The Lafayette Diocese’s Office of Worship has scheduled a series of regional workshops entitled “Understanding the Changes in the Mass” during the month of September.  The purpose of the workshops will be to explain the changes in the new English translation of the Roman Missal, which will be officially implemented beginning with the First Sunday of Advent (November 27, 2011).   The September workshops will be open to everyone who is a member of the Catholic congregation.  They will provide an opportunity for individuals to educate themselves as to why certain changes have been made and how those changes will affect their   participation in the Mass.
It’s a big deal in that the language to be used will more closely reflect the original Latin text,” said Msgr. Keith DeRouen, Director of the Office of Worship and Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Opelousas; he will also conduct the upcoming workshops.  “It is not a big deal, however, for those who can follow along in a missalette.”
For most people, however, the greatest adjustment will simply be to overcome their old familiarity with the former responses, and to embrace the somewhat more sophisticated English phrasing that is utilized in the newest translation of the Roman Missal.
Each of the regional workshops for the laity will consist of three parts.  The first will provide a basic historical overview of the Roman Missal, which has been developed through various translations even before now.  The second part of the workshop will highlight certain changes that will occur with the implementation of this newest    translation, and the final part will focus on explaining why these changes are being made.
A total of five workshops are currently scheduled.  The first will be held on Saturday, September 10, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Opelousas.  The second workshop will be held on Saturday, September 17, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Iberia.  The third is scheduled for Saturday, September 24, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Mire.  The fourth and fifth workshops will both be held on the grounds of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Lafayette; one will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the  evening of Thursday, September 29, and the other will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 1. 
All of the workshops are open to the general public, at no cost and with no registration required.  Also, individuals should note that they are under no obligation to attend within their own region; they may attend any workshop which is convenient to them.