For 4 Decades at Mass: The Lord be with you!

And, the Catholic assembly responded: And also with you!

But today, the first Sunday of Advent --that prepares Christians for the anniversary of the birth of Jesus, and his eventual second coming -- across America, and other English-speaking nations, people will respond:

And with your spirit!

The hour-long Mass remembering the Lord's final supper before his crucifixion will end with the same pair of phrases to close the loop's start and finish. The mission of taking the "good news" of Jesus to the world at work, school, or home begins afresh for Catholics today when they arrive to fill their obligation to participate at Mass.

More than words, however, make Mass work, if you will, to inspire and mend and morph hearts to enlarge and reach out like the worshipper's leader, Jesus, who clearly set the table to reform and renew often tired and tried hearts.

And, today's joblessness and bleak economy has these 28 dark days of Advent's work cut out for us. Dim, depressing darkness encompasses many, along with so many living in poverty.

It's the latest, and some say final revision in words at Mass since English made its debut and Latin is less used, although it is still the offical language of the Western or Roman Rite.

A new Roman Missal, ritual text of prayers and instructions for celebrating Mass is unveiled.

It is a thick tome.

Changing words must be met, however, with hearts changed, and morphing, in the spirit of "full, active and conscious participation" in the Mass. Vatican II called for that kind of participation.
And words help Mass-goers do that. Hearts, however, are inspired not solely with a litany of texts from the head, but by those that move one deeper to his or her heart.

People will want to be inspired when they head to worship this Sunday morning.

Words help. Yet, at Mass, words applied to music ministry, preaching, and more will tell how effective the new Roman Missal is in moving people's hearts to heal a broken world with God's eternal and unconditional love.

That takes one's entire being. Engagement.

For a complete list of changes to the Catholic Mass prayers and responses, visit the Archdiocese of Detroit website at www.aodonline.org/AODonline/AODonline.htm.

And, go in peace when the Mass is ended this high holy day.