From the desk of Fr. Mike...

 

Recently the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops voted to accept the long standing work of ICEL (International Commission on English in the Liturgy) re-working of the Roman Missal in English.  It was at the insistence of the Sacred Congregation of Divine Worship in Rome that the English version be updated so that the English text would follow the Latin text more faithfully.

 

Following Vatican II in the 1960's, the first translation of the Roman Missal in English, the dynamic process that was utilized, which is different from a word to word literal  translation from Latin to English.  In the dynamic translation, words or phrases that are similar could be used, allowing for a more colloquial style of speaking that is common in our country.  Many of our prayers are not literal, but like phrases and words are implemented.  The American style of speaking and writing English would certainly be different than English that is used in the United Kingdom or Australia.

 

The Holy See wanted all the English countries to develop a translation that would be common to all with a very closely held literal translation to be implemented.  One reason was that many other languages would translate their Sacramentary from the American version, taking them further away from the actual Latin text.

 

The official Third Edition of the Roman Missal in English is now finished and ready to be implemented in all English speaking countries.  The Holy See has given its endorsement and it has allowed each bishop's conference to set the date for implementation.  Unless we hear differently, the new translation will go into effect on the First Sunday of Advent of 2011, a full 18 months from now.  The reason for the long period is to assist bishops, priests, and the laity transition into the new language.  Many of the new prayers will be difficult for American priests.  Phrases and words, long not used in our country will be introduced.  The Collect (Opening Prayer) of all Sundays will take on another form of praying.

 

(This information will be continued in next week's bulletin)

 

From the desk of the Pastor, Fr. Mike...

 

Holy Land Pilgrimage with the Pastor:  November of 2011

 

I will be leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land that will begin Monday, November 7th, 2011, flying from San Francisco and will last ten days.  We will visit the sacred shrines of Caesarea, Solomon's Stables and Tiberius.  The tour will then take us across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, the home of St. Peter's on the lake shore.  We will visit the place where the miracles of the loaves of fishes took place and where Jesus taught the Mount of Beatitudes with a stop at Caesarea Philippi where Peter was made the head of the Church.  We will visit Cana and couples on the pilgrimage will have an opportunity to renew their marriages where the Lord attended the wedding feast, turning water into wine.  We will visit Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus, with a stop at the Church of the Annunciation and step into the Jordan River to renew baptismal promises.

 

We will spend adequate time in Jerusalem, visiting the Old City, the Wailing Wall, Walking the Via Dolorosa, praying the Stations of the Cross, Mass in the Holy Sepulcher, walking through the Garden of Olives, a visit to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity.  We will visit the Dead Sea, the place of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Caves of Qumran, and one of the oldest cities in the world, Jericho. 

 

At each sacred shrine, whenever possible, we will celebrate Mass or have another prayer service or the Stations of the Cross in the Old City.  This is a prayer experience, to walk where Jesus walked and to grow in personal holiness.

 

Those who are interested (and we need 16 to do it) we will add a three day trip to Jordan that would take us to Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Amman, Petra (the ancient buildings in the side of a mountain) and back.  This is optional and would be an extra charge.

 

The Holy Land Pilgrimage begins and ends in San Francisco.  The cost is $2799 per person, which includes hotels, most meals (breakfast and dinner daily) a full time English speaking guide, all service charges and local taxes and automatic $100,000 flight insurance.  For those who want to extend the pilgrimage into Jordan, the extra cost would be $698.00 per person for the three days.

 

The parish website has a copy of the brochure, along with the form for those interested, otherwise come by or call the parish office for a brochure.

 

I did this pilgrimage in the Jubilee year of 2000 and it was a fantastic success!