PREPARATION

Allow plenty of time at home to prepare for Mass. Organise the family for this important meeting with Christ. Perhaps pray before leaving home, or in the car on the way to the church. Remember, our preparation for Mass begins at home !

Read the scriptures before Mass. Allow time during the week to let the message sink into your mind. Use them for prayer. What is the message for me this week ? What do I think Father will preach about this week ? What would I preach about this week ?

Think of the people and the intentions that I have. Make a conscious decision to take these intentions with me to Mass this Sunday. Pray for these people and needs at Mass.

Prepare my mind by slowing down a little so I can concentrate on the Mass without too many distractions.

Prepare my body by physical fasting. The Church asks that we refrain from food and drink (not including water or medicine) for one hour before receiving Holy Communion.

Prepare my soul by going to reconciliation if I am aware of serious sin. God’s mercy and love is freely available to us in this sacrament and leads us to the Eucharist.

PARTICIPATION

Greet others on the way into Church. We are in this together ! We are all here for the same purpose: to praise and worship God.

Arrive in plenty of time to prepare for Mass. Allow for time to park the car, to settle the family down, to find a seat.

Turn off the mobile phone to avoid distractions!

Participate in the prayers and music of the Mass. Answer the responses with meaning; sing the hymns with feeling.

Listen to the readings at Mass. What is the God saying to me through the scriptures today?

Be aware of what is happening at Mass. Concentrate on the Mass rather than on the time.

From time to time, recall why I am here. The main purpose is to worship God, to give Him thanks; to ask Him for His help and strength, and to receive Him in Holy Communion.

Say a small prayer of Thanksgiving at the end of Mass. When we receive a gift, it is polite to say thank you. We receive the greatest gift we can in the Eucharist. We thank God for this gift of His Son.

HOMEWORK!

Learn a bit more about the Mass. Buy a missal to follow the Mass a bit more closely.

Buy a book which explains a bit more about the Mass. Talk about it with my friends, my prayer group, my cell group.

Pray about the Mass. Make it the highlight of my week.

Remember, the more I put into the Mass, the more I get out of it !

written by Fr. David Cartwright.