Saint Andrew Catholic Church
Video Series: Year of the Mass
Episode 1: Year of the Mass - Official Trailer

"...The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy was a wonderful gift from Pope Francis to the Church. Following that special time of grace, Saint Andrew Parish will be observing a special Year of the Mass beginning with the Advent 2016 season and concluding next year 2017 on the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe.

The opening sentence of our parish mission statement says: “Saint Andrew Catholic community draws its identity and strength from the Eucharist as it grows in the faith through sacred worship, living the joy of the Gospel, and lifelong catechesis”. Thus, the Mass is at the heart of who we are and what we do as a parish community.

The Year of the Mass will be an opportunity for all of us to deepen our devotion and understanding of the Mass as the central act of worship for us as Catholics, the Mass is both an ancient and living tradition.

The spiritual meaning of the Mass is infinite, but, like all mysteries of the Church, we are invited by God’s grace to enter ever more deeply into this mystery of faith which we call the Mass.

During this Year of the Mass, there will be several special presentations on the history, structure, meaning, and importance of the Mass. For example, why is the ritual of the Mass structured the way is? How are the Scripture readings at Mass selected? What is the Eucharistic Prayer? What does transubstantiation mean? Why do priests wear special vestments at Mass and do they have any meaning? What is the tabernacle? Why do we stand, sit and kneel during various parts of the Mass? What connection do the other sacraments have to the Mass? What is the connection between the Mass and other devotions and pious practices?

These and many other topics – as well as your own questions – will be addressed at these special presentations.

In addition to learning more about the Mass, I hope that the Year of the Mass will afford each of us the chance to enter more intimately and actively into the celebration of the Mass. I hope that we will appreciate that the Mass is not only a just obligation, but also a wonderful opportunity to encounter God in our acts of prayer, worship, intercession and thanksgiving. As the Second Vatican Council teaches, the Mass is the “source and summit” of Church’s prayer life and that of all her children.

As the Lord Jesus instructed: “Do this in memory of me”.

May the Lord continue to bless you and your families with His love!
..."

Monsignor Michael A. Souckar
Pastor - St. Andrew Catholic Church

© 2017

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