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December 4, 2016Kinder- None
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- Liturgical Year: The Church year consists of six liturgical seasons: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time after Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time after Pentecost. Seasons begin or end based on a movable feast and so some seasons vary in length from year to year, and vary as to the calendar dates. The following is a brief overview of the Catholic liturgical seasons: their durations, their purpose and focus, and the liturgical year colors.
- : The period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.
- Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.
- Parish: An ecclesiastical district having its own church and member of the clergy.
- A minister or priest in charge of a church.
- In hierarchical churches, a member of the clerical order next below that of a priest.
- Sharing at the Eucharistic Table is a sign of unity in the Body of Christ.
- Those present to celebrate the liturgy.
- Liturgy of the Word: That section of the celebration where the Scriptures are proclaimed and reflected upon. On Sundays and major feasts, there are three readings: Old Testament selection, a New Testament selection, a Gospel reading.
- Eucharistic Prayer: The prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. It is the center and high point for the entire celebration.
- To make or declare sacred. The act of giving the sacramental character to the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine.
- Introductory rites: The Mass begins with the entrance chant/song. The celebrant and other ministers enter in procession and reverence the altar with a bow and/or a kiss. All make the Sign of the Cross and the celebrant extends a greeting to the gathered people in words taken from Scripture. The Penitential Act follows the greeting. The Gloria follows the Penitential Act. The Introductory Rites conclude with an opening prayer.
- Liturgy of the Word: That section of the celebration where the Scriptures are proclaimed and reflected upon. On Sundays and major feasts, there are three readings: Old Testament selection, a New Testament selection, a Gospel reading.
- Liturgy of the Eucharist: Begins with the preparation of the gifts and the altar. As the ministers prepare the altar, representatives of the people bring forward the bread and wine that will become the Body and Blood of Christ. The celebrant blesses and praises God for these gifts and places them on the altar, the place of the Eucharistic sacrifice. In addition to the bread and wine, monetary gifts for the support of the Church and the care of the poor may be brought forward. The Prayer over the Offerings concludes this preparation and disposes all for the Eucharistic Prayer.
- : An act by which a thing is separated from a common and profane to a sacred use, or by which a person or thing is dedicated to the service and worship of God by prayers, rites, and ceremonies.
- Concluding rites: During the Concluding Rites, announcements may be made after the Prayer after Communion. The celebrant then blesses the people assembled. It is in the triune God and in the sign of the cross that we find our blessing. After the blessing, the deacon dismisses the people. Those assembled are sent forth to bring the fruits of the Eucharist to the world.
