What to Expect

Attending a Catholic Mass for the very first time? Coming back to the Mass after a period of time and can't quite remember what to do? Want to dive deeper into your knowledge of the Mass?

We're glad to have you with us at any stage in your journey with Christ, and look forward to welcoming you to celebrate Mass with us. Continue reading for an easy-to-follow guide to the Mass for anyone to grow deeper in understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith.

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BEFORE THE MASS

Welcome to Our Lady of Light Family of Parishes! At either of our campuses, you will be greeted by a welcoming committee as you come in the doors to church. Using the holy water found in the font, bless yourself with the sign of the cross. Feel free to pick up a bulletin before or after Mass and find yourself a seat in the church where you're comfortable. As a sign of respect and honor, we genuflect (touch your right knee to the floor and make the sign of the cross) or bow to the tabernacle before entering the pew. The tabernacle is where Jesus is present in the Eucharist. Once you've found your seat, collect your thoughts and find a posture of prayer to say hello to Christ before the Mass begins.

INTRODUCTORY RITES

We begin the Mass with the opening hymn. All stand and sing as the procession comes in, the servers and priest, along with the occasional deacon or lector. They bow to the altar, then the priest approaches the altar and bows, kissing it before turning to his seat. The priest greets us with the sign of the cross and saying "The Lord be with you." We respond, "And with your spirit."

After, we say the Penitential Rite. In this, we remember our sins and ask for God's mercy and forgiveness. We sing the Gloria, the priest prays the opening prayer, and we sit for the Liturgy of the Word.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

The Liturgy of the Word spans across our three readings. The first reading comes from the Old Testament, then we sing at responsorial psalm. Our second reading comes from the New Testament outside of the Gospels.

After the second reading, we stand for the gospel acclamation. The priest then reads the gospel reading, we sit, and he shares his homily (explaining the readings more deeply or connecting them to our lives today).

​When he is finished, we stand again and proclaim the Nicene Creed. Still standing, we pray for general intercessions. We then sit to begin the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

The priest and servers prepare the altar for the Eucharist as we sing a song for the preparation of the gifts. As the song ends, we stand again. The priest says a short prayer, and we sing the Holy, Holy, Holy.

The priest then leads the Eucharistic Prayer. This prayer is where the priest consecrates the bread and wine, which is transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. We kneel before Him, present in the Eucharist. We proclaim the mystery of faith, then sing the Great Amen which concludes the Eucharistic Prayer.

COMMUNION RITE

Following the Great Amen, we stand and pray the Our Father. We exchange the sign of peace, sing the Lamb of God, then kneel. The priest holds the Body and  Blood of Christ and says, "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the lamb." We respond, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." 

At that point, the communion hymn begins and we approach the altar to receive Holy Communion. Only those who are Catholic and in the state of grace should receive Holy Communion. Bow or genuflect before receiving Holy Communion*, and respond with a proud "Amen" as the eucharistic ministers say "The Body/Blood of Christ." Afterwards, return to your seat and kneel, spending time in quiet reflection or in song. Once all have received Holy Communion and the priest sits, the congregation sits. 

*If you are not Catholic, we invite you to come forward and cross your arms over your chest to indicate that you cannot receive Holy Communion. {learn more.}

CONCLUDING RITE

After a moment of silence, the priest stands and says "Let us pray." We stand, the priest says a short prayer, then he offers the final blessing. We end how we began, with the sign of the cross. The closing hymn begins and the procession leaves. Once the final hymn is completed and the priest has left the church, the Mass has officially ended.

AFTER THE MASS

When the Mass has ended, you are more than welcome to stay and spend time with Christ. When you are ready, you are welcome to gather and spend time as a community, or head out as a missionary disciple ready to make heaven present here on earth.

Occasionally there will be assorted breakfast items (donuts, muffins, yogurt, fruit) and refreshments after Mass on Fellowship Sundays (free of charge!), or a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner hosted by a church ministry. Don't forget a bulletin if you haven't grabbed one yet, and we hope you'll join us on Sunday!

Fellowship Sundays
1st Sunday of the Month | Incarnation Campus, after 8:00am/10:00am Masses
3rd Sunday of the Month | St. Francis Campus, after both Masses