Expectations for Mass
Attire/Dressing for Church:
What is worn to Church is expressive of what we believe is important. Part of our preparation, part of knowing that we are going to be in Jesus’ presence, should encourage us all to consider if we are dressed appropriately for such an opportunity.
Being on time:
Despite our busy lives, we gather together and share in the sacrifice of Jesus. Please consider being with us for one hour. Masses begin at a set time; we should make the sacrifice to be early, if not on time, so that we may be properly prepared and so that our prayer may be a sign of unity.
We recommend that you plan on joining us for the Prelude (15 minutes before Mass) as a way to prepare. The Prelude helps us transition from the outside world to the sacred space of Church.
Those consistently late, missing most of a Mass, or those who don’t go to Mass each week, should seriously consider if they should receive Holy Communion.
As you prepare to pray with us, please remember:
· To refrain from loud talking so as to not disrupt those who are praying.
· There is no eating or drinking in Church.
· Pets, with the exception of service animals, should not accompany you to church.
· To silence or turn-off your cell phone before Mass begins. Phone conversations do not take place in Church.
Children
Presence is important! Children of all ages should be brought to Mass so that they will learn the proper worship of God. Parents and guardians should be modeling what we do and how we behave at Mass.
For those with small children in distress, it is encouraged that you bring them for a break to the vestibule (entrance) of church.
Please bring a suitable quiet toy to keep a child occupied. Please discourage your children from standing on the kneelers. These are meant for knees not feet.
During Mass
Mass is supposed to express our unity; therefore we should all sit, stand and kneel at the same time as an outward expression of those united in prayer.
Walking around Church during Mass should not occur as this is a distraction to others. If you are late to Mass, please use the side aisles to find your seat.
Bathroom visits should be reserved to before or after Mass if possible. They should never be made during the Consecration, unless an absolute emergency.
The Mass is meant to be a dialogue, which means that we respond to the prayers, sing the hymns and take an active role in the Mass. Please try to pray in unison with others.
During Mass our gestures are meant to express unity as well—they should be the same for everyone at prayer. Using gestures that are part of our individual prayer detract from our unity as the One Body of Christ.
Liturgy of the Word
During the Liturgy of the Word, attention should be focused on hearing the Word of God as it is proclaimed in word and song.
Those wishing to follow along with the written word are asked to use the hymnal in each pew.
The Liturgy of the Word ends with the Collection and Offertory procession with the gifts of bread, wine and our collective sacrifices in the collection taken.
It is best that all those who attend Mass weekly are registered as Parish Members in the Parish Office and utilize weekly envelopes so that a record of donations may occur.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Consecration consists of prayers in which the priest, by the power of the Holy Spirit, changes the bread and wine into Jesus’ Body and Blood. This takes place after the Holy, Holy, Holy until the Great Amen. As a visual sign of unity and respect, the US Bishops have asked that those at Mass kneel from the Holy, Holy, Holy throughout the Eucharistic Prayer. Those who can’t kneel should be seated.
***No one in a pew should be standing during the Eucharistic Prayer of Mass.
As we pray the Our Father at Mass we do not mimic the gesture of the priest. Note that there is no direction in the Roman Missal to pray with hands raised, (the orans position) or to hold hands during the Our Father. During this part of the Mass, the priest is meant to use the orans position (hands extended in prayer) to visually imitate the action of Jesus on the Cross. It is never wrong, however, to use the orans position outside of Mass or any other time we pray.
Although some have actually encouraged the faithful to hold hands at the Our Father – the Roman Missal does not encourage us to do so. Actually – the greatest sign of our unity is receiving Communion – not holding hands before Communion—there should be no confusion.
At the Exchange of Peace—we extend some sign of peace to those around us—leaving your pew should be avoided.
Holy Communion
Only those Roman Catholic Christians who can receive Communion should participate in the procession for Communion. Those with questions as to their worthiness for reception should ask to speak with a priest by making an appointment in the Parish Office.
Those in procession for communion should not be talking with others in Church or ask questions of the priest, deacon, or minister.
Children accompanying their parents should be taken by the hand so that there’s no confusion over who is prepared and old-enough to receive.
Those not able to receive should not request a blessing – as some have suggested, as there is a blessing for us all at the end of Mass. All receiving a blessing together at the end of Mass indicates the true unity we hope to reach in Jesus Christ.
The Eucharist is so important that if we are not able to receive, we should not replace it with a blessing, no matter how nice a blessing may be.
To ensure respect, the Host should be consumed before leaving the Priest, Deacon or Minister.
Once receiving Holy Communion please return to your seat to kneel and pray.
When the Eucharist is returned to the Tabernacle all may return to a seated position.
After Mass
Please remember to return the hymnal to its place—ribbons should be inside each hymnal.
All garbage should be taken for disposal not left behind, so that everyone enjoys a clean Church.
Please return the kneeler to an upright position so that no one trips when entering/exiting.
Kindly wait until the Priest and Ministers reach the vestibule of Church before leaving.
Please remember that many people remain in Church to offer additional prayers—talking should never be so loud that one’s focus in Prayer is made difficult.
All are welcome to pray with us!
Please be mindful that Holy Communion is only for Catholics who are prepared to receive and in a state of Grace.
Those who are not of our faith should not participate in the procession for Holy Communion but should instead pray to be united with us under our one God.
Preparation for Catholics would include not having any serious sin —the least of which is attending Mass weekly. Those not attending Mass each Saturday evening/Sunday morning should consider seriously if they are properly prepared.
Those with Questions
Questions should never be asked during the reception of Holy Communion.
For your privacy, those with questions should contact the Parish Office—Church Business does not take place in the Sacristy after Mass or outside as the Priest is greeting other parishioners.
Maintaining a Safe Environment
Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier complies with all Safe Environment mandates set forth by the Diocese of Brooklyn and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. We make an effort to ensure that all people, particularly children, are safe in all parish experiences.
For their safety, children, must always be accompanied to the restroom by a parent– not an older sibling.
In case of a medical emergency, please seek the assistance of the ushers stationed at the entrance of the church. In the event of danger inside or outside our church, please look to the ushers for instructions on safety and rapid dismissal if necessary.