Understanding the Mass

Ursula, Abby & Chloe

Introductory Rite We sing a hymn to bring everyone close as a community.When the priest walks in he is representing Jesus and god. We then all make the sign of the cross.We ask God to forgive us for our sins and bring us to everlasting life

Sacred ScripturesA holy person will read from the bible. Then the priest will read the gospel about Jesus .

The HomilyAfter the priest has read the gospel, he talks about what we have just heard and what we can learn from it and talks about things that relate to what he was just talking about.

Prayers of the FaithfulPrayers of the Faithful are when people from the parish read a prayer for the help in our community.We respond by saying “Lord hear our prayer”

The CreedGod made us and the world we live in Jesus is the son of god, who was born on earth, died for our sins, and rose to make us right with god. The holy spirit is god staying with us and directing our lives. The baptism brings us into the family of the church and together we are walking towards god now and for always.

Offertory We collect money for all those people in need. The bread and the wine are taken up to the altar along with the money.

Eucharistic PrayerThe priest thanks God for all he has done in a prayer over the bread and wine. We say the prayer along silently to show that we are truly thankful for everything he has done for us.

The ConsecrationThe consecration is when the priest blesses the bread and wine. Together with the priest, we do what Jesus did. He holds out his hands and blesses the bread and says the words that Jesus said: “This is my body broken for you, this is my blood poured out for you. Do this in memory of me.”

The DoxologyThe priest holds up the Body and Blood and says “Through Him, with Him and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory are yours, almighty father forever and ever. We say “Amen”

The Communion Rite Before we: Receive bread we say the Our FatherWe shake hands and say “Peace be with you” with each other.We say the Lamb of God

Receiving the communion

Those in church who have made their first communion will go up to the altar and receive the body of Christ.

The Concluding RiteThe priest says the last prayer and then we sing the final hymn.