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Pathways to Discipleship: Knowing Jesus

Session 4: The Mass

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Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory.

Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God,

Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

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You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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Knowing Jesus: The Word

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The third habit of the 12 Habits of a Disciple:

Encounters Jesus through worship and sacraments

See the Mass in the light of Christ in the Word and in his True Presence in the Eucharist
Prepare spiritually and fully participate in the Mass and reception of the Eucharist

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THE MASS

“On the first day of the week when we gathered to break bread, Paul spoke to them because he was going to leave the next day…” (Acts 20:7)

“They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.” (Acts 3:42)

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MASS

Heaven + Earth joined
Strength for the journey

All prayer elements
Community

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“Priest of God, celebrate this Holy Mass as if it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.”

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PREPARING FOR MASS

Pre-read the Mass Readings
Dress for the Feast
Enter with reverence for the King
Arrive in anticipation of what is to come

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THE PARTS OF THE MASS

INTRODUCTORY RITES

LITURGY OF THE WORD

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

CONCLUDING RITES

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INTRODUCTORY RITES

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Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.�Worship the Lord with gladness;� come into his presence with singing.

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“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,� and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

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First reading
Responsorial (Psalter)
Second reading (Sunday and Holy Days) Gospel and Homily
Creed
Prayers of the Faithful

LITURGY OF THE WORD

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…all the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. ²Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. ³He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. ⁴The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the purpose…And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. ⁶Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground…the Levites helped the people to understand the law, while the people remained in their places. ⁸So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. Nehemiah 8:1-12

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Take a moment to reflect on the video. What is your response to the testimony? Share your thoughts with the group.
What stands out to you in Psalm 100 regarding attitudes for worship at Mass?
When the lector says, “The Word of the Lord,” we respond, “Thanks be to God”. For what might we be thankful?
Share a time when a homily comforted you, changed you or spoke to your heart.

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Preparation of the Gifts

The Eucharistic Prayer

Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy!)

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

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“Then he took a load of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’” (Luke 22:19-20)

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Our Father

Sign of Peace

Lamb of God

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CONCLUDING RITES

Final Blessing

The Dismissal:

“Ite Missa Est” or “Go forth, the Mass is ended”

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ST. CARLO ACUTIS

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(1991-2006)

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What are some examples of joys and sufferings you could spiritually join with the gifts brought to the altar?
The elevation of the host and chalice is a time for adoration of the Lord. How can you adore and pray to Jesus at that most sacred moment?
How might you be changed by your encounter with the Lord at Mass? Following the dismissal at the end of Mass, what are some ways to go forth and share the Gospel?
Saint Carlo had a zeal for and focus on spreading the love of God that he received through the Eucharist. How can you do likewise?

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PRACTICE TOGETHER

Read the readings for the upcoming Sunday Mass. Pray with and reflect on the Gospel using contemplation or Lectio Divina. Consider how the Lord is speaking to you. Share with your group what the readings mean to you.
Jesus instructs us to reconcile with others before approaching the altar (Mt 5:23-24). Consider with whom you might need to reconcile prior to attending Mass. What are some ways you might do this in the coming days?
Consider offering your Mass for an intention or a person.

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Prepare or discuss how you might prepare for the next Sunday Mass. Mass preparation includes:

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DISCIPLESHIP NEXT STEP

Choose a specific way to gain more graces from Mass. Here are some ideas to consider:

Commit to reading and praying with the Mass readings prior to Sunday Mass.
Listen more closely to the words of the Mass.
Kneel at the conclusion of Mass to pray, reflecting on who you have received.
Reflect on the Mass in gatherings of family or friends; seek communion with God and one another with prayer, praise of God, thanksgiving, and a meal.

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REMINDER FOR NEXT SESSION

Knowing Jesus: The Way

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Read or listen to Session 5: Community

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CLOSING PRAYER

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O God our Father, we thank you for giving us Carlo, a model of life for young people, and a message of love for all. You made him fall in love with your son Jesus, making the Eucharist his “highway to heaven.” You gave him Mary as a beloved mother, and you made him, through the Rosary, a cantor of her tenderness.

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Receive his prayer for us. Look above all upon the poor, whom he loved and assisted. Grant me too, through his intercession, the grace that I need. And make our joy full, raising Carlo among the saints of your Church, so that his smile shines again for us to the glory of your name. Amen.

St. Carlo Acutis, pray for us.