All of these matters I mentioned are liturgical abuses. The priest is not allowed to deliberately change set prayers except in very limited circumstances (eg. “bretheren” and “Friends” is allowed, but not "sisters and brothers)…
I think “sisters and brothers” is entirely understandable with the current translation.
From the Roman Missal, it has in the Order of Mass:
“Pray, brethren,
[foontote 1: [COLOR=“Red”]At the discretion of the priest, other words which seem more suitable under the circumstances, such as friends, dearly beloved, my brothers and sisters, may be used.]
that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.”
(Roman Missal, Catholic Book Publishing Co., New York, 1985, page 371).
It is giving examples of other suitable words, but it is not limiting the priest to only use those examples.
If there is a new translation that removes this option then OK, the priest will have to say “Pray, brethren” even if he talking to a congregation of nuns. But at present I think it is understandable that priests think they have an option in this.
An introduction at the start of Mass is clearly permitted. From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from
romanrite.com/girm.html :
“31. It is also up to the priest, in the exercise of his office of presiding over the gathered assembly, to offer certain explanations that are foreseen in the rite itself. Where it is indicated in the rubrics, the celebrant is permitted to adapt them somewhat in order that they respond to the understanding of those participating. However, he should always take care to keep to the sense of the text given in the Missal and to express them succinctly. The presiding priest is also to direct the word of God and to impart the final blessing. In addition, he may give the faithful a very brief introduction to the Mass of the day (after the initial Greeting and before the Act of Penitence), to the Liturgy of the Word (before the readings), and to the Eucharistic Prayer (before the Preface), though never during the Eucharistic Prayer itself; he may also make concluding comments to the entire sacred action before the dismissal.”
This gives less freedom to the priest in changing words than the 1975 GIRM, which some priest may still be used to:
“11. It is also up to the priest in the exercise of his office of presiding over the assembly to pronounce the instructions and words of introduction and conclusion that are provided in the rites themselves.
By their very nature these introductions do not need to be expressed verbatim in the form in which they are given in the Missal; at least in certain cases it will be advisable to adapt them somewhat to the concrete situation of the community. [footnote 20: See Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, Circular letter on the eucharistic prayers, 27 April 1973, no. 14. ] It also belongs to the priest presiding to proclaim the word of God and to give the final blessing. He may give the faithful a very brief introduction to the Mass of the day (before the celebration begins), to the Liturgy of the Word (before the readings), and to the eucharistic prayer (before the preface); he may also make comments concluding the entire sacred service before the dismissal.”
