Last week, the USCCB released a new pastoral letter, "Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love," inviting us all to pray and act to combat racism in our lives and our communities.

The letter, and corresponding resources (including pastoral aids, information on systemic racism, bulletin inserts, lesson plans and activities for grades K-12) can be found on the USCCB website.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lacey at 9:30am and

St. Michael Catholic Church in Olympia at 10:00am

 

followed by the March for Life at the Capitol steps in Olympia, Washington. 
 

There will be two opportunities to come together for Mass on the morning of the March for Life, Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

S acred Heart Catholic Church in Lacey at 9:30am and St. Michael Catholic Church in Olympia at 10:00am.

In order to best accommodate everyone at each church, it is encouraged that parish groups coming from north of Lacey attend the Mass at Sacred Heart and parish groups coming from south of Olympia attend the Mass at St. Michael. Buses going to St. Michael Church are to park on 11th Street and not in the parking lot.

In order to assist with planning purposes for the Mass, it is vital that parish groups, individuals, and concelebrating priests attending the Mass for Life RSVP.
 

The USCCB has released the new Misal Romano, tercera edicion, the new Spanish language Roman Missal for use in the Un ited States.

Mandatory use of the new Misal Romano is the First Sunday of Advent, December 2nd. If you still need to purchase the new ritual text, Misal Romano for your parish, please email Jennifer Day.

• The many greeting options at the beginning of Mass which had appeared in the previous Misal Romano will now be given in an appendix, rather than within the Ordinario de la Misa. As well, optional tropes for use within Penitential Rite C will be placed in an appendix.
• The optional texts formerly given for the introduction of the Lord's Prayer, and the invitation to exchange the Sign of Peace will no longer be included in the Ordinario de la Misa.
• Several prefaces which had appeared in other Spanish Misals will not be present in the US version of this text. These include: Prefaces III and IV for Advent; Preface V for Lent; Preface after the Ascension; Prefaces IX and X in Ordinary Time; Prefaces for Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick; Preface for Angels; Preface for Saint Joseph; Preface II of Holy Martyrs; and, Common Prefaces VII and VIII.
• Within the Eucharistic Prayers, the proper forms of the communicantes for Holy Thursday and the Solemnity of the Ascension will not appear in the revised Misal Romano. In Eucharistic Prayers II and III, particular intercessions will be provided only in the case of the celebration of Baptism and in Masses for the Dead. 

• Publishers of the Misal Romano have been asked to arrange the text and music so that it matches the layout of the current English Roman Missal. This is intended to be of help to celebrants who may not be as familiar with the Spanish text.
• The use of ustedes rather than vosotros, with the corresponding declinations of accompanying verbs, will be observed throughout the new text.
• The phrase por ustedes y por muchos will appear in the Words of Institution.
• The full endings of the presidential prayers (collects, prayers over the gifts, prayers after communion) will be given in each Mass formulary.
• Orations for the patronal feasts of Latin American countries will be included in an appendix. As well, a proper preface for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe will appear in the Mass formulary for that day.

View the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) website for additional information, chant and formation resources on implementing the new Misal Romano at your Spanish Masses.

 

When the Blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family.

 

View the ritual text from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.
 

As we honor the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary within the womb of St. Anne, it is fitting to remember this Blessing of a Child in the Womb. This blessing supports parents awaiting the birth of a child and encourages the parish community's prayers for - and recognition of - the gift of human life in the form of the child in the womb. It may be offered within Mass as well as outside of Mass.

View the ritual text from the USCCB Website. 

The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time.

BLESSING OF A CHRISTMAS TREE 

The use of the Christmas tree is relatively modern. Its origins are found in the medieval mystery plays that depicted the tree of paradise and the Christmas light or candle that symbolized Christ, the Light of the world.

 

In the home the Christmas tree may be blessed by a parent or another family member, in connection with the evening meal on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time on Christmas Day.
 

View the ritual text from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.
 

BLESSING OF THE HOME AND HOUSEHOLD ON EPIPHANY