Fr. Martin Fox shares what he’ll be doing in his Ohio parish:

A different tone at Mass:

* Sober music, less instruments.
* Except for 4th Sunday of Lent, no flowers at all in the church or chapel.
* Like last Advent, we will use a psalm-antiphon at the entrance, instead of a hymn. This is the norm, seldom followed.
* We will use the Confiteor—“I confess to Almighty God…” for the Penitential Rite. We strike our chest, one or three times, as a sign of sorrow.
* The Kyrie follows, the choir will lead; no Gloria.
* The priest has an option of two Eucharistic Prayers “for Reconciliation.”
* We’ll use the “Dying you destroyed our death” memorial acclamation for Lent; for Easter, “Lord, by your Cross and Resurrection.”
* We’ve been learning the Agnus Dei (“Lamb of God”) in Latin; for Lent and Easter, we’ll try the Sanctus (“Holy, Holy”). I know change is challenging, but not only is Latin part of our heritage, Vatican II specifically said to do this: “steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.” Please be positive; the melody is simple and beautiful. It is a shame never to use it as a parish. Our musicians will review new music before Mass, and we’ll have handouts.