"...Since the spirituality of the majority of Catholics is most expressed in the Eucharist, Catholics are particularly sensitive to the ways that we celebrate the Holy Mass. For some people the changes [ed: referring to the post-conciliar reforms] were experienced as a bit harsh; they equated Mass with the Tridentine Mass. Recognizing this and in order to reach out to these few, Pope John Paul II began to allow the use of the 1962 Roman Missal (Tridentine Mass) with permission of the local Bishop. Pope Benedict has chosen to follow in the same footsteps, only now allowing individual priests to decide use of the 1962 Roman Missal. However, both Popes stressed that the 1970 Roman Missal remained the ORDINARY way in which to celebrate Mass and that use of the 1962 Missal was an EXTRAORDINARY way to celebrate Mass. Both are legitimate ways to celebrate the same prayer...
...So what does this mean? It means that within a diocese there need to be some churches where priests celebrate the Tridentine Mass for the faithful who knew and experienced this Rite in their lifetime, feel drawn to it and are requesting it. In our diocese there are three churches that do this, and St. Mary in Akron is one. My caution to people is to realize that the Pope's decree was meant for those who had grown up with the Tridentine rite and still feel drawn to it for their spirituality. At St Mary in Hudson, the norm will remain the Roman Missal of 1970 at all of our Masses since we are located so close to a parish that does offer the extraordinary way to celebrate Mass. As the Vibrant Parish Life Initiative reminds us, we are called to be one Church, sharing rather than duplicating services, so that all can feel welcome in all parishes and the variety of needs can be met."
