Going to Mass

Why We Go to MassThe Mass is the most important celebration for Catholics.The word Mass comes from a Latin word missa which means Go to live the life that God calls us to live; to be people of hope and thanksgiving.

Catholics gather in St Peters square to celebrate the Mass on Easter Sunday

Going to Mass or Celebrating the Eucharist?Over the years there have been many terms used to describe the Mass.Eucharist comes from the Greek word eucharistein which means thanksgiving. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we gather to celebrate and give thanks for Gods great gift to us in Jesus.

What do we celebrate?The Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples.The Death and Resurrection of Jesus.Gods saving activity in our lives and in all creation.

The Mass is a SacrificeThe word sacrifice means offering to God.The Mass is the very sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Jesus which He first offered at the Last Supper.The Mass is the same sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for our salvation. In the Mass we participate in these saving events.Just as in the Jewish Passover, the believers ate the Passover Lamb, at Mass we receive Jesus, the Lamb of God, in the form of bread and wine.

The Eucharist is about unity! When we celebrate the Eucharist we remember Jesus as he asked us to. We are joined in a special way with all the followers of Jesus today and throughout history.

We become a sign of the unity that God asks us to achieve in the world.

The Last Supper Do this in memory of me

The Structure of the MassUnderstanding the parts of the Mass helps us to appreciate the significance of each section and to participate more fully.

The word rite refers to actions associated with a particular part of the Mass prayers, words or movements.

The Mass is composed of the following parts:

Introductory RitesLiturgy of the WordLiturgy of the EucharistConcluding Rite

The Introductory RitesThe Entrance ProcessionThe Veneration of the AltarThe Sign of the Cross & GreetingThe Penitential RiteThe GloriaThe Opening Prayer (Collect)

The Entrance ProcessionThe Entrance Processionemphasizes gathering as the Priest and ministers join the assembly.A hymn is sung as a sign of uniting the community and proclaiming the start of the celebration.The ministers all bow to the altar. The priest and deacon kiss the altar.

Greeting and Penitential RiteGreetingAll make the Sign of the Cross. The priest greets the people and they respond.

Penitential RiteThe priest invites us to think of the times that we have failed to live as followers of Christ.We acknowledge our sinfulness and Gods mercy and forgiveness.

The Gloria and Opening PrayerThe Gloria the whole assemblys song of praise The Opening Prayer gathers or collects the thoughts and prayers of the whole assembly and concludes the Introductory Rites.

The Liturgy of the Word We LISTEN to God speaking to us through the words of Sacred Scripture

Parts of The Liturgy of the WordOld Testament reading Responsorial Psalm usually sungNew Testament reading (other than the Gospels)Gospel Acclamation may include a procession and singing

The Liturgy of the Word - GospelThe Gospel is read by the priest or deacon

The Liturgy of the Word - HomilyThe priest helps the people to reflect on the readings.

It is a time to think about how God is speaking to me.

In the Nicene Creed we proclaim our beliefs as CatholicsIn the General Intercessions we pray for the needs of the Church, the world, the local communities and individuals

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Preparation of the Gifts

Representatives of the community bring the bread, wine and charitable gifts to the altar.These are the signs of our offerings to God.

The Eucharistic Prayer We give thanks and praise for all that God has done for us.We recall and make present again the death and Resurrection of Jesus. We do what Jesus did at the Last Supper.

The Eucharistic Prayer Through the power of the Holy Spirit the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus. We proclaim our belief: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

The Eucharistic Prayer We pray for ourselves and for the Church and its leaders, We pray for those have died and we remember Mary and the saints.We say AMEN as a response to the priests final great prayer of praise

The Communion Rite The Lords PrayerWe ask Gods forgiveness and guidance in our lives and pray that we will always be people who forgive others.

The Sign of PeaceWe offer each other a sign of peace because we cannot have peace with God if we are not at peace with ourselves and others

The Breaking of BreadBehold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are they who are called to his supper.

We pray: Lord I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Receiving Communion:Union with God and one another

Concluding Rite

Final blessingDismissalA time to make Gods love present in the world.

Go in peace to love and serve the LordTo be a Eucharistic person is to always look to serve others.

Whenever you celebrate the Mass YOU are challenged to go out and make a difference...

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