Some sharp-eared congregants have noticed a change in Mass that started on this past Ash Wednesday: the phrase commonly found in the Collect (the opening prayer) changed from “one God, forever and ever” to “God, forever and ever.” Small, but one that raises the question: Why?

As to the mechanics of the question, it may help to review Mass text translation. Following Vatican II reform allowing the use of the Mass in the vernacular, the English translation used in the United States attempted to use language close to common conversation. Starting in 2008 and promulgated to take effect in 2011 for the Catholic Church in the United States (remember when the reply “And also with you” became “And with your spirit”? Yes, that weekend!), the universal Church sought to unify the various translations to be closer to the official Latin text. Since then, small changes proposed and enacted, of which this is the latest: there is no word “unum” in that phrase in the Latin Roman Missal, so now there is no word “one” in the translated phrase of the English Roman Missal.

Why is this important? To put it simply, the gift of language given to us by God is one that needs to be treated with care and respect and no place is this more evident than in the liturgy – our personal conversation with God through communal worship. By correcting translation errors and bringing the Church in the various countries and languages into closer union through our prayer, we can bring to fulfilment, even if in a small way, Jesus’ wish that “they all be one” in closer unity with Jesus and his Father (c.f. Jn. 17:21a). For more information on this change see the National Catholic Register at https://www.ncregister.com/blog/god-forever-and-ever.

A Lenten note: Although St. Patrick’s Day is on a Wednesday and needs no dispensation for abstaining from meat from the Bishop this year, I wanted to point out that, as a Solemnity – which means it holds higher significance in the Church calendar than the Memorial of St. Patrick – St. Joseph’s Day does fall on a Friday and automatically confers the dispensation as a result. So if you want, have that hamburger on Friday the 19th (although I’m sure that God would still appreciate your act of self-mortification, if you chose to abstain anyway!)

A review of our Mass and sacramental schedule for this weekend: 

Mass 4PM - Mass WITH a congregation, in-church Communion during Mass (no outdoor Communion afterwards)

9AM - Mass Live streamed WITH a congregation. Outdoor Communion will be available afterwards and radio reception available in the parking lot at 107.7FM. Please note that outdoor Communion will end promptly at 10:15. Plan accordingly

11AM - Mass WITH a congregation, in-church Communion during Mass (no outdoor Communion afterwards) PLEASE NOTE: While making a reservation is not required, we are encouraging people to do so; this way you can be assured of having a seat. We have noticed that in-church attendance is steadily increasing and, in anticipation that we may reach capacity at weekend Masses, we have prepared the Church Hall for social distancing and live-streaming the Mass from upstairs. When needed, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will bring the Blessed Sacrament so that people in the Church Hall can receive Communion during Mass.

To access TAKE YOUR PLACE AT TABLE and/or to volunteer to help our Liturgical Environment Ministry in parking, seating or cleaning, please visit our parish website at www.visitationrcchurch.org/take-your-place-at-table Those without Internet access (and please let your friends and neighbors know!) can call 732-475-0048   

Not yet ready to return to the church building?

WE UNDERSTAND and will continue to offer live streamed Mass on Sundays at 9AM with outdoor Communion available in the church parking lot. See this weekend's Mass on YouTube at