MILLENNIUM MIDNIGHT MASSES OFFICIALLY OPEN JUBILEE YEAR

What better time to celebrate God's gifts and blessings than at the start of a new year -- or a new millennium?

Several members of St. Mary's Cathedral and other area Catholic parishes will ring in the new year with a midnight Mass celebrated by Bishop John J. Leibrecht of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese.

Mass officially begins at midnight and helps celebrate the beginning of a year of Jubilee. Pre-Mass prayers and songs from the Millennium Choir begin at 11:30 p.m.

Pope John Paul II has called Catholics around the world to work for justice, peace, reconciliation and forgiveness during the new year. So Irene Stevens thought it only fitting to offer a special choral selection for a special holiday, New Year's Eve 1999. She's coordinating the Millennium Choir presentation at the Mass.

As the world ushers in a new millennium, 12 members of the choir will be singing about reconciliation, freedom, justice, creation, rejoicing and praise. Special readings and scripture selection are part of the service as well.

Stevens and other choir members had heard a special millennium hymn during a music conference during the summer. She liked the music so much she ordered a copy.

All the music is upbeat, and the litanies allow the congregation to interact during the half-hour service prior to Mass.

Since the pope has said 2000 will be a year of jubilee, Stevens said the music challenges people to "give this year to the Lord and see what happens."

The practice of jubilee is an ancient one that began when Israel held jubilee every 50 years as a time of fasting and repentance. It was followed by a festival. The reference to jubilee is taken from Leviticus 25:8-12, which calls for people to return to their families and lands and only take what comes directly from fields. There is also a reference in the New Testament in Luke 4, when Jesus Christ speaks of bringing "glad tidings to the poor."

Whether jubilee is about following tradition or offering forgiveness and reconciling with Christ, the main idea is to have "some sort of praise," Stevens said.

By ending the year with music, praise and a special Mass, it creates a "spirit of love," she said.

Area Catholic parishes were invited to attend the Mass and "celebrate the opening of the year with our Lord and the bishop," Stevens said.

There will be a fellowship after the service as the church christens its new parish office building.