Living the Mass: Deepening Our Participation & Receiving More from the Liturgy

“If you come to Mass wanting to get something, you will leave poor.  If you come wanting to give you will leave with an abundance of wealth.”

The most common complaint about Mass is that it is “boring” or that we just don’t “get” anything out of it.  Sometimes we forget that coming to Mass is not something to mark off of the “Things to Do” list for Sunday, or an event we come to watch and be entertained.  As Catholics, we are called to a full, conscious, and active participation in the Liturgy.  Perhaps it is good for us to take the time to ask ourselves “Am I open to receiving something from the Liturgy?  Am I trying to participate in this celebration?” 

By preparing for Mass in a positive manner, we speak to the importance and value liturgy has for us.  When we come mentally, physically, and spiritually prepared, our experience of the Liturgy is a richer one.

For a list of different ways that we can prepare for Mass, participate more deeply in the Liturgy, and ways to prepare your family, please visit the Documents Page and click on "Living the Mass: Deepening Our Participation and Receiving More From the Liturgy"

The Concluding Rites

The dismissal is significant because the whole Liturgy receives its name “the Mass,” from the word Missa, meaning “dismissal/sending”.  This points to how the Mass ultimately should be seen as a sending forth. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that the celebration of the Eucharist is called “Holy Mass” (Missa) “because the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (misso) of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God’s will in their daily lives” (CCC 1332). 

Prayerful Reflection:

• What personal effort am I making to understand the Mass more fully?
  
• How am I making an effort to live the Eucharist I have received?  Can people recognize Christ within me by the way I live my life?
  
• How can I make my life a gift to God?

For a copy of this week's pamphlet, please visit the Documents Page and click on "Catechesis on the Mass: The Concluding Rites". 

"Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words."- St. Francis of Assisi

The Communion Rite is a time in which we prepare our hearts and minds to receive Jesus in the most holy gift of the Eucharist.  It is a time to recognize that although we are unworthy to receive our Lord, we know that he can heal the deepest wounds of our hearts and make us whole again.  In the Eucharist we are not receiving a symbol; we are receiving the true presence of Jesus in his Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. 

Prayerful Reflection

1.  What value does the Eucharist have in my life?  In what ways can I start to cherish the gift of the Eucharist more fully?

2.  Do I truly believe that I am receiving Christ’s Body and Blood?

3.  Reflect on these Scripture passages:  John 6:52-59, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

For a copy of this week's pamphlet, please visit the Documents Page and click on "Catechesis on the Mass: The Communion Rite". 

New Roman Missal for Parents and Adults - Word for Word by Life Teen from Life Teen on Vimeo.

Although the priest is the only one speaking during a majority of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, this is the time for the entire community to fully and consciously join their hearts to the Eucharistic Prayer. This week we focus on the words of the Eucharistic Prayer and the rich meaning they have in our celebration. 

Prayerful Reflection

1. What would help me be more attentive to the Eucharistic Prayer?
    
2. What is referred to in the Eucharistic Prayer by the words “victim” “sacrifice” and “offering”? 
   
   
3. What do I bring to Mass to offer to the Father?

For a copy of this week's pamphlet, please visit the Documents Page and click on "Catechesis on the Mass: Liturgy of the Eucharist (part two)". 

As we enter into the Liturgy of the Eucharist we begin with the Preparation of the Gifts.  The altar is preparaed, gifts are brought forward, and God is praised for them.  Here were are reminded that we are not only offering gifts of bread and wine, but we are also offering the gifts of ourselves, asking God to transform us into the image of Christ.  The Eucharistic Prayer is the center and high point of the entire celebration.  It offers praise even as it asks God to change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. 

Prayerful Reflection:

1.  Am I aware that I am and all I have is a gift from God?  How do I offer these gifts back to God?

2.   How can I better prepare myself to receive the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass? 

3.  What changes do I need to make in my life so that the Eucharist can transform me into the image of Christ? 


For a copy of this week's pamphlet, please visit the Documents Page and click on "Catechesis on the Mass: Presentation of the Gifts and Eucharistic Prayer (part one)". 

The Creed is one of those parts of the Mass that can sometimes be recited automatically, without much thought.  As we prepare for the changes to the Creed, we have a unique opportunity to learn what exactly we are professing, and why those words are so significant.  The Prayers of the Faithful remind us of our call to pray for the needs of the Church throughout the world and within our own parish. 


Prayerful Reflection:

1.  Is my recitation of the Creed something I do I "autopilot"?  Do I ever stop to think about the words we profess?

2.  Have I ever tried to grow in my understanding of what I believe?

3.  Do I pray for the needs of our parish community and the needs of the Church throughout the world? 

For a copy of this week's pamphlet, please visit the Documents Page and click on "Catechesis on the Mass: Creed & Prayers of the Faithful". 

This week Fr. Ted invites us to reflect on the first part of the Liturgy of the Word.  Readings from Sacred Scripture invite us to draw closer to Christ and His Church, and challenge us to live a life that bears witness to the Gospel. 

Prayerful Reflection

1.  What do the readings demand of me?

2.  In what way am I being asked to change my life?

3.  Am I trying to clothe myself with Christ? (i.e. Put on Christ’s values and attitudes as I go through my daily life)

For a copy of this week's pamphlet, please visit the Documents Page and click on "Catechesis on the Mass: Liturgy of the Word". 

This week Fr. Ted invites us to reflect on the Introductory Rites, the very beginning of Mass.  From the Entrance Procession to the opening prayer, our actions and words have meaning. 

Prayerful Reflection:

1.   Is my genuflection or bow an act of worship?

2.  Do I make the sign of the cross reflectively…reverently? 

3.  Do I acknowledge that my sin is an obstacle to my relationship with God?

For a copy of this week's pamphlet, please visit the Documents Page and click on "Catechesis on the Mass: Introductory Rites".