News

Changes in Mass coming with Advent 2003

On Nov. 30, 2003 -- the first Sunday of Advent -- there will be changes in how the Mass is celebrated in the Green Bay Diocese in accordance with the revised General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM).

The revised GIRM, which includes both liturgical theology and instructions on how the Mass is celebrated, will be published in English this month after years of study, prayer and translating, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops told U.S. dioceses.

Bp. Robert Banks and the Diocesan Liturgical Commission agreed on the Nov. 30 implementation date for the diocese at a recent meeting where they approved these steps to prepare parishes for the changes:

• Provide catechesis and study of the Mass through programs, bulletin inserts, homilies, educational cards, articles in The Compass, small group sessions and study guides.

• Present conferences next fall for priests, parish directors and deacons to study and review the GIRM.

• Prepare an easy-to-understand summary of changes affecting the assembly, print it on a card and make it available to all Catholics.

• Provide formation, training and development programs for all lectors, Eucharistic ministers, musicians, altar servers, hospitality/ushers and ministers for environment and art.

Bp. Banks asked that a committee be formed to draw up a time table for the implementation process. Committee members are Sr. Ann Rehrauer, Dcn. Rick Miech, Diann Wimmer, Sr. Peg Gabik, Fr. Larry Seidl and Anissa Melotte. Sr. Rehrauer worked extensively early in the revision of the GIRM and has led discussions with priests of various dioceses.

Throughout the summer and fall, Catholics will be "invited to pray, study and prepare for a renewal of faith and for the gift of spiritual energy that God so generously gives with the celebration of the Catholic liturgy," said Diann Wimmer, diocesan director of Worship.

Members of the diocesan Liturgical Commission are: Wimmer, and Mark Mogilka, diocesan director of Pastoral Services, both ex-officio; Dominican Srs. Georgia Acker and Geri Hoye, pastoral associates at St. Rosalia Parish, Sister Bay; Sr. Marla Clercx, ANG, parish director at Immaculate Conception Parish, Florence; Joan Faltynski, St. Mary of the Angels, Green Bay; Sr. Peg Gabik, OP, diocesan consultant for Education; Fr. John Girotti, associate pastor, Nativity Parish, Green Bay; Dcn. Michael Grzeca, Resurrection Parish, Green Bay; Greg Meller, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay; Dcn. Rick Miech, St. Mary Parish, Greenville; Ellen Mommaerts, youth minister, St. Agnes Parish, Green Bay; Fr. Thomas Pomeroy, pastor of Holy Angels Parish, Darboy; Fr. Larry Seidl; pastor of St. Matthew Parish, Green Bay; Jean Simons, Holy Rosary, New Holstein; Rudy Pineda, diocesan consultant for Hispanic Ministry; Sr. Ann Rehrauer, OSF, president, Bay Settlement Franciscans, Green Bay; Anissa Melotte, diocesan consultant for Initiation and Liturgical Music.