Fr. Rene explains new Roman Missal changes to students

Intermountain Catholic

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Courtesy of Diane Parkin

Father Rene Rodillas walks energetically into each classroom at Saint Olaf School, his smile broad. His greeting is answered by each class with looks of excited anticipation.

"Sorry, no song today," he says with a small frown, "My allergies are acting up so I won’t be able to sing for you today."

Our new pastor, Fr. Rene, as he asks to be called, often bursts into song as he enters a class, using his talent not only to entertain the students, but to teach them songs that reflect the value or idea he is talking about.

Today, he has an important lesson to teach all the students in the school. Explaining in terms that each age group can understand, he explains that beginning the First Sunday of Advent, there will be some changes occurring in the Mass and he would like the students to get a head start on learning the new responses. He says that this is not a new ritual for celebrating the Eucharist but merely a new translation so that all of us can have a better understanding of the Liturgy and will help us better appreciate its meaning and importance in our lives.

He begins with the new response to ‘The Lord be with you.’ "Instead of saying, ‘and also with you,’ we will now say, ‘and with your spirit,’" he says. He repeats this several times until he is satisfied that everyone now understands the new response.

"Excellent! Terrific! You are such quick learners! Now don’t forget to practice this, and next time we will go on to another new part. You will all know the new parts of the Mass by the time we make the change," he says.

On this day, he spends a few extra minutes for an informal photo with each class, and they flock around him. With a smile and a quick goodbye he moves on to the next class to repeat the day’s lesson. He effortlessly maintains the same air of enthusiasm, excitement and interest in every classroom.

His cheerful and patient approach endears Fr. Rene to all the students, from the youngest Pre-K student to the oldest class of 8th graders.

"It’s exciting and challenging" to teach students, he says of his new experiences. "I am amazed at all the new things I learn from the kids."

It is obvious that the students respond to his enthusiasm and affection for them. Comments by some of the students include "I like him because he is fun," " He loves us all" and "He’s a cool guy!" Clearly, Fr. Rene is successful in making a very favorable impression on this important part of his new parish community.