Preparation before Mass

• We prepare our souls and bodies to listen to God’s word and receive Him in Holy Communion. To prepare ourselves, we wait in quiet prayer and calm minds to receive the Lord.
• Entrance Procession: The priest and ministers pass through the assembly, leading us in prayer to the Father. The priest is acting in the person of Jesus Christ, taking our prayers to God the Father, and leading us in prayer and worship.

Introductory Rites

• Penitential Rite: We publicly express our sorrow for our sins and ask God’s mercy
• Gloria: An ancient hymn of praise sung or said on Sundays (outside Lent and Advent) and Feast Days.
• Opening Prayer: The ‘Collect’, the priest sums up all our prayers and leads us to the Father through the words of the Son.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

• 1st Reading: Usually from the Old Testament on a Sunday
• Responsorial Psalm: Sung or said response to the reading from the book of Psalms
• 2nd Reading: Usually from the New Testament (often the Letters of St Paul)
• Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia (or other acclamation during Lent) is sung or said
• Gospel: We listen to the God speaking to us, and especially the words and actions of Jesus in one of the four Gospels.
• Homily: The priest helps us to understand the readings, and how to make sense of them in our daily life. It may also be the opportunity for catechesis on some subject of the faith
• Profession of Faith: The Creed composed at the Council of Nicea is recited on Sundays and Solemnities. This states the major beliefs of our faith.
• General Intercessions: The needs of our world, our parish and other needs are prayed for.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

• Preparation of the Gifts: The gifts of bread and wine are brought forward by members of the community, signifying our offering to the Lord
• Prayer over the Gifts: The priest prays the prayer, asking that our offerings be acceptable.
• Eucharistic Prayer {Preface, Holy Holy, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen}: The Eucharistic Prayer is the greatest prayer of the Mass. By this prayer, the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The priest prays this prayer on behalf of the community, the people pray silently, and respond with the acclamations in faith.

Communion Rite

• Lord’s Prayer: We pray together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples.
• Rite of Peace: We offer a sign of peace to those around us, making peace with each other before receiving the Prince of Peace in Holy Communion.
• Lamb of God: This Litany is sung or said as our communal preparation for Holy Communion
• Holy Communion: We receive the Body of Christ, a moment of intimate communion with the Lord, and the highpoint of the Mass for us who receive Him.

Concluding Rite

• Prayer after Communion: The priest sums up all our prayers and completes the Communion Rite by thanking God for the gift of His Son, and asking that we may live this mystery in our lives.
• Blessing and Dismissal: We are blessed and sent forth to live the mystery that we have celebrated; to bring Jesus who we have received to those around us.
• Recessional Procession: The priest and ministers leave the Church, leading us in mission to go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
• Thanksgiving after Mass: We thank God for this gift of His Son in Holy Communion and the Word of God, and pray that it may make a difference in our lives.