Pope Francis: People don't have to pay for priest to pray for them at Mass, it's free

Pope Francis: We need good readers at Mass—and we need to listen

During his catechesis at the weekly General Audience Pope Francis told those present that Christians need to be constantly open to and challenged by the Word of God.

Pope Francis: We need good readers at Mass—and we need to listen

The Pope invites the faithful to open their ears and their hearts to God's Word

Pope Francis: Mass is for prayers not mobile phones

Vatican Radio - Pope at General Audience: through the Eucharist we receive God

Pope Francis has reminded the faithful that the Eucharist is a wonderful event during which Jesus Christ, our life, becomes present. 

Speaking to the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis began a new series of reflections focusing on the Eucharist and highlighting the importance of how we attend and of how we participate in Mass in order to really experience our relationship with God. 

To the some 13,000 pilgrims present for the weekly audience, Pope Francis said that while at Mass “the Lord is present with us but many times we talk among ourselves and we are not close to Him” during the celebration.

BBC - Pope Francis: Mass is for prayers not mobile phones

5th June 2011 Exploring the Mass (Part 2)

This weeks show is now available on podcast looking at the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rite.

Programme summary and text of reflection available here.

Exploring the Mass (Part 2)

On this weeks show we continue exploring and for some rediscovering the Order of the Mass led in our reflection by Noirin Lynch from Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre where we reflect on the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites. (Last weeks show on Exploring the Mass - Part 1 can be read here or listened to here).

Saints of the Week

June 6th - St Norbert
June 7th - St Coleman of Dromore
June 8th - St William of York
June 9th - St Columba (Colum cille) Co-patron of Ireland
June 10th - St Ephream of Syria
June 11th - St Barnabas - Apostle

Exploring the Mass (Part 2)

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is so rich that we could spend weeks taking it line by line. But for tody, I have three points to reflecton together. It's a beginning, no more. So lets consider: Preparation, Participation, Transformation.

We start the Liturgy of the Eucharist by preparing ourselves and the Table of the Lord.

What are we preparing for? If I invite 4 people for dinner in my home & I prepare the dining room for a buffet for 20, or only lay the table for 2 people … my guests might be confused. Does our preparation reflect what is about to happen?

So, what's the best way to prepare as we begin the Liturgy of the Eucharist?

• "The Preparation of the Altar marks the fact that the altar now becomes the focus. It is appropriate that at this point items required for the celebration should be placed on the altar to signify that a new element of the celebration is beginning".
  
  Don't clutter the altar – the symbols and actions of the Rite are all well thought out and important - they should be seen by everyone from every part of the church at every Mass.
  
  "On particular occasions such as funerals, First Communions and Confirmations, symbols might be placed close to the altar, but not on it. This should be done at the beginning of Mass rather than at the preparation of the altar or of the gifts." Symbols of a group or a person help us to remember who we pray for – but they are not part of the offertory at the Lit of Eucharist
  
• Personally – Am I totally present, prepared, or is my mind cluttered with things that may prevent me from seeing whats on offer? After the collection and offertory, can I take a moment to realise where we are now, and what we are being invited into?!
  

29th May 2011 - Exploring the Mass (Part 1)

On this weeks show we were joined by Noirin Lynch from Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre who led us through the first part of a two part reflection on the Mass looking at the Introductory rites and the Liturgy of the Word. We also had our regular prayer space and a quick dash through the saints of the week.

Podcast of the programme is available HERE.


Saints of the Week

May 30th - St Joan of Arc

May 31st - The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
June 1st - St Justin (Martyr)
June 2nd - Ascension Thursday or Ss Macellinus and Peter
June 3rd - St Kevin (in Ireland) and St Charles Lwanga and Companions (Ugandan Martyrs) It is also the First Friday.
June 4th - St Cornelius McConchailleach


Exploring the Mass (Part 1)

Have you ever found yourself standing up for the Gospel and realising that you didn’t hear a word of the first readings? Ever sat down in church to realise that you can’t relax and pray today? The truth is that very few people arrive at Mass fully prepared to participate, so we need a time to become present to each other, and to the mystery of the Eucharist which we are about to celebrate together.

Mass has 2 essential parts – the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. But because we are human, we need time around those to prepare and pray – or we might miss the grace on offer!! So: Who is gathered? Why are we here? What needs to happen so we can really be present here & now?

Recognise that we are welcome as full members of this community

As we enter the church, we bless ourselves in holy water from the font to remind ourselves of our welcome at Baptism. Teaching a child to bless themselves like this is a great gift. Welcome is experienced in the friendly faces, the warmth of the church, the helpful hints (leaflets, usher etc). When we know we are welcome, it’s easier to know we belong!

We begin our liturgy with the sign of the Cross – the same sign that marked us at Baptism. The Amen we say here and throughout the Mass is significant as it calls us to respond, to choose to participate, to full membership. At this point the role of the celebrant is to gather the congregation into a people united in the presence of God.

Recognise ourselves & that we need to prepare our hearts

The Penitential Rite has four possible options: each week the celebrant chooses the one most appropriate for this Sunday. The focus is not on our sinfulness but on our need of God and Gods great mercy.

“The first form, ‘I confess’, acknowledges our sinfulness and asks the support of the prayers of the whole congregation which has gathered to celebrate the Eucharist and of the Blessed Virgin and all the saints. ... That confession is made entrusting oneself to Almighty God in the context of the prayer of the whole Church, on earth and in heaven. The second form reflects the long tradition of repentant prayer found in the penitential psalms. We express our sorrow and our hope in God’s mercy in words that have been used by God’s People for millennia, in words inspired by God himself. …The third form offers a variety of triple invocations leading to the prayer, Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy – the traditional Kyrie Eleison. It is important to note that this form is not a confession of sins, “Lord for the times when we failed to…” It is a litany of praise. The praise is offered to Jesus Christ, to whom the Kyrie is addressed. … The Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling with Holy Water may take the place of the penitential rite, on Sundays, especially Sundays in the Easter Season because of its emphasis on Easter and on Baptism. It thanks God for saving us from sin through the waters of Baptism.”

Recognise God who is with us & give praise

“The Gloria is one of the Church’s most ancient hymns and it is sung or said during the introductory rites of more solemn Masses.”

Its long history (from scripture – Bethlehem – through centuries of prayer) means it should be sung where possible and not replaced by similar words. We should all stand as it is a song of praise!