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Many Catholics in the Albany Diocese are unaware or even concerned about the new translation of the Roman Missal, the prayers used at Mass, that will begin use in November 2011.

But some local priests and parish leaders are already taking the unknown out of the text.

The announcement last month of the implementation date for the new missal translation was an impetus for some parish leaders to start explaining the changes in bulletins and homilies, and even testing out the language on parishioners - an effort to make the change smooth, but also to capitalize on a teachable moment.

"We aren't going to set the Church on fire or do anything we're not supposed to, but we want to get people familiar," said Rev. James Clark, pastor of Our Lady of Hope parish in Fort Plain.

He plans to host meetings for parishioners later this fall, after he and other parish leaders throughout the Diocese attend a Saratoga workshop on the new missal sponsored by national groups.

The Fort Plain parish will also create an index card for pews and bulletins, highlighting changes to people's responses at Mass. To that end, Father Clark has been reviewing training aids available from the U.S. bishops' Secretariat of Divine Worship, the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, liturgists, publishers and Catholic publications.

"People will have a chance to deepen their understanding," the pastor said of the changes, adding that his homilies will become more catechetical as the changes take effect: "I think this is a step forward even though we're going back to the old translation."

The changes to the missal will give laypeople opportunities to explore the spiritual richness of the prayers, the U.S. bishops' conference has explained.

The "third typical edition" of the missal was first announced by Pope John Paul II in 2000 and first published in Latin in 2002. It underwent an extensive translation process into English during the past decade.

About a dozen sections of the Mass will include new responses by the people, though changes to priests' parts are more extensive.

Father Clark already plans to start using the new wording used to bless the deacon before the reading of the Gospel.

Another widely-discussed change to the priest's part is the dismissal prayer at the end of the Mass, which currently reads, "The Mass is ended, go in peace." Pope Benedict XVI suggested two of the four new options:

• "Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord;" and

• "Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life."

Rev. Michael Flannery, pastor of St. Ann's parish in Fort Ann and Our Lady of Hope in Whitehall, has been catechizing about another change in his homilies.

When priests give thanksgiving to the Lord before the Eucharist, they currently say, "From age to age you gather a people to yourself, so that from east to west a perfect offering may be made to the glory of your name."

As Father Flannery has been explaining, this will change to, "and you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name."

The priest's homilies have also tackled a particularly contested line adaptation in the Nicene Creed: "Begotten, not made, one in being with the Father," will change to, "begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father," to adhere more closely to the original Latin text.

"When I've explained to [parishioners] that the changes are going to be more biblical, they're pretty excited about it," Father Flannery said. He's been including articles from the USCCB in bulletins.

At age 40, this is the first major change to the Mass that Father Flannery has experienced in his lifetime, but he's not worried about parishioners adapting.

"It seems minor in the big picture. It all depends on the presentation," he remarked. "I think if pastoral leaders take the opportunity to teach people about it, it will be a good thing."

Some are not immune to anxiety, however. Donna Simone, pastoral associate for faith formation at St. Gabriel the Archangel parish in Rotterdam and St. Madeleine Sophie in Schenectady, wants to start educating people soon after the Saratoga workshop.

"I think it's going to make it more difficult for us because it changes things. I think it's going to make people feel uncomfortable," Mrs. Simone predicted.

So "we need to educate people and help them understand," she said. "I don't think anytime is too early. I think the sooner the better because then people have more time to get used to it."

The Diocese has not yet rolled out aids for catechists, said Stephen Mawn, associate director for catechist formation for the diocesan Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life. He said the office may offer courses next fall or at Spring Enrichment.

"There will be the fear that people will focus on the process," Mr. Mawn said, echoing Mrs. Simone. "Don't get bogged down by the word itself, but ask, 'What is the meaning to us?'"[[In-content Ad]]

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