October News

Great training today!

We want to welcome our two new and final Postulants for the year, Vincent Schiffiano and David Carter. This rounds out the 2011 class to seven and please take time to pray for the Postulants during their training period.

Just so no one feels lonely, here's some homework:

-Postulants:
Read the Know Your Mass Book pages 23 - 31;
Read the How to Serve Low Mass book Lesson 2;
Listen and practice with the audio file of the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar on the blog;
Review all handouts and be prepared for an oral quiz at the next training session.

-Servers:
Review the entire Know Your Mass book prior to the next training session;
Practice positions for Christ the King Missa Cantata.

The next training session will be October 29th from 9 - 10 AM. Everyone is invited to attend the 8:00 AM Mass at St. Patricks Cathedral, followed by training at St. Ann's.

Pray hard. Love much.

Photo credit: Bowsk

Homework time!

Servers need to remember to complete the assignment for this Monday's training session. For those who may have forgotten, all of the servers are to turn in a essay-type blog post on the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Please keep it to under 200 words and please use Church approved references. You may include links as well. Submissions are to either be emailed or handed in on paper by 4:15 August 22nd.

Also, if you know of anyone who might be interested in joining our 2011 new server class, we have one more spot for a potential server. Shoot me an email if someone comes to mind. They would still need to be approved by Fr. Reid for consideration.

Annunciation Missa Cantata Update

So finally the next Missa Cantata approaches. Here are some updates for everyone:

• Monday March 15th practice begins at 5:30 pm! It's been moved earlier to accomodate Fr. Reid's schedule. Everyone needs to be on time, please. Please comment, email, or call to confirm that you have received this news.


• At the end of the Missa Cantata, the servers will process out of the Church, receive the blessing from Fr. Reid and return to the altar rail to pray the St. Michael the Archangel prayer. The schola will be singing the Salve Regina that we sing at the end of practice prior to our arrival at the altar rail.


• Homework essay: 200 word essay that is due on March 22nd addressing the following: How does God answer your prayers? Please give an example of an instance when you felt your prayers were answered. Please also include a quote from a Saint, Pope Benedict XVI, or a previous Pope about prayer.

Server Cards and Homework

Finally I offer you the combined server cards for the Missa Cantata at St. Ann's. During the next two weeks leading up to the next training session, I expect the servers to peruse the cards and point out all kinds of errors and mistakes. Anyone else may do the same.

Lastly homework that is do by the next training session is to have read all of the propers for the Annunciation from the 1962 Missal and be ready for an oral quiz at the training session on March 1st. Don't have access to the propers? Just let me know and I'll point you to the right direction.

Final line up for Annunciation Missa Cantata:
Cross Bearer: Chris Borin/Sam Dehority
Thurifer: Joseph M.
Boat bearer: Luke Bruck
Ac's: Brady O and Benjamin B
Torch bearer's:

1. JP Mack
2. Joseph Yellico
3. Griffin Walsh
4. Will Borin
5. Joseph B
6. Thomas Mathis

Fruit of Homework II

In addition to the previously posted essays, I would like to add some quotes from the other essays that add depth to the purpose of the assignment.

"One should stir within himself a desire to know and to be aware of all that is going on (at) the Altar...Most importantly, one must observe the silence and reverence of the Mass, and the great Mystery about to take place." J. Yellico

"Also, you may find it interesting to discover how many of the prayers had changed slightly in translation. Knowing the original prayers can deepen your understanding of where the prayers originated, as well as how they were meant to be said." D. Rabideau

"A good way to help you to participate would be to be like Jesus." N. Simms

"The MEF (is) not meant to be a burden for people. The Latin spoke throughout the Mass may confuse some greatly, and the unfamiliarity of the dignified rubrics may turn some away from the Extraordinary form - at first. However, if one sticks with it, the MEF (granted me) a great amount of incresaed appreciation, devotion, and reverence for the Sacrifice of our Lord." J. Bruck

"A second way (to fully participate) would be to spend time preparing oneself for the Mass, either in prayer or in meditative silence." B. Ostendorf.

The Fruit of Homework

Back in August, the servers were asked to write a 200 word essay.

"The essay should explain how you would instruct someone in ways to participate in the MEF. Write the essay for a fellow Catholic who may have been to one MEF and walked away unsure of how to act or participate in the Mass."

Below are two essays from the group that I believed best fulfilled this assignment:

The Latin Mass
Griffin Walsh

The Mass of the Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form are the same. The amazing miracle happens, The Consecration (occurs) through the acts of the priest. The Mass of the Extraordinary Form may be difficult for people to go to because they think they need to know Latin to participate. It is not difficult to participate because the priest and acolytes speak all the prayers and words, but the congregation stays silent. This silence gives (me) more time to adore Christ then the other form of the Mass. Knowing when to stand, kneel, or sit you just follow the servers and the priest, but also people who attend the mass regularly will show you what to do.

Both Masses are different in many ways. As you will see the altar is set in different ways. The altar is set so the priest's back is facing the congregation. There is a crucifix and two candles on the altar behind prayer cards. The credence table is set to the right of the altar. You may see the priest wearing a hat at the beginning and ending of the mass, this hat is called a (biretta). Another big difference is the silence, but it is one of the best parts in the mass.

From being silent to all the differences, the Latin Mass will help you appreciate the ordinary form better than you ever have before.

MEF Participation
Thomas Mathis

The Mass in the Extraordinary Form can be very confusing for new attendants. Many are lost in the Latin or have trouble with the responses. For some it may just be the new set up at the altar. In this form of mass there are two key elements for participation, confidence in your abilities and being well studied. The second element is of importance because you have the knowledge of when things are going to happen, what they are, and what they mean. Secondly, you will be able to identify the parts of the mass where you need to respond. Confidence is another must. This will help you fully participate without you having second thoughts in your responses. I highly recommend you buying a 1962 missal. This tool gives you English translations and printed copies of the Latin that is being said during the mass. Lastly, there is a red book that St. Anne's offers during mass that can also be used as an aid to people who struggle with the Latin. I hope this has been a helpful guide in participating in the Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

Homework?

Yes, there is homework for the servers to tuen for Tuesday August 18th's training session. Server are to write a 200 word essay. The essay should be typed and either emailed to me or printed and brought to Tuesday's training session.

The essay should explain how you would instruct someone in ways to participate in the MEF. Write the essay for a fellow Catholic who may have been to one MEF and walked away unsure of how to act or participate in the Mass.

Essays that are exceptional (well written, few to no grammatical errors, and convincing) will be posted on the blog. Enjoy.