them and help them grow in understanding and love of the Holy Mass. The new Roman Missal gives us an unprecedented catechetical opportunity to talk about the power of words and how what we say at Mass connects to what we believe and to the rest of the universal Church. We cannot miss this chance to help them appreciate and truly pray the Mass.

Through the coming year, Life Teen will be providing you with various resources to help prepare young people for the liturgical changes while teaching them about the beauty and power within the Sacred Liturgy. Below is a sneak peek at the resources that will be rolled out in 2011:

• Soon here on CatholicYouthMinistry.com there is a section specifically dedicated to the new Roman Missal. It will contain blogs and videos for music ministers, liturgical ministers, youth ministers and Core Members. New content will continue to be added to this section throughout the year.
• The May Life Support box will include both a written resource about the Mass and the new Roman Missal. It can be used as a weekend retreat for teens or a Life Night “mini-series” in the fall. It will also include a session for Core Members and parents.
• The May Life Support box will also include a DVD resource that will supplement the written resource. It will walk through some of the changes in the new Missal and why they changed. This can be used with parents, Core Members and teens.
• The September Life Support box will feature a small booklet for teens that will walk through some of the new words and phrases heard in the new Missal. It will provide short, insightful explanations of the phrases – what they mean and where they came from.

Words and prayers and responses might change, but God does not change. Our goal in Life Teen is to lead teens closer to that unchanging God. We pray that these resources help you do just that. As always, know that we are praying for you and for your teens.

As stated in the USCCB’s website on the new Roman Missal:

May the implementation of the revised Roman Missal be a time of deepening, nurturing, and celebrating our faith through the renewal of our worship and the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy.