The bishops have a nominations committee that asks two bishops to run for the chairmanship of each major committee. If we accept the nomination, it's a very simple process from there - it goes to a vote of the bishops of the conference. Unlike other elections, there is no behind-the-scenes campaigning. Bishops simply vote their conscience. I will take over as chair in November from Bishop Arthur Serratelli of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. There are times that others will ask me why I am involved with committee work for the USCCB. There are two reasons. First, if we are asked to use our gifts, we should be willing to do it not only on a local level but also on a broader level, because this is a universal church. Second, by serving on committees such as this, I've gained wisdom of experience. In the past I have served on committees on vocations, priestly formation, the missions, the diaconate, laity, communications and the Greek Orthodox, as well as with the National Catholic Educational Association. I believe the Archdiocese of New Orleans benefits because I'm able to see issues not just from a local perspective but also from a national and international perspective.

The Committee on Divine Worship attracts a lot of feedback from Catholics because it deals with the supreme importance of how liturgy is celebrated. Can it be a "hot seat"?

Yes. Recently, a past chair of the Committee for Divine Worship referred to it as the committee where you put your head on the platter! I never thought of it that way!

Where does the English translation of the Roman Missal stand right now?

The Roman Missal is pretty much finished. It is waiting for approval from Rome and then for printing and implementation. Our committee certainly will be intimately involved in the implementation of the new missal. We also will have the continuing task to oversee the translations for other sacraments, as well as the remainder of the lectionary. I will be chair for only three years, but this is a committee that has its work cut out for it for many, many years to come.

Archbishop Hughes has served for several years on Vox Clara, a group of bishops from English-speaking countries around the world that has been working in concert with the Vatican to give its advice on the Roman Missal translations. Have you spoken to him about his work?

I have. Whether it's ironic, providential or accidental, it's kind of interesting that two of us living next door to one another in the same archdiocese are involved in the translation of the Roman Missal.

Do you have any idea when the new missal might go into effect in the U.S.?

We're not sure of the implementation date. We think the earliest date would be in 2012, but we're not even sure of that. Some have suggested that the missal might be ready for Advent in 2011, but I would be very surprised if that were to happen. But it's not too early to begin explaining to Catholics that while the liturgy will "sound" different, it won't "look" different. The only change in the "look" of the liturgy that I'm aware of - and it's been talked about but not yet decided upon - is whether or not the sign of peace should be moved before the presentation of the gifts or should remain where it is in the Communion rite. There's been a consultation with the bishops of the world on this. Some bishops felt it would be carrying out the biblical mandate better to move the sign of peace to just before the presentation of the gifts because Jesus said, "If you have a grievance against your brother or sister, go and be reconciled and then come and offer your gifts at the altar."

As far as "sounding" different, most of the prayers that we say in common and many of the prayers that the presider says will have changes in language. People will ask, "We've been using these prayers since Vatican II, so why is there a need for change?" This is where we must recognize that we are not the church of the United States or the church of Asia or the church of Brazil. We are the church of the world. There was concern throughout the world that there be a better translation. The translation we will be using will be a more literal translation of the Latin instead of a paraphrase. Obviously, the meaning does not change, but in some cases it will be clearer. In other cases, the new English-language translation might at first sound a little bit different, but these new prayers will become a habit. Just as we have learned these prayers since Vatican II, we can learn new ones. Sometimes little changes like this can help us take another look at the whole prayer and say, "Oh, this is what it means," instead of just taking it for granted.

You were ordained in 1975. What is your recollection of the last English translation of the Roman Missal, which happened in 1973.

That was over 35 years ago, and my recollection is that it was a minor change. The biggest change I can remember is when I was in eighth grade at St. James Major when we turned the altar around and celebrated the Mass in English. That was a big deal. I remember as an altar server going to presentations for the whole parish where this was talked about and we were prepared. I do think one of the challenges that we saw after Vatican II is that we did not prepare people adequately for the changes, and so there were a lot of people who felt left out and did not understand. That's one of the things we're trying to make sure we address appropriately and accurately this time.

That's where education comes in.

That's correct. I've already spoken with Father Philip Landry, who is head of our Office of Worship, and his assistants Father Jeffrey Montz and Father Ray Hymel. We will be putting together some workshops throughout the archdiocese and help people get ready for this change. There's the adage, "I like change, except when it affects me." This will affect all of us. But if we approach it in positive way, we will not only make the best of it but also benefit from it as God's people in sacred worship.

Archbishop Aymond welcomes questions from readers. Please e-mail questions to clarionherald@clarionherald.org.