The Heart of Catholic Life
In our parish communities — St Mary’s, St John Bosco and St Edward’s — the Holy Mass is at the centre of our life together.
The Mass is much more than a gathering of Christians for prayer.
It is the sacramental making-present of Christ’s one Sacrifice on the Cross, in which the Church is united with her Lord in worship of the Father.
At every Mass, we hear God speak to us in Sacred Scripture, join ourselves to Christ’s offering, and encounter the risen Lord in the Holy Eucharist.
Under the appearances of bread and wine, Jesus Christ is truly, really and substantially present: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
For this reason, the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.
Sunday Mass
From the earliest days of the Church, Christians have gathered on Sunday, the Day of the Lord, to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
For Catholics, Sunday Mass is therefore not simply one devotion among many.
It is the ordinary centre of the week: the gathering of God’s people to hear his Word, offer the Holy Sacrifice and be nourished by Christ in the Eucharist.
Catholics are obliged to participate in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation unless prevented by a serious reason.
But the Sunday obligation is more than a rule.
We come because Christ calls his Church together and gives himself to us.
New to the Catholic Mass?
If you have never been to Mass before, have been away for a long time, or simply do not know what to do, you are very welcome.
You do not need to understand everything before coming.
You can listen, pray and gradually become familiar with the worship of the Church.
Our simple guide explains what happens, when people stand, sit and kneel, what to do at Holy Communion, and how to feel more at home.
The Eucharist
At the heart of the Mass is the Holy Eucharist.
At the consecration, by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the ministry of the priest, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Christ does not die again at every Mass.
His Sacrifice upon Calvary was offered once for all.
In the Mass, that one eternal Sacrifice is made sacramentally present, and the Church is united with Christ’s perfect offering to the Father.
Holy Communion is therefore not merely symbolic.
It is the reception of Christ himself.
The Mass Forms Our Life
The Mass does not end when we leave the church.
Having heard the Word of God and encountered Christ in the Eucharist, we are sent to live what we have celebrated.
The grace of the Mass should gradually shape:
our prayer · our families · our work · our treatment of others · our care for the poor · our willingness to forgive · our witness to Christ
The final words of the Mass send us back into the world to live as disciples.
We come to Christ at the altar so that we may carry Christ into the world.
Children’s Liturgy resources are here and the Prayers of the Faithful/intercessions are here and are published as parish posts and can be found on the homepage or through the search function.
A Complete Guide to the Holy Mass
Singing the Mass: How the Church Prays
Guide for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
A Clear Guide to Holy Communion
A Guide for Parishioners at Mass
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 