1. The Catholic Mass

2. What is the Mass? The mass is the most special prayer offered in the Catholic faith. We are obeying the last command of Jesus Christ at the last supper when he said “Do this in memory of me”. Catholics all over the world celebrate the same mass in every country around the world. The gospel we hear and the communion we share is to change our hearts. We are then sent back out into the world to live out the good news of Jesus.

3. The Mass takes about 1 hour. At a Catholic mass, people who attend are expected to come prepared to be involved. People who want to get something out of mass must be prepared to put something into it.  participate in the prayers, listen to God’s story and instruction, apply God’s word to our personal life, share in praise and song, and bring ourselves and our suffering & good works as offering.

4. How did the Mass start? The mass is nearly 2000 years old. The Mass meal is an escape to freedom. It gives power to overcome weakness and sin. Holy Water: to remember baptism Genuflect: kneeling towards the tabernacle (the house of Jesus)

6. Five Parts of Mass

7. Part 1 - Introduction Priest greets us—sign of the Cross Penitential Act—Asking for God’s mercy for our sins Gloria—Hymn of praise Priest gathers our prayers

8. Liturgy of the Word  1 st reading: Old Testament  Responsorial Psalm: Book of Psalms (May be sung or read)  2 nd reading: New Testament  Gospel: Gospel of Matthew/Mark/Luke/John make a cross on our forehead, lips and heart  We stand & make a cross on our forehead, lips and heart –may God’s word be on our mind, lips when we speak and in our hearts  Homily: The priest explains the Scriptures and applies it to our lives.  Creed – Our profession of faith (Apostles or Nicene Creed).  We are agreeing as a community to our beliefs & the word of God  Intercessions (Prayers of the faithful): Includes the whole community  Needs of the church  Public and salvation of the world  Those oppressed  Local community

9. Liturgy of the Eucharist Highest part of the mass  Re-enactment of the last supper Preparation of the altar Presentation of the gifts (bread and wine) Priest washes his hands and this cleanses him of sins Water and wine are mixed: symbol of Jesus and His people uniting Eucharistic Prayer  Sanctus (Holy, Holy)—moment of unity for the whole Church of God  Last Supper Narrative: This is my body…  This is where bread and wine change into the body and blood of Christ. This special moment is called the miracle of transubstantiation. Mystery of Faith: People proclaim their faith  “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again”

11. Invitation to Communion Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) Sign of peace Lamb of God (Breaking the Bread) Physically receive the body of Christ

13. Dismissal Blessing—Amen Announcements Dismissal—Thanks be to God Go to love and serve the Lord—be better people

14. Colours of the Liturgical Year White – Joy, purity, innocence, and victory (Feast day of Mary, Easter, and Christmas) Red – Blood, fire, Holy Spirit, and sacrifice of the martyrs (Pentecost and Feast of the Martyrs) Purple – Sorrow, fasting, and preparation (Advent and Lent) Green – Ordinary (ordered) time

16. Vocabulary Mass – dismissal (from Latin word “missa”) Eucharist – thanksgiving Apostle – sent (on a mission) Gospel – good news Incarnation – God being born as a person

17. Other Names for Mass The Breaking of Bread The Lord’s Supper The Holy Sacrifice

18. Catholic Rituals & Symbolic Candles—sign of truth and goodness Kneeling—sign of adoration to the Blessed Sacrament (Jesus truly present in the Eucharist) Sign of the cross—Started in the 4 th century. Reminds us of Jesus’ crucifixion. Shows us loving God with our heart, soul, mind and strength. Amen—So be it. Alleluia—Praise the Lord Hosanna—Please save us Incense—used to purify and symbolizes prayer. A rising to God.

19. Alpha and Omega—Greek for “beginning” and “end”. God is the first and the last. Chi & Rho - The Greek letters chi and rho (resembling an "X" and a "P") used to indicate Christ since these letters are the first two letters of the word "Christ" in Greek. Iota is the first letter of Iesous (Ιησους), Greek for Jesus. Chi is the first letter of Christos (Χριστóς), Greek for "anointed". Theta is the first letter of Theou (Θεο ῦ ), genitive case of Θεóς "God". Upsilon is the first letter of Huios (Υ ἱ ός), Greek for Son. Sigma is the first letter of Soter (Σωτήρ), Greek for Savior.