E-News from Father Frerichs

September 8, 2010

Dear Friends in Christ,

First of all I want to apologize for the long wait for another ENews. During the month of August I was away for two weeks on a little vacation and, well, you know how things go. Nevertheless I thought you may be interested in hearing what is happening in the parish and the wider Church these days.

Parish Happenings:

· With the St. Felix Fall Festival just eleven days away all of our organizers are frantically working to make this year’s event another success. I continue to be amazed at how large, efficient, and successful this event has become over the years: the celebratory spirit of working together in faith and for a common cause is what it is all about. We ask the Lord for warmth and sunshine on September 19th (St. Felix Fall Festival) and October 17th (St. Agnes Fall Festival).
· To all who were involved with helping with the cleanup after hurricane Katrina, you may be interesting in checking out how life has progressed at Saint Clair. Fr. Cuddy recently sent us a card saying that they will be opening their new church in September. You can learn more about them (with pictures) by going to our website at: www.wabashakelloggparishes.org
· While I have been unable to attend the meetings, Julie Miller says that the youth program is really beginning to take off. They have had three meetings so far with a core group of about eight youth. Let us also keep this ministry in prayer.


Church News:

If you are like me then every two years or so you go through your personal files to be sure that they are somewhat organized and up to date. While it may be important to update one’s personal records, it is also important for the Church to periodically review and reflect upon her prayer life: both her texts and her guidelines for Mass. You may remember the new GIRM (General Instruction to the Roman Missal) which was implemented a few years ago. The GIRM is a document which describes the structure and various postures used when celebrating Mass. One of the changes made at that time was a bow before receiving Communion.

Like the GIRM, our Mass texts have not been reviewed in over 40 years. In 2001 Pope John Paul II called for a revision of the English translation of the Mass. It is now complete. Since the principles used for the translations in English will affect other languages, a great deal of care was taken to do it well. Cardinal George of Chicago has recently announced that the revised prayer texts will be implemented in Advent (December) of 2011.

Those who lived through the change from Latin to English may remember that period as being a one of few explanations and much confusion. You will be pleased to know that the Bishops of the United States have prepared materials for us to use as an opportunity to understand the purpose of changes made and to gain a deeper appreciation of the prayers we pray. Actually, most of the changes made are in the texts prayed by the priest. The committee responsible for revisions has gone out of their way to change the phrases spoken by the congregation as little as possible.

You will be hearing more about this as time goes on. Anyone yearning to hear about this process can see a video by Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli or
the Mass texts sample.

On a Personal Note:

As mentioned earlier, I was able to take two weeks of vacation time in northern Minnesota. The first few days was spent with parents. During this time I was also able to attend the reception of a great aunt to celebrate her 75th Jubilee as a Little Falls Franciscan. The second part of the vacation was spent at a cabin close to Hackensack on Ten Mile Lake. The days were relaxing and I was able to do some fishing and kayaking. I have not taken a full two week vacation in many years so the time away was most appreciated. However, it was also nice to return home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of many sunsets on Ten Mile Lake

In Christ,

Fr Glenn Frerichs   

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