Liturgy of the Word

 

The Liturgy of the Word helps us to think about our place in the Church, what we have and need in our lives, and our relationship with God in preparation for the Eucharist.  In this part of the Mass we listen, reflect, respond, profess our faith and pray.  The readings follow the cycle of the seasons, and the stories, poetry and readings are chosen to relate to the Church year and what is happening in our own lives. 

Sunday Masses:

First Reading:  usually Old Testament stories

Responsorial Psalm:  from the Book of Psalms, usually sung, with response by congregation

Second Reading:  usually from the New Testament Letters; advice from the Saints to us

Gospel:  New Testament, stories from the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John); three-year Cycle

             Year A: mostly from the Gospel of Matthew

             Year B: the Gospel of Mark and chapter 6 of the Gospel of John

             Year C: the Gospel of Luke

             The Gospel of John is read during the Easter season in all three years.

Homily:  Priest or Deacon focuses on scripture readings for the day

Profession of Faith:  Nicene or Apostle’s Creed; Baptismal Promise renewal

Prayer of the Faithful:  Prayer on behalf of the Church, the world, and ourselves

Weekday Masses:

             Second Reading is omitted; Gospel follows a two-year Cycle

Liturgical Year:

             Advent:                          Hope

             Christmas:                     Celebration, God becomes Human

             Lent:                               Preparation, self-reflection

             Holy Week:                    Recount story of the Passion and

                                                   Resurrection of Christ     

             Eastertide:                     Celebration of new life, renewal

             Ordinary Time:  Ordinal (as in numbers); exploration

Holy Days and Feast Days

             Celebrations throughout the year of important people and events in the Life of the Church

Special Masses

             Weddings, Funerals, celebrations and commemorations

 

Help your Child Participate in Mass

 

Prepare for Mass by talking with your child about what he or she will see and hear; make this a regular part of getting ready for Mass:

Go through the readings beforehand, and discuss stories and themes; use a missal or US Catholic Bishop’s web site to preview

Use pictures, coloring books to illustrate Bible stories they will hear

Talk about the themes in the readings:  sheep and shepherds, light, water, deserts, or whatever will be part of the readings that day

Listen to songs used in Mass and play them on Internet sites; sing them at home with your child

Discuss church seasons:  Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time, Advent and special Feast Days

Find out what saints’ feast days will be observed that week; talk with your child about the lives of saints

Sit where you and your children can see and hear what is happening

Look at stained-glass windows and statues around the church; get up close before or after Mass, and talk about what and who they represent

Pick up and use the child’s missals (available at church)

Encourage your child to participate as a reader, server, gift-bearer

Participate yourself:  sing, respond, pray

 

 

Ayude a su Hijo a Participar en la misa 

Prepárese para la misa hablando con su hijo de lo que él o ella verán y oirán; haga esto una parte regular de la preparación para la misa:

 

Pase por las lecturas de antemano y hable de historias y temas; use un misal o el sitio web del Obispo Católico estadounidense para ver
de preestreno.

Use imagenes, coloreando libros para ilustrar historias de la Biblia que oirán.

Conversación sobre los temas en las lecturas: las ovejas y los pastores, la luz, el agua, los desiertos, o independientemente de lo que será la parte de las lecturas ese día.

Escuche canciones usadas en la misa y juéguelos en páginas de internet; cántelos en casa con su hijo.

Hable de temporadas de la Iglesia: Cuaresma, Pascua, Tiempo Ordinario, Advenimiento y Fiestas especiales.

Averigüe que fiestas de los Santos serán observadas esa semana; hable con su hijo de las vidas de Santos.

Siéntese donde usted y sus hijos pueden ver y oír lo que pasa.

Mirada a vidrieras de colores y estatuas alrededor de la iglesia; despierte cerca antes o después de misa y conversación sobre que y a quién representan. 

Recoja y use los Misales del Niño (disponible en la iglesia).

Anime a su hijo a participar como un lector, servidor, portador del regalo.

Participe usted mismo: cante, responda, reze.

 

 

Readings/Lecturas available at www.usccb.org

Saint of the Day at www.franciscanmedia.org/source/saint-of-the-day/

Daily Inspirations at www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/prayer/daily-inspirations