Frequently Asked Questions
About Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the Roman Missal, Third Edition
If I am not able to remake all my materials by November 27 when the changes are implemented, what should I do? Do I remove the materials that need to be remade (those that would contain the “old” language?) Do I just make what I can? What materials are MOST essential for me to remake in Level II? What should I remake FIRST in Level III?
Answer:
Your dilemma regarding the making of materials is understandable. The thought of remaking materials can seem overwhelming. But then, try to recall the atrium when you first began as a catechist. Perhaps it was not nearly complete. Some catechists start with only a few materials at Level I, such as Altar I, The Good Shepherd, The Annunciation, and The Prophecies. Our work is a slow work, yes? We simply begin and are able to add more materials as time and our finances allow.
Please do not be anxious about remaking materials. Most of the items that will be remade are booklets and charts and some card work. We would not remove any items from the Level I atrium, as the Wall Chart and booklets can easily be remade. Even if the new words are simply taped over the old words, until a new booklet can be written.
For Levels II and III, you can (1) look at your calendar for the year and remake those materials that you will be presenting in the fall, or (2) you may want to begin making the material which you think will take the most time for you to remake.
My pastor has not talked about / shared information about the changes in the Roman Missal. Do I need to do any preparation with the children before I introduce the remade materials on November 27? As parish DRE, what preparation do I need to do with my catechists?
Answer:
We applaud you in your interest in your own formation as a catechist. The CGS Roman Missal Kit will give your background on the parts of the Mass that coincide with the materials in our atria. For further reading, there are websites and resources listed on our website. The USCCB and Liturgy Training Publications are two recommended sites. Both sites have free bulletin inserts that contain great information that you can share with your catechists and parents. While your pastor may not be sharing information, I would look at your Diocesan Website to see what your local Worship Office has prepared for those in your area.
You will want to prepare your catechists at the beginning of the year. If your pastor is not speaking about the changes from the pulpit or there is not information in the parish bulletin, they will need time to learn about and have time to process the new language and make the necessary changes to their album pages, etc. before the year begins.
You may want to offer an evening (or even two) as a “Sing Along” for the children in your parish to become familiar with the Mass settings your parish will be using. CGSUSA would like to hear what others are doing to prepare the children.
I just finished making my Synthesis of the Mass Wall Chart. How important is it for me to remake this material to reflect the changes in the Mass? Can I just continue using what I have? It really does not matter if my materials reflect what the children hear at Mass, does it? It is better that the children see something, even if it is not current.
Answer:
There are words on the wall chart for the Synthesis of the Mass that need to be changed. You can simply tape the new words over the previously used words until a new chart is made. While it may seem frustrating to revise something that you have just created, know that the children will not mind our tape and any temporary fixes we make to the materials. Know that it will be easier for the children if the words used in the atrium reflect what they hear at Mass.
My children have been working on their Missals. Now the words are changing. Should I ask the children to rewrite those pages to reflect the new words? Will their parents be upset that their child’s Missal is not “current,” if the child does not want to recopy the text? Should I send a note home to educate/inform the parents?
Answer:
While some children love to write, it can be a chore for others. Rather than expect a child to rewrite pages of the Missal, we would suggest having the new pages in your sample Missal (and on the text cards for the Synthesis of the Mass) ready in September. If a child began a Missal last spring and has not finished it, you may simply tell him or her that some of the words have changed, and that it is fine if he or she wants to remake their pages with the new words.
Regarding changes to my Rite of Confirmation material: the text card for the Rite of Confirmation refers to the candidate’s response at the anointing, “And also with you.” Shouldn’t I change that to “And with your spirit.”?
Answer: A member of our CGS Roman Missal Committee spoke to Fr. Richard Hilgartner, who is the associate director for the Secretariat for the Liturgy at USCCB’s Committee on Divine Worship about this very issue. Fr. Hilgartner explained that the Rite of Confirmation has NOT changed. Since our Confirmation material is in WRITTEN form, we do not have the authority to change it on our cards.
At the time of the publishing of our CGS Roman Missal Kit, the USCCB is waiting for a response from the Holy See about how soon the USCCB may begin to make changes to other rites (Rite of Confirmation, Rite of Baptism, etc.) When the Holy See has responded, we will inform our membership via the website and materials manual when applicable.
It is important to note that while the Rite of Confirmation has not changed, a local Bishop may in practice decide that his diocese will begin using the response, “And with your spirit,” but we still do not have the authority to change the rite or make the change on our text card, even if our local Bishop makes the change in practice. We need to wait until the Rite of Confirmation has been changed by the Holy See.
I love the "Prayer to Accept Change" that appears in the Roman Missal Kit. Is it possible to use that prayer with my catechists and reprint it in our parish bulletin?
Answer: CGSUSA is grateful to Diana Macalintal for the use of this beautiful prayer. Please contact her at the following URL to find out more about her work:
http://teamrcia.com.