It would be interesting to hear just how many of us might answer. Would we answer, almost by default, that we are obliged to attend Mass on Sundays? Perhaps, but most likely given time to reflect we’d find many other reasons why we go to Mass.
For the past forty years the vast liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council have firmly taken root in our hearts. We have come to understand that the Mass is the source and summit of our life together in Christ. That asked to fully participate by active listening, responding and singing; we become members of the Body of Christ. During the Mass we join ourselves to Christ’s act of worship of God. Empowered by God’s grace, we who have been transformed can be used by God to transform our world.
The Pastoral Team has chosen 8 Sundays, between now and the beginning of Lent, to spend time during Sunday Mass sharing the meaning and purpose of each of its various sections. Our hope is that it will affirm the experience we have Sunday after Sunday and also answer any lingering questions about the Mass we might have.
Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9, we will show a brief video at the time of the homily, which will get the process going. The video features Rev. J. Glenn Murray, a Jesuit who is recognized nationally as an expert in liturgy. We certainly enjoyed and learned much from him and hope you will too. (November 2, 2003)