The New Texts: Formation (discussion)

[presbyter]

Any chance of a brief summary for us less educated folks?

Here's one translation:

Weekly worship of the Christians

And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration

(This is from chapters 61-67 of the First Apology of Justin Martyr)

More at:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1763662/posts

[quaeritor]

...But he forgot to mention the commas!

(More seriously, Presbyter, thanks for that - it's actually very moving, and food for a lot of thought.)

Q

[HallamPhil]

Have just returned from doing a recording of the 'New Wine' Mass by yours truly. We did it in the Memorial Chapel of Mount St Mary's College, Spinkhill, Derbyshire, which boasts a fine Kenneth Jones organ. We brought together 3 primary school choirs and some members of the College Choir as an educational project with Kieran Fallon at the organ, and instrumentalists (trumpets, violin, flute and clarinet) from the College. We were fortunate that our recording engineer is also a fine pianist.

The venue also offered more chance of silence than many churches elsewhere in the diocese. However within moments of the choirs arriving the fire alarm went off!

We hope to place this recording on the liturgical music section of Diocese of Hallam's website and will also offer separately an accompaniment only version for use in those schools and churches where the required resources are not available.

I had visited the individual schools on two occasions prior to today and after a reminder we recorded each item. The enterprise was of course tiring for the wee ones but there was a great sense of achievement at the end of three hours work and an all too filling school dinner!

[HallamPhil]

I have just uploaded our recording of 'New Wine' Mass by Philip Jakob on to the website of the Diocese of Hallam. I hope it is in a form that folk can listen to, I'm just getting to grips with the technology! www.hallam-diocese.com/revised-translat ... man-missal.

Please bear in mind that the recording is more intended to enable parishes and schools to learn the music than for your entertainment!

[VML]

Please bear in mind that the recording is more intended to enable parishes and schools to learn the music than for your entertainment!

It sounds fine to me, and all the more useful for being info rather than entertainment! Thank you Phil.

[HallamPhil]

Hosted by Sheffield North Deanery, Hallam Diocese enjoyed a fine conference 'Making the Most of the Missal' at All Saints Catholic High School on Saturday 9 July.

Bishop John introduced the event and Martin Foster from the Liturgy Office of Bishops' Conference was an excellent speaker. He was joined for a panel sesson by Fr Peter McGuire and Philip Jakob from Hallam's Council for Liturgy.

150 people attended the event ... not at all bad for a deanery!

To anyone seeking something similar I can wholeheartedly reccommend Martin.

[auchincruive]

A notice appeared in our church bulletin yesterday. It announced a workshop taking place in our deanery "to give people the opportunity to learn the new musical setting of the Mass the Diocese has decided to use in all parishes for the next year or two". (my emphasis)
Can "the Diocese" do this to the exclusion of other settings including the official chants?
Has anyone heard of any other diocese that is imposing just one setting of the new text of the mass on all its parishes without allowing any choice in the matter by the individual parishes?
I'm searching for facts, ammunition, etc in case I need to argue against the decision, if indeed the decision is as dictatorial as it sounds on first reading .Can anyone help? It seems to me that the people at ground level know better what music would suit their congregations than "the Diocese"

[Nick Baty]

It would be unlikely that your diocese, whichever it might be, is imposing one settings to the exclusion of all others – after all, you couldn't sing the same Holy, 365 days a year for two years – you'd all go mad! Are the Powers that Be simply asking for one setting which everyone will know for use at diocesan occasions: Chrism Mass etc? That would appear sensible.

[auchincruive]

Are the Powers that Be simply asking for one setting which everyone will know for use at diocesan occasions: Chrism Mass etc? That would appear sensible.

I don't know yet. I agree that would be sensible but I suspect that things have been left so late that "the Diocese" is trying to take the easy way out by introducing only one musical setting. It would certainly seem that the chosen setting is the only one to be showcased at the workshop (the first workshop to be advertised and not taking place till mid August so not leaving time for many others). Most folk in the diocese are still unaware that the new translation is coming soon; there's been no catechesis or advance warnings.
And the setting would only be repeated 52 times a year; we don't sing any of the mass at the daily mass.

[Nick Baty]

Well even 52 times would be overkill for any setting!

we don't sing any of the mass at the daily mass.

But presumably many other parishes do!?!

[auchincruive]

But presumably many other parishes do!?!

I can't think of any parish that sings at daily mass except a few who would sing the Alleluia before the gospel.

[Nick Baty]

You do surprise me.
But perhaps it's to do with my area.
Certainly my PP leads Alleluia and Eucharistic Acclamations, at all three of his churches.

[mcb]

But perhaps it's to do with my area.

Perhaps it's to do with your PP! I've never ever ever in my whole life come across a parish where they sing at a weekday mass, barring (like auchincruive) a couple where I've heard the Easter Alleluia for the Gospel acclamation.

[presbyter]

A notice appeared in our church bulletin yesterday. It announced a workshop taking place in our deanery "to give people the opportunity to learn the new musical setting of the Mass the Diocese has decided to use in all parishes for the next year or two". (my emphasis)

Well auchincruive, if you're in Glasgow, Paisley or Galloway diocese, I think you might be getting James MacMillan - whose St Anne Mass now contains a Gloria. No idea if James has re-written his Galloway Mass though.

Don't keep us in suspense as to which diocese and which Mass setting.

[presbyter]

I've never ever ever in my whole life come across a parish where they sing at a weekday mass....

I can tell you're at work, mcb, when the parish primary school is in church.