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Home , Ciborium (container), Confiteor, Lector, Mass of the Catechumens, Penitential Act, Sanctuary lamp

‘WALK THROUGH THE ’

NAMES OF THE MASS

The - Greek term meaning ‘thanksgiving’ The - Meaning ‘work’, the work of the Lord The Holy Sacrifice - the sacrifice of Christ and of the Faithful The Offering - ’ offering to the Father and to His disciples The Breaking of the Bread - what Jesus did at the The Lord’s Supper - Jesus’ institution of the Mass The Wedding Banquet of the Lord - the Book of Revelation’s term for the Mass

Mass - “missa” “Ite, missa est” English translation: “Go forth, you are sent.” – Missa

We gather for the celebration of Mass, but we are sent on a mission by Our Lord

PARTS OF THE MASS

The : The Mass of the Faithful: Those who are not full members of the church Those who have been baptized Catholic and (Dismissed after the /choice of church) have received their (First Eucharist, Confirmation) and are active members of the Church.

Introductory Rites The Liturgy of the Word The Liturgy of the Eucharist Concluding Rites

WHERE DOES THE MASS COME FROM? Jesus and his disciples at The Last Supper The bread, He blessed and broke - His body The cup, He filled with wine - His blood ‘Do this in remembrance of me’ 1 Corinthians 11:25

WHERE DO THE PRAYERS AT MASS COME FROM? Many are taken directly, or in part, from the Bible. The comes from early Church councils. Amen - Hebrew, “So be it.” Magisterium of the Church

WHERE DO THE READINGS AT MASS COME FROM? All come from the Bible Magisterium of the Church

First Reading: or (Acts of the Apostles - Easter) Responsorial Psalm: Book of Second Reading: New Testament Letters or Book of Revelation - Matthew, Mark, Luke or John - 3-year cycle (A, B, C) Matthew (A), Mark (B), Luke (C), John (, Easter)

Matthew, Mark and Luke are the Synoptic Gospels. When you match them up, they tell the same story, but not word for word. They deal with Jesus' specific ministries. For example, Mark tells more physical healing stories, while Luke gives more of the parables. According to scholars, Mark traveled with Peter, so it is Peter's preaching we read in Mark. Luke traveled with Paul so we get Paul's preaching in the Book of Luke. Luke is also reputed to be the author of Acts. John's Gospel concerns the spiritual side of redemption, therefore its’ use during Lent and Easter.

INTRODUCTORY RITES

When entering a , bless yourself with from the font. You do not have to be Catholic to do this. This is a moment you share with our Lord, indicating that you are entering God’s House and are preparing yourself for prayer.

Before entering your pew, or seat, kneel/bow toward the Blessed in the (, always lit, red) If no tabernacle is in view, kneel/bow toward where the body and blood of Jesus Christ is Consecrated.

When kneeling or sitting, spend time in prayer, collecting yourself to prepare for Mass. Genuflecting was an ancient sign of reverence toward an earthly ruler. The Church adopted kneeling/bowing as showing the ultimate reverence toward the true King, our Lord. ‘Prayers Before Mass’ are located in your , the church Missal, your prayer book, your heart.

OPENING HYMN Stand

Procession of , , Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” St. Paul to the Colossians, 3:16

Stand - A sign of respect; we listen, we respond, we pray

You should not enter the Sanctuary or Chapel after the has entered. Plan to be on time. IF you are late, sit toward the back. Do not disrupt Mass for others. IF you cannot arrive before the beginning of the Homily, plan to attend another Mass, either at Holy Spirit or another Parish.

SIGN OF THE CROSS Stand

Recalling the saving act of Our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross and our . Matthew 28:19-20

We make the before we pray to and compose ourselves. We make the sign of the cross when we conclude our prayer to hold fast the gift we have received from God. We make the sign of the cross in times of temptation, to be strengthened; in times of danger, to be protected; in times of sorrow, to be uplifted; in times of celebration, for thankfulness.

THE GREETING Stand

Priest: “Good Morning, and welcome to Holy Spirit Catholic Church.”

Response: “Good Morning …” (Father Rudi; Father Joseph; Msgr. Gene; Rodriguez)

Year A: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Corinthians 13:14, Galatians 6:18

Respond: And with your spirit

Year B: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Respond: And with your spirit

Year C: “The Lord be with you.” Ruth 2:4

Respond: And with your spirit

Our response is taken from the Bible. In the time of Jesus, it meant “and also with you,” but early in the Church’s history, “your spirit” came to be associated with the “spirit” conferred on the ordained and the response was only used to return their greeting.

Our response: ‘And with your spirit.’

ACT OF PENITENCE Stand The

We are all invited to make a silent of our sinfulness before the Lord. There are many options for the priest, but they all include, ‘Lord, Have Mercy’ as our response.

Priest; “Brothers and Sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.”

The Stand Response: ‘I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; Therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.’

During the act of penitence, if The Confiteor is used, some who have been practicing Catholics for years will strike their chest when we declare “through my fault” three times. This is done by making a fist and lightly striking the chest each time the words are repeated. In the Bible, striking one’s chest was a sign of mourning. We mourn our failure to live up to God’s grace. This practice is no longer a part of the participation of the Mass but is still in practice.

Luke 18:13, 23:48, Zechariah 12:10

OR Priest: Have mercy on us, O Lord Response: For we have sinned against you

Priest: Show us, O Lord, your mercy Response: And grant us your salvation

OR Priest: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord have mercy. Response: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy Response: Christ, have mercy

Priest: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Response: Lord, have mercy

Lessons: Sin; Reconciliation

ABSOLUTION Stand

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Response: Amen

Lesson: Reconciliation

KYRIE Stand

The can either be chanted or sung with the response in some churches in Latin. Either the or leads.

Example: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Kyrie eleison

You came to call sinners: Christ have mercy Christe eleison

You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord have mercy Kyrie eleison

Lesson: Prayer

The GLORIA Stand

The Gloria is a joyful response to the forgiveness received in the Penitential Act.

*Called the “Angelic Hymn” because it begins with the song of the angels that was heard at the birth of Jesus Christ. *Called the Major ” because it is a great prayer of glory to God.

At Holy Spirit Catholic Church the words to The Gloria are also displayed on the large screens. The following are the spoken words; however, when singing The Gloria, the wording may be slightly altered to adapt to the melody. When sung, the melody and slight wording changes are different in other Parishes. When spoken, the words are always the same.

Glory to God in the highest, Luke 2:14 And on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, Bar. 3:6, Ps. 145:2, Rev. 4:11, Rom. 11:36, 1Cor. 6:20

We give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, 1Cor. 16:24, 2 Cor. 4:15, Rev. 4:8, Tob. 13:7, Dan. 4:37

O God, almighty Father. Gen. 17:1, 2Cor. 6:18

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, , Son of the Father, Jn. 1:14, 18, Rev. 1:8, Jn. 1:29

You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; Jn. 1:29

You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; Jn. 14:13

You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. Col. 3:1, Heb. 8:1

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, Rev. 15:4, Isa. 37:20

You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, Ps. 83:18, Rom. 8:9, 1Pet. 3:8

In the glory of God the Father. Lk. 9:26, Jn. 1:14, Phil. 2:11 Amen. *The Gloria is not said or sung during or Lent. THE COLLECT Stand

The Collect is the prayer that is often called the “Opening Prayer”. The priest “” the prayers of the faithful and offers a prayer to God in the name of all.

Our Response: Amen

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD Sit

The Readings and Gospel for Mass are in the Church Missal in the pew pockets. At Holy Spirit, the numbers are listed on the large flat screens, along with the numbers for the Hymns. There are no page numbers in the hymnals, only the numbers for the hymns and number for the Mass readings.

First Reading : A reading from the Book of ___ Reading Lector: The word of the Lord Response: Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm Cantor sings the response, we repeat Cantor sings Psalm We reply

Second Reading Lector: A reading from the Book of ___ Reading Lector: The word of the Lord Response: Thanks be to God

Lesson: Catechism

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Stand

We stand to greet the Lord who is about to speak to us through His Gospel. The cantor will first sing the , we respond. The Gospel is raised by the or Priest to the congregation

Deacon/Priest: The Lord be with you. Response: And with your spirit.

Deacon/Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to ____ Response: Glory to you, O Lord

We make the sign of the cross on our forehead, our lips, and our heart. Saying softly to our self, ‘May the word of the Lord be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart.’ Phil. 4:7, Heb. 10:16, Deut. 30:14, Rom. 10:8-10, Ps. 119:11, Ezek. 3:10, Lk. 2:19

When the Gospel reading has been completed, the Deacon or Priest says, “The Gospel of the Lord: Response: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

HOMILY Sit ()

The Priest or Deacon will deliver the Homily (Sermon), relating it to the Mass Readings and Gospel for that day. He calls us to respond to Christ through the life we lead.

Lesson: Magisterium

PROFESSION OF FAITH (CREED) Stand

The is said at every Mass, unless a Baptism is being performed. Our responses during the Baptismal rite take the place of our reciting of the Creed. The Apostles’ Creed may be recited during Lent and Easter.

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and our salvation he came down from heaven, (bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. (stand) For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, (bow) who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, (stand) suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Lesson: Creed, Magisterium

Prayer of the Faithful Stand

We unite with one another to pray for today’s needs in the Church and the world. The Priest gives the introduction, then the Deacon, or Cantor sings or says the invocations.

Our response: Lord, hear our prayer.

The Priest says the concluding prayer.

Our response: Amen

Lesson: Prayer

The Liturgy of the Eucharist Sit

Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts

While the people’s gifts are brought forward by members of the congregation, the Priest, Deacon, Extraordinary , and Altar Servers accept them and place them on the altar. The Chant is sung.

Before placing the bread on the altar, the Priest says:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.

We respond: Blessed be God for ever.

When he pours wine and a little water into the , the Deacon or Priest says inaudibly:

By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

Before placing the chalice on the altar, he says:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become for us our spiritual drink.

We respond: Blessed be God for ever.

Inaudibly, the Priest says: With humble spirit and contrite heart may we be accepted by you, O Lord, and may our sacrifice in your sight this day be pleasing to you, Lord God.

Then the Priest washes his hands, saying:

Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Invitation to Prayer Stand

The Priest then turns to the congregation and says:

Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

We respond: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

Prayer Over the Offerings Stand

The Priest now prays over the offerings and speaking in our name, asks the Father to bless and accept these gifts.

We respond: Amen

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Stand

We begin the Eucharistic service of praise and thanksgiving, the center of the entire celebration, the central prayer of worship. We lift our hearts to God, and offer praise and thanks as the Priest addresses this prayer to the Father through Jesus Christ. Together we join Christ in his sacrifice, celebrating his in the holy meal and acknowledging with him the wonderful works of God in our lives.

Preface Dialogue

Priest: The Lord be with you. Respond: And with your spirit.

Priest: Lift up your hearts. Respond: We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Response: It is right and just.

According to the individual Mass and the season of the Church calendar, the Priest will say one of the many Prefaces from the Church Missal.

Priest: It is truly right and just . . .

Preface Acclamation Stand

Priest and People: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Mk 11:9-10, Jn 12:13

Eucharistic Prayer Kneel

The Priest continues with one of the Eucharistic Prayers from the Church Missal.

We Respond in Song:

(A). We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection until you come again.

(B). When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

(C). Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

The Priest continues with the Eucharistic Prayer from the Missal.

Concluding Doxology Kneel This may be chanted or sung

Priest: Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.

Response: Amen.

The Communion Rite

To prepare for the paschal meal, to welcome the Lord, we pray for forgiveness and exchange a sign of peace. Before eating Christ’s Body and drinking his Blood, we be one with him and with all our brothers and sisters in the Church.

The Prayer Lord’s Stand Mt. 6:9-13; Lk. 11:1-4

This may be chanted or sung. At Holy Spirit, most of us hold hands, but this is your choice. Some clasp their hands in front of them in prayer. Others extend their hands out to the front, with palms up, offering their prayer to God. If you are on the aisle of a pew or if no one is near you to hold your hand, you may extend your hand out, palm up, as a sign of offering your prayer to God and sharing with your brothers and sisters in the Church.

Priest and People:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Priest: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant us peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Priest and People:

For the kingdom, and the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

(Explanation of Protestant/Catholic differences)

SIGN OF PEACE

The Church is a community of Christians joined by the Spirit in love. It needs to express, deepen, and restore its peaceful unity before eating the one Body of the Lord and drinking from the one cup of salvation. We do this by a sign of peace.

Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.

Response: Amen.

Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Response: And with your spirit.

Deacon or Priest: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

You may offer your hand, a hug, or a sign of recognition to those around you, saying, “Peace be with you.”

We at Holy Spirit are a close family of faithful, caring, giving individuals who love to share our faith and heart with each other and those around us. If you are new to our faith and do not feel comfortable in the sharing of our hugs and handshakes, you simply respond, “Peace be with you.”

At Holy Spirit, the Eucharistic Ministers now approach the altar and stand reverently as they participate in the Communion Rite. They offer each other the Sign of Peace.

Lamb of God Stand

Christians are gathered for the ‘breaking of the bread,’ another name for the Mass. In Communion, though many, we are made one body in the one bread, which is Christ.

The Priest breaks the host over the and places a small piece in the chalice, saying quietly:

Priest: May the mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it.

The response may be said or sung:

Response: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. (miserere nobis) Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. (miserere nobis) Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. (dona nobis pachem)

Kneel

We pray in silence as a final preparation before receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

The Priest says quietly one of the following prayers:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, through your Death gave life to the world, free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood, from all my sins and from every evil; keep me always faithful to your commandments, and never let me be parted from you.

Or:

May the receiving of your Body and Blood, Lord Jesus Christ, not bring me to judgment and condemnation, but through your loving mercy be for me protection in mind and body and a healing remedy.

Invitation to Communion Kneel

The Priest genuflects, takes the host and while holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while facing the people, says aloud:

Priest: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

Response: Priest and People, Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Before reverently consuming the , the Priest says quietly:

Priest: May the Body of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.

Then, before reverently consuming the , he takes the chalice and says quietly:

Priest: May the Blood of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.

The Priest then turns and offers the Body and Blood of Christ to other Priests and Deacons who may be present at the altar. The recipient reverently bows before receiving the Body and Blood, hands clasped in prayer. The Body and Blood are then shared with the Extraordinary Ministers and Altar Servers.

The Host is raised slightly, to eye level, as the Priest, Deacon or Eucharistic Minister says, The Body of Christ.

Response: Amen

The Priest and Deacon then take the paten or and offers the Body of Christ to each of the Eucharistic Ministers standing in front of the Altar. Each bows reverently, hands clasped in prayer, before receiving. The Priest or Deacon says, The Body of Christ.

Their response: Amen

Some are each then offered the chalice, bowing reverently before taking it from the Priest or Deacon, and respond, Amen.

They take a small sip, wipe the cup, then turn to the person standing next to them and offer them the Blood of Christ. When all the Eucharistic Ministers have received Communion, the Ushers move them to the areas around the Altar where they will serve Communion to the congregation.

COMMUNION Kneel Biblical References – Note the changes in the Mass for Lent and – week before Lent/week before Holy Week

The Ushers will direct you to stand and move toward the altar. Remain kneeling in prayer until they direct you to rise.

For those unable to receive Communion, a blessing will be given by the Priest, Deacon or Eucharistic Minister. Cross your arms across your chest and bow as you approach them. You do not need to go to two separate Ministers to receive the Blessing. Only approach those holding the Ciborium (Body of Christ).

• Reasons for being unable to receive Communion:

You may choose to receive both the Body and the Blood. However, if you feel uncomfortable or are ill and do not wish to share your ‘germs’, receiving only the Body fulfills your Communion obligation.

When you receive, either or both the Body and the Blood, your response is always, ‘Amen’.

As you return to your seat, your head is slightly bowed and your hands clasped in prayer.

You then kneel to pray . . . .

You may participate in the hymn being sung during Communion or continue to pray as the remaining members of the congregation move forward to receive Communion.

This is the most holy of times during Mass and is not the time to gather your belongings and leave early to beat the rush out of the parking lot. Christ is still present at the Altar.

Remain kneeling, if possible, until the Priest has cleared the entire Altar of all the implements used during Mass. The Altar Servers carry each item back to the Extraordinary Minister who places them

all on trays on the Credence Tables to be cleaned in the small after Mass. For some, kneeling this long is painful, or impossible due to health reasons. Do not feel you are being irreverent if you are sitting during this time. Some also kneel and lean back on the pew. When the Priest bows at the Altar and turns to his chair, you may move back in your seat, making the Sign of the Cross as an ending to your prayer and the Mass.

The vessels are purified by the Priest or Deacon or Extraordinary Minister.

The Priest says quietly: What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that what has been given to us in time may be our healing for eternity.

After the altar has been cleared and the Priest returns to his seat, there may be a time of sacred silence, or a canticle of praise, or a hymn may be sung.

Prayer After Communion Stand

Standing at the altar or at his chair and facing the people, with hands joined, the Priest says,

Priest: Let us pray.

The Priest prays in our name that we may live the life of faith since we have been strengthened by Christ himself. Our Amen makes his prayer our own.

The Concluding Rites Stand

This order varies from parish to parish and even in our own church. Father Rudi and Fr. Joseph perform this part a little differently. Both are correct, as the Church leaves this part of the Mass to be determined by each Priest.

We have heard God’s Word and have eaten the Body of Christ and have drunk of his Blood. It is time for us to leave, to do good works, to praise and bless the Lord in our daily lives.

Announcements Sit

The Priest, Deacon, or others from the congregation may now share information about events happening in the church, diocese and community.

The Deacon will ask visitors to stand for the congregation to welcome them; acknowledge birthdays and wedding anniversaries, and share some comments about the announcements or about the Mass. This also varies from parish to parish. We have two priests with a ‘lively’ sense of humor. We never

know what to expect at these moments!

At Holy Spirit, we have begun the practice of renewing wedding vows with those couples who are celebrating a wedding anniversary. The couples approach the Altar and repeat their vows to each other. They are given a in of the occasion.

The Concluding Rites Stand

Solemn Blessing Stand

Priest: The Lord be with you.

Response: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Bow down for the Blessing.

Priest: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Make the sign of the cross as he says the words.)

Response: Amen.

On certain days or occasions, this order of blessing is preceded, in accordance with the , by another more solemn formula of blessing from the Church Missal.

DISMISSAL Stand

The Deacon or Priest will announce one of the following: • Go forth, the Mass is ended • Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord • Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life • Go in peace.

Response: Thanks be to God.

As the final hymn is begun, the Priest, Deacon, Extraordinary Minister and Altar Servers will move

down the steps to the front of the altar, form a procession, bow to the Tabernacle and Altar, then turn and move up the aisle to the back of the church. The congregation should remain in their pews until the procession has reached the back of the church. Our choir at Holy Spirit usually sings two or three stanzas of the final hymn. You should not leave the church in front of the Priest!

Because the Body of Christ is still present in the Sanctuary in the Tabernacle, the end of Mass is not the time to visit with your neighbors. Many will now kneel and pray while others will gather their belongings and move out of their pews to the aisles. There are prayers in your Missal for After Mass. Some spend this time with family, praying. Some spend this time praying the Rosary. Others like to sit quietly to recall the Priest’s Homily or parts of the Mass that spoke to their heart. Visitation with friends should occur in the Gathering Space once you have left the Sanctuary.

Stop at the holy water font on your way out to bless yourself. Stop and greet the Priest and Deacon. Thank them for their words and celebrating the Mass. Do not use this time to begin a long conversation with them that could be better shared during the week in their office.

The Mass is the Church. The Church is the Mass

Go in Peace, to Love and Serve the Lord