WPC TOPICS FOR 2008-2009

November 18th:  The Liturgy of the Word / The Homily

A homily is an interpretation of the Readings we hear proclaimed at Mass.  The homilist gives us an application of what they mean to us today.  Jesus constantly explained the Scriptures to His disciples. They, in turn, continued to do so to those to whom they preached after Jesus' Ascension.

November 4th:  The Liturgy of the Word / The Readings

In the Liturgy of the Word, we listen to Readings from the Bible that tell us of the wonders God has done since the beginning of time until the fullness of time, when He took on our human flesh and walked among us, then sacrificed His life for our salvation.

October 21st:  The Penitential Rite and The Gloria

This part of the mass focuses us inward, on our sinfulness, to foster in us a deep sense of our need for God’s mercy and grace. Together, as we “confess” to Almighty God, we acknowledge that our acts of separation (sin) have occurred through our own fault.  Our confession is an admission that we are in desperate need of a Savior to rescue and save us and bring us peace.

Once we are forgiven our sins, we sing the praises of the Lord.  We praise Him, we give thanks, express sorrow for our sins and ask Him to make us worthy to be in His presence.

October 7th:  Entering the Church, The Opening Rite

The Opening Hymn,  the Procession, the Sign of the Cross and the Greeting, these are all the Introductory or Opening Rites that we participate in as we prepare ourselves for Mass.

September 30th: How to get something out of the Mass

If you are not getting anything out of the Mass, it is because YOU have not opened yourself up to the great gift that God wishes to give you.  Open your mind, your heart and your soul so that Mass becomes a place to encounter Jesus Christ, so He can transform your life.

September 16th: What is the Mass?

On the night before He died on the Cross, Jesus shared the Passover Meal with his apostles.  During the meal He took bread and wine, blessed it, and gave it to his friends, saying, "This is My Body and This is My Blood, given for you.  Take and eat; Take and drink.  Do this in memory of Me."

Since then, the Church has offered this Sacrifice to God as our most important act of worship.  In the Mass the priest changes the bread and wine into the very Body and Blood of Jesus, given to save us from our sins and feed us.  The Mass is our greatest prayer.