No matter your faith background we would love to have you join us for the celebration of the Mass!

If you will not be receiving communion, we do invite you to come forward and receive a blessing. To indicate that you would like a blessing, simply cross your arms over your chest (in the shape of an "X"), and the priest distributing Holy Communion will give you a blessing.

If you are interested in becoming Catholic please fill out our online Sacrament Interest Form and Fr. Maxy will reach out to you to set up a meeting.

Reception of Holy Communion

FOR CATHOLICS: As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

FOR NON-CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS: We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).

FOR THOSE NOT RECEIVING COMMUNION: All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another. It most appropriate for those not receiving communion to remain in their places in prayer or you may come forward to receive a blessing. Simply cross simply cross your arms over your chest (in the shape of an "X"), and the priest distributing Holy Communion will give you a blessing.

A resounding YES! Children of all ages and levels of wiggly-ness are welcome and are regularly in attendance at all of our Masses! If you are needing a small break during Mass and would like child care, we provide free childcare for children 3 and under during the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass through a program called Little Lambs. This is totally voluntary. Please see below for more information and resources for bringing kids to Mass!

While the Church never imposes a dress code, it is a sign of our interior disposition, that is a sign of how important we consider coming to Mass. The Mass is the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, and just as you would dress for a special event, it is always appropriate to dress in a way that demonstrates dignity and respect for our own bodies and for the Jesus who is truly there in the Eucharist.

INTRODUCTORY RITES

A Catholic Mass starts with the processional of the priest toward the sanctuary of the church. After the entrance procession, there is often a gathering song followed by a Greeting to the assembly, the Penitential Rite (a time of reflection on one's sins and a prayer for God's mercy), concluded with the Opening Prayer.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

This part of the Mass will offer Scripture readings from the following areas:

First Reading

A scripture reading from the Old Testament

Responsorial Psalm

A Psalm selected from the Book of Psalms. The congregation interacts by offering a response (usually sung).

Second Reading

A scripture reading from the New Testament

Gospel Acclamation

The people praise Christ's presence in the sacred Word of God.

Gospel Reading

Taken from one of the four Gospels of either Mathew, Mark, Luke or John.

Homily

The priest or deacon will address the congregation on what has been read.

Prayer of the Faithful or General Intercessions

A collection of short prayers of petition. After each petition is said the congregation will respond by saying, "Lord, hear our prayer" or something similar.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

The Liturgy of the Eucharist, along with communion, is the most sacred part of the Mass. Catholics will kneel during the Eucharistic prayer, but non-Catholics may remain seated.

Presentation of the Gifts and Preparation of the Gifts

The bread and wine are brought to the altar along with any monetary offerings for the poor that may have been collected from the congregation. The Offertory hymn may be sung at this time.

Prayer Over the Gifts

The priest may say or sing this prayer.

Eucharistic Prayer

At this time the congregation will kneel.

Eucharistic Acclamations

Includes the Holy, Holy - Memorial Acclamation and Great Amen.

Lord's Prayer

The reciting of the Our Father.

The Sign of Peace

The priest will prompt the congregation to offer each other a sign of peace. You will shake the hand of people around you (you can also simply wave or nod), perhaps saying, "Peace be with you."

Breaking of the Bread / Lamb of God

Distribution of Communion

People process in lines to the front of the sanctuary (foot of the altar), receive communion and then return to their seats. After returning to their places, people are encouraged to immediately kneel (or sit if you can't kneel) in silent prayer.

If you are not Catholic, you may process to the front and cross your hands across your chest to receive a blessing or you may remain seated or kneel in prayer while communion is being distributed.

Never mistake this time of movement of the people to the altar to receive communion as any type of an intermission. This is a sacred time for Catholics. Do not engage in unnecessary conversation during this period of the Mass.

Prayer After Communion

CONCLUDING RITE

This segment is the conclusion of the Mass and contains the final prayers and blessings. The priest will leave the church in a procession accompanied by a hymn.

Solemn / Final Blessing

Given to the entire congregation.

Dismissal

Given by the presider, usually by saying, "The Mass has ended. You may now go in peace."

Recessional

The priest processes out of the Cathedral during a final hymn.

All Mass responses and readings are also in the lectionary in each pew.