Every Friday, after adoration of the Blessed Sacrament we discuss a document of the Church in the hall at St. Mary’s at 7:45pm. At present we are setting aside time to deepen our understanding of the Church’s liturgy—especially the Holy Mass—by studying two key documents:

• The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) – the universal Church’s authoritative guide to how the Mass is celebrated: its structure, symbols, roles, and theological meaning.
• Celebrating the Mass – a pastoral teaching document from the Bishops of England and Wales that reflects on the same themes as the GIRM, but with additional insight into the spirit and practice of liturgy in our local context.

We do this for several important reasons:

1. To enter more deeply into the mystery of the Mass
   The Eucharist is the “source and summit” of the Christian life. Understanding the liturgy helps us to pray it more consciously, fully, and actively.
2. To unite ourselves with the mind of the Church
   These documents help us celebrate the Mass not according to personal preferences, but in communion with the Church’s teaching and practice—locally and universally.
3. To support good liturgical practice in our parish
   Studying the GIRM gives us clarity about what the Church asks of us; Celebrating the Mass helps us live this out pastorally and reverently in the English context.
4. To form ministers and the whole community
   Whether you’re a priest, reader, musician, server, or part of the congregation, this study strengthens our shared participation in the liturgy and our mission as a worshipping community.

In short, this Friday study is a moment of formation and renewal. It’s an act of love for the Mass and a commitment to celebrate it with beauty, reverence, and understanding—together.

We are also developing a monthly programme of Faith Formation Helps on this website for the parish which is sent out to those on the e-newsletter list which anyone can sign up to.