How to enrich our experience of Mass

	First of a six-part series
	Related articles ... October 17, 2003 issue: • Compass Editorial --     Focusing on Instruction August 22, 2003 issue: • Bishop Banks' Corner --     The church's source of energy August 8, 2003 issue: • Bishop Banks' Corner --     Current Mass links us to Apostles

During the past weeks, many Catholics have heard or read about coming changes in the celebration of the Mass. These changes have their source in the revision of a document that was approved and published in March 2003.

Actually, the document is the introduction to the priest's large, red prayer book known as the Sacramentary. It is usually placed on the altar during the Mass. The introduction to the Sacramentary includes directives for the priest and the people as they celebrate the Mass. Rome refers to this introduction as the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

For the next six weeks, this special column will provide further information about why the revisions were made, and how they will enrich the experience of the Mass. Catholics have a marvelous Liturgy celebrating God in music, prayer, symbol, feasts and ritual.

It will be interesting to highlight the gift of our Catholic tradition.

To inform priests and parish leaders of the General Instruction, Bp. Robert Banks, Sr. Ann Rehrauer, OSF, and Diann Wimmer participated in the diocesan offering of three regional meetings highlighting the revisions. Many parishes will have few visible changes in their celebration of the Mass. All parishes are invited to enrich and deepen the spiritual experience of the Mass.

The First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30, is the date for parishes to implement the revisions of the General Instruction. Until then, the Diocese of Green Bay will study the revisions. But, most of all, we, as a diocese, will prepare for a deeper understanding and a spiritual renewal of the experience of the Mass.

Anyone with specific questions about the Mass or the General Instruction on the Roman Missal can send them by e-mail to dwimmer@gbdioc.org or phone her toll-free, 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8311.