Dear St. Rita Families,

You have heard, perhaps, that we received a two-year extension in our permission to celebrate the Mass in the usus antiquor (commonly referred to as the Traditional Latin Mass) here in the parish Church, and this is a big relief to us! In other Dioceses, some permissions were either not extended or were allowed to expire, and so we are grateful to God and to the Holy Father for granting us the extension. 

In granting the extension, Rome has asked that one Sunday each month we celebrate Mass using current Missale Romanum (2008) in place of Mass in the usus antiquor. Bishop Burbidge has told me that it may be ad orientem and in Latin. However, it must be the same Sunday each month. Thus, in order to preserve as much continuity as possible in the celebration of feasts, I have decided that the second Sunday of each month will be the Sunday on which Mass will be celebrated according to the current Missale Romanum (in Latin, ad orientem) in lieu of Mass in the usus antiquor at 9:15 am. This change will take effect on Sunday, September 8, so that we have time to prepare. The weekday schedule for Mass in the usus antiquor will remain unchanged. 

Of course, because our parish schedule is very full and our community life is very active, this choice has some trickle-down effects, as well. You will recall that the second Sunday of the month is our usual Coffee and Donut Sunday, which is quite popular. Providentially, we are able not only to move Coffee and Donuts, but also to add an additional Sunday! Beginning in September, therefore, we will have Coffee and Donuts for the parish on the 1st AND 3rd Sundays of the month – but no longer on the 2nd Sunday. A big thank you to the Lamarra family and to the American Heritage Girls for enabling this to happen!

When the shift takes place on Sunday, September 8 at 9:15 am, I expect that we’ll have some new attendees from some of our other Sunday Masses. We will remain totally faithful to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, and the Instruction provides latitude at various points in the Mass giving the celebrant some options. Therefore, I plan to take advantage of the available options in ways that are familiar to those who frequent the usus antiquor, without changing any portion of the current Missale. My purpose in doing this is so that we do not forget our Catholic history and identity.

I ask that you keep the entire parish in your prayers as we navigate this not insignificant shift. I am praying for all of you as well!

In Christ,

Fr. Christensen