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Preparing for the Celebration of Mass

The Second Vatican Council calls the Eucharist the 'source and summit of the

Christian life'. What is at the heart of our life and what we love, we do well - and

so careful preparation for the celebration of Mass is one way in which we show

our appreciation of its central role and our respect for those who will be

celebrating the Mass, both ministers and congregation.

This series of work sheets has been prepared to help those carrying out these

important responsibilities of preparing the celebration of Mass to understand

better what is expected of them and those they are working with, as well as

provide some hands-on resources for doing so well. Originally prepared in the

Archdiocese of Westminster for use in schools, we are grateful for permission to

use them in the Archdiocese of Cardiff

These resources have been designed with the needs of schools and school

teachers especially in mind, though they are likely to be of help in chaplaincies

and parishes also. The sheets offer information and practical suggestions. They

will also help with the over-all coordination of the preparation of the Mass

(though not everyone will need the whole range of sheets).

Those who are only beginning to review the way they prepare and celebrate Mass

are advised to start with the sheets that deal with the matters that are most

pressing and broaden their approach as they go on.

The original versions of these sheets will be found at

http://www.rcdow.org.uk/liturgy/default.asp?library_ref=18&content_ref=3916

The Mass

What is What is What is What is given given given given totototo usususus???? 1. The structure of the Mass. It is a simple and dynamic structure.

• Gathering and Introductory rites

• Liturgy of the Word

• Liturgy of the Eucharist

• Blessing and dismissal/going forth

If we work with the structure it will help our

celebration. If we work against it, the

nature of the Mass as ritual is com-

promised and participants are disem-

powered in the present celebration and

not helped for participation in the future.

2. The prayers and readings of the Mass

These are found in the Lectionary and

the Missal. Texts for each day of the

year and texts for special occasions are

provided. We are invited to make ap-

propriate selection, rather than to make

up our own prayers.

The Catholic tradition is a liturgical tra-

dition, where given prayers and read-

ings matter. When the prayers and

readings are not easy to understand

on first encounter - and for children that

will probably mean most of our read-

ings and prayers - those responsible

for Catholic education and for worship

need to help the children understand

them, and to do this especially before

the celebration itself.

3. The symbols of the Mass The Mass is God communicating with

us through Sacrament (a symbol that

signifies what it effects). If Sacraments

don’t signify, their ability to effect, or to

‘work’, is greatly compromised.

Gathering, Listening and Responding;

Giving Thanks, Eating and Drinking

and leaving to live as Christ are not sim-

ply things we go through the motions

of doing. They need to be purposeful

and significant. Again, this needs to be

learnt by everyone taking part if, togeth-

er we are to do what is necessary. Westminster

LITURGY Commission

This resource has been prepared for use in Schools in Westminster Diocese.Thank you to teachers at St Edwards School, Lisson Grove, and St Joseph’s, Maida Vale for assistance.

What is it? Th The Mass is the memorial of the saving

death and resurrection of Jesus.

Th The celebration of Mass, an action of Christ

and his people, is the centre of the whole of

Christian life for the Church, and for each

individual Christian.

The Mass is given to us Th The Mass is a central part of the Tradition of

the Church, instituted by Christ at the Last

Supper, and handed on down the genera-

tions. The Mass is a given. Our task is to

learn how to celebrate it faithfully and well,

so that it might be fruitful in our lives.

The Mass is celebrated by the whole Church

Th The Mass is for the whole assembly to cele-

brate. A celebration of Mass should always

be prepared so that it will lead those taking

part to conscious, full and active participa-

tion. Participation that fosters the virtues of

faith hope and charity is what is expected

because of what we celebrate, but also be-

cause, through our baptism we all share in

the priesthood of Christ.

O The implication of this is that in the worship

of the Church, priests and other ministers

don’t do the Mass for us, we do it togeth-

er. They have their vital role, and without

an ordained priest, for example, we cannot

celebrate the Mass. But each one present

has a role to play, and principal amongst

the roles of the ministers is to help them to

fulfil that role.

W We need help to celebrate well The work of celebration needs constant

support so that all of those taking part - min-

isters and others - are helped to know what

they are to do and how to do it. Attention to

the internals of participation are at least as

important as attention to the externals.

Preparing for Mass

This is not difficult to do, but like

everything else it does require

particular skills.

It is very helpful for the person with

overall responsible for the Mass to

become familiar with

• the Missal

• the Lectionary

• the priorities and princi- ples regarding

music at Mass

• the Church’s expectations of readers,

servers, etc

You do not have to be THE expert on all

of these things. Normally you should

expect your role to be more of a

coordi- nating role, as you draw on the

expertise of others (who may, for

example, select music, train readers,

write the texts for the Prayer of the

Faithful.)

But you ARE the person who has been

given responsibility for ensuring the

suit- ability and quality of the

celebration. So you need to have a

understanding of the basics.

Indeed sometimes you will have to ‘train

the experts’ because, for example

simply because someone is a

skilled musi- cian doesn’t necessarily

mean they have an understanding of

the expectations of music at Mass.

You may also find your- self dealing

with someone familiar with what was

common practice at Mass, but not

familiar with the expectations proper

to the revised Mass. Good luck!

The various sheets in this set remind of the

basics. And they also include worksheets

for use preparing for each celebration,

which will help your co-workers to give you

their proposals in the form you need them,

and facilitate your review of those

proposals.

To take things further, once you have the

basics in place, have a look at Celebrating

the Mass, and the Directory for Masses

with children. Links to these documents will

be found at www.rcadcschools.org in the

Primary and Secondary Resources areas –

Catholic Life and Ethos.

A worksheet for RE coordinator/ Liturgy organiser The Mass

S Suggested initial stages of Preparation

• Occasion for the celebration:

Eg start of School year

• Date/time of celebration

• LiturgicalLiturgicalLiturgicalLiturgical DayDayDayDay Consult Liturgical Calendar in diocesan

year book to see what liturgical day this is

• ‘Restrictions’

1. Are there proper readings or prayers the

Church requires us to use this day?

2. If a ferial day are readings of the day suitable? If not, select from those set for

Various Needs and Occasions, or Commons

• If there are no calendar restrictions what

options seem attractive for

1. Collect; Prayer over the Offerings, Prayer after

Communion Eg Proper of Ordinary time or Masses and

Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions

2. Eucharistic Prayer Which seem most suitable from EPs I-IV,

EPs for Various Needs and Occasions;

for Reconciliation; for Masses with Children?

Once you have these basics in place, complete

the following master sheet and the worksheets

you will pass on to your collaborators. Allow

enough time for them to give proper attention to

their work, and for you to get back to them if

there are things that need adjusting.

Date: Liturgical Day:

Reason for celebration:

Priest:

The Introductory Rites Page number

Procession

Entrance song/music

Greeting

Penitential Act

(Gloria)

Collect

The Liturgy of the Word

First Reading

Psalm

(Second Reading)

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel

Homily

(Creed)

Prayer of the Faithful

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Presentation of Gifts

Offertory Song

Prayer over the Offerings

Preface

Sanctus

Eucharistic Prayer

Memorial Acclamation

Great Amen

Communion Rite

Lord’s Prayer

Lamb of God

Mode of distribution of Holy Communion

Song(s)/Music during Holy Communion

Song after Holy Communion - optional

Prayer after Communion

The Concluding Rites

Blessing

Dismissal

Concluding Music/Song

Preparation of worship space Coordinator

Music Coordinator

Readers Coordinator

Servers Coordinator

Holy Communion Coordinator

A teacher’s guide to

Preparing the Mass A simple process to follow 1. Establish the context.

• What is the particular reason for the

celebration?

• What are the expectations of the style

of celebration - eg a quiet celebration

of the Mass of the Day or something

more particular and festive?

• Who will take part in the

celebration?

• Where will the celebration take

place?

• What dates/times are available?

2. Once basic decisions have been

taken about the who/what/where

and when of the celebration , the

work of researching the options

can begin.

• How will this be done? By one

person or a group working

together?

• Who will make the final decisions?

3. Agree who will be involved in the

practical preparation of the place

of celebration/ministers etc.

• Notify them and give them the infor-

mation they need to take responsi-

bility for the tasks allocated to them.

• Agree when arrangements need to

be concluded and necessary infor-

mation passed on to the central co-

ordinator - eg the names of readers,

copies of Prayer of the Faithful.

4. AFTER the celebration gather the

principle people responsible for

the preparation to REVIEW how

things went, so that there can be

effective learning from the

experience in preparation for the

next time. Westminster

LITURGY Commission

This resource has been prepared for use in Schools in Westminster Diocese. Thank you to teachers at St Edwards School, Lisson Grove, and St Joseph’s School, Maida Vale for assistance.

Importance of preparation Every celebration of Mass should be pre-

pared carefully.

Always there are choices to be made.

Careful preparation helps ensure that the

choices are wide wisely so as to best

support and encourage the prayer

participation of those with whom the Mass

is being celebrated.

What factors should be taken into consideration? A wide variety of factors can and should be

taken into consideration

• The day of the celebration

What is the focus of the day in the

Church’s calendar? Sometimes this

determines prayers/readings that must

be used. But once the character of the

Church’s day is known...

• What options are provided in the

Lectionary and in the Missal?

• The congregation

Often what is proper for a celebration

with thirty 8-year olds will not be so

suitable for a celebration with a con-

gregation of adults and teenagers.

• The musical repertoire known by the congregation and by the music ministers

Often it will be appropriate to learn a

new setting or song for a particular

Mass, but the planning starts with

knowledge of what is already known

and what is the musical competence of

congregation/ministers.

• Opportunities and restrictions

imposed by the time/place of

celebration

1. The context. • What is the particular reason for the celebration?

• What are the expectations of the style of celebration?

• Who will take part?

• Where will we celebrate?

• What dates/times are available?

2. Researching the options.

• How will this be done? By one person or a group working together?

• Who will make the final decisions?

3. Who will be involved in the practical preparation?

• What information do they need? Who will give it to them and deal with questions?

• Who do they need to feed back to and when?

4. When/where will the review meeting take place?

NB Detailed planning and preparation sheets

are available in this pack provided for

Chaplain/RE Coordinator/Head of RE etc.

They can also all be downloaded from

www.rcadcschools.org (Primary and Secondary

Resources areas – Catholic Life and Ethos)

Prayer of the Faithful for Mass for ..............................................................

on .........................................................................

at ..........................................................................

in ..........................................................................

Coordinator for Mass is..................................

Priest is ...............................................................

A teacher’s guide to

Preparing the Mass

The Priest

How to get the best out of your priest • Ensure you have consulted with him in

good time about the forthcoming cele-

bration. This will help avoid clashes with

Feast Days/Solemnities which might not

‘fit’ with the focus of your celebration, but

may have priority on a particular day.

• Discuss with him what he will prepare

and what he expects others to prepare -

eg choice of readings, music. Agree how

decisions are to be shared about what is

prepared by priest and others.

• Let him know about particular pastoral is-

sues within the group that is celebrating

that he should know about so that he may

be pastorally sensitive. For example has

there been a recent bereavement in the

class, or major difficulties in the family life

of a pupil? He does not need to know all

the details, and will treat information with

profession confidentiality. He will not re-

fer to these things

during the Mass, if

it is judged best not

to. But sometimes

knowing what not to

refer to is as impor-

tant as knowing what

should be acknowl-

edged in prayer.

• It is sometimes

appropriate for the

priest to help the

smooth running of

the Mass by inviting

forward ministers by

their name at the ap-

propriate time - eg

‘John is now going to

read the first reading

to us...’ If this suits

your situation, let the

priest have a typed

list of who is doing

what.

The priest: Sacrament of Christ’s presence In the celebration of the Eucharist, Christ

is present in the person of the presiding

priest, ordained for this ministry. Every

authentic celebration of the Eucharist is

presided over by the Bish- op or a priest,

presiding in the person of Christ.

As so often, in the Mass, what we see is

less than we get. We see the priest, a

man among men. But by virtue of the

sacrament of Ordination and the

ministry entrusted to him by the

bishop, this man is the symbol of

Christ present for us.

We need to cultivate a reverence for that

presence of Christ in the ministry of

the priest. This is one way in which we

help ourselves to keep aware that the

Mass is something that involves our relationship with Christ. It is not a

merely human work, something we do.

It is something richer by far than only that.

The role of the priest The priest’s role at Mass is to lead the

people in prayer, in listening and

responding to God’s word and in

offering the Sacrifice through Christ in

the Spirit to the Father.

Through his prayerfulness and his

relationship to the Mystery of the Mass

and to the people assembled the priest

is to assist the congregation in their

praying of the Mass. It is a challenging

thing that is entrusted to him. It is

important to recognise that to do this

the priest needs to take overall re-

sponsibility for the celebration of the

Mass, though he should always also

work collaboratively with other

ministers.

His role is more integral to the

celebration than the necessary

minimum of leading the presidential

prayers and ensuring the Sacrament is

validly administered.

Background notes for the priest

1. Pastoral sensitivities

2. Additional relevant information

(eg issues that have come from

children reflecting on the read-

ings; details of symbols in opening

procession...)

Information should be passed to............................... for approval before.................................

A teacher’s worksheet for

The Priest Information

Mass for ..............................................................

on .........................................................................

at ..........................................................................

in ..........................................................................

Coordinator for Mass

is.................................. Priest is

...............................................................

How to contact the Priest

His phone:

His email:

A meeting has been arranged for:

Signs & Symbols at Mass Other main signs

Altar: The Altar is where the Sacrifice of the Cross

is made present; the Table of the Lord around which

we gather. It is venerated as symbol of Christ, cor-

nerstone of the Church and a Living Stone. It should

be dressed with a cloth, and reserved for its Eucha-

ristic function. Candles may be placed on the altar;

flowers may be put next to the altar but not on it.

Ambo: The Ambo is table of God’s word and com-

plements the Altar (table for the sacrament).Its de-

sign should indicate the dignity of the word. It should

remain in its place throughout the Mass.

Cross The cross is a constant reminder of the cost

of our salvation and a symbol of hope. The Cross

should be visible to the whole assembly during

Mass. The Cross should bear a figure of Christ cru-

cified. The Cross may be on or near the altar, or be

brought in procession.

Chair: In a church the presider’s chair is a symbol

of the priest’s office. It symbolises unity, leadership

and service. When celebrating in a school hall, it will

rarely be possible to achieve this, and usually the

chair will simply serve as a chair.

Candles: The light of candles signifies Christ the

light of the word; the gradual burning down of the

candle as wax is consumed in the flame symbolises

Christ’s self-sacrifice in the service of his mission.

Only genuine was candles should be used. Fake

‘candles with oil inserts are not permitted at Mass.

2, 4, or 6 are to be used, according to the level of

solemnity. 7 should be lit when the Archbishop pre-

sides at Mass.

Eucharistic Vessels: When it is not practical for

these to be of precious metal, they should be of

gilded metal. Pottery or porcelain should not be

used. Vessels for the Body of Christ should have

the form of plates or shallow bowls not chalices.

Chalices should be large enough for the quantity of

wine needed for consecration for communion.

Vesture: The outer vestures worn by the priest are

the stole and chasuble. Variety in colour gives effec-

tive outward expression to the seasons of the year.

The priest and servers should also wear an alb, al-

though if this cannot be provided for servers they

can wear their ordinary school clothes.

Why worry? The Mass is God communicating with

us through Sacrament (a symbol that

signifies what it effects). If Sacraments

don’t signify, their ability to effect, or ‘work’,

is greatly compromised. Giving attention to

the quality of the symbols is a pastoral

response to the needs of the Assembly.

Principal Symbols Assembly: The assembly, the Body of

Christ, should experience itself as gath-

ered and ordered for celebration. Its

mem- bers should be able to see and

hear clearly, and be in sufficient comfort

to allow them to participate.

Word: The Word of God should be able to

be heard by all present. Amplification

and loop systems, and signing, should

be available as needed. The dignity of

the Word should be indicated by the use

of the Lectionary (or in some other way,

if necessary).

Bread and Wine: Bread should be fresh

(even if altar breads are being used).

The large Host used by the priest

should be large enough so that it can

be ‘truly broken into parts and

distributed to at least some of the

faithful’, as the Church requires. Wine

should be natural and pure and free

from any foreign substance. It must be

alcoholic wine (nb not all wine sold as

Communion wine is intended for

Catholic use, so check carefully with

your supplier)

Priest: The priest is to lead the people

in prayer, in listening and responding to

God’s word and in offering the Sacrifice

through Christ in the Spirit to the

Father. If he is to lead the assembly,

he needs to be carefully prepared, and

in good time, as to what is proposed for

a Mass. He also needs to exercise

responsibility for those parts which

most closely relate to his role.

Assembly

How does the gathering

work? Can everyone see

and hear? Is there room

to move easily for Com-

munion etc

Word

Are the readers well

prepared? Has the con-

gregation been well

prepared to listen and

understand? Is the Lec-

tionary treated with dig-

nity?

Bread &

Wine

Are the symbols clearly

visible? Are they under-

stood? Is the large Host

broken so that it is ‘tru-

ly broken into parts and

distributed to at least

some of the faithful? Is

Communion ministered

under both kinds?

Priest

Has the priest been prop-

erly prepared for his role?

If not how might this be

improved on? Is the priest

allowed to preside? Are

parts of his role being,

improperly, taken by oth-

ers - eg at introduction or

conclusion of the Mass,

proclaiming of Gospel?

S Symbols for school Masses Un Unlike the other worksheets this is not for a particular Mass. Rather it is for a review of the quality

of symbols regularly used at Mass in or with the school in order to see whether

• any key symbols are regularly not being used

• the quality of any symbol used is weak or compromised and would benefit from being improved on.

You will find fuller and clear guidance in Chapter Two of Celebrating the Mass. See www.cts-on-line.org.uk

or as a PDF from www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/GIRM/Documents/CTM.pdf


Signs & Symbols at Mass

Altar

Is the altar worthy of

the celebration? Can it

be seen by all the con-

gregation? Is it properly

dressed? Is it the right

height for the priest and

the right size to hold

comfortably all it needs

to hold.

Ambo

Is the ambo worthy of the

celebration? Is it suitable

for those who are to read

from it? Can it be clearly

seen by all of the congre-

gation? Is it large enough

to hold the Lectionary?

Cross

Is there a cross, with a

figure of Christ crucified

on it, placed on or near

the altar, and clearly vis-

ible to the congregation

at least? Is there a pro-

cessional cross (which if

left at or near the altar,

can perform both func-

tions)?

Candles

Are the altar candles

adequate to their func-

tion of highlighting the

dignity and festiveness

of the celebration? Are

they made of real wax?

Are seven available for

when the Archbishop

celebrates?

Altar linen

Is the altar linen in good

condition? Free from

stains, and carefully

ironed? Is there suffi-

cient linen to meet your

needs?

Liturgical

books

Are the correct liturgical

books being used? In

the right sized volumes

to meet the needs of the

ministers?

Vesture

Are vestments availa-

ble for the priest in the

right liturgical colours?

Are properly fitting albs

available for the altar

servers?

Incense

When Is incense used?

When is it not? Why?

Flowers

and other

decoration

Are fresh flowers or other

suitable decorative items

used to enhance the

beauty and dignity of the

celebration? Are flow-

ers ‘fasted from’ during

Lent? Are the key places

of celebration decorated,

highlighting both word

and sacrament?

Participa-

tion aids

Are necessary partici-

pation aids provided for

children (and adults)?

Are processes in place

to help the children (and

adults) learn the texts of

the Ordinary of the Mass

so they do not keep

needing the basic partici-

pation aids?

The responses should be passed to............................... for consideration and discussion before.................................

acher’s guide to

Music at Mass

This resource has been prepared for use in Schools in Westminster Diocese. Thank you to teachers at St Ed- wards School,, Lisson Grove, and St Joseph’s, Maida Vale for assistance.

Less can be more • Not everything that can be sung, should

be sung. Focus on the key elements

that are expected to be sung.

• Not every song needs lots of words.

Taizé chants and shorter World Church

songs are easy to learn and have the

advantage of coming in a range of lan-

guages. Use them to express the mul-

ti-national nature of your school.

What are the priorities for singing at Mass?

Th The most important things for us to sing

are the key acclamations of the Mass.

In In the Liturgy of the Word we should sing:

• The Alleluia

In the Liturgy of the Eucharist we should sing:

• The Sanctus (Holy, Holy))

• The Memorial Acclamation

• The Great Amen

• The Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

Th There is an old saying that we should sing

the Mass, rather than sing at Mass. This

means that in the first place we should focus

on singing the given songs of the Mass, be-

fore we think singing anything else.

Other texts that have priority over hymns

include the Gloria, and the Responsorial

Psalm, and the Dialogues between priest

and people.

H However, particularly for those who have not

yet got these central songs into their

repertoire, carefully selected other songs

and hymns have their place. In other words

don’t stop singing just because you realise

you may still have work to do in learning the

core repertoire of songs for Catholic Mass!

Why is music important? M Music - and especially singing - brings a

richness to our worship. St Augustine said

‘singing is for one who loves’, for the different

energy required to sing makes the action of

singing a sign of personal commitment, and

the beauty and dignity of the song makes

ever more apparent the importance of what

is taking place.

To To use a secular example we would think

something was wrong if we said the words

of the ‘Happy Birthday’ song instead of sing-

ing it. We should also feel there is something

out of sorts if the key songs of the mass are

said and not sung.

Make your singing real. In In order for our worship to be truly authentic

the Church urges us to avoid the use of pre-

recorded music.

If the school does not already have staff or

students capable of accompanying the song of

the Assembly, serious thought should be given

to employing an accompanist for Mass and

preparation (often local parishes will be able to

suggest someone.) In the meantime it is

generally more honest and true to the liturgy to

sing unaccompanied rather than to use pre-

recording backing tracks.

U Using pre-recorded music to replace the song

of the assembly is not acceptable practice.

Schools & parishes can help each other

It I It is a great help if schools and parishes

have a shared repertoire of the core songs.

• Schools generally sing these songs

less regularly than parishes do, so

children attending the local parish will

already know the songs

• Schools often have more rehearsal

time available than parishes do, so

schools can help parishes prepare to

introduce new settings

• Collaboration shows that Church is

bigger than school or parish alone!

Westminster

LITURGY Commission

Settings for the Ordinary of the Mass

Kyrie

Gloria

Alleluia

Prayer of the Faithful

Sanctus

Memorial

Acc. Great

Amen

NB Items in black box/white print are the priority sung items at any Mass

Settings for the Proper of the Mass

Entrance Antiphon or Entrance Song

Psalm

Communion Antiphon or Communion Song

Final Song

• The Psalm should be sung, if possible. It is good to sing an appropriate Psalm from the collection of Common Psalms if you have not learnt a setting of the Psalm of the day.

• Antiphons will rarely be sung at school. Most often they are substituted by a hymn or other song.The theme of the antiphon might suggest a song, as might the readings of the day.

• The Roman Rite of Mass does not envisage a concluding song.The dismissal is taken seriously! On the other hand music here can help maintain prayer and reverence as people leave. Why not experiment and see what works best for you.

The proposals for Music should be passed to...............................

for approval before.................................


Music at Mass Music for Mass for .............................................................. on .........................................................................

at ..........................................................................

in ..........................................................................


is.................................. Priest is

...............................................................

Themes for the Mass

Note here the themes from the occasion of the celebration, or from the readings or antiphons that you might like to be expressed in the music

choices (especially hymns) you make.

Symbols of Christ, symbols of us

In the Orthodox tradition the bread and the wine

of the Offertory procession have been

venerated almost as though they were

already the Body and Blood of Christ they will

soon become.

In our Western tradition we reverence these el-

ements too. Like all of Creation they find their

fulfilment in Christ, as is made explicit in their

offering at Mass. But in our tradition the

elements are mainly seen as symbols of us.

Human hands that have prepared these

offerings of bread and wine. We have taken

the wheat and grape of God’s creation and

transformed it into work of human hands,

which now we offer to God.

St Augustine wrote beautifully on this: ‘Bread is

not made from one grain, but from many. It’s

as though you who were many were ground.

When you were baptised it’s as though you

were mixed into dough. When you received

the fire of the Holy Spirit, it’s as though you

were baked. Be what you can see, and

receive what you are. After all, just as many

grains are mixed into one loaf in order to

produce the visible ap- pearance of bread, as

though what holy scrip- ture says about the

faithful were happening: They had one soul

and one heart in God (Acts 4:32); so too with

the wine. Brothers and sisters, just remind

yourselves what wine is made from; many

grapes hang in the bunch, but the juice of

the grapes is poured together in one vessel.’

There’s a lot in St Augustine’s teaching to deep-

en our appreciation of the meaning of the

symbols of bread and wine, and a lot to

refresh how we speak with the children on

these things.

This sheet should be passed to............................... for approval before.................................

MiMinisters for Offertory Procession Bread .............................................................

Wine .............................................................

• Collection for the poor or for the Church ......................................

(NB whenever the school has a collection for a charity, make the most of the opportunity of Mass to dedicate to God the collection and the work done in making it.)

Bread & Wine for Consecration:

Prayers & needs to present to God

If, If, as St Augustine suggests, the bread and

wine symbolise us: baptised and consecrated

to God in Christ and by the Spirit, it is no bad

thing for us to make these symbols still more

potent by consciously and deliberately asso-

ciating the detail of our lives with the symbols

of bread and wine.

Alr Already these symbols represent our human-

ity redeemed by Christ. Let us also deliberate-

ly and consciously associate our troubles and

difficulties with the elements being brought to

the altar. Let these concerns and challenges

be associated with Christ’s Paschal Mystery,

his Passion, Death and Resurrection. We as-

sociate our fears and frailties with his triumph

over human fears and weaknesses, so that

they might be come before the transcendent

love of the Father, which as it raised Jesus

from the dead, so too it may reach out to us

for healing and encouragement, hope and the

promise of new and eternal life.

Ag Again , it is through the owning of and the us-

ing of the symbols of the Liturgy that these an-

cient symbols become fruitful for us, and that

we best participate in them.

Offertory Procession for Mass for ..............................................................

on .........................................................................

at ..........................................................................

in ..........................................................................


is.................................. Priest is

...............................................................


The Offertory Procession

Who can serve at the altar? In theory any of the baptised can serve at the

altar. In our diocese there is equal ac-

cess to the ministry for male and female.

However it is usual to reserve the minis-

try to those who have also made their first

Holy Communion.

It is important that anyone who is asked to

serve either already has acquired the skills

to serve with understanding and attention.

These skills will only be obtained by careful

and and sustained training.

The Assembly and priest are not well served

when this ministry is entrusted to those

who do not know what to do. Nei- ther are

the servers themselves, who are shown in

a poor light if they are confused and

ineffective..

It is not a difficult thing to train servers in the

school, and probably one of the local

clergy would be happy to arrange a couple

of after-school sessions to work with vol-

unteers.

That said it is probably simpler to make use of

servers who have already be trained for

service in parishes. However these too will

require additional help to adapt themselves

to the often very different circumstances of

serving in a school setting.

How many servers should there be?

The right number for what they need to do!

The flip answer is the only really

sensible one. For example if you

are having an entrance

procession with thurible and

boat, processional cross, and

two candles then you need four.

On the other hand if all the

server is being asked to do is

bring chalices from the

credence table and assist re-

ceive the Offertory gifts then only

one (or two) are needed.

So agree on the degree of ritual that

is to feature in your celebration

and note the maximum number

of servers you need at any one

time, (probably it will be the num-

ber carrying things in the

Entrance Proces- sion), and that

is the number of servers you