Parts of the Mass Celebrating as a Community

Why do we attend mass? 1. Mass is the core of our faith and it where we come to know Jesus and gather as a community. 2. At Mass, we re-enact the Last Supper, as Jesus said to his disciples, “Do this in memory of me.” 3. We attend to strengthen our relationship with God, and strengthen our prayer life. 4. To receive the Body and Blood of Christ, which is our spiritual nourishment.

1. Gathering O As a reminder of our baptismal promises – we dip our fingers in holy water when we enter the church, and make the sign of the cross. O Opening Song: opens the celebration and leads our thoughts to what we are celebrating O Entrance Procession: involves those with special role within the celebration such as the lectors and the priests O Sign of the Cross/Amen: reminds us of the trinity that is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

O Greeting/Response: in each form, we are reminded that God is with is and always will be. O Penitential Rite: The community seeks reconciliation with one another and with God O Gloria: hymn of praise and thanksgiving O Opening Prayer Silence/Amen: This is the “collect” or gathering prayer

2. Liturgy of the Word O First Reading: A proclamation from the Old Testament O Responsorial Psalm/ Refrain: A psalm that reflects the spirit of the first reading O Second Reading: A proclamation from the letters of the New Testament O Gospel Acclamation: we make the sign of the cross on our foreheads (God in our thoughts), our lips (God in our words), and on our hearts (God in our hearts and actions)

O Gospel: A proclamation from one of the Gospels as word of God. O Homily: the priest teaches and explains the Gospel and readings. O Profession of Faith O General Intercessions: we pray for – O our community O the oppressed, afflicted and sick O our Church O those in need

3. Liturgy of the Eucharist O Preparation of the Altar and Presentations of the Gifts: Before beginning the Eucharistic action, we prepare the table. O The Eucharistic Prayer: There are nine different Eucharistic prayers. O The host is consecrated, and the miracle of transubstantiation occurs.

Transubstantiation O As Catholics, we believe that the host and the wine BECOME Jesus Christ. O Transubstantiation means “changing substance”. O The host and wine, the “substance”, still look like bread and wine, but it isn’t.

O Jesus humbled himself to become bread and wine so he can PHYSICALLY connect with us. O He knew we would want to connect with him in a real and tangible way. O There is evidence of transubstantiation in the Bible, and through Eucharistic miracles.

4. Communion Rite O Lord’s Prayer, Rite of Peace: Before we break bread together and eat and drink of the same loaf and cup, we express unity with one another O Breaking of the Bread: This is the key action of the celebration: we all eat from the one bread which is Christ O This is the Lamb of God….Lord, I am not Worthy: Priest and people prepare themselves to receive the Christ’s body and blood O Communion: We receive the body and blood of Christ

5. Dismissal O Blessing/Amen: The final blessing can be given in a simple or more complex form O Dismissal/Thanks be to God: The liturgy always concludes with the Trinitarian blessing O Closing Song: The closing song and procession remind us that we are sent out into the world to share the Good News we have received

Final thoughts…. O When we are dismissed, we are asked to GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE THE LORD AND ONE ANOTHER. How can we do this? O Our posture and actions in mass are also a sign of respect. O Genuflect: means to kneel on one knee toward the tabernacle, where the consecrated host is kept. This is showing respect to the true presence of Jesus, in the host.

Liturgical Colors Green O Life eternal; hope White O Light; innocence; purity; joy Purple O Penance; humility Red O The Passion; blood; martyrdom