Introduction delayed one week — apologies! The missals/leaflets should be with us in time for this coming Sunday, 8/9 December, and catechesis at the beginning of Mass will commence then.

Sunday 2 December is the First Sunday of Advent, and is traditionally the beginning of the Church’s year. On that day, we will move to the revised English translation of the Mass both at SS Peter & Paul, and St Alphonse.

In terms of practicalities, there are not many changes in the peoples’ responses, but inevitably the changes will take some time to get used to. From the outset, we will have laminated cards with the Ordinary of the Mass (which includes the regular prayers which don’t change from week to week) available for all. Additionally, new Sunday Missals will be available for sale at €25 (substantially discounted by Redemptorist Publications, UK). The old Sunday Missals will continue to be available for those who wish to use them to follow the readings each week, which have not changed; of course, the prayers and responses will all be according to the new translation.

Over the next few months, we will have talks, workshops and times of reflection to take us deeper into the mystery at the heart of our faith. Each Mass, beginning on Sunday, will begin with a 5 minute catechesis on successive parts of the Mass. Further events will be announced as soon as possible. The changeover presents us with an opportunity to rediscover the richness of the Roman Rite, the ancient, poetic and profound texts of our Eucharistic liturgy, and we will make the most of it.

Fr Ed