Teaching the Mass The celebration of the Mass can be divided into four main parts or rites: 1. Introductory Rite 2. Liturgy of the Word 3. Liturgy of the Eucharist 4. Concluding Rite

1. Introductory Rite Entrance Song and Greeting Penitential Rite Gloria and Opening Prayer

2. Liturgy of the Word The First Reading from the Old Testament is chosen to harmonise with the gospel message. The Responsorial Psalm which follows should be sung when possible. The Second Reading is from a non-gospel New Testament book. Depending on the season, the reading is taken from a letter, from the Acts of the Apostles or the Book of Revelation.

2. Liturgy of the Word In the Gospel we encounter Jesus Christ, the centre of our faith. The Homily should make the word we have just heard relevant to our everyday lives. Profession of Faith We profess our faith by saying the Nicene Creed together

Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary,and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in fulfilment of 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.

2. Liturgy of the Word In the General Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful) we pray for the concerns of the Church and the world. These prayers remind us that the local Church gathered in prayer is united with the universal Church. The recommended order for intentions given in the Roman Missal is as follows: a. for the needs of the Church b. for the world c. for those in need d. for the local community e. for those who have died

3. Liturgy of the Eucharist The two parts…that go to make up the Mass, namely, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, are so closely connected with each other that they form but one single act of worship.

In the preparation of gifts, the bread and wine are brought to the altar, that is, the same elements that Christ took into his hands. No other items, except donations for the Church or food for the poor, should be brought forward at this time.

In the Eucharistic Prayer, praise and thanks is given to God for the whole work of salvation, and especially for the gift and sacrifice of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. The offerings of bread and wine, through the power of the Holy Spirit, are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. We, too, pray that we will be transformed into Christ’s Body and Blood for the life of the world.

In the Memorial Acclamation we proclaim the mystery of faith. This ‘mystery’ is the paschal mystery, the mystery of Christ’s dying, rising and now being present among us.In this acclamation we affirm our belief in the risen Christ. This is the core of our Catholic faith.

The Eucharistic Prayer is the high point of the entire celebration. This prayer of thanksgiving is concluded with a simple Hebrew expression which says ‘so be it’ as we sing the Great Amen. In this way we give our sign of approval and support, as we say ‘Amen’.

The Communion Rite begins with the Lord’s Prayer. The sign of peace follows. This is not a secular greeting. We extend to one another a sign of Christ’s peace, not our own.

Breaking of the Bread Following the sign of peace, the Eucharistic bread is broken while the assembly sings The Lamb of God. This action of the breaking of the bread says that even though we are many, we all seek to become one body in the Lord.

The Communion As the congregation proceed to Communion they sing the Communion song. As well as a time for private prayer or silence, this is a time to express our unity in Christ by singing as we come forward to receive his Body and Blood, and as we return to our places While others continue to receive Communion

The Communion Rite ends with the Prayer after Communion prayed by the celebrant in the name of us all. Through the breaking of the bread and the sharing of Communion the people of God, though they are many, receive from the one bread the Lord’s Body, and from the one cup the Lord’s Blood.

4. Concluding Rite The Concluding Rite consists of a greeting, ‘the Lord be with you…’ and a blessing, ‘May almighty God bless you…’. This is derived from the New Testament and describes how Christ blessed his disciples before his ascension. The blessing prays for all of us who have shared in the celebration of the Eucharist.